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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2015

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Under

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware  

15710 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77032

(281) 504-4700

  20-0411521

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,

including area code, of

registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

James L. Simmons

General Counsel

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.

15710 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77032

Telephone: (281) 504-4700

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copy to:

Timothy S. Taylor

Carina L. Antweil

Baker Botts L.L.P.

910 Louisiana Street

One Shell Plaza

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 229-1234

 

Exact Name of Additional Registrants*

  Jurisdiction of
Incorporation/Organization
     I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number
 

Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC

    Delaware         76-0607595   

Elastomers Holdings LLC

    Delaware         76-0656328   

Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation

    Delaware         52-2270870   

Kraton Polymers LLC

    Delaware         26-3739386   

 

* Each additional registrant is a wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each of the additional Registrants’ principal executive offices is c/o Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., 15710 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77032, telephone (281) 504-4700. The primary standard industrial classification code number of each of the additional Registrants is 2821. The name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of the agent for service for each of the additional Registrants is 15710 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77032, telephone (281) 504-4700.


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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are to be offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:   ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:   x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:   ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box:   x .

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box:   ¨ .

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount to be

Registered/Proposed

Maximum Offering

Price Per

Unit/Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate Offering

Price (1)(2)

Debt Securities

  —  

Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share

  —  

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

  —  

Warrants

  —  

Units

  —  

Guarantees of Debt Securities (3)

  —  

Total

  —  

 

 

(1) An indeterminate number or amount of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, units and guarantees of debt securities as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices and as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, exchange, exercise or settlement of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable antidilution provisions.
(2) In reliance on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act, Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. hereby defers payment of the registration fee required in connection with this Registration Statement. Accordingly, no filing fee is paid herewith and all registration fees will be paid on a “pay as you go” basis.
(3) Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC, Elastomers Holdings LLC, Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation and Kraton Polymers LLC may fully and unconditionally guarantee any series of debt securities of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., and Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC and Elastomers Holdings LLC, may fully and unconditionally guarantee any series of debt securities of Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation and Kraton Polymers LLC. Pursuant to Rule 457(n) no separate fee is payable with respect to the guarantees of the debt securities being registered.

 

 

 


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Prospectus

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Warrants

Units

Guarantees of Debt Securities

 

 

We may offer and sell from time to time securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these offerings and the securities to be offered in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

We may offer the securities from time to time in amounts, at prices and on other terms to be determined at the time of offering. We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers, agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.

Our shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KRA.” On August 24, 2015, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $19.57 per share.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. Please carefully review the information under the heading “ Risk Factors ” on page 2. In addition, risks associated with any investment in our securities may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and certain of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as described in “Risk Factors” on page 2.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined whether this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is August 25, 2015.


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About This Prospectus

     ii   

About Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.

     1   

The Guarantors

     2   

Risk Factors

     2   

Cautionary Statements About Forward-Looking Statements

     3   

Use Of Proceeds

     4   

Ratio Of Earnings To Fixed Charges

     4   

Description Of Debt Securities

     5   

Description Of Capital Stock

     15   

Description Of Warrants

     17   

Description Of Units

     18   

Plan Of Distribution

     19   

Legal Opinions

     22   

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     22   

Where You Can Find More Information

     22   

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a “shelf registration statement” that we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). By using a shelf registration statement, we may offer the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. For further information about the securities and us, you should refer to our registration statement and its exhibits. The registration statement can be obtained from the SEC as described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and, if applicable, a pricing supplement that will describe the specific terms of the offering. A prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement may include or incorporate by reference a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations applicable to those securities or to us. The prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement may also add to, update or change the information contained in this prospectus and, accordingly, to the extent inconsistent, the information in this prospectus will be superseded by the information in the prospectus supplement or pricing supplement. Please carefully read this prospectus, the prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement, in addition to the information contained in the documents we refer to under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement. We have not authorized any person, including any salesman or broker, to provide you with additional or different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement is accurate only as of the date on its cover page and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference.

 

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ABOUT KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS, INC.

We are a leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers (“SBCs”) and other engineered polymers. SBCs are highly-engineered synthetic elastomers, which we invented and commercialized 50 years ago that enhance the performance of numerous products by imparting greater flexibility, resilience, strength, durability and processability.

Our polymers are typically formulated or compounded with other products to achieve improved, customer-specific performance characteristics in a variety of applications. We seek to maximize the value of our product portfolio by emphasizing complex or specialized polymers and innovations that yield higher margins than more commoditized products. We refer to these complex or specialized polymers or innovations as being more “differentiated.”

Our products are found in many everyday applications, including personal care products, such as disposable diapers and the rubberized grips of toothbrushes, razor blades and power tools. Our products are also used to impart tack and shear properties in a wide variety of adhesive products and to impart characteristics such as flexibility and durability in sealants and corrosion resistance in coatings. Our paving and roofing applications provide durability, extending road and roof life.

We also produce Cariflex TM isoprene rubber and isoprene rubber latex. Our Cariflex products are based on synthetic polyisoprene polymer and do not contain natural rubber latex or other natural rubber products making them an ideal substitute for natural rubber latex, particularly in applications with high purity requirements such as medical, healthcare, personal care and food contact. We believe the versatility of Cariflex provides opportunities for new, high margin applications.

We have a portfolio of innovations at various stages of development and commercialization, including

 

    polyvinyl chloride alternatives for wire and cable, and medical applications;

 

    polymers and compounds for soft skin and coated fabric applications for transportation and consumer markets;

 

    highly-modified asphalt (“HiMA”) for high-performance paving applications;

 

    high melt flow polymers for compounding and adhesives formulations;

 

    NEXAR TM family of membrane polymers for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and breathable fabrics; and

 

    synthetic cement formulations and polymers used for viscosity modification in oilfield applications.

We manufacture our polymers at five manufacturing facilities globally, including our flagship facility in Belpre, Ohio, as well as facilities in Germany, France, Brazil, and Japan. The facility in Japan is operated by an unconsolidated manufacturing joint venture.

In this prospectus, we refer to Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., its wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries and its ownership interests in equity affiliates as “Kraton,” “we” or “us,” unless we specifically state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise.

We are a Delaware corporation. The address of our principal executive offices and our telephone number at that location is:

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.

15710 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77032

(281) 504-4700

Our internet website address is www.kraton.com . Information contained on or accessible from our website or any other website is not incorporated into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

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THE GUARANTORS

Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC, Elastomers Holdings LLC, Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation and Kraton Polymers LLC may fully and unconditionally guarantee any series of debt securities issued by us offered by this prospectus, as set forth in a related prospectus supplement. These subsidiaries are sometimes referred to in this prospectus as the Subsidiary Guarantors. The applicable prospectus supplement will name the Subsidiary Guarantors, if any, for that series of debt securities and will describe the terms of the guarantee by the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC and Elastomers Holdings LLC may fully and unconditionally guarantee any series of debt securities issued by Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation and Kraton Polymers LLC offered by this prospectus, as set forth in a related prospectus supplement.

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider all of the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and other information that may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement as provided under “Where You Can Find More Information,” including the risks described under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please read “Cautionary Statements About Forward-Looking Statements.” Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks described elsewhere in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. If any of these risks occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our common stock or preferred stock or value of our warrants or debt securities could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on us. When we offer and sell any securities pursuant to a prospectus supplement, we may include additional risk factors relevant to such securities in the prospectus supplement.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including the information we incorporate by reference, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking information is based on projections and estimates, not historical information. You can identify our forward looking statements by the use of words like “may,” “may not,” “believes,” “do not believe,” “plans,” “estimates,” “intends,” “expects,” “do not expect,” “anticipates,” “do not anticipate,” “should,” “likely,” and other similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes.

When considering these forward looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference.

Forward-looking information involves risk and uncertainties and reflects our best judgment based on current information. Our forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and we caution you not to rely unduly on them. We have based many of these forward-looking statements on expectations and assumptions about future events that may prove to be inaccurate. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. In addition, other known and unknown risks and factors may affect the accuracy of our forward-looking information. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus or as of the date they are made, and, except as otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any of our forward-looking statements regardless of whether factors change as a result of new information, future events or for any other reason.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for general corporate purposes, which may include:

 

    capital expenditures;

 

    acquisitions;

 

    working capital; and

 

    repayment, refinancing, redemption or repurchases of indebtedness or other securities.

Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness or outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

We have presented in the table below our historical consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown.

 

     Six Months
Ended June 30,
     Years Ended December 31,  
     2015      2014      2013      2012      2011      2010  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     (0.12)x         1.11x         0.80x         1.02x         3.54x         5.07x   

Our earnings were insufficient to cover our fixed charges by approximately $16.7 million and $8.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2013.

We have computed the ratios of earnings to fixed charges by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose, “earnings” consist of earnings before income taxes plus fixed charges, amortization of capitalized interest and any equity distributions less income from equity investees and interest capitalized. “Fixed charges” consist of interest expensed, interest capitalized, amortization of debt issuance costs, amortization of debt premium and the estimate of interest within our rental expense.

No shares of our preferred stock are currently issued or outstanding, therefore no dividends accrued on any shares of our preferred stock for any period presented. Accordingly, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is the same as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The debt securities covered by this prospectus will be our general unsecured obligations. We will issue senior debt securities under an indenture to be entered into among us, the possible Subsidiary Guarantors, and a trustee we will name in the prospectus supplement relating to the senior debt securities. Kraton Polymers LLC and Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation will issue senior debt securities under an indenture to be entered into among them as co-issuers, us as guarantor, the possible Subsidiary Guarantors, if any, and a trustee we will name in the prospectus supplement relating to the senior debt securities. We refer to these indentures as the senior indentures. The senior indentures will be substantially identical, except for the issuers of the debt securities under each such indenture. We will issue subordinated debt securities under an indenture to be entered into among us, the possible Subsidiary Guarantors, and a trustee we will name in the prospectus supplement relating to subordinated debt securities. We refer to the senior indentures and the subordinated indenture collectively as the indentures. The senior indenture for the debt securities issued by us and the subordinated indenture will be substantially identical, except for provisions relating to subordination.

We have summarized material provisions of the indentures, the debt securities and the guarantees below. This summary is not complete. We have filed the forms of the indentures with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement, and you should read the indentures for provisions that may be important to you. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information.”

In this summary description of the debt securities, unless we state otherwise or the context clearly indicates otherwise, all references to “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. only and not to any of its subsidiaries.

General

None of the indentures limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued under that indenture, and none of the indentures limit the amount of other unsecured debt or securities that we may issue. We may issue debt securities under the indentures from time to time in one or more series, each in an amount authorized prior to issuance.

We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of that series, for the issuance of additional debt securities of that series. Additional debt securities of a particular series will have the same terms and conditions as outstanding debt securities of such series, except for the date of original issuance and the offering price and, if applicable, the initial interest payment date and initial interest accrual date, and will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, such outstanding debt securities.

The senior debt securities will constitute our senior unsecured indebtedness and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt and senior in right of payment to all of our subordinated indebtedness. The senior debt securities will be effectively subordinated to, and thus have a junior position to, our secured indebtedness with respect to the assets securing that indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities will rank junior to all of our senior indebtedness and may rank equally with or senior to other subordinated indebtedness we may issue from time to time.

We conduct our business through our wholly owned subsidiary, Kraton Polymers LLC, and its consolidated subsidiaries. As a result, our operating income and cash flow are generated by our subsidiaries. Cash we obtain from Kraton Polymers LLC and its subsidiaries is the principal source of funds necessary to meet our debt service obligations. Contractual provisions or laws, as well as our subsidiaries’ financial condition and operating requirements, may limit our ability to obtain cash from our subsidiaries that we require to pay our debt service obligations, including payments on the debt securities. In addition, holders of the debt securities will have a junior position to the claims of creditors, including trade creditors and tort claimants, of our subsidiaries to the extent that such subsidiaries do not guarantee such debt securities.

 

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Neither indenture contains any covenants or other provisions designed to protect holders of the debt securities in the event we participate in a highly leveraged transaction or upon a change of control. The indentures also do not contain provisions that give holders of the debt securities the right to require us to repurchase their securities in the event of a decline in our credit rating for any reason, including as a result of a takeover, recapitalization or similar restructuring or otherwise.

Ranking

On March 27, 2013, we entered into an asset-based revolving credit facility consisting of a $150.0 million U.S. senior secured revolving credit facility (the “U.S. Facility”) and a $100.0 million Dutch senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Dutch Facility,” and together with the U.S. Facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”). Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC and Kraton Polymers Nederland B.V. are the borrowers under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, and Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., Kraton Polymers LLC, Elastomers Holdings LLC and Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation are the guarantors for both the U.S. Facility and the Dutch Facility. In addition, K.P. Global Holdings C.V. and Kraton Polymers Holdings B.V. are guarantors for the Dutch Facility. All secured obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are secured by specified assets of Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC, Kraton Polymers LLC, Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation, Elastomers Holdings LLC and the other U.S. borrowers and guarantors, and the Dutch Facility secured obligations are further secured, subject to certain exceptions, by specified assets of Kraton Polymers Nederland B.V., including (a) accounts, (b) inventory, (c) chattel paper, instruments, letters of credit, general intangibles (other than intellectual property), as each of the aforementioned relates to accounts or inventory, (d) commodities accounts, deposit accounts and securities accounts, to the extent any proceeds of the collateral described in (a) through (c) above are deposited therein, (e) monies, cash and deposits, including cash collateral to the extent related to the foregoing, and (f) all accessions to, substitutions for, replacements and proceeds of the foregoing.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will be effectively subordinated to our Senior Secured Credit Facilities. As of June 30, 2015, we had no outstanding indebtedness under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities. In the event of any distribution or payment of our assets in any foreclosure, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization or other bankruptcy proceeding, holders of secured indebtedness will have prior claim to our assets that constitute their collateral. Holders of the senior debt securities will participate ratably with all holders of our senior unsecured indebtedness, and potentially with all of our other general creditors, based upon the respective amounts owed to each holder or creditor, in our remaining assets.

The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness and the unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Subsidiary Guarantors. Kraton Polymers LLC and its wholly-owned financing subsidiary, Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation, issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% senior notes that mature on March 1, 2019 pursuant to an indenture, dated February 11, 2011 (with respect to $250.0 million senior notes) and supplemental indenture thereto dated March 20, 2012 (with respect to $100.0 million senior notes). The indenture provides that the notes are general unsecured, senior obligations and will be unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will rank equally with such notes.

Under the subordinated indenture, payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the subordinated debt securities will generally be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt.

Terms

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

    whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated debt securities;

 

    the title of the debt securities;

 

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    the total principal amount of the debt securities;

 

    the price at which we will issue the debt securities;

 

    whether we will issue the debt securities in individual certificates to each holder or in the form of temporary or permanent global securities held by a depositary on behalf of holders;

 

    the date or dates on which the principal of and any premium on the debt securities will be payable;

 

    any interest rate, the date from which interest will accrue, interest payment dates and record dates for interest payments;

 

    whether and under what circumstances we will pay any additional amounts with respect to the debt securities;

 

    whether debt securities are entitled to any guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantors and the identity of any such Subsidiary Guarantors for that series and the terms of such guarantee if different than those set forth in the applicable indenture;

 

    the place or places where payments on the debt securities will be payable;

 

    any provisions for optional redemption or early repayment;

 

    any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities;

 

    the denominations in which we will issue the debt securities if other than $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000;

 

    whether payments on the debt securities will be payable in foreign currency or currency unit or another form and whether payments will be payable by reference to any index or formula;

 

    the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities that will be payable if the maturity is accelerated, if other than the entire principal amount;

 

    any additional means of defeasance of the debt securities, any additional conditions or limitations to defeasance of the debt securities or any changes to those conditions or limitations;

 

    any changes or additions to the events of default or covenants described in this prospectus;

 

    any restrictions or other provisions relating to the transfer or exchange of the debt securities;

 

    any terms for the conversion or exchange of the debt securities for other securities;

 

    with respect to the subordinated indenture, any changes to the subordination provisions for the subordinated debt securities; and

 

    any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the applicable indenture.

We may sell the debt securities at a discount, which may be substantial, below their stated principal amount. These debt securities may bear no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates. If we sell these debt securities, we will describe in the prospectus supplement any material United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations.

If we sell any of the debt securities for any foreign currency or currency unit or if payments on the debt securities are payable in any foreign currency or currency unit, we will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information relating to those debt securities and the foreign currency or currency unit.

 

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Subordination

Under the subordinated indenture, payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the subordinated debt securities will generally be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may not make any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on the subordinated debt securities if:

 

    we fail to pay the principal, interest, premium or any other amounts on any Senior Debt when due; or

 

    we default in performing any other covenant (a “covenant default”) on any Senior Debt that we have designated if the covenant default allows the holders of that Senior Debt to accelerate the maturity of the Senior Debt they hold.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, a covenant default will prevent us from paying the subordinated debt securities only for up to 179 days after holders of the designated Senior Debt give the trustee for the subordinated debt securities notice of the covenant default.

The subordination does not affect our obligation, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay, when due, the principal of and any premium and interest on the subordinated debt securities. In addition, the subordination does not prevent the occurrence of any default under the subordinated indenture.

The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of Senior Debt that we may incur. As a result of the subordination of the subordinated debt securities, if we become insolvent, holders of subordinated debt securities may receive less on a proportionate basis than other creditors.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, “Senior Debt” will mean all of our indebtedness, including guarantees, unless the indebtedness states that it is not senior to the subordinated debt securities or our other junior debt. Senior Debt with respect to a series of subordinated debt securities could include other series of debt securities issued under the subordinated indenture.

Guarantees

Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors, if any, with respect to a series of senior debt securities will fully and unconditionally guarantee on an unsecured basis the full and prompt payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of that series when and as the payment becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or otherwise. As used in this prospectus, the term “Subsidiary Guarantors” with respect to a series of debt securities refers to those subsidiaries listed under “The Subsidiary Guarantors” that guarantee that series of debt securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will name the Subsidiary Guarantors, if any, for that series of debt securities and will describe the terms of the guarantee by the Subsidiary Guarantors if they differ from the terms described in this prospectus. The guarantees provide that in the event of a default in the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on a debt security, the holder of that debt security may institute legal proceedings directly against the Subsidiary Guarantors to enforce the guarantees without first proceeding against us. If senior debt securities are so guaranteed, the guarantees will rank equally with all of the Subsidiary Guarantors’ other unsecured and unsubordinated debt from time to time outstanding and senior to any subordinated debt of the Subsidiary Guarantors. If subordinated debt securities are so guaranteed, the guarantees will be subordinated to all of the Subsidiary Guarantors’ other unsecured and unsubordinated debt from time to time outstanding.

The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its guarantee of the debt securities will be limited to the maximum amount that will not result in the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantor under the guarantee constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law, after giving effect to:

 

    all other contingent and fixed liabilities of the Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

    any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantors in respect of the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantor under its guarantee.

 

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The guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor may be released under certain circumstances. If we exercise our legal or covenant defeasance option with respect to debt securities of a particular series as described below in “—Defeasance and Discharge,” then any Subsidiary Guarantor will be released with respect to that series. Further, if no default has occurred and is continuing under the applicable indenture, and to the extent not otherwise prohibited by the applicable indenture, a Subsidiary Guarantor will be unconditionally released and discharged from the guarantee:

 

    automatically upon any sale, exchange or transfer, whether by way of merger or otherwise, to any person that is not our affiliate, of all of our equity interests in the Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

    automatically upon the merger of the Subsidiary Guarantor into us or any other Subsidiary Guarantor or the liquidation and dissolution of the Subsidiary Guarantor; or

 

    following delivery of a written notice by us to the trustee, upon the release of all guarantees by the Subsidiary Guarantor of any debt of ours for borrowed money, except for any series of debt securities under the applicable indenture.

Consolidation, Merger and Sales of Assets

The indentures generally permit a consolidation or merger involving us or the Subsidiary Guarantors. They also permit the Subsidiary Guarantors or us to sell, lease, convey, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. We and the Subsidiary Guarantors have agreed, however, that we will not consolidate with or merge into any entity or sell, lease, convey, assign, transfer or dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to any entity unless:

 

  (1) either

 

    we or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, are the continuing entity; or

 

    the resulting entity is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and, in the case of us, expressly assumes by supplemental indenture the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any additional amounts with respect to the debt securities and the performance of our covenants and obligations under the applicable indenture and the debt securities, or, in the case of such Subsidiary Guarantor, the performance of the guarantee and such Subsidiary Guarantor’s covenants and obligations under the applicable indenture and the debt securities; and

 

  (2) immediately after giving effect to the transaction or series of transactions, no default or event of default under the applicable indenture has occurred and is continuing or would result from the transaction(s).

This covenant will not apply to any merger of another entity into us. Upon any transaction of the type described in and effected in accordance with this section, the resulting entity will succeed to and be substituted for us and may exercise all of our rights and powers under the applicable indenture and the debt securities with the same effect as if the resulting entity had been named as us in the applicable indenture. In the case of any asset transfer or disposition other than a lease, when the resulting entity assumes all of our obligations and covenants under the applicable indenture and the debt securities, we will be relieved of all such obligations.

Events of Default

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following are events of default with respect to a series of debt securities:

 

    our failure to pay interest on any debt security of that series for 30 days when due;

 

    our failure to pay principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series when due;

 

    our failure to deposit any sinking fund payment relating to any debt security of that series for 30 days when due;

 

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    our failure to comply with any covenant or agreement in that series of debt securities or the applicable indenture (other than an agreement or covenant that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of other series of debt securities) for 90 days after written notice by the trustee or by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities issued under that indenture that are affected by that failure;

 

    specified events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us or a Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to that series of debt securities that is a significant subsidiary (as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC, as in effect on the date of the applicable indenture) of us;

 

    if applicable, specified events involving the guarantees; and

 

    any other event of default provided for that series of debt securities.

A default under one series of debt securities will not necessarily be a default under any other series. If a default or event of default for any series of debt securities occurs, is continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee will notify the holders of applicable debt securities within 90 days after it occurs. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the debt securities of any default or event of default, except in any payment on the debt securities, if the trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders of those debt securities.

If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the default (or, in some cases, 25% in principal amount of all debt securities issued under the applicable indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may declare the principal of and all accrued and unpaid interest on those debt securities to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us or a Subsidiary Guarantor that is a significant subsidiary occurs, the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the debt securities of that series will become immediately due and payable without any action on the part of the trustee or any holder. At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the default (or, in some cases, of all debt securities issued under the applicable indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may in some cases rescind this accelerated payment requirement and its consequences.

A holder of a debt security of any series issued under an indenture may pursue any remedy under that indenture only if:

 

    the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to that series of debt securities;

 

    the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

    the holders offer to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

    the trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and offer of indemnity; and

 

    during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

This provision does not, however, affect the right of a holder of a debt security to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment.

In most cases, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless those holders have offered to the

 

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trustee indemnity satisfactory to it. Subject to this provision for indemnification, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series (or of all debt securities issued under the applicable indenture that are affected, voting as one class) generally may direct the time, method and place of:

 

    conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee; or

 

    exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee relating to or arising as a result of an event of default.

If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of his own affairs.

The indentures require us to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to our performance of certain of our obligations under the indentures and as to any default in performance.

Modification and Waiver

We and the trustee may supplement or amend each indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series issued under that indenture that are affected by the amendment or supplement (voting as one class). Without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected, however, no modification may:

 

    reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

    reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on the debt security;

 

    reduce the principal of the debt security or change its stated maturity;

 

    reduce any premium payable on the redemption of the debt security or change the time at which the debt security may or must be redeemed;

 

    change any obligation to pay additional amounts on the debt security;

 

    make payments on the debt security payable in currency other than as originally stated in the debt security;

 

    impair the holder’s right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the debt security;

 

    make any change in the percentage of principal amount of debt securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to make any change in the provision related to modification;

 

    with respect to the subordinated indenture, modify the provisions relating to the subordination of any subordinated debt security in a manner adverse to the holder of that security;

 

    waive a continuing default or event of default regarding any payment on the debt securities;

 

    except as specifically provided in the indenture, release any Subsidiary Guarantor or modify the related Guarantee in any manner materially adverse to the holders of debt securities under that indenture; or

 

    if applicable, make any change that materially and adversely affects the right to convert any debt security.

We and the trustee may supplement or amend each indenture or waive any provision of that indenture without the consent of any holders of debt securities issued under that indenture in certain circumstances, including:

 

    to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

    to provide for the assumption of our obligations under the indenture by a successor upon any merger, consolidation or asset transfer permitted under the indenture;

 

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    to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities or to provide for bearer debt securities;

 

    to provide any security for, or to add any guarantees of or obligors on, any series of debt securities;

 

    to comply with any requirement to effect or maintain the qualification of that indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended;

 

    to add covenants that would benefit the holders of any debt securities or to surrender any rights we have under the indenture;

 

    to add events of default with respect to any series of debt securities;

 

    to make any change that does not adversely affect any outstanding debt securities of any series issued under that indenture in any material respect;

 

    to establish the form or terms of any debt securities and to accept the appointment of a successor trustee, each as permitted under the indenture;

 

    to supplement any of the provisions of that indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities; and

 

    to provide for the appointment of a successor trustee or to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts under that indenture by more than one trustee.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series (or, in some cases, of all debt securities issued under the applicable indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may waive any existing or past default or event of default with respect to those debt securities. Those holders may not, however, waive any default or event of default in any payment on any debt security or compliance with a provision that cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each holder affected.

Defeasance and Discharge

Defeasance. When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under an indenture. If we deposit with the trustee under an indenture any combination of money or government securities sufficient to make payments on the debt securities of a series issued under that indenture on the dates those payments are due, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:

 

    we and the Subsidiary Guarantors, if applicable, will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the debt securities of that series (“legal defeasance”); or

 

    we and the Subsidiary Guarantors, if applicable, will no longer have any obligation to comply with specified restrictive covenants with respect to the debt securities of that series, the covenant described under “—Consolidation, Merger and Sales of Assets” and other specified covenants under the applicable indenture, and the related events of default will no longer apply (“covenant defeasance”).

If a series of debt securities is defeased, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not be entitled to the benefits of the applicable indenture, except for obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities or maintain paying agencies and hold money for payment in trust. In the case of covenant defeasance, our obligation to pay principal, premium and interest on the debt securities, and if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors’ guarantees of the payments, will also survive.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the debt securities to recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that the holders would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related defeasance had not occurred. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.

 

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Under current U.S. federal income tax law, legal defeasance would likely be treated as a taxable exchange of debt securities to be defeased for interests in the defeasance trust. As a consequence, a United States holder would recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the holder’s cost or other tax basis for the debt securities and the value of the holder’s interest in the defeasance trust, and thereafter would be required to include in income a share of the income, gain or loss of the defeasance trust. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, covenant defeasance would not be treated as a taxable exchange of such debt securities.

Satisfaction and Discharge . In addition, an indenture will cease to be of further effect with respect to the debt securities of a series issued under that indenture, subject to exceptions relating to compensation and indemnity of the trustee under that indenture and repayment to us of excess money or government securities, when either:

(a) all outstanding debt securities of that series have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all outstanding debt securities of that series not delivered to the trustee for cancellation (i) either have become due and payable, or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year; (ii) we have deposited with the trustee any combination of money or government securities in trust sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on the debt securities of that series when due; and (iii) we have paid all other sums payable by us with respect to the debt securities of that series.

Governing Law

New York law will govern the indentures, the debt securities and the guarantees.

The Trustees

We will name the trustee under the applicable indenture in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Each indenture contains limitations on the right of the trustee, if it or any of its affiliates is then our creditor or, if applicable, a creditor of a Subsidiary Guarantor, to obtain payment of claims or to realize on certain property received for any such claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee and its affiliates are permitted to engage in other transactions with us, and, if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors. If, however, the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate that conflict or resign within 90 days after ascertaining that it has a conflicting interest and after the occurrence of a default under the applicable indenture, unless the default has been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated within the 90-day period.

Payments and Paying Agents

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payments on the debt securities in U.S. dollars at the office of the trustee and any paying agent. At our option, however, payments may be made by wire transfer for global debt securities or by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the payment as it appears in the security register. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest payment.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the trustee under the applicable indenture will be designated as the paying agent for payments on debt securities issued under that indenture. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.

If the principal of or any premium or interest on debt securities of a series is payable on a day that is not a business day, the payment will be made on the following business day. For these purposes, unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, a “business day” is any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday

 

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or a day on which banking institutions in any of New York, New York, Houston, Texas or a place of payment on the debt securities of that series is authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the trustee and paying agent will pay to us upon written request any money held by them for payments on the debt securities that remains unclaimed for two years after the date upon which that payment has become due. After payment to us, holders entitled to the money must look to us for payment. In that case, all liability of the trustee or paying agent with respect to that money will cease.

Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer

We will issue the debt securities in registered form, without interest coupons. Debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series, the same total principal amount and the same terms but in different authorized denominations in accordance with the applicable indenture. Holders may present debt securities for registration of transfer at the office of the security registrar or any transfer agent designated by us. The security registrar or transfer agent will effect the transfer or exchange if its requirements and the requirements of the applicable indenture are met. We will not charge a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities. We may, however, require payment of any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable for that registration.

We will appoint the trustee as security registrar for the debt securities. If the applicable prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agents we initially designate, we may at any time rescind that designation or approve a change in the location through which any transfer agent acts. We are required to maintain an office or agency for transfers and exchanges in each place of payment. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents for any series of debt securities.

In the case of any redemption of debt securities of a series or any repurchase of debt securities of a series required under the terms of the series, we will not be required to register the transfer or exchange of:

 

    any debt security of that series during a period beginning 15 business days prior to the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption or repurchase and ending on the close of business on the day of mailing of such notice; or

 

    any debt security of that series that has been called for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part.

Book-Entry Debt Securities

We may issue the debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global debt securities that would be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may issue global debt securities in either temporary or permanent form. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of any depositary arrangement and the rights and limitations of owners of beneficial interests in any global debt security.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

The following descriptions are summaries of material terms of our common stock, preferred stock, certificate of incorporation and bylaws. Copies of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws have been incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you are urged to review these documents. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information.”

As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized capital stock consists of 500,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of which 31,349,571 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2015, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value, of which no shares were issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.

Common Stock

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held in the election of directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. Cumulative voting of shares of our common stock is prohibited. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors may elect all of the directors standing for election.

Subject to the prior rights of the holders of any outstanding preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably the assets of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. remaining after payment of all liabilities and payment to holders of our preferred stock if such preferred stock has an involuntary liquidation preference over our common stock. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The outstanding shares of our common stock are, and any shares of our common stock offered and issued by us pursuant to this prospectus will be, when issued and paid for, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors is authorized, without any further notice or action of our stockholders, to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of our preferred stock in one or more series and to determine the relative rights, preferences and privileges of the shares of any such series.

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws provide for indemnification of our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws limit the liability of our directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. We maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

We entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers on December 16, 2011. The indemnification agreements provide our directors, officers and certain key employees with further indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware Law. The form of indemnification agreement is filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 16, 2011.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation, Our Bylaws and Delaware Law

Some provisions of Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws contain provisions that could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing another party from acquiring or seeking to acquire

 

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control of us. These provisions are intended to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage anyone seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. However, these provisions may also delay, deter or prevent a change in control or other takeover of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. that our stockholders might consider to be in their best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium being paid over the market price of our common stock and also may limit the price that investors are willing to pay in the future for our common stock. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management.

Our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws include anti-takeover provisions that:

 

    authorize our board of directors, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of our preferred stock in one or more series, and with respect to each series, to fix the number of shares constituting that series and establish the rights and other terms of that series;

 

    require that actions to be taken by our stockholders may be taken only at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders and not by written consent;

 

    specify that special meetings of our stockholders can be called only by our board of directors, the chairman of our board of directors, our chief executive officer or our president or any executive vice president (if we do not have a chief executive officer);

 

    establish advance notice procedures for our stockholders to submit nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors and other proposals to be brought before a stockholders meeting;

 

    provide that our bylaws may be amended by our board of directors without stockholder approval;

 

    allow our directors to establish the size of our board of directors by action of the board of directors, subject to a minimum of three members;

 

    provide that vacancies on our board of directors or newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of our directors may be filled only by vote of a majority of directors then in office, even though less than a quorum;

 

    do not give the holders of our common stock cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of directors; and

 

    provide that Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Laws, which prevents companies from engaging in certain “business combinations” with “interested stockholders” for a specified period except in certain instances, does not apply.

Authorized and Unissued Shares

Our authorized and unissued shares of common stock will be available for future issuance without stockholder approval. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KRA.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or other securities or any combination of the foregoing. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities. Warrants sold with other securities may be attached to or separate from the other securities. If we issue warrants under this prospectus, we will issue such warrants under one or more warrant agreements between us and a warrant agent that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will include specific terms relating to the offering. We will file the form of any warrant agreement with the SEC, and you should read the warrant agreement for provisions that may be important to you. The applicable prospectus supplement will include some or all of the following terms:

 

    the title of the warrants;

 

    the aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

    the designation, number and terms of the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants, and the procedures by which those numbers may be adjusted;

 

    the exercise price of the warrants;

 

    the dates or periods during which the warrants are exercisable;

 

    the designation and terms of any securities with which the warrants are issued;

 

    if the warrants are issued as a unit with another security, the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the other security will be separately transferable;

 

    if the exercise price is not payable in U.S. dollars, the foreign currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the exercise price is denominated;

 

    any minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time; and

 

    any terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange or exercise of the warrants.

Holders of equity warrants will not be entitled to:

 

    vote, consent or receive dividends;

 

    receive notice as stockholders with respect to any meeting of stockholders for the election of our directors or any other matter; or

 

    exercise any rights as stockholders of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units consisting of any combination of the other types of securities offered under this prospectus in one or more series. We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent. Each unit agent will be a bank or trust company that we select. We will indicate the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.

The following description, together with the additional information included in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. You should read any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of units being offered, as well as the complete unit agreements that contain the terms of the units. Specific unit agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and we will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from another report that we file with the SEC, the form of each unit agreement relating to units offered under this prospectus.

If we offer any units, certain terms of that series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following, as applicable:

 

    the title of the series of units;

 

    identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units;

 

    the price or prices at which the units will be issued;

 

    the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;

 

    a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

 

    any other terms of the units and their constituent securities.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities in and outside the United States (a) through underwriters or dealers, (b) directly to purchasers or (c) through agents. The applicable prospectus supplement will include the following information:

 

    the terms of the offering;

 

    the names of any underwriters or agents;

 

    the purchase price of the securities from us and, if the purchase price is not payable in U.S. dollars, the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the purchase price is payable;

 

    the net proceeds to us from the sale of securities;

 

    any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

    any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

 

    the initial public offering price;

 

    any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

    any commissions paid to agents.

Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers

If we use underwriters in the sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement and except as described below, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

Underwriters may sell shares of our common stock under this prospectus by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which includes sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange, on any other existing trading market for our common stock or to or through a market maker, or in privately negotiated transactions. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the sales agent with respect to any such at-the-market offering will make all sales using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreeable terms between the sales agent and us. We will include in the applicable prospectus supplement the amount of any compensation to be received by the sales agent.

During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.

 

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If we use dealers in the sale of securities, the securities will be sold directly to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The dealers participating in any sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will include in the applicable prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents

We may sell the securities directly. In that event, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents we designate from time to time. In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable by us or to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

Remarketing

We may offer and sell any of the securities in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment by their terms or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms acting as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. We will identify any remarketing firm, the terms of any remarketing agreement and the compensation to be paid to the remarketing firm in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act.

Derivative Transactions

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock.

We or one of our respective affiliates may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities using this prospectus. Such financial institution or third party may transfer its short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus or otherwise.

The third parties in any of the sale transactions described above will be underwriters and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or in a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

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General Information

We may have agreements with the agents, dealers and underwriters to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

 

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LEGAL OPINIONS

Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, Texas. Any underwriters will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by their own legal counsel, which firm will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The consolidated financial statements and schedules of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,2014, have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

With respect to the unaudited interim financial information for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015, incorporated by reference herein, the independent registered public accounting firm has reported that they applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However, their separate reports included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015, and incorporated by reference herein, states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. The accountants are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) for their reports on the unaudited interim financial information because these reports are not “reports” or “part” of the registration statement prepared or certified by the accountants within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the 1933 Act.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1850, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain information about the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website that contains information we file electronically with the SEC, which you can access over the Internet at http://www.sec.gov . You can obtain information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the SEC are available, without charge, on or through our website, www.kraton.com , as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference and is not part of this prospectus.

We incorporate information into this prospectus by reference, which means that we disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except to the extent superseded by information contained in this prospectus or by information contained in documents filed with the SEC after the date of this prospectus. The following documents are incorporated by reference (other than information in such documents that is deemed not to be filed) into this prospectus:

 

    our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2015;

 

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    our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on April 30, 2015, and the quarter ended June 30, 2015, filed with the SEC on July 30, 2015;

 

    our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2015, June 9, 2015, June 16, 2015 (Item 1.01 only) and June 23, 2015; and

 

    the description of our common stock in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on December 15, 2009, and any amendment or report we may file with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description.

All documents we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subsequent to the date of this prospectus and prior to the sale of the all the securities hereunder shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents (other than information in such documents that is deemed not to be filed).

You may request a copy of any and all of the information incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus (excluding exhibits to such information unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus). Such requests should be sent to: Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., 15710 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77032, telephone (281) 504-4700.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses payable by Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Kraton”), in connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement.

 

Registration fee

   $              † 

Printing expenses

       † 

Accounting fees and expenses

       † 

Legal fees and expenses

       † 

Trustee fees and expenses

       † 

Rating agency fees

       † 

Miscellaneous

       † 
  

 

 

 

Total

   $   † 

 

Estimated expenses are not presently known. The foregoing sets forth the general categories of expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) that Kraton anticipates it will incur in connection with the offering of securities under this Registration Statement. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Delaware Corporations . Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings in which such person is made a party by reason of such person being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent to us. The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that Section 145 is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. Our bylaws provide for indemnification by us of our directors, officers and employees to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases, redemptions or other distributions, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Our certificate of incorporation provides for such limitation of liability.

We maintain standard policies of insurance under which coverage is provided (a) to our directors and officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act, and (b) to us with respect to payments which may be made by us to such officers and directors pursuant to the above indemnification provision or otherwise as a matter of law.

We have entered into customary indemnification agreements with our executive officers and directors that provide them, in general, with customary indemnification in connection with their service to us or on our behalf.

Delaware Limited Liability Companies . The Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that a limited liability company has the power to indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person

 

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from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. The operating agreement for each Delaware limited liability company that is a registrant provides that, with certain exceptions, no manager or officer will have any personal liability whatsoever to the limited liability company or any member on account of such manager’s or officer’s status as a manager or officer or by reason of such manager’s or officer’s acts or omissions in connection with the conduct of the business of the company. The debts, obligations and liabilities of each limited liability company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, will be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the company, and no manager, member or officer will be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the company solely by reason of being a manager, member or officer.

Item 16. Exhibits. †

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Exhibit Description

  3.1    Certificate of Incorporation of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.
  3.2    Bylaws of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.
  3.3    Certificate of Formation of Ripplewood Chemical Acquisition LLC.
  3.4    Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Formation of Ripplewood Chemical Acquisition LLC changing name to RK Polymers LLC.
  3.5    Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Formation of RK Polymers LLC changing name to Kraton Polymers LLC.
  3.6    Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Kraton Polymers LLC.
  3.7    Certificate of Incorporation of RK Polymers Capital Corporation.
  3.8    Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of RK Polymers Capital Corporation changing name to Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation.
  3.9    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation.
  3.10    Certificate of Formation of Elastomers Holdings LLC.
  3.11    Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Elastomers Holdings LLC.
  3.12    Certificate of Formation of Shell Elastomers LLC.
  3.13    Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Formation of Shell Elastomers LLC changing name to Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC.
  3.14    Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC.
  4.1    Form of Indenture between Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. and the trustee thereunder (the “Senior Trustee”), relating to senior debt securities.
  4.2    Form of Indenture between Kraton Polymers LLC, Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation and the trustee thereunder (the “Senior Co-Issuer Trustee”), relating to senior debt securities.
  4.3    Form of Indenture between Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. and the trustee thereunder (the “Subordinated Trustee”), relating to subordinated debt securities.
  5.1    Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities.
12.1    Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
15.1    Awareness Letter of KPMG LLP.
23.1    Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2    Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1    Powers of Attorney of certain officers and directors of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.

 

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Kraton will file as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K (i) any underwriting, remarketing or agency agreement relating to securities offered hereby, (ii) the instruments setting forth the terms of any debt securities, preferred stock, warrants or units, (iii) any additional required opinions of counsel with respect to legality of the securities offered hereby, (iv) the Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the Senior Trustee, Senior Co-Issuer Trustee and Subordinated Trustee on Form T-1 and (v) any required opinion of counsel to Kraton as to certain tax matters relative to securities offered hereby.

Item 17. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to

 

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be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

  (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

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  (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act , each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of each of the Senior Trustee and the Subordinated Trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, each of the registrants certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, Texas, on the 25th day of August, 2015.

 

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.
Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC
Elastomers Holdings LLC
Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation
Kraton Polymers LLC
By:  

        /s/ Kevin M. Fogarty

          Name: Kevin M. Fogarty
          Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 25th day of August, 2015.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/ Kevin M. Fogarty

Kevin M. Fogarty

  

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Stephen E. Tremblay

Stephen E. Tremblay

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Chris H. Russell

Chris H. Russell

  

Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

*/s/ Anna C. Catalano

Anna C. Catalano

  

Director

*/s/ Steven J. Demetriou

Steven J. Demetriou

  

Director

*/s/ Dominique Fournier

Dominique Fournier

  

Director

*/s/ John J. Gallagher III

John J. Gallagher III

  

Director

*/s/ Barry J. Goldstein

Barry J. Goldstein

  

Director

*/s/ Francis S. Kalman

Francis S. Kalman

  

Director

 

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Signature

  

Title

*/s/ Dan F. Smith

Dan F. Smith

  

Director

*/s/ Karen A. Twitchell

Karen A. Twitchell

  

Director

*By: /s/ Stephen E. Tremblay

Attorney-in-fact

  

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS†

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Exhibit Description

  3.1    Certificate of Incorporation of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.
  3.2    Bylaws of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.
  3.3    Certificate of Formation of Ripplewood Chemical Acquisition LLC.
  3.4    Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Formation of Ripplewood Chemical Acquisition LLC changing name to RK Polymers LLC.
  3.5    Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Formation of RK Polymers LLC changing name to Kraton Polymers LLC.
  3.6    Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Kraton Polymers LLC.
  3.7    Certificate of Incorporation of RK Polymers Capital Corporation.
  3.8    Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of RK Polymers Capital Corporation changing name to Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation.
  3.9    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation.
  3.10    Certificate of Formation of Elastomers Holdings LLC.
  3.11    Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Elastomers Holdings LLC.
  3.12    Certificate of Formation of Shell Elastomers LLC.
  3.13    Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Formation of Shell Elastomers LLC changing name to Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC.
  3.14    Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC.
  4.1    Form of Indenture between Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. and the trustee thereunder (the “Senior Trustee”), relating to senior debt securities.
  4.2    Form of Indenture between Kraton Polymers LLC, Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation and the trustee thereunder (the “Senior Co-Issuer Trustee”), relating to senior debt securities.
  4.3    Form of Indenture between Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. and the trustee thereunder (the “Subordinated Trustee”), relating to subordinated debt securities.
  5.1    Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities.
12.1    Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
15.1    Awareness Letter of KPMG LLP.
23.1    Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2    Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1    Powers of Attorney of certain officers and directors of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.

 

Kraton will file as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K (i) any underwriting, remarketing or agency agreement relating to securities offered hereby, (ii) the instruments setting forth the terms of any debt securities, preferred stock, warrants or units, (iii) any additional required opinions of counsel with respect to legality of the securities offered hereby, (iv) the Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the Senior Trustee, Senior Co-Issuer Trustee and Subordinated Trustee on Form T-1 and (v) any required opinion of counsel to Kraton as to certain tax matters relative to securities offered hereby.

 

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Exhibit 3.1

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS, INC.

The undersigned, for the purpose of organizing a corporation for conducting the business and promoting the purposes hereinafter stated, under the provisions and subject to the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware (particularly Chapter I, Title 8 of the Delaware Code and the acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto, and known, identified, and referred to as the “General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware”), hereby certifies that:

FIRST : The name of the corporation (hereinafter called the “corporation”) is KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS, INC.

SECOND : The address, including street, number, city, and county, of the registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, City of Wilmington 19808, County of New Castle; and the name of the registered agent of the corporation in the State of Delaware at such address is Corporation Service Company.

THIRD : The nature of the business and the purposes to be conducted and promoted by the corporation is to conduct any lawful business, to promote any lawful purpose, and to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

FOURTH : The total number of shares of stock which the corporation shall have authority to issue is 600,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of:

(1) 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; and

(2) 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 10,000,000 shares may be issued in one or more series from time to time by the Board of Directors and designated as “non-voting.” The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the non-voting common stock shall be equal and identical in all respects to the common stock except that, unless otherwise provided by law, the holders of non-voting common stock shall not be entitled to notice of any shareholders’ meetings or to vote upon the election of directors or upon any other matters.

FIFTH : Shares of preferred stock may be issued in one or more series from time to time by the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to fix by resolution or resolutions the designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the shares of each series of preferred stock, including without limitation the following:

(1) the distinctive serial designation of such series which shall distinguish it from other series;

(2) the number of shares included in such series;

(3) the dividend rate (or method of determining such rate) payable to the holders of the shares of such series, any conditions upon which such dividends shall be paid and the date or dates upon which such dividends shall be payable;

(4) whether dividends on the shares of such series shall be cumulative and, in the case of shares of any series having cumulative dividend rights, the date or dates or method of determining the date or dates from which dividends on the shares of such series shall be cumulative;

(5) the amount or amounts which shall be payable out of the assets of the corporation to the holders of the shares of such series upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up the corporation, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of the shares of such series;


(6) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the shares of such series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the corporation or at the option of the holder or holders thereof or upon the happening of a specified event or events;

(7) the obligation, if any, of the corporation to purchase or redeem shares of such series pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the shares of such series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(8) whether or not the shares of such series shall be convertible or exchangeable, at any time or times at the option of the holder or holders thereof or at the option of the corporation or upon the happening of a specified event or events, into shares of any other class or classes or any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the corporation, and the price or prices or rate or rates of exchange or conversion and any adjustments applicable thereto; and

(9) whether or not the holders of the shares of such series shall have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and if so the terms of such voting rights.

SIXTH : If TPG III Polymer Holdings LLC, TPG IV Polymer Holdings LLC, J.P. Morgan Partners (BHCA), L.P., J.P. Morgan Partners Global Investors, L.P., J.P. Morgan Partners Global Investors (Cayman), L.P., JPMP Global Fund/Kraton, L.P., JPMP Global Fund/Kraton A, L.P., J.P. Morgan Partners Global Investors (Cayman) II, L.P., J.P. Morgan Partners Global Investors (Selldown), L.P., J.P. Morgan Partners Global Investors (Selldown) II, L.P., JPMP Global Fund/Kraton/Selldown, L.P. and JPMP Global Fund/Kraton/Selldown II, L.P. (collectively the “Sponsors”) collectively own less than 50.0% of the outstanding shares of the common stock, then any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation may be taken only upon the vote of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting duly called and may not be taken by written consent of the stockholders. The Bylaws of the corporation may establish procedures regulating the submission by stockholders of nominations and proposals for consideration at meetings of stockholders of the corporation

SEVENTH : The name and the mailing address of the incorporator are as follows:

 

NAME

  

MAILING ADDRESS

   15710 John P. Kennedy Blvd.
Stephen E. Tremblay    Suite 300
   Houston, TX 77032

EIGHTH: The corporation is to have perpetual existence.

NINTH : Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of this corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this corporation under Section 291 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this corporation under Section 279 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three fourths (3/4) in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of this corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of this corporation, as the case may be, and also on this corporation.


TENTH : For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the corporation, and in further definition, limitation, and regulation of the powers of the corporation and of its directors and of its stockholders or any class thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided:

(1) The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the corporation shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed by, or in the manner provided in, the Bylaws. The phrase “whole Board” and the phrase “total number of directors” shall be deemed to have the same meaning, to wit, the total number of directors which the corporation would have if there were no vacancies. No election of directors need be by written ballot except and to the extent provided in the Bylaws of the corporation.

(2) After the original or other Bylaws of the corporation have been adopted, amended, or repealed, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of Section 109 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and, after the corporation has received any payment for any of its stock, the power to adopt, amend, or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation may be exercised by the Board of Directors of the corporation; provided , however, that any provision for the classification of directors of the corporation for staggered terms pursuant to the provisions of subsection (d) of Section 141 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware shall be set forth in the original Bylaws or in Bylaws adopted by the stockholders entitled to vote of the corporation unless provisions for such classification shall be set forth in this certificate of incorporation.

(3) Whenever the corporation shall be authorized to issue only one class of stock, each outstanding share shall entitle the holder thereof to notice of, and the right to vote at, any meeting of stockholders. Whenever the corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock, no outstanding share of any class of stock which is denied voting power under the provisions of the certificate of incorporation shall entitle the holder thereof to the right to vote at any meeting of stockholders except as the provisions of paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware shall otherwise require; provided , that no share of any such class which is otherwise denied voting power shall entitle the holder thereof to vote upon the increase or decrease in the number of authorized shares of said class.

ELEVENTH : The personal liability of the directors of the corporation is hereby eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions of paragraph (7) of subsection (b) of Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same may be amended and supplemented.

TWELFTH : The corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions of Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same may be amended and supplemented, indemnify any and all persons whom it shall have power to indemnify under said section from and against any and all of the expenses, liabilities, or other matters referred to in or covered by said section, and the indemnification provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such person.

THIRTEENTH : From time to time any of the provisions of this certificate of incorporation may be amended, altered, or repealed, and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted in the manner and at the time prescribed by said laws, and all rights at any time conferred upon the stockholders of the corporation by this certificate of incorporation are granted subject to the provisions of this Article THIRTEENTH.

FOURTEENTH : To the fullest extent permitted by Section 122(17) of the DGCL, the corporation, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, renounces any interest or expectancy of the corporation and its subsidiaries in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities that are from time to time presented to any of the Sponsors or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, stockholders, members, partners, affiliates and subsidiaries (other than the corporation and its subsidiaries), even if the opportunity is one that the corporation or its subsidiaries might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so and no such person shall be liable to the corporation or any of its subsidiaries for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as a director or officer or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person pursues or acquires such business opportunity, directs such business opportunity to another person or fails to present such business opportunity, or information regarding such business opportunity, to the corporation or its subsidiaries unless, in the case of any such person who is a director or officer of the corporation, such business opportunity is expressly offered to such director or officer in writing solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the


corporation. Any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of stock of the corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article FOURTEENTH. Neither the alteration, amendment or repeal of this Article FOURTEENTH nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article FOURTEENTH shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article FOURTEENTH in respect of any matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article FOURTEENTH, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption.

FIFTEENTH : Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware shall not apply to the corporation.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of incorporation on 16 th of December, 2009.

 

By:  

/s/ Stephen E. Tremblay

Name:   Stephen E. Tremblay
  Incorporator

Certificate of Incorporation

Signature Page

Exhibit 3.2

BYLAWS

OF

KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS, INC.

Article I

Stockholders

Section 1.01. Annual Meeting . The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation for the election of Directors and for the transaction of such other business as properly may come before such meeting shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, or, within the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, by means of remote communication and at such date and at such time, as may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in the notice or waiver of notice of the meeting.

Section 1.02. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer (or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, by the President or any Executive Vice President), or by the Board of Directors; provided, that, if TPG III Polymer Holdings LLC, TPG IV Polymer Holdings LLC, J.P. Morgan Partners (BHCA), L.P., J.P. Morgan Partners Global Investors, L.P., J.P. Morgan Partners Global Investors (Cayman), L.P., JPMP Global Fund/Kraton, L.P., JPMP Global Fund/Kraton A, L.P. and J.P. Morgan Partners Global Investors (Cayman) II, L.P., J.P. Morgan Partners Global Investors (Selldown), L.P., J.P. Morgan Partners Global Investors (Selldown) II, L.P., JPMP Global Fund/Kraton/Selldown, L.P. and JPMP Global Fund/Kraton/Selldown II, L.P. (collectively, the “Sponsors”) collectively own 50.0% or more of the outstanding shares of the Corporation’s common stock, then special meetings of the stockholders also may be called by holders of no less than 20.0% of the outstanding shares of the Corporation’s common stock. A special meeting shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer (or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, by the President or any Executive Vice President), or by the Secretary of the Corporation pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Such special meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such places, within or without the State of Delaware, or, within the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, by means of remote communication, as shall be specified in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof. Any power of the stockholders of the Corporation to call a special meeting is specifically denied.

Section 1.03. Action Without a Meeting . As long as the Sponsors collectively own 50.0% or more of the outstanding shares of the common stock, then any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and vote. If the Sponsors collectively own less than 50.0% of the outstanding shares of the common stock, then any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation may be taken only upon the vote of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting duly called and may not be taken by written consent of the stockholders.

Section 1.04. Notice of Meetings; Waiver .

(a) The Secretary of the Corporation or any Assistant Secretary shall cause written notice of the place, if any, date and hour of each meeting of the stockholders, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is called, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, to be given personally by mail or by electronic transmission, or as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, not fewer than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the meeting, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If such notice is mailed, it shall be deemed to have been given personally to a stockholder when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his or her address as it appears on the record of stockholders of the Corporation, or, if a stockholder shall have filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a written request that notices to such stockholder be mailed to some other address, then directed to such stockholder at such other address. Such further notice shall be given as may be required by law.


(b) A written waiver of any notice of any annual or special meeting signed by the person entitled thereto, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in a written waiver of notice. Attendance of a stockholder at a meeting of stockholders shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

(c) For notice given by electronic transmission to a stockholder to be effective, such stockholder must consent to the Corporation’s giving notice by that particular form of electronic transmission. A stockholder may revoke consent to receive notice by electronic transmission by written notice to the Corporation. A stockholder’s consent to notice by electronic transmission is automatically revoked if the Corporation is unable to deliver two consecutive electronic transmission notices and such inability becomes known to the Secretary of the Corporation, any Assistant Secretary, the transfer agent or other person responsible for giving notice.

(d) Notices are deemed given (i) if by facsimile, when faxed to a number where the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (ii) if by electronic mail, when mailed electronically to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive such notice; (iii) if by posting on an electronic network (such as a website or chatroom) together with a separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later to occur of (A) such posting or (B) the giving of the separate notice of such posting; or (iv) if by any other form of electronic communication, when directed to the stockholder in the manner consented to by the stockholder.

(e) If a stockholder meeting is to be held by means of remote communication and stockholders will take action at such meeting, the notice of such meeting must: (i) specify the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present and vote at such meeting; and (ii) provide the information required to access the stockholder list. A waiver of notice may be given by electronic transmission.

Section 1.05. Quorum . Except as otherwise required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, at each meeting of stockholders the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority in voting power of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided , however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation to vote stock, including but not limited to its own stock, held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

Section 1.06. Voting . If, pursuant to Section 5.05 of these Bylaws, a record date has been fixed, every holder of record of shares entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share outstanding in his or her name on the books of the Corporation at the close of business on such record date. If no record date has been fixed, then every holder of record of shares entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of stock standing in his or her name on the books of the Corporation at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice of the meeting is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting and voting for nominees in the election of Directors, and in all other matters, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting and voting on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders.

Section 1.07. Voting by Ballot . No vote of the stockholders on an election of Directors need be taken by written ballot or by electronic transmission unless otherwise required by law. Any vote not required to be taken by ballot or by electronic transmission may be conducted in any manner approved by the Board of Directors prior to the meeting at which such vote is taken.

Section 1.08. Adjournment . If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders present in person or by proxy shall have the power to adjourn any such meeting from time to time until a quorum is present.


Notice of any adjourned meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation need not be given if the place, if any, date and hour thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, provided , however, that if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed pursuant to Section 5.05 of these Bylaws, a notice of the adjourned meeting, conforming to the requirements of Section 1.04 of these Bylaws, shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted on the original date of the meeting.

Section 1.09. Proxies . Any stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders may authorize another person or persons to vote at any such meeting and express such vote on behalf of him or her by proxy. A stockholder may authorize a valid proxy by executing a written instrument signed by such stockholder, or by causing his or her signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature, or by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of a telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission to the person designated as the holder of the proxy, a proxy solicitation firm or a like authorized agent. No such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after the expiration of three (3) years from the date of such proxy, unless such proxy provides for a longer period. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the stockholder executing it, except in those cases where applicable law provides that a proxy shall be irrevocable. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing with the Secretary of the Corporation either an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date. Proxies by telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of a writing or transmission created pursuant to this section may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

Section 1.10. Organization; Procedure . At every meeting of stockholders the presiding officer shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, a presiding officer chosen by the Board of Directors. The Secretary of the Corporation, or in the event of his or her absence or disability, an Assistant Secretary, if any, or if there be no Assistant Secretary, in the absence of the Secretary of the Corporation, an appointee of the presiding officer, shall act as Secretary of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of stockholders may be determined by such presiding officer.

Section 1.11. Business at Annual and Special Meetings . No business may be transacted at an annual or special meeting of shareholders other than business that is:

(a) specified in a notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or an authorized committee thereof,

(b) otherwise brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or an authorized committee thereof, or

(c) otherwise brought before the meeting by a “Noticing Shareholder” who complies with the notice procedures set forth in Section 1.12 of these Bylaws.

A “Noticing Shareholder” must be either a “Record Holder” or a “Nominee Holder.” A “Record Holder” is a shareholder that holds of record stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting on the business (including any election of a director) to be appropriately conducted at the meeting. A “Nominee Holder” is a shareholder that holds such stock through a nominee or “street name” holder of record and can demonstrate to the Corporation such indirect ownership of such stock and such Nominee Holder’s entitlement to vote such stock on such business. Clause (c) of this Section 1.11 shall be the exclusive means for a Noticing Shareholder to make director nominations or submit other business before a meeting of shareholders (other than proposals brought under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and included in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, which proposals are not governed by these Bylaws). Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at a shareholders’ meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 1.11 and Section 1.12 of these Bylaws.


Section 1.12. Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations . In order for a Noticing Shareholder to properly bring any item of business before a meeting of shareholders, the Noticing Shareholder must give timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation in compliance with the requirements of this Section 1.12. Section 1.12 shall constitute an “advance notice provision” for annual meetings for purposes of Rule 14a-4(c)(1) under the Exchange Act.

(a) To be timely, a Noticing Shareholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation:

(i) in the case of an annual meeting of shareholders, not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation; and

(ii) in the case of a special meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not earlier than the close of business on the one-hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the date on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting, or the announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above.

(b) To be in proper form, whether in regard to a nominee for election to the Board of Directors or other business, a Noticing Shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must:

(i) Set forth, as to the Noticing Shareholder and, if the Noticing Shareholder holds for the benefit of another, the beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, the following information together with a representation as to the accuracy of the information:

(A) the name and address of the Noticing Shareholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and, if the Noticing Shareholder holds for the benefit of another, the name and address of such beneficial owner (collectively “Holder”);

(B) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and/or of record, and the date such ownership was acquired;

(C) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not the instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (a “Derivative Instrument”) that is directly or indirectly owned beneficially by the Holder or any Shareholder Associated Person of the Noticing Shareholder and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation;

(D) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which the Holder has a right to vote or has granted a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation;

(E) any short interest in any security of the Corporation (for purposes of these Bylaws a person shall be deemed to have a short interest in a security if the Holder or any Shareholder Associated Person of the Noticing Shareholder directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security);

(F) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by the Holder that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation;

(G) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership or limited liability company or similar entity in which the Holder or any Shareholder Associated Person of the Noticing Shareholder is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner, is the manager, managing member or directly or indirectly beneficially owns an interest in the manager or managing member of a limited liability company or similar entity;


(H) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that the Holder or any Shareholder Associated Person of the Noticing Shareholder is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any;

(I) any arrangements, rights, or other interests described in Sections 1.12(b)(i)(C)-(H) held by members of such Holder’s immediate family sharing the same household;

(J) a representation that the Noticing Shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person(s) named or propose the business specified in the notice and whether or not such shareholder intends to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding shares required to approve the nomination(s) or the business proposed and/or otherwise to solicit proxies from shareholders in support of the nomination(s) or the business proposed;

(K) a certification regarding whether or not such shareholder and Shareholder Associated Persons have complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with such shareholder’s and/or Shareholder Associated Persons’ acquisition of shares or other securities of the Corporation and/or such shareholder’s and/or Shareholder Associated Persons’ acts or omissions as a shareholder of the Corporation;

(L) any other information relating to the Holder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; and

(M) any other information as reasonably requested by the Corporation.

Such information shall be provided as of the date of the notice and shall be supplemented by the Holder not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date.

(ii) If the notice relates to any business other than a nomination of a director or directors that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, the notice must set forth:

(A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and any material direct or indirect interest of the Holder or any Shareholder Associated Persons in such business; and

(B) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings, direct and indirect, between the Holder, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by the Holder.

(iii) Set forth, as to each person, if any, whom the Holder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board of Directors:

(A) all information relating to the nominee (including, without limitation, the nominee’s name, age, business and residence address and principal occupation or employment and the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially or of record by the nominee) that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected);

(B) a description of any agreements, arrangements and understandings between or among such shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person, on the one hand, and any other persons (including any Shareholder Associated Person), on the other hand, in connection with the nomination of such person for election as a director; and

(C) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements, and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among the Holder and respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K if the Holder making the nomination or on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of Item 404 and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant.


(iv) With respect to each nominee for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, the Noticing Shareholder shall include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation, and agreement required by Section 1.13 of these Bylaws. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable shareholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of the nominee.

(c) Notwithstanding anything in Section 1.12(a) to the contrary, if the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a shareholder’s notice required by these Bylaws shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which the public announcement naming all nominees or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors is first made by the Corporation.

(d) For purposes of these Bylaws:

(i) “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder;

(ii) “Shareholder Associated Person” means, with respect to any shareholder, (i) any person acting in concert with such shareholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such shareholder (other than a shareholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any shareholder, or any Shareholder Associated Person identified in clauses (i) or (ii) above.

(iii) “Affiliate” and “Associate” are defined by reference to Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. An “affiliate” is any “person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified.” “Control” is defined as the “possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.” The term “associate” of a person means: (i) any corporation or organization (other than the registrant or a majority-owned subsidiary of the registrant) of which such person is an officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 10 percent or more of any class of equity securities, (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity, and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same home as such person or who is a director or officer of the registrant or any of its parents or subsidiaries.

(e) Only those persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws shall be eligible to serve as directors. Only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws, provided, however, that, once business has been properly brought before the meeting in accordance with Section 1.12, nothing in this Section 1.12(e) shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any shareholder of such business. If any information submitted pursuant to this Section 1.12 by any shareholder proposing a nominee(s) for election as a director at a meeting of shareholders is inaccurate in any material respect, such information shall be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with Section 1.12. Except as otherwise provided by law, the charter, or these Bylaws, the Chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in compliance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if he should determine that any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such nomination or business not properly brought before the meeting shall be disregarded or not be transacted.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of these Bylaws, a Noticing Shareholder also shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set


forth in these Bylaws; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to Section 1.11 or Section 1.12 of these Bylaws.

(g) Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to (i) affect any rights of (A) stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (B) the holders of any series of preferred stock, if any, if so provided under any applicable certificate of designation for such preferred stock or (ii) affect any rights of any holders of common stock pursuant to a shareholders’ agreement with the Company or impose any requirements, restrictions or limitations under Sections 1.11, 1.12 or 1.13 of these Bylaws unless expressly imposed by such shareholders’ agreement.

Section 11.13. Submission of Questionnaire, Representation and Agreement . To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the Corporation by a Holder, a person must complete and deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section 1.12 of these Bylaws) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire providing the information requested about the background and qualifications of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made and a written representation and agreement (the questionnaire, representation, and agreement to be in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person:

(a) is not and will not become a party to:

(i) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how the person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, or

(ii) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with the person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with the person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law,

(b) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement, or indemnmification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein, and

(c) in the person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation.

Section 1.14. Inspectors of Elections . Preceding any meeting of the stockholders, the Board of Directors shall appoint one (1) or more persons to act as “inspectors” of elections, and may designate one (1) or more alternate inspectors. In the event no inspector or alternate is able to act, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one (1) or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of an inspector, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspector shall:

(a) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each;

(b) determine the shares represented at a meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots;

(c) specify the information relied upon to determine the validity of electronic transmissions in accordance with Section 1.09 of these Bylaws;

(d) count all votes and ballots;,

(e) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors;

(f) certify his or her determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting, and his or her count of all votes and ballots;

(g) appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist in the performance of the duties of inspector; and


(h) when determining the shares represented and the validity of proxies and ballots, be limited to an examination of the proxies, any envelopes submitted with those proxies, any information provided in accordance with Section 1.09 of these Bylaws, ballots and the regular books and records of the Corporation. The inspector may consider other reliable information for the limited purpose of reconciling proxies and ballots submitted by or on behalf of banks, brokers or their nominees or a similar person which represent more votes than the holder of a proxy is authorized by the record owner to cast or more votes than the stockholder holds of record. If the inspector considers other reliable information as outlined in this section, the inspector, at the time of his or her certification pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section, shall specify the precise information considered, the person or persons from whom the information was obtained, when this information was obtained, the means by which the information was obtained, and the basis for the inspector’s belief that such information is accurate and reliable.

Section 1.15. Opening and Closing of Polls . The date and time for the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter to be voted upon at a stockholder meeting shall be announced at the meeting. The inspector shall be prohibited from accepting any ballots, proxies or votes or any revocations thereof or changes thereto after the closing of the polls, unless the Delaware Court of Chancery upon application by a stockholder shall determine otherwise.

Section 1.16. No Stockholder Action by Written Consent . Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, and the ability of the stockholders to consent in writing to the taking of any action is specifically denied.

Article II

Board Of Directors

Section 2.01. General Powers . Except as may otherwise be provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the property, affairs and business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors may exercise all the powers of the Corporation.

Section 2.02. Number of Directors . Subject to the rights of (A) the holders of any series of preferred stock, if any, if so provided under any applicable certificate of designation for such preferred stock or (B) any holders of common stock pursuant to a shareholders’ agreement with the Company, the number of Directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board of Directors; provided , however, that the Board of Directors shall at no time consist of fewer than three (3) Directors.

Section 2.03. Classified Board of Directors; Election of Directors . The Directors of the Corporation, subject to the rights of (A) the holders of any series of preferred stock, if any, if so provided under any applicable certificate of designation for such preferred stock or (B) any holders of common stock pursuant to a shareholders’ agreement with the Company, shall be classified with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three (3) classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, one class (“Class I”) whose initial term expires at the 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, another class (“Class II”) whose initial term expires at the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders, and another class (“Class III”) whose initial term expires at the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, with each class to hold office until its successors are elected and qualified. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 2.12 and 2.13 of these Bylaws, at each annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, and subject to the rights of (A) the holders of any series of preferred stock, if any, if so provided under any applicable certificate of designation for such preferred stock or (B) any holders of common stock pursuant to a shareholders’ agreement with the Company, the successors of the class of Directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election.

Section 2.04. The Chairman of the Board . The Directors shall elect from among the members of the Board a “Chairman of the Board.” The Chairman of the Board shall be deemed an officer of the Corporation and shall have such duties and powers as set forth in these Bylaws or as shall otherwise be conferred upon the Chairman of the Board from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board may be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. The Chairman of the Board shall, if present, preside over all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall by resolution establish a procedure to provide for an acting Chairman of the Board in the event the most recently elected Chairman of the Board is unable to serve or act in that capacity.


Section 2.05. Annual and Regular Meetings . The annual meeting of the Board of Directors for the purpose of electing officers and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting shall be held after the annual meeting of the stockholders and may be held at such places within or without the State of Delaware and at such times as the Board may from time to time determine, and if so determined notice thereof need not be given. Notice of such annual meeting of the Board of Directors need not be given. The Board of Directors from time to time may by resolution provide for the holding of regular meetings and fix the place (which may be within or without the State of Delaware) and the date and hour of such meetings. Notice of regular meetings need not be given, provided , however, that if the Board of Directors shall fix or change the time or place of any regular meeting, notice of such action shall be mailed promptly, or sent by telephone, including a voice messaging system or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages, telegraph, facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic means, to each Director who shall not have been present at the meeting at which such action was taken, addressed to him or her at his or her usual place of business, or shall be delivered to him or her personally. Notice of such action need not be given to any Director who attends the first regular meeting after such action is taken without protesting the lack of notice to him or her, prior to or at the commencement of such meeting, or to any Director who submits a signed waiver of notice, whether before or after such meeting.

Section 2.06. Special Meetings; Notice . Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer (or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, by the President or any Executive Vice President), or by the Board of Directors pursuant to the following sentence, at such place (within or without the State of Delaware), date and hour as may be specified in the respective notices or waivers of notice of such meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors also may be held whenever called pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called on twenty-four (24) hours’ notice, if notice is given to each Director personally or by telephone, including a voice messaging system, or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages, telegraph, facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic means, or on five (5) days’ notice, if notice is mailed to each Director, addressed to him or her at his or her usual place of business or to such other address as any Director may request by notice to the Secretary. Notice of any special meeting need not be given to any Director who attends such meeting without protesting the lack of notice to him or her, prior to or at the commencement of such meeting, or to any Director who submits a signed waiver of notice, whether before or after such meeting, and any business may be transacted thereat.

Section 2.07. Quorum; Voting . At all meetings of the Board of Directors, the presence of at least a majority of the total authorized number of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Except as otherwise required by law, the vote of at least a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

Section 2.08. Adjournment . A majority of the Directors present, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn any meeting of the Board of Directors to another time or place. No notice need be given of any adjourned meeting unless the time and place of the adjourned meeting are not announced at the time of adjournment, in which case notice conforming to the requirements of Section 2.05 of these Bylaws shall be given to each Director.

Section 2.09. Action Without a Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and such writing, writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

Section 2.10. Regulations; Manner of Acting . To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation and these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings of the Board of Directors and for the management of the property, affairs and business of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may deem appropriate. The Directors shall act only as a Board of Directors and the individual Directors shall have no power in their individual capacities unless expressly authorized by the Board of Directors.

Section 2.11. Action by Telephonic Communications . Members of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.


Section 2.12. Resignations . Any Director may resign at any time by submitting an electronic transmission or by delivering a written notice of resignation, signed by such Director, to the Chairman of the Board or the Secretary. Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery.

Section 2.13. Removal of Directors . Subject to the rights of (A) the holders of any series of preferred stock, if any, if so provided under any applicable certificate of designation for such preferred stock or (B) any holders of common stock pursuant to a shareholders’ agreement with the Company to elect additional Directors under specified circumstances, any Director may be removed at any time, but only for cause, upon the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the combined voting power of the then outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors. Any vacancy in the Board of Directors caused by any such removal may be filled at a meeting duly called by the stockholders entitled to vote for the election of the Director so removed. If such stockholders do not fill such vacancy at such meeting, such vacancy may be filled in the manner provided in Section 2.14 of these Bylaws.

Section 2.14. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships . Subject to the rights of (A) the holders of any series of preferred stock, if any, if so provided under any applicable certificate of designation for such preferred stock or (B) any holders of common stock pursuant to a shareholders’ agreement with the Company to elect additional Directors under specified circumstances, and except as provided in Section 2.13 of these Bylaws, if any vacancies shall occur in the Board of Directors, by reason of death, resignation, removal or otherwise, or if the authorized number of Directors shall be increased, the Directors then in office shall continue to act, and such vacancies and newly created Directorships may be filled by a majority of the Directors then in office, although less than a quorum. Any Director filling a vacancy shall be of the same class as that of the Director whose death, resignation, removal or other event caused the vacancy, and any Director filling a newly created Directorship shall be of the class specified by the Board of Directors at the time the newly created Directorships were created. A Director elected to fill a vacancy or a newly created Directorship shall hold office until his or her successor has been elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

Section 2.15. Compensation . The amount, if any, which each Director shall be entitled to receive as compensation for such Director’s services, shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof.

Section 2.16. Reliance on Accounts and Reports, Etc . A Director, or a member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors shall, in the performance of such Director’s or member’s duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation’s officers or employees, or committees designated by the Board of Directors, or by any other person as to the matters the Director or the member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who the Director or member reasonably believes or determines has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

Article III

Committees

Section 3.01. Committees . The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of Directors then in office, may designate from among its members one (1) or more committees of the Board of Directors, each committee to consist of such number of Directors as from time to time may be fixed by the Board of Directors. Any such committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Each such committee shall have the powers and duties delegated to it by the Board of Directors, subject to the limitations set forth in applicable Delaware law. The Board of Directors may appoint a Chairman of any committee, who shall preside at meetings of any such committee. The Board of Directors may elect one (1) or more of its members as alternate members of any such committee who may take the place of any absent member or members at any meeting of such committee, upon request of the Chairman of the Board or the Chairman of such committee.

Section 3.02. Powers . Each committee shall have and may exercise such powers of the Board of Directors as may be provided by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors. No committee shall have the power or authority: to


approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the Delaware General Corporation Law to be submitted to the stockholders for approval; or to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation.

Section 3.03. Proceedings . Each committee may fix its own rules of procedure and may meet at such place (within or without the State of Delaware), at such time and upon such notice, if any, as it shall determine from time to time. Each committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings and shall report such proceedings to the Board of Directors at the meeting of the Board of Directors next following any such proceedings.

Section 3.04. Quorum and Manner of Acting . Except as may be otherwise provided in the resolution creating such committee or in the rules of such committee, at all meetings of any committee, the presence of members (or alternate members) constituting a majority of the total authorized membership of such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of the majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of any committee may be taken without a meeting, if all members of such committee shall consent to such action in writing or by electronic transmission and such writing, writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form. The members of any committee shall act only as a committee, and the individual members of such committee shall have no power in their individual capacities unless expressly authorized by the Board of Directors.

Section 3.05. Action by Telephonic Communications . Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, members of any committee may participate in a meeting of such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 3.06. Absent or Disqualified Members . In the absence or disqualification of a member of any committee, if no alternate member is present to act in his or her stead, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

Section 3.07. Resignations . Any member (and any alternate member) of any committee may resign at any time by delivering a written notice of resignation, signed by such member, to the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board. Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery.

Section 3.08. Removal . Any member (and any alternate member) of any committee may be removed at any time, either for or without cause, by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.09. Vacancies . If any vacancy shall occur in any committee, by reason of disqualification, death, resignation, removal or otherwise, the remaining members (and any alternate members) shall continue to act, and any such vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors.

Article IV

Officers

Section 4.01. Chief Executive Officer . The Board of Directors shall select a Chief Executive Officer to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors who shall (a) supervise the implementation of policies adopted or approved by the Board of Directors, (b) exercise a general supervision and superintendence over all the business and affairs of the Corporation, and (c) possess such other powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by these Bylaws, as may from time to time be assigned by the Board of Directors and as may be incident to the office of Chief Executive Officer.

Section 4.02. Secretary of the Corporation . The Board of Directors shall appoint a Secretary of the Corporation to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Secretary of the Corporation shall (a) keep minutes of all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors, (b) authenticate records of the Corporation and (c) in general, have such powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by these Bylaws, as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer and as may be incident to the office of Secretary of the Corporation.


Section 4.03. Other Officers Elected by Board Of Directors . At any meeting of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors may elect a President, Vice Presidents, a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer, Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Secretaries, or such other officers of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may deem necessary, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Other officers elected by the Board of Directors shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to such officers by or pursuant to authorization of the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 4.04. Other Officers . The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to elect or appoint other officers, including Vice Presidents, Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Secretaries and other officers of the Corporation, each of whom shall serve at the pleasure of the Corporation. Officers elected or appointed by the Corporation shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Corporation.

Section 4.05. Removal and Resignation; Vacancies . Any officer may be removed for or without cause at any time by the Board of Directors. Any officer may resign at any time by delivering a written notice of resignation, signed by such officer, to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary. Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise, shall be filled by or pursuant to authorization of the Board of Directors.

Section 4.06. Authority and Duties of Officers . The officers of the Corporation shall have such authority and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be specified in these Bylaws, except that in any event each officer shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be required by law.

Article V

Capital Stock

Section 5.01. Certificates of Stock . The Board of Directors may authorize that some or all of the shares of any or all of the Corporation’s classes or series of stock be evidenced by a certificate or certificates of stock. The Board of Directors may also authorize the issue of some or all of the shares of any or all of the Corporation’s classes or series of stock without certificates. The rights and obligations of shareholders with the same class and/or series of stock shall be identical whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.

(a) Shares with Certificates . If the Board of Directors chooses to issue shares of stock evidenced by a certificate or certificates, each individual certificate shall include the following on its face: (i) the Corporation’s name, (ii) the fact that the Corporation is organized under the laws of Delaware, (iii) the name of the person to whom the certificate is issued, (iv) the number of shares represented thereby, (v) the class of shares and the designation of the series, if any, which the certificate represents, and (vi) such other information as applicable law may require or as may be lawful. If the Corporation is authorized to issue different classes of shares or different series within a class, the designations, relative rights, preferences and limitations determined for each series (and the authority of the Board of Directors to determine variations for future series) shall be summarized on the front or back of each certificate. Alternatively, each certificate shall state on its front or back that the Corporation will furnish the shareholder this information in writing, without charge, upon request. Each certificate of stock issued by the Corporation shall be signed (either manually or in facsimile) by any two officers of the Corporation. If the person who signed a certificate no longer holds office when the certificate is issued, the certificate is nonetheless valid.

(b) Shares without Certificates . If the Board of Directors chooses to issue shares of stock without certificates, the Corporation, if required by the Act, shall, within a reasonable time after the issue or transfer of shares without certificates, send the shareholder a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to the laws of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The Corporation may adopt a system of issuance, recordation and transfer of its shares of stock by electronic or other means not involving the issuance of certificates, provided the use of such system by the Corporation is permitted in accordance with applicable law.

Section 5.02. Signatures; Facsimile . All signatures on the certificate referred to in Section 5.01 of these Bylaws may be in facsimile, engraved or printed form, to the extent permitted by law. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed, or whose facsimile, engraved or printed signature has been placed upon a certificate, shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.


Section 5.03. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . The Board of Directors may direct that a new certificate be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon delivery to the Corporation of an affidavit of the owner or owners of such certificate, setting forth such allegation. The Corporation may require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his or her legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of any such new certificate.

Section 5.04. Transfer of Stock . Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate for shares, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books. Within a reasonable time after the transfer of uncertificated stock, the Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to the laws of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may prescribe such additional rules and regulations as it may deem appropriate relating to the issue, transfer and registration of shares of the Corporation.

Section 5.05. Record Date . In order to determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor fewer than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting, provided , however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights of the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 5.06. Registered Stockholders . Prior to due surrender of a certificate for registration of transfer of any certificated shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to receive dividends and other distributions, to vote, to receive notice and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of the shares represented by such certificate, and the Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or legal claim to or interest in such shares on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have notice of such claim or interests. Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security, and not absolutely, it shall be so expressed in the entry of the transfer if, when the certificates are presented to the Corporation for transfer or uncertificated shares are requested to be transferred, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.

Section 5.07. Transfer Agent and Registrar . The Board of Directors may appoint one (1) or more transfer agents and one (1) or more registrars, and may require all certificates representing shares to bear the signature of any such transfer agents or registrars.

Article VI

Indemnification

Section 6.01. Nature of Indemnity . The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereinafter be amended (but in the case of such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment provides for broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto) any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in (including as a witness) any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was or has agreed to become a Director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a Director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other


enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, and may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to such a Proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was or has agreed to become an employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding and any appeal therefrom; except that in the case of a Proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor (a) such indemnification shall be limited to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in the defense or settlement of such Proceeding and any appeal therefrom, and (b) no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Section 6.05 of these Bylaws, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify a Director or officer of the Corporation in respect of a Proceeding (or part thereof) instituted by such Director or officer, unless such Proceeding (or part thereof) has been authorized by the Board of Directors (other than Proceedings initiated by a Director or officer to enforce a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses). The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

Section 6.02. Successful Defense . To the extent that a present or former Director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding referred to in Section 6.01 of these Bylaws or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein (including any Proceeding by the Corporation to recover advanced expenses), such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

Section 6.03. Determination that Indemnification Is Proper . Any indemnification of a present or former Director or officer of the Corporation under Section 6.01 of these Bylaws (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation unless a determination is made that indemnification of the present or former Director or officer is not proper in the circumstances because he or she has not met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 6.01 of these Bylaws. Subject to Section 6.05, indemnification of a present or former employee or agent of the Corporation under Section 6.01 of these Bylaws (unless ordered by a court) may be made by the Corporation upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 6.01 of these Bylaws. Any such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a Director or officer at the time of such determination, (a) by a majority vote of the Directors who are not parties to such Proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (b) by a committee of such Directors designated by majority vote of such Directors, even though less than a quorum, or (c) if there are no such Directors, or if such Directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (d) by the stockholders.

Section 6.04. Advance Payment of Expenses . Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any Proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding; provided, that, if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, such advancement of expenses incurred by a Director or officer in his or her capacity as such shall only be made upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined by a final non-appealable judicial decision that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article VI (an “undertaking”); provided, further, that such advancement of expenses incurred by any person other than a Director or officer shall be made only upon the delivery of an undertaking to the foregoing effect and may be subject to such other conditions as the Board of Directors may deem advisable.

Section 6.05. Procedure for Indemnification of Directors and Officers . Any indemnification of a Director or officer of the Corporation under Sections 6.01 and 6.02, or advancement of costs, charges and expenses to a Director or officer under Section 6.04 of these Bylaws, shall be made promptly, and in any event within thirty (30) days, upon the written request of the Director or officer. If a determination by the Corporation that the Director or officer is


entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article VI is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within thirty (30) days to a written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved such request. If the Corporation denies a written request for indemnity or advancement of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within thirty (30) days, the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article VI shall be enforceable by the Director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such Proceeding shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such Proceeding (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advancement of costs, charges and expenses under Section 6.04 of these Bylaws where the required undertaking, if any, has been received by the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 6.01 of these Bylaws, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel and its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 6.01 of these Bylaws, nor the fact that there has been an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel and its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

Section 6.06. Survival; Preservation of Other Rights . The foregoing indemnification provisions shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each Director, officer, employee and agent who serves in any such capacity at any time while these provisions as well as the relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law are in effect and any repeal or modification thereof shall not affect any right or obligation then existing with respect to any state of facts then or previously existing or any Proceeding previously or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts. Such a “contract right” may not be modified retroactively without the consent of such Director, officer, employee or agent. The indemnification provided by this Article VI shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement (including stand alone director indemnification agreements entered into between the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof on the one hand, and a Director, on the other hand), vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

Section 6.07. Insurance . The Corporation shall purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Director or officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person or on such person’s behalf in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Article VI.

Section 6.08. Severability . If this Article VI or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each Director or officer and may indemnify each employee or agent of the Corporation as to costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect to a Proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article VI that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

Article VII

Offices

Section 7.01. Initial Registered Office . The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware shall be located at Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, City of Wilmington 19808, County of New Castle.


Section 7.02. Other Offices . The Corporation may maintain offices or places of business at such other locations within or without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or as the business of the Corporation may require.

Article VIII

General Provisions

Section 8.01. Dividends . Subject to any applicable provisions of law and the Certificate of Incorporation, dividends upon the shares of the Corporation may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors and any such dividend may be paid in cash, property, or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock. A member of the Board of Directors, or a member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors, or by any other person as to matters the Director reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation, as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities and/or net profits of the Corporation, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of surplus or other funds from which dividends might properly be declared and paid.

Section 8.02. Execution of Instruments . The Board of Directors may authorize, or provide for the authorization of, officers, employees or agents to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Any such authorization must be in writing or by electronic transmission and may be general or limited to specific contracts or instruments.

Section 8.03. Voting as Stockholder . Unless otherwise determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President or any Senior Vice President shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend any meeting of stockholders of any corporation in which the Corporation may hold stock, and to act, vote (or execute proxies to vote) and exercise in person or by proxy all other rights, powers and privileges incident to the ownership of such stock. Such officers acting on behalf of the Corporation shall have full power and authority to execute any instrument expressing consent to or dissent from any action of any such corporation without a meeting. The Board of Directors may by resolution from time to time confer such power and authority upon any other person or persons.

Section 8.04. Corporate Seal . The corporate seal shall be in such form as the Board of Directors shall prescribe.

Section 8.05. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed, and shall be subject to change, by the Board of Directors.

Article IX

Amendment Of Bylaws

Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors at any special or regular meeting of the Board of Directors if, in the case of such special meeting only, notice of such amendment, alteration or repeal is contained in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting or at any regular or special meeting of the stockholders upon the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds (2/3) or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors if, in the case of such special meeting only, notice of such amendment, alteration or repeal is contained in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

Article X

Construction

In the event of any conflict between the provisions of these Bylaws as in effect from time to time and the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as in effect from time to time, the provisions of such Certificate of Incorporation shall be controlling.

Exhibit 3.3

 

   STATE OF DELAWARE
   SECRETARY OF STATE
   DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS
   FILED 09:00 AM 08/24/2000
   001431932 – 3278530

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

RIPPLEWOOD CHEMICAL ACQUISITION LLC

This Certificate of Formation of RIPPLEWOOD CHEMICAL ACQUISITION LLC (the “LLC”), dated as of August 24, 2000, is being duly executed and filed by Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C., as sole member of Ripplewood Chemical Holding LLC, as an authorized person, to form a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del. C. § 18-101, et   seq .).

FIRST. The name of the limited liability company formed hereby is Ripplewood Chemical Acquisition LLC.

SECOND. The address of the registered office of the LLC in the State of Delaware is c/o Corporation Service Company, 1013 Centre Road, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19805.

THIRD. The name and address of the registered agent for service of process on the LLC in the State of Delaware is Corporation Service Company, 1013 Centre Road, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19805.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Formation as of the date first above written.

 

RIPPLEWOOD CHEMICAL HOLDING LLC
By Ripplewood Holding LLC, as sole member
By:  

/s/ Ian K. Snow

Name:   Ian K. Snow
Title:   Managing Director & Secretary

Exhibit 3.4

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

RIPPLEWOOD CHEMICAL ACQUISITION LLC

This Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Formation of Ripplewood Chemical Acquisition LLC (the “LLC”), dated as of December 11, 2000, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as an authorized person, pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del. C § 18-101, et seq .).

FIRST. The name of the LLC is Ripplewood Chemical Acquisition LLC.

SECOND. The Certificate of Formation of the LLC is hereby amended as follows:

(a) That the “FIRST” Article of the Certificate of Formation is amended to read as follows:

FIRST. The name of the limited liability company formed hereby is RK Polymers LLC.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Amendment as of the date first above written.

 

RIPPLEWOOD CHEMICAL HOLDING LLC,
its sole member
By:   Ripplewood Holdings, L.L.C., its sole member

/s/ Ian K. Snow

Ian K. Snow
Managing Director
  STATE OF DELAWARE
  SECRETARY OF STATE
  DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS
  FILED 04:00 PM 12/11/2000
  001620513 – 3278530

Exhibit 3.5

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

RK POLYMERS LLC

This Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Formation of RK Polymers LLC (the “LLC”), dated as of February 28th, 2001, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as an authorized person, pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del. C. § 18-101, et seq .).

FIRST. The name of the LLC is RK Polymers LLC.

SECOND. The Certificate of Formation of the LLC is hereby amended as follows:

(a) That the “FIRST” Article of the Certificate of Formation is amended to read as follows:

FIRST. The name of the limited liability company formed hereby is KRATON Polymers LLC.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Amendment as of the date first above written.

 

RIPPLEWOOD CHEMICAL HOLDING LLC,
its sole member
By:   Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C., its sole member

/s/ Ian K. Snow

Ian K. Snow
Managing Director

Exhibit 3.6

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

KRATON POLYMERS LLC

This Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (“ Agreement ”) of Kraton Polymers LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), effective as of June 4, 2015 (the “ Effective Date ”), is entered into by Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., as the sole member of the Company (the “ Member ”).

RECITALS

 

A. The Company was formed on August 24, 2000 as “Ripplewood Chemical Acquisition LLC” by the filing of its Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

B. Ripplewood Chemical Holding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Ripplewood Chemical Holding ”), the original sole member of the Company, entered into the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated as of August 26, 2000 (the “ Original Agreement ”).

 

C. On December 11, 2000 the certificate of formation of the Company was amended to change its name from Ripplewood Chemical Acquisition LLC to RK Polymers LLC.

 

D. Ripplewood Chemical Holding amended and restated in their entirety the terms of the Original Agreement by entering into the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated and effective as of February 28, 2001 (the “ Amended and Restated LLC Agreement ”).

 

E. On February 28, 2001 the certificate of formation of the Company was amended to change the name of RK Polymers LLC to KRATON Polymers LLC.

 

F. Ripplewood Chemical Holding further amended the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement pursuant to the Amendment to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated and effective as of March 1, 2001 (together, with the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement, the “ 2001 Agreement ”).

 

G. Polymer Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the Company filed a Certificate of Merger on December 23, 2003, pursuant to which Polymer Acquisition LLC merged with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving entity of which Polymers Holdings LLC was the sole member.

 

H. Polymer Holdings LLC, as the sole member of the Company, further amended and restated in their entirety the terms of the 2001 Agreement, pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement entered into as of March 31, 2004 (the “ Second Amended and Restated LLC Agreement ”).


I. Polymer Holdings LLC further amended the Second Amended and Restated LLC Agreement pursuant to the First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of November 30, 2009 (together, with the Second Amended and Restated LLC Agreement, the “ Previous Agreement ”).

 

J. A Certificate of Merger was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 22, 2009, whereby TJ Chemical Holdings LLC merged into the Company, with the Company as the surviving entity of which the Member was the sole member.

 

K. The Member desires to amend and restate the Previous Agreement to amend certain provisions thereof.

 

L. The Member agrees that the membership in and management of the Company shall be governed by the terms set forth herein.

The Member, by execution of this Agreement, hereby amends and restates the Previous Agreement pursuant to and in accordance with the Act, and hereby agrees as follows:

1. Name . The name of the Company is Kraton Polymers LLC.

2. Purpose . The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the Act and to engage in any and all activities necessary or incidental thereto.

3. Principal Office; Registered Agent .

(a) Principal Office . The location of the principal office of the Company shall be such location as the Member may from time to time designate. Until changed by the Member, the principal office of the Company shall be 15710 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300, Houston, TX 77032.

(b) Registered Agent . The registered agent of the Company for service of process in the State of Delaware and the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be that person and location reflected in the Certificate of Formation, as amended, or such other registered agent as designed by the Member. In the event the registered agent ceases to act as such for any reason or the registered office shall change, the Member shall promptly designate a replacement registered agent or file a notice of change of address, as the case may be, in the manner provided by law.

4. Members .

(a) Members . The Member owns 100% of the membership interests in the Company. The name and the business, residence or mailing address of the Member are as follows:

 

Name    Address

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.

  

15710 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300

Houston, TX 77032

 

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(b) Additional Members . One or more additional members may be admitted to the Company with the consent of the Member. Prior to the admission of any such additional members to the Company, the Member shall amend this Agreement to make such changes as the Member shall determine to reflect the fact that the Company shall have such additional members. Each additional member shall execute and deliver a supplement or counterpart to this Agreement, as necessary.

(c) Membership Interests; Certificates . The Company will not issue any certificates to evidence ownership of the membership interests.

5. Management .

(a) Authority; Powers and Duties of the Board of Directors .

i) The Member shall appoint a board of directors (the “ Board of Directors ) to oversee the business of the Company and its subsidiaries. Except as otherwise provided by this Agreement, the Board of Directors shall have the full right and authority (acting on behalf of the Member) to manage the business and affairs of the Company.

ii) The Board of Directors shall consist of the members of the board of directors of the Member (the “ Sponsor Directors ”). A new Sponsor Director shall be appointed and a Sponsor Director shall be removed whenever such Sponsor Director is appointed to or removed from, as the case may be, the board of directors of the Member.

iii) Decisions of the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the directors.

iv) The Company shall reimburse the directors for all reasonably out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at meetings of the Board and any committees thereof, including without limitation, travel, lodging and meal expenses.

(b) Election of Officers; Delegation of Authority .

i) The Board of Directors may, from time to time, designate one or more officers with such titles as may be designated by the Board of Directors to act in the name of the Company with such authority as may be delegated to such officers by the Board of Directors (each such designated person, an “ Officer ”). Any such Officer shall act pursuant to such delegated authority until such Officer is removed by the Board of Directors.

ii) Each Officer may, from time to time, designate one or more persons (each an “ Authorized Person ”) to act in the name of the Company and delegate to such Authorized Person such portion of such Officer’s authority as shall be specified in the designation.

iii) Any action taken by an Officer, or an Authorized Person, pursuant to authority delegated to such Officer or Authorized Person, shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Company.

 

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6. Exculpation and Indemnification of the Member, Directors and Officers . Neither the Member, the Directors nor the Officers shall be liable to the Company or any other person or entity who has an interest in the Company for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by the Member, Director or Officer, as applicable, in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on the Member, Director or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement, provided that the Member, Director or Officer, as applicable, shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim if there is a final and non-appealable judicial determination that such Member, Director or Officer, as applicable, (i) did not act in good faith and in what such Member, Director or Officer, as applicable, reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of the Company and within the authority granted to such Member, Director or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement, (ii) acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud, or (iii) with respect to any criminal act or proceeding, had a reasonable cause to believe that such conduct by the Member, Director or Officer, as applicable, was unlawful. To the full extent permitted by applicable law, the Member, Director or Officer, as applicable, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company for and against any and all judgments, fines, settlements, losses, claims, demands, costs, damages, liabilities, joint and several, and expenses of any nature, including reasonable attorney’s fees and disbursements and other amounts arising from any proceeding (collectively “ Costs ”), incurred by the Member, Director or Officer, as applicable, by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by the Member, Director or Officer, as applicable, in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on the Member, Director or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement, except that the Member, Director or Officer, as applicable, shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Section 6 with respect to any Costs if there is a final and non-appealable judicial determination that such Member, Director or Officer as applicable, (i) did not act in good faith and in what such Member, Director or Officer, as applicable, reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of the Company and within the authority granted to such Member, Director or Officer by this Agreement, (ii) acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud, or (iii) with respect to any criminal act or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such conduct by the Member, Director or Officer, as applicable, was unlawful; provided , however , that any indemnity under this Section 6 shall be provided out of and to the extent of the Company’s assets only, and neither the Member, Director nor the Officer, as applicable, shall have personal liability on account thereof.

7. Term . The term of the Company shall be perpetual unless the Company is dissolved and terminated in accordance with Section 11 .

8. Initial Capital Contributions . The Member hereby agrees to contribute to the Company such cash, property or services as determined by the Member.

9. Tax Status; Income and Deductions .

(a) Tax Status . As long as the Company has only one member, it is the intention of the Company and the Member that the Company be treated as a disregarded entity for federal and all relevant state tax purposes and neither the Company nor the Member shall take any action or make any election which is inconsistent with such tax treatment. All provisions of this Agreement are to be construed so as to preserve the Company’s tax status as a disregarded entity.

(b) Income and Deductions . All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Company (including, without limitation, items not subject to federal or state income tax) shall be treated for federal and all relevant state income tax purposes as items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Member.

 

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10. Distributions . Distributions shall be made to the Member at the times and in the amounts determined by the Member.

11. Dissolution; Liquidation .

(a) The Company shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up upon the first to occur of the following: (i) the written consent of the Member or (ii) any other event or circumstance giving rise to the dissolution of the Company under Section 18-801 of the Act, unless the Company’s existence is continued pursuant to the Act.

(b) Upon dissolution of the Company, the Company shall immediately commence to wind up its affairs and the Member shall promptly liquidate the business of the Company. During the period of the winding up of the affairs of the Company, the rights and obligations of the Member under this Agreement shall continue.

(c) In the event of dissolution, the Company shall conduct only such activities as are necessary to wind up its affairs (including the sale of the assets of the Company in an orderly manner), and the assets of the Company shall be applied as follows: (i) first, to creditors, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, in satisfaction of liabilities of the Company (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof); and (ii) thereafter, to the Member.

(d) Upon the completion of the winding up of the Company, the Member shall file a Certificate of Cancellation in accordance with the Act.

12. Miscellaneous .

(a) Amendments . Amendments to this Agreement may be made only with the consent of the Member.

(b) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

(c) Severability . In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be declared to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall survive to the extent it is not so declared, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the other provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, unless such action would substantially impair the benefits to any party of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Agreement to be effective as of the Effective Date.

 

KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS, INC.

/s/ James L. Simmons

Name:   James L. Simmons
Title:   Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary

 

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Exhibit 3.7

 

    STATE OF DELAWARE
    SECRETARY OF STATE
    DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS
    FILED 09:00 AM 01/22/2001
    010037983 – 3346789

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

of

RK Polymers Capital Corporation

The undersigned, in order to form a corporation for the purpose hereinafter stated, under and pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, hereby certifies that:

FIRST : The name of the corporation is RK Polymers Capital Corporation (hereinafter called the “Corporation”).

SECOND : The registered office and registered agent of the Corporation is c/o Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808.

THIRD : The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

FOURTH : The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 1,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 each.

FIFTH ; The name and address of the incorporator is Aaron C. Kless, 425 Lexington Avenue, New York City, New York 10017.

SIXTH :

(1) To the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware:

(a) The Corporation shall indemnify any person (and such person’s heirs, executors or administrators) who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (brought in the right of the Corporation or otherwise), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal, including appeals, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise, for and against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person or such heirs, executors or administrators in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, including appeals. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a person described in such sentence in connection with any action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such person only if the commencement of such action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) by such person was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The Corporation may indemnify any person (and such person’s heirs, executors or administrators) who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (brought in the right of the Corporation or otherwise), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal, including appeals, by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of (the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise, for and against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person or such heirs, executors or administrators in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, including appeals.


(b) The Corporation shall promptly pay expenses incurred by any person described in the first sentence of subsection (a) of this Article Sixth, Section (1) in defending any action, suit or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding, including appeals, upon presentation of appropriate documentation.

(c) The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person described in subsection (a) of this Article Sixth, Section (1) against any liability asserted against such person, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article Sixth, Section (1) or otherwise.

(d) The provisions of this Article Sixth, Section (1) shall be applicable to all actions, claims, suits or proceedings made or commenced after the adoption hereof, whether arising from acts or omissions to act occurring before or after its adoption. The provisions of this Article Sixth, Section (1) shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director or officer who serves in such capacity at any time while this Article Sixth, Section (1) and the relevant provisions of the laws of the State of Delaware and other applicable law, if any, are in effect, and any repeal or modification hereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts or any action, suit or proceeding then or theretofore existing, or any action, suit or proceeding thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part on any such state of facts. If any provision of this Article Sixth, Section (l) shall be found to be invalid or limited in application by reason of any law or regulation, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions hereof. The rights of indemnification provided in this Article Sixth, Section (1) shall neither be exclusive of, nor be deemed in limitation of, any rights to which an officer, director, employee or agent may otherwise be entitled or permitted by contract, this Certificate of Incorporation, vote of stockholders or directors or otherwise, or as a matter of law, both as to actions in such person’s official capacity and actions in any other capacity while holding such office, it being the policy of the Corporation that indemnification of any person whom the Corporation is obligated to indemnify pursuant to the first sentence of subsection (a) of this Article Sixth, Section (1) shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law.

(e) For purposes of this Article Sixth, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries.

(2) A director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.

SEVENTH : The Board of Directors of the Corporation, acting by majority vote, may alter, amend or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed this Certificate of Incorporation on January 22, 2001.

 

/s/ Aaron C. Kless

Aaron C. Kless
Sole Incorporator

Exhibit 3.8

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

RK POLYMERS CAPITAL CORPORATION

RK POLYMERS CAPITAL CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

1. Article FIRST of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company be, and hereby is, amended to read in its entirety as follows:

“FIRST: The name of the corporation is KRATON Polymers Capital Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation).”

2. This amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, RK POLYMERS CAPITAL CORPORATION has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by Ian K. Snow, its Vice President/Secretary, on this 28 th day of February, 2001.

 

RK POLYMERS CAPTIAL CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Ian K. Snow

Name:   Ian K. Snow
Title:   Vice President/Secretary

Exhibit 3.9

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

KRATON Polymers Capital Corporation

(Originally Incorporated January 22, 2001 under the name of RK Polymers Capital Corporation)

ARTICLE I

MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Place of Meeting and Notice . Meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held at such place either within or without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may determine.

Section 2. Annual and Special Meetings . Annual meetings of stockholders shall be held, at a date, time and place fixed by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of meeting, to elect a Board of Directors and to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Special meetings of the stockholders may be called by the President or any Vice President for any purpose and shall be called by the President or Secretary if directed by the Board of Directors or requested in writing by the holders of not less than 25% of the capital stock of the Corporation. Each such stockholder request shall state the purpose of the proposed meeting.

Section 3. Notice . Except as otherwise provided by law, at least ten and not more than 60 days before each meeting of stockholders, written notice of the time, date and place of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given to each stockholder.

Section 4. Quorum . At any meeting of stockholders, the holders of record, present in person or by proxy, of a majority of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding capital stock shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by law. In the absence of a quorum, any officer entitled to preside at or to act as secretary of the meeting shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum is present.

Section 5. Voting . Except as otherwise provided by law, all matters submitted to a meeting of stockholders shall be decided by vote of the holders of record of a majority of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding capital stock present in person or by proxy.

ARTICLE II

DIRECTORS

Section 1. Number, Election and Removal of Directors . The number of Directors that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be not less than one nor more than 15. The first Board of Directors shall consist of two Directors. Thereafter, within the limits specified above, the number of Directors shall be determined by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders. The Directors shall be elected by the stockholders at their annual meeting. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of Directors may be filled by a majority of the Directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining Director or by the stockholders. A Director may be removed with or without cause by the stockholders.

Section 2. Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times and places as may from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors or as may be specified in a notice of meeting. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time upon the call of the President and shall be called by the President or Secretary if directed by a majority of the Directors. Telegraphic or written notice of each special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be sent to each Director not less than two days before such meeting. A meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders. Notice need not be given of regular meetings of the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Quorum . One-third of the total number of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the Directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until such a quorum is present. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, these By-Laws or any contract or agreement to which the Corporation is a party, the act of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors.


Section 4. Committees of Directors . The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, including without limitation an Executive Committee, to have and exercise such power and authority as the Board of Directors shall specify. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another Director to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

ARTICLE III

OFFICERS

The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and such other additional officers with such titles as the Board of Directors shall determine, all of whom shall be chosen by and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Such officers shall have the usual powers and shall perform all the usual duties incident to their respective offices. All officers shall be subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Directors. The authority, duties or responsibilities of any officer of the Corporation may be suspended by the President with or without cause. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors with or without cause.

ARTICLE IV

INDEMNIFICATION

To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Corporation shall indemnify any current or former Director or officer of the Corporation and may, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, indemnify any current or former employee or agent of the Corporation against all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding brought by or in the right of the Corporation or otherwise, to which he was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of his current or former position with the Corporation or by reason of the fact that he is or was serving, at the request of the Corporation, as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

ARTICLE V

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Notices . Whenever any statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws require notice to be given to any Director or stockholder, such notice may be given in writing by mail, addressed to such Director or stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. Such notice shall be deemed to have been given when it is deposited in the United States mail. Notice to Directors may also be given by telegram.

Section 2. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

Exhibit 3.10

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

ELASTOMERS HOLDINGS LLC

The undersigned, being authorized to execute and file this Certificate of Formation, hereby certifies that:

FIRST: The name of the limited liability company is ELASTOMERS HOLDINGS LLC.

SECOND: The name and address of the registered agent for service of process and registered office of the company are Corporation Service Company, 1013 Centre Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19805.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Formation as of this 25th day of August, 2000.

 

SHELL ELASTOMERS INC.

/s/ S. J. Paul

Authorized Person
By:   S. J. Paul
Title:   Assistant Secretary
  Shell Elastomers Inc.

Exhibit 3.11

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

ELASTOMERS HOLDINGS LLC

This Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (“ Agreement ”) of ELASTOMERS HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), effective as of June 4, 2015 (the “ Effective Date ”), is entered into by Kraton Polymers LLC, as the sole member of the Company (the “ Member ”).

RECITALS

 

A. The Company was formed as a limited liability company on August 25, 2000 by the filing of a Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to and in accordance with the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended from time to time (the “ Act ”).

 

B. The original member entered into the limited liability company agreement of Elastomers Holdings LLC dated as of August 28, 2000 (the “ Original Agreement ”).

 

C. The Member amended and restated the Original Agreement pursuant to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated and effective as of February 28, 2001 (the “ Amended and Restated LLC Agreement ”).

 

D. The Member further amended the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement pursuant to the Amendment to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated and effective as of March 1, 2001 (together, with the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement, the “ Previous Agreement ”).

 

E. The Member desires to amend and restate the Previous Agreement to amend certain provisions thereof.

 

F. The Member agrees that the membership in and management of the Company shall be governed by the terms set forth herein.

The Member, by execution of this Agreement, hereby amends and restates the Previous Agreement pursuant to and in accordance with the Act, and hereby agrees as follows:

1. Name . The name of the Company is ELASTOMERS HOLDINGS LLC.


2. Purpose . The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the Act and to engage in any and all activities necessary or incidental thereto.

3. Principal Office; Registered Agent .

(a) Principal Office . The location of the principal office of the Company shall be such location as the Member may from time to time designate. Until changed by the Member, the principal office of the Company shall be 15710 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300, Houston, TX 77032.

(a) Registered Agent . The registered agent of the Company for service of process in the State of Delaware and the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be that person and location reflected in the Certificate of Formation, or such other registered agent as designed by the Member. In the event the registered agent ceases to act as such for any reason or the registered office shall change, the Member shall promptly designate a replacement registered agent or file a notice of change of address, as the case may be, in the manner provided by law.

4. Members .

(a) Members . The Member owns 100% of the membership interests in the Company. The name and the business, residence or mailing address of the Member are as follows:

 

Name    Address
Kraton Polymers LLC   

15710 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300

Houston, TX 77032

(b) Additional Members . One or more additional members may be admitted to the Company with the consent of the Member. Prior to the admission of any such additional members to the Company, the Member shall amend this Agreement to make such changes as the Member shall determine to reflect the fact that the Company shall have such additional members. Each additional member shall execute and deliver a supplement or counterpart to this Agreement, as necessary.

(c) Membership Interests; Certificates . The Company will not issue any certificates to evidence ownership of the membership interests.

5. Management .

(a) Authority; Powers and Duties of the Member . The Member shall have exclusive and complete authority and discretion to manage the operations and affairs of the Company and to make all decisions regarding the business of the Company. Any action taken by the Member shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Company. Persons dealing with the Company are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Member as set forth in this Agreement. The Member shall have all rights and powers of a manager under the Act, and shall have such authority, rights and powers in the management of the Company to do any and all other acts and things necessary, proper, convenient or advisable to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement.

 

2


(b) Election of Officers; Delegation of Authority .

i) The Member may, from time to time, designate one or more officers with such titles as may be designated by the Member to act in the name of the Company with such authority as may be delegated to such officers by the Member (each such designated person, an “ Officer ”). Any such Officer shall act pursuant to such delegated authority until such Officer is removed by the Member.

ii) Each Officer may, from time to time, designate one or more persons (each an “ Authorized Person ”) to act in the name of the Company and delegate to such Authorized Person such portion of such Officer’s authority as shall be specified in the designation.

iii) Any action taken by an Officer, or an Authorized Person, pursuant to authority delegated to such Officer or Authorized Person, shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Company.

6. Exculpation and Indemnification of the Member and Officers . Neither the Member nor the Officers shall be liable to the Company or any other person or entity who has an interest in the Company for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by the Member or Officer, as applicable, in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on the Member or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement, provided that the Member or Officer, as applicable, shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim if there is a final and non-appealable judicial determination that such Member or Officer, as applicable, (i) did not act in good faith and in what such Member or Officer, as applicable, reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of the Company and within the authority granted to such Member or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement, (ii) acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud, or (iii) with respect to any criminal act or proceeding, had a reasonable cause to believe that such conduct of the Member or Officer, as applicable, was unlawful. To the full extent permitted by applicable law, the Member or Officer, as applicable, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company for and against any and all judgments, fines, settlements, losses, claims, demands, costs, damages, liabilities, joint and several, and expenses of any nature, including reasonable attorney’s fees and disbursements and other amounts arising from any proceeding (collectively “ Costs ”), incurred by the Member or Officer, as applicable, by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by the Member or Officer, as applicable, in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on the Member or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement, except that the Member or Officer, as applicable, shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Section 6 with respect to any Costs if there is a final and non-appealable judicial determination that such Member or Officer, as applicable, (i) did not act in good faith and in what such Member or Officer, as applicable, reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of the Company and within the authority granted to such Member or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement, (ii) acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud, or (iii) with respect to any criminal act or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such conduct of the Member or Officer, as applicable, was unlawful; provided , however , that any indemnity under this Section 6 shall be provided out of and to the extent of the Company’s assets only, and neither the Member nor the Officer, as applicable, shall have personal liability on account thereof.

7. Term . The term of the Company shall be perpetual unless the Company is dissolved and terminated in accordance with Section 11.

8. Initial Capital Contributions . The Member hereby agrees to contribute to the Company such cash, property or services as determined by the Member.

 

3


9. Tax Status; Income and Deductions .

(a) Tax Status . As long as the Company has only one member, it is the intention of the Company and the Member that the Company be treated as a disregarded entity for federal and all relevant state tax purposes and neither the Company nor the Member shall take any action or make any election which is inconsistent with such tax treatment. All provisions of this Agreement are to be construed so as to preserve the Company’s tax status as a disregarded entity.

(b) Income and Deductions . All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Company (including, without limitation, items not subject to federal or state income tax) shall be treated for federal and all relevant state income tax purposes as items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Member.

10. Distributions . Distributions shall be made to the Member at the times and in the amounts determined by the Member.

11. Dissolution; Liquidation .

(a) The Company shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up upon the first to occur of the following: (i) the written consent of the Member or (ii) any other event or circumstance giving rise to the dissolution of the Company under Section 18-801 of the Act, unless the Company’s existence is continued pursuant to the Act.

(b) Upon dissolution of the Company, the Company shall immediately commence to wind up its affairs and the Member shall promptly liquidate the business of the Company. During the period of the winding up of the affairs of the Company, the rights and obligations of the Member under this Agreement shall continue.

(c) In the event of dissolution, the Company shall conduct only such activities as are necessary to wind up its affairs (including the sale of the assets of the Company in an orderly manner), and the assets of the Company shall be applied as follows: (i) first, to creditors, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, in satisfaction of liabilities of the Company (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof); and (ii) thereafter, to the Member.

(d) Upon the completion of the winding up of the Company, the Member shall file a Certificate of Cancellation in accordance with the Act.

12. Miscellaneous .

(a) Amendments . Amendments to this Agreement may be made only with the consent of the Member.

(b) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

4


(c) Severability . In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be declared to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall survive to the extent it is not so declared, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the other provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, unless such action would substantially impair the benefits to any party of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Agreement to be effective as of the Effective Date.

 

KRATON POLYMERS LLC

/s/ James L. Simmons

Name:   James L. Simmons
Title:   Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary

 

6

Exhibit 3.12

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

SHELL ELASTOMERS LLC

The undersigned, being authorized to execute and file this Certificate of Formation, hereby certifies that:

FIRST: The name of the limited liability company is SHELL ELASTOMERS LLC.

SECOND: The name and address of the registered agent for service of process and registered office of the company are Corporation Service Company, 1013 Centre Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19805.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Formation as of this 5th day of May, 1999.

 

SHELL OIL COMPANY
(By its agent, Shell Chemical Company)

/s/ J. L. Golden

Authorized Person
By:   J. L. Golden
Title:   President & Chief Executive Officer
  Shell Chemical Company

cmp

STATE OF DELAWARE

SECRETARY OF STATE

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

FILED 09:00 AM 05/06/1999

991181321 — 3039818

Exhibit 3.13

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

SHELL ELASTOMERS LLC

This Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Formation of Shell Elastomers LLC (the “LLC”), dated as of February 28, 2001, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as an authorized person, pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del. C. § 18-101, et seq .).

FIRST. The name of the LLC is Shell Elastomers LLC.

SECOND. The Certificate of Formation of the LLC is hereby amended as follows:

(a) That the “FIRST” Article of the Certificate of Formation is amended to read as follows:

FIRST. The name of the limited liability company formed hereby is KRATON Polymers U.S. LLC.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Amendment as of the date first above written.

 

ELASTOMERS HOLDINGS LLC
By:   RK Polymers LLC, its sole member

/s/ Ian K. Snow

Ian K. Snow
Vice President/Secretary

Exhibit 3.14

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLC

This Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (“ Agreement ”) of KRATON Polymers U.S. LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), effective as of March June 4, 2015 (the “ Effective Date ”), is entered into by Elastomers Holdings LLC, as the sole member of the Company (the “ Member ”).

RECITALS

 

A. The Company was formed as “Shell Elastomers LLC” on May 5, 1999 by the filing of a Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to and in accordance with the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended from time to time (the “ Act ”).

 

B. The original member entered into the limited liability company agreement of Shell Elastomers LLC dated as of May 5, 1999 (the “ Original Agreement ”).

 

C. The Member amended and restated the Original Agreement pursuant to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated and effective as of February 28, 2001 (the “ Amended and Restated LLC Agreement ”).

 

D. The Company changed its name from Shell Elastomers LLC to KRATON Polymers U.S. LLC by filing a Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Formation on February 28, 2001.

 

E. The Member further amended the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement pursuant to the Amendment to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated and effective as of March 1, 2001 (together, with the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement, the “ Previous Agreement ”).

 

F. The Member desires to amend and restate the Previous Agreement to amend certain provisions thereof.

 

G. The Member agrees that the membership in and management of the Company shall be governed by the terms set forth herein.

The Member, by execution of this Agreement, hereby amends and restates the Previous Agreement pursuant to and in accordance with the Act, and hereby agrees as follows:

1. Name . The name of the Company is KRATON Polymers U.S. LLC.


2. Purpose . The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the Act and to engage in any and all activities necessary or incidental thereto.

3. Principal Office; Registered Agent .

(a) Principal Office . The location of the principal office of the Company shall be such location as the Member may from time to time designate. Until changed by the Member, the principal office of the Company shall be 15710 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300, Houston, TX 77032.

(a) Registered Agent . The registered agent of the Company for service of process in the State of Delaware and the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be that person and location reflected in the Certificate of Formation, or such other registered agent as designed by the Member. In the event the registered agent ceases to act as such for any reason or the registered office shall change, the Member shall promptly designate a replacement registered agent or file a notice of change of address, as the case may be, in the manner provided by law.

4. Members .

(a) Members . The Member owns 100% of the membership interests in the Company. The name and the business, residence or mailing address of the Member are as follows:

 

Name    Address
Elastomers Holdings LLC   

15710 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300

Houston, TX 77032

(b) Additional Members . One or more additional members may be admitted to the Company with the consent of the Member. Prior to the admission of any such additional members to the Company, the Member shall amend this Agreement to make such changes as the Member shall determine to reflect the fact that the Company shall have such additional members. Each additional member shall execute and deliver a supplement or counterpart to this Agreement, as necessary.

(c) Membership Interests; Certificates . The Company will not issue any certificates to evidence ownership of the membership interests.

5. Management .

(a) Authority; Powers and Duties of the Member . The Member shall have exclusive and complete authority and discretion to manage the operations and affairs of the Company and to make all decisions regarding the business of the Company. Any action taken by the Member shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Company. Persons dealing with the Company are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Member as set forth in this Agreement. The Member shall have all rights and powers of a manager under the Act, and shall have such authority, rights and powers in the management of the Company to do any and all other acts and things necessary, proper, convenient or advisable to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement.

 

2


(b) Election of Officers; Delegation of Authority .

i) The Member may, from time to time, designate one or more officers with such titles as may be designated by the Member to act in the name of the Company with such authority as may be delegated to such officers by the Member (each such designated person, an “ Officer ”). Any such Officer shall act pursuant to such delegated authority until such Officer is removed by the Member.

ii) Each Officer may, from time to time, designate one or more persons (each an “ Authorized Person ”) to act in the name of the Company and delegate to such Authorized Person such portion of such Officer’s authority as shall be specified in the designation.

iii) Any action taken by an Officer, or an Authorized Person, pursuant to authority delegated to such Officer or Authorized Person, shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Company.

6. Exculpation and Indemnification of the Member and Officers . Neither the Member nor the Officers shall be liable to the Company or any other person or entity who has an interest in the Company for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by the Member or Officer, as applicable, in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on the Member or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement, provided that the Member or Officer, as applicable, shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim if there is a final and non-appealable judicial determination that such Member or Officer, as applicable, (i) did not act in good faith and in what such Member or Officer, as applicable, reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of the Company and within the authority granted to such Member or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement, (ii) acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud, or (iii) with respect to any criminal act or proceeding, had a reasonable cause to believe that such conduct by the Member or Officer, as applicable, was unlawful. To the full extent permitted by applicable law, the Member or Officer, as applicable, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company for and against any and all judgments, fines, settlements, losses, claims, demands, costs, damages, liabilities, joint and several, and expenses of any nature, including reasonable attorney’s fees and disbursements and other amounts arising from any proceeding (collectively “ Costs ”), incurred by the Member or Officer, as applicable, by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by the Member or Officer, as applicable, in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on the Member or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement, except that the Member or Officer, as applicable, shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Section 6 with respect to any Costs if there is a final and non-appealable judicial determination that such Member or Officer, as applicable, (i) did not act in good faith and in what such Member or Officer, as applicable, reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of the Company and within the authority granted to such Member or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement, (ii) acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud, or (iii) with respect to any criminal act or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such conduct by the Member or Officer, as applicable, was unlawful; provided , however , that any indemnity under this Section 6 shall be provided out of and to the extent of the Company’s assets only, and neither the Member nor the Officer, as applicable, shall have personal liability on account thereof.

7. Term . The term of the Company shall be perpetual unless the Company is dissolved and terminated in accordance with Section 11 .

8. Initial Capital Contributions . The Member hereby agrees to contribute to the Company such cash, property or services as determined by the Member.

 

3


9. Tax Status; Income and Deductions .

(a) Tax Status . As long as the Company has only one member, it is the intention of the Company and the Member that the Company be treated as a disregarded entity for federal and all relevant state tax purposes and neither the Company nor the Member shall take any action or make any election which is inconsistent with such tax treatment. All provisions of this Agreement are to be construed so as to preserve the Company’s tax status as a disregarded entity.

(b) Income and Deductions . All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Company (including, without limitation, items not subject to federal or state income tax) shall be treated for federal and all relevant state income tax purposes as items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Member.

10. Distributions . Distributions shall be made to the Member at the times and in the amounts determined by the Member.

11. Dissolution; Liquidation .

(a) The Company shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up upon the first to occur of the following: (i) the written consent of the Member or (ii) any other event or circumstance giving rise to the dissolution of the Company under Section 18-801 of the Act, unless the Company’s existence is continued pursuant to the Act.

(b) Upon dissolution of the Company, the Company shall immediately commence to wind up its affairs and the Member shall promptly liquidate the business of the Company. During the period of the winding up of the affairs of the Company, the rights and obligations of the Member under this Agreement shall continue.

(c) In the event of dissolution, the Company shall conduct only such activities as are necessary to wind up its affairs (including the sale of the assets of the Company in an orderly manner), and the assets of the Company shall be applied as follows: (i) first, to creditors, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, in satisfaction of liabilities of the Company (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof); and (ii) thereafter, to the Member.

(d) Upon the completion of the winding up of the Company, the Member shall file a Certificate of Cancellation in accordance with the Act.

12. Miscellaneous .

(a) Amendments . Amendments to this Agreement may be made only with the consent of the Member.

(b) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

4


(c) Severability . In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be declared to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall survive to the extent it is not so declared, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the other provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, unless such action would substantially impair the benefits to any party of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Agreement to be effective as of the Effective Date.

 

ELASTOMERS HOLDINGS LLC

/s/ James L. Simmons

Name:   James L. Simmons
Title:   Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary

 

6

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

 

KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS, INC.

as Issuer

THE POTENTIAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO

as Potential Subsidiary Guarantors

and

[                                         ]

as Trustee

 

 

Indenture

Dated as of                     

 

 

Debt Securities

 

 

 


KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS, INC.

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939

and Indenture, dated as of                     

 

 

 

Section of

Trust Indenture

Act of 1939

   Section(s) of
Indenture

§ 310

 

(a)(1)

   7.10
 

(a)(2)

   7.10
 

(a)(3)

   Not Applicable
 

(a)(4)

   Not Applicable
 

(a)(5)

   7.10
 

(b)

   7.08, 7.10

§ 311

 

(a)

   7.11
 

(b)

   7.11
 

(c)

   Not Applicable

§ 312

 

(a)

   2.07
 

(b)

   11.03
 

(c)

   11.03

§ 313

 

(a)

   7.06
 

(b)

   7.06
 

(c)

   7.06
 

(d)

   7.06

§ 314

 

(a)

   4.03, 4.04
 

(b)

   Not Applicable
 

(c)(1)

   11.04
 

(c)(2)

   11.04
 

(c)(3)

   Not Applicable
 

(d)

   Not Applicable
 

(e)

   11.05

§ 315

 

(a)

   7.01(b)
 

(b)

   7.05
 

(c)

   7.01(a)
 

(d)

   7.01(c)
 

(d)(1)

   7.01(c)(1)
 

(d)(2)

   7.01(c)(2)
 

(d)(3)

   7.01(c)(3)
 

(e)

   6.11

§ 316

 

(a)(1)(A)

   6.05
 

(a)(1)(B)

   6.04
 

(a)(2)

   Not Applicable
 

(a)(last sentence)

   2.11
 

(b)

   6.07

§ 317

 

(a)(1)

   6.08
 

(a)(2)

   6.09
 

(b)

   2.06

§ 318

 

(a)

   11.01

 

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     1   

SECTION 1.01

 

Definitions

     1   

SECTION 1.02

 

Other Definitions

     7   

SECTION 1.03

 

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     7   

SECTION 1.04

 

Rules of Construction

     7   

ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES

     8   

SECTION 2.01

 

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     8   

SECTION 2.02

 

Denominations

     11   

SECTION 2.03

 

Forms Generally

     11   

SECTION 2.04

 

Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

     12   

SECTION 2.05

 

Registrar and Paying Agent

     14   

SECTION 2.06

 

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

     14   

SECTION 2.07

 

Holder Lists

     15   

SECTION 2.08

 

Transfer and Exchange

     15   

SECTION 2.09

 

Replacement Securities

     16   

SECTION 2.10

 

Outstanding Securities

     16   

SECTION 2.11

 

Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities

     16   

SECTION 2.12

 

Temporary Securities

     17   

SECTION 2.13

 

Cancellation

     17   

SECTION 2.14

 

Payments; Defaulted Interest

     18   

SECTION 2.15

 

Persons Deemed Owners

     18   

SECTION 2.16

 

Computation of Interest

     18   

SECTION 2.17

 

Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions

     19   

ARTICLE III REDEMPTION

     21   

SECTION 3.01

 

Applicability of Article

     21   

SECTION 3.02

 

Notice to the Trustee

     21   

SECTION 3.03

 

Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed

     22   

SECTION 3.04

 

Notice of Redemption

     22   

SECTION 3.05

 

Effect of Notice of Redemption

     23   

SECTION 3.06

 

Deposit of Redemption Price

     23   

SECTION 3.07

 

Securities Redeemed in Part

     24   

SECTION 3.08

 

Purchase of Securities

     24   

SECTION 3.09

 

Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds

     24   

SECTION 3.10

 

Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

     25   

SECTION 3.11

 

Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

     25   

ARTICLE IV COVENANTS

     26   

SECTION 4.01

 

Payment of Securities

     26   

SECTION 4.02

 

Maintenance of Office or Agency

     26   

SECTION 4.03

 

SEC Reports; Financial Statements

     27   

 

ii


SECTION 4.04

 

Compliance Certificate

     27   

SECTION 4.05

 

Corporate or Other Existence

     28   

SECTION 4.06

 

Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

     28   

SECTION 4.07

 

Additional Amounts

     29   

ARTICLE V SUCCESSORS

     29   

SECTION 5.01

 

Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations

     29   

SECTION 5.02

 

Successor Person Substituted

     30   

ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     30   

SECTION 6.01

 

Events of Default

     30   

SECTION 6.02

 

Acceleration

     32   

SECTION 6.03

 

Other Remedies

     33   

SECTION 6.04

 

Waiver of Defaults

     33   

SECTION 6.05

 

Control by Majority

     34   

SECTION 6.06

 

Limitations on Suits

     34   

SECTION 6.07

 

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

     35   

SECTION 6.08

 

Collection Suit by Trustee

     35   

SECTION 6.09

 

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     35   

SECTION 6.10

 

Priorities

     36   

SECTION 6.11

 

Undertaking for Costs

     37   

ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE

     37   

SECTION 7.01

 

Duties of Trustee

     37   

SECTION 7.02

 

Rights of Trustee

     38   

SECTION 7.03

 

May Hold Securities

     39   

SECTION 7.04

 

Trustee’s Disclaimer

     39   

SECTION 7.05

 

Notice of Defaults

     39   

SECTION 7.06

 

Reports by Trustee to Holders

     40   

SECTION 7.07

 

Compensation and Indemnity

     40   

SECTION 7.08

 

Replacement of Trustee

     41   

SECTION 7.09

 

Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

     42   

SECTION 7.10

 

Eligibility; Disqualification

     43   

SECTION 7.11

 

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor

     43   

ARTICLE VIII DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

     44   

SECTION 8.01

 

Termination of the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ Obligations

     44   

SECTION 8.02

 

Application of Trust Money

     47   

SECTION 8.03

 

Repayment to Company or Subsidiary Guarantor

     48   

SECTION 8.04

 

Reinstatement

     48   

ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

     48   

SECTION 9.01

 

Without Consent of Holders

     48   

SECTION 9.02

 

With Consent of Holders

     50   

SECTION 9.03

 

Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act

     52   

 

iii


SECTION 9.04

 

Revocation and Effect of Consents

     52   

SECTION 9.05

 

Notation on or Exchange of Securities

     52   

SECTION 9.06

 

Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

     53   

ARTICLE X GUARANTEE

     53   

SECTION 10.01

 

Guarantee

     53   

SECTION 10.02

 

Execution and Delivery of Guarantees

     55   

SECTION 10.03

 

Limitation on Liability of the Subsidiary Guarantors

     56   

SECTION 10.04

 

Release of Subsidiary Guarantors from Guarantee

     56   

SECTION 10.05

 

Contribution

     56   

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

     57   

SECTION 11.01

 

Trust Indenture Act Controls

     57   

SECTION 11.02

 

Notices

     57   

SECTION 11.03

 

Communication by Holders with Other Holders

     58   

SECTION 11.04

 

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

     58   

SECTION 11.05

 

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

     59   

SECTION 11.06

 

Rules by Trustee and Agents

     59   

SECTION 11.07

 

Legal Holidays

     59   

SECTION 11.08

 

No Recourse Against Others

     60   

SECTION 11.09

 

Governing Law

     60   

SECTION 11.10

 

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

     60   

SECTION 11.11

 

Successors

     60   

SECTION 11.12

 

Severability

     60   

SECTION 11.13

 

Counterpart Originals

     61   

SECTION 11.14

 

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

     61   

 

iv


INDENTURE (this “Indenture”) dated as of                      among Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the potential subsidiary guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto (the “Potential Subsidiary Guarantors”), and                     , a                     , as trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Company and the Potential Subsidiary Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Company’s debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued from time to time in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount (herein called the “Securities”), and the related Guarantees (as hereinafter defined), if any, as provided in this Indenture.

The Company and the Potential Subsidiary Guarantors are members of the same consolidated group of companies. The Potential Subsidiary Guarantors will derive direct and indirect economic benefit from the issuance of the Securities. Accordingly, each Potential Subsidiary Guarantor has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture in light of the possibility that such Potential Subsidiary Guarantor will provide its full and unconditional guarantee of a series of the Securities to the extent provided in this Indenture.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01 Definitions.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts required by the express terms of a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein or pursuant thereto, to be paid by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, with respect to certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to such Holders.

“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.

 

1


“Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

“Board of Directors,” when used with reference to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, means the Board of Directors or comparable governing body of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor (or with respect to a limited liability company, the member, manager, managing member or other Person that governs such limited liability company), as the case may be, or any committee thereof duly authorized, with respect to any particular matter, to act by or on behalf of the Board of Directors or comparable governing body of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Legal Holiday.

“Capitalized Lease Obligation” of any Person means any obligation of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease of property, real or personal, that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP; and the amount of such obligation shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person; provided, however, that for purposes of any provision contained herein which is required by the TIA, “Company” shall also mean each other obligor (if any), other than a Subsidiary Guarantor, on the Securities of a series.

“Company Order” and “Company Request” mean, respectively, a written order or request signed in the name of the Company or each Subsidiary Guarantor by two Officers of the Company and delivered to the Trustee.

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which, in the case of                     , shall be                     , New York, New York                     .

“Debt” of any Person means, without duplication: (i) all indebtedness or obligations of such Person for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof); (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments; (iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments (or reimbursement obligations with respect thereto), other than standby letters of credit, bid or performance bonds and other obligations issued by or for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of business, to the extent not drawn or, to the extent drawn, if such drawing is reimbursed not later

 

2


than the third Business Day following demand for reimbursement; (iv) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services, except trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business; (v) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (vi) all Debt of others secured by a lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person (provided that if the obligations so secured have not been assumed in full by such Person or are not otherwise such Person’s legal liability in full, then such obligations shall be deemed to be in an amount equal to the greater of (a) the lesser of (1) the full amount of such obligations and (2) the fair market value of such assets, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of such Person, which determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, and (b) the amount of obligations as have been assumed by such Person or which are otherwise such Person’s legal liability); and (vii) all Debt of others (other than endorsements in the ordinary course of business) guaranteed by such Person to the extent of such guarantee.

“Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“deliver” or “delivery” means, in the context of certificated Securities, actual physical delivery of the certificated Securities to the relevant Person required hereunder, together with all endorsements, and in the context of Global Securities, the designation on the records of the Depositary of a change in the beneficial interests of a holder in a Global Security.

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof as the initial Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debt.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

“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.

“Global Security” means a Security that is issued in global form in the name of the Depositary with respect thereto or its nominee.

“Government Obligations” means, with respect to a series of Securities, (i) direct obligations of a government that issues the currency in which the Securities of the series are payable for the payment of which the full faith and credit of such government is pledged, or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of

 

3


such government, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which, in either case under clause (i) or (ii) above, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof; or (iii) depository receipts issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligations or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided 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 Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

“Guarantee” means the guarantee of the Company’s obligations under the Securities of a series by a Subsidiary Guarantor (specified with respect to such series as contemplated by Section 2.01(9)) as provided in Article X.

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered.

“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time pursuant to the provisions hereof, and includes the terms of a particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 2.01.

“interest” means, with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity.

“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Security as contemplated by Section 2.01.

“Issue Date” means, with respect to Securities of a series, the first date on which the Securities of such series are originally issued under this Indenture.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in any of The City of New York, New York; Houston, Texas or a Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

“Maturity” means, with respect to any Security, the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity thereof, or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, any Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of a Person.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of a Person.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. Such counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee.

 

4


“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

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

“Place of Payment” means, with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of that series are payable as specified in accordance with Section 2.01 subject to the provisions of Section 4.02.

“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the Security.

“Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

“Responsible Officer” means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture or any other officer 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.

“Rule 144A Securities” means Securities of a series designated pursuant to Section 2.01 as entitled to the benefits of Section 4.03(b).

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities” has the meaning stated in the preamble of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Security Custodian” means, with respect to Securities of a series issued in global form, the Trustee for Securities of such series, as custodian with respect to the Securities of such series, or any successor entity thereto.

“Significant Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company that is a “significant subsidiary” of the Company as such term is defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X as in effect on the date hereof.

“Stated Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

 

5


“Subsidiary” means a Person at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

“Subsidiary Guarantors” means, with respect to any series of Securities, the Person or Persons, if any, named in accordance with Section 2.01(9) as the “Subsidiary Guarantors” with respect to such series until a successor Person or Persons shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Subsidiary Guarantors” with respect to such series of Securities shall mean such successor Person or Persons, and any other Subsidiary of the Company who may execute this Indenture, or a supplement thereto, for the purpose of providing a Guarantee for such series of Securities pursuant to this Indenture. If a series of Securities does not have any Subsidiary Guarantors, all references in this Indenture to Subsidiary Guarantors shall be ignored with respect to such series of Securities.

“surrender” shall have the same meaning as “deliver” in the context of the surrender of a Security.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that, in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

“Trustee” means the Person named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” means each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series means the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

“United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia) and its territories and possessions, which include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means Government Obligations with respect to Securities payable in Dollars.

 

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SECTION 1.02 Other Definitions .

 

Term

   Defined
in Section

“Agent Members”

   2.17

“Bankruptcy Custodian”

   6.01

“Conversion Event”

   6.01

“covenant defeasance”

   8.01

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Exchange Rate”

   2.11

“Funding Guarantor”

   10.05

“Judgment Currency”

   6.10

“legal defeasance”

   8.01

“mandatory sinking fund payment”

   3.09

“Notation of Guarantee”

   10.02

“optional sinking fund payment”

   3.09

“Paying Agent”

   2.05

“Registrar”

   2.05

“Required Currency”

   6.10

“Successor”

   5.01

 

SECTION 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture (and if the Indenture is not qualified under the TIA at the time, as if it were so qualified unless otherwise provided). The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“Commission” means the SEC.

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

“indenture security holder” means a Holder.

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other obligor on the Securities.

All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by a TIA reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

 

SECTION 1.04 Rules of Construction .

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

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

 

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

 

  (3) “or” is not exclusive;

 

  (4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

  (5) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

 

  (6) all references in this instrument to Articles and Sections are references to the corresponding Articles and Sections in and of this instrument.

ARTICLE II

THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 2.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series .

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company or in a Company Order, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series);

(2) if there is to be a limit, the limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.08, 2.09, 2.12, 2.17, 3.07 or 9.05 and except for any Securities that, pursuant to Section 2.04 or 2.17, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that unless otherwise provided in the terms of the series, the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may be increased before or after the issuance of any Securities of the series by a Board Resolution (or action pursuant to a Board Resolution) to such effect;

(3) whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form, as Global Securities or otherwise, and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security may exchange such interests for

 

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Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.17, and the initial Depositary and Security Custodian, if any, for any Global Security or Securities of such series;

(4) the manner in which any interest payable on a temporary Global Security on any Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.14;

(5) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium (if any) on the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;

(6) the rate or rates, or the method of determination thereof, at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any Securities on any Interest Payment Date, or if other than provided herein, the Person to whom any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable;

(7) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 4.02, the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

(8) the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option, and the manner in which the Company must exercise any such option, if different from those set forth herein;

(9) whether Securities of the series are entitled to the benefits of any Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Indenture, the identity of any such Subsidiary Guarantors and any terms of such Guarantee with respect to the Securities of the series in addition to those set forth in Article X, or any exceptions to or changes to those set forth in Article X;

(10) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid in whole or in part pursuant to such obligation;

(11) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denomination in which any Securities of that series shall be issuable;

(12) if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) or the form, including equity securities, other debt securities (including

 

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Securities), warrants or any other securities or property of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person, in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

(13) if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies (including composite currencies) other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series as to which such election is made shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made;

(14) if the amount of payments of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to any commodities, currencies or indices, values, rates or prices or any other index or formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(15) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

(16) any additional means of satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and any additional conditions or limitations to discharge with respect to Securities of the series and the related Guarantees, if any, pursuant to Article VIII or any modifications of or deletions from such conditions or limitations;

(17) any deletions or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 6.01 or covenants of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor set forth in Article IV pertaining to the Securities of the series;

(18) any restrictions or other provisions with respect to the transfer or exchange of Securities of the series, which may amend, supplement, modify or supersede those contained in this Article II;

(19) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants, other equity securities or any other securities or property of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person, at the option of the Company or the Holder or upon the occurrence of any condition or event, the terms and conditions for such conversion or exchange;

(20) whether the Securities of the series are to be entitled to the benefit of Section 4.03(b) (and accordingly constitute Rule 144A Securities); and

(21) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

 

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All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 2.03) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action, together with such Board Resolution, shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order setting forth the terms of the series.

 

SECTION 2.02 Denominations .

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.01. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiples thereof.

 

SECTION 2.03 Forms Generally .

The Securities of each series shall be in fully registered form and in substantially such form or forms (including temporary or permanent global form) established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, securities exchange rule, the Company’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other similar governing documents, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). A copy of the Board Resolution establishing the form or forms of Securities of any series shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 2.04 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.

The definitive Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

 

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The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

“This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

[                                         ], as Trustee
By:  

 

      Authorized Officer”.

 

SECTION 2.04 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating .

Two Officers of the Company shall sign the Securities on behalf of the Company and, with respect to any related Guarantees, an Officer of each Subsidiary Guarantor shall sign the Notation of Guarantee on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security or the Notation of Guarantee, as the case may be, is authenticated, the Security shall be valid nevertheless.

A Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or the related Guarantees or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee, which signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security has been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company delivers such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.13, together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or the related Guarantees.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company (and if applicable, the Notation of Guarantee for such series executed by each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series) to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Securities for original issue upon a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by Company Order. Such order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated, the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders and any other terms of the Securities of such series not otherwise determined. If provided for in such procedures, such Company Order may authorize (1) authentication and delivery of Securities of such series for original issue from time to time, with certain terms (including, without limitation, the Maturity dates or dates, original issue date or dates and interest rate or rates) that differ from Security to Security and (2) may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent, which instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing.

 

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If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 2.01, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (in addition to the Company Order referred to above and the other documents required by Section 11.04), and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a) an Officers’ Certificate of the Company setting forth the Board Resolution and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant thereto, as contemplated by the last paragraph of Section 2.01; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that:

(i) the form of such Securities has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(iii) that such Securities and the related Guarantees, if any, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, enforceable against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, in accordance with their respective terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer or other similar laws in effect from time to time affecting the rights of creditors generally, and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each such Security, but such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issuance of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture would affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities 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 the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

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Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

SECTION 2.05 Registrar and Paying Agent .

The Company shall maintain an office or agency for each series of Securities where Securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities of such series may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities of such series and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 2.06 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. 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. Upon payment over to the Trustee and upon accounting for any funds disbursed, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or another Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or another Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Each Paying Agent shall otherwise comply with TIA § 317(b).

 

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SECTION 2.07 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 and addresses of Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date with respect to such series of Securities, 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 of such series, and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).

 

SECTION 2.08 Transfer and Exchange .

Except as set forth in Section 2.17 or as may be provided pursuant to Section 2.01:

When Securities of any series are presented to the Registrar with the request to register the transfer of such Securities or to exchange such Securities for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same series of like tenor and of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its requirements and the requirements of this Indenture for such transactions are met; provided, however , that the Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing, on which instruction the Registrar can rely.

To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute Securities (and if applicable, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee for such series) and the Trustee shall authenticate such Securities at the Registrar’s written request and submission of the Securities or Global Securities. No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), 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 such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.12, 3.07 or 9.05). The Trustee shall authenticate Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.04. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of (a) any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article III, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part, or (b) any Security during the period beginning 15 Business Days prior to the mailing of notice of any offer to repurchase Securities of the series required pursuant to the terms thereof or of redemption of Securities of a series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing.

 

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SECTION 2.09 Replacement Securities.

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been destroyed, lost or stolen and the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security, the Company shall issue, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Security, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security of the same series if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security. If required by the Trustee, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Company, such Holder must furnish an indemnity bond that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge a Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.

Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company.

 

SECTION 2.10 Outstanding Securities.

The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Security effected by the Trustee hereunder and those described in this Section 2.10 as not outstanding.

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor holds the Security.

 

SECTION 2.11 Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, (a) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security shall be the principal amount thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof

 

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pursuant to Section 6.02, (b) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a foreign currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such currency, as such rate is certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Exchange Rate”) on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the amount determined as provided in (a) above), of such Security and (c) Securities owned by the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company, of a Subsidiary Guarantor or of such other obligor shall be disregarded, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Securities that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

SECTION 2.12 Temporary Securities.

Until definitive Securities of any series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and execute temporary Securities, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such temporary Securities, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate such temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities, but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and execute definitive Securities, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such definitive Securities, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate such definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities.

 

SECTION 2.13 Cancellation.

The Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or redemption or for credit against any sinking fund payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, redemption, replacement or cancellation or for credit against any sinking fund. Unless the Company shall direct in writing that canceled Securities be returned to it, after written notice to the Company all canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with the usual disposal procedures of the Trustee, and the Trustee shall maintain a record of their disposal. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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SECTION 2.14 Payments; Defaulted Interest.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 2.01, interest (except defaulted interest) on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Persons who are registered Holders of that Security at the close of business on the record date next preceding such Interest Payment Date, even if such Securities are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date. The Holder must surrender a Security to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of any series, the Company will pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities in Dollars. Such amounts shall be payable at the offices of the Trustee or any Paying Agent, provided that at the option of the Company, the Company may pay such amounts (1) by wire transfer with respect to Global Securities or (2) by check payable in such money mailed to a Holder’s registered address with respect to any Securities.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of any series, the Company shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities of such series and in Section 4.01. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. At least 15 days before any special record date selected by the Company, the Company (or the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Company upon 20 days’ prior written notice from the Company setting forth such special record date and the interest amount to be paid) shall mail to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

SECTION 2.15 Persons Deemed Owners.

The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payments of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security and for all other purposes. None of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

SECTION 2.16 Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a year comprising twelve 30-day months.

 

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SECTION 2.17 Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions.

If Securities of a series are issuable in global form as a Global Security, as contemplated by Section 2.01, then, notwithstanding clause (11) of Section 2.01 and the provisions of Section 2.02, any such Global Security shall represent such of the outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, transfers or redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee (i) in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified in such Security or in a Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.04 or (ii) otherwise in accordance with written instructions or such other written form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary for such Security, from such Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in such Global Security. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.04 and, if applicable, Section 2.12, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified in such Security or in the applicable Company Order. With respect to the Securities of any series that are represented by a Global Security, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors authorize the execution and delivery by the Trustee of a letter of representations or other similar agreement or instrument in the form customarily provided for by the Depositary appointed with respect to such Global Security. Any Global Security may be deposited with the Depositary or its nominee, or may remain in the custody of the Trustee or the Security Custodian therefor pursuant to a FAST Balance Certificate Agreement or similar agreement between the Trustee and the Depositary. If a Company Order has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee or the Security Custodian as its custodian, or under such Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian and any agent of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the registered holder of a Global Security of a series may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action that a Holder of Securities of such series is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities of such series and (ii) nothing herein shall prevent the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian, or any agent of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or shall impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a beneficial owner of any Security.

 

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Notwithstanding Section 2.08, and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.01, transfers of a Global Security shall be limited to transfers of such Global Security in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Security may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary. Securities shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Security if, and only if, either (1) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Security and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, (2) an Event of Default has occurred with respect to such series and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue Securities in lieu of all or a portion of the Global Security (in which case the Company shall deliver Securities within 30 days of such request) or (3) the Company in its sole discretion determines not to have the Securities represented by a Global Security.

In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Global Security to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Global Security, if any, and the Trustee upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Securities of the same series of like tenor and amount.

In connection with the transfer of all of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Global Security, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interests in the Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Securities of authorized denominations.

None of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, Securities by the Depositary, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary relating to such Securities. None of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee shall be liable for any delay by the Holder of the Global Security or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners, and each such Person may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, instructions from such Holder of the Global Security or the Depositary for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Securities to be issued).

The provisions of the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04 shall apply to any Global Security if such Global Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together

 

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with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the cancellation or reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.03 and 2.14, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Global Security shall be made to the Depositary.

The Company in issuing Securities of any series may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of Securities of such series; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities of such series or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities of such series, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, delivery or surrender of a Security shall not be required in the case of Global Securities in order to obtain the rights or benefits provided hereunder upon the delivery or surrender of a Security.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01 Applicability of Article .

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article III.

 

SECTION 3.02 Notice to the Trustee .

If the Company elects to redeem Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, it shall notify the Trustee of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. The Company shall so notify the Trustee at least 45 days before the Redemption Date (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) by delivering to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such redemption will comply with the provisions of this Indenture and of the Securities of such series. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to the mailing of such notice of such redemption to any Holder and shall thereupon be void and of no effect.

 

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SECTION 3.03 Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed .

If less than all of the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Securities of such series of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the outstanding Securities of such series (and tenor) not previously called for redemption, either pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem appropriate in accordance with industry standards at the time of such redemption and that may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or of the principal amount of Global Securities of such series; provided that, if at the time of redemption such Securities are registered as a Global Security, the Depositary shall determine, in accordance with its procedures, the principal amount of such Securities held by each beneficial owner of Securities to be redeemed.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any of the Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount thereof which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.04 Notice of Redemption .

Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 days (or not less than 15 days in the case of convertible Securities) nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at the address of such Holder appearing in the register of Securities maintained by the Registrar.

All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the Redemption Price (or the method of calculating or determining the Redemption Price);

(3) that, unless the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors default in making the redemption payment, interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, and the only remaining right of the Holders of such Securities is to receive payment of the Redemption Price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Securities redeemed;

 

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(4) if any Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender for cancellation of such Security to the Paying Agent, a new Security or Securities in the aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued without charge to the Holder;

(5) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price and the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(6) that the redemption is for a sinking or analogous fund, if such is the case;

(7) if such Securities are convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants, other equity securities or any other securities or property of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person, the name and address of the conversion or exchange agent, the date on which the right to convert or exchange is terminated and the conversion or exchange rate; and

(8) the CUSIP number, if any, relating to such Securities.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

 

SECTION 3.05 Effect of Notice of Redemption .

Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities called for redemption shall be paid at the Redemption Price, but interest installments whose maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable on the relevant Interest Payment Dates to the Holders of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates specified pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

SECTION 3.06 Deposit of Redemption Price .

By 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor shall deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor is acting as the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.06) an amount of money in same day funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date, other than Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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If the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor complies with the preceding paragraph, then, unless the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors default in the payment of such Redemption Price, interest on the Securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue on and after the applicable Redemption Date, whether or not such Securities are presented for payment, and the Holders of such Securities shall have no further rights with respect to such Securities except for the right to receive the Redemption Price upon surrender of such Securities. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal, premium, if any, any Additional Amounts, and, to the extent lawful, accrued interest thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate specified pursuant to Section 2.01 or provided in the Securities or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, such Securities’ yield to maturity.

 

SECTION 3.07 Securities Redeemed in Part .

Upon surrender to the Paying Agent of a Security to be redeemed in part, the Company shall execute, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Security, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities, of the same series and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered that is not redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.08 Purchase of Securities .

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor and any Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor may at any time purchase or otherwise acquire Securities in the open market or by private agreement. Any such acquisition shall not operate as or be deemed for any purpose to be a redemption of the indebtedness represented by such Securities. Any Securities purchased or acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor may be delivered to the Trustee and, upon such delivery, the indebtedness represented thereby shall be deemed to be satisfied. Section 2.13 shall apply to all Securities so delivered.

 

SECTION 3.09 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds .

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” Unless otherwise provided by the

 

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terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 3.10. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and by this Article III.

 

SECTION 3.10 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities .

The Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor may deliver outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

SECTION 3.11 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund .

Not less than 45 days prior (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate of the Company specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivery of or by crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.10 and will also deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Failure of the Company to timely deliver or cause to be delivered such Officers’ Certificate and Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute the election of the Company (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Company will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section.

If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof based on the applicable Exchange Rate on the date of original issue of the applicable Securities) or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request with respect to the Securities of any particular series, such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall be $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) or less and the Company makes no such request then it

 

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shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) is available. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.04. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.05, 3.06 and 3.07.

ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01 Payment of Securities.

The Company shall pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of each series on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities of such series and in this Indenture. Principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Subsidiary) holds by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on that date money deposited by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts then due.

The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium (if any), at a rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Securities to the extent lawful; and it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and any Additional Amount (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

SECTION 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent) where Securities of that series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series may be presented for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. Unless otherwise designated by the Company by written notice to the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors, such office or agency shall be the office of the Trustee in The City of New York, which on the date hereof is located at                                         , New York, New York                     . The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors 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 and the Subsidiary Guarantors with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

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The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series 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 in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will 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.

 

SECTION 4.03 SEC Reports; Financial Statements.

(a) If the Company is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, but not otherwise, the Company shall also comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(a).

(b) If the Company is not subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall furnish to all Holders of Rule 144A Securities and prospective purchasers of Rule 144A Securities designated by the Holders of Rule 144A Securities, promptly upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(c) The Company intends to file the reports, information and documents referred to in Section 4.03(a) hereof with the SEC in electronic form pursuant to Regulation S-T promulgated by the SEC using the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system. The Company shall notify the Trustee in the manner prescribed herein of each such filing. The Trustee is hereby authorized and directed to access the EDGAR system for purposes of retrieving the reports so filed. Compliance with the foregoing shall constitute delivery by the Company of such reports to the Trustee in compliance with the provisions of TIA § 314(a). The Trustee shall have no duty to search for or obtain any electronic or other filings that the Company makes with the SEC, regardless of whether such filings are periodic, supplemental or otherwise. Delivery of the reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.03 shall be solely for the purposes of compliance with this Section 4.03 and with TIA § 314(a). The Trustee’s receipt of such reports, information and documents shall not constitute notice to it of the content thereof or of any matter determinable from the content thereof, including the Company’s and any Subsidiary Guarantor’s compliance with any of their covenants hereunder, as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely upon Officers’ Certificates.

 

SECTION 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) Each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company and the Subsidiary

 

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Guarantors, a statement signed by the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, which need not constitute an Officers’ Certificate, complying with TIA § 314(a)(4) and stating that in the course of performance by the signing Officer of his duties as such Officer of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, he would normally obtain knowledge of the keeping, observing, performing and fulfilling by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, of its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating that to the best of his knowledge the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which such Officer may have knowledge and what action the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) The Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall, so long as Securities of any series are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, as soon as practicable, but in no event more than five Business Days, after any Officer of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default under this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 4.05 Corporate or Other Existence.

Subject to Article V, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence. This Section 4.05 shall not prohibit or restrict the Company from converting into a different form of legal entity.

 

SECTION 4.06 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.

Each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not 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 or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive it from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Securities as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

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SECTION 4.07 Additional Amounts.

If the Securities of a series expressly provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series Additional Amounts as expressly provided therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or the net proceeds received from the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 4.07 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.07 and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

ARTICLE V

SUCCESSORS

 

SECTION 5.01 Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations.

Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor shall consolidate with or merge into any Person, or sell, lease, convey, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in any transaction or series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to any Person (other than a consolidation or merger of the Company and one or more Subsidiary Guarantors or two or more Subsidiary Guarantors, or a sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a Subsidiary Guarantor, a Subsidiary Guarantor to the Company or of a Subsidiary Guarantor to another Subsidiary Guarantor), unless:

(1) either (a) the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be the continuing Person or (b) the Person (if other than the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor is merged, or to which such sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition shall be made (collectively, the “Successor”), is organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America, any political subdivision thereof or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes by supplemental indenture, in the case of the Company, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of the Company’s covenants and obligations under this Indenture and the Securities, or, in the case of such Subsidiary Guarantor, the performance of the Guarantee and such Subsidiary Guarantor’s covenants and obligations under this Indenture and the Securities; and

 

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(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom.

 

SECTION 5.02 Successor Person Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, or any sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01, the Successor formed by such consolidation or into which the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, under this Indenture and the Securities with the same effect as if such Successor had been named as the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, herein, and the predecessor Company or Subsidiary Guarantor, in the case of a sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition, shall be released from all obligations under this Indenture, the Securities and, in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor, its Guarantee.

ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01 Events of Default.

Unless either inapplicable to a particular series or specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture or Board Resolution establishing such series of Securities or in the form of Security for such series, an “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, occurs if:

(1) the Company defaults in the payment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

(2) the Company defaults in the payment of (A) the principal of any Security of that series at its Maturity or (B) premium (if any) on any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable;

(3) the Company defaults in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

(4) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series fails to comply with any of its other covenants or agreements in, or provisions of, the Securities of such series or this Indenture (other than an agreement, covenant or

 

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provision that has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than that series) which shall not have been remedied within the specified period after written notice, as specified in the last paragraph of this Section 6.01;

(5) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series that is a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case,

(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(C) consents to the appointment of a Bankruptcy Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days and that:

(A) is for relief against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series that is a Significant Subsidiary as debtor in an involuntary case,

(B) appoints a Bankruptcy Custodian of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series that is a Significant Subsidiary or a Bankruptcy Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series that is a Significant Subsidiary, or

(C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series that is a Significant Subsidiary;

(7) any Guarantee of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to such series that is a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect with respect to Securities of that series (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture) or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding, or any such Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or such Guarantee; or

(8) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series occurs.

The term “Bankruptcy Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

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The Trustee shall not be deemed to know or have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a trust officer at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee receives written notice at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee of such Default or Event of Default with specific reference to such Default or Event of Default.

When a Default or Event of Default is cured, it ceases.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable in a currency or currencies (including a composite currency) other than Dollars and such currency or currencies are not available to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor (a “Conversion Event”), each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar equivalent of the amount payable in such other currency, as determined by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, any payment made under such circumstances in Dollars where the required payment is in a currency other than Dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.

Promptly after the occurrence of a Conversion Event, the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee; and the Trustee, promptly after receipt of such notice, shall give notice thereof in the manner provided in Section 11.02 to the Holders. Promptly after the making of any payment in Dollars as a result of a Conversion Event, the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall give notice in the manner provided in Section 11.02 to the Holders, setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate and describing the calculation of such payments.

A Default under clause (4) or (8) of this Section 6.01 is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Default (or, in the case of a Default under clause (4) of this Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by such Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) notify the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, of the Default, and the Company or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, fails to cure the Default within 90 days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.”

 

SECTION 6.02 Acceleration .

If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any series at the time outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, or the

 

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Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default (or, in the case of an Event of Default described in clause (4) of Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by such Event of Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) by notice to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, may declare the principal of (or, if any such Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest on all then outstanding Securities of such series or of all series, as the case may be, to be due and payable. Upon any such declaration, the amounts due and payable on the Securities shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs, such amounts shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default or all series so affected, as the case may be, by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences (other than nonpayment of principal of or premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities) if (i) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, (ii) all existing Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) have been cured or waived, except nonpayment of principal, premium, interest or any Additional Amounts that has become due solely because of the acceleration, and (iii) the Trustee has been paid any amounts due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

SECTION 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the 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. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 6.04 Waiver of Defaults.

Subject to Sections 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series or of all series affected thereby (acting as one class) by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing or past Default or Event of Default with respect to such series or all series so affected, as the case may be, and its consequences (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of such series or all series so affected or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of such

 

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series or all series so affected, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of such series or all series so affected (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)), except (1) a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or (2) a continued Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each Holder affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

SECTION 6.05 Control by Majority.

With respect to Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it relating to or arising under an Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Section 6.01, and with respect to all Securities, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all the then outstanding Securities affected may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it not relating to or arising under such an Event of Default. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with applicable law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however , that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to security or indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion from Holders directing the Trustee against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

SECTION 6.06 Limitations on Suits.

Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, a Holder of a Security of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of such series or the related Guarantees, if any, only if:

(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to such series;

(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

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(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

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 Holders to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

 

SECTION 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor for the amount of principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts remaining unpaid on the Securities of the series affected by the Event of Default, and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

SECTION 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such actions, including participating as a member, voting or otherwise, of any committee of creditors, as may be necessary or advisable to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor or their respective creditors or properties and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any Bankruptcy Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such 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

 

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Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties which the Holders of the Securities may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 6.10 Priorities .

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article VI, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts, respectively; and

Third: to the Company.

The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix record dates and payment dates for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Article VI.

To the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, if for the purpose of obtaining a judgment against the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used for purposes of rendering the judgment shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day in The City of New York next preceding that on which final judgment is given. None of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee shall be liable for any shortfall nor shall it benefit from any windfall in payments to Holders of Securities under this Section 6.10 caused by a change in exchange rates between the time the amount of a judgment against it is calculated as above and the time the Trustee converts the Judgment Currency into the Required Currency to make payments under this Section 6.10 to Holders of Securities, but payment of such judgment shall discharge all amounts owed by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors on the claim or claims underlying such judgment.

 

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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 a 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, 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 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by a Holder or Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series.

ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01 Duties of Trustee .

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in such 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 with respect to the Securities of any series:

(1) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee 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 conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether, on their face, they appear to conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

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

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

 

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

(3) 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.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. All money received by the Trustee shall, until applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities.

 

SECTION 7.02 Rights of Trustee .

(a) The Trustee 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 need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require instruction, an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both to be provided. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such instruction, Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult at the Company’s expense with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

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

(d) The Trustee shall not be 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 conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

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(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be.

(f) The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities, unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or by any Holder of the Securities, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

(g) The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.

 

SECTION 7.03 May Hold Securities .

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any of their respective Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. However, the Trustee is subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

SECTION 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer .

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities or any money paid to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or upon the Company’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s direction under any provision hereof, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

 

SECTION 7.05 Notice of Defaults .

If a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing and it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Securities of such series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts or any sinking fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, 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 Holders of Securities of such series.

 

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SECTION 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders .

Within 60 days after each June 15 of each year after the execution of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of a series, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Company a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a); provided, however , that if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date with respect to a series, no report need be transmitted to Holders of such series. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports if and as required by TIA §§ 313(c) and 313(d).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders of a series of Securities shall be filed by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor with the SEC and each securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities of such series are listed. The Company shall notify the Trustee if and when any series of Securities is listed on any securities exchange.

 

SECTION 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity .

The Company agrees to pay to the Trustee for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder such compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Company hereby indemnifies the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee against any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee), incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, except as set forth in the next following paragraph. The Trustee shall notify the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent.

The Company shall not be obligated to reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith.

To secure the payment obligations of the Company in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of any series. Such lien and the Company’s obligations under this Section 7.07 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

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When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

SECTION 7.08 Replacement of Trustee .

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

The Trustee may resign and be discharged at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by so notifying the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by so notifying the Trustee, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

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

(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3) a Bankruptcy Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). Within one year after the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then outstanding may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series does not take office within 30 days after the retiring or removed Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring or removed Trustee (at the expense of the Company), the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of a series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

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In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, each such successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee, to the Company and to the Subsidiary Guarantors. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto in which each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and that (1) shall confer to each successor Trustee all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall confirm that all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee. Nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, and each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee. Upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. On request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall transfer to such successor Trustee all property held by such retiring Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Such retiring Trustee shall, however, have the right to deduct its unpaid fees and expenses, including attorneys’ fees.

Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee or Trustees pursuant to this Section 7.08, the obligations of the Company under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee or Trustees.

 

SECTION 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc .

Subject to Section 7.10, if the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided, however , that in the case of a transfer of all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to another corporation, the transferee corporation expressly assumes all of the Trustee’s liabilities hereunder.

 

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

 

SECTION 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification .

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation or banking association organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust power, shall be subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State (or the District of Columbia) authority and shall have, or be a subsidiary of a bank or bank holding company having, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

The Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §§ 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5). The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 310(b) during the period of time required by this Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the application referred to in the penultimate paragraph of TIA § 310(b).

 

SECTION 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor .

The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

SECTION 8.01 Termination of the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ Obligations .

(a) This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the Securities of a series (except that the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations under Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive), and the Trustee, on demand of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, when:

(1) either:

(A) all outstanding Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and issued (other than destroyed, lost or stolen Securities that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B) all outstanding Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

 

  (i) have become due and payable, or

 

  (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

  (iii) 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, in the case of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as funds (immediately available to the Holders in the case of clause (i)) in trust for such purpose (x) money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount, or (y) Government Obligations with respect to such series, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount or (z) a combination thereof, which will be sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (y) and (z)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Securities of such series for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or for principal, premium, if any, and interest to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; or

(C) the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have properly fulfilled such other means of satisfaction and discharge as is specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of such series;

(2) the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by them hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series; and

 

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(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

(b) Unless this Section 8.01(b) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may, at its option, terminate certain of its and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ respective obligations under this Indenture (“covenant defeasance”) with respect to the Securities of a series if:

(1) the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series, (i) money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount, or (ii) Government Obligations with respect to such series, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount or (iii) a combination thereof, that is sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on all Securities of such series on each date that such principal, premium (if any) or interest is due and payable and (at the Stated Maturity thereof or upon redemption as provided in Section 8.01(e)) to pay all other sums payable by it hereunder; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money and/or the proceeds of such Government Obligations to the payment of said principal, premium (if any) and interest with respect to the Securities of such series as the same shall become due;

(2) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect;

(3) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

(4) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from a nationally recognized counsel acceptable to the Trustee or a private letter ruling issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States Federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.01(b) and will be subject to United States Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not been exercised;

 

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(5) the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have complied with any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the discharge of Securities of such series pursuant to this Section 8.01; and

(6) such deposit and discharge shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest as defined in TIA § 310(b).

In such event, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as set forth in this paragraph), and the Trustee, on demand of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge under this Indenture. However, the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ respective obligations in Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04 and 10.01, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive until all Securities of such series are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Company’s obligations in Section 7.07 and the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 shall survive with respect to Securities of such series.

After such irrevocable deposit made pursuant to this Section 8.01(b) and satisfaction of the other conditions set forth herein, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series except for those surviving obligations specified above.

In order to have money available on a payment date to pay principal of or premium (if any) or interest on the Securities, the Government Obligations shall be payable as to principal or interest on or before such payment date in such amounts as will provide the necessary money. Government Obligations shall not be callable at the issuer’s option.

(c) If the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have previously complied or are concurrently complying with Section 8.01(b) (other than any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 that are expressly applicable only to covenant defeasance) with respect to Securities of a series, then, unless this Section 8.01(c) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may elect that its and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ respective obligations to make payments with respect to Securities of such series be discharged (“legal defeasance”), if:

(1) no Default or Event of Default under clauses (5) and (6) of Section 6.01 hereof shall have occurred at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit contemplated by Section 8.01(b) (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period);

(2) unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from a nationally recognized counsel acceptable to the Trustee to the effect referred to in Section 8.01(b)(4) with respect to such legal defeasance, which opinion is based on (i) a private letter ruling issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service addressed to the Company, (ii) a published ruling of the United States Internal Revenue Service pertaining to a comparable form of transaction or (iii) a change in the applicable United States Federal income tax law (including regulations) after the date of this Indenture;

 

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(3) the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have complied with any other conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the legal defeasance of Securities of such series pursuant to this Section 8.01(c); and

(4) the Company has delivered to the Trustee a Company Request requesting such legal defeasance of the Securities of such series and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such legal defeasance of the Securities of such series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

In such event, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will be discharged from their respective obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series, the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ respective obligations under Sections 4.01, 4.02 and 10.01 shall terminate with respect to such Securities, and the entire indebtedness of the Company evidenced by such Securities and of the Subsidiary Guarantors evidenced by the related Guarantees, if any, shall be deemed paid and discharged.

(d) If and to the extent additional or alternative means of satisfaction, discharge or defeasance of Securities of a series are specified to be applicable to such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may terminate any or all of its obligations under this Indenture with respect to Securities of a series and any or all of its obligations under the Securities of such series if it fulfills such other means of satisfaction and discharge as may be so specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of such series.

(e) If Securities of any series subject to subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 8.01 are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory or optional sinking fund provisions, the terms of the applicable trust arrangement shall provide for such redemption, and the Company shall make such arrangements as are reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

 

SECTION 8.02 Application of Trust Money.

The Trustee or a trustee satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company shall hold in trust money or Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof. 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, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series with respect to which the deposit was made.

 

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SECTION 8.03 Repayment to Company or Subsidiary Guarantor.

The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor any excess money or Government Obligations (or proceeds therefrom) held by them at any time upon the written request of the Company.

Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium (if any), interest or any Additional Amounts that remains unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such payment shall have become due. After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and the Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.

 

SECTION 8.04 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Obligations deposited with respect to Securities of any series in accordance with Section 8.01 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 obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series and under the Securities of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that if the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has made any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or Government Obligations held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

 

SECTION 9.01 Without Consent of Holders.

The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities or waive any provision hereof or thereof without the consent of any Holder:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

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(2) to comply with Section 5.01;

(3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, or to provide for the issuance of bearer Securities (with or without coupons);

(4) to provide any security for, or to add any guarantees of or additional obligors on, any series of Securities or the related Guarantees, if any;

(5) to comply with any requirement in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(6) to add to the covenants of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

(7) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities (and, if any such Event of Default is applicable to less than all series of Securities, specifying the series to which such Event of Default is applicable);

(8) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is adversely affected in any material respect by such change in or elimination of such provision;

(9) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01;

(10) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 8.01; provided, however , that any such action shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

(11) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.08.

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained.

 

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SECTION 9.02 With Consent of Holders.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture with the consent (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of any one or more series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of any one or more series or all series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of each such series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)) of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of all series affected by such amendment or supplement (acting as one class).

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of one or more series or of all series (acting as one class) may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with any provision of this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of such series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of such series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of such series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)).

However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not:

(1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Security;

(3) reduce the principal of, any premium on or any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to, or change the Stated Maturity of, any Security or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

 

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(4) reduce the premium, if any, payable upon the redemption of any Security or change the time at which any Security may or shall be redeemed;

(5) change any obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any Security;

(6) change the coin or currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which any Security or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect thereto are payable;

(7) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security pursuant to Sections 6.07 and 6.08, except as limited by Section 6.06;

(8) make any change in the percentage of principal amount of Securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.07 or make any change in this sentence of Section 9.02;

(9) waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities;

(10) except as provided in Section 10.04, release any Subsidiary Guarantor or modify the related Guarantee in any manner materially adverse to the Holders; or

(11) if applicable, make any change that materially and adversely affects the right to convert any Security.

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

The right of any Holder to participate in any consent required or sought pursuant to any provision of this Indenture (and the obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to obtain any such consent otherwise required from such Holder) may be subject to the requirement that such Holder shall have been the Holder of record of any Securities with respect to which such consent is required or sought as of a date identified by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor in a notice furnished to Holders in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of each Security affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

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SECTION 9.03 Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply in form and substance with the TIA as then in effect.

 

SECTION 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his or her Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before a date and time therefor identified by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in a notice furnished to such Holder in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or, if no such date and time shall be identified, the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

The Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date (which need not comply with TIA § 316(c)) for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver or to take any other action under this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date unless consents from Holders of the principal amount of Securities required hereunder for such amendment or waiver to be effective shall have also been given and not revoked within such 90-day period.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (1) through (9) of Section 9.02 hereof. In such case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

 

SECTION 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

If an amendment or supplement changes the terms of an outstanding Security, the Company may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security at the request of the Company regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to

 

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such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Security, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment or supplement.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplement may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or supplement.

 

SECTION 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplement authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment or supplement 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 or refusing to sign such amendment or supplement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the documents required by Section 11.04, and, subject to Section 7.01 hereof, shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel provided at the expense of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor to the effect that such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE X

GUARANTEE

 

SECTION 10.01 Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Article X to the contrary, the provisions of this Article X relating to the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be applicable only to, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Securities of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.01, as entitled to the benefits of the related Guarantee of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

(b) For value received, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby fully, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees (each, a “Guarantee”) to the Holders and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and the Securities by the Company, when and as such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, according to the terms of the Securities and this Indenture, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 10.03.

(c) Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to the related Guarantee, for whatever reason, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each of the Guarantees hereunder is intended to be a general, unsecured, unsubordinated obligation of the related Subsidiary Guarantor and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all Debt of such Subsidiary Guarantor that is not, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantee. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be full, unconditional and absolute,

 

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irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Securities, its Guarantee, the Guarantee of any other Subsidiary Guarantor or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of the Subsidiary Guarantors. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that in the event of a default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of such series, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders or, subject to Section 6.06, by the Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against such Subsidiary Guarantor to enforce such Guarantee without first proceeding against the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor.

(d) The obligations of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Article X shall be as aforesaid full, unconditional and absolute and shall not be impaired, modified, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (i) any compromise, settlement, release, waiver, renewal, extension, indulgence or modification of, or any change in, any of the obligations and liabilities of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors contained in the Securities or this Indenture, (ii) any impairment, modification, release or limitation of the liability of the Company, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their estates in bankruptcy, or any remedy for the enforcement thereof, resulting from the operation of any present or future provision of any applicable Bankruptcy Law, as amended, or other statute or from the decision of any court, (iii) the assertion or exercise by the Company, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee of any rights or remedies under the Securities or this Indenture or their delay in or failure to assert or exercise any such rights or remedies, (iv) the assignment or the purported assignment of any property as security for the Securities, including all or any part of the rights of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture, (v) the extension of the time for payment by the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors of any payments or other sums or any part thereof owing or payable under any of the terms and provisions of the Securities or this Indenture or of the time for performance by the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors of any other obligations under or arising out of any such terms and provisions or the extension or the renewal of any thereof, (vi) the modification or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any duty, agreement or obligation of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors set forth in this Indenture, (vii) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshaling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of, or other similar proceeding affecting, the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective assets, or the disaffirmance of the Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture in any such proceeding, (viii) the release or discharge of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors from the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition contained in any of such instruments by operation of law, (ix) the unenforceability of the Securities of such series, the related Guarantees or this Indenture or (x) any other circumstances (other than payment in full or discharge of all amounts guaranteed pursuant to the related Guarantees) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor.

 

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(e) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby (i) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, and all demands whatsoever, (ii) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing its Guarantee may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing its Guarantee without notice to it and (iii) covenants that its Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of such Guarantee. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any Person to its Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever, including, without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, such Guarantee shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and such Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.

(f) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Company in respect of any amounts paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture; provided, however , that such Subsidiary Guarantor, shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all of the Securities of such series and the related Guarantees shall have been paid in full or discharged.

 

SECTION 10.02 Execution and Delivery of Guarantees.

To further evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that a notation relating to such Guarantee (the “Notation of Guarantee”), substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A, shall be endorsed on each Security of the series entitled to the benefits of such Guarantee authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, which Notation of Guarantee shall be executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Security the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Guarantee. If any Officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor, whose signature is on this Indenture or the Notation of Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such Security or at any time thereafter, the Guarantee of such Security shall be valid nevertheless. The delivery of any Security of a series entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee under this Article X by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of each Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

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SECTION 10.03 Limitation on Liability of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Each Subsidiary Guarantor and by its acceptance hereof each Holder of a Security of a series entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee under this Article X hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to its Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders of a Security entitled to the benefits of such Guarantee and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor and to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee, result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law.

 

SECTION 10.04 Release of Subsidiary Guarantors from Guarantee .

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor may be released upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 10.04. Provided that no Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing under this Indenture, any Guarantee incurred by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Article X shall be unconditionally released and discharged (i) automatically upon (A) any sale, exchange or transfer, whether by way of merger or otherwise, to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company’s direct or indirect equity interests in such Subsidiary Guarantor ( provided such sale, exchange or transfer is not prohibited by this Indenture) or (B) the merger of such Subsidiary Guarantor into the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor or the liquidation and dissolution of such Subsidiary Guarantor (in each case to the extent not prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) following delivery of a written notice of such release or discharge by the Company to the Trustee, upon the release or discharge of all guarantees by such Subsidiary Guarantor of any Debt of the Company other than obligations arising under this Indenture and any Securities issued hereunder, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantees.

(b) The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing any release of a Subsidiary Guarantor from its Guarantee upon receipt of a written request of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that the Subsidiary Guarantor is entitled to such release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. If the Subsidiary Guarantor is not so released it shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on the Securities entitled to the benefits of such Guarantee as provided in this Indenture, subject to the limitations of Section 10.03.

 

SECTION 10.05 Contribution .

In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agree, inter se , that in the event any payment or

 

56


distribution is made by any Subsidiary Guarantor (a “Funding Guarantor”) under its Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor (as applicable) in a pro rata amount based on the net assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor) for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by that Funding Guarantor in discharging the Company’s obligations with respect to the Securities of a series entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee under this Article X or any other Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations with respect to its Guarantee of such series of Securities.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls .

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by operation of TIA § 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

 

SECTION 11.02 Notices .

Any notice or communication by the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

If to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor:

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.

15710 John F. Kennedy Boulevard

Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77032

Telephone: (281) 504-4700

Facsimile: (281) 504-4741

Attention: General Counsel

If to the Trustee:

Attn:                     

Telephone:                     

Facsimile:                     

The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

57


All 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 by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holder’s address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. 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 within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except in the case of notice to the Trustee, it is duly given only when received.

If the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Company and the other Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, and to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

All notices or communications, including without limitation notices to the Trustee, the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor by Holders, shall be in writing, except as otherwise set forth herein.

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.

 

SECTION 11.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders .

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

SECTION 11.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

Upon any request or application by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall, if requested by the Trustee, furnish to the Trustee at the expense of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

58


(2) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:

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

(2) 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;

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

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

SECTION 11.07 Legal Holidays.

If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

59


SECTION 11.08 No Recourse Against Others.

A director, officer, employee, stockholder, partner or other owner of the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities, for any obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee, or for any obligations of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee under this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issuance of Securities.

 

SECTION 11.09 Governing Law.

THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

 

SECTION 11.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 11.11 Successors.

All agreements of the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

SECTION 11.12 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities or in any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

60


SECTION 11.13 Counterpart 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. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes.

 

SECTION 11.14 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The table of contents, cross-reference table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

61


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

 

KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLC
ELASTOMERS HOLDINGS LLC
KRATON POLYMERS CAPITAL CORPORATION
KRATON POLYMERS LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


[                                         ], as Trustee
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


ANNEX A

NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture) has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Securities by the Company.

The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors to the Holders of Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article X of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee.

 

[NAME OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

Exhibit 4.2

 

 

 

KRATON POLYMERS LLC

KRATON POLYMERS CAPITAL CORPORATION

as Co-Issuers

KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS, INC.

as Parent Guarantor

THE POTENTIAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO

as Potential Subsidiary Guarantors

and

[                                         ]

as Trustee

 

 

Indenture

Dated as of                     

 

 

Debt Securities

 

 

 


KRATON POLYMERS LLC

KRATON POLYMERS CAPITAL CORPORATION

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939

and Indenture, dated as of                     

 

 

 

Section of

Trust Indenture

Act of 1939

   Section(s) of
Indenture

§ 310

  (a)(1)    7.10
  (a)(2)    7.10
  (a)(3)    Not Applicable
  (a)(4)    Not Applicable
  (a)(5)    7.10
  (b)    7.08, 7.10

§ 311

  (a)    7.11
  (b)    7.11
  (c)    Not Applicable

§ 312

  (a)    2.07
  (b)    11.03
  (c)    11.03

§ 313

  (a)    7.06
  (b)    7.06
  (c)    7.06
  (d)    7.06

§ 314

  (a)    4.03, 4.04
  (b)    Not Applicable
  (c)(1)    11.04
  (c)(2)    11.04
  (c)(3)    Not Applicable
  (d)    Not Applicable
  (e)    11.05

§ 315

  (a)    7.01(b)
  (b)    7.05
  (c)    7.01(a)
  (d)    7.01(c)
  (d)(1)    7.01(c)(1)
  (d)(2)    7.01(c)(2)
  (d)(3)    7.01(c)(3)
  (e)    6.11

§ 316

  (a)(1)(A)    6.05
  (a)(1)(B)    6.04
  (a)(2)    Not Applicable
  (a)(last sentence)    2.11
  (b)    6.07

§ 317

  (a)(1)    6.08
  (a)(2)    6.09
  (b)    2.06

§ 318

  (a)    11.01

 

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE      1   

SECTION 1.01

  Definitions      1   

SECTION 1.02

  Other Definitions      7   

SECTION 1.03

  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act      7   

SECTION 1.04

  Rules of Construction      8   
ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES      8   

SECTION 2.01

  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series      8   

SECTION 2.02

  Denominations      11   

SECTION 2.03

  Forms Generally      11   

SECTION 2.04

  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating      12   

SECTION 2.05

  Registrar and Paying Agent      14   

SECTION 2.06

  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      14   

SECTION 2.07

  Holder Lists      15   

SECTION 2.08

  Transfer and Exchange      15   

SECTION 2.09

  Replacement Securities      16   

SECTION 2.10

  Outstanding Securities      16   

SECTION 2.11

  Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities      16   

SECTION 2.12

  Temporary Securities      17   

SECTION 2.13

  Cancellation      17   

SECTION 2.14

  Payments; Defaulted Interest      17   

SECTION 2.15

  Persons Deemed Owners      18   

SECTION 2.16

  Computation of Interest      18   

SECTION 2.17

  Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions      18   
ARTICLE III REDEMPTION      21   

SECTION 3.01

  Applicability of Article      21   

SECTION 3.02

  Notice to the Trustee      21   

SECTION 3.03

  Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed      21   

SECTION 3.04

  Notice of Redemption      22   

SECTION 3.05

  Effect of Notice of Redemption      23   

SECTION 3.06

  Deposit of Redemption Price      23   

SECTION 3.07

  Securities Redeemed in Part      24   

SECTION 3.08

  Purchase of Securities      24   

SECTION 3.09

  Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds      24   

SECTION 3.10

  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities      24   

SECTION 3.11

  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund      25   
ARTICLE IV COVENANTS      26   

SECTION 4.01

  Payment of Securities      26   

SECTION 4.02

  Maintenance of Office or Agency      26   

 

ii


SECTION 4.03

 

SEC Reports; Financial Statements

     27   

SECTION 4.04

 

Compliance Certificate

     27   

SECTION 4.05

 

Corporate or Other Existence

     28   

SECTION 4.06

 

Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

     28   

SECTION 4.07

 

Additional Amounts

     28   

ARTICLE V SUCCESSORS

     29   

SECTION 5.01

 

Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations

     29   

SECTION 5.02

 

Successor Person Substituted

     29   

ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     30   

SECTION 6.01

 

Events of Default

     30   

SECTION 6.02

 

Acceleration

     32   

SECTION 6.03

 

Other Remedies

     33   

SECTION 6.04

 

Waiver of Defaults

     33   

SECTION 6.05

 

Control by Majority

     33   

SECTION 6.06

 

Limitations on Suits

     34   

SECTION 6.07

 

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

     34   

SECTION 6.08

 

Collection Suit by Trustee

     35   

SECTION 6.09

 

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     35   

SECTION 6.10

 

Priorities

     36   

SECTION 6.11

 

Undertaking for Costs

     36   

ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE

     37   

SECTION 7.01

 

Duties of Trustee

     37   

SECTION 7.02

 

Rights of Trustee

     38   

SECTION 7.03

 

May Hold Securities

     39   

SECTION 7.04

 

Trustee’s Disclaimer

     39   

SECTION 7.05

 

Notice of Defaults

     39   

SECTION 7.06

 

Reports by Trustee to Holders

     39   

SECTION 7.07

 

Compensation and Indemnity

     40   

SECTION 7.08

 

Replacement of Trustee

     40   

SECTION 7.09

 

Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

     42   

SECTION 7.10

 

Eligibility; Disqualification

     42   

SECTION 7.11

 

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Companies or a Guarantor

     43   

ARTICLE VIII DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

     43   

SECTION 8.01

 

Termination of the Companies’ and the Guarantors’ Obligations

     43   

SECTION 8.02

 

Application of Trust Money

     47   

SECTION 8.03

 

Repayment to Companies or Guarantor

     47   

SECTION 8.04

 

Reinstatement

     48   

ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

     48   

SECTION 9.01

 

Without Consent of Holders

     48   

SECTION 9.02

 

With Consent of Holders

     49   

SECTION 9.03

 

Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act

     51   

SECTION 9.04

 

Revocation and Effect of Consents

     51   

SECTION 9.05

 

Notation on or Exchange of Securities

     52   

SECTION 9.06

 

Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

     52   

 

iii


ARTICLE X GUARANTEE

     53   

SECTION 10.01

 

Guarantee

     53   

SECTION 10.02

 

Execution and Delivery of Guarantees

     55   

SECTION 10.03

 

Limitation on Liability of the Guarantors

     55   

SECTION 10.04

 

Release of Guarantors from Guarantee

     55   

SECTION 10.05

 

Contribution

     56   

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

     56   

SECTION 11.01

 

Trust Indenture Act Controls

     56   

SECTION 11.02

 

Notices

     56   

SECTION 11.03

 

Communication by Holders with Other Holders

     58   

SECTION 11.04

 

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

     58   

SECTION 11.05

 

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

     58   

SECTION 11.06

 

Rules by Trustee and Agents

     59   

SECTION 11.07

 

Legal Holidays

     59   

SECTION 11.08

 

No Recourse Against Others

     59   

SECTION 11.09

 

Governing Law

     59   

SECTION 11.10

 

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

     60   

SECTION 11.11

 

Successors

     60   

SECTION 11.12

 

Severability

     60   

SECTION 11.13

 

Counterpart Originals

     60   

SECTION 11.14

 

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

     60   

 

iv


INDENTURE (this “Indenture”) dated as of                     among Kraton Polymers LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( “KPLLC”), Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“KPCC” and, together with KPLLC, the “Companies”), Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Kraton” or the “Parent Guarantor”), the potential subsidiary guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto (the “Potential Subsidiary Guarantors” and, together with the Parent Guarantor, the “Potential Guarantors”), and                     , a                     , as trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Companies and the Potential Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Companies’ debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued from time to time in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount (herein called the “Securities”), and the related Guarantees (as hereinafter defined), if any, as provided in this Indenture.

The Companies and the Potential Guarantors are members of the same consolidated group of companies. The Potential Guarantors will derive direct and indirect economic benefit from the issuance of the Securities. Accordingly, each Potential Guarantor has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture in light of the possibility that such Potential Guarantor will provide its full and unconditional guarantee of a series of the Securities to the extent provided in this Indenture.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Companies, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01 Definitions.

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts required by the express terms of a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein or pursuant thereto, to be paid by the Companies or any Guarantor, as the case may be, with respect to certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to such Holders.

“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.

 

1


“Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

“Board of Directors,” when used with reference to a Company or a Guarantor, means the Board of Directors or comparable governing body of such Company or such Guarantor (or with respect to a limited liability company, the member, manager, managing member or other Person that governs such limited liability company), as the case may be, or any committee thereof duly authorized, with respect to any particular matter, to act by or on behalf of the Board of Directors or comparable governing body of such Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of a Company or a Guarantor to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Legal Holiday.

“Capitalized Lease Obligation” of any Person means any obligation of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease of property, real or personal, that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP; and the amount of such obligation shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Companies” means the Persons named as the “Companies” in the first paragraph of this instrument until successor Persons shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Companies” shall mean such successor Persons; provided, however, that for purposes of any provision contained herein which is required by the TIA, “Companies” shall also mean each other obligor (if any), other than a Guarantor, on the Securities of a series.

“Company Order” and “Company Request” mean, respectively, a written order or request signed in the name of each Company or each Guarantor by two Officers of each Company and delivered to the Trustee.

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which, in the case of                     , shall be                     , New York, New York                     .

“Debt” of any Person means, without duplication: (i) all indebtedness or obligations of such Person for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof); (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments; (iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments (or reimbursement

 

2


obligations with respect thereto), other than standby letters of credit, bid or performance bonds and other obligations issued by or for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of business, to the extent not drawn or, to the extent drawn, if such drawing is reimbursed not later than the third Business Day following demand for reimbursement; (iv) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services, except trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business; (v) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (vi) all Debt of others secured by a lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person (provided that if the obligations so secured have not been assumed in full by such Person or are not otherwise such Person’s legal liability in full, then such obligations shall be deemed to be in an amount equal to the greater of (a) the lesser of (1) the full amount of such obligations and (2) the fair market value of such assets, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of such Person, which determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, and (b) the amount of obligations as have been assumed by such Person or which are otherwise such Person’s legal liability); and (vii) all Debt of others (other than endorsements in the ordinary course of business) guaranteed by such Person to the extent of such guarantee.

“Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“deliver” or “delivery” means, in the context of certificated Securities, actual physical delivery of the certificated Securities to the relevant Person required hereunder, together with all endorsements, and in the context of Global Securities, the designation on the records of the Depositary of a change in the beneficial interests of a holder in a Global Security.

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof as the initial Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debt.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

“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.

“Global Security” means a Security that is issued in global form in the name of the Depositary with respect thereto or its nominee.

 

3


“Government Obligations” means, with respect to a series of Securities, (i) direct obligations of a government that issues the currency in which the Securities of the series are payable for the payment of which the full faith and credit of such government is pledged, or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which, in either case under clause (i) or (ii) above, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof; or (iii) depository receipts issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligations or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided 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 Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

“Guarantee” means the guarantee of the Companies’ obligations under the Securities of a series by a Guarantor (specified with respect to such series as contemplated by Section 2.01(9)) as provided in Article X.

“Guarantors” means, with respect to any series of Securities, the Person or Persons, if any, named in accordance with Section 2.01(9) as the “Guarantors” with respect to such series until a successor Person or Persons shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Guarantors” with respect to such series of Securities shall mean such successor Person or Persons, and any other Subsidiary of Kraton who may execute this Indenture, or a supplement thereto, for the purpose of providing a Guarantee for such series of Securities pursuant to this Indenture. If a series of Securities does not have any Guarantors, all references in this Indenture to Guarantors shall be ignored with respect to such series of Securities.

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered.

“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time pursuant to the provisions hereof, and includes the terms of a particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 2.01.

“interest” means, with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity.

“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Security as contemplated by Section 2.01.

“Issue Date” means, with respect to Securities of a series, the first date on which the Securities of such series are originally issued under this Indenture.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in any of The City of New York, New York; Houston, Texas or a Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

 

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“Maturity” means, with respect to any Security, the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity thereof, or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, any Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of a Person.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of a Person.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. Such counsel may be an employee of or counsel to either Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

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

“Place of Payment” means, with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of that series are payable as specified in accordance with Section 2.01 subject to the provisions of Section 4.02.

“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the Security.

“Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

“Responsible Officer” means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture or any other officer 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.

“Rule 144A Securities” means Securities of a series designated pursuant to Section 2.01 as entitled to the benefits of Section 4.03(b).

 

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“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities” has the meaning stated in the preamble of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Security Custodian” means, with respect to Securities of a series issued in global form, the Trustee for Securities of such series, as custodian with respect to the Securities of such series, or any successor entity thereto.

“Significant Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of Kraton that is a “significant subsidiary” of Kraton as such term is defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X as in effect on the date hereof.

“Stated Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

“Subsidiary” means a Person at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by Kraton or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by Kraton and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

“surrender” shall have the same meaning as “deliver” in the context of the surrender of a Security.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that, in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

“Trustee” means the Person named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” means each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series means the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

“United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia) and its territories and possessions, which include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means Government Obligations with respect to Securities payable in Dollars.

 

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SECTION 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined
in Section
“Agent Members”    2.17
“Bankruptcy Custodian”    6.01
“Conversion Event”    6.01
“covenant defeasance”    8.01
“Event of Default”    6.01
“Exchange Rate”    2.11
“Funding Guarantor”    10.05
“Judgment Currency”    6.10
“legal defeasance”    8.01
“mandatory sinking fund payment”    3.09
“Notation of Guarantee”    10.02
“optional sinking fund payment”    3.09
“Paying Agent”    2.05
“Registrar”    2.05
“Required Currency”    6.10
“Successor”    5.01

 

SECTION 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture (and if the Indenture is not qualified under the TIA at the time, as if it were so qualified unless otherwise provided). The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“Commission” means the SEC.

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

“indenture security holder” means a Holder.

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Companies, any Guarantor or any other obligor on the Securities.

All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by a TIA reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

 

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SECTION 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

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

 

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

 

  (3) “or” is not exclusive;

 

  (4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

  (5) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

 

  (6) all references in this instrument to Articles and Sections are references to the corresponding Articles and Sections in and of this instrument.

ARTICLE II

THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 2.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate of the Companies or in a Company Order, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series);

(2) if there is to be a limit, the limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.08, 2.09, 2.12, 2.17, 3.07 or 9.05 and except for any Securities that, pursuant to Section 2.04 or 2.17, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that unless otherwise provided in the terms of the series, the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may be increased before or after the issuance of any Securities of the series by a Board Resolution (or action pursuant to a Board Resolution) to such effect;

(3) whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in

 

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permanent global form, as Global Securities or otherwise, and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.17, and the initial Depositary and Security Custodian, if any, for any Global Security or Securities of such series;

(4) the manner in which any interest payable on a temporary Global Security on any Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.14;

(5) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium (if any) on the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;

(6) the rate or rates, or the method of determination thereof, at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any Securities on any Interest Payment Date, or if other than provided herein, the Person to whom any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable;

(7) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 4.02, the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

(8) the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Companies, if the Companies are to have that option, and the manner in which the Companies must exercise any such option, if different from those set forth herein;

(9) whether Securities of the series are entitled to the benefits of any Guarantee of any Guarantor pursuant to this Indenture, the identity of any such Guarantors and any terms of such Guarantee with respect to the Securities of the series in addition to those set forth in Article X, or any exceptions to or changes to those set forth in Article X;

(10) the obligation, if any, of the Companies to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid in whole or in part pursuant to such obligation;

(11) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denomination in which any Securities of that series shall be issuable;

 

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(12) if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) or the form, including equity securities, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants or any other securities or property of the Companies, any Guarantor or any other Person, in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

(13) if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Companies or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies (including composite currencies) other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series as to which such election is made shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made;

(14) if the amount of payments of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to any commodities, currencies or indices, values, rates or prices or any other index or formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(15) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

(16) any additional means of satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and any additional conditions or limitations to discharge with respect to Securities of the series and the related Guarantees, if any, pursuant to Article VIII or any modifications of or deletions from such conditions or limitations;

(17) any deletions or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 6.01 or covenants of the Companies or any Guarantor set forth in Article IV pertaining to the Securities of the series;

(18) any restrictions or other provisions with respect to the transfer or exchange of Securities of the series, which may amend, supplement, modify or supersede those contained in this Article II;

(19) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants, other equity securities or any other securities or property of the Companies, any Guarantor or any other Person, at the option of the Companies or the Holder or upon the occurrence of any condition or event, the terms and conditions for such conversion or exchange;

(20) whether the Securities of the series are to be entitled to the benefit of Section 4.03(b) (and accordingly constitute Rule 144A Securities); and

 

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(21) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 2.03) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action, together with such Board Resolution, shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order setting forth the terms of the series.

 

SECTION 2.02 Denominations.

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.01. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiples thereof.

 

SECTION 2.03 Forms Generally.

The Securities of each series shall be in fully registered form and in substantially such form or forms (including temporary or permanent global form) established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, securities exchange rule, the Companies’ respective certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other similar governing documents, agreements to which each Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to each Company). A copy of the Board Resolution establishing the form or forms of Securities of any series shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 2.04 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.

The definitive Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

 

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The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

“This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

[                                          ], as Trustee
By:  

 

 

Authorized Officer”.

 

SECTION 2.04 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

Two Officers of each Company shall sign the Securities on behalf of the Companies and, with respect to any related Guarantees, an Officer of each Guarantor shall sign the Notation of Guarantee on behalf of such Guarantor, in each case by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer of a Company or a Guarantor whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security or the Notation of Guarantee, as the case may be, is authenticated, the Security shall be valid nevertheless.

A Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or the related Guarantees or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee, which signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security has been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Companies, and the Companies deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.13, together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Companies, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or the related Guarantees.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Companies may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Companies (and if applicable, the Notation of Guarantee for such series executed by each Guarantor with respect to such series) to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Securities for original issue upon a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by Company Order. Such order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated, the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders and any other terms of the Securities of such series not otherwise determined. If provided for in such procedures, such Company Order may authorize (1) authentication and delivery of Securities of such series for original issue from time to time, with certain terms (including, without limitation, the Maturity dates or dates, original issue date or dates and interest rate or rates) that differ from Security to Security and (2) may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Companies or the Companies’ respective duly authorized agent, which instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing.

 

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If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 2.01, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (in addition to the Company Order referred to above and the other documents required by Section 11.04), and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a) an Officers’ Certificate of the Companies setting forth the Board Resolution and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant thereto, as contemplated by the last paragraph of Section 2.01; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that:

(i) the form of such Securities has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(iii) that such Securities and the related Guarantees, if any, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Companies in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Companies and the Guarantors, respectively, enforceable against the Companies and the Guarantors, respectively, in accordance with their respective terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer or other similar laws in effect from time to time affecting the rights of creditors generally, and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each such Security, but such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issuance of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture would affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Companies to authenticate Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities 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 the Companies, any Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Companies or any Guarantor.

 

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Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

SECTION 2.05 Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Companies shall maintain an office or agency for each series of Securities where Securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities of such series may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities of such series and of their transfer and exchange. The Companies may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

The Companies shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Companies shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Companies may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. If the Companies fail to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Companies, any Guarantor or any other Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Companies initially appoint the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 2.06 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Companies shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Companies in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. The Companies 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. Upon payment over to the Trustee and upon accounting for any funds disbursed, the Paying Agent (if other than the Companies, a Guarantor or another Subsidiary of the Companies) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Companies, a Guarantor or another Subsidiary of the Companies acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Each Paying Agent shall otherwise comply with TIA § 317(b).

 

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SECTION 2.07 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 and addresses of Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, the Companies shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date with respect to such series of Securities, 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 of such series, and the Companies shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).

 

SECTION 2.08 Transfer and Exchange.

Except as set forth in Section 2.17 or as may be provided pursuant to Section 2.01:

When Securities of any series are presented to the Registrar with the request to register the transfer of such Securities or to exchange such Securities for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same series of like tenor and of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its requirements and the requirements of this Indenture for such transactions are met; provided, however , that the Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing, on which instruction the Registrar can rely.

To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Companies shall execute Securities (and if applicable, each Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee for such series) and the Trustee shall authenticate such Securities at the Registrar’s written request and submission of the Securities or Global Securities. No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Companies may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.12, 3.07 or 9.05). The Trustee shall authenticate Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.04. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the Companies shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of (a) any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article III, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part, or (b) any Security during the period beginning 15 Business Days prior to the mailing of notice of any offer to repurchase Securities of the series required pursuant to the terms thereof or of redemption of Securities of a series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing.

 

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SECTION 2.09 Replacement Securities.

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been destroyed, lost or stolen and the Companies and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security, the Companies shall issue, each Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Security, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security of the same series if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Companies in their discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security. If required by the Trustee, any Guarantor or the Companies, such Holder must furnish an indemnity bond that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Companies to protect the Companies, each Guarantor, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Companies and the Trustee may charge a Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.

Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Companies.

 

SECTION 2.10 Outstanding Securities.

The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Security effected by the Trustee hereunder and those described in this Section 2.10 as not outstanding.

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because a Company, a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Companies or a Guarantor holds the Security.

 

SECTION 2.11 Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, (a) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security shall be the principal amount thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02, (b) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a foreign currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Companies by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such currency, as such rate is certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Exchange Rate”)

 

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on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Companies by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the amount determined as provided in (a) above), of such Security and (c) Securities owned by the Companies, a Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Companies, of a Guarantor or of such other obligor shall be disregarded, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Securities that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

SECTION 2.12 Temporary Securities.

Until definitive Securities of any series are ready for delivery, the Companies may prepare and execute temporary Securities, each Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such temporary Securities, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate such temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities, but may have variations that the Companies considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Companies shall prepare and execute definitive Securities, each Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such definitive Securities, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate such definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities.

 

SECTION 2.13 Cancellation.

The Companies or any Guarantor at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or redemption or for credit against any sinking fund payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, redemption, replacement or cancellation or for credit against any sinking fund. Unless the Companies shall direct in writing that canceled Securities be returned to it, after written notice to the Companies all canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with the usual disposal procedures of the Trustee, and the Trustee shall maintain a record of their disposal. The Companies may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

SECTION 2.14 Payments; Defaulted Interest.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 2.01, interest (except defaulted interest) on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on

 

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any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Persons who are registered Holders of that Security at the close of business on the record date next preceding such Interest Payment Date, even if such Securities are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date. The Holder must surrender a Security to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of any series, the Companies will pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities in Dollars. Such amounts shall be payable at the offices of the Trustee or any Paying Agent, provided that at the option of the Companies, the Companies may pay such amounts (1) by wire transfer with respect to Global Securities or (2) by check payable in such money mailed to a Holder’s registered address with respect to any Securities.

If the Companies default in a payment of interest on the Securities of any series, the Companies shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities of such series and in Section 4.01. The Companies may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. At least 15 days before any special record date selected by the Companies, the Companies (or the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Companies upon 20 days’ prior written notice from the Companies setting forth such special record date and the interest amount to be paid) shall mail to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

SECTION 2.15 Persons Deemed Owners.

The Companies, the Guarantors, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payments of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security and for all other purposes. None of the Companies, any Guarantor, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

SECTION 2.16 Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a year comprising twelve 30-day months.

 

SECTION 2.17 Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions.

If Securities of a series are issuable in global form as a Global Security, as contemplated by Section 2.01, then, notwithstanding clause (11) of Section 2.01 and the provisions of Section 2.02, any such Global Security shall represent such of the outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the

 

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aggregate amount of outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, transfers or redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee (i) in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified in such Security or in a Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.04 or (ii) otherwise in accordance with written instructions or such other written form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary for such Security, from such Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in such Global Security. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.04 and, if applicable, Section 2.12, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified in such Security or in the applicable Company Order. With respect to the Securities of any series that are represented by a Global Security, the Companies and the Guarantors authorize the execution and delivery by the Trustee of a letter of representations or other similar agreement or instrument in the form customarily provided for by the Depositary appointed with respect to such Global Security. Any Global Security may be deposited with the Depositary or its nominee, or may remain in the custody of the Trustee or the Security Custodian therefor pursuant to a FAST Balance Certificate Agreement or similar agreement between the Trustee and the Depositary. If a Company Order has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Companies with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee or the Security Custodian as its custodian, or under such Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Companies, any Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian and any agent of the Companies, any Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the registered holder of a Global Security of a series may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action that a Holder of Securities of such series is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities of such series and (ii) nothing herein shall prevent the Companies, any Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian, or any agent of either Company, any Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or shall impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a beneficial owner of any Security.

Notwithstanding Section 2.08, and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.01, transfers of a Global Security shall be limited to transfers of such Global Security in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Security may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary. Securities shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Security if, and only if, either (1) the Depositary notifies the Companies that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Security

 

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and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Companies within 90 days of such notice, (2) an Event of Default has occurred with respect to such series and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue Securities in lieu of all or a portion of the Global Security (in which case the Companies shall deliver Securities within 30 days of such request) or (3) the Companies in their sole discretion determine not to have the Securities represented by a Global Security.

In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Global Security to be transferred, and the Companies shall execute, each Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Global Security, if any, and the Trustee upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Securities of the same series of like tenor and amount.

In connection with the transfer of all of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Companies shall execute, each Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Global Security, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interests in the Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Securities of authorized denominations.

None of the Companies, any Guarantor or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, Securities by the Depositary, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary relating to such Securities. None of the Companies, any Guarantor or the Trustee shall be liable for any delay by the Holder of the Global Security or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners, and each such Person may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, instructions from such Holder of the Global Security or the Depositary for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Securities to be issued).

The provisions of the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04 shall apply to any Global Security if such Global Security was never issued and sold by the Companies and the Companies or a Guarantor delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the cancellation or reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.03 and 2.14, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Global Security shall be made to the Depositary.

 

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The Companies in issuing Securities of any series may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of Securities of such series; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities of such series or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities of such series, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Companies will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, delivery or surrender of a Security shall not be required in the case of Global Securities in order to obtain the rights or benefits provided hereunder upon the delivery or surrender of a Security.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01 Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article III.

 

SECTION 3.02 Notice to the Trustee.

If the Companies elect to redeem Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, it shall notify the Trustee of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. The Companies shall so notify the Trustee at least 45 days before the Redemption Date (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) by delivering to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such redemption will comply with the provisions of this Indenture and of the Securities of such series. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to the mailing of such notice of such redemption to any Holder and shall thereupon be void and of no effect.

 

SECTION 3.03 Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Securities of such series of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the outstanding Securities of such series (and tenor) not previously called for redemption, either pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem appropriate in accordance with industry standards at the time of such redemption and that may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for

 

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Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or of the principal amount of Global Securities of such series; provided that, if at the time of redemption such Securities are registered as a Global Security, the Depositary shall determine, in accordance with its procedures, the principal amount of such Securities held by each beneficial owner of Securities to be redeemed.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Companies and the Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any of the Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount thereof which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.04 Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 days (or not less than 15 days in the case of convertible Securities) nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at the address of such Holder appearing in the register of Securities maintained by the Registrar.

All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the Redemption Price (or the method of calculating or determining the Redemption Price);

(3) that, unless the Companies and the Guarantors default in making the redemption payment, interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, and the only remaining right of the Holders of such Securities is to receive payment of the Redemption Price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Securities redeemed;

(4) if any Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender for cancellation of such Security to the Paying Agent, a new Security or Securities in the aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued without charge to the Holder;

(5) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price and the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

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(6) that the redemption is for a sinking or analogous fund, if such is the case;

(7) if such Securities are convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants, other equity securities or any other securities or property of the Companies, any Guarantor or any other Person, the name and address of the conversion or exchange agent, the date on which the right to convert or exchange is terminated and the conversion or exchange rate; and

(8) the CUSIP number, if any, relating to such Securities.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Companies shall be given by the Companies or, at the Companies’ written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Companies.

 

SECTION 3.05 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities called for redemption shall be paid at the Redemption Price, but interest installments whose maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable on the relevant Interest Payment Dates to the Holders of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates specified pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

SECTION 3.06 Deposit of Redemption Price.

By 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Companies or a Guarantor shall deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (or, if the Companies or such Guarantor are acting as the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.06) an amount of money in same day funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date, other than Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Companies or a Guarantor to the Trustee for cancellation.

If the Companies comply, or a Guarantor complies, with the preceding paragraph, then, unless the Companies and the Guarantors default in the payment of such Redemption Price, interest on the Securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue on and after the applicable Redemption Date, whether or not such Securities are presented for payment, and the Holders of such Securities shall have no further rights with respect to such Securities except for the right to receive the Redemption Price upon surrender of such Securities. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal, premium, if any, any Additional Amounts, and, to the extent lawful, accrued interest thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate specified pursuant to Section 2.01 or provided in the Securities or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, such Securities’ yield to maturity.

 

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SECTION 3.07 Securities Redeemed in Part.

Upon surrender to the Paying Agent of a Security to be redeemed in part, the Companies shall execute, each Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Security, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities, of the same series and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered that is not redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.08 Purchase of Securities.

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Companies, any Guarantor and any Affiliate of the Companies or any Guarantor may at any time purchase or otherwise acquire Securities in the open market or by private agreement. Any such acquisition shall not operate as or be deemed for any purpose to be a redemption of the indebtedness represented by such Securities. Any Securities purchased or acquired by the Companies or a Guarantor may be delivered to the Trustee and, upon such delivery, the indebtedness represented thereby shall be deemed to be satisfied. Section 2.13 shall apply to all Securities so delivered.

 

SECTION 3.09 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” Unless otherwise provided by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 3.10. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and by this Article III.

 

SECTION 3.10 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Companies or a Guarantor may deliver outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Companies pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the

 

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terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

SECTION 3.11 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 45 days prior (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Companies will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate of the Companies specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivery of or by crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.10 and will also deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Failure of the Companies to timely deliver or cause to be delivered such Officers’ Certificate and Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute the election of the Companies (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Companies will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section.

If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof based on the applicable Exchange Rate on the date of original issue of the applicable Securities) or a lesser sum if the Companies shall so request with respect to the Securities of any particular series, such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall be $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) or less and the Companies make no such request then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) is available. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Companies in the manner provided in Section 3.04. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.05, 3.06 and 3.07.

 

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ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01 Payment of Securities.

The Companies shall pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of each series on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities of such series and in this Indenture. Principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent (other than the Companies, a Guarantor or a Subsidiary) holds by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on that date money deposited by the Companies or a Guarantor designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts then due.

The Companies shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium (if any), at a rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Securities to the extent lawful; and it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and any Additional Amount (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

SECTION 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Companies will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent) where Securities of that series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series may be presented for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Companies or a Guarantor in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. Unless otherwise designated by the Companies by written notice to the Trustee and the Guarantors, such office or agency shall be the office of the Trustee in The City of New York, which on the date hereof is located at                                          , New York, New York                     . The Companies will give prompt written notice to the Trustee and the Guarantors of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Companies shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee and the Guarantors with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Companies may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series 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 Companies of the obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Companies will 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.

 

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SECTION 4.03 SEC Reports; Financial Statements.

(a) If the Companies are subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Companies shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Companies are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, but not otherwise, the Companies shall also comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(a).

(b) If the Companies are not subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Companies shall furnish to all Holders of Rule 144A Securities and prospective purchasers of Rule 144A Securities designated by the Holders of Rule 144A Securities, promptly upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(c) The Companies intend to file the reports, information and documents referred to in Section 4.03(a) hereof with the SEC in electronic form pursuant to Regulation S-T promulgated by the SEC using the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system. The Companies shall notify the Trustee in the manner prescribed herein of each such filing. The Trustee is hereby authorized and directed to access the EDGAR system for purposes of retrieving the reports so filed. Compliance with the foregoing shall constitute delivery by the Companies of such reports to the Trustee in compliance with the provisions of TIA § 314(a). The Trustee shall have no duty to search for or obtain any electronic or other filings that the Companies make with the SEC, regardless of whether such filings are periodic, supplemental or otherwise. Delivery of the reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.03 shall be solely for the purposes of compliance with this Section 4.03 and with TIA § 314(a). The Trustee’s receipt of such reports, information and documents shall not constitute notice to it of the content thereof or of any matter determinable from the content thereof, including the Companies’ and any Guarantor’s compliance with any of their covenants hereunder, as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely upon Officers’ Certificates.

 

SECTION 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) Each of the Companies and the Guarantors shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Companies and the Guarantors, a statement signed by the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of such Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, which need not constitute an Officers’ Certificate, complying with TIA § 314(a)(4) and stating that in the course of performance by the signing Officer of his duties as such Officer of such Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, he would normally obtain knowledge of the keeping, observing, performing and fulfilling by such Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, of its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating that to the best of his knowledge such

 

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Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which such Officer may have knowledge and what action such Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) Any Company or any Guarantor shall, so long as Securities of any series are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, as soon as practicable, but in no event more than five Business Days, after any Officer of such Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default under this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action such Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 4.05 Corporate or Other Existence.

Subject to Article V, the Companies shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect their existence. This Section 4.05 shall not prohibit or restrict the Companies from converting into a different form of legal entity.

 

SECTION 4.06 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.

Each of the Companies and the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not 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 or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive it from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Securities as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) each of the Companies and the Guarantors hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

SECTION 4.07 Additional Amounts.

If the Securities of a series expressly provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Companies will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series Additional Amounts as expressly provided therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or the net proceeds received from the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 4.07 to the extent that, in such context, Additional

 

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Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.07 and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

ARTICLE V

SUCCESSORS

 

SECTION 5.01 Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations.

No Company nor any Guarantor shall consolidate with or merge into any Person, or sell, lease, convey, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in any transaction or series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to any Person (other than a consolidation or merger of a Company and one or more Guarantors or two or more Guarantors, or a sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Company to a Guarantor, a Guarantor to a Company or of a Guarantor to another Guarantor), unless:

(1) either (a) such Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be the continuing Person or (b) the Person (if other than such Company or such Guarantor) formed by such consolidation or into which such Company or such Guarantor is merged, or to which such sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition shall be made (collectively, the “Successor”), is organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America, any political subdivision thereof or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes by supplemental indenture, in the case of such Company, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of such Company’s covenants and obligations under this Indenture and the Securities, or, in the case of such Guarantor, the performance of the Guarantee and such Guarantor’s covenants and obligations under this Indenture and the Securities; and

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom.

 

SECTION 5.02 Successor Person Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger of a Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, or any sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Company or such Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01, the Successor formed by such consolidation or into which such Company or such Guarantor is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of such Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, under this Indenture and the Securities with the

 

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same effect as if such Successor had been named as such Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, herein, and the predecessor Company or Guarantor, in the case of a sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition, shall be released from all obligations under this Indenture, the Securities and, in the case of a Guarantor, its Guarantee.

ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01 Events of Default.

Unless either inapplicable to a particular series or specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture or Board Resolution establishing such series of Securities or in the form of Security for such series, an “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, occurs if:

(1) the Companies default in the payment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

(2) the Companies default in the payment of (A) the principal of any Security of that series at its Maturity or (B) premium (if any) on any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable;

(3) the Companies default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

(4) the Companies fail, or any Guarantor with respect to such series fails, to comply with any of their other covenants or agreements in, or provisions of, the Securities of such series or this Indenture (other than an agreement, covenant or provision that has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than that series) which shall not have been remedied within the specified period after written notice, as specified in the last paragraph of this Section 6.01;

(5) the Companies or any Guarantor with respect to such series that is either Kraton or a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case,

(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(C) consents to the appointment of a Bankruptcy Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

 

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(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days and that:

(A) is for relief against the Companies or any Guarantor with respect to such series that is Kraton or a Significant Subsidiary as debtor in an involuntary case,

(B) appoints a Bankruptcy Custodian of the Companies or any Guarantor with respect to such series that is Kraton or a Significant Subsidiary or a Bankruptcy Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of a Company or any Guarantor with respect to such series that is Kraton or a Significant Subsidiary, or

(C) orders the liquidation of a Company or any Guarantor with respect to such series that is Kraton or a Significant Subsidiary;

(7) any Guarantee of any of the Guarantors with respect to such series that is Kraton or a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect with respect to Securities of that series (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture) or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding, or any such Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or such Guarantee; or

(8) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series occurs.

The term “Bankruptcy Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

The Trustee shall not be deemed to know or have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a trust officer at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee receives written notice at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee of such Default or Event of Default with specific reference to such Default or Event of Default.

When a Default or Event of Default is cured, it ceases.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable in a currency or currencies (including a composite currency) other than Dollars and such currency or currencies are not available to the Companies or a Guarantor for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Companies or such Guarantor (a “Conversion Event”), each of the Companies and the Guarantors will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar equivalent of the amount payable in such other currency, as determined by the Companies or the Guarantor, as the case may be, by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing

 

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provisions of this Section 6.01, any payment made under such circumstances in Dollars where the required payment is in a currency other than Dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.

Promptly after the occurrence of a Conversion Event, the Companies or a Guarantor shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee; and the Trustee, promptly after receipt of such notice, shall give notice thereof in the manner provided in Section 11.02 to the Holders. Promptly after the making of any payment in Dollars as a result of a Conversion Event, the Companies or the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall give notice in the manner provided in Section 11.02 to the Holders, setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate and describing the calculation of such payments.

A Default under clause (4) or (8) of this Section 6.01 is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Companies and the Guarantors, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Default (or, in the case of a Default under clause (4) of this Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by such Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) notify the Companies, the Guarantors and the Trustee, of the Default, and the Companies or the applicable Guarantor, as the case may be, fails to cure the Default within 90 days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.”

 

SECTION 6.02 Acceleration.

If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any series at the time outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Companies and the Guarantors, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default (or, in the case of an Event of Default described in clause (4) of Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by such Event of Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) by notice to the Companies, the Guarantors and the Trustee, may declare the principal of (or, if any such Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest on all then outstanding Securities of such series or of all series, as the case may be, to be due and payable. Upon any such declaration, the amounts due and payable on the Securities shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs, such amounts shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default or all series so affected, as the case may be, by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences (other than nonpayment of principal of or premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities) if (i) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, (ii) all existing Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) have been cured or waived, except nonpayment of principal,

 

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premium, interest or any Additional Amounts that has become due solely because of the acceleration, and (iii) the Trustee has been paid any amounts due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

SECTION 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the 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. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 6.04 Waiver of Defaults.

Subject to Sections 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series or of all series affected thereby (acting as one class) by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing or past Default or Event of Default with respect to such series or all series so affected, as the case may be, and its consequences (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of such series or all series so affected or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of such series or all series so affected, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of such series or all series so affected (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)), except (1) a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or (2) a continued Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each Holder affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

SECTION 6.05 Control by Majority.

With respect to Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it relating to or arising under an Event of Default described in

 

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clause (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Section 6.01, and with respect to all Securities, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all the then outstanding Securities affected may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it not relating to or arising under such an Event of Default. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with applicable law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however , that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to security or indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion from Holders directing the Trustee against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

SECTION 6.06 Limitations on Suits.

Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, a Holder of a Security of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of such series or the related Guarantees, if any, only if:

(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to such series;

(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

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 Holders to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

 

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SECTION 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Companies or a Guarantor for the amount of principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts remaining unpaid on the Securities of the series affected by the Event of Default, and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

SECTION 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such actions, including participating as a member, voting or otherwise, of any committee of creditors, as may be necessary or advisable to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Companies or a Guarantor or their respective creditors or properties and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any Bankruptcy Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such 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 to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties which the Holders of the Securities may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

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SECTION 6.10 Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article VI, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts, respectively; and

Third: to the Companies.

The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Companies, may fix record dates and payment dates for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Article VI.

To the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, if for the purpose of obtaining a judgment against the Companies or a Guarantor in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used for purposes of rendering the judgment shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day in The City of New York next preceding that on which final judgment is given. None of the Companies, any Guarantor or the Trustee shall be liable for any shortfall nor shall it benefit from any windfall in payments to Holders of Securities under this Section 6.10 caused by a change in exchange rates between the time the amount of a judgment against it is calculated as above and the time the Trustee converts the Judgment Currency into the Required Currency to make payments under this Section 6.10 to Holders of Securities, but payment of such judgment shall discharge all amounts owed by the Companies and the Guarantors on the claim or claims underlying such judgment.

 

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 a 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, 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 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by a Holder or Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series.

 

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ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01 Duties of Trustee .

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in such 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 with respect to the Securities of any series:

(1) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee 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 conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether, on their face, they appear to conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

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

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

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

(3) 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.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

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(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Companies and the Guarantors. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. All money received by the Trustee shall, until applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities.

 

SECTION 7.02 Rights of Trustee .

(a) The Trustee 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 need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require instruction, an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both to be provided. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such instruction, Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult at the Companies’ expense with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

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

(d) The Trustee shall not be 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 conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Companies or any Guarantor shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Companies or such Guarantor, as the case may be.

(f) The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities, unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Companies, any Guarantor or by any Holder of the Securities, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

(g) The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.

 

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SECTION 7.03 May Hold Securities .

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Companies, any Guarantor or any of their respective Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. However, the Trustee is subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

SECTION 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Companies’ use of the proceeds from the Securities or any money paid to the Companies or any Guarantor or upon the Companies’ or such Guarantor’s direction under any provision hereof, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

 

SECTION 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing and it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Securities of such series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts or any sinking fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, 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 Holders of Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders.

Within 60 days after each June 15 of each year after the execution of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of a series, the Guarantors and the Companies a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a); provided, however , that if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date with respect to a series, no report need be transmitted to Holders of such series. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports if and as required by TIA §§ 313(c) and 313(d).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders of a series of Securities shall be filed by the Companies or a Guarantor with the SEC and each securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities of such series are listed. The Companies shall notify the Trustee if and when any series of Securities is listed on any securities exchange.

 

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SECTION 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

The Companies agree to pay to the Trustee for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder such compensation as the Companies and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Companies agree to reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Companies hereby indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee against any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee), incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, except as set forth in the next following paragraph. The Trustee shall notify the Companies and the Guarantors promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Companies shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Companies shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Companies need not pay for any settlement made without its consent.

The Companies shall not be obligated to reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith.

To secure the payment obligations of the Companies in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of any series. Such lien and the Companies’ obligations under this Section 7.07 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

SECTION 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

The Trustee may resign and be discharged at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by so notifying the Companies and the Guarantors. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by so notifying the Trustee, the Companies and the Guarantors. The Companies may remove the Trustee if:

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

 

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(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3) a Bankruptcy Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Companies shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). Within one year after the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then outstanding may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Companies.

If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series does not take office within 30 days after the retiring or removed Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring or removed Trustee (at the expense of the Companies), the Companies, any Guarantor or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of a series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, each such successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee, to the Companies and to the Guarantors. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Companies, the Guarantors, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto in which each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and that (1) shall confer to each successor Trustee all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall confirm that all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee

 

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with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee. Nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, and each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee. Upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. On request of the Companies or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall transfer to such successor Trustee all property held by such retiring Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Such retiring Trustee shall, however, have the right to deduct its unpaid fees and expenses, including attorneys’ fees.

Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee or Trustees pursuant to this Section 7.08, the obligations of the Companies under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee or Trustees.

 

SECTION 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

Subject to Section 7.10, if the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided, however , that in the case of a transfer of all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to another corporation, the transferee corporation expressly assumes all of the Trustee’s liabilities hereunder.

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

 

SECTION 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation or banking association organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust power, shall be subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State (or the District of Columbia) authority and shall have, or be a subsidiary of a bank or bank holding company having, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

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The Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §§ 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5). The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 310(b) during the period of time required by this Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the application referred to in the penultimate paragraph of TIA § 310(b).

 

SECTION 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Companies or a Guarantor.

The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE VIII

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

SECTION 8.01 Termination of the Companies’ and the Guarantors’ Obligations.

(a) This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the Securities of a series (except that the Companies’ obligations under Section 7.07, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations under Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive), and the Trustee, on demand of the Companies, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, when:

(1) either:

(A) all outstanding Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and issued (other than destroyed, lost or stolen Securities that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B) all outstanding Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

 

  (i) have become due and payable, or

 

  (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

  (iii) 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 Companies,

 

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and, in the case of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, a Company or a Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as funds (immediately available to the Holders in the case of clause (i)) in trust for such purpose (x) money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount, or (y) Government Obligations with respect to such series, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount or (z) a combination thereof, which will be sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (y) and (z)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Securities of such series for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or for principal, premium, if any, and interest to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; or

(C) the Companies and the Guarantors have properly fulfilled such other means of satisfaction and discharge as is specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of such series;

(2) a Company or a Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by them hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series; and

(3) the Companies have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

(b) Unless this Section 8.01(b) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Companies may, at the Companies’ option, terminate certain of their and the Guarantors’ respective obligations under this Indenture (“covenant defeasance”) with respect to the Securities of a series if:

(1) a Company or a Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series, (i) money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount, or (ii) Government Obligations with respect to such series, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount or (iii) a combination thereof, that is sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay the principal of and premium (if any)

 

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and interest on all Securities of such series on each date that such principal, premium (if any) or interest is due and payable and (at the Stated Maturity thereof or upon redemption as provided in Section 8.01(e)) to pay all other sums payable by it hereunder; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money and/or the proceeds of such Government Obligations to the payment of said principal, premium (if any) and interest with respect to the Securities of such series as the same shall become due;

(2) the Companies have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect;

(3) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

(4) the Companies shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from a nationally recognized counsel acceptable to the Trustee or a private letter ruling issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States Federal income tax purposes as a result of the Companies’ exercise of the option under this Section 8.01(b) and will be subject to United States Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not been exercised;

(5) the Companies and the Guarantors have complied with any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the discharge of Securities of such series pursuant to this Section 8.01; and

(6) such deposit and discharge shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest as defined in TIA § 310(b).

In such event, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as set forth in this paragraph), and the Trustee, on demand of the Companies, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge under this Indenture. However, the Companies’ and the Guarantors’ respective obligations in Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04 and 10.01, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive until all Securities of such series are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Companies’ obligations in Section 7.07 and the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 shall survive with respect to Securities of such series.

After such irrevocable deposit made pursuant to this Section 8.01(b) and satisfaction of the other conditions set forth herein, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Companies’ and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series except for those surviving obligations specified above.

 

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In order to have money available on a payment date to pay principal of or premium (if any) or interest on the Securities, the Government Obligations shall be payable as to principal or interest on or before such payment date in such amounts as will provide the necessary money. Government Obligations shall not be callable at the issuer’s option.

(c) If the Companies and the Guarantors have previously complied or are concurrently complying with Section 8.01(b) (other than any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 that are expressly applicable only to covenant defeasance) with respect to Securities of a series, then, unless this Section 8.01(c) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Companies may elect that their and the Guarantors’ respective obligations to make payments with respect to Securities of such series be discharged (“legal defeasance”), if:

(1) no Default or Event of Default under clauses (5) and (6) of Section 6.01 hereof shall have occurred at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit contemplated by Section 8.01(b) (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period);

(2) unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Companies have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from a nationally recognized counsel acceptable to the Trustee to the effect referred to in Section 8.01(b)(4) with respect to such legal defeasance, which opinion is based on (i) a private letter ruling issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service addressed to the Companies, (ii) a published ruling of the United States Internal Revenue Service pertaining to a comparable form of transaction or (iii) a change in the applicable United States Federal income tax law (including regulations) after the date of this Indenture;

(3) the Companies and the Guarantors have complied with any other conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the legal defeasance of Securities of such series pursuant to this Section 8.01(c); and

(4) the Companies have delivered to the Trustee a Company Request requesting such legal defeasance of the Securities of such series and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such legal defeasance of the Securities of such series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

In such event, the Companies and the Guarantors will be discharged from their respective obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series, the Companies’ and the Guarantors’ respective obligations under Sections 4.01, 4.02 and 10.01 shall terminate with respect to such Securities, and the entire indebtedness of the Companies evidenced by such Securities and of the Guarantors evidenced by the related Guarantees, if any, shall be deemed paid and discharged.

 

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(d) If and to the extent additional or alternative means of satisfaction, discharge or defeasance of Securities of a series are specified to be applicable to such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, each of the Companies and the Guarantors may terminate any or all of its obligations under this Indenture with respect to Securities of a series and any or all of its obligations under the Securities of such series if it fulfills such other means of satisfaction and discharge as may be so specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of such series.

(e) If Securities of any series subject to subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 8.01 are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory or optional sinking fund provisions, the terms of the applicable trust arrangement shall provide for such redemption, and the Companies shall make such arrangements as are reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Companies.

 

SECTION 8.02 Application of Trust Money.

The Trustee or a trustee satisfactory to the Trustee and the Companies shall hold in trust money or Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof. 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, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series with respect to which the deposit was made.

 

SECTION 8.03 Repayment to Companies or Guarantor.

The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Companies or any Guarantor any excess money or Government Obligations (or proceeds therefrom) held by them at any time upon the written request of the Companies.

Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Companies upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium (if any), interest or any Additional Amounts that remains unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such payment shall have become due. After payment to the Companies, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Companies for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and the Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.

 

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SECTION 8.04 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Obligations deposited with respect to Securities of any series in accordance with Section 8.01 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 obligations of the Companies and the Guarantors under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series and under the Securities of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that if a Company or any Guarantor has made any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, such Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or Government Obligations held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

 

SECTION 9.01 Without Consent of Holders.

The Companies, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities or waive any provision hereof or thereof without the consent of any Holder:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

(2) to comply with Section 5.01;

(3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, or to provide for the issuance of bearer Securities (with or without coupons);

(4) to provide any security for, or to add any guarantees of or additional obligors on, any series of Securities or the related Guarantees, if any;

(5) to comply with any requirement in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(6) to add to the covenants of the Companies or any Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Companies or any Guarantor;

 

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(7) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities (and, if any such Event of Default is applicable to less than all series of Securities, specifying the series to which such Event of Default is applicable);

(8) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is adversely affected in any material respect by such change in or elimination of such provision;

(9) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01;

(10) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 8.01; provided, however , that any such action shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

(11) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.08.

Upon the request of the Companies, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Companies and the Guarantors in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained.

 

SECTION 9.02 With Consent of Holders.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Companies, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture with the consent (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of any one or more series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of any one or more series or all series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of each such series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)) of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of all series affected by such amendment or supplement (acting as one class).

Upon the request of the Companies, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Companies and the Guarantors in the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture.

 

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It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of one or more series or of all series (acting as one class) may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Companies or any Guarantor with any provision of this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of such series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of such series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of such series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)).

However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not:

(1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Security;

(3) reduce the principal of, any premium on or any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to, or change the Stated Maturity of, any Security or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

(4) reduce the premium, if any, payable upon the redemption of any Security or change the time at which any Security may or shall be redeemed;

(5) change any obligation of the Companies or any Guarantor to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any Security;

(6) change the coin or currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which any Security or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect thereto are payable;

(7) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security pursuant to Sections 6.07 and 6.08, except as limited by Section 6.06;

(8) make any change in the percentage of principal amount of Securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.07 or make any change in this sentence of Section 9.02;

 

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(9) waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities;

(10) except as provided in Section 10.04, release any Guarantor or modify the related Guarantee in any manner materially adverse to the Holders; or

(11) if applicable, make any change that materially and adversely affects the right to convert any Security.

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

The right of any Holder to participate in any consent required or sought pursuant to any provision of this Indenture (and the obligation of the Companies or any Guarantor to obtain any such consent otherwise required from such Holder) may be subject to the requirement that such Holder shall have been the Holder of record of any Securities with respect to which such consent is required or sought as of a date identified by the Companies or such Guarantor in a notice furnished to Holders in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Companies shall mail to the Holders of each Security affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Companies to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.03 Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply in form and substance with the TIA as then in effect.

 

SECTION 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his or her Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before a date and time therefor identified by the Companies or any Guarantor in a notice furnished to such Holder in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or, if no such date and time shall be identified, the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

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The Companies or any Guarantor may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date (which need not comply with TIA § 316(c)) for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver or to take any other action under this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date unless consents from Holders of the principal amount of Securities required hereunder for such amendment or waiver to be effective shall have also been given and not revoked within such 90-day period.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (1) through (9) of Section 9.02 hereof. In such case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

 

SECTION 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

If an amendment or supplement changes the terms of an outstanding Security, the Companies may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security at the request of the Companies regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Companies so determine, the Companies in exchange for the Security shall issue, each Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Security, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment or supplement.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplement may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or supplement.

 

SECTION 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplement authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment or supplement 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 or refusing to sign such amendment or supplement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the documents required by Section 11.04, and, subject to Section 7.01 hereof, shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel provided at the expense of the Companies or a Guarantor to the effect that such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

 

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ARTICLE X

GUARANTEE

 

SECTION 10.01 Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Article X to the contrary, the provisions of this Article X relating to the Guarantors shall be applicable only to, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Securities of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.01, as entitled to the benefits of the related Guarantee of each of the Guarantors.

(b) For value received, each of the Guarantors hereby fully, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees (each, a “Guarantee”) to the Holders and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and the Securities by the Companies, when and as such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, according to the terms of the Securities and this Indenture, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 10.03.

(c) Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to the related Guarantee, for whatever reason, each of the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each of the Guarantees hereunder is intended to be a general, unsecured, unsubordinated obligation of the related Guarantor and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all Debt of such Guarantor that is not, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantee. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be full, unconditional and absolute, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Securities, its Guarantee, the Guarantee of any other Guarantor or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Companies or any Guarantor, or any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of the Guarantors. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that in the event of a default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of such series, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders or, subject to Section 6.06, by the Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against such Guarantor to enforce such Guarantee without first proceeding against the Companies or any other Guarantor.

(d) The obligations of each of the Guarantors under this Article X shall be as aforesaid full, unconditional and absolute and shall not be impaired, modified, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (i) any compromise, settlement, release, waiver, renewal, extension, indulgence or modification of, or any change in, any of the obligations and liabilities of the Companies or any of the Guarantors contained in the Securities or this Indenture, (ii) any impairment, modification, release or limitation of the liability of the Companies, any of the Guarantors or any of their estates in bankruptcy, or any

 

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remedy for the enforcement thereof, resulting from the operation of any present or future provision of any applicable Bankruptcy Law, as amended, or other statute or from the decision of any court, (iii) the assertion or exercise by the Companies, any of the Guarantors or the Trustee of any rights or remedies under the Securities or this Indenture or their delay in or failure to assert or exercise any such rights or remedies, (iv) the assignment or the purported assignment of any property as security for the Securities, including all or any part of the rights of the Companies or any of the Guarantors under this Indenture, (v) the extension of the time for payment by the Companies or any of the Guarantors of any payments or other sums or any part thereof owing or payable under any of the terms and provisions of the Securities or this Indenture or of the time for performance by the Companies or any of the Guarantors of any other obligations under or arising out of any such terms and provisions or the extension or the renewal of any thereof, (vi) the modification or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any duty, agreement or obligation of the Companies or any of the Guarantors set forth in this Indenture, (vii) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshaling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of, or other similar proceeding affecting, the Companies or any of the Guarantors or any of their respective assets, or the disaffirmance of the Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture in any such proceeding, (viii) the release or discharge of the Companies or any of the Guarantors from the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition contained in any of such instruments by operation of law, (ix) the unenforceability of the Securities of such series, the related Guarantees or this Indenture or (x) any other circumstances (other than payment in full or discharge of all amounts guaranteed pursuant to the related Guarantees) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor.

(e) Each of the Guarantors hereby (i) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Companies or any of the Guarantors, and all demands whatsoever, (ii) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing its Guarantee may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing its Guarantee without notice to it and (iii) covenants that its Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of such Guarantee. Each of the Guarantors further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any Person to its Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever, including, without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Companies or any of the Guarantors, such Guarantee shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and such Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.

(f) Each of the Guarantors shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Companies in respect of any amounts paid by such Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture; provided, however , that such Guarantor, shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all of the Securities of such series and the related Guarantees shall have been paid in full or discharged.

 

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SECTION 10.02 Execution and Delivery of Guarantees.

To further evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that a notation relating to such Guarantee (the “Notation of Guarantee”), substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A, shall be endorsed on each Security of the series entitled to the benefits of such Guarantee authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, which Notation of Guarantee shall be executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer of such Guarantor. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Security the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Guarantee. If any Officer of such Guarantor, whose signature is on this Indenture or the Notation of Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such Security or at any time thereafter, the Guarantee of such Security shall be valid nevertheless. The delivery of any Security of a series entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee under this Article X by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of each Guarantor.

 

SECTION 10.03 Limitation on Liability of the Guarantors.

Each Guarantor and by its acceptance hereof each Holder of a Security of a series entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee under this Article X hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by such Guarantor pursuant to its Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders of a Security entitled to the benefits of such Guarantee and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law.

 

SECTION 10.04 Release of Guarantors from Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Guarantee of any Guarantor may be released upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 10.04. Provided that no Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing under this Indenture, any Guarantee incurred by a Guarantor pursuant to this Article X shall be unconditionally released and discharged (i) automatically upon (A) any sale, exchange or transfer, whether by way of merger or otherwise, to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Companies, of all of the Companies’ direct or indirect equity interests in such Guarantor ( provided such sale, exchange or transfer is not prohibited by this Indenture) or (B) the merger of such Guarantor into the Companies or any other Guarantor or the liquidation and dissolution of

 

55


such Guarantor (in each case to the extent not prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) following delivery of a written notice of such release or discharge by the Companies to the Trustee, upon the release or discharge of all guarantees by such Guarantor of any Debt of the Companies other than obligations arising under this Indenture and any Securities issued hereunder, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantees.

(b) The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing any release of a Guarantor from its Guarantee upon receipt of a written request of the Companies accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that the Guarantor is entitled to such release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. If the Guarantor is not so released it shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on the Securities entitled to the benefits of such Guarantee as provided in this Indenture, subject to the limitations of Section 10.03.

 

SECTION 10.05 Contribution.

In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Guarantors, the Guarantors hereby agree, inter se , that in the event any payment or distribution is made by any Guarantor (a “Funding Guarantor”) under its Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor (as applicable) in a pro rata amount based on the net assets of each Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor) for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by that Funding Guarantor in discharging the Companies’ obligations with respect to the Securities of a series entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee under this Article X or any other Guarantor’s obligations with respect to its Guarantee of such series of Securities.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by operation of TIA § 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

 

SECTION 11.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Companies, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail

 

56


(registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

If to the Companies or any Guarantor:

Kraton Polymers LLC

Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation

c/o Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.

15710 John F. Kennedy Boulevard

Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77032

Telephone: (281) 504-4700

Facsimile: (281) 504-4741

Attention: General Counsel

If to the Trustee:

Attn:

Telephone:                    

Facsimile:                    

The Companies, any Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All 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 by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holder’s address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. 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 within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except in the case of notice to the Trustee, it is duly given only when received.

If a Company or a Guarantor mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the other Company and the other Guarantors, as the case may be, and to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

All notices or communications, including without limitation notices to the Trustee, the Companies or a Guarantor by Holders, shall be in writing, except as otherwise set forth herein.

 

57


In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.

 

SECTION 11.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Companies, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

SECTION 11.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Companies or a Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Companies or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall, if requested by the Trustee, furnish to the Trustee at the expense of the Companies or such Guarantor, as the case may be:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:

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

(2) 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;

 

58


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

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

SECTION 11.07 Legal Holidays.

If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

SECTION 11.08 No Recourse Against Others.

A director, manager, officer, employee, stockholder, member, partner or other owner of the Companies, a Guarantor or the Trustee, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Companies under the Securities, for any obligations of any Guarantor under the Guarantee, or for any obligations of the Companies, any Guarantor or the Trustee under this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issuance of Securities.

 

SECTION 11.09 Governing Law.

THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

 

59


SECTION 11.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Companies, any Guarantor or any Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 11.11 Successors.

All agreements of the Companies and each of the Guarantors in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

SECTION 11.12 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities or in any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 11.13 Counterpart 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. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes.

 

SECTION 11.14 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The table of contents, cross-reference table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

60


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

 

KRATON POLYMERS LLC

KRATON POLYMERS CAPITAL CORPORATION

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS, INC. KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLC

ELASTOMERS HOLDINGS LLC

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


[                                          ], as Trustee
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


ANNEX A

NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

Each of the Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture) has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Securities by the Companies.

The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article X of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee.

 

[NAME OF GUARANTOR]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

Exhibit 4.3

 

 

 

KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS, INC.

as Issuer

THE POTENTIAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO

as Potential Subsidiary Guarantors

and

[                    ]

as Trustee

 

 

Indenture

Dated as of                     

 

 

Subordinated Debt Securities

 

 

 


KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS, INC.

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939

and Indenture, dated as of                     

 

 

 

Section of

Trust Indenture

Act of 1939

   Section(s) of
Indenture

§ 310

 

(a)(1)

   7.10
 

(a)(2)

   7.10
 

(a)(3)

   Not Applicable
 

(a)(4)

   Not Applicable
 

(a)(5)

   7.10
 

(b)

   7.08, 7.10

§ 311

 

(a)

   7.11
 

(b)

   7.11
 

(c)

   Not Applicable

§ 312

 

(a)

   2.07
 

(b)

   12.03
 

(c)

   12.03

§ 313

 

(a)

   7.06
 

(b)

   7.06
 

(c)

   7.06
 

(d)

   7.06

§ 314

 

(a)

   4.03, 4.04
 

(b)

   Not Applicable
 

(c)(1)

   12.04
 

(c)(2)

   12.04
 

(c)(3)

   Not Applicable
 

(d)

   Not Applicable
 

(e)

   12.05

§ 315

 

(a)

   7.01(b)
 

(b)

   7.05
 

(c)

   7.01(a)
 

(d)

   7.01(c)
 

(d)(1)

   7.01(c)(1)
 

(d)(2)

   7.01(c)(2)
 

(d)(3)

   7.01(c)(3)
 

(e)

   6.11

§ 316

 

(a)(1)(A)

   6.05
 

(a)(1)(B)

   6.04
 

(a)(2)

   Not Applicable
 

(a)(last sentence)

   2.11
 

(b)

   6.07

§ 317

 

(a)(1)

   6.08
 

(a)(2)

   6.09
 

(b)

   2.06

§ 318

 

(a)

   12.01

 

Note:    This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     1   

SECTION 1.01

 

Definitions

     1   

SECTION 1.02

 

Other Definitions

     8   

SECTION 1.03

 

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     8   

SECTION 1.04

 

Rules of Construction

     9   

ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES

     9   

SECTION 2.01

 

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     9   

SECTION 2.02

 

Denominations

     12   

SECTION 2.03

 

Forms Generally

     13   

SECTION 2.04

 

Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

     13   

SECTION 2.05

 

Registrar and Paying Agent

     15   

SECTION 2.06

 

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

     16   

SECTION 2.07

 

Holder Lists

     16   

SECTION 2.08

 

Transfer and Exchange

     16   

SECTION 2.09

 

Replacement Securities

     17   

SECTION 2.10

 

Outstanding Securities

     17   

SECTION 2.11

 

Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities

     18   

SECTION 2.12

 

Temporary Securities

     18   

SECTION 2.13

 

Cancellation

     19   

SECTION 2.14

 

Payments; Defaulted Interest

     19   

SECTION 2.15

 

Persons Deemed Owners

     20   

SECTION 2.16

 

Computation of Interest

     20   

SECTION 2.17

 

Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions

     20   

ARTICLE III REDEMPTION

     22   

SECTION 3.01

 

Applicability of Article

     22   

SECTION 3.02

 

Notice to the Trustee

     23   

SECTION 3.03

 

Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed

     23   

SECTION 3.04

 

Notice of Redemption

     23   

SECTION 3.05

 

Effect of Notice of Redemption

     24   

SECTION 3.06

 

Deposit of Redemption Price

     25   

SECTION 3.07

 

Securities Redeemed in Part

     25   

SECTION 3.08

 

Purchase of Securities

     25   

SECTION 3.09

 

Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds

     26   

SECTION 3.10

 

Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

     26   

SECTION 3.11

 

Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

     26   

ARTICLE IV COVENANTS

     27   

SECTION 4.01

 

Payment of Securities

     27   

SECTION 4.02

 

Maintenance of Office or Agency

     27   

SECTION 4.03

 

SEC Reports; Financial Statements

     28   

 

ii


SECTION 4.04

 

Compliance Certificate

     29   

SECTION 4.05

 

Corporate or Other Existence

     29   

SECTION 4.06

 

Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

     29   

SECTION 4.07

 

Additional Amounts

     30   

ARTICLE V SUCCESSORS

     30   

SECTION 5.01

 

Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations

     30   

SECTION 5.02

 

Successor Person Substituted

     31   

ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     31   

SECTION 6.01

 

Events of Default

     31   

SECTION 6.02

 

Acceleration

     34   

SECTION 6.03

 

Other Remedies

     34   

SECTION 6.04

 

Waiver of Defaults

     35   

SECTION 6.05

 

Control by Majority

     35   

SECTION 6.06

 

Limitations on Suits

     35   

SECTION 6.07

 

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

     36   

SECTION 6.08

 

Collection Suit by Trustee

     36   

SECTION 6.09

 

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     36   

SECTION 6.10

 

Priorities

     37   

SECTION 6.11

 

Undertaking for Costs

     38   

ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE

     38   

SECTION 7.01

 

Duties of Trustee

     38   

SECTION 7.02

 

Rights of Trustee

     39   

SECTION 7.03

 

May Hold Securities

     40   

SECTION 7.04

 

Trustee’s Disclaimer

     40   

SECTION 7.05

 

Notice of Defaults

     40   

SECTION 7.06

 

Reports by Trustee to Holders

     41   

SECTION 7.07

 

Compensation and Indemnity

     41   

SECTION 7.08

 

Replacement of Trustee

     42   

SECTION 7.09

 

Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

     43   

SECTION 7.10

 

Eligibility; Disqualification

     44   

SECTION 7.11

 

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor

     44   

ARTICLE VIII DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

     45   

SECTION 8.01

 

Termination of the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ Obligations

     45   

SECTION 8.02

 

Application of Trust Money

     48   

SECTION 8.03

 

Repayment to Company or Subsidiary Guarantor

     49   

SECTION 8.04

 

Reinstatement

     49   

ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

     49   

SECTION 9.01

 

Without Consent of Holders

     49   

SECTION 9.02

 

With Consent of Holders

     51   

SECTION 9.03

 

Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act

     53   

 

iii


SECTION 9.04

 

Revocation and Effect of Consents

     53   

SECTION 9.05

 

Notation on or Exchange of Securities

     54   

SECTION 9.06

 

Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

     54   

ARTICLE X SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES

     54   

SECTION 10.01

 

Securities and Guarantees Subordinated to Senior Debt

     54   

SECTION 10.02

 

No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances

     55   

SECTION 10.03

 

Securities and Guarantees Subordinated to Prior Payment of All Senior Debt on Dissolution, Liquidation or Reorganization

     56   

SECTION 10.04

 

Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt

     57   

SECTION 10.05

 

Obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors Unconditional

     58   

SECTION 10.06

 

Trustee Entitled to Assume Payments Not Prohibited in Absence of Notice

     58   

SECTION 10.07

 

Application by Trustee of Amounts Deposited with It

     59   

SECTION 10.08

 

Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or Holders of Senior Debt

     59   

SECTION 10.09

 

Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities

     59   

SECTION 10.10

 

Right of Trustee to Hold Senior Debt

     60   

SECTION 10.11

 

Article X Not to Prevent Events of Default

     60   

SECTION 10.12

 

No Fiduciary Duty of Trustee to Holders of Senior Debt

     60   

SECTION 10.13

 

Article Applicable to Paying Agent

     61   

ARTICLE XI GUARANTEE

     61   

SECTION 11.01

 

Guarantee

     61   

SECTION 11.02

 

Execution and Delivery of Guarantees

     63   

SECTION 11.03

 

Limitation on Liability of the Subsidiary Guarantors

     64   

SECTION 11.04

 

Release of Subsidiary Guarantors from Guarantee

     64   

SECTION 11.05

 

Contribution

     64   

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS

     65   

SECTION 12.01

 

Trust Indenture Act Controls

     65   

SECTION 12.02

 

Notices

     65   

SECTION 12.03

 

Communication by Holders with Other Holders

     66   

SECTION 12.04

 

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

     66   

SECTION 12.05

 

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

     67   

SECTION 12.06

 

Rules by Trustee and Agents

     67   

SECTION 12.07

 

Legal Holidays

     67   

SECTION 12.08

 

No Recourse Against Others

     68   

SECTION 12.09

 

Governing Law

     68   

SECTION 12.10

 

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

     68   

SECTION 12.11

 

Successors

     68   

SECTION 12.12

 

Severability

     68   

SECTION 12.13

 

Counterpart Originals

     69   

SECTION 12.14

 

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

     69   

 

iv


INDENTURE (this “Indenture”) dated as of                      among Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the potential subsidiary guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto (the “Potential Subsidiary Guarantors”), and                     , a                     , as trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Company and the Potential Subsidiary Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Company’s subordinated debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued from time to time in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount (herein called the “Securities”), and the related Guarantees (as hereinafter defined), if any, as provided in this Indenture.

The Company and the Potential Subsidiary Guarantors are members of the same consolidated group of companies. The Potential Subsidiary Guarantors will derive direct and indirect economic benefit from the issuance of the Securities. Accordingly, each Potential Subsidiary Guarantor has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture in light of the possibility that such Potential Subsidiary Guarantor will provide its full and unconditional guarantee of a series of the Securities to the extent provided in this Indenture.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01 Definitions .

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts required by the express terms of a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein or pursuant thereto, to be paid by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, with respect to certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to such Holders.

“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.

 

1


“Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

“Board of Directors,” when used with reference to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, means the Board of Directors or comparable governing body of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor (or with respect to a limited liability company, the member, manager, managing member or other Person that governs such limited liability company), as the case may be, or any committee thereof duly authorized, with respect to any particular matter, to act by or on behalf of the Board of Directors or comparable governing body of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Legal Holiday.

“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests (however designated) in the equity (which includes, but is not limited to, common stock, preferred stock and partnership, limited liability company and joint venture interests) of such Person (excluding any Debt or other debt securities that are convertible into, or exchangeable for, such equity).

“Capitalized Lease Obligation” of any Person means any obligation of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease of property, real or personal, that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP; and the amount of such obligation shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Common Equity” of any Person means all Capital Stock of such Person that is generally entitled to (i) vote in the election of directors of such Person or (ii) if such Person is not a corporation, vote or otherwise participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others that will control the management and policies of such Person.

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person; provided, however, that for purposes of any provision contained herein which is required by the TIA, “Company” shall also mean each other obligor (if any), other than a Subsidiary Guarantor, on the Securities of a series.

“Company Order” and “Company Request” mean, respectively, a written order or request signed in the name of the Company or each Subsidiary Guarantor by two Officers of the Company and delivered to the Trustee.

 

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“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which, in the case of                     , shall be                     , New York, New York                     .

“Debt” of any Person means, without duplication: (i) all indebtedness or obligations of such Person for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof); (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments; (iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments (or reimbursement obligations with respect thereto), other than standby letters of credit, bid or performance bonds and other obligations issued by or for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of business, to the extent not drawn or, to the extent drawn, if such drawing is reimbursed not later than the third Business Day following demand for reimbursement; (iv) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services, except trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business; (v) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (vi) all Debt of others secured by a lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person (provided that if the obligations so secured have not been assumed in full by such Person or are not otherwise such Person’s legal liability in full, then such obligations shall be deemed to be in an amount equal to the greater of (a) the lesser of (1) the full amount of such obligations and (2) the fair market value of such assets, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of such Person, which determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, and (b) the amount of obligations as have been assumed by such Person or which are otherwise such Person’s legal liability); and (vii) all Debt of others (other than endorsements in the ordinary course of business) guaranteed by such Person to the extent of such guarantee.

“Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“deliver” or “delivery” means, in the context of certificated Securities, actual physical delivery of the certificated Securities to the relevant Person required hereunder, together with all endorsements, and in the context of Global Securities, the designation on the records of the Depositary of a change in the beneficial interests of a holder in a Global Security.

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof as the initial Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

“Designated Senior Debt,” unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, means any Senior Debt that (i) in the instrument evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee thereof (or related documents to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, is a party) is expressly designated as “Designated Senior Debt” for purposes of this Indenture and (ii) satisfies such other conditions as may be provided with respect to the Securities of such series; provided that such instruments or documents may place limitations and conditions on the right of such Senior Debt to exercise the rights of Designated Senior Debt.

 

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“Disqualified Capital Stock” means, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, (a) with respect to the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, Capital Stock of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, that, by its terms or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, exercisable or exchangeable, is, or upon the happening of an event or the passage of time would be, required to be redeemed or repurchased (including at the option of the holder thereof) by the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Subsidiary, in whole or in part, on or prior to the Stated Maturity of the Securities of such series, and (b) with respect to any other Subsidiary, any Capital Stock other than any Common Equity of such Subsidiary with no preference, privileges, or redemption or repayment provisions.

“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debt.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

“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.

“Global Security” means a Security that is issued in global form in the name of the Depositary with respect thereto or its nominee.

“Government Obligations” means, with respect to a series of Securities, (i) direct obligations of a government that issues the currency in which the Securities of the series are payable for the payment of which the full faith and credit of such government is pledged, or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which, in either case under clause (i) or (ii) above, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof; or (iii) depository receipts issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligations or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided 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 Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

“Guarantee” means the guarantee of the Company’s obligations under the Securities of a series by a Subsidiary Guarantor (specified with respect to such series as contemplated by Section 2.01(9)) as provided in Article XI.

 

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“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered.

“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time pursuant to the provisions hereof, and includes the terms of a particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 2.01.

“interest” means, with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity.

“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Security as contemplated by Section 2.01.

“Issue Date” means, with respect to Securities of a series, the first date on which the Securities of such series are originally issued under this Indenture.

“Junior security” means, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, any Qualified Capital Stock of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Subsidiary or any Debt of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, that is subordinated in right of payment to the Securities of such series and/or any related Guarantees and has no scheduled installment of principal due, by redemption, sinking fund payment or otherwise, on or prior to the Stated Maturity of the Securities of such series.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in any of The City of New York, New York; Houston, Texas or a Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

“Maturity” means, with respect to any Security, the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity thereof, or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, any Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of a Person.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of a Person.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. Such counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

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

 

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“Place of Payment” means, with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of that series are payable as specified in accordance with Section 2.01 subject to the provisions of Section 4.02.

“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the Security.

“Qualified Capital Stock” means any Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Capital Stock.

“Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

“Responsible Officer” means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture or any other officer 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.

“Rule 144A Securities” means Securities of a series designated pursuant to Section 2.01 as entitled to the benefits of Section 4.03(b).

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities” has the meaning stated in the preamble of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Security Custodian” means, with respect to Securities of a series issued in global form, the Trustee for Securities of such series, as custodian with respect to the Securities of such series, or any successor entity thereto.

“Senior Debt”, unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, means (i) all Debt of the Company and, in the case of the related Guarantees, the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to such series, whether currently outstanding or hereafter created, incurred or assumed, unless, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing such Debt or pursuant to which such Debt is outstanding, it is provided that such Debt is not superior in right of payment to the Securities, in the case of the Company, or the related Guarantees, in the case of such Subsidiary Guarantors, or to other Debt which is pari passu with or subordinated to the Securities, in the case of the Company, or the related Guarantees, in the case of such Subsidiary Guarantors, and (ii) any modifications, refunding, deferrals, renewals or extensions of any such Debt or any securities, notes or other evidences of

 

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Debt issued in exchange for such Debt; provided that, unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, in no event shall “Senior Debt” include (a) Debt evidenced by the Securities of such series or any other series or any related Guarantees, (b) Debt of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to such series owed or owing to any Subsidiary or any officer, director or employee of the Company, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to such series or any other Subsidiary, (c) Debt of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to such series owed or owing to the Company, (d) Debt to trade creditors or (e) any liability for taxes owed or owing by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to such series.

“Significant Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company that is a “significant subsidiary” of the Company as such term is defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X as in effect on the date hereof.

“Stated Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

“Subsidiary” means a Person at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

“Subsidiary Guarantors” means, with respect to any series of Securities, the Person or Persons, if any, named in accordance with Section 2.01(9) as the “Subsidiary Guarantors” with respect to such series until a successor Person or Persons shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Subsidiary Guarantors” with respect to such series of Securities shall mean such successor Person or Persons, and any other Subsidiary of the Company who may execute this Indenture, or a supplement thereto, for the purpose of providing a Guarantee for such series of Securities pursuant to this Indenture. If a series of Securities does not have any Subsidiary Guarantors, all references in this Indenture to Subsidiary Guarantors shall be ignored with respect to such series of Securities.

“surrender” shall have the same meaning as “deliver” in the context of the surrender of a Security.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that, in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

“Trustee” means the Person named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” means each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series means the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

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“United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia) and its territories and possessions, which include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means Government Obligations with respect to Securities payable in Dollars.

 

SECTION 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined
in Section
 

“Agent Members”

     2.17   

“Bankruptcy Custodian”

     6.01   

“Conversion Event”

     6.01   

“covenant defeasance”

     8.01   

“Event of Default”

     6.01   

“Exchange Rate”

     2.11   

“Funding Guarantor”

     11.05   

“Judgment Currency”

     6.10   

“legal defeasance”

     8.01   

“mandatory sinking fund payment”

     3.09   

“Notation of Guarantee”

     11.02   

“optional sinking fund payment”

     3.09   

“Paying Agent”

     2.05   

“Payment Blocking Notice”

     10.02   

“Payment Default”

     10.02   

“Registrar”

     2.05   

“Required Currency”

     6.10   

“Successor”

     5.01   

 

SECTION 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture (and if the Indenture is not qualified under the TIA at the time, as if it were so qualified unless otherwise provided). The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“Commission” means the SEC.

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

“indenture security holder” means a Holder.

 

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“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other obligor on the Securities.

All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by a TIA reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

 

SECTION 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

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

 

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

 

  (3) “or” is not exclusive;

 

  (4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

  (5) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

 

  (6) all references in this instrument to Articles and Sections are references to the corresponding Articles and Sections in and of this instrument.

ARTICLE II

THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 2.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company or in a Company Order, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series);

 

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(2) if there is to be a limit, the limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.08, 2.09, 2.12, 2.17, 3.07 or 9.05 and except for any Securities that, pursuant to Section 2.04 or 2.17, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that unless otherwise provided in the terms of the series, the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may be increased before or after the issuance of any Securities of the series by a Board Resolution (or action pursuant to a Board Resolution) to such effect;

(3) whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form, as Global Securities or otherwise, and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.17, and the initial Depositary and Security Custodian, if any, for any Global Security or Securities of such series;

(4) the manner in which any interest payable on a temporary Global Security on any Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.14;

(5) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium (if any) on the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;

(6) the rate or rates, or the method of determination thereof, at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any Securities on any Interest Payment Date, or if other than provided herein, the Person to whom any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable;

(7) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 4.02, the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

(8) the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option, and the manner in which the Company must exercise any such option, if different from those set forth herein;

(9) whether Securities of the series are entitled to the benefits of any Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Indenture, the identity of any

 

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such Subsidiary Guarantors and any terms of such Guarantee with respect to the Securities of the series in addition to those set forth in Article XI, or any exceptions to or changes to those set forth in Article XI;

(10) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid in whole or in part pursuant to such obligation;

(11) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denomination in which any Securities of that series shall be issuable;

(12) if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) or the form, including equity securities, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants or any other securities or property of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person, in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

(13) if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies (including composite currencies) other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series as to which such election is made shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made;

(14) if the amount of payments of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to any commodities, currencies or indices, values, rates or prices or any other index or formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(15) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

(16) any additional means of satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and any additional conditions or limitations to discharge with respect to Securities of the series and the related Guarantees, if any, pursuant to Article VIII or any modifications of or deletions from such conditions or limitations;

(17) any deletions or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 6.01 or covenants of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor set forth in Article IV pertaining to the Securities of the series;

 

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(18) any restrictions or other provisions with respect to the transfer or exchange of Securities of the series, which may amend, supplement, modify or supersede those contained in this Article II;

(19) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants, other equity securities or any other securities or property of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person, at the option of the Company or the Holder or upon the occurrence of any condition or event, the terms and conditions for such conversion or exchange;

(20) whether the Securities of the series are to be entitled to the benefit of Section 4.03(b) (and accordingly constitute Rule 144A Securities);

(21) any modifications to the definitions of “Designated Senior Debt” and “Senior Debt,” to Article X or to the other provisions regarding subordination with respect to the Securities of the series; and

(22) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 2.03) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action, together with such Board Resolution, shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order setting forth the terms of the series.

The Securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to Senior Debt as provided in Article X and/or as specified as contemplated pursuant to this Section 2.01.

 

SECTION 2.02 Denominations.

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.01. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiples thereof.

 

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SECTION 2.03 Forms Generally.

The Securities of each series shall be in fully registered form and in substantially such form or forms (including temporary or permanent global form) established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, securities exchange rule, the Company’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other similar governing documents, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). A copy of the Board Resolution establishing the form or forms of Securities of any series shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 2.04 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.

The definitive Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

“This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

[                                         ], as Trustee
By:  

 

 

Authorized Officer”.

 

SECTION 2.04 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

Two Officers of the Company shall sign the Securities on behalf of the Company and, with respect to any related Guarantees, an Officer of each Subsidiary Guarantor shall sign the Notation of Guarantee on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security or the Notation of Guarantee, as the case may be, is authenticated, the Security shall be valid nevertheless.

A Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or the related Guarantees or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee, which signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security has been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company delivers such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.13, together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 12.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or the related Guarantees.

 

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At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company (and if applicable, the Notation of Guarantee for such series executed by each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series) to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Securities for original issue upon a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by Company Order. Such order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated, the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders and any other terms of the Securities of such series not otherwise determined. If provided for in such procedures, such Company Order may authorize (1) authentication and delivery of Securities of such series for original issue from time to time, with certain terms (including, without limitation, the Maturity dates or dates, original issue date or dates and interest rate or rates) that differ from Security to Security and (2) may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent, which instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing.

If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 2.01, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (in addition to the Company Order referred to above and the other documents required by Section 12.04), and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a) an Officers’ Certificate of the Company setting forth the Board Resolution and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant thereto, as contemplated by the last paragraph of Section 2.01; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that:

(i) the form of such Securities has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(iii) that such Securities and the related Guarantees, if any, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, enforceable against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, in accordance with their respective terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer or other similar

 

14


laws in effect from time to time affecting the rights of creditors generally, and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each such Security, but such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issuance of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture would affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities 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 the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

SECTION 2.05 Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Company shall maintain an office or agency for each series of Securities where Securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities of such series may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities of such series and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

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SECTION 2.06 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. 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. Upon payment over to the Trustee and upon accounting for any funds disbursed, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or another Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or another Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Each Paying Agent shall otherwise comply with TIA § 317(b).

 

SECTION 2.07 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 and addresses of Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date with respect to such series of Securities, 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 of such series, and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).

 

SECTION 2.08 Transfer and Exchange.

Except as set forth in Section 2.17 or as may be provided pursuant to Section 2.01:

When Securities of any series are presented to the Registrar with the request to register the transfer of such Securities or to exchange such Securities for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same series of like tenor and of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its requirements and the requirements of this Indenture for such transactions are met; provided, however , that the Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing, on which instruction the Registrar can rely.

 

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To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute Securities (and if applicable, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee for such series) and the Trustee shall authenticate such Securities at the Registrar’s written request and submission of the Securities or Global Securities. No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), 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 such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.12, 3.07 or 9.05). The Trustee shall authenticate Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.04. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of (a) any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article III, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part, or (b) any Security during the period beginning 15 Business Days prior to the mailing of notice of any offer to repurchase Securities of the series required pursuant to the terms thereof or of redemption of Securities of a series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing.

 

SECTION 2.09 Replacement Securities.

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been destroyed, lost or stolen and the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security, the Company shall issue, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Security, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security of the same series if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security. If required by the Trustee, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Company, such Holder must furnish an indemnity bond that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge a Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.

Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company.

 

SECTION 2.10 Outstanding Securities.

The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Security effected by the Trustee hereunder and those described in this Section 2.10 as not outstanding.

 

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If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor holds the Security.

 

SECTION 2.11 Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, (a) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security shall be the principal amount thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02, (b) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a foreign currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such currency, as such rate is certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Exchange Rate”) on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the amount determined as provided in (a) above), of such Security and (c) Securities owned by the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company, of a Subsidiary Guarantor or of such other obligor shall be disregarded, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Securities that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

SECTION 2.12 Temporary Securities.

Until definitive Securities of any series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and execute temporary Securities, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such temporary Securities, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate such temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities, but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and execute definitive Securities, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such definitive Securities, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate such definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities.

 

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SECTION 2.13 Cancellation.

The Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or redemption or for credit against any sinking fund payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, redemption, replacement or cancellation or for credit against any sinking fund. Unless the Company shall direct in writing that canceled Securities be returned to it, after written notice to the Company all canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with the usual disposal procedures of the Trustee, and the Trustee shall maintain a record of their disposal. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

SECTION 2.14 Payments; Defaulted Interest.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 2.01, interest (except defaulted interest) on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Persons who are registered Holders of that Security at the close of business on the record date next preceding such Interest Payment Date, even if such Securities are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date. The Holder must surrender a Security to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of any series, the Company will pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities in Dollars. Such amounts shall be payable at the offices of the Trustee or any Paying Agent, provided that at the option of the Company, the Company may pay such amounts (1) by wire transfer with respect to Global Securities or (2) by check payable in such money mailed to a Holder’s registered address with respect to any Securities.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of any series, the Company shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities of such series and in Section 4.01. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. At least 15 days before any special record date selected by the Company, the Company (or the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Company upon 20 days’ prior written notice from the Company setting forth such special record date and the interest amount to be paid) shall mail to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

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SECTION 2.15 Persons Deemed Owners.

The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payments of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security and for all other purposes. None of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

SECTION 2.16 Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a year comprising twelve 30-day months.

 

SECTION 2.17 Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions.

If Securities of a series are issuable in global form as a Global Security, as contemplated by Section 2.01, then, notwithstanding clause (11) of Section 2.01 and the provisions of Section 2.02, any such Global Security shall represent such of the outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, transfers or redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee (i) in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified in such Security or in a Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.04 or (ii) otherwise in accordance with written instructions or such other written form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary for such Security, from such Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in such Global Security. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.04 and, if applicable, Section 2.12, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified in such Security or in the applicable Company Order. With respect to the Securities of any series that are represented by a Global Security, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors authorize the execution and delivery by the Trustee of a letter of representations or other similar agreement or instrument in the form customarily provided for by the Depositary appointed with respect to such Global Security. Any Global Security may be deposited with the Depositary or its nominee, or may remain in the custody of the Trustee or the Security Custodian therefor pursuant to a FAST Balance Certificate Agreement or similar agreement between the Trustee and the Depositary. If a Company Order has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 12.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

 

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Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee or the Security Custodian as its custodian, or under such Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian and any agent of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the registered holder of a Global Security of a series may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action that a Holder of Securities of such series is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities of such series and (ii) nothing herein shall prevent the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian, or any agent of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or shall impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a beneficial owner of any Security.

Notwithstanding Section 2.08, and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.01, transfers of a Global Security shall be limited to transfers of such Global Security in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Security may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary. Securities shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Security if, and only if, either (1) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Security and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, (2) an Event of Default has occurred with respect to such series and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue Securities in lieu of all or a portion of the Global Security (in which case the Company shall deliver Securities within 30 days of such request) or (3) the Company in its sole discretion determines not to have the Securities represented by a Global Security.

In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Global Security to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Global Security, if any, and the Trustee upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Securities of the same series of like tenor and amount.

In connection with the transfer of all of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Global Security, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interests in the Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Securities of authorized denominations.

 

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None of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, Securities by the Depositary, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary relating to such Securities. None of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee shall be liable for any delay by the Holder of the Global Security or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners, and each such Person may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, instructions from such Holder of the Global Security or the Depositary for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Securities to be issued).

The provisions of the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04 shall apply to any Global Security if such Global Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 12.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the cancellation or reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.03 and 2.14, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Global Security shall be made to the Depositary.

The Company in issuing Securities of any series may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of Securities of such series; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities of such series or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities of such series, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, delivery or surrender of a Security shall not be required in the case of Global Securities in order to obtain the rights or benefits provided hereunder upon the delivery or surrender of a Security.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01 Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article III.

 

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SECTION 3.02 Notice to the Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, it shall notify the Trustee of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. The Company shall so notify the Trustee at least 45 days before the Redemption Date (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) by delivering to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such redemption will comply with the provisions of this Indenture and of the Securities of such series. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to the mailing of such notice of such redemption to any Holder and shall thereupon be void and of no effect.

 

SECTION 3.03 Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Securities of such series of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the outstanding Securities of such series (and tenor) not previously called for redemption, either pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem appropriate in accordance with industry standards at the time of such redemption and that may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or of the principal amount of Global Securities of such series; provided that, if at the time of redemption such Securities are registered as a Global Security, the Depositary shall determine, in accordance with its procedures, the principal amount of such Securities held by each beneficial owner of Securities to be redeemed.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any of the Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount thereof which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.04 Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 days (or not less than 15 days in the case of convertible Securities) nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at the address of such Holder appearing in the register of Securities maintained by the Registrar.

 

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All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the Redemption Price (or the method of calculating or determining the Redemption Price);

(3) that, unless the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors default in making the redemption payment, interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, and the only remaining right of the Holders of such Securities is to receive payment of the Redemption Price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Securities redeemed;

(4) if any Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender for cancellation of such Security to the Paying Agent, a new Security or Securities in the aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued without charge to the Holder;

(5) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price and the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(6) that the redemption is for a sinking or analogous fund, if such is the case;

(7) if such Securities are convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants, other equity securities or any other securities or property of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person, the name and address of the conversion or exchange agent, the date on which the right to convert or exchange is terminated and the conversion or exchange rate; and

(8) the CUSIP number, if any, relating to such Securities.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

 

SECTION 3.05 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities called for redemption shall be paid at the Redemption Price, but interest installments whose maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable on the relevant Interest Payment Dates to the Holders of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates specified pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

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SECTION 3.06 Deposit of Redemption Price.

By 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor shall deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor is acting as the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.06) an amount of money in same day funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date, other than Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee for cancellation.

If the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor complies with the preceding paragraph, then, unless the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors default in the payment of such Redemption Price, interest on the Securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue on and after the applicable Redemption Date, whether or not such Securities are presented for payment, and the Holders of such Securities shall have no further rights with respect to such Securities except for the right to receive the Redemption Price upon surrender of such Securities. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal, premium, if any, any Additional Amounts, and, to the extent lawful, accrued interest thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate specified pursuant to Section 2.01 or provided in the Securities or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, such Securities’ yield to maturity.

 

SECTION 3.07 Securities Redeemed in Part.

Upon surrender to the Paying Agent of a Security to be redeemed in part, the Company shall execute, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Security, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities, of the same series and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered that is not redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.08 Purchase of Securities.

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor and any Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor may at any time purchase or otherwise acquire Securities in the open market or by private agreement. Any such acquisition shall not operate as or be deemed for any purpose to be a redemption of the indebtedness represented by such Securities. Any Securities purchased or acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor may be delivered to the Trustee and, upon such delivery, the indebtedness represented thereby shall be deemed to be satisfied. Section 2.13 shall apply to all Securities so delivered.

 

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SECTION 3.09 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” Unless otherwise provided by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 3.10. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and by this Article III.

 

SECTION 3.10 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor may deliver outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

SECTION 3.11 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 45 days prior (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate of the Company specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivery of or by crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.10 and will also deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Failure of the Company to timely deliver or cause to be delivered such Officers’ Certificate and Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute the election of the Company (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Company will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section.

 

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If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof based on the applicable Exchange Rate on the date of original issue of the applicable Securities) or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request with respect to the Securities of any particular series, such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall be $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) or less and the Company makes no such request then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) is available. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.04. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.05, 3.06 and 3.07.

ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01 Payment of Securities.

The Company shall pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of each series on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities of such series and in this Indenture. Principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Subsidiary) holds by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on that date money deposited by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts then due.

The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium (if any), at a rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Securities to the extent lawful; and it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and any Additional Amount (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

SECTION 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent) where Securities of that series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series may be presented for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the Securities of that series and this

 

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Indenture may be served. Unless otherwise designated by the Company by written notice to the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors, such office or agency shall be the office of the Trustee in The City of New York, which on the date hereof is located at                     , New York, New York                     . The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors 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 and the Subsidiary Guarantors with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series 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 in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will 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.

 

SECTION 4.03 SEC Reports; Financial Statements.

(a) If the Company is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, but not otherwise, the Company shall also comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(a).

(b) If the Company is not subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall furnish to all Holders of Rule 144A Securities and prospective purchasers of Rule 144A Securities designated by the Holders of Rule 144A Securities, promptly upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(c) The Company intends to file the reports, information and documents referred to in Section 4.03(a) hereof with the SEC in electronic form pursuant to Regulation S-T promulgated by the SEC using the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system. The Company shall notify the Trustee in the manner prescribed herein of each such filing. The Trustee is hereby authorized and directed to access the EDGAR system for purposes of retrieving the reports so filed. Compliance with the foregoing shall constitute delivery by the Company of such reports to the Trustee in compliance with the provisions of TIA § 314(a). The Trustee shall have no duty to search for or obtain any electronic or other filings that the Company makes with the SEC, regardless of whether such filings are periodic, supplemental or otherwise. Delivery of the reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.03 shall be solely for the purposes of compliance with this Section 4.03

 

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and with TIA § 314(a). The Trustee’s receipt of such reports, information and documents shall not constitute notice to it of the content thereof or of any matter determinable from the content thereof, including the Company’s and any Subsidiary Guarantor’s compliance with any of their covenants hereunder, as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely upon Officers’ Certificates.

 

SECTION 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) Each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, a statement signed by the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, which need not constitute an Officers’ Certificate, complying with TIA § 314(a)(4) and stating that in the course of performance by the signing Officer of his duties as such Officer of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, he would normally obtain knowledge of the keeping, observing, performing and fulfilling by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, of its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating that to the best of his knowledge the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which such Officer may have knowledge and what action the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) The Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall, so long as Securities of any series are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, as soon as practicable, but in no event more than five Business Days, after any Officer of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default under this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 4.05 Corporate or Other Existence.

Subject to Article V, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence. This Section 4.05 shall not prohibit or restrict the Company from converting into a different form of legal entity.

 

SECTION 4.06 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.

Each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner

 

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whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive it from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Securities as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

SECTION 4.07 Additional Amounts.

If the Securities of a series expressly provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series Additional Amounts as expressly provided therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or the net proceeds received from the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 4.07 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.07 and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

ARTICLE V

SUCCESSORS

 

SECTION 5.01 Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations.

Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor shall consolidate with or merge into any Person, or sell, lease, convey, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in any transaction or series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to any Person (other than a consolidation or merger of the Company and one or more Subsidiary Guarantors or two or more Subsidiary Guarantors, or a sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a Subsidiary Guarantor, a Subsidiary Guarantor to the Company or of a Subsidiary Guarantor to another Subsidiary Guarantor), unless:

(1) either (a) the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be the continuing Person or (b) the Person (if other than the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor is merged, or to which such sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition shall be made (collectively, the “Successor”), is organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America, any political subdivision thereof or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes by supplemental

 

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indenture, in the case of the Company, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of the Company’s covenants and obligations under this Indenture and the Securities, or, in the case of such Subsidiary Guarantor, the performance of the Guarantee and such Subsidiary Guarantor’s covenants and obligations under this Indenture and the Securities; and

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom.

 

SECTION 5.02 Successor Person Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, or any sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01, the Successor formed by such consolidation or into which the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, under this Indenture and the Securities with the same effect as if such Successor had been named as the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, herein, and the predecessor Company or Subsidiary Guarantor, in the case of a sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition, shall be released from all obligations under this Indenture, the Securities and, in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor, its Guarantee.

ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01 Events of Default.

Unless either inapplicable to a particular series or specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture or Board Resolution establishing such series of Securities or in the form of Security for such series, an “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, occurs if:

(1) the Company defaults in the payment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

(2) the Company defaults in the payment of (A) the principal of any Security of that series at its Maturity or (B) premium (if any) on any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable;

 

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(3) the Company defaults in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

(4) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series fails to comply with any of its other covenants or agreements in, or provisions of, the Securities of such series or this Indenture (other than an agreement, covenant or provision that has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than that series) which shall not have been remedied within the specified period after written notice, as specified in the last paragraph of this Section 6.01;

(5) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series that is a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case,

(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(C) consents to the appointment of a Bankruptcy Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days and that:

(A) is for relief against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series that is a Significant Subsidiary as debtor in an involuntary case,

(B) appoints a Bankruptcy Custodian of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series that is a Significant Subsidiary or a Bankruptcy Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series that is a Significant Subsidiary, or

(C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series that is a Significant Subsidiary;

(7) any Guarantee of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to such series that is a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect with respect to Securities of that series (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture) or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding, or any such Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or such Guarantee; or

 

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(8) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series occurs.

The term “Bankruptcy Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

The Trustee shall not be deemed to know or have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a trust officer at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee receives written notice at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee of such Default or Event of Default with specific reference to such Default or Event of Default.

When a Default or Event of Default is cured, it ceases.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable in a currency or currencies (including a composite currency) other than Dollars and such currency or currencies are not available to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor (a “Conversion Event”), each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar equivalent of the amount payable in such other currency, as determined by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, any payment made under such circumstances in Dollars where the required payment is in a currency other than Dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.

Promptly after the occurrence of a Conversion Event, the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee; and the Trustee, promptly after receipt of such notice, shall give notice thereof in the manner provided in Section 12.02 to the Holders. Promptly after the making of any payment in Dollars as a result of a Conversion Event, the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall give notice in the manner provided in Section 12.02 to the Holders, setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate and describing the calculation of such payments.

A Default under clause (4) or (8) of this Section 6.01 is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Default (or, in the case of a Default under clause (4) of this Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by such Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) notify the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, of the Default, and the Company or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, fails to cure the Default within 90 days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.”

 

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SECTION 6.02 Acceleration.

If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any series at the time outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default (or, in the case of an Event of Default described in clause (4) of Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by such Event of Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) by notice to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, may declare the principal of (or, if any such Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest on all then outstanding Securities of such series or of all series, as the case may be, to be due and payable. Upon any such declaration, the amounts due and payable on the Securities shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs, such amounts shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default or all series so affected, as the case may be, by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences (other than nonpayment of principal of or premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities) if (i) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, (ii) all existing Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) have been cured or waived, except nonpayment of principal, premium, interest or any Additional Amounts that has become due solely because of the acceleration, and (iii) the Trustee has been paid any amounts due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

SECTION 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the 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. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

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SECTION 6.04 Waiver of Defaults.

Subject to Sections 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series or of all series affected thereby (acting as one class) by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing or past Default or Event of Default with respect to such series or all series so affected, as the case may be, and its consequences (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of such series or all series so affected or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of such series or all series so affected, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of such series or all series so affected (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)), except (1) a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or (2) a continued Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each Holder affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

SECTION 6.05 Control by Majority.

With respect to Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it relating to or arising under an Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Section 6.01, and with respect to all Securities, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all the then outstanding Securities affected may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it not relating to or arising under such an Event of Default. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with applicable law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however , that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to security or indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion from Holders directing the Trustee against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

SECTION 6.06 Limitations on Suits.

Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, a Holder of a Security of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of such series or the related Guarantees, if any, only if:

(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to such series;

 

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(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

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 Holders to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

 

SECTION 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor for the amount of principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts remaining unpaid on the Securities of the series affected by the Event of Default, and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

SECTION 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such actions, including participating as a member, voting or otherwise, of any committee of creditors, as may be necessary or advisable to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of

 

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the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor or their respective creditors or properties and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any Bankruptcy Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such 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 to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties which the Holders of the Securities may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 6.10 Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article VI, subject to Article X, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts, respectively; and

Third: to the Company.

The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix record dates and payment dates for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Article VI.

To the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, if for the purpose of obtaining a judgment against the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used for purposes of rendering the judgment shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day in The City of New York next preceding that on which final

 

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judgment is given. None of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee shall be liable for any shortfall nor shall it benefit from any windfall in payments to Holders of Securities under this Section 6.10 caused by a change in exchange rates between the time the amount of a judgment against it is calculated as above and the time the Trustee converts the Judgment Currency into the Required Currency to make payments under this Section 6.10 to Holders of Securities, but payment of such judgment shall discharge all amounts owed by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors on the claim or claims underlying such judgment.

 

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 a 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, 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 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by a Holder or Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series.

ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in such 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 with respect to the Securities of any series:

(1) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee 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 conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether, on their face, they appear to conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

 

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

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

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

(3) 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.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. All money received by the Trustee shall, until applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities.

 

SECTION 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee 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 need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require instruction, an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both to be provided. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such instruction, Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult at the Company’s expense with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

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

 

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(d) The Trustee shall not be 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 conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be.

(f) The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities, unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or by any Holder of the Securities, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

(g) The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.

 

SECTION 7.03 May Hold Securities.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any of their respective Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. However, the Trustee is subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

SECTION 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities or any money paid to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or upon the Company’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s direction under any provision hereof, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

 

SECTION 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing and it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Securities of such series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts or any sinking fund installment with respect to the Securities

 

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of such series, 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 Holders of Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders.

Within 60 days after each June 15 of each year after the execution of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of a series, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Company a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a); provided, however , that if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date with respect to a series, no report need be transmitted to Holders of such series. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports if and as required by TIA §§ 313(c) and 313(d).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders of a series of Securities shall be filed by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor with the SEC and each securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities of such series are listed. The Company shall notify the Trustee if and when any series of Securities is listed on any securities exchange.

 

SECTION 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

The Company agrees to pay to the Trustee for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder such compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Company hereby indemnifies the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee against any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee), incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, except as set forth in the next following paragraph. The Trustee shall notify the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent.

The Company shall not be obligated to reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith.

To secure the payment obligations of the Company in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any

 

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Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of any series. Such lien and the Company’s obligations under this Section 7.07 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

SECTION 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

The Trustee may resign and be discharged at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by so notifying the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by so notifying the Trustee, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

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

(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3) a Bankruptcy Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). Within one year after the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then outstanding may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series does not take office within 30 days after the retiring or removed Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring or removed Trustee (at the expense of the Company), the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

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If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of a series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, each such successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee, to the Company and to the Subsidiary Guarantors. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto in which each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and that (1) shall confer to each successor Trustee all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall confirm that all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee. Nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, and each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee. Upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. On request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall transfer to such successor Trustee all property held by such retiring Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Such retiring Trustee shall, however, have the right to deduct its unpaid fees and expenses, including attorneys’ fees.

Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee or Trustees pursuant to this Section 7.08, the obligations of the Company under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee or Trustees.

 

SECTION 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

Subject to Section 7.10, if the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided, however ,

 

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that in the case of a transfer of all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to another corporation, the transferee corporation expressly assumes all of the Trustee’s liabilities hereunder.

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

 

SECTION 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation or banking association organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust power, shall be subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State (or the District of Columbia) authority and shall have, or be a subsidiary of a bank or bank holding company having, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

The Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §§ 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5). The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 310(b) during the period of time required by this Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the application referred to in the penultimate paragraph of TIA § 310(b).

 

SECTION 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor.

The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

SECTION 8.01 Termination of the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ Obligations.

(a) This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the Securities of a series (except that the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations under Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive), and the Trustee, on demand of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, when:

(1) either:

(A) all outstanding Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and issued (other than destroyed, lost or stolen Securities that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B) all outstanding Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

 

  (i) have become due and payable, or

 

  (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

  (iii) 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, in the case of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as funds (immediately available to the Holders in the case of clause (i)) in trust for such purpose (x) money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount, or (y) Government Obligations with respect to such series, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount or (z) a combination thereof, which will be sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (y) and (z)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Securities of such series for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or for principal, premium, if any, and interest to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; or

(C) the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have properly fulfilled such other means of satisfaction and discharge as is specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of such series;

(2) the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by them hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series; and

 

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(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

(b) Unless this Section 8.01(b) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may, at its option, terminate certain of its and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ respective obligations under this Indenture (“covenant defeasance”) with respect to the Securities of a series if:

(1) the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series, (i) money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount, or (ii) Government Obligations with respect to such series, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount or (iii) a combination thereof, that is sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on all Securities of such series on each date that such principal, premium (if any) or interest is due and payable and (at the Stated Maturity thereof or upon redemption as provided in Section 8.01(e)) to pay all other sums payable by it hereunder; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money and/or the proceeds of such Government Obligations to the payment of said principal, premium (if any) and interest with respect to the Securities of such series as the same shall become due;

(2) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect;

(3) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

(4) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from a nationally recognized counsel acceptable to the Trustee or a private letter ruling issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States Federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.01(b) and will be subject to United States Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not been exercised;

 

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(5) the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have complied with any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the discharge of Securities of such series pursuant to this Section 8.01; and

(6) such deposit and discharge shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest as defined in TIA § 310(b).

In such event, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as set forth in this paragraph), and the Trustee, on demand of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge under this Indenture. However, the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ respective obligations in Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04 and 11.01, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive until all Securities of such series are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Company’s obligations in Section 7.07 and the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 shall survive with respect to Securities of such series.

After such irrevocable deposit made pursuant to this Section 8.01(b) and satisfaction of the other conditions set forth herein, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series except for those surviving obligations specified above.

In order to have money available on a payment date to pay principal of or premium (if any) or interest on the Securities, the Government Obligations shall be payable as to principal or interest on or before such payment date in such amounts as will provide the necessary money. Government Obligations shall not be callable at the issuer’s option.

(c) If the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have previously complied or are concurrently complying with Section 8.01(b) (other than any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 that are expressly applicable only to covenant defeasance) with respect to Securities of a series, then, unless this Section 8.01(c) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may elect that its and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ respective obligations to make payments with respect to Securities of such series be discharged (“legal defeasance”), if:

(1) no Default or Event of Default under clauses (5) and (6) of Section 6.01 hereof shall have occurred at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit contemplated by Section 8.01(b) (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period);

(2) unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from a nationally recognized counsel acceptable to the Trustee to the effect referred to in Section 8.01(b)(4) with respect to such legal defeasance, which opinion is based on (i) a private letter ruling issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service addressed to the Company, (ii) a published ruling of the United States Internal Revenue

 

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Service pertaining to a comparable form of transaction or (iii) a change in the applicable United States Federal income tax law (including regulations) after the date of this Indenture;

(3) the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have complied with any other conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the legal defeasance of Securities of such series pursuant to this Section 8.01(c); and

(4) the Company has delivered to the Trustee a Company Request requesting such legal defeasance of the Securities of such series and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such legal defeasance of the Securities of such series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

In such event, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will be discharged from their respective obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series, the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ respective obligations under Sections 4.01, 4.02 and 11.01 shall terminate with respect to such Securities, and the entire indebtedness of the Company evidenced by such Securities and of the Subsidiary Guarantors evidenced by the related Guarantees, if any, shall be deemed paid and discharged.

(d) If and to the extent additional or alternative means of satisfaction, discharge or defeasance of Securities of a series are specified to be applicable to such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may terminate any or all of its obligations under this Indenture with respect to Securities of a series and any or all of its obligations under the Securities of such series if it fulfills such other means of satisfaction and discharge as may be so specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of such series.

(e) If Securities of any series subject to subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 8.01 are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory or optional sinking fund provisions, the terms of the applicable trust arrangement shall provide for such redemption, and the Company shall make such arrangements as are reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

 

SECTION 8.02 Application of Trust Money.

The Trustee or a trustee satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company shall hold in trust money or Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof. 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, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series with respect to which the deposit was made. Money and securities held in trust are not subject to Article X.

 

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SECTION 8.03 Repayment to Company or Subsidiary Guarantor.

The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor any excess money or Government Obligations (or proceeds therefrom) held by them at any time upon the written request of the Company.

Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium (if any), interest or any Additional Amounts that remains unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such payment shall have become due. After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and the Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.

 

SECTION 8.04 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Obligations deposited with respect to Securities of any series in accordance with Section 8.01 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 obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series and under the Securities of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that if the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has made any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or Government Obligations held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

 

SECTION 9.01 Without Consent of Holders.

The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities or waive any provision hereof or thereof without the consent of any Holder:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

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(2) to comply with Section 5.01;

(3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, or to provide for the issuance of bearer Securities (with or without coupons);

(4) to provide any security for, or to add any guarantees of or additional obligors on, any series of Securities or the related Guarantees, if any;

(5) to comply with any requirement in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(6) to add to the covenants of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

(7) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities (and, if any such Event of Default is applicable to less than all series of Securities, specifying the series to which such Event of Default is applicable);

(8) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is adversely affected in any material respect by such change in or elimination of such provision;

(9) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01;

(10) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 8.01; provided, however , that any such action shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

(11) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.08.

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained.

 

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SECTION 9.02 With Consent of Holders.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture with the consent (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of any one or more series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of any one or more series or all series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of each such series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)) of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of all series affected by such amendment or supplement (acting as one class).

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of one or more series or of all series (acting as one class) may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with any provision of this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of such series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of such series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of such series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)).

However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not:

(1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Security;

(3) reduce the principal of, any premium on or any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to, or change the Stated Maturity of, any Security or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

 

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(4) reduce the premium, if any, payable upon the redemption of any Security or change the time at which any Security may or shall be redeemed;

(5) change any obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any Security;

(6) change the coin or currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which any Security or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect thereto are payable;

(7) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security pursuant to Sections 6.07 and 6.08, except as limited by Section 6.06;

(8) make any change in the percentage of principal amount of Securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.07 or make any change in this sentence of Section 9.02;

(9) modify the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the subordination of any Security and any related Guarantees in a manner materially adverse to the Holders;

(10) waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities;

(11) except as provided in Section 11.04, release any Subsidiary Guarantor or modify the related Guarantee in any manner materially adverse to the Holders; or

(12) if applicable, make any change that materially and adversely affects the right to convert any Security.

An amendment under this Section 9.02 may not make any change that adversely affects the rights under Article X of any holder of an issue of Senior Debt unless the holders of the issue pursuant to its terms consent to the change.

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

The right of any Holder to participate in any consent required or sought pursuant to any provision of this Indenture (and the obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to obtain any such consent otherwise required from such Holder) may be subject to the requirement that such Holder shall have been the Holder of record of any Securities with respect to which such consent is required or sought as of a date identified by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor in a notice furnished to Holders in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

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After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of each Security affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.03 Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply in form and substance with the TIA as then in effect.

 

SECTION 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his or her Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before a date and time therefor identified by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in a notice furnished to such Holder in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or, if no such date and time shall be identified, the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

The Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date (which need not comply with TIA § 316(c)) for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver or to take any other action under this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date unless consents from Holders of the principal amount of Securities required hereunder for such amendment or waiver to be effective shall have also been given and not revoked within such 90-day period.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (1) through (9) of Section 9.02 hereof. In such case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

 

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SECTION 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

If an amendment or supplement changes the terms of an outstanding Security, the Company may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security at the request of the Company regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue, each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to such series shall execute the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Security, if any, and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment or supplement.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplement may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or supplement.

 

SECTION 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplement authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment or supplement 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 or refusing to sign such amendment or supplement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04, and, subject to Section 7.01 hereof, shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel provided at the expense of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor to the effect that such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE X

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES

 

SECTION 10.01 Securities and Guarantees Subordinated to Senior Debt.

The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and each Holder of a Security of a series, by his acceptance thereof, agree that (a) the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to each and all the Securities of such series and any related Guarantees and (b) any other payment in respect of the Securities of such series and any related Guarantees, including on account of the acquisition or redemption of Securities of such series by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, is subordinated, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article X, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, and that these subordination provisions are for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt.

This Article X shall constitute a continuing offer to all Persons who, in reliance upon such provisions, become holders of, or continue to hold, Senior Debt, and such provisions are made for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt, and such holders are made obligees hereunder and any one or more of them may enforce such provisions.

 

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SECTION 10.02 No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances.

(a) Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, no payment shall be made by or on behalf of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, on account of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of any series and any related Guarantees or to acquire any Securities of such series (including any repurchases of Securities of such series pursuant to the provisions thereof at the option of the Holder thereof) for cash or property (other than Junior securities), or on account of any redemption provisions of Securities of such series, in the event of default in payment of any principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any Senior Debt when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by acceleration of maturity or otherwise (a “Payment Default”), unless and until such Payment Default has been cured or waived or otherwise has ceased to exist or such Senior Debt has been discharged or paid in full.

(b) Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, no payment shall be made by or on behalf of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, on account of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of any series and any related Guarantees or to acquire any Securities of such series (including any repurchases of Securities of such series pursuant to the provisions thereof at the option of the Holder thereof) for cash or property (other than Junior securities), or on account of the redemption provisions of Securities of such series, in the event of any event of default (other than a Payment Default) with respect to any Designated Senior Debt permitting the holders of such Designated Senior Debt (or a trustee or other representative on behalf of the holders thereof) to declare such Designated Senior Debt due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, upon written notice thereof to the Company and the Trustee (and if such Designated Senior Debt is Debt of a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Subsidiary Guarantor) by any holders of Designated Senior Debt (or a trustee or other representative on behalf of the holders thereof) (a “Payment Blocking Notice”), unless and until such event of default has been cured or waived or otherwise has ceased to exist or such Designated Senior Debt has been discharged or paid in full; provided , that such payments may not be prevented pursuant to this Section 10.02(b) for more than 179 days after an applicable Payment Blocking Notice has been received by the Trustee unless the Designated Senior Debt in respect of which such event of default exists has been declared due and payable in its entirety, in which case no such payment may be made until such acceleration has been rescinded or annulled or such Designated Senior Debt has been discharged or paid in full. Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, no event of default that existed or was continuing on the date of any Payment Blocking Notice (whether or not such event of default is on the same issue of Designated Senior Debt) may be made the basis for the giving of a second Payment Blocking Notice, and only one such Payment Blocking Notice may be given in any 365-day period.

(c) In furtherance of the provisions of Section 10.01, in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.02, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, (other than Junior

 

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securities) shall be received by the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Holders of Securities of any series and any related Guarantees at a time when such payment or distribution was prohibited by the provisions of this Section 10.02, then, unless such payment or distribution is no longer prohibited by this Section 10.02, such payment or distribution (subject to the provisions of Section 10.07) shall be received and held in trust by the Trustee, the Paying Agent or such Holder for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt, and shall be paid or delivered by the Trustee, the Paying Agent or such Holders, as the case may be, to the holders of Senior Debt remaining unpaid or unprovided for or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Debt may have been issued, ratably, according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of such Senior Debt held or represented by each, for application to the payment of all Senior Debt in full after giving effect to all concurrent payments and distributions to or for the holders of such Senior Debt.

 

SECTION 10.03 Securities and Guarantees Subordinated to Prior Payment of All Senior Debt on Dissolution, Liquidation or Reorganization.

Upon any distribution of assets of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, or upon any dissolution, winding up, total or partial liquidation or reorganization of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, whether voluntary or involuntary, in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding or upon assignment for the benefit of creditors:

(a) the holders of all Senior Debt shall first be entitled to receive payments in full before the Holders of Securities of any series and any related Guarantees are entitled to receive any payment on account of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series and any related Guarantees (other than Junior securities);

(b) any payment or distribution of assets of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than Junior securities), to which the Holders of Securities of any series and any related Guarantees or the Trustee on behalf of such Holders would be entitled, except for the provisions of this Article X, shall be paid by the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such a payment or distribution directly to the holders of such Senior Debt or their representative, ratably according to the respective amounts of Senior Debt held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all such Senior Debt remaining unpaid after giving effect to all concurrent payments and distributions to the holders of such Senior Debt; and

(c) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than Junior securities), shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of Securities of any series and any related Guarantees or any Paying Agent (or, if the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any

 

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other Subsidiary is acting as the Paying Agent, money for any such payment or distribution shall be segregated or held in trust) on account of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series and any related Guarantees before all Senior Debt is paid in full, such payment or distribution (subject to the provisions of Section 10.07) shall be received and held in trust by the Trustee or such Holder or Paying Agent for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Debt, or their respective representatives, ratably according to the respective amounts of such Senior Debt held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment as provided herein of all such Senior Debt remaining unpaid after giving effect to all concurrent payments and distributions and all provisions therefor to or for the holders of such Senior Debt, but only to the extent that as to any holder of such Senior Debt, as promptly as practical following notice from the Trustee to the holders of such Senior Debt that such prohibited payment has been received by the Trustee, Holder(s) or Paying Agent (or has been segregated as provided above), such holder (or a representative therefor) notifies the Trustee of the amounts then due and owing on such Senior Debt, if any, held by such holder and only the amounts specified in such notices to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Senior Debt.

 

SECTION 10.04 Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt.

Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Debt as provided herein, the Holders of the Securities of any series and any related Guarantees shall be subrogated (to the extent of the payments or distributions made to the holders of such Senior Debt pursuant to the provisions of this Article X) to the rights of the holders of such Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions of assets of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, applicable to the Senior Debt until all amounts owing on the Securities of such series and any related Guarantees shall be paid in full. For the purpose of such subrogation, no such payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior Debt by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, or by or on behalf of the Holders of the Securities of such series and any related Guarantees by virtue of this Article X, which otherwise would have been made to such Holders shall, as between the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, and such Holders, be deemed to be payment by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, or on account of such Senior Debt, it being understood that the provisions of this Article X are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities of a series and any related Guarantees, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior Debt, on the other hand.

If any payment or distribution to which the Holders of the Securities and any related Guarantees would otherwise have been entitled but for the provisions of this Article X shall have been applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Article X, to the payment of amounts payable under Senior Debt, then such Holders shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such Senior Debt any payments or distributions received by such holders of Senior Debt in excess of the amount sufficient to pay all amounts payable under or in respect of such Senior Debt in full.

 

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SECTION 10.05 Obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors Unconditional.

Nothing contained in this Article X or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, and the Holders of the Securities of any series and any related Guarantees, the obligation of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to such Holders the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series and any related Guarantees as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of such Holders and creditors of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, other than the holders of the Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or any Holder from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article X, of the holders of Senior Debt in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, received upon the exercise of any such remedy. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article X or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities, upon any distribution of assets of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, referred to in this Article X, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, and the Holders of the Securities and any related Guarantees shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making any distribution to the Trustee or to such Holders for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt and other Debt of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article X so long as such court has been apprised of the provisions of, or the order, decree or certificate makes reference to, the provisions of this Article X.

 

SECTION 10.06 Trustee Entitled to Assume Payments Not Prohibited in Absence of Notice.

The Trustee shall not at any time be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or any Paying Agent shall have received, no later than two Business Days prior to such payment, written notice thereof from the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, or from one or more holders of Senior Debt or from any representative thereof and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, shall be entitled in all respects conclusively to assume that no such fact exists.

 

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SECTION 10.07 Application by Trustee of Amounts Deposited with It.

Amounts deposited in trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Article VIII shall be for the sole benefit of Holders of Securities of the series and any related Guarantees for the benefit of which such amounts were deposited, and, to the extent allocated for the payment of Securities of such series and any related Guarantees, shall not be subject to the subordination provisions of this Article X. Otherwise, any deposit of assets with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (whether or not in trust) for the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities of any series and any related Guarantees shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 10.01, 10.02, 10.03 and 10.04; provided that if prior to two Business Days preceding the date on which by the terms of this Indenture any such assets may become distributable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of either principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security and any related Guarantees), a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall not have received with respect to such assets the written notice provided for in Section 10.06, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have full power and authority to receive such assets and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it on or after such date; and provided further that nothing contained in this Article X shall prevent the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, from making, or the Trustee from receiving or applying, any payment in connection with the redemption of Securities of a series if the first publication of notice of such redemption (whether by mail or otherwise in accordance with this Indenture) has been made, and the Trustee has received such payment from the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, prior to the occurrence of any of the contingencies specified in Section 10.02 or 10.03.

 

SECTION 10.08 Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or Holders of Senior Debt.

No right of any present or future holders of any Senior Debt to enforce subordination provisions contained in this Article X shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, with the terms of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or be otherwise charged with. The holders of Senior Debt may extend, renew, modify or amend the terms of the Senior Debt or any security therefor and release, sell or exchange such security and otherwise deal freely with the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, all without affecting the liabilities and obligations of the parties to this Indenture or the Holders of the Securities of any series and any related Guarantees.

 

SECTION 10.09 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities.

Each Holder of a Security of any series and any related Guarantees by his acceptance thereof authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action

 

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as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provisions contained in this Article X and to protect the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series and any related Guarantees pursuant to this Indenture, and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for such purpose, including, in the event of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be), the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of his Securities and any related Guarantees in the form required in said proceedings and cause said claim to be approved. If the Trustee does not file a proper claim or proof of debt in the form required in such proceeding prior to 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim or claims, then the holders of the Senior Debt or their representative is hereby authorized to have the right to file and is hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related Guarantees. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee or the holders of Senior Debt or their representative to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of Securities of any series and any related Guarantees any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of such series and any related Guarantees or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee or the holders of Senior Debt or their representative to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of the Securities of such series and any related Guarantees in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 10.10 Right of Trustee to Hold Senior Debt.

The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all of the rights set forth in this Article X in respect of any Senior Debt at any time held by it to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt, and nothing in this Indenture shall be construed to deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

 

SECTION 10.11 Article X Not to Prevent Events of Default.

The failure to make a payment on account of principal of or premium (if any) or interest on the Securities of any series or any related Guarantees by reason of any provision of this Article X shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 with respect to Securities of such series and any related Guarantees or in any way prevent the Holders of the Securities of such series and any related Guarantees from exercising any right hereunder other than the right to receive payment on the Securities of such series and any related Guarantees.

 

SECTION 10.12 No Fiduciary Duty of Trustee to Holders of Senior Debt.

The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt, and shall not be liable to any such holders (other than for its willful misconduct or

 

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negligence) if it shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to the Holders of the Securities of any series and any related Guarantees or the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, or any other Person, cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article X or otherwise. Nothing in this Section 10.12 shall affect the obligation of any other such Person to hold such payment for the benefit of, and to pay such payment over to, the holders of Senior Debt or their representative.

 

SECTION 10.13 Article Applicable to Paying Agent.

In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article X shall in such case (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article X in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided , however , that this Section 10.13 shall not apply to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Subsidiary if the Company, such Subsidiary Guarantor or such other Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent.

ARTICLE XI

GUARANTEE

 

SECTION 11.01 Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Article XI to the contrary, the provisions of this Article XI relating to the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be applicable only to, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Securities of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.01, as entitled to the benefits of the related Guarantee of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

(b) For value received, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby fully, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees (each, a “Guarantee”) to the Holders and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and the Securities by the Company, when and as such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, according to the terms of the Securities and this Indenture, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 11.03 and the subordination provisions contained in Article X.

(c) Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to the related Guarantee, for whatever reason, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately, subject to the subordination provisions contained in Article X. Each of the Guarantees hereunder is intended to be a general, unsecured obligation of the related Subsidiary Guarantor and will be subordinated in right of payment to all unsecured and unsubordinated Debt of such Subsidiary Guarantor. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be full, unconditional and absolute,

 

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irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Securities, its Guarantee, the Guarantee of any other Subsidiary Guarantor or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of the Subsidiary Guarantors. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that in the event of a default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of such series, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders or, subject to Section 6.06, by the Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against such Subsidiary Guarantor to enforce such Guarantee without first proceeding against the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor.

(d) The obligations of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Article XI shall be as aforesaid full, unconditional and absolute and shall not be impaired, modified, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (i) any compromise, settlement, release, waiver, renewal, extension, indulgence or modification of, or any change in, any of the obligations and liabilities of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors contained in the Securities or this Indenture, (ii) any impairment, modification, release or limitation of the liability of the Company, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their estates in bankruptcy, or any remedy for the enforcement thereof, resulting from the operation of any present or future provision of any applicable Bankruptcy Law, as amended, or other statute or from the decision of any court, (iii) the assertion or exercise by the Company, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee of any rights or remedies under the Securities or this Indenture or their delay in or failure to assert or exercise any such rights or remedies, (iv) the assignment or the purported assignment of any property as security for the Securities, including all or any part of the rights of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture, (v) the extension of the time for payment by the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors of any payments or other sums or any part thereof owing or payable under any of the terms and provisions of the Securities or this Indenture or of the time for performance by the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors of any other obligations under or arising out of any such terms and provisions or the extension or the renewal of any thereof, (vi) the modification or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any duty, agreement or obligation of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors set forth in this Indenture, (vii) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshaling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of, or other similar proceeding affecting, the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective assets, or the disaffirmance of the Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture in any such proceeding, (viii) the release or discharge of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors from the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition contained in any of such instruments by operation of law, (ix) the unenforceability of the Securities of such series, the related Guarantees or this Indenture or (x) any other circumstances (other than payment in full or discharge of all amounts guaranteed pursuant to the related Guarantees) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor.

 

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(e) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby (i) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, and all demands whatsoever, (ii) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing its Guarantee may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing its Guarantee without notice to it and (iii) covenants that its Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of such Guarantee. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any Person to its Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever, including, without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, such Guarantee shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and such Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.

(f) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Company in respect of any amounts paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture; provided, however , that such Subsidiary Guarantor, shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all of the Securities of such series and the related Guarantees shall have been paid in full or discharged.

 

SECTION 11.02 Execution and Delivery of Guarantees.

To further evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 11.01, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that a notation relating to such Guarantee (the “Notation of Guarantee”), substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A, shall be endorsed on each Security of the series entitled to the benefits of such Guarantee authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, which Notation of Guarantee shall be executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 11.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Security the Notation of Guarantee relating to such Guarantee. If any Officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor, whose signature is on this Indenture or the Notation of Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such Security or at any time thereafter, the Guarantee of such Security shall be valid nevertheless. The delivery of any Security of a series entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee under this Article XI by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of each Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

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SECTION 11.03 Limitation on Liability of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Each Subsidiary Guarantor and by its acceptance hereof each Holder of a Security of a series entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee under this Article XI hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to its Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders of a Security entitled to the benefits of such Guarantee and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor and to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee, result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law.

 

SECTION 11.04 Release of Subsidiary Guarantors from Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor may be released upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 11.04. Provided that no Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing under this Indenture, any Guarantee incurred by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Article XI shall be unconditionally released and discharged (i) automatically upon (A) any sale, exchange or transfer, whether by way of merger or otherwise, to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company’s direct or indirect equity interests in such Subsidiary Guarantor ( provided such sale, exchange or transfer is not prohibited by this Indenture) or (B) the merger of such Subsidiary Guarantor into the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor or the liquidation and dissolution of such Subsidiary Guarantor (in each case to the extent not prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) following delivery of a written notice of such release or discharge by the Company to the Trustee, upon the release or discharge of all guarantees by such Subsidiary Guarantor of any Debt of the Company other than obligations arising under this Indenture and any Securities issued hereunder, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantees.

(b) The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing any release of a Subsidiary Guarantor from its Guarantee upon receipt of a written request of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that the Subsidiary Guarantor is entitled to such release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. If the Subsidiary Guarantor is not so released it shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on the Securities entitled to the benefits of such Guarantee as provided in this Indenture, subject to the limitations of Section 11.03.

 

SECTION 11.05 Contribution.

In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agree, inter se , that in the event any payment or

 

64


distribution is made by any Subsidiary Guarantor (a “Funding Guarantor”) under its Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor (as applicable) in a pro rata amount based on the net assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor) for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by that Funding Guarantor in discharging the Company’s obligations with respect to the Securities of a series entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee under this Article XI or any other Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations with respect to its Guarantee of such series of Securities.

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 12.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by operation of TIA § 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

 

SECTION 12.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

If to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor:

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.

15710 John F. Kennedy Boulevard

Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77032

Telephone: (281) 504-4700

Facsimile: (281) 504-4741

Attention: General Counsel

If to the Trustee:                    

Attn:                    

Telephone:                    

Facsimile:                    

The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

65


All 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 by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holder’s address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. 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 within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except in the case of notice to the Trustee, it is duly given only when received.

If the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Company and the other Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, and to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

All notices or communications, including without limitation notices to the Trustee, the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor by Holders, shall be in writing, except as otherwise set forth herein.

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.

 

SECTION 12.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

SECTION 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall, if requested by the Trustee, furnish to the Trustee at the expense of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

66


(2) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.

 

SECTION 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:

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

(2) 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;

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

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

SECTION 12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

SECTION 12.07 Legal Holidays.

If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

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SECTION 12.08 No Recourse Against Others.

A director, officer, employee, stockholder, partner or other owner of the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities, for any obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee, or for any obligations of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee under this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issuance of Securities.

 

SECTION 12.09 Governing Law.

THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

 

SECTION 12.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 12.11 Successors.

All agreements of the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

SECTION 12.12 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities or in any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

68


SECTION 12.13 Counterpart 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. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes.

 

SECTION 12.14 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The table of contents, cross-reference table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

69


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

 

KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLC
ELASTOMERS HOLDINGS LLC
KRATON POLYMERS CAPITAL CORPORATION
KRATON POLYMERS LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


[                                         ], as Trustee
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


ANNEX A

NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture) has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Securities by the Company.

The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors to the Holders of Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Articles X and XI of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee.

 

[NAME OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO  

ONE SHELL PLAZA

910 LOUISIANA

HOUSTON, TEXAS

77002-4995

 

TEL +1

713.229.1234

FAX +1

713.229.1522

BakerBotts.com

    

AUSTIN

BEIJING

BRUSSELS

DALLAS

DUBAI

HONG KONG

HOUSTON

  

LONDON

MOSCOW

NEW YORK

PALO ALTO

RIO DE JANEIRO

RIYADH

WASHINGTON

August 25, 2015

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.

15710 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77032

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As set forth in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed by Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the subsidiary guarantors named in Schedule I hereto (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), relating to securities that may be issued and sold by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act, certain legal matters in connection with such securities are being passed upon for you by us. Such securities include (i) unsecured senior debt securities (the “Senior Debt Securities”) of the Company and/or Kraton Polymers LLC and Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation (together, the “Co-Issuers” and each also a Subsidiary Guarantor), (ii) unsecured subordinated debt securities of the Company (the “Subordinated Debt Securities” and, together with the Senior Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”), (iii) guarantees of the Debt Securities (the “Guarantees”) by the Company and by one or more of the Subsidiary Guarantors, in the case of Debt Securities issued by the Co-Issuers, and by one or more of the Subsidiary Guarantors, in the case of Debt Securities issued by the Company, (iv) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Preferred Stock”), (v) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), (vi) warrants to purchase any combination of Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock and other securities of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors (the “Warrants”), and (vii) units consisting of any combination of the Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Warrants (the “Units”). The Debt Securities, the Guarantees, the Preferred Stock, the Common Stock, the Warrants and the Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.” At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you for filing as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.

Each series of Debt Securities will be issued:

(i) in the case of the Senior Debt Securities issued by the Company, pursuant to an indenture to be entered into among the Company, as issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors, as potential subsidiary guarantors, and the trustee (the “Senior Indenture”);

(ii) in the case of the Senior Debt Securities issued by the Co-Issuers, pursuant to an indenture to be entered into among the Co-Issuers, as issuers, the Company, as parent guarantor, the Subsidiary Guarantors, as potential subsidiary guarantors, and the trustee (the “Senior Co-Issuer Indenture”); and


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Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.   2   August 25, 2015

 

(iii) in the case of the Subordinated Debt Securities, pursuant to an indenture to be entered into among the Company, as issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors, as potential subsidiary guarantors, and the trustee (the “Subordinated Indenture” and, together with the Senior Indenture and the Senior Co-Issuer Indenture, the “Indentures”).

The applicable Indenture will be supplemented, in connection with the issuance of each such series of Debt Securities, by a supplemental indenture, officers’ certificate or other writing thereunder establishing the form and terms of such series of Debt Securities.

In our capacity as your counsel in the connection referred to above, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified, of (i) the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company (together, the “Charter Documents”), (ii) the certificates of incorporation or formation, as the case may be, and bylaws, limited liability company or operating agreements or other organizational documents, as the case may be, of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors, (iii) the form of Senior Indenture, the form of Senior Co-Issuer Indenture and the form of Subordinated Indenture (each as filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement), and (iv) the corporate or limited liability company records of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, certificates of public officials and of representatives of the Company, including minute books of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors as furnished to us by the Company, statutes and other instruments and documents as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In giving such opinions, we have relied upon certificates of officers of the Company and of public officials with respect to the accuracy of the material factual matters contained in such certificates. In giving the opinions below, we have assumed that the signatures on all documents examined by us are genuine, that all documents submitted to us as originals are accurate and complete, that all documents submitted to us as copies are true and correct copies of the originals thereof and that all information submitted to us was accurate and complete. In connection with this opinion, we have assumed that:

(i) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will have become effective under the Act;

(ii) a prospectus supplement will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby;

(iii) all Securities will be offered, issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement;

(iv) the Board of Directors of the Company (or duly constituted and acting committee thereof) and the board of directors, manager, sole member, managing member or equivalent thereof of each Subsidiary Guarantor (such Board of Directors (or committee) or board of directors, manager, sole member, managing member or


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Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.   3   August 25, 2015

 

equivalent thereof, as the case may be, being hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) will have taken all necessary corporate or limited liability company action to authorize the issuance of the Securities and any other Securities issuable on the conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise thereof, and to authorize the terms of the offering and the issuance and sale of such Securities and related matters;

(v) a definitive purchase agreement, underwriting agreement, warrant agreement, unit agreement or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, if applicable, and the other parties thereto (the “Purchase Agreement”);

(vi) any securities issuable upon conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of any Securities being offered will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise;

(vii) all Securities, and any certificates in respect thereof, will be delivered in accordance with either (a) the provisions of the applicable Purchase Agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein or (b) upon conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of any other Security, in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board;

(viii) in the case of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock to be issued by the Company, certificates representing such shares will have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, or if uncertificated, valid book-entry notations will have been made in the share register of the Company, in each case in accordance with the provisions of the Charter Documents; there will be sufficient shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock authorized under the Charter Documents and not otherwise issued or reserved for issuance; and the purchase price therefor payable to the Company, or, if such shares are issuable on the conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of another Security, the consideration payable to the Company for such conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise will not be less than the par value of such shares;

(ix) in the case of shares of Preferred Stock of any series, the Board will have taken all necessary corporate action to designate and establish the terms of such series and will have caused a certificate of designations respecting such series to be prepared and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;

(x) in the case of Warrants, the Board will have taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the creation of and the terms of such Warrants and the issuance of the Securities to be issued pursuant thereto and to approve the warrant agreement relating thereto; such warrant agreement will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the warrant agent thereunder appointed by the Company; neither such


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Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.   4   August 25, 2015

 

Warrants nor such warrant agreement will include any provision that is unenforceable; and such Warrants or certificates representing such Warrants will have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the provisions of such warrant agreement;

(xi) in the case of Units, the Board will have taken all necessary corporate action to establish the terms of such Units and the terms of the Securities included in such Units, and to approve the unit agreement relating thereto; the actions referred to in paragraphs (i) - (x) above and (xii) below, as the case may be, will have been taken with respect to the Securities included in such Units; such Units and unit agreement will have been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto; no agreement or other instrument establishing such Units or defining the rights of the holders of such Units will contain any provision that is unenforceable; and such Units or certificates representing such Units, if any, will have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the provisions of such unit agreement; and

(xii) in the case of Debt Securities of any series issuable under an Indenture:

(a) if such Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities issued by the Company, an indenture substantially in the form of the Senior Indenture will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the trustee thereunder;

(b) if such Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities issued by the Co-Issuers, an indenture substantially in the form of the Senior Co-Issuer Indenture will have been duly executed and delivered by the Co-Issuers, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the trustee thereunder;

(c) if such Debt Securities are Subordinated Debt Securities, an indenture substantially in the form of the Subordinated Indenture will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the trustee thereunder;

(d) the Board will have taken all necessary corporate action to designate and establish the terms of such series of Debt Securities in accordance with the terms of the Indenture under which such Debt Securities will be issued, and such Debt Securities will not include any provision that is unenforceable;

(e) the Indenture under which such Debt Securities will be issued will have become qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; and

(f) Debt Securities complying with the terms of the Indenture under which such Debt Securities will be issued will have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of such Indenture.


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Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.   5   August 25, 2015

 

On the basis of the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications hereinafter set forth, we are of the opinion that:

1. The shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock that may be issued by the Company included in the Securities will, when issued, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate actions on the part of the Company and validly issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable.

2. The Debt Securities and any Guarantees included in the Securities will, when issued, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate actions on the part of the Company and corporate or limited liability company actions, as the case may be, on the part of the Subsidiary Guarantors, and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, enforceable against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, in accordance with their respective terms, except as the enforceability thereof is subject to (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or conveyance or other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

3. The Warrants and Units included in the Securities will, when issued, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate actions on the part of the Company and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforceability thereof is subject to (i) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or conveyance or other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

The opinions set forth above are limited in all respects to matters of the laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and applicable federal law. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Legal Opinions” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Baker Botts L.L.P.


SCHEDULE I

POTENTIAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

 

Name

   Jurisdiction of
Incorporation/Organization
Kraton Polymers, LLC    Delaware
Kraton Polymers Capital Corporation    Delaware
Elastomers Holdings, LLC    Delaware
Kraton Polymers U.S., LLC    Delaware

Exhibit 12.1

KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS, INC.

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(In thousands)

 

     Six months ended     Years ended December 31,  
     June 30, 2015     2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  

Fixed Charges:

        

+ Interest expensed

     10,821        25,815        27,550        24,127        23,422        22,509   

+ Interest capitalized

     2,407        3,198        4,180        2,648        2,259        520   

+ Amortization of debt issuance costs

     1,107        2,223        7,389        2,986        6,722        2,071   

+ Amortization of debt premium

     (86     (164     (153     (108     —          —     

+ Estimate of interest within rental expense

     616        1,231        3,747        4,259        2,846        2,205   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed charges

     14,865        32,303        42,713        33,912        35,249        27,305   

Earnings:

        

+ Pre-tax income (loss)

     (14,675     6,328        (4,862     3,115        91,509        111,858   

- Income from equity investees

     (178     (407     (530     (530     (529     (487

+ Fixed charges

     14,865        32,303        42,713        33,912        35,249        27,305   

+ Amortization of capitalized interest

     241        320        418        265        226        —     

+ Distributed income of equity investees

     363        487        422        400        515        403   

- Interest capitalized

     (2,407     (3,198     (4,180     (2,648     (2,259     (520
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Earnings

     (1,791     35,833        33,981        34,514        124,711        138,559   

Deficiency (Surplus)

     16,656        (3,530     8,732        (602     (89,462     (111,254
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio

     (0.12     1.11        0.80        1.02        3.54        5.07   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     (0.12):1:00        1.11:1.00        0.80:1.00        1.02:1.00        3.54:1.00        5.07:1.00   

Our earnings were insufficient to cover our fixed charges by approximately $16.7 million and $8.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

1

Exhibit 15.1

Awareness Letter of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.

Houston, Texas

Re: Registration Statement on Form S–3

With respect to the subject registration statement, we acknowledge our awareness of the use therein of our reports dated April 30, 2015 and July 30, 2015 related to our reviews of interim financial information.

Pursuant to Rule 436 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Act), such reports are not considered part of a registration statement prepared or certified by an independent registered public accounting firm, or reports prepared or certified by an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

August 25, 2015

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.:

We consent to the use of our reports dated February 25, 2015, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, and the related financial statement schedule, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the registration statement on Form S-3.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

August 25, 2015

EXHIBIT 24.1

POWER OF ATTORNEY

WHEREAS, Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a prospectus, with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having relation to said Registration Statement (collectively, the “Registration Statement”);

NOW, THEREFORE, each of the undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, does hereby appoint Kevin M. Fogarty and Stephen E. Tremblay, each of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with power to act and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, with such amendment or amendments thereto in each case as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents relating thereto as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed with the Commission. Said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done to the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as each of the undersigned might or could do in person, each of the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes.

DATE: August 24, 2015

 

/ S / A NNA C. C ATALANO

Anna C. Catalano


POWER OF ATTORNEY

WHEREAS, Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a prospectus, with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having relation to said Registration Statement (collectively, the “Registration Statement”);

NOW, THEREFORE, each of the undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, does hereby appoint Kevin M. Fogarty and Stephen E. Tremblay, each of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with power to act and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, with such amendment or amendments thereto in each case as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents relating thereto as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed with the Commission. Said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done to the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as each of the undersigned might or could do in person, each of the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes.

DATE: August 24, 2015

 

/ S / S TEVEN J. D EMETRIOU

Steven J. Demetriou


POWER OF ATTORNEY

WHEREAS, Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a prospectus, with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having relation to said Registration Statement (collectively, the “Registration Statement”);

NOW, THEREFORE, each of the undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, does hereby appoint Kevin M. Fogarty and Stephen E. Tremblay, each of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with power to act and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, with such amendment or amendments thereto in each case as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents relating thereto as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed with the Commission. Said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done to the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as each of the undersigned might or could do in person, each of the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes.

DATE: August 24, 2015

 

/ S / D OMINIQUE F OURNIER

Dominique Fournier


POWER OF ATTORNEY

WHEREAS, Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a prospectus, with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having relation to said Registration Statement (collectively, the “Registration Statement”);

NOW, THEREFORE, each of the undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, does hereby appoint Kevin M. Fogarty and Stephen E. Tremblay, each of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with power to act and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, with such amendment or amendments thereto in each case as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents relating thereto as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed with the Commission. Said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done to the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as each of the undersigned might or could do in person, each of the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes.

DATE: August 24, 2015

 

/ S / J OHN J. G ALLAGHER III

John J. Gallagher III


POWER OF ATTORNEY

WHEREAS, Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a prospectus, with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having relation to said Registration Statement (collectively, the “Registration Statement”);

NOW, THEREFORE, each of the undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, does hereby appoint Kevin M. Fogarty and Stephen E. Tremblay, each of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with power to act and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, with such amendment or amendments thereto in each case as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents relating thereto as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed with the Commission. Said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done to the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as each of the undersigned might or could do in person, each of the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes.

DATE: August 24, 2015

 

/ S / B ARRY J. G OLDSTEIN

Barry J. Goldstein


POWER OF ATTORNEY

WHEREAS, Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a prospectus, with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having relation to said Registration Statement (collectively, the “Registration Statement”);

NOW, THEREFORE, each of the undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, does hereby appoint Kevin M. Fogarty and Stephen E. Tremblay, each of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with power to act and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, with such amendment or amendments thereto in each case as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents relating thereto as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed with the Commission. Said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done to the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as each of the undersigned might or could do in person, each of the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes.

DATE: August 24, 2015

 

/ S / F RANCIS S. K ALMAN

Francis S. Kalman


POWER OF ATTORNEY

WHEREAS, Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a prospectus, with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having relation to said Registration Statement (collectively, the “Registration Statement”);

NOW, THEREFORE, each of the undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, does hereby appoint Kevin M. Fogarty and Stephen E. Tremblay, each of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with power to act and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, with such amendment or amendments thereto in each case as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents relating thereto as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed with the Commission. Said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done to the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as each of the undersigned might or could do in person, each of the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes.

DATE: August 24, 2015

 

/ S / D AN F. S MITH

Dan F. Smith


POWER OF ATTORNEY

WHEREAS, Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), a Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a prospectus, with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having relation to said Registration Statement (collectively, the “Registration Statement”);

NOW, THEREFORE, each of the undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, does hereby appoint Kevin M. Fogarty and Stephen E. Tremblay, each of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with power to act and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, with such amendment or amendments thereto in each case as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents relating thereto as said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed with the Commission. Said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done to the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as each of the undersigned might or could do in person, each of the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes.

DATE: August 24, 2015

 

/ S / K AREN A. T WITCHELL

Karen A. Twitchell