As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2021

File No. 001-                

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10

 

 

GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

SYLVAMO CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   86-2596371

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee

  38197
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

901-419-9000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

to be so registered

 

Name of each exchange on which

each class is to be registered

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share   New York Stock Exchange

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Sylvamo Corporation

Information Required in Registration Statement

Cross-Reference Sheet Between the Items of Form 10 and the Information Statement

Certain information required to be included in this Form 10 is incorporated by reference to specifically identified portions of the body of the information statement filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 (the “information statement”). None of the information contained in the information statement shall be incorporated by reference herein or deemed to be a part hereof unless such information is specifically incorporated by reference. For your convenience, we have provided below a cross-reference sheet identifying where the items required by Form 10 can be found in the information statement.

 

Item 1.

Business.

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Summary,” “The Distribution,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business” and “Where You Can Find More Information.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Summary,” “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements and Information.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.

Financial Information.

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Summary,” “Financing Arrangements,” “Capitalization,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.

Properties.

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Business—Properties.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 4.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.

Directors and Executive Officers.

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Management.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 6.

Executive Compensation.

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Management” and “Executive Compensation.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.


Item 7.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Risk Factors,” “The Distribution—Relationships Between Sylvamo and International Paper Following the Distribution,” “Management” and “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.

Legal Proceedings.

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Business—Legal Proceedings.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Summary,” “The Distribution—Trading Prior to the Distribution Date” and “—Listing and Trading of the Shares of Sylvamo Common Stock,” “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,” “Executive Compensation,” “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” and “Dividend Policy.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 10.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

In the three years preceding the filing of this registration statement, the registrant has not sold any securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), except for the issuance of 100 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the registrant to International Paper Company for aggregate consideration of $100 on April 13, 2021, in a transaction exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

Item 11.

Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered.

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Description of Capital Stock.” That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 12.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions” and “Description of Capital Stock—Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors.” Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 13.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled “Summary,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Index to Financial Statements” (and the financial statements referenced therein). Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 14.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

Not applicable.

 

Item 15.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (a)

Financial Statements.

The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled “Index to Financial Statements” (and the financial statements referenced therein). That section is incorporated herein by reference.


  (b)

Exhibits. The following documents are filed as exhibits hereto:

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

   
2.1*   Form of Separation and Distribution Agreement between International Paper Company and Sylvamo Corporation.
3.1#   Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Sylvamo Corporation.
3.2#   Form of Amended and Restated By-laws of Sylvamo Corporation.
4.1#   Form of Common Stock Certificate.
10.1*   Form of Transition Services Agreement between International Paper Company and Sylvamo Corporation.
10.2*   Form of Tax Matters Agreement between International Paper Company and Sylvamo Corporation.
10.3*   Form of Employee Matters Agreement between International Paper Company and Sylvamo Corporation.
10.4*   Form of Registration Rights Agreement between International Paper Company and Sylvamo Corporation.
10.5*   Form of Supply and Offtake Agreement (Georgetown) between International Paper Company and Sylvamo North America, LLC.
10.6*   Form of Supply and Offtake Agreement (Riverdale) between International Paper Company and Sylvamo North America, LLC.
10.7*+   Form of Corrugated Packaging Supply Agreement between International Paper Company and Sylvamo North America, LLC.
10.8*+   Global Sourcing Agreement between Papeteries d’Espaly and IP Belgian Services Company SRL.
10.9*+   Form of Recyclable Material Master Purchase Agreement between International Paper Company and Sylvamo North America, LLC.
10.10*   Form of Fiber Supply Agreement between International Paper Company and Sylvamo North America, LLC.
10.11*   Form of Tax-Exempt Bond Agreement (Eastover) between International Paper Company and Sylvamo North America, LLC.
10.12*   Form of Tax-Exempt Bond Agreement (Ticonderoga) (Series 2015 Bonds) between International Paper Company and Sylvamo North America, LLC.
10.13*   Form of Tax-Exempt Bond Agreement (Ticonderoga) (Series 2019 Bonds) between International Paper Company and Sylvamo North America, LLC.
10.14*   Form of Temporary Occupancy Agreement between International Paper Company and Sylvamo North America, LLC.
10.15*+   Form of Lease Agreement (La Mirada) between International Paper Company and Sylvamo North America, LLC.
10.16*   Form of Retained Intellectual Property License Agreement between International Paper Company and Global Holdings II, Inc.
10.17*   Form of Retained Copyright License Agreement between International Paper Company and Global Holdings II, Inc.
10.18*   Form of Retained Know-How and Technology License Agreement between International Paper Company and Global Holdings II, Inc.
10.19*   Form of Transferred IP License Agreement (to Sylvamo NA) between International Paper Company and Global Holdings II, Inc.


EXHIBIT
NUMBER

    
10.20*    Form of Transitional Trademark License Agreement between International Paper Company and Global Holdings II, Inc.
10.21*    Form of Brazil Payment Agreement between International Paper Company and Sylvamo Corporation.
10.22*†    Sylvamo Corporation 2021 Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.23*†    Sylvamo Corporation 2021 Executive Severance Plan.
10.24*†    Sylvamo Corporation Restricted Stock and Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors
10.25*†    Form of Director Indemnification Agreement.
21.1*    List of Subsidiaries.
99.1*    Preliminary Information Statement of Sylvamo Corporation, subject to completion, dated July 12, 2021.
99.2*    Form of Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement Materials.

 

*

Filed herewith.

#

To be filed by amendment.

Identifies each management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

+

Portions of this exhibit (indicated by asterisks) have been redacted in accordance with Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    SYLVAMO CORPORATION
Date: August 9, 2021     By:  

/s/ John V. Sims

    Name: John V. Sims
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer

Exhibit 2.1

FORM OF

SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY

AND

SYLVAMO CORPORATION

DATED AS OF [    ], 2021

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     2  

ARTICLE II THE SEPARATION

     16  

2.1

  Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities      16  

2.2

  SpinCo Assets; Parent Assets      18  

2.3

  SpinCo Liabilities; Parent Liabilities      20  

2.4

  Approvals and Notifications      23  

2.5

  Novation of Liabilities      27  

2.6

  Release of Guarantees      28  

2.7

  Termination of Agreements      29  

2.8

  Treatment of Shared Contracts      30  

2.9

  Bank Accounts; Cash Balances      31  

2.10

  Ancillary Agreements      32  

2.11

  Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties      32  

2.12

  Financial Information Certifications      33  

2.13

  Transition Management      33  

2.14

  SpinCo Financing Arrangements; Cash Transfer      33  

ARTICLE III THE DISTRIBUTION

     34  

3.1

  Sole and Absolute Discretion; Cooperation      34  

3.2

  Actions Prior to the Distribution      34  

3.3

  Conditions to the Distribution      36  

3.4

  The Distribution      37  

ARTICLE IV MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION

     39  

4.1

  Release of Pre-Distribution Claims      39  

4.2

  Indemnification by SpinCo      41  

4.3

  Indemnification by Parent      41  

4.4

  Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts      42  

4.5

  Procedures for Indemnification of Third-Party Claims      43  

4.6

  Additional Matters      45  

4.7

  Right of Contribution      47  

4.8

  Covenant Not to Sue      47  

4.9

  Remedies Cumulative      47  

4.10

  Survival of Indemnities      48  

4.11

  Environmental Matters      48  

4.12

  Ancillary Agreements Govern      49  

ARTICLE V CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS

     50  

5.1

  Insurance Matters Generally      50  


5.2

  Treatment of Payments for Tax Purposes      53  

5.3

  Inducement      53  

5.4

  Post-Effective Time Conduct      53  

5.5

  Certain Businesses      53  

ARTICLE VI EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY

     56  

6.1

  Agreement for Exchange of Information and Cooperation      56  

6.2

  Financial Information; Public Filings      57  

6.3

  Ownership of Information      60  

6.4

  Compensation for Providing Information      60  

6.4

  Record Retention      60  

6.6

  Limitations of Liability      61  

6.7

  Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information      61  

6.8

  Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation      61  

6.9

  Privileged Matters      62  

6.10

  Confidentiality      65  

6.11

  Protective Arrangements      66  

ARTICLE VII DISPUTE RESOLUTION

     66  

7.1

  Good-Faith Negotiation      66  

7.2

  Arbitration      67  

7.4

  Litigation and Unilateral Commencement of Arbitration      68  

7.5

  Conduct During Dispute Resolution Process      68  

ARTICLE VIII FURTHER ASSURANCES AND ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

     68  

8.1

  Further Assurances      68  

8.3

  Domain Name Use      69  

ARTICLE IX TERMINATION

     69  

9.1

  Termination      69  

9.2

  Effect of Termination      69  

ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS

     70  

10.1

  Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power      70  

10.2

  Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial      70  

10.3

  Assignability      71  

10.4

  Third-Party Beneficiaries      72  

10.5

  Notices      72  

10.6

  Severability      73  

10.7

  Force Majeure      73  

10.8

  No Set-Off      73  

10.9

  Publicity      74  

10.10

  Expenses      74  

 

ii


10.11

  Headings      74  

10.12

  Survival of Covenants      74  

10.13

  Waivers of Default      74  

10.14

  Specific Performance      74  

10.15

  Amendments      75  

10.16

  Interpretation      75  

10.17

  Limitations of Liability      76  

10.18

  Performance      76  

10.19

  Mutual Drafting      76  

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    Employee Matters Agreement
Exhibit B    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Sylvamo Corporation
Exhibit C    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Sylvamo Corporation
Exhibit D    Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit E    Tax Matters Agreement
Exhibit F    Transition Services Agreement

 

 

iii


FORM OF SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

This SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT, dated as of [                ], 2021 (this “Agreement”), is by and between International Paper Company, a New York corporation (“Parent”), and Sylvamo Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“SpinCo”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in Article I.

R E C I T A L S

WHEREAS, SpinCo is a wholly owned, direct Subsidiary of Parent;

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Parent (the “Parent Board”) has determined that it is in the best interests of Parent and its shareholders to create a new publicly traded company that will operate the SpinCo Business;

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, the Parent Board has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to separate the SpinCo Business from the Parent Business (the “Separation”) and, following the Separation, to make a distribution, on a pro rata basis, to holders of Parent Shares on the Record Date of eighty and one tenth of a percent (80.1%) of the outstanding SpinCo Shares owned by Parent (the “Distribution”);

WHEREAS, Parent plans to dispose of the SpinCo Shares that it retains following the Distribution through sales of shares for cash;

WHEREAS, SpinCo has been incorporated solely for these purposes and has not engaged in activities except in preparation for the Separation and the Distribution;

WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the contribution by Parent of the SpinCo Assets to SpinCo and the assumption of the SpinCo Liabilities by SpinCo in exchange for (i) the actual or deemed issuance by SpinCo to Parent of SpinCo Shares and (ii) the distribution by SpinCo to Parent of the Cash Transfer (the “Contribution”) and the Distribution, taken together, are intended to qualify as a transaction that is tax-free under Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, and this Agreement, together with the other documents effecting the Separation and the Distribution, is intended to constitute a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-2(g);

WHEREAS, SpinCo and Parent have prepared, and SpinCo has filed with the SEC, the Form 10, which includes the Information Statement, and which sets forth disclosure concerning SpinCo, the Separation and the Distribution;

WHEREAS, each of Parent and SpinCo has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to set forth the principal corporate transactions required to effect the Separation and the Distribution and certain other agreements that will govern certain matters relating to the Separation and the Distribution and the relationship of Parent, SpinCo and the members of their respective Groups following the Distribution; and


WHEREAS, the Parties acknowledge that this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements represent the integrated agreement of Parent and SpinCo relating to the Separation and the Distribution, are being entered into together, and would not have been entered independently;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as set forth herein.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Action” shall mean any demand, action, claim, dispute, suit, countersuit, arbitration, inquiry, subpoena, proceeding or investigation of any nature (whether criminal, civil, legislative, administrative, regulatory, prosecutorial or otherwise) by or before any Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal.

Affiliate” shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person, a Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such specified Person. For the purpose of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), shall mean, when used with respect to any specified Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other interests, by contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment, undertaking or otherwise. It is expressly agreed that, prior to, at and after the Effective Time, for purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, (a) no member of the SpinCo Group shall be deemed to be an “Affiliate” of any member of the Parent Group and (b) no member of the Parent Group shall be deemed to be an “Affiliate” of any member of the SpinCo Group.

Agent” shall mean the trust company or bank duly appointed by Parent to act as distribution agent, transfer agent and registrar for the SpinCo Shares in connection with the Distribution.

Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Ancillary Agreements” shall mean the following agreements entered into by the Parties or members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement: (a) the Transition Services Agreement, (b) the Tax Matters Agreement, (c) the Employee Matters Agreement, (d) the Intellectual Property Agreements, (e) the Bond Agreements, (f) the Commercial Agreements, (g) the Leases, (h) the Registration Rights Agreement and (i) the Transfer Documents.

 

2


Approvals or Notifications” shall mean any consents, waivers, approvals, permits or authorizations to be obtained from, notices, registrations or reports to be submitted to, or other filings to be made with, any Third Party, including any Governmental Authority, in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Arbitration Request” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a).

Assets” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the assets, properties, claims and rights (including goodwill) of such Person, wherever located (including in the possession of vendors or other Third Parties or elsewhere), of every kind, character and description, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible, intangible or contingent, in each case whether or not recorded or reflected or required to be recorded or reflected on the books and records or financial statements of such Person, including rights and benefits pursuant to any contract, license, permit, indenture, note, bond, mortgage, agreement, concession, franchise, instrument, undertaking, commitment, understanding or other arrangement.

Bond Agreements” shall mean (a) the Ticonderoga Bond Agreement entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo NA, relating to the Series 2015 Bonds, (b) the Ticonderoga Bond Agreement entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo NA, relating to the Series 2019 Bonds and (c) the Eastover Bond Agreement entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo NA, relating to the Series 2014 Bonds.

Box Supply Agreements” shall mean (a) the Global Sourcing Agreement – IP EMEA, effective as of May 1, 2020, by and between Papeteries d’Espaly and IP Belgian Services Company SRL, and (b) the Supply Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2021, by and between SpinCo NA and Parent.

Business Employees” shall have the meaning set forth in the Employee Matters Agreement.

Cash Transfer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(a).

Change of Control” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any occurrence resulting in (a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities entitled to vote in the election of members of the board of directors or similar governing body of such Person having 50% or more of the then-outstanding voting power of such Person, in each case determined irrespective of whether such Person is subject to the Exchange Act; (b) such Person becoming a party to a merger, consolidation, share exchange, reorganization, sale of assets or other similar extraordinary transaction, or being the subject of a proxy contest, in each case as a consequence of which members of the board of directors or similar governing body of such Person in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of such board or other body thereafter; or (c) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Person.

Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

3


Commercial Agreements” shall mean (a) the Offtake Agreements, (b) the Fiber Purchase Agreement, effective as of September 1, 2021, by and between Parent and SpinCo NA, (c) the Box Supply Agreements, and (d) the Recyclable Material Master Purchase Agreement, , effective as of September 1, 2021, by and between Parent and SpinCo, in each case to be entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo or members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.

Contribution” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

CPR Rules” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a).

Delayed Parent Asset” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(h).

Delayed Parent Liability” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(h).

Delayed SpinCo Asset” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c).

Delayed SpinCo Liability” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c).

Disclosure Document” shall mean any registration statement (including the Form 10) filed with the SEC by or on behalf of either Party or any member of its Group and also includes any information statement (including the Information Statement), prospectus, offering memorandum, offering circular, periodic report or similar disclosure document, whether or not filed with the SEC or any other Governmental Authority, in each case which describes the Separation or the Distribution or the SpinCo Group or primarily relates to the transactions contemplated hereby.

Dispute” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

Distribution” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Distribution Date” shall mean the date of the consummation of the Distribution, which shall be determined by the Parent Board in its sole and absolute discretion.

Distribution Ratio” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(b).

Eastover” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a).

Effective Time” shall mean 12:01 a.m., Eastern time, on the Distribution Date.

Election Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(c).

Employee Matters Agreement” shall mean the Employee Matters Agreement to be entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo or members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

4


Environmental Law” shall mean any Law relating to pollution or protection of the environment or natural resources, including the use, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal or Release of Hazardous Materials or, with respect to exposure to Hazardous Materials, the protection of human health and safety.

Environmental Liabilities” shall mean all Liabilities (except for Latent Injury Liabilities) relating to, arising out of or resulting from (a) the presence or Release of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials, (b) violations of, or noncompliance with, any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, (c) the off-site transportation, storage, disposal or arrangement for disposal of Hazardous Materials or (d) other environmental matters, including all investigation, remediation, monitoring, cleanup or other response costs, natural resources damages, indemnity, contribution and similar obligations and all costs and expenses, interest, fines, penalties and other monetary sanctions in connection with any of the foregoing, including the Parent Environmental Liabilities and the SpinCo Environmental Liabilities.

Environmental Permit” shall mean any Permit arising under Environmental Laws.

Exchange Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Fair Market Value” shall mean the total consideration that would be received for the sale of Eastover in an arm’s length sale between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither acting under compulsion, after taking into account the provisions set forth in Section 5.5(b) to the extent applicable.

Force Majeure” shall mean, with respect to a Party, an event beyond the reasonable control of such Party (or any Person acting on its behalf), which event (a) does not arise or result from the fault or negligence of such Party (or any Person acting on its behalf) and (b) by its nature would not reasonably have been foreseen by such Party (or such Person) or, if it would reasonably have been foreseen, was beyond the control of such Party, and includes acts of God, acts of civil or military authority, embargoes, pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic), epidemics, wars, riots, protests or civil unrest, insurrections, fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods, government shutdowns, shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities, travel restrictions, unusually severe weather conditions, labor problems, unavailability of supplies or the response of any Governmental Authority to any of the foregoing, or, in the case of computer systems, any significant and prolonged failure in electrical or air conditioning equipment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the receipt by a Party of an unsolicited takeover offer or other acquisition proposal, even if unforeseen or unavoidable, and such Party’s response thereto shall not be deemed an event of Force Majeure.

Form 10” shall mean the registration statement on Form 10 filed by SpinCo with the SEC to effect the registration of SpinCo Shares pursuant to the Exchange Act in connection with the Distribution, as such registration statement may be amended or supplemented from time to time prior to the Distribution.

 

5


Georgetown” shall mean Parent’s Georgetown mill located in Georgetown, South Carolina.

Governmental Authority” shall mean any nation or government, any state, municipality or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity, body, agency, commission, department, board, bureau, court, tribunal or other instrumentality, whether federal, state, local, domestic, foreign or multinational, exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, administrative or other similar functions of, or pertaining to, government and any executive official thereof, including the NYSE and any similar self-regulatory body under applicable securities Laws.

Group” shall mean either the SpinCo Group or the Parent Group, as the context requires.

Hammermill Operations” shall mean any premises owned or operated by, or the operations of (including any product manufactured, distributed, or sold in such operations) Hammermill Paper Company or any entity or business acquired by Hammermill Paper Company, in each case, that are not being retained by Parent following the Effective Time (e.g., Riverdale). A partial listing of such Hammermill Operations, not intended to be comprehensive and for illustration only, is set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) and Schedule 1.1(b).

Hazardous Material” shall mean any material or substance that is defined, identified or regulated as “toxic” or “hazardous” or as a “pollutant” or “contaminant” or words of similar import under any Environmental Law, including petroleum, petroleum products and byproducts, asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a).

Indemnitee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a).

Indemnity Payment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a).

Information” shall mean information, in written, oral, electronic or other forms, stored in any medium, including studies, reports, records, books, contracts, instruments, surveys, specifications, drawings, blueprints, diagrams, models, flow charts, data, computer data, disks, diskettes, tapes, marketing plans, customer names, communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memos and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), and other technical, financial, employee or business information or data.

Information Statement” shall mean the information statement to be sent or otherwise made available to the holders of Parent Shares in connection with the Distribution, as such information statement may be amended or supplemented from time to time prior to the Distribution.

Initial Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 

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Insurance Policies” shall mean insurance policies and insurance contracts of any kind, including primary, excess and umbrella policies, commercial general liability policies, directors’ and officers’ liability policies, fiduciary liability policies, automobile policies, aircraft policies, property and casualty policies, workers’ compensation policies, employer’s liability policies, employment practices liability policies, cyber liability policies, crime policies, and self-insurance and captive insurance company arrangements, in each case together with the rights, benefits and privileges thereunder.

Insurance Proceeds” shall mean those monies:

(a) received by an insured from an insurance carrier; or

(b) paid by an insurance carrier on behalf of the insured;

in any such case net of any applicable premium adjustments (including reserves and retrospectively rated premium adjustments) and net of any costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof; provided, however, that with respect to a captive insurance arrangement, Insurance Proceeds shall consist only of amounts received by the captive insurer as claim reimbursement under any reinsurance arrangement.

Intellectual Property” shall mean all of the following whether arising under the Laws of the United States or of any foreign or multinational jurisdiction: (a) patents, patent applications (including patents issued thereon), utility models, and industrial design registrations, including reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations in part, substitutions, renewals, extensions and reexaminations of any of the foregoing, and all rights in any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, (b) trademarks, service marks, trade names, service names, trade dress, logos and other source or business identifiers, including all goodwill associated with any of the foregoing, and all common law rights in and to any of the foregoing, registrations and applications for registration of any of the foregoing, all rights in and to any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, and all reissues, extensions and renewals of any of the foregoing, (c) Internet domain names, accounts with Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and similar social media platforms, (d) copyrights, moral rights, mask work rights, database rights and design rights, whether or not registered, and all registrations and applications for registration of any of the foregoing, and all rights in and to any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, (e) Know-How and (f) any other intellectual property rights.

Intellectual Property Agreements” shall mean the Transferred Intellectual Property License Agreement, the Transitional Trademark License Agreement, the Retained Intellectual Property License Agreement, the Retained Know-How and Technology License Agreement, and the Retained Copyright License Agreement, in each case to be entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo or members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.

Internal Reorganization” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

 

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Know-How” shall mean all technology, designs, formulae, algorithms, procedures, methods, discoveries, processes, techniques, ideas, know-how, research and development, technical data, tools, materials, specifications, processes, inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), apparatus, creations, improvements, works of authorship in any media, confidential, proprietary or nonpublic information, and other similar materials, and all recordings, graphs, drawings, reports, analyses and other writings, and other tangible embodiments of the foregoing in any form whether or not listed herein.

Kwidzyn Purchase Agreement” shall mean the Share Purchase Agreement, dated August 4, 2021, by and among Parent, International Paper (Poland) Holdings SP. z.o.o., Mayr-Melnhof Cartonboard International GmbH and Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG.

Latent Injury Liabilities” shall mean all Liabilities arising out of or related to Third-Party Claims alleging latent personal injury, including claims arising out of or relating to exposure to silica, industrial talc, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances a/k/a PFAS, asbestos and asbestos-containing material or any other Hazardous Material.

Law” shall mean any national, supranational, federal, state, provincial, local or similar law (including common law), statute, code, order, ordinance, rule, regulation, treaty (including any income tax treaty), license, permit, authorization, approval, consent, decree, injunction, binding judicial or administrative interpretation or other requirement, in each case, enacted, promulgated, issued or entered by a Governmental Authority.

Leases” shall mean the Temporary Occupancy Agreement, and the other leasing or subleasing agreements to be entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo or members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Liabilities” shall mean all debts, guarantees, assurances, commitments, liabilities, responsibilities, Losses, remediation, deficiencies, damages, fines, penalties, settlements, sanctions, costs, expenses, interest and obligations of any nature or kind, whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, accrued or not accrued, asserted or unasserted, liquidated or unliquidated, foreseen or unforeseen, known or unknown, reserved or unreserved, or determined or determinable, including those arising under any Law, Action (including any Third-Party Claim), order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Authority or arbitration tribunal, and those arising under any contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment or undertaking, or any fines, damages or equitable relief that is imposed, in each case including all costs and expenses relating thereto.

Linked” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).

Losses” shall mean actual losses (including any diminution in value), costs, damages, penalties and expenses (including reasonable out-of-pocket legal and accounting fees and expenses and costs of investigation, litigation and enforcement of claims under Article IV), whether or not involving a Third-Party Claim.

Non-Performing Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.11(a)(i).

 

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NYSE” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.

Offtake Agreements” shall mean those Supply and Offtake Agreements to be entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo NA with respect to Georgetown and Riverdale.

Overlapping Fiscal Year” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a).

Parent” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Parent Accounts” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).

Parent Assets” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

Parent Board” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Parent Business” shall mean the containerboard, linerboard, medium recycled linerboard, recycled medium, saturating kraft, and fluff, market and specialty pulps businesses, operations, related processes and activities, and any other businesses, operations and activities not specifically included in the SpinCo Business, including the Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers segments of Parent, in each case as conducted at any time prior to the Effective Time by either Party or any current or former member of its Group, but excluding the business, operations and activities primarily related to the SpinCo Assets and those businesses, operations or activities set forth on Schedule 1.3.

Parent Employees” shall have the meaning set forth in the Employee Matters Agreement.

Parent Environmental Liabilities” shall mean (a) the Liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.4 and (b) all Environmental Liabilities of any member of the Parent Group or a member of the SpinCo Group relating to, arising out of or resulting from the actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time, other than the SpinCo Environmental Liabilities.

Parent Guarantees” shall mean guarantees, letters of credit, surety bonds and similar credit support obligations of any member of the SpinCo Group for the benefit of any member of the Parent Group.

Parent Group” shall mean Parent and each Subsidiary of Parent (other than SpinCo and any other member of the SpinCo Group).

Parent Indemnitees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

Parent Liabilities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b).

Parent Policies” shall mean those Insurance Policies in effect at any time prior to the Effective Time (a) where the first or primary named insured is or was a member of the Parent Group (including any predecessor entity of a member of the Parent Group) or (b) that were issued under global programs of Parent. A partial listing of such Insurance Policies, not intended to be comprehensive and for illustration only, is set forth on Schedule 1.5.

 

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Parent Shares” shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of Parent.

Parties” shall mean Parent and SpinCo.

Performing Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.11(a)(i).

Permits” shall mean permits, approvals, authorizations, consents, licenses or certificates issued by any Governmental Authority.

Person” shall mean an individual, a general or limited partnership, a corporation, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, a limited liability entity, any other entity and any Governmental Authority.

Printing Paper Products” shall mean uncoated freesheet, including cut size, forms and envelopes, commercial printing papers, converting papers, digital papers and office papers.

Privileged Information” shall mean any information, in written, oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms, including any communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memoranda and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), as to which a Party or any member of its Group would be entitled to assert or have asserted a privilege, including the attorney-client and attorney work product privileges.

Project Managers” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.13.

Proposed Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(c).

Public Filings” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(d).

Record Date” shall mean the close of business on the date to be determined by the Parent Board as the record date for determining holders of Parent Shares entitled to receive SpinCo Shares in the Distribution.

Record Holders” shall mean the holders of record of Parent Shares as of the Record Date.

Registration Rights Agreement” shall mean the Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement to be entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit D, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

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Release” shall mean any release, spill, emission, discharge, leaking, pumping, pouring, dumping, injection, deposit, disposal, dispersal, leaching or migration of Hazardous Materials into the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, and surface or subsurface strata).

Remediation Work” shall mean all actions required to (a) clean up, remove, treat or remediate Hazardous Materials, (b) prevent the Release of Hazardous Materials so that they do not migrate, endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment, (c) perform pre-remedial studies and investigations and post-remedial monitoring and care or (d) respond to requests of any Governmental Authority for information relating to cleanup, removal, treatment or remediation of Hazardous Materials.

Representatives” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any of such Person’s directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants, advisors, accountants, attorneys or other representatives.

Riverdale” shall mean Parent’s Riverdale mill located in Selma, Alabama.

SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Security Interest” shall mean any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge, claim, option, right to acquire, voting or other restriction, right-of-way, covenant, condition, easement, encroachment, restriction on transfer or other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever.

Seller” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(c).

Self-Insurance” shall mean deductibles, self-insured retentions, captive participation or other forms of self-insurance, including related fees and expenses.

Separation” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Shared Contract” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(a).

Software” shall mean all (a) computer programs, including all software implementation of algorithms, models and methodologies, whether in source code or other human readable form, object code, or other form, (b) databases and compilations, including all data and collections of data, whether machine readable or otherwise, (c) screens, user interfaces, report formats, firmware, development tools, templates, menus, buttons and icons and (d) documentation, including user manuals and other training documentation, flow charts and other development materials, in each case relating to any of the foregoing.

Specified Ancillary Agreements” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.16(b).

SpinCo” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

SpinCo Accounts” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).

SpinCo Annual Financial Statements” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(c).

 

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SpinCo Assets” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

SpinCo Balance Sheet” shall mean the pro forma combined balance sheet of the SpinCo Business, including any notes and sub-ledgers thereto, as of June 30, 2021, as presented in the Information Statement.

SpinCo Business” shall mean the uncoated freesheet papers, the commercial printing papers, the converting papers, the digital papers, the office papers, bristols, the specialty papers, liquid packaging board and coated unbleached kraft papers businesses, operations and activities, including the Printing Papers segment of Parent and those businesses, operations and activities set forth on Schedule 1.6, in each case as conducted at any time prior to the Effective Time by either Party or any current or former member of its Group, but excluding the business, operations and activities primarily related to the Parent Assets (including Riverdale and Georgetown).

SpinCo Bylaws” shall mean the Amended and Restated Bylaws of SpinCo, substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit B.

SpinCo Certificate of Incorporation” shall mean the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of SpinCo, substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit C.

SpinCo Contracts” shall mean the following contracts and agreements to which either Party or any member of its Group is a party or by which it or any member of its Group or any of their respective Assets is bound, whether or not in writing; provided that SpinCo Contracts shall not include any contract or agreement that is contemplated to be retained by Parent or any member of the Parent Group from and after the Effective Time pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement:

(a) (i) any customer or distribution contract or agreement entered into prior to the Effective Time exclusively related to the SpinCo Business and (ii) with respect to any customer or distribution contract or agreement entered into prior to the Effective Time that relates to the SpinCo Business but is not exclusively related to the SpinCo Business, that portion of any such customer or distribution contract or agreement that relates to the SpinCo Business;

(b) (i) any supply or vendor contract or agreement entered into prior to the Effective Time exclusively related to the SpinCo Business and (ii) with respect to any supply or vendor contract or agreement entered into prior to the Effective Time that relates to the SpinCo Business but is not exclusively related to the SpinCo Business, that portion of any such supply or vendor contract or agreement that relates to the SpinCo Business;

(c) any Intellectual Property or Software license agreement entered into prior to the Effective Time that is exclusively related to the SpinCo Business;

(d) any contract that is, or portion of any contract containing, any guarantee, indemnity, representation, covenant, warranty or other Liability of either Party or any member of its Group in respect of any other SpinCo Contract, any SpinCo Liability or the SpinCo Business;

 

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(e) any employment, change of control, retention, consulting, indemnification, termination, severance or other similar agreements with any SpinCo Group Employee (as defined in the Employee Matters Agreement) or consultants of the SpinCo Group that are in effect as of the Effective Time;

(f) any contract or agreement that is otherwise expressly contemplated pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements to be assigned to SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group;

(g) any interest rate, currency, commodity or other swap, collar, cap or other hedging or similar agreements or arrangements related exclusively to the SpinCo Business or entered into by or on behalf of any division, business unit or member of the SpinCo Group;

(h) any credit agreement, indenture, note or other financing agreement or instrument entered into by SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group in connection with the Separation, including any SpinCo Financing Arrangements;

(i) any other contract or agreement that is (x) related to the SpinCo Business or SpinCo Assets and (y) not used in the Parent Business in any material respect; and

(j) any contracts, agreements or settlements listed on Schedule 1.7, including the right to recover any amounts under such contracts, agreements or settlements.

SpinCo Designees” shall mean all entities (including corporations, general or limited partnerships, trusts, joint ventures, unincorporated organizations, limited liability entities or other entities) designated by SpinCo that will be members of the SpinCo Group as of the Effective Time, including the Transferred Entities.

SpinCo Discontinued Operations” shall mean all businesses, operations and activities terminated or discontinued prior to the Effective Time that (x) were primarily related to the SpinCo Business and (y) are not businesses, operations or activities of any Parent Asset as of the Effective Time. A partial listing of such SpinCo Discontinued Operations, not intended to be comprehensive and for illustration only, is set forth on Schedule 1.8.

SpinCo Divested Operations” shall mean all businesses, operations and activities sold, divested or otherwise disposed of prior to the Effective Time that (x) were primarily related to the SpinCo Business and (y) are not businesses, operations or activities of any Parent Asset as of the Effective Time; but excluding those businesses, operations or activities listed on Schedule 1.9(a). A partial listing of such SpinCo Divested Operations, not intended to be comprehensive and for illustration only, is set forth on Schedule 1.9(b).

 

 

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SpinCo Environmental Liabilities” shall mean (a) the Liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.10, (b) all Environmental Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the SpinCo Assets, (c) all Environmental Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from SpinCo Discontinued Operations, (d) all Environmental Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from SpinCo Divested Operations and (e) Liabilities that are otherwise allocated to a member of the SpinCo Group pursuant to this Agreement, in each case excluding the Liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.4.

SpinCo Financing Arrangements” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(a).

SpinCo Guarantees” shall mean guarantees, letters of credit, surety bonds and similar credit support obligations of any member of the Parent Group for the benefit of any member of the SpinCo Group, including those obligations set forth on Schedule 1.11.

SpinCo Group” shall mean (a) prior to the Effective Time, SpinCo and each Person that will be a Subsidiary of SpinCo as of immediately after the Effective Time, including the Transferred Entities, even if, prior to the Effective Time, such Person is not a Subsidiary of SpinCo; and (b) on and after the Effective Time, SpinCo and each Person that is a Subsidiary of SpinCo.

SpinCo Indemnitees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

SpinCo Intellectual Property” shall mean the registered Intellectual Property set forth on Schedule 1.12.

SpinCo Know-How” shall mean all Know-How owned or licensed by either Party or any member of its Group exclusively used or exclusively held for use in the SpinCo Business as of the Effective Time, except as set forth on Schedule 1.13.

SpinCo Liabilities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).

SpinCo NA” shall mean Sylvamo North America, LLC.

SpinCo Permits” shall mean all Permits owned or licensed by either Party or any member of its Group exclusively used or exclusively held for use in the SpinCo Business as of the Effective Time.

SpinCo Policies” shall mean those Insurance Policies in effect at the Effective Time (a) where the first or primary named insured is a member of the SpinCo Group, (b) that do not provide coverage for any member of Parent Group and (c) that are not Parent Policies. A partial listing of such Insurance Policies, not intended to be comprehensive and for illustration only, is set forth on Schedule 1.14.

SpinCo Quarterly Financial Statements” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(b).

SpinCo Shares” shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of SpinCo.

 

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SpinCo Software” shall mean all Software owned by either Party or member of its Group exclusively used in the SpinCo Business as of the Effective Time.

Straddle Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12.

Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, joint venture, partnership or other entity of which such Person (a) beneficially owns, either directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of (i) the total combined voting power of all classes of voting securities, (ii) the total combined equity interests or (iii) the capital or profit interests, in the case of a partnership, or (b) otherwise has voting power, either directly or indirectly, to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar governing body.

Tangible Information” shall mean Information that is contained in written, electronic or other tangible forms.

Tax” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

Tax Matters Agreement” shall mean the Tax Matters Agreement to be entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo or members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit E, as it may be amended from time to time.

Tax Return” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

Third Party” shall mean any Person other than the Parties and any members of their respective Groups.

Third-Party Claim” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(a).

Ticonderoga” shall mean SpinCo’s Ticonderoga paper mill located at 568 Shore-Airport Rd, Ticonderoga, NY 12883.

Transfer” shall mean any direct or indirect sale, assignment, conveyance, lease, license, gift or other disposition (by operation of law or otherwise). “Transferee” shall have a correlative meaning.

Transfer Documents” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

Transfer Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(c).

Transferred Entities” shall mean the entities set forth on Schedule 1.15.

Transition Services Agreement” shall mean the Transition Services Agreement to be entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo or members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit F, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

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Unreleased Parent Liability” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b)(ii).

Unreleased SpinCo Liability” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b)(ii).

ARTICLE II

THE SEPARATION

2.1 Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities.

(a) At or prior to the Effective Time, in accordance with the plan set forth on Schedule 2.1(a) (the “Internal Reorganization”), but subject to Section 2.4:

(i) Transfer and Assignment of SpinCo Assets. Parent shall, and shall cause the applicable members of its Group to, contribute, assign, transfer, convey or deliver to SpinCo, or the applicable SpinCo Designees, or take such steps as may be necessary for SpinCo or such SpinCo Designees to succeed to, and SpinCo or such SpinCo Designees shall accept from Parent and the applicable members of the Parent Group, all of Parent’s and such Parent Group member’s respective direct or indirect right, title and interest in and to all of the SpinCo Assets (it being understood that if any SpinCo Asset shall be held by a Transferred Entity, such SpinCo Asset shall have been assigned, transferred, conveyed and delivered to SpinCo as a result of the transfer of all of the equity interests in such Transferred Entity from Parent or the applicable members of the Parent Group to SpinCo or the applicable SpinCo Designee);

(ii) Acceptance and Assumption of SpinCo Liabilities. SpinCo and the applicable SpinCo Designees shall accept, assume, agree faithfully to perform, discharge and fulfill, or succeed to, all the SpinCo Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms. SpinCo and such SpinCo Designees shall be responsible for all SpinCo Liabilities, regardless of when or where such SpinCo Liabilities arose or arise, or whether the facts on which they are based occurred prior to or subsequent to the Effective Time, regardless of where or against whom such SpinCo Liabilities are asserted or determined (including any SpinCo Liabilities arising out of claims made by Parent’s or SpinCo’s respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates against any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group) or whether asserted or determined prior to the date hereof, and regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates;

(iii) Transfer and Assignment of Parent Assets. Parent and SpinCo shall cause SpinCo and the SpinCo Designees to contribute, assign, transfer, convey or deliver to Parent or certain members of the Parent Group designated by Parent, or take such steps as may be necessary for Parent or such members of the Parent Group to succeed to, and Parent or such other members of the Parent Group shall accept from SpinCo and the SpinCo Designees, all of SpinCo’s and such SpinCo Designees’ respective direct or indirect right, title and interest in and to all Parent Assets held by SpinCo or a SpinCo Designee; and

 

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(iv) Acceptance and Assumption of Parent Liabilities. Parent and certain of members of the Parent Group designated by Parent shall accept and assume, agree faithfully to perform, discharge and fulfill, or succeed to, all of the Parent Liabilities held by SpinCo or any SpinCo Designee, and Parent and the applicable members of the Parent Group shall be responsible for all Parent Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms, regardless of when or where such Parent Liabilities arose or arise, whether the facts on which they are based occurred prior to or subsequent to the Effective Time, where or against whom such Parent Liabilities are asserted or determined (including any such Parent Liabilities arising out of claims made by Parent’s or SpinCo’s respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates against any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group) or whether asserted or determined prior to the date hereof, and regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

(b) Transfer Documents. In furtherance of the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance and delivery of and succession to the Assets and the acceptance and assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of and succession to the Liabilities in accordance with Section 2.1(a), each Party shall execute and deliver, and shall cause the applicable members of its Group to execute and deliver, to the other Party, (i) such bills of sale, quitclaim deeds, stock powers, certificates of title, assignments of contracts and other instruments of contribution, transfer, conveyance, assignment, delivery and succession as and to the extent necessary to evidence the contribution, transfer, conveyance, assignment, delivery and succession of all of such Party’s and the applicable members of its Group’s right, title and interest in and to such Assets to the other Party and the applicable members of its Group in accordance with Section 2.1(a) and (ii) such assumptions of contracts and other instruments of acceptance and assumption, performance, discharge and fulfillment and succession as and to the extent necessary to evidence the valid and effective assumption of the Liabilities by such Party and the applicable members of its Group in accordance with Section 2.1(a). All of the foregoing documents contemplated by this Section 2.1(b) shall be referred to collectively herein as the “Transfer Documents.”

(c) Misallocations. In the event that at any time or from time to time (whether prior to, at or after the Effective Time), one Party (or any member of such Party’s Group) shall receive or otherwise possess any Asset that is allocated to the other Party (or any member of such other Party’s Group) pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, such Party shall promptly transfer, or cause to be transferred, such Asset to the Party (or to any member of such Party’s Group) so entitled thereto, and such Party (or member of such Party’s Group) shall accept such Asset. Prior to any such transfer, the Person receiving or possessing such Asset shall hold such Asset in trust for such other Person. In the event that at any time or from time to time (whether prior to, at or after the Effective Time), either Party (or any member of such Party’s Group) shall

 

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receive or otherwise assume any Liability that is allocated to the other Party (or any member of such Party’s Group) pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, such Party shall promptly transfer, or cause to be transferred, such Liability to the Party responsible therefor (or to any member of such Party’s Group), and such Party (or member of such Party’s Group) shall accept, assume and agree to faithfully perform such Liability.

(d) Waiver of Bulk-Sale and Bulk-Transfer Laws. SpinCo hereby waives compliance by each member of the Parent Group with the requirements and provisions of any “bulk-sale” or “bulk-transfer” Laws of any jurisdiction that may otherwise be applicable with respect to the transfer or sale of any or all of the SpinCo Assets to any member of the SpinCo Group. Parent hereby waives compliance by each member of the SpinCo Group with the requirements and provisions of any “bulk-sale” or “bulk-transfer” Laws of any jurisdiction that may otherwise be applicable with respect to the transfer or sale of any or all of the Parent Assets to any member of the Parent Group.

(e) Ticonderoga Mill. The Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that Ticonderoga is being contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed or delivered by Parent to SpinCo, or the applicable SpinCo Designee, subject to covenants applicable to Ticonderoga as the “New Mill” set forth in the Agreement of Settlement, dated September 23, 1974, by and between the State of Vermont and Parent, and SpinCo hereby agrees to comply with such covenants in its ownership of Ticonderoga.

2.2 SpinCo Assets; Parent Assets.

(a) SpinCo Assets. For purposes of this Agreement, “SpinCo Assets” shall mean:

(i) all issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity interests of the Transferred Entities that are owned by either Party or any members of its Group as of the Effective Time;

(ii) all Assets of either Party or any members of its Group included or reflected as assets of the SpinCo Group on the SpinCo Balance Sheet, subject to any dispositions of such Assets subsequent to the date of the SpinCo Balance Sheet; provided that the amounts set forth on the SpinCo Balance Sheet with respect to any Assets shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Assets that are included in the definition of SpinCo Assets pursuant to this clause (ii);

(iii) all Assets of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time that are of a nature or type that would have resulted in such Assets being included as Assets of SpinCo or members of the SpinCo Group on a pro forma combined balance sheet of the SpinCo Group or any notes or sub-ledgers thereto as of the Effective Time (were such balance sheet, notes and sub-ledgers to be prepared on a basis consistent with the determination of the Assets included on the SpinCo Balance Sheet), it being understood that (A) the SpinCo Balance Sheet shall be used to determine the types of, and methodologies used to determine, those Assets that are included in the definition of

 

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SpinCo Assets pursuant to this clause (iii); and (B) the amounts set forth on the SpinCo Balance Sheet with respect to any Assets shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Assets that are included in the definition of SpinCo Assets pursuant to this clause (iii);

(iv) all Assets of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time that are expressly provided by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Assets to be transferred to SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group;

(v) all SpinCo Contracts as of the Effective Time and all rights, interests or claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group thereunder as of the Effective Time;

(vi) all SpinCo Intellectual Property, SpinCo Know-How and SpinCo Software as of the Effective Time and all rights, interests or claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group thereunder as of the Effective Time;

(vii) all SpinCo Permits as of the Effective Time and all rights, interests or claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group thereunder as of the Effective Time;

(viii) all Assets (other than Intellectual Property) of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time (x) related to, held for use in, arising from or produced by the operation of the SpinCo Business and (y) not used in the Parent Business in any material respect;

(ix) all rights, interests and claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time with respect to Information that is exclusively related to the SpinCo Assets, the SpinCo Liabilities, the SpinCo Business or the Transferred Entities and, subject to the provisions of the applicable Ancillary Agreements, a non-exclusive right to all Information that is related to, but not exclusively related to, the SpinCo Assets, the SpinCo Liabilities, the SpinCo Business or the Transferred Entities;

(x) all fixtures, machinery, equipment and furniture of either Party or any of the members of its Group located on real property owned by a member of the SpinCo Group;

(xi) all rights and interests in and to bank accounts used or held for use exclusively in the SpinCo Business, including any cash and cash equivalents held therein as of the Effective Time;

(xii) all rights and interests in and to the SpinCo Policies; and

(xiii) all Assets set forth on Schedule 2.2(a)(xiii).

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the SpinCo Assets shall not in any event include any Asset referred to in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 2.2(b).

(b) Parent Assets. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Parent Assets” shall mean all Assets of either Party or the members of its Group as of the Effective Time, other than the SpinCo Assets, it being understood that the Parent Assets shall include:

(i) all Assets that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Assets to be retained by Parent or any other member of the Parent Group, including Riverdale and Georgetown and the Assets related to such properties;

(ii) all contracts and agreements entered into by either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time, other than the SpinCo Contracts;

(iii) other than the SpinCo Intellectual Property, SpinCo Know-How and SpinCo Software, all Intellectual Property and Software owned by either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time, including the Intellectual Property set forth on Schedule 2.2(b)(iii);

(iv) all Permits of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time, other than the SpinCo Permits;

(v) all cash or cash equivalents of the Parties or any member of their respective Groups as of the Effective Time other than the cash or cash equivalents described in Section 2.2(a)(xi);

(vi) all Insurance Proceeds from claims under any Insurance Policy made by any of the Parties or any member of their respective Groups at any time prior to the Effective Time, including any such Insurance Proceeds collected from insurers after the Effective Time;

(vii) all proceeds (including Insurance Proceeds) from, and all other rights, interests and claims in or pursuant to, any settlement of claims entered into by the Parties or any member of their respective Groups with respect to the matters as set forth on Schedule 2.2(b)(vii); and

(viii) all Assets set forth on Schedule 2.2(b)(viii).

2.3 SpinCo Liabilities; Parent Liabilities.

(a) SpinCo Liabilities. For the purposes of this Agreement, “SpinCo Liabilities” shall mean the following Liabilities of either Party or any of the members of its Group:

(i) all Liabilities included or reflected as liabilities or obligations of SpinCo or the members of the SpinCo Group on the SpinCo Balance Sheet, subject to any discharge of such Liabilities subsequent to the date of the SpinCo Balance Sheet; provided that the amounts set forth on the SpinCo Balance Sheet with respect to any Liabilities shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Liabilities that are included in the definition of SpinCo Liabilities pursuant to this clause (i);

 

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(ii) all Liabilities as of the Effective Time that are of a nature or type that would have resulted in such Liabilities being included or reflected as liabilities or obligations of SpinCo or the members of the SpinCo Group on a pro forma combined balance sheet of the SpinCo Group or any notes or sub-ledgers thereto as of the Effective Time (were such balance sheet, notes and sub-ledgers to be prepared on a basis consistent with the determination of the Liabilities included on the SpinCo Balance Sheet), it being understood that (A) the SpinCo Balance Sheet shall be used to determine the types of, and methodologies used to determine, those Liabilities that are included in the definition of SpinCo Liabilities pursuant to this clause (ii); and (B) the amounts set forth on the SpinCo Balance Sheet with respect to any Liabilities shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Liabilities that are included in the definition of SpinCo Liabilities pursuant to this clause (ii);

(iii) other than with respect to the other business, operations, activities or Liabilities addressed in clauses (iv), (v), (vi), (vii) and (viii) of this Section 2.3(a), all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time), in each case to the extent that such Liabilities relate to, arise out of or result from the SpinCo Business or a SpinCo Asset;

(iv) all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any businesses sold, divested or otherwise disposed of by any member of the SpinCo Group or any SpinCo Divested Operations;

(v) all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the SpinCo Discontinued Operations;

(vi) the applicable portion of all Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.3(a)(vi);

(vii) all SpinCo Environmental Liabilities;

(viii) all Latent Injury Liabilities (A) arising out of or relating to exposure to any product or premises associated with the SpinCo Business, including all such Liabilities arising out of Hammermill Operations, (B) arising out of or relating to exposure to a SpinCo Asset or (C) arising out of or relating to SpinCo Discontinued Operations or SpinCo Divested Operations, in each case including those Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.3(a)(viii);

(ix) all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from business, operations or activities in the jurisdictions set forth on Schedule 2.3(a)(ix) of any member of the SpinCo Group or, prior to the Effective Time, any member of the Parent Group;

 

 

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(x) all Liabilities that are expressly provided by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Liabilities to be assumed by SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group, including all Liabilities under the SpinCo Financing Arrangements, and all agreements, obligations and Liabilities of any member of the SpinCo Group under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements; and

(xi) (A) all Liabilities arising out of litigation or other claims made by any Third Party (including Parent’s or SpinCo’s respective directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents) against, or any investigations, sanctions or orders of any Governmental Authority in respect of or binding upon, any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group to the extent (1) the facts underlying such litigation, claim, investigation, sanction or order relate to, arise out of or result from the conduct of the SpinCo Business, the SpinCo Assets or the other business, operations, activities or Liabilities referred to in clauses (i) through (x) of this Section 2.3(a), or (2) such litigation, claim, investigation, sanction or order includes or is based on allegations relating to, arising out of or resulting from any member of the Parent Group’s or of the SpinCo Group’s direct or indirect beneficial ownership of the equity interests of any member of the SpinCo Group prior to the Effective Time or any member of the Parent Group’s or of the SpinCo Group’s management, oversight, supervision or operation of the SpinCo Business, the SpinCo Assets, the Business Employees or the SpinCo Liabilities prior to the Effective Time, and (B) all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any matter set forth on Schedule 2.3(a)(x); it being understood that to the extent any such litigation, claim, investigation, sanction or order includes or is based on allegations relating to, arising out of or resulting from any member of the SpinCo Group’s direct or indirect beneficial ownership of the capital stock of any member of the Parent Group prior to the Effective Time, any such Liabilities shall be Parent Liabilities, and not SpinCo Liabilities;

provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, all Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.3(b)(i), Schedule 2.3(b)(iii), Schedule 2.3(b)(v), Schedule 1.4 and any Liabilities of any member of the Parent Group pursuant to the Ancillary Agreements shall not be SpinCo Liabilities but instead shall be Parent Liabilities.

(b) Parent Liabilities. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Parent Liabilities” shall mean all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time) of any member of the Parent Group and, prior to the Effective Time, any member of the SpinCo Group, in each case that are not SpinCo Liabilities, including:

(i) all Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.3(b)(i);

(ii) all Parent Environmental Liabilities;

(iii) all Latent Injury Liabilities arising out of the businesses, operations and activities set forth on Schedule 2.3(b)(iii);

 

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(iv) all Liabilities that are expressly provided by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Liabilities to be assumed by Parent or any other member of the Parent Group, and all agreements, obligations and Liabilities of any member of the Parent Group under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements; and

(v) (A) all Liabilities arising out of litigation or other claims made by any Third Party (including Parent’s or SpinCo’s respective, directors, officers, stockholders, employees and agents) against, or any investigations, sanctions or orders of any Governmental Authority in respect of or binding upon, any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group to the extent the facts underlying such litigation, claim, investigation, sanction or order, relate to, arise out of or result from the conduct of the Parent Business, the Parent Assets, the Parent Employees or the other Liabilities of Parent referred to in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), and (B) all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any matter set forth on Schedule 2.3(b)(v).

2.4 Approvals and Notifications.

(a) Approvals and Notifications for SpinCo Assets. To the extent that the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to any SpinCo Asset, or the acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of, or succession to any SpinCo Liability, in each case under Section 2.1, is determined to be a transfer or assignment that requires any Approvals or Notifications, or to the extent that the Separation, or the Distribution requires any Approvals or Notifications, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, however, that, except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements or as otherwise agreed between Parent and SpinCo, neither Parent nor SpinCo shall be obligated to contribute capital or pay any consideration in any form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any Person in order to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications.

(b) Delayed SpinCo Transfers. If and to the extent that the valid, complete and perfected contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery to or succession of the SpinCo Group of any SpinCo Asset or acceptance or assumption by, performance, discharge and fulfillment by, or succession by the SpinCo Group of any SpinCo Liability would be a violation of applicable Law or requires any Approvals or Notifications in connection with the Separation or the Distribution that have not been obtained or made by the Effective Time, then, unless the Parties otherwise agree, the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery to or succession of the SpinCo Group of such SpinCo Assets, or the acceptance or assumption by, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession by the SpinCo Group to such SpinCo Liabilities, as the case may be, shall be automatically deemed deferred, and any of the foregoing shall be null and void until such time as all legal impediments are removed or such Approvals or Notifications have been obtained or made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such SpinCo Assets or SpinCo Liabilities shall continue to constitute SpinCo Assets and SpinCo Liabilities for all other purposes of this Agreement.

 

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(c) Treatment of Delayed SpinCo Assets and Delayed SpinCo Liabilities. (i) If any contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to any SpinCo Asset or any acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession to any SpinCo Liability intended to be contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed, delivered, succeeded to, accepted, assumed, or performed, discharged or fulfilled hereunder, as the case may be, is not consummated at or prior to the Effective Time, whether as a result of the provisions of Section 2.4(b) or for any other reason, and (ii) with respect to the agreements set forth on Schedule 2.4(c), which such agreements shall not be contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed, delivered, succeeded to, accepted, assumed, or performed, discharged or fulfilled pursuant to Section 2.1(a) (notwithstanding anything therein to the contrary) (any such SpinCo Asset, a “Delayed SpinCo Asset” and any such SpinCo Liability, a “Delayed SpinCo Liability”), then, insofar as reasonably possible and subject to applicable Law, the member of the Parent Group retaining such Delayed SpinCo Asset or such Delayed SpinCo Liability, as the case may be, shall thereafter hold such Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability, as the case may be, for the use and benefit of the member of the SpinCo Group entitled thereto (at the expense of the member of the SpinCo Group entitled thereto), and such member of the SpinCo Group shall be afforded all the benefits and burdens of such Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability, as applicable. In addition, the member of the Parent Group retaining such Delayed SpinCo Asset or such Delayed SpinCo Liability shall, insofar as reasonably possible and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, treat such Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice and take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the member of the SpinCo Group to whom such Delayed SpinCo Asset is to be contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed or succeeded to, or which is to accept or assume, perform, discharge and fulfill or succeed to, such Delayed SpinCo Liability, as the case may be, in order to place such member of the SpinCo Group in a substantially similar position as if such Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability had been contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed, succeeded to, accepted, assumed or performed, discharged or fulfilled as contemplated hereby and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability, as the case may be, including use, risk of loss, potential for gain, and dominion, control and command over such Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability, as the case may be, and all costs and expenses related thereto, shall inure from and after the Effective Time to the SpinCo Group.

(d) Transfer of Delayed SpinCo Assets and Delayed SpinCo Liabilities. Other than with respect to the agreements set forth on Schedule 2.4(c), if and when the Approvals or Notifications, the absence of which caused the deferral of contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to any Delayed SpinCo Asset or the deferral of acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession to any Delayed SpinCo Liability pursuant to Section 2.4(b), are obtained or made, and, if and when any other legal impediments for the transfer or assignment of any Delayed SpinCo Asset or the assumption of any Delayed SpinCo Liability have been removed, the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to the applicable Delayed SpinCo Asset or the acceptance and assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession to the applicable Delayed SpinCo Liability, as the case may be, shall be effected in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the applicable Ancillary Agreement.

 

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(e) Costs for Delayed SpinCo Assets and Delayed SpinCo Liabilities. Any member of the Parent Group retaining a Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability as a result of the deferral of the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to such Delayed SpinCo Asset or the deferral of the acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession to such Delayed SpinCo Liability, as the case may be, shall not be obligated, in connection with the foregoing, to expend any money unless the necessary funds are advanced (or otherwise made available) by SpinCo or the member of the SpinCo Group entitled to the Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability, other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, attorneys’ fees and recording or similar fees, all of which shall be promptly reimbursed by SpinCo or the member of the SpinCo Group entitled to such Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability.

(f) Approvals and Notifications for Parent Assets. To the extent that the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to any Parent Asset or the acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment, or succession to any Parent Liability, in each case under Section 2.1, requires any Approvals or Notifications, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, however, that, except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements or as otherwise agreed between Parent and SpinCo, neither Parent nor SpinCo shall be obligated to contribute capital or pay any consideration in any form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any Person in order to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications.

(g) Delayed Parent Transfers. If and to the extent that the valid, complete and perfected contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery to or succession of the Parent Group of any Parent Asset or acceptance or assumption by, performance, discharge and fulfillment by, or succession by the Parent Group of any Parent Liability would be a violation of applicable Law or requires any Approval or Notification that has not been obtained or made by the Effective Time, then, unless the Parties otherwise agree, the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance, delivery or succession to the Parent Group of such Parent Assets or the acceptance or assumption by, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession by the Parent Group to such Parent Liability, as the case may be, shall be automatically deemed deferred, and any of the foregoing shall be null and void until such time as all legal impediments are removed or such Approval or Notification has been obtained or made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such Parent Assets or Parent Liabilities shall continue to constitute Parent Assets and Parent Liabilities for all other purposes of this Agreement.

 

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(h) Treatment of Delayed Parent Assets and Delayed Parent Liabilities. (i) If any contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to any Parent Asset or any acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession to any Parent Liability intended to be contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed, delivered, succeeded to, accepted, assumed, or performed, discharged or fulfilled hereunder, as the case may be, is not consummated at or prior to the Effective Time whether as a result of the provisions of Section 2.4(g) or for any other reason, and (ii) with respect to the agreements set forth on Schedule 2.4(h), which such agreements shall not be contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed, delivered, succeeded to, accepted, assumed, or performed, discharged or fulfilled pursuant to Section 2.1(a) (notwithstanding anything therein to the contrary) (any such Parent Asset, a “Delayed Parent Asset” and any such Parent Liability, a “Delayed Parent Liability”), then, subject to applicable Law, the member of the SpinCo Group retaining such Delayed Parent Asset or such Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, shall thereafter hold such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, for the use and benefit of the member of the Parent Group entitled thereto (with associated costs being for the account of the member of the Parent Group entitled thereto), and such member of the Parent Group shall be afforded all the benefits and burdens of such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability, as applicable. In addition, the member of the SpinCo Group retaining such Delayed Parent Asset or such Delayed Parent Liability shall, insofar as reasonably possible and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, treat such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice. Such member of the SpinCo Group shall also take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the member of the Parent Group to which such Delayed Parent Asset is to be contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed or succeeded to, or which is to accept or assume, perform, discharge and fulfill or succeed to, such Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, in order to place such member of the Parent Group in a substantially similar position as if such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability had been contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed, succeeded to, accepted, assumed or performed, discharged or fulfilled and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, and all costs and expenses related thereto, shall inure from and after the Effective Time to the Parent Group.

(i) Transfer of Delayed Parent Assets and Delayed Parent Liabilities. Other than with respect to the agreements set forth on Schedule 2.4(h), if and when the Approvals or Notifications, the absence of which caused the deferral of contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to any Delayed Parent Asset or the deferral of acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession to any Delayed Parent Liability, are obtained or made, and, if and when any other legal impediments for the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to any Delayed Parent Asset or the acceptance and assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession to any Delayed Parent Liability have been removed, the transfer or assignment of the applicable Delayed Parent Asset or the assumption of the applicable Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, shall be effected in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the applicable Ancillary Agreement.

 

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(j) Costs for Delayed Parent Assets and Delayed Parent Liabilities. Any member of the SpinCo Group retaining a Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability as a result of the deferral of the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to such Delayed Parent Asset or the deferral of the acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession to such Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, shall not be obligated, in connection with the foregoing, to expend any money unless the necessary funds are advanced (or otherwise made available) by Parent or the member of the Parent Group entitled to the Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability, other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, attorneys’ fees and recording or similar fees, all of which shall be promptly reimbursed by Parent or the member of the Parent Group entitled to such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability.

2.5 Novation of Liabilities.

(a) Novation of SpinCo Liabilities.

(i) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.5(a), each of Parent and SpinCo, at the request of the other, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, as soon as reasonably practicable, any consent, substitution, approval or amendment required to novate or assign all SpinCo Liabilities and obtain in writing the unconditional release of each member of the Parent Group that is a party to any such arrangements, so that, in any such case, the members of the SpinCo Group shall be solely responsible for such SpinCo Liabilities; provided, however, that, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, neither Parent nor SpinCo shall be obligated to contribute any capital or pay any consideration in any form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any Third Party from whom any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release is requested.

(ii) If Parent or SpinCo is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release referred to in clause (i) of this Section 2.5(a) and the applicable member of the Parent Group continues to be bound by such agreement, lease, license or other obligation or Liability (each, an “Unreleased SpinCo Liability”), SpinCo shall, to the extent not prohibited by Law, as indemnitor, guarantor, agent or subcontractor for such member of the Parent Group, as the case may be, (A) pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such member of the Parent Group that constitute Unreleased SpinCo Liabilities from and after the Effective Time and (B) use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such payment, performance or discharge prior to any demand for such payment, performance or discharge that is permitted to be made by the obligee thereunder on any member of the Parent Group. If and when any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release shall be obtained or the Unreleased SpinCo Liabilities shall otherwise become assignable or able to be novated, Parent shall promptly assign, or cause to be assigned, and SpinCo or the applicable SpinCo Group member shall assume, such Unreleased SpinCo Liabilities without exchange of further consideration.

 

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(b) Novation of Parent Liabilities.

(i) Each of Parent and SpinCo, at the request of the other, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, as soon as reasonably practicable, any consent, substitution, approval or amendment required to novate or assign all Parent Liabilities and obtain in writing the unconditional release of each member of the SpinCo Group that is a party to any such arrangements, so that, in any such case, the members of the Parent Group shall be solely responsible for such Parent Liabilities; provided, however, that, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, neither Parent nor SpinCo shall be obligated to contribute any capital or pay any consideration in any form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any Third Party from whom any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release is requested.

(ii) If Parent or SpinCo is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release referred to in clause (i) of this Section 2.5(b) and the applicable member of the SpinCo Group continues to be bound by such agreement, lease, license or other obligation or Liability (each, an “Unreleased Parent Liability”), Parent shall, to the extent not prohibited by Law, as indemnitor, guarantor, agent or subcontractor for such member of the SpinCo Group, as the case may be, (A) pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such member of the SpinCo Group that constitute Unreleased Parent Liabilities from and after the Effective Time and (B) use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such payment, performance or discharge prior to any demand for such payment, performance or discharge that is permitted to be made by the obligee thereunder on any member of the SpinCo Group. If and when any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release shall be obtained, or the Unreleased Parent Liabilities shall otherwise become assignable or able to be novated, SpinCo shall promptly assign, or cause to be assigned, and Parent or the applicable Parent Group member shall assume, such Unreleased Parent Liabilities without exchange of further consideration.

2.6 Release of Guarantees. In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the obligations set forth in Section 2.5:

(a) Other than with respect to the guarantees set forth on Schedule 2.6, at or prior to the Effective Time or as soon as practicable thereafter, each of Parent and SpinCo shall, at the request of the other Party and with the reasonable cooperation of such other Party and the applicable member(s) of such other Party’s Group, use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) have any member(s) of the Parent Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any SpinCo Guarantee, including the removal of any Security Interest on or in any Parent Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such SpinCo Guarantee; and (ii) have any member(s) of the SpinCo Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any Parent Guarantee, including the removal of any Security Interest on or in any SpinCo Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such Parent Guarantee.

(b) To the extent required to obtain a release from:

 

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(i) any SpinCo Guarantee of a member of the Parent Group, SpinCo shall execute a guarantee agreement in the form of the existing guarantee or such other form as is agreed to by the relevant parties to such guarantee agreement, which such agreement shall include the removal of any Security Interest on or in any Parent Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such SpinCo Guarantee, except to the extent that such existing guarantee contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (A) with which SpinCo would be reasonably unable to comply or (B) which SpinCo would not reasonably be able to avoid breaching; and

(ii) any Parent Guarantee of any member of the SpinCo Group, Parent shall execute a guarantee agreement in the form of the existing guarantee or such other form as is agreed to by the relevant parties to such guarantee agreement, which agreement shall include the removal of any Security Interest on or in any SpinCo Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such Parent Guarantee, except to the extent that such existing guarantee contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (A) with which Parent would be reasonably unable to comply or (B) which Parent would not reasonably be able to avoid breaching.

(c) Except as otherwise expressly agreed in any Ancillary Agreement, if Parent or SpinCo is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such removal or release referred to in Section 2.6(a) or (b), (i) the Party or the relevant member of its Group that has assumed the Liability, with respect to which such SpinCo Guarantee or Parent Guarantee, as the case may be, relates, shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the guarantor or obligor against or from any Liability arising from or relating thereto in accordance with the provisions of Article IV and shall, as agent or subcontractor for such guarantor or obligor, pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such guarantor or obligor thereunder; and (ii) each of Parent and SpinCo, on behalf of itself and the other members of their respective Group, agrees not to renew or extend the term of, increase any obligations under, or transfer to a Third Party, any loan, guarantee, lease, contract or other obligation for which the other Party or a member of such other Party’s Group is or may be liable unless all obligations of such other Party and the members of such other Party’s Group with respect thereto are thereupon terminated by documentation satisfactory in form and substance to such other Party.

2.7 Termination of Agreements.

(a) Except as set forth in Section 2.7(b), in furtherance of the releases and other provisions of Section 4.1, SpinCo and each member of the SpinCo Group, on the one hand, and Parent and each member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, hereby terminate all agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings, whether or not in writing, between or among SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group, on the one hand, and Parent or any member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, effective as of the Effective Time. No such terminated agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding (including any provision thereof which purports to survive termination) shall be of any further force or effect after the Effective Time. Each Party shall, at the reasonable request of the other Party, take, or cause to be taken, such other actions as may be necessary to effect the foregoing.

 

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(b) The provisions of Section 2.7(a) shall not apply to any of the following agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings (or to any of the provisions thereof): (i) this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (and each other agreement or instrument expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to be entered into by any of the Parties or any of the members of their respective Groups or to be continued from and after the Effective Time); (ii) any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings listed or described on Schedule 2.7(b)(ii); (iii) any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings to which any Third Party is a party; (iv) any intercompany accounts payable or accounts receivable between any member of the Parent Group, on the one hand, and any member of the SpinCo Group, on the other hand, outstanding as of the Effective Time, which shall be settled in the manner contemplated by Section 2.7(c) (provided, however, the provisions of Section 2.7(a) shall apply to any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings from which such intercompany accounts payable or accounts receivable have arisen); (v) any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings to which any non-wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent or SpinCo, as the case may be, is a party (it being understood that directors’ qualifying shares or similar interests shall be disregarded for purposes of determining whether a Subsidiary is wholly owned); and (vi) any Shared Contracts.

(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 2.7(c), all of the intercompany accounts receivable and accounts payable between any member of the Parent Group, on the one hand, and any member of the SpinCo Group, on the other hand, outstanding as of the Effective Time shall, as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, be repaid, settled or otherwise eliminated by means of cash payments, a dividend, capital contribution, a combination of the foregoing or otherwise, as determined by Parent in its sole and absolute discretion. If, for any reason, any intercompany accounts receivable and accounts payable between any member of the Parent Group, on the one hand, and any member of the SpinCo Group, on the other hand, outstanding as of the Effective Time is not repaid, settled or otherwise eliminated promptly after the Effective Time, each of the Parties shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to repay, settle or otherwise eliminate such intercompany accounts receivable or accounts payable in a manner that would have a substantially similar effect (including with respect to Taxes) on the Parent Group and the SpinCo Group as if such repayment, settlement or elimination occurring promptly after the Effective Time.

2.8 Treatment of Shared Contracts.

(a) Subject to applicable Law and without limiting the generality of the obligations set forth in Section 2.1, unless the Parties otherwise agree, or the benefits of any contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding described in this Section 2.8 are expressly conveyed to the applicable Party pursuant to this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement, any contract or agreement, a portion of which is a SpinCo Contract, but the remainder of which is a Parent Asset (any such contract or agreement, a “Shared Contract”), shall be assigned in relevant part to the applicable member(s) of the applicable Group, if so assignable, or appropriately amended prior to, at or after the Effective Time, so that each Party or the member of its Group shall, as of the Effective

 

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Time, be entitled to the rights and benefits and shall assume the related portion of any Liabilities, inuring to its respective businesses; provided, however, that (i) in no event shall any member of any Group be required to assign (or amend) any Shared Contract in its entirety or to assign a portion of any Shared Contract which is not assignable (or cannot be amended) by its terms (including any terms imposing consents or conditions on an assignment where such consents or conditions have not been obtained or fulfilled) and (ii) if any Shared Contract cannot be so partially assigned by its terms or otherwise or cannot be amended or if such assignment or amendment would impair the benefit the parties thereto derive from such Shared Contract, then the Parties shall, and shall cause each of the members of their respective Groups to, take such other reasonable and permissible actions (including by providing prompt notice to the other Party with respect to any relevant claim of Liability or other relevant matters arising in connection with a Shared Contract so as to allow such other Party the ability to exercise any applicable rights under such Shared Contract) to cause a member of the SpinCo Group or the Parent Group, as the case may be, to receive the rights and benefits of that portion of each Shared Contract that relates to the SpinCo Business or the Parent Business, as the case may be (in each case, to the extent so related), as if such Shared Contract had been assigned to a member of the applicable Group pursuant to this Section 2.8 (or appropriately amended), and to bear the burden of the corresponding Liabilities (including any Liabilities that may arise by reason of such arrangement), as if such Liabilities had been assumed by a member of the applicable Group pursuant to this Section 2.8 (or appropriately amended).

(b) Each of Parent and SpinCo shall, and shall cause the members of its Group to, (i) treat for all Tax purposes the portion of each Shared Contract inuring to its respective businesses as Assets owned by, or Liabilities of, as applicable, such Party, or the members of its Group, as applicable, not later than the Effective Time, and (ii) neither report nor take any Tax position (on a Tax Return or otherwise) inconsistent with such treatment, in each case, except as required by applicable Law.

(c) Nothing in this Section 2.8 shall require any member of either Group to make any non-de minimis payment (except to the extent advanced, assumed or agreed in advance to be reimbursed by any member of the other Group), incur any non-de minimis obligation or grant any non-de minimis concession for the benefit of any member of the other Group in order to effect any transaction contemplated by this Section 2.8.

2.9 Bank Accounts; Cash Balances.

(a) Each Party shall take, or cause the members of its Group to take, at the Effective Time (or such earlier time as the Parties may agree), all actions necessary to amend all contracts or agreements governing each bank and brokerage account owned by SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group (collectively, the “SpinCo Accounts”) and all contracts or agreements governing each bank or brokerage account owned by Parent or any other member of the Parent Group (collectively, the “Parent Accounts”) so that each such SpinCo Account and Parent Account, if currently linked (whether by automatic withdrawal, automatic deposit or any other authorization to transfer funds from or to, hereinafter “Linked”) to any Parent Account or SpinCo Account, respectively, is no longer Linked to such Parent Account or SpinCo Account, respectively.

 

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(b) With respect to any outstanding checks issued or payments initiated by Parent, SpinCo or any of the members of their respective Groups prior to the Effective Time, such outstanding checks and payments shall be honored following the Effective Time by the Person or Group

owning the account on which the check is drawn or from which the payment was initiated, respectively.

(c) As between Parent and SpinCo (and the members of their respective Groups), all payments made and reimbursements received after the Effective Time by either Party (or member of its Group) that relate to a business, Asset or Liability of the other Party (or member of its Group) shall be held by such Party in trust for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto and, promptly following receipt by such Party of any such payment or reimbursement, such Party shall, or shall cause the applicable member of its Group to, pay over to the other Party the amount of such payment or reimbursement without right of set-off.

2.10 Ancillary Agreements. Effective at or prior to the Effective Time, each of Parent and SpinCo shall, or shall cause the applicable members of their Groups to, execute and deliver all Ancillary Agreements and the agreements set forth on Schedule 2.10 to which it or such member, as applicable, is a party.

2.11 Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties. Each of Parent (on behalf of itself and each member of the Parent Group) and SpinCo (on behalf of itself and each member of the SpinCo Group) acknowledges and agrees that, except as expressly set forth herein or in any Ancillary Agreement, no party to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement or document contemplated by this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise, is representing or warranting in any way as to the assets, businesses or liabilities transferred or assumed as contemplated hereby or thereby, as to any consents or approvals required in connection herewith or therewith, as to the value or freedom from any security interests of, or any other matter concerning, any assets of such party, or as to the absence of any defenses or right of setoff or freedom from counterclaim with respect to any claim or other asset, including any accounts receivable, of any party, or as to the legal sufficiency of any assignment, document or instrument delivered hereunder or thereunder to convey title to any asset, right or property upon the execution, delivery and filing hereof or thereof. EXCEPT AS MAY EXPRESSLY BE SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, ALL SUCH ASSETS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS (AND, IN THE CASE OF ANY REAL PROPERTY, BY MEANS OF A QUITCLAIM OR SIMILAR FORM OF DEED OR CONVEYANCE) AND THE RESPECTIVE TRANSFEREES SHALL BEAR THE ECONOMIC AND LEGAL RISKS THAT (A) ANY CONVEYANCE WILL PROVE TO BE INSUFFICIENT TO VEST IN THE TRANSFEREE GOOD AND MARKETABLE TITLE, FREE AND CLEAR OF ANY SECURITY INTEREST, AND (B) ANY NECESSARY APPROVALS OR NOTIFICATIONS ARE NOT OBTAINED OR MADE OR THAT ANY REQUIREMENTS OF LAWS OR JUDGMENTS ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH.

 

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2.12 Financial Information Certifications. Parent’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (as each is contemplated by the Exchange Act) are applicable to the SpinCo Group as Parent’s Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time. In order to enable the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of SpinCo to make the certifications required of them under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 following the Distribution in respect of any quarterly or annual fiscal period of SpinCo, that begins on or prior to the Distribution Date (a “Straddle Period”), upon twenty (20) Business Days’ (or such shorter period as may elapse between the Effective Time and the due date for such filing) advance written request by SpinCo, Parent shall provide SpinCo with one (1) or more certifications with respect to such disclosure controls and procedures and the effectiveness thereof and whether there were any changes in the internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the internal control over financial reporting, which certification(s) shall (a) be with respect to the portion of the applicable Straddle Period on or prior to the Distribution Date (it being understood that no certification need be provided with respect to any period or portion of any period after the Distribution Date) and (b) be in substantially the same form as those that had been provided by officers or employees of Parent in similar certifications delivered prior to the Distribution Date, with such changes thereto as Parent may reasonably determine. Such certification(s) shall be provided by Parent (and not by any officer or employee in his or her individual capacity).

2.13 Transition Management. Prior to the Effective Time, the Parties shall appoint one or more project managers (the “Project Managers”) who shall be responsible for monitoring and managing all matters related to any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements. The Project Managers shall establish general procedures for managing the responsibilities delegated to it under this Section 2.13, and may modify such procedures from time to time. All decisions by the Project Managers shall be effective only if agreed by Project Managers of both Parties. The Parties shall utilize the procedures set forth in Article VII to resolve any matters as to which the Project Managers are not able to reach a decision.

2.14 SpinCo Financing Arrangements; Cash Transfer.

(a) Prior to the Effective Time, (i) SpinCo or other member(s) of the SpinCo Group shall enter into one or more financing arrangements and agreements, on such terms and conditions as determined by Parent in its sole discretion, pursuant to which it or they shall borrow a principal amount of $[ ] (the “SpinCo Financing Arrangements”), (ii) SpinCo or such other member(s) of the SpinCo Group that entered into the SpinCo Financing Arrangements shall distribute, convey or otherwise transfer in the manner determined by Parent all or a portion of the net proceeds from the SpinCo Financing Arrangements plus available cash on hand to Parent or other member(s) of the Parent Group (the “Cash Transfer”).

(b) Parent and SpinCo shall take all necessary actions to ensure the full release and discharge of Parent and the other members of the Parent Group from all obligations pursuant to the SpinCo Financing Arrangements as of no later than the Effective Time. The Parties agree that SpinCo or another member of the SpinCo Group, as the case may be, and not Parent or any member of the Parent Group, are and shall be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the SpinCo Financing Arrangements (other than legal fees and expenses, which shall be allocated in accordance with Section 10.10).

 

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(c) Prior to the Effective Time, Parent and SpinCo shall cooperate in the preparation of all materials as may be necessary or advisable to execute the SpinCo Financing Arrangements. Without limiting the foregoing, prior to the Effective Time, Parent and SpinCo shall participate in the preparation of all materials and presentations as may be reasonably necessary to obtain funding pursuant to the SpinCo Financing Arrangements, including rating agency presentations necessary to obtain the requisite ratings needed to obtain the financing under any of the SpinCo Financing Arrangements.

ARTICLE III

THE DISTRIBUTION

3.1 Sole and Absolute Discretion; Cooperation.

(a) Parent shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine the terms of the Distribution, including the form, structure and terms of any transaction(s) or offering(s) to effect the Distribution and the timing and conditions to the consummation of the Distribution. In addition, Parent may, at any time and from time to time until the consummation of the Distribution, modify or change the terms of the Distribution, including by accelerating or delaying the timing of the consummation of all or part of the Distribution. Nothing herein shall in any way limit Parent’s right to terminate this Agreement or the Distribution as set forth in Article IX or alter the consequences of any such termination from those specified in Article IX.

(b) SpinCo shall cooperate with Parent to accomplish the Distribution and shall, at Parent’s direction, promptly take all actions necessary or desirable to effect the Distribution, including in respect of the registration under the Exchange Act of SpinCo Shares on the Form 10. Parent shall select any investment bank or manager in connection with the Distribution, as well as any financial printer, solicitation or exchange agent and financial, legal, accounting and other advisors for Parent. SpinCo and Parent, as the case may be, shall provide to the Agent any information required in order to complete the Distribution.

3.2 Actions Prior to the Distribution. Prior to the Effective Time and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Parties shall take, or cause to be taken, the following actions in connection with the Distribution:

(a) Notice to NYSE. Parent shall, to the extent possible, give the NYSE advance notice of the Record Date in compliance with Rule 10b-17 under the Exchange Act.

(b) SpinCo Certificate of Incorporation and SpinCo Bylaws. On or prior to the Distribution Date, Parent and SpinCo shall take all necessary actions so that, as of the Effective Time, the SpinCo Certificate of Incorporation and the SpinCo Bylaws shall become the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of SpinCo, respectively.

 

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(c) SpinCo Directors and Officers. On or prior to the Distribution Date, Parent and SpinCo shall take all necessary actions so that as of the Effective Time: (i) the directors and executive officers of SpinCo shall be those set forth in the Information Statement, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties; (ii) each individual referred to in clause (i) shall have resigned from his or her position, if any, as a member of the Parent Board or as an executive officer of Parent; and (iii) SpinCo shall have such other officers as SpinCo shall appoint.

(d) NYSE Listing. SpinCo shall prepare and file, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to have approved, an application for the listing of the SpinCo Shares to be distributed in the Distribution on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution.

(e) Securities Law Matters. SpinCo shall file such amendments or supplements to the Form 10 as may be necessary or advisable in order to cause the Form 10 to become and remain effective as required by the SEC or federal, state or other applicable securities Laws. Parent and SpinCo shall cooperate in preparing, filing with the SEC and causing to become effective registration statements or amendments thereof which are required to reflect the establishment of, or amendments to, any employee benefit plans and other plans necessary or advisable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. Parent and SpinCo shall prepare, and SpinCo shall, to the extent required under applicable Law, file with the SEC any such documentation and any requisite no-action letters that Parent determines are necessary or desirable to effectuate the Distribution, and Parent and SpinCo shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary approvals from the SEC with respect thereto as soon as practicable. Parent and SpinCo shall take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate under the securities or blue sky laws of the United States (and any comparable Laws under any foreign jurisdiction) in connection with the Distribution.

(f) Information Statement. Parent shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable after the Form 10 is declared effective under the Exchange Act and the Parent Board has approved the Distribution, cause the Information Statement to be sent or otherwise made available to holders of Parent Shares.

(g) The Distribution Agent. Parent shall enter into a distribution agent agreement with the Agent or otherwise provide instructions to the Agent regarding the Distribution.

(h) Stock-Based Employee Benefit Plans. Parent and SpinCo shall take such actions as may be necessary to approve the grants of adjusted equity awards by Parent (in respect of Parent shares) and SpinCo (in respect of SpinCo shares) in connection with the Distribution in order to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

(i) Certain Tax Filings. On or prior to the Distribution Date, SpinCo shall provide to Parent (A) a completed and executed IRS Form 8832 electing to classify Global Holdings I, LLC as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to section 301.7701-3 of the Treasury Regulations as of a date prior to the Distribution specified by Parent, (B) a completed and executed IRS

 

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Form 8832 electing to classify International Paper Investment (France) S.A.S. as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to section 301.7701-3 of the Treasury Regulations as of a date prior to the Distribution specified by Parent and (C) a completed and executed IRS Form 1122 for each of SpinCo, Global Holdings I, LLC and Global Holdings II, LLC, consenting to the inclusion of each of SpinCo, Global Holdings I LLC and Global Holdings II, LLC in Parent’s 2021 U.S. consolidated federal income tax return.

3.3 Conditions to the Distribution.

(a) The consummation of the Distribution shall be subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by Parent in its sole and absolute discretion, of the following conditions:

(i) The SEC shall have declared effective the Form 10, and the Form 10 shall not be the subject of any stop order or any legal, administrative, arbitral or other action, suit, investigation, proceeding, complaint, indictment or litigation by the SEC seeking a stop order.

(ii) The Information Statement shall have been sent or otherwise made available to holders of Parent Shares.

(iii) Parent shall have received an opinion from a nationally recognized accounting firm or tax counsel or a private letter ruling from the IRS satisfactory to the Parent Board, subject to the accuracy of and compliance with certain representations, assumptions and covenants, regarding the qualification of the Distribution and certain related transactions as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes to Parent, SpinCo and Parent’s shareholders.

(iv) The transfer of the SpinCo Assets (other than any Delayed SpinCo Asset) and SpinCo Liabilities (other than any Delayed SpinCo Liability) contemplated to be transferred from Parent to SpinCo on or prior to the Distribution shall have occurred as contemplated by Section 2.1, and the transfer of the Parent Assets (other than any Delayed Parent Asset) and Parent Liabilities (other than any Delayed Parent Liability) contemplated to be transferred from SpinCo to Parent on or prior to the Distribution Date shall have occurred as contemplated by Section 2.1, in each case pursuant to the Internal Reorganization.

(v) Parent shall have received one or more opinions (which have not been withdrawn or adversely modified) in customary form from one or more nationally recognized valuation or accounting firms or investment banks as to (A) the adequacy of surplus under Delaware Law with respect to SpinCo to effect the Cash Transfer and the solvency of SpinCo after giving effect to the Cash Transfer and (B) the adequacy of surplus under New York Law with respect to Parent to effect the Distribution and the solvency of Parent after giving effect to the Distribution.

(vi) The actions and filings necessary or appropriate under applicable U.S. federal, U.S. state or other securities Laws or blue sky Laws and the rules and regulations thereunder shall have been taken or made, and, where applicable, have become effective or been accepted.

 

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(vii) Each of the Ancillary Agreements shall have been duly executed and delivered by the applicable parties thereto.

(viii) No Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have issued or entered into any injunction or other decree, order, judgment, writ, stipulation, award or temporary restraining order, and no applicable Law shall have been enacted or promulgated, in each case that (whether temporary or permanent) has the effect of enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Separation, the Distribution or any of the transactions related thereto.

(ix) The SpinCo Shares to be distributed in the Distribution shall have been accepted for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution.

(x) (A) SpinCo or other members of its Group shall have assumed or entered into the SpinCo Financing Arrangements and incurred at least an aggregate of $[___] of new indebtedness pursuant thereto, and (B) Parent shall have received the proceeds from the Cash Transfer and shall be satisfied in its sole and absolute discretion that, as of the Effective Time, it and the members of its Group shall have no further Liability under the SpinCo Financing Arrangements.

(xi) No other events or developments shall exist or shall have occurred that, in the judgment of the Parent Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the Separation, the Distribution or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

(b) The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Parent and shall not give rise to or create any duty on the part of Parent or the Parent Board to waive or not waive any such condition or in any way limit Parent’s right to terminate this Agreement as set forth in Article IX or alter the consequences of any such termination from those specified in Article IX. Any determination made by the Parent Board prior to the Distribution concerning the satisfaction or waiver of any or all of the conditions set forth in Section 3.3(a) shall be conclusive and binding on the Parties. If Parent waives any material condition, it shall promptly issue a press release disclosing such fact and file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC describing such waiver.

3.4 The Distribution.

(a) Subject to Section 3.3, at or prior to the Effective Time, SpinCo shall deliver to the Agent, for the benefit of the Record Holders, book-entry transfer authorizations for such number of the outstanding SpinCo Shares as is necessary to effect the Distribution, and shall cause the transfer agent for the Parent Shares to instruct the Agent to distribute at the Effective Time the appropriate number of SpinCo Shares to each such Record Holder or designated transferee or transferees thereof by way of direct registration in book-entry form. SpinCo shall not issue paper stock certificates in respect of the SpinCo Shares. The Distribution shall be effective at the Effective Time.

 

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(b) Subject to Sections 3.3 and 3.4(c), each Record Holder shall be entitled to receive in the Distribution one whole SpinCo Share for every [__] Parent Shares held by such Record Holder on the Record Date, rounded down to the nearest whole number (the “Distribution Ratio”).

(c) No fractional shares shall be distributed or credited to book-entry accounts in connection with the Distribution, and any such fractional share interests to which a Record Holder would otherwise be entitled shall not entitle such Record Holder to vote or to any other rights as a stockholder of SpinCo. In lieu of any such fractional shares, each Record Holder who, but for the provisions of this Section 3.4(c), would be entitled to receive a fractional share interest pursuant to the Distribution, shall be paid cash, without any interest thereon, as hereinafter provided. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Parent shall direct the Agent to determine the number of whole and fractional SpinCo Shares allocable to each Record Holder, to aggregate all such fractional shares allocable to Record Holders into whole shares, and to sell the whole shares obtained thereby in the open market at the then-prevailing prices on behalf of each Record Holder who otherwise would be entitled to receive a fractional share interest (with the Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, determining when, how and through which broker-dealer and at what price to make such sales), and to cause to be distributed to each such Record Holder, in lieu of any fractional share, such Record Holder’s or owner’s ratable share of the total proceeds of such sale in respect of such fractional share, after deducting any Taxes required to be withheld under applicable Tax Law and applicable transfer Taxes, and after deducting the costs and expenses of such sale and distribution, including brokers fees and commissions. None of Parent, SpinCo or the Agent shall be required or permitted to guarantee any minimum sale price for the fractional SpinCo Shares sold in accordance with this Section 3.4(c). Neither Parent nor SpinCo shall be required to pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of fractional shares. Neither the Agent nor the broker-dealers through which the aggregated fractional shares are sold shall be Affiliates of Parent or SpinCo. Solely for purposes of computing fractional share interests pursuant to this Section 3.4(c) and Section 3.4(d), the beneficial owner of Parent Shares held of record in the name of a nominee in any nominee account shall be treated as the Record Holder with respect to such shares.

(d) Any SpinCo Shares or cash in lieu of fractional shares with respect to SpinCo Shares that remain unclaimed by any Record Holder one hundred and eighty (180) days after the Distribution Date shall be delivered to SpinCo, and SpinCo or its transfer agent shall hold such SpinCo Shares for the account of such Record Holder, and the Parties agree that all obligations to provide such SpinCo Shares and cash, if any, in lieu of fractional share interests shall be obligations of SpinCo, subject in each case to applicable escheat or other abandoned property Laws, and Parent shall have no Liability with respect thereto.

(e) Until the SpinCo Shares are duly transferred in accordance with this Section 3.4 and applicable Law, from and after the Effective Time, SpinCo shall regard the Persons entitled to receive such SpinCo Shares as record holders of SpinCo Shares in accordance with the terms of the Distribution without requiring any action on the part of such Persons. SpinCo agrees that, subject to any transfers of such shares, from and after

 

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the Effective Time, (i) each such holder shall be entitled to receive all dividends payable on, and exercise voting rights and all other rights and privileges with respect to, the SpinCo Shares then held by such holder and (ii) each such holder shall be entitled, without any action on the part of such holder, to receive evidence of ownership of the SpinCo Shares then held by such holder.

ARTICLE IV

MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION

4.1 Release of Pre-Distribution Claims.

(a) SpinCo Release of Parent. Except as provided in Sections 4.1(c) and (d), effective as of the Effective Time, SpinCo does hereby, for itself and each other member of the SpinCo Group, and their respective successors and assigns, and, to the extent permitted by Law, all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been shareholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the SpinCo Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), remise, release and forever discharge (i) Parent and the members of the Parent Group, and their respective successors and assigns, (ii) all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Parent Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and (iii) all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time are or have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of a Transferred Entity and who are not, as of immediately following the Effective Time, directors, officers or employees of SpinCo or a member of the SpinCo Group, in each case from: (A) all SpinCo Liabilities, (B) all Liabilities arising in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and all other activities to implement the Separation and the Distribution and (C) all Liabilities arising from or in connection with actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time) to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the SpinCo Business, the SpinCo Assets or the SpinCo Liabilities.

(b) Parent Release of SpinCo. Except as provided in Sections 4.1(c) and (d), effective as of the Effective Time, Parent does hereby, for itself and each other member of the Parent Group and their respective successors and assigns, and, to the extent permitted by Law, all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Parent Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), remise, release and forever discharge SpinCo and the members of the SpinCo Group and their respective successors and assigns, from (i) all Parent Liabilities, (ii) all Liabilities arising in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and all other activities to implement the Separation and the Distribution and (iii) all Liabilities arising from or in connection with actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time) to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Parent Business, the Parent Assets or the Parent Liabilities.

 

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(c) Obligations Not Affected. Nothing contained in Section 4.1(a) or (b) shall impair any right of any Person to enforce this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, or any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings which Section 2.7(b) provides shall not terminate as of the Effective Time, in each case in accordance with their respective terms. Nothing contained in Section 4.1(a) or (b) shall release any Person from:

(i) any Liability provided in or resulting from any agreement among any members of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group which Section 2.7(b) provides shall not terminate as of the Effective Time, or any other Liability which Section 2.7(b) provides shall not terminate as of the Effective Time;

(ii) any Liability, contingent or otherwise, assumed, transferred, assigned or allocated to the Group of which such Person is a member in accordance with, or any other Liability of any member of any Group under, this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement;

(iii) any Liability for the sale, lease, construction or receipt of goods, property or services purchased, obtained or used in the ordinary course of business by a member of one Group from a member of the other Group prior to the Effective Time;

(iv) any Liability that the Parties may have with respect to indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise for claims brought against the Parties by Third Parties, which Liability shall be governed by the provisions of this Article IV and Article V and, if applicable, the appropriate provisions of the Ancillary Agreements; or

(v) any Liability the release of which would result in the release of any Person other than a Person released pursuant to this Section 4.1.

In addition, nothing contained in Section 4.1(a) shall release any member of the Parent Group from honoring its existing obligations to indemnify any director, officer or employee of a member of the SpinCo Group who was a director, officer or employee of any member of the Parent Group at or prior to the Effective Time, to the extent such director, officer or employee becomes a named defendant in any Action with respect to which such director, officer or employee was entitled to indemnification pursuant to such existing obligations of any member of the Parent Group; provided, however, it being understood that if the underlying obligation giving rise to such Action is a SpinCo Liability, SpinCo shall indemnify Parent for such Liability (including Parent’s costs to indemnify the director, officer or employee) in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Article IV.

 

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(d) No Claims. SpinCo shall not make, and shall not permit any other member of the SpinCo Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against Parent or any other member of the Parent Group, or any other Person released pursuant to Section 4.1(a), with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 4.1(a). Parent shall not make, and shall not permit any other member of the Parent Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification against SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group, or any other Person released pursuant to Section 4.1(b), with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 4.1(b).

(e) Execution of Further Releases. At any time at or after the Effective Time, at the request of either Party, the other Party shall cause each member of its Group to execute and deliver releases reflecting the provisions of this Section 4.1.

4.2 Indemnification by SpinCo. Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, SpinCo shall, and shall cause the other members of the SpinCo Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Parent, each member of the Parent Group and each of their respective past, present and future directors, officers, employees and agents, in each case in their respective capacities as such, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Parent Indemnitees”), from and against all Liabilities of the Parent Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly, any of the following items (without duplication):

(a) any SpinCo Liability;

(b) any failure of SpinCo, any other member of the SpinCo Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any SpinCo Liabilities in accordance with their terms, whether prior to, on or after the Effective Time;

(c) any breach by SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements;

(d) except to the extent it relates to a Parent Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation, surety bond or other credit support agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding for the benefit of any member of the SpinCo Group by any member of the Parent Group that survives following the Distribution; and

(e) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all information contained in the Form 10, the Information Statement (as amended or supplemented if SpinCo shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any other Disclosure Document, other than the matters described in clause (e) of Section 4.3.

4.3 Indemnification by Parent. Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, Parent shall, and shall cause the other members of the Parent Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless SpinCo, each member of the SpinCo Group and each of their respective past, present and future directors, officers, employees or agents, in each case in their respective capacities as such, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “SpinCo Indemnitees”), from and against all Liabilities of the SpinCo Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly, any of the following items (without duplication):

 

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(a) any Parent Liability;

(b) any failure of Parent, any other member of the Parent Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any Parent Liabilities in accordance with their terms, whether prior to, on or after the Effective Time;

(c) any breach by Parent or any other member of the Parent Group of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements;

(d) except to the extent it relates to a SpinCo Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation, surety bond or other credit support agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding for the benefit of any member of the Parent Group by any member of the SpinCo Group that survives following the Distribution; and

(e) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to statements made explicitly in Parent’s name in the Form 10, the Information Statement (as amended or supplemented if SpinCo shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any other Disclosure Document; it being agreed that the statements set forth on Schedule 4.3(e) shall be the only statements made explicitly in Parent’s name in the Form 10, the Information Statement or any other Disclosure Document, and all other information contained in the Form 10, the Information Statement or any other Disclosure Document shall be deemed to be information supplied by SpinCo.

4.4 Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts.

(a) The Parties intend that any Liability subject to indemnification, contribution or reimbursement pursuant to this Article IV or Article V will be net of Insurance Proceeds or other amounts actually recovered (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) from any Person by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in respect of any indemnifiable Liability. Accordingly, the amount that either Party (an “Indemnifying Party”) is required to pay to any Person entitled to indemnification or contribution hereunder (an “Indemnitee”) shall be reduced by any Insurance Proceeds or other amounts actually recovered (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) from any Person by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in respect of the related Liability. If an Indemnitee receives a payment (an “Indemnity Payment”) required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of any Liability and subsequently receives Insurance Proceeds or any other amounts in respect of such Liability, then, within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of such Insurance Proceeds, the Indemnitee shall pay to the Indemnifying Party an amount equal to the excess of the Indemnity Payment received over the amount of the Indemnity Payment that would have been due if the Insurance Proceeds or such other amounts (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) had been received, realized or recovered before the Indemnity Payment was made.

 

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(b) The Parties agree that an insurer that would otherwise be obligated to pay any claim shall not be relieved of the responsibility with respect thereto or, solely by virtue of any provision contained in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, have any subrogation rights with respect thereto, it being understood that no insurer or any other Third Party shall be entitled to a “windfall” (i.e., a benefit it would not be entitled to receive in the absence of the indemnification provisions) by virtue of the indemnification and contribution provisions hereof. Each Party shall, and shall cause the members of its Group to, use commercially reasonable efforts (taking into account the probability of success on the merits and the cost of expending such efforts, including attorneys’ fees and expenses) to collect or recover, any Insurance Proceeds that may be collectible or recoverable respecting the Liabilities for which indemnification or contribution may be available under this Article IV. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Indemnifying Party shall not delay making any indemnification payment required, or otherwise satisfying any indemnification obligation, under the terms of this Agreement pending the outcome of any Action to collect or recover Insurance Proceeds, and an Indemnitee need not attempt to collect any Insurance Proceeds prior to making a claim for indemnification or contribution or receiving any Indemnity Payment otherwise owed to it under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

4.5 Procedures for Indemnification of Third-Party Claims.

(a) Notice of Claims. If, on or following the date of this Agreement, an Indemnitee shall receive notice or otherwise learn of the assertion by any Third Party (including any Governmental Authority) of any claim or of the commencement by any such Third Party of any Action (collectively, a “Third-Party Claim”) with respect to which an Indemnifying Party may be obligated to provide indemnification to such Indemnitee pursuant to Section 4.2 or 4.3, or any other Section of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, such Indemnitee shall give such Indemnifying Party written notice thereof as soon as practicable, but in any event within twenty one (21) days (or sooner if the nature of the Third-Party Claim so requires) after becoming aware of such Third-Party Claim. Any such notice shall describe the Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail, including the facts and circumstances giving rise to such claim, and include copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third-Party Claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of an Indemnitee to provide notice in accordance with this Section 4.5(a) shall not relieve an Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations under Section 4.2 or 4.3 of this Agreement, except to the extent the Indemnifying Party is actually and materially prejudiced by the Indemnitee’s failure to provide notice in accordance with this Section 4.5(a).

 

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(b) Control of Defense. Except as otherwise described on Schedule 4.5, an Indemnifying Party may elect to defend, at its own expense and with its own counsel, any Third-Party Claim; provided that, prior to the Indemnifying Party assuming and controlling the defense of such Third-Party Claim, it shall first confirm to the Indemnitee in writing that, assuming the facts presented to the Indemnifying Party by the Indemnitee are true, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify the Indemnitee for any such Liabilities to the extent resulting from, or arising out of, such Third-Party Claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Indemnifying Party assumes such defense and, in the course of defending such Third-Party Claim, (i) the Indemnifying Party discovers that the facts presented at the time the Indemnifying Party acknowledged its indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim were not true and (ii) such untruth provides a reasonable basis for asserting that the Indemnifying Party does not have an indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim, then (A) the Indemnifying Party shall not be bound by such acknowledgment, (B) the Indemnifying Party shall promptly thereafter provide the Indemnitee written notice of its assertion that it does not have an indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim and (C) the Indemnitee shall have the obligation to assume the defense of such Third-Party Claim. Within thirty (30) days after the receipt of a notice from an Indemnitee in accordance with Section 4.5(a) (or sooner, if the nature of the Third-Party Claim so requires), the Indemnifying Party shall provide written notice to the Indemnitee indicating whether the Indemnifying Party shall assume responsibility for defending the Third-Party Claim. If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending any Third-Party Claim or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election within thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice from an Indemnitee as provided in Section 4.5(a), then the Indemnitee that is the subject of such Third-Party Claim shall be entitled to continue to conduct and control the defense of such Third-Party Claim.

(c) Allocation of Defense Costs. If an Indemnifying Party has elected to assume the defense of a Third-Party Claim (other than with respect to the Third-Party Claims described on Schedule 4.5), then such Indemnifying Party shall be solely liable for all fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with the defense of such Third-Party Claim and shall not be entitled to seek any indemnification or reimbursement from the Indemnitee for any such fees and expenses incurred by the Indemnifying Party during the course of the defense of such Third-Party Claim by such Indemnifying Party, regardless of any subsequent decision by the Indemnifying Party to reject or otherwise abandon its assumption of such defense, unless such Indemnifying Party assumed the defense of such Third-Party Claim by such Indemnifying Party due to a misrepresentation of facts by the Indemnitee in the notice of such Third-Party Claim. If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending any Third-Party Claim or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election within thirty (30) days after receipt of a notice from an Indemnitee as provided in Section 4.5(a), and the Indemnitee conducts and controls the defense of such Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party has an indemnification obligation with respect to such Third-Party Claim, then the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for all reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense of such Third-Party Claim.

(d) Right to Monitor and Participate. Except as otherwise described on Schedule 4.5, an Indemnitee that does not conduct and control the defense of any Third-Party Claim, or an Indemnifying Party that has failed to elect to defend any Third-Party Claim as contemplated hereby, nevertheless shall have the right to employ separate outside counsel (including local counsel as necessary) of its own choosing to monitor and

 

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participate in (but not control) the defense of any Third-Party Claim for which it is a potential Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party, as applicable, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party, as the case may be, and the provisions of Section 4.5(c) shall not apply to such fees and expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Sections 6.8 and 6.9, such Party shall cooperate with the Party entitled to conduct and control the defense of such Third-Party Claim in such defense and make available to the controlling Party, at the non-controlling Party’s expense, all witnesses, information and materials in such Party’s possession or under such Party’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the controlling Party. In addition to the foregoing, if any Indemnitee shall in good faith determine that such Indemnitee and the Indemnifying Party have actual or potential differing defenses or conflicts of interest between them that make joint representation in connection with a Third-Party Claim inappropriate, then the Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate outside counsel (including local counsel as necessary) and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise or settlement thereof, and the Indemnifying Party shall bear the reasonable fees and expenses of such outside counsel for all Indemnitees.

(e) No Settlement. Neither Party shall settle or compromise any Third-Party Claim for which either Party is seeking to be indemnified hereunder without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed unless such settlement or compromise is solely for monetary damages that are fully payable by the settling or compromising Party, does not involve any admission, finding or determination of wrongdoing or violation of Law by the other Party and provides for a full, unconditional and irrevocable release of the other Party and its Indemnitees from all Liability in connection with the Third-Party Claim. The Parties hereby agree that if a Party presents the other Party with a written notice containing a proposal to settle or compromise a Third-Party Claim for which either Party is seeking to be indemnified hereunder and the Party receiving such proposal does not respond in any manner to the Party presenting such proposal within twenty (20) days or such longer period, not to exceed thirty (30) days, as may be agreed by the Parties (or within any such shorter time period that may be required by applicable Law or court order) of receipt of such proposal, then the Party receiving such proposal shall be deemed to have consented to the terms of such proposal.

4.6 Additional Matters.

(a) Timing of Payments. Indemnification or contribution payments in respect of any Liabilities for which an Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Article IV shall be paid reasonably promptly (but in any event within thirty (30) days of the final determination of the amount that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Article IV) by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnitee as such Liabilities are incurred upon demand by the Indemnitee, including reasonably satisfactory documentation setting forth the basis for the amount of such indemnification or contribution payment, including documentation with respect to calculations made and consideration of any Insurance Proceeds that actually reduce the amount of such Liabilities. The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Article IV shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Indemnitee, and (ii) the knowledge by the Indemnitee of Liabilities for which it might be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

 

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(b) Notice of Direct Claims. Any claim for indemnification or contribution under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement that does not result from a Third-Party Claim shall be asserted by written notice given by the Indemnitee to the applicable Indemnifying Party; provided, that the failure by an Indemnitee to so assert any such claim shall not prejudice the ability of the Indemnitee to do so at a later time except to the extent (if any) that the Indemnifying Party is actually and materially prejudiced thereby. Such Indemnifying Party shall have a period of thirty (30) days after the receipt of such notice within which to respond thereto. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such thirty (30)-day period, such specified claim shall be conclusively deemed a Liability of the Indemnifying Party under this Section 4.6(b) or, in the case of any written notice in which the amount of the claim (or any portion thereof) is estimated, on such later date when the amount of the claim (or such portion thereof) is finally determined. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such thirty (30)-day period or rejects such claim in whole or in part, such Indemnitee shall, subject to the provisions of Article VII, be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to such party as contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, as applicable, without prejudice to its continuing rights to pursue indemnification or contribution hereunder.

(c) Pursuit of Claims Against Third Parties. If (i) a Party incurs any Liability arising out of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; (ii) an adequate legal or equitable remedy is not available for any reason against the other Party to satisfy the Liability incurred by the incurring Party; and (iii) a legal or equitable remedy may be available to the other Party against a Third Party for such Liability, then the other Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the incurring Party, at the incurring Party’s expense, to permit the incurring Party to obtain the benefits of such legal or equitable remedy against such Third Party.

(d) Subrogation. In the event of payment by or on behalf of any Indemnifying Party to any Indemnitee in connection with any Third-Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnitee as to any events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnitee may have any right, defense or claim relating to such Third-Party Claim against any claimant or plaintiff asserting such Third-Party Claim or against any other Person. Such Indemnitee shall cooperate with such Indemnifying Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and expense of such Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right, defense or claim.

(e) Substitution. In the event of an Action in which the Indemnifying Party is not a named defendant, if either the Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party shall so request, the Parties shall endeavor to substitute the Indemnifying Party for the named defendant. If such substitution or addition cannot be achieved for any reason or is not requested, the named defendant shall allow the Indemnifying Party to manage the Action as set forth in Section 4.5 and this Section 4.6, and the Indemnifying Party shall fully indemnify the named defendant against all costs of defending the Action (including court costs, sanctions imposed by a court, attorneys’ fees, experts’ fees and all other external expenses), the costs of any judgment or settlement and the cost of any interest or penalties relating to any judgment or settlement.

 

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4.7 Right of Contribution.

(a) Contribution. If any right of indemnification contained in Section 4.2 or 4.3 is held unenforceable or is unavailable for any reason, or is insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnitee in respect of any Liability for which such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, then the Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amounts paid or payable by the Indemnitees as a result of such Liability (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and the members of its Group, on the one hand, and the Indemnitees entitled to contribution, on the other hand, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

(b) Allocation of Relative Fault. Solely for purposes of determining relative fault pursuant to this Section 4.7: (i) any fault associated with the business conducted with the Delayed SpinCo Assets or Delayed SpinCo Liabilities (except for the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of a member of the Parent Group) or with the ownership, operation or activities of the SpinCo Business prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to be the fault of SpinCo and the other members of the SpinCo Group, and no such fault shall be deemed to be the fault of Parent or any other member of the Parent Group; (ii) any fault associated with the business conducted with Delayed Parent Assets or Delayed Parent Liabilities (except for the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of a member of the SpinCo Group) shall be deemed to be the fault of Parent and the other members of the Parent Group, and no such fault shall be deemed to be the fault of SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group; and (iii) any fault associated with the ownership, operation or activities of the Parent Business prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to be the fault of Parent and the other members of the Parent Group, and no such fault shall be deemed to be the fault of SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group.

4.8 Covenant Not to Sue. Each Party hereby covenants and agrees that neither it nor the members of its Group nor any Person claiming through it or them shall bring suit or otherwise assert any claim against any Indemnitee, or assert a defense against any claim asserted by any Indemnitee, before any court, arbitrator, mediator or administrative agency anywhere in the world, alleging that: (a) the assumption of any SpinCo Liabilities by SpinCo or a member of the SpinCo Group on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements is void or unenforceable for any reason; (b) the retention of any Parent Liabilities by Parent or a member of the Parent Group on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements is void or unenforceable for any reason; or (c) any of the provisions of this Article IV is void or unenforceable for any reason.

4.9 Remedies Cumulative. The remedies provided in this Article IV shall be cumulative and, subject to the provisions of Article VIII, shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnitee of any other rights or the seeking of any other remedies against any Indemnifying Party.

 

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4.10 Survival of Indemnities. The rights and obligations of each of Parent and SpinCo and their respective Indemnitees under this Article IV shall survive (a) the sale or other transfer by either Party or any member of its Group of any assets or businesses or the assignment by it of any liabilities; or (b) any merger, consolidation, business combination, sale of all or substantially all of its Assets, restructuring, recapitalization, reorganization or similar transaction involving either Party or any member of its Group.

4.11 Environmental Matters.

(a) Management of Environmental Liabilities.

(i) The Party designated or otherwise deemed to be the Party responsible for an Environmental Liability under this Agreement shall be the Party responsible for managing such Environmental Liability (the “Performing Party”) and the other Party shall be the non-performing Party with respect to such Environmental Liability (the “Non-Performing Party”), unless Schedules 1.4 or 1.10 provide otherwise. With respect to any Environmental Liability, the Performing Party shall be required to perform all Remediation Work and other remediation and compliance activities required by applicable Environmental Laws or the requirements of any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such Environmental Liability or Remediation Work or to comply with any obligations of either Party to indemnify any Third Party with respect to Environmental Liabilities or avoid Liability to any Third Party under applicable Environmental Law.

(ii) With regard to any Remediation Work to be performed following the date of this Agreement that could reasonably result in Environmental Liability to the Non-Performing Party, upon written request by the Non-Performing Party (A) all proposals for Remediation Work and all decisions as to Remediation Work shall be made by the Performing Party in reasonable consultation with the Non-Performing Party and (B) the Performing Party shall provide to the Non-Performing Party, as promptly as reasonably practicable, a copy of all final written correspondence, reports and other documents submitted to, filed with or received from any Governmental Authority, but, in each case, only to the extent the Non-Performing Party submits a written request to the Performing Party to receive such documents.

(b) Substitution.

(i) Each Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain any consents, transfers, assignments, assumptions, waivers or other legal instruments necessary to cause such Party or the appropriate Subsidiary of such Party to be fully substituted for the other Party or any other applicable member of the other Party’s Group with respect to any Environmental Permits, financial assurance obligations or instruments, or other environmental approvals or filings associated with the SpinCo Assets, in the case of SpinCo, or the Parent Assets, in the case of Parent. Each Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to provide necessary assistance or signatures to the other Party to achieve the purposes of this Section 4.11(b).

 

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(ii) Until such time as SpinCo and Parent complete the substitutions outlined in this Section 4.11(b), each Party shall comply with all applicable Environmental Laws, including all reporting obligations, and the terms and conditions of all orders, decrees, judgments, agreements, actions, Environmental Permits, financial assurances, obligations, instruments or other environmental approvals or filings that remain in the other Party’s name but for which substitutions are to be made pursuant to this Section 4.11(b).

(iii) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 4.11(b) to the contrary, nothing in this Section 4.11(b) shall require either Party to take any actions that would reasonably be expected to increase the overall collective Liabilities of Parent and SpinCo, in the aggregate, to any Third Party.

(c) Standards for Remediation.

(i) The Performing Party shall perform all Remediation Work and other remediation and compliance activities contemplated by this Section 4.11, at a minimum, up to but not beyond the standards applicable to commercial/industrial uses.

(ii) The Parties shall implement deed restrictions, engineering and other institutional controls, and risk-based corrective action to manage or close out any Remediation Work or other remediation and compliance activities contemplated by this Section 4.11, provided that such deed restrictions, engineering and other institutional controls do not materially limit or materially increase the cost of operations.

(iii) The Performing Party may take additional measures beyond the minimum required by this Section 4.11, but at the sole expense of Performing Party, unless such additional measures are required by a Governmental Authority.

4.12 Ancillary Agreements Govern.

(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Article IV to the contrary, the indemnification and contribution obligations contained herein shall not apply to any Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any matters addressed by the Tax Matters Agreement and instead the indemnification obligations or contribution obligations set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement shall govern with regard to such Liabilities. In the case of any conflict between Article IV of this Agreement and the Tax Matters Agreement in relation to any matters addressed by the Tax Matters Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement shall prevail. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 4.5, Section 4.6 and Section 4.7 do not apply to Taxes, which shall be governed by the Tax Matters Agreement.

(b) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Article IV to the contrary, the indemnification and contribution obligations contained herein shall not apply to any Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any matters addressed by the Employee Matters Agreement and instead the indemnification obligations or contribution obligations set forth in the Employee Matters Agreement shall govern with regard to such Liabilities. In the case of any conflict between Article IV of this Agreement and the Employee Matters Agreement in relation to any matters addressed by the Employee Matters Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement shall prevail.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Article IV to the contrary, the indemnification obligations and contribution obligations contained herein shall not apply to any Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the rights and obligations of the Parties under the Transition Services Agreement and instead the indemnification obligations or contribution obligations set forth in the Transition Services Agreement shall govern with regard to such Liabilities. In the case of any conflict between Article IV of this Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement in relation to any matters addressed by the Transition Services Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement shall prevail.

(d) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Article IV to the contrary, to the extent the Registration Rights Agreement contains any indemnification obligations or contribution obligations relating to any Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from information contained in any registration statement (other than the Form 10 (including any amendments or supplements thereto) and the Information Statement (as amended or supplemented), to which this Section 4.12(d) shall not apply), the indemnification obligations and contribution obligations contained herein shall not apply to such Liabilities and instead the indemnification obligations or contribution obligations set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement shall govern with regard to such Liabilities.

ARTICLE V

CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS

5.1 Insurance Matters Generally.

(a) SpinCo does hereby, for itself and each other member of the SpinCo Group, acknowledge and agree that from and after the Effective Time (i) no member of the Parent Group or any Parent Indemnified Party shall have any liability whatsoever as a result of the Insurance Policies, insurance practices and insurance programs of the Parent Group as in effect at any time prior to the Effective Time, including as a result of the level or scope of any such insurance, the creditworthiness of any insurance carrier, the terms and conditions of any policy, the adequacy or timeliness of any notice to any insurance carrier with respect to any claim or potential claim or otherwise, any professional or other advice with respect to the initial policies for SpinCo, any handling of claims for SpinCo, or any oversight or advice with respect to risk management or other insurance-related issues, and (ii) neither SpinCo nor any member of the SpinCo Group shall have any rights to or under any Insurance Policies or other insurance programs of Parent, including the Parent Policies, other than (x) any SpinCo Policies or (y) as expressly provided in Section 5.1.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 5.1(a), Parent acknowledges that SpinCo and the other members of the SpinCo Group as of the Effective Time have or may have certain interests and rights as insureds or beneficiaries or in other capacities under occurrence-based Parent Policies (and under claims-made Parent Policies for incidents occurring prior to the Effective Time but only to the extent that an extended reporting period or tail coverage has been purchased to insure claims by SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group) in respect of the period prior to the Effective Time, and that those interests and rights survive the Effective Time; provided, that the interests and rights of SpinCo and the other members of the SpinCo Group shall be subject to the terms and conditions of such Insurance Policies and insurance programs, including any limits on coverage or scope, any Self-Insurance and other fees and expenses and Parent’s allocation of the cost of claims to its business units, including SpinCo, according to any allocation program in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time. Any claim for recovery by a member of the SpinCo Group under any Parent Policies shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(i) in the case of any claim for recovery (whether solely by a member of the SpinCo Group or jointly with any member of the Parent Group), SpinCo shall report to Parent, as promptly as practicable, any claims, for which it believes it is entitled to recover under Parent Policies, and Parent shall report such claims on behalf of the parties seeking recovery to the applicable insurance carriers in accordance with the Parent Group’s claim-reporting procedures then in effect and control the administration of all such claims, including the timing of any assertion and pursuit of coverage;

(ii) SpinCo and the other members of the SpinCo Group shall indemnify, hold harmless and reimburse Parent and the other members of the Parent Group for (x) any premiums, retrospectively rated premiums, defense costs, indemnity payments, Self-Insurance, claim expenses and claim handling fees or other expenses incurred by members of the Parent Group in connection with this Section 5.1 and (y) any Liabilities arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly, Parent and the other members of the Parent Group handling or administering claims on behalf of SpinCo and the other members of the SpinCo Group pursuant to this Section 5.1;

(iii) SpinCo shall, and shall cause other members of the SpinCo Group to, cooperate and assist with Parent and other members of the Parent Group and share such information as is reasonably necessary in order to permit Parent and members of the Parent Group to manage and conduct the insurance matters contemplated by this Section 5.1, including, without limitation, the production of witnesses in accordance with Section 6.8;

(iv) Neither SpinCo nor any member of its Group, in connection with making a claim under any Parent Policy this Section 5.1, shall take any action that would be reasonably likely to (i) have a material and adverse impact on the then-current relationship between Parent or any member of the Parent Group, on the one hand, and the applicable insurance company, on the other hand; (ii) result in the applicable insurance company terminating or materially reducing coverage, or materially increasing the amount of any premium owed by Parent or any member of the Parent Group under the applicable Parent Policy; or (iii) otherwise compromise, jeopardize or interfere in any material respect with the rights of Parent or any member of the Parent Group under the applicable Parent Policy; and

 

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(v) SpinCo and the other members of the SpinCo Group shall exclusively bear (and neither Parent nor any member of the Parent Group shall have any obligation to repay or reimburse SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group for) and shall be liable for all excluded, uninsured, uncovered, unavailable or uncollectible amounts of all such claims made by SpinCo or any other member of its Group under Parent Policies in accordance with this Section 5.1.

(c) Subject to Section 5.1(b), Parent shall retain the exclusive right to control the Parent Policies, including the right to defend, exhaust, settle, release, commute, buy-back or otherwise resolve disputes with respect to any Parent Policies and to amend, modify or waive any rights under any Parent Policies, notwithstanding whether any such policies or programs apply to any SpinCo Liabilities and/or claims SpinCo has made or could make in the future, and no member of the SpinCo Group shall, without the prior written consent of Parent, erode, exhaust, settle, release, commute, buy-back or otherwise resolve disputes with insurers of Parent or other members of the Parent Group with respect to any of the Parent Policies, or amend, modify or waive any rights under any such Parent Policies. Neither Parent nor any other members of the Parent Group shall have any obligation to secure extended reporting for any claims under any of Parent Policies for any acts or omissions by any member of the SpinCo Group incurred prior to the Effective Time.

(d) All payments and reimbursements by SpinCo pursuant to this Section 5.1 shall be made within thirty (30) days after its receipt of an invoice therefor from Parent.

(e) This Agreement is not intended as an attempted assignment of any policy of insurance or as a contract of insurance and shall not be construed to waive any right or remedy of any member of the Parent Group in respect of any Parent Policy or any other contract or policy of insurance.

(f) The obligations of Parent under this Section 5.1 shall terminate on the date that is two (2) years after the Effective Time, other than in respect of (i) any joint claim for recovery by any member of the SpinCo Group and any member of the Parent Group initiated and reported by Parent and (ii) any insurance claims for Latent Injury Liabilities or Environmental Liabilities under occurrence-based policies that do not contain an asbestos exclusion or an absolute pollution exclusion (generally, pre-1986 policies). Following the date that is five (5) years after the Effective Time, Parent may, at its option with prior written notice to SpinCo, terminate its obligations under this Section 5.1 with respect to insurance claims for Latent Injury Liabilities or Environmental Liabilities.

(g) Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to restrict any member of the SpinCo Group from acquiring at its own expense any insurance policy in respect of any Liabilities or covering any period.

 

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5.2 Treatment of Payments for Tax Purposes. For all Tax purposes, the Parties agree to treat (i) any payment required by this Agreement as either a contribution by Parent to SpinCo or a distribution by SpinCo to Parent, as the case may be, occurring immediately prior to the Effective Time or as a payment of an assumed or retained Liability and (ii) any payment of interest as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the Party entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment, in either case except as otherwise required by applicable Law.

5.3 Inducement. Each of SpinCo and Parent acknowledges and agrees that the other’s willingness to cause, effect and consummate the Separation and the Distribution has been conditioned upon and induced by its covenants and agreements in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, including its assumption or retention of the SpinCo Liabilities or the Parent Liabilities, as applicable, pursuant to the Separation and the provisions of this Agreement and its covenants and agreements contained in Article IV.

5.4 Post-Effective Time Conduct. The Parties acknowledge that, after the Effective Time, each Party shall be independent of the other Party, with responsibility for its own actions and inactions and its own Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the conduct of its business, operations and activities following the Effective Time, except as may otherwise be provided in any Ancillary Agreement, and each Party shall (except as otherwise provided in Article IV) use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent such Liabilities from being inappropriately borne by the other Party.

5.5 Certain Businesses.

(a) Acknowledgement. Parent and SpinCo each acknowledge that the provisions of this Section 5.5 are necessary to protect Parent’s vested interest in having SpinCo’s Eastover paper mill, located at 4001 McCords Ferry Rd, Eastover, South Carolina (“Eastover”), continue to produce Printing Paper Products following the Separation and Distribution in the same manner as prior to the Separation and Distribution, including in light of:

(i) Parent’s substantial investment in the transactions contemplated by the Offtake Agreements, pursuant to which SpinCo is obligated to sell and market Printing Paper Products produced by Georgetown and Riverdale, the economic success of which is dependent upon Printing Paper Products being produced at Eastover following the Separation and Distribution in the same manner as prior to the Separation and Distribution;

(ii) potential damage to Parent from use by SpinCo of its residual knowledge of Parent’s customers, markets, strategy, technology, intellectual property and know-how, suppliers and personnel; and

(iii) the purpose of the Separation and Distribution, which is to create a separate company from Parent for the production, manufacture and sale of Printing Paper Products.

 

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(b) No Conversion. From and after the Effective Time until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Distribution Date, neither SpinCo nor any of SpinCo’s Affiliates shall cause or permit Eastover to alter its production capabilities such that it would produce, design, manufacture or sell products other than Printing Paper Products and those products manufactured using the production capabilities of Eastover existing as of the Distribution Date.

(c) ROFR. If, at any time following the Effective Time, SpinCo or any of its Affiliates (the “Seller”) proposes to Transfer Eastover to a third party purchaser (the “Proposed Transfer”), then SpinCo shall promptly give Parent written notice of the Proposed Transfer (the “Transfer Notice”). The Transfer Notice shall include (w) a description of the Proposed Transfer, (x) the name and address of the proposed purchaser, (y) the purchase price proposed to be paid for Eastover if specifically ascribed by the proposed purchaser as part of the Proposed Transfer, and (z) the other material terms and conditions upon which the Proposed Transfer is to be made. The Transfer Notice shall also include a copy of any written proposal, term sheet or letter of intent or other agreement and any appraisals prepared for Eastover relating to the Proposed Transfer.

(i) Parent shall have an option for a period of forty-five (45) days from receipt of the Transfer Notice to elect to purchase Eastover at the same purchase price contemplated by the Proposed Transfer (subject to the provisions of clause (ii) below) and upon the same material terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice. Parent may exercise such purchase option by notifying SpinCo in writing prior to the expiration of such forty-five (45)-day period (the “Election Notice”).

(ii) In the event that (x) Parent has delivered the Election Notice and (y) the Proposed Transfer contemplates the sale of assets or businesses additional to Eastover, then SpinCo and Parent shall promptly, and in any event within twenty (20) days of delivery of the Election Notice, each select an appraisal firm that has experience in valuing real property assets of similar type to Eastover. Both appraisal firms shall independently determine and deliver their appraisal of the Fair Market Value of Eastover within thirty (30) days of having been engaged to do so. If the appraised value delivered by Parent’s appraisal firm varies by less than 10% from the appraised value delivered by SpinCo’s appraisal firm, then an average of the two appraised values shall be deemed to be the purchase price for the purchase of Eastover by Parent. If the appraised value delivered by Parent’s appraisal firm varies by 10% or more from the appraised value delivered by SpinCo’s appraisal firm, then the appraisal firms shall mutually agree on a third independent appraisal firm within twenty (20) days. If the two appraisal firms cannot agree on the third appraisal firm within the twenty (20)-day period, SpinCo and Parent shall promptly submit the choice of the third appraisal firm to be finally resolved by a sole independent arbitrator appointed pursuant to the CPR Rules, who shall name a third appraisal firm that has experience valuing real property of similar type to Eastover. Parent and SpinCo shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause the third appraisal firm, within twenty (20) days after its appointment, to select one of the appraised values presented by SpinCo’s and Parent’s appraisal firms. The third appraisal firm shall be limited to awarding only one of the appraised values submitted by the SpinCo’s and Parent’s appraisal firms. The determination of the third appraisal firm shall be final and binding on the parties for purposes of the purchase of Eastover by Parent from SpinCo. Each party shall be responsible for the fees, costs and expenses of its own appraisal firm, and the fees, costs and expenses of the third appraisal firm shall be borne 50% by SpinCo and 50% by Parent.

 

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(iii) If Parent delivers the Election Notice, then Parent shall purchase Eastover at the purchase price contemplated by the Transfer Notice (or if applicable, the purchase price determined in accordance with Section 5.5(c)(ii)) and upon the same material terms and conditions as described in the Transfer Notice. The closing of the purchase of Eastover by Parent shall occur at such time and place as mutually agreed by Parent and SpinCo.

(iv) If Parent does not deliver the Election Notice within such forty-five (45)-day period, then the Seller shall have one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date of the Transfer Notice to consummate the Proposed Transfer upon the same material terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice and subject to Section 5.5(d)(ii), if applicable; provided that such one hundred and twenty (120)-day period may be extended if such Proposed Transfer is subject to regulatory approval, until any such approvals have been received, but in no event later than three hundred (300) days from the date of the Transfer Notice. If the Seller proposes to Transfer Eastover after such one hundred and twenty (120)-day (or three hundred (300)-day) period, then SpinCo shall again comply with the procedures set forth in this Section 5.5(c).

(v) Solely for purposes of this Section 5.5(c), the term “material terms and conditions” shall not be construed to include provisions (A) related to the allocation of risk of regulatory approval or (B) termination fees related to the failure to obtain regulatory approval from any Government Authority.

(vi) The provisions of this Section 5.5(c) shall not apply to any Transfer of Eastover that occurs as a result of a Change of Control of SpinCo or any Person (and its Affiliates) that directly or indirectly owns a majority of the capital stock or assets of SpinCo as a result of any other Change of Control.

(vii) The provisions of this Section 5.5(c) shall expire and no longer have any effect following the consummation of the Proposed Transfer.

(d) Change of Control; Transfers.

(i) Sections 5.5(b) and 5.5(c) shall survive any Change of Control of SpinCo and, for the avoidance of doubt, SpinCo’s Affiliates thereafter shall include, without limitation, any Person (and its Affiliates) that directly or indirectly owns a majority of the capital stock or assets of SpinCo as a result of such Change of Control.

(ii) SpinCo shall not Transfer Eastover prior to the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Distribution Date to any Person other than Parent, unless the Transferee shall have agreed, in form and substance satisfactory to Parent, to assume the obligations of SpinCo pursuant to Section 5.5(b).

 

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(e) Recordation. The provisions set forth in Sections 5.5(b) and 5.5(c) shall be recorded on the title of Eastover.

(f) Existing Covenants. Following the Effective Time, SpinCo hereby agrees to comply with, and cause its Affiliates to comply with, (i) certain covenants and obligations required to be performed by Affiliates of Parent with respect to the SpinCo Business pursuant to the Kwidzyn Purchase Agreement and set forth on Schedule 5.5(f) and (ii) non-competition and non-solicitation covenants restricting the operation of the SpinCo Business in effect as of the Effective Time, including pursuant to those Contracts set forth on Schedule 5.5(f)(ii).

(g) Each Party acknowledges and agrees that the agreements and covenants set forth in this Section 5.5 are (i) necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of Parent, (ii) reasonable as to time, geographic area and scope of activity and do not impose a greater restraint on the activities of SpinCo than is reasonably necessary to protect such legitimate interests of Parent, and (iii) reasonable in light of the consideration and other value provided, directly or indirectly, to SpinCo by Parent pursuant to this Agreement, the Ancillaries Agreements and the Separation. SpinCo hereby waives all rights to contest the validity of the agreements and covenants set forth in this Section 5.5 on the ground of the reasonableness of the length of their term or the breadth of their geographic area or scope of activity. If the final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares any term or provision of this Section 5.5 invalid or unenforceable, the Parties agree that the court making the determination of invalidity or unenforceability shall have the power to and shall reform this Section 5.5 to reduce the time, geographic area or scope of activity, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified.

ARTICLE VI

EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY

6.1 Agreement for Exchange of Information and Cooperation.

(a) Subject to Section 6.10 and any other applicable confidentiality obligations, each of Parent and SpinCo, on behalf of itself and each member of its Group, agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide or make available, or cause to be provided or made available, to the other Party and the members of such other Party’s Group, at any time before, at or after the Effective Time, as soon as reasonably practicable after request therefor, any Information (or a copy thereof) in the possession or under the control of such Party or its Group that the requesting Party or its Group requests to the extent that (a) such Information relates to the SpinCo Business, or any SpinCo Asset or SpinCo Liability, if SpinCo is the requesting Party, or to the Parent Business, or any Parent Asset or Parent Liability, if Parent is the requesting Party; (b) such Information is reasonably requested in connection with the requesting Party’s compliance with its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, or under any contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise,

 

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arrangement, release, warranty, commitment or undertaking to which it or any member of its Group is a party or by which any of their respective properties or assets are bound; or (c) such Information is reasonably requested in connection with the requesting Party’s compliance with any obligation imposed by any Governmental Authority or under any applicable Law or securities exchange rule; provided, however, that, in the event that the Party to whom the request has been made determines that any such provision of Information could be commercially detrimental to the Party providing the Information, violate any Law or agreement, or waive any privilege available under applicable Law, including any attorney-client privilege, then the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to permit compliance with such obligations to the extent and in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence. The Party providing Information pursuant to this Section 6.1 shall be obligated to provide Tangible Information only in the form, condition and format in which it then exists, and in no event shall such Party be required to perform any improvement, modification, conversion, updating or reformatting of any such Tangible Information, and nothing in this Section 6.1 shall expand the obligations of a Party under Section 6.5.

(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, following the Effective Time, each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the other Party in its information requests and other reasonable requests to enable (i) the other Party to meet its applicable financial reporting and related obligations under applicable Laws and securities exchange rules and timetable for dissemination of its earnings releases, financial statements, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures and its internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Items 307 and 308, respectively, of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act; (ii) the other Party’s accountants to timely complete their review of the quarterly financial statements and audit of the annual financial statements, including, to the extent applicable to such Party, its auditor’s audit of its internal control over financial reporting and management’s assessment thereof in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the SEC’s and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s rules and auditing standards thereunder and any other applicable Laws; (iii) the other Party to meet its other applicable obligations imposed by any Governmental Authority or under any applicable Law or securities exchange rule; and (iv) the other Party to meet its applicable obligations under any contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment or undertaking to which it or any member of its Group is a party or by which any of their respective properties or assets are bound.

6.2 Financial Information; Public Filings.

(a) Without limiting the generality of Section 6.1, during the period beginning on the Distribution Date and ending following a reasonable period of time after the end of the first full fiscal year following the Distribution Date as required for any member of either Group to prepare consolidated financial statements (including presenting the operations of the SpinCo Business distributed as discontinued operations) or complete a financial statement audit for the fiscal year during which the Distribution Date occurs (the “Overlapping Fiscal Year”), each Party shall, and shall cause the members of its

 

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respective Group to, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with any requests from any member of the other Group, in each case to enable the requesting Person to meet its timetable for dissemination of its earnings releases and financial statements and to enable such requesting Person’s auditors to timely complete their integrated audit of the annual financial statements and internal control over financial reporting.

(b) During the Overlapping Fiscal Year, as soon as practicable, and in any event no later than the earlier of (i) thirty-five (35) days after the end of the applicable fiscal quarter, (ii) five (5) days before Parent is required to post, pursuant to SEC filing requirements, its quarterly financial statements and (iii) five (5) days before SpinCo publicly files its first quarterly report with the SEC that includes its consolidated financial statements for such fiscal quarter (the “SpinCo Quarterly Financial Statements”), SpinCo shall deliver to Parent the substantially final draft of the SpinCo Quarterly Financial Statements. Following such delivery, (x) SpinCo and Parent shall actively consult with each other regarding any changes (whether or not substantive) which SpinCo may consider making to the SpinCo Quarterly Financial Statements, with particular focus on any changes which would have any effect upon Parent’s financial statements or related disclosures and (y) SpinCo shall deliver all material revisions to such drafts as soon as any such revisions are prepared or made. The substantially final draft (including any revisions resulting from the prior sentence) of the SpinCo Quarterly Financial Statements shall be certified by the chief financial officer of SpinCo as presenting fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the SpinCo Group.

(c) As soon as practicable, and in any event no later than the earlier of (x) sixty-five (65) days after the end of the applicable fiscal year, (y) ten (10) days before Parent is required to post, pursuant to SEC filing requirements, its annual financial statements for the Overlapping Fiscal Year and (z) ten (10) days before SpinCo publicly files its first annual report with the SEC that includes its audited consolidated financial statements for the Overlapping Fiscal Year (the “SpinCo Annual Financial Statements”), SpinCo shall deliver to Parent the substantially final draft of the SpinCo Annual Financial Statements. Following such delivery, (i) SpinCo and Parent shall actively consult with each other regarding any changes (whether or not substantive) which SpinCo may consider making to the SpinCo Annual Financial Statements, with particular focus on any changes which would have any effect upon Parent’s financial statements or related disclosures and (ii) SpinCo shall deliver all material revisions to such drafts as soon as any such revisions are prepared or made. The substantially final draft (including any revisions resulting from the prior sentence) of the SpinCo Annual Financial Statements shall be certified by the chief financial officer of SpinCo as presenting fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the SpinCo Group.

(d) With respect to Public Filings (i) by Parent, until the date on which its annual financial statements for the Overlapping Fiscal Year are posted, and (ii) by SpinCo, until the date on which the SpinCo Annual Financial Statements are filed, SpinCo and Parent shall cooperate, and shall cause their respective Representatives to cooperate, to the extent requested by the other, in the preparation of such other Person’s public earnings releases, annual report on Form 10-K, annual financial statements,

 

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quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, quarterly financial statements, current reports on Form 8-K and other proxy, information and registration statements, reports, notices, prospectuses and filings made with the SEC or any national securities exchange or otherwise made publicly available (collectively, the “Public Filings”). SpinCo and Parent agree to provide each other all Information that the other reasonably requests in connection with any Public Filings or that, in either such Person’s judgment, is required to be disclosed or incorporated by reference therein under any Law. Such Information shall be provided by such Person in a timely manner to enable such other Person to prepare, print and release all Public Filings on such dates as such Person shall determine. SpinCo and Parent shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause their respective auditors to consent to any reference to them as experts in any Public Filings required under any Law. If and to the extent requested by either SpinCo or Parent, such other Person shall diligently and promptly review all drafts of such Public Filings.

(e) To the extent it relates to a pre-Effective Time period, SpinCo and Parent shall each authorize its respective auditors to make available to the other Party’s auditors both the personnel who performed or are performing the annual audit of the providing Party and work papers related to the annual audit of the providing Party, in all cases within a reasonable time prior to the opinion date of such other Party’s auditors, so that such other Party’s auditors are able to perform the procedures they consider necessary to take responsibility for the work of the providing Party’s auditors as it relates to such other Party’s auditors’ report on such other Party’s annual financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, all within sufficient time to enable such other Party to meet its timetable for the printing, filing and public dissemination of such other Party’s audited annual financial statements.

(f) To the extent it relates to a pre-Effective Time period, SpinCo and Parent shall each provide access to personnel and records of members of its respective Group to the other Party’s auditors and management so that such other Party may conduct reasonable audits relating to the financial statements provided by the providing Party pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.2.

(g) To the extent it relates to a pre-Effective Time period, (i) each of the Parties shall give the other Party as much prior notice as is reasonably practicable of any changes to, or proposed determination of, its accounting estimates or accounting principles from those in effect as of immediately prior to the Effective Time or of any other action with regard to its accounting estimates or accounting principles or previously reported financial results which may affect the other Party’s financial results, (ii) each of the Parties will consult with the other and, if requested by the Party contemplating such changes, with such Party’s auditors and (iii) unless required by generally accepted accounting principles, Law or a Governmental Authority, SpinCo shall not make such determination or changes which would affect Parent’s previously reported financial results without Distributing’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Further, SpinCo will give Parent prompt notice of any amendments or restatements of accounting statements with respect to the pre-Effective Time period, and will provide Parent with access as provided in this Section 6.2 as promptly as possible such that Parent will be able to satisfy its financial reporting requirements.

 

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(h) Until the end of the Overlapping Fiscal Year, SpinCo shall, and shall cause each member of its Group to, maintain a fiscal year that commences and ends on the same calendar days as Parent’s fiscal year commences and ends, and to maintain monthly accounting periods that commence and end on the same calendar days as Parent’s monthly accounting periods commence and end.

(i) Each Party agrees and acknowledges, on behalf of itself and members of its Group, that it is aware and will advise its Representatives who receive information provided hereunder and are otherwise not aware, that (i) the information provided hereunder may contain material, non-public information concerning the other Party or member of such other Party’s Group and (ii) United States securities laws prohibit any person who has material non-public information concerning a publicly traded Person from purchasing or selling securities of such Person, or from communicating such information to any other Person under circumstances in which it is reasonably foreseeable that such Person is likely to purchase or sell such securities.

6.3 Ownership of Information. The provision of any Information pursuant to Section 6.1, 6.2 or 6.8 shall not affect the ownership of such Information (which shall be determined solely in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements), or constitute a grant of rights in or to any such Information.

6.4 Compensation for Providing Information. A Party requesting Information shall reimburse the other Party for any non-de minimis, reasonable costs, if any, of creating, gathering, copying, transporting and otherwise complying with the request with respect to such Information (including any reasonable costs and expenses incurred in any review of Information for purposes of protecting the Privileged Information of the providing Party or in connection with the restoration of backup media for purposes of providing the requested Information). Except as may be otherwise specifically provided elsewhere in this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement between the Parties, such costs shall be computed in accordance with the providing Party’s standard methodology and procedures.

6.5 Record Retention. To facilitate the possible exchange of Information pursuant to this Article VI and other provisions of this Agreement after the Effective Time, each Party agrees to use reasonable best efforts, which shall be no less rigorous than those used for retention of such Party’s own Information, to retain all Information in its possession or control at the Effective Time for no less than six (6) years following the Effective Time and otherwise in accordance with the policies of Parent as in effect at the Effective Time or such other policies as may be adopted by Parent after the Effective Time (provided that Parent notifies SpinCo in writing of any such change); provided, however, that in the case of any Information relating to Taxes, employee benefits or Environmental Liabilities, such retention period shall be extended to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (giving effect to any extensions thereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section 8.1 of the Tax Matters Agreement shall govern the retention of Records (as defined in the Tax Matters Agreement).

 

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6.6 Limitations of Liability. Neither Party shall have any Liability to the other Party in the event that any Information exchanged or provided pursuant to this Agreement is found to be inaccurate in the absence of gross negligence or intentional misconduct by the Party providing such Information. Neither Party shall have any Liability to any other Party if any Information is destroyed after commercially reasonable efforts by such Party to comply with the provisions of Section 6.5.

6.7 Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information.

(a) The rights and obligations granted under this Article VI are subject to any specific limitations, qualifications or additional provisions on the sharing, exchange, retention or confidential treatment of Information set forth in any Ancillary Agreement.

(b) Any Party that receives, pursuant to a request for Information in accordance with this Article VI, Tangible Information that is not relevant to its request shall, at the request of the providing Party, (i) return it to the providing Party or destroy it, at the providing Party’s election, and (ii) deliver to the providing Party a written confirmation that such Tangible Information was returned or destroyed, as the case may be, which confirmation shall be signed by an authorized representative of the requesting Party.

6.8 Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation.

(a) After the Effective Time, except in the case of an adversarial Action or Dispute between Parent and SpinCo, or any members of their respective Groups, each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the other Party, upon written request, the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of the members of its Group as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available without unreasonable burden, to the extent that any such person (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with any Action in which the requesting Party (or member of its Group) may from time to time be involved, regardless of whether such Action is a matter with respect to which indemnification may be sought hereunder. The requesting Party shall bear all costs and expenses in connection therewith.

(b) In connection with the defense of any Third-Party Claim by a Party, the other Party shall make available to such Party, upon written request, the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of the members of its respective Group as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available without unreasonable burden, to the extent that any such person (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with such defense or any related settlement or compromise, and shall otherwise cooperate in such defense or any related settlement or compromise.

(c) Without limiting the foregoing, the Parties shall cooperate and consult to the extent reasonably necessary with respect to any Actions.

 

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(d) The obligation of the Parties to provide witnesses pursuant to this Section 6.8 is intended to be interpreted in a manner so as to facilitate cooperation and shall include the obligation to provide as witnesses directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents without regard to whether such person could assert a possible business conflict (subject to the exception set forth in the first sentence of Section 6.8(a)).

6.9 Privileged Matters.

(a) The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services that have been and will be provided prior to the Effective Time have been and will be rendered for the collective benefit of each of the members of the Parent Group and the SpinCo Group, and that each of the members of the Parent Group and the SpinCo Group should be deemed to be the client with respect to such services for the purposes of asserting all privileges and immunities that may be asserted under applicable Law in connection therewith. The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services will be provided following the Effective Time, which services shall be rendered solely for the benefit of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, as the case may be.

(b) The Parties agree as follows:

(i) Parent shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any Privileged Information that relates:

(A) solely to the Parent Business or to any member of the Parent Group and not to the SpinCo Business or to a member of the SpinCo Group;

(B) solely to any Parent Liabilities resulting from any Actions that are now pending or may be asserted in the future;

(C) to any individual who served as a director or officer of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time, other than any individual who was also a director, employee or officer of a member of the SpinCo Group except to the extent such Privileged Information relates solely to such individual’s role as a director or officer of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries;

(D) to any communications between internal or outside counsel, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, Parent, any director, employee or officer of Parent, or any member of the Parent Group in connection with this Agreement, any of the Ancillary Agreements, the Separation and Distribution, the Internal Reorganization or any matters relating to such agreements, the Separation or Distribution or the Internal Reorganization, including in connection with a Dispute between a member of the Parent Group and a member of the SpinCo Group; or

(E) solely to the Actions and other matters set forth in Schedule 6.9(b)(i);

 

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in each case, whether or not the Privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the Parent Group or any member of the SpinCo Group.

(ii) SpinCo shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any Privileged Information (other than the Privileged Information relating solely to the Actions and other matters set forth on Schedule 6.9(b)(i)) that relates:

(A) solely to the SpinCo Business or to a member of the SpinCo Group and not to the Parent Business or a member of the Parent Group;

(B) solely to any SpinCo Liabilities resulting from any Actions that are now pending or may be asserted in the future; or

(C) to any individual who serves as a director or officer of SpinCo prior to the Effective Time, other than any individual who was also a director, employee or officer of a member of the Parent Group except to the extent such Privileged Information relates solely to such individual’s role as a director or officer of SpinCo;

in each case, whether or not the Privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the SpinCo Group or any member of the Parent Group.

(iii) If the Parties do not agree as to whether certain Information is Privileged Information, then such Information shall be treated as Privileged Information, and the Party that believes that such Information is Privileged Information shall be entitled to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any such Information unless the Parties otherwise agree. The Parties shall use the procedures set forth in Article VII to resolve any disputes as to whether any Information relates solely to the Parent Business, solely to the SpinCo Business, or to both the Parent Business and the SpinCo Business.

(c) Subject to the remaining provisions of this Section 6.9, the Parties agree that they shall have a shared privilege or immunity with respect to all privileges and immunities not allocated pursuant to Section 6.9(b) and all privileges and immunities relating to any Actions or other matters that involve both Parties (or one or more members of their respective Groups) and in respect of which both Parties have Liabilities under this Agreement, and that no such shared privilege or immunity may be waived by either Party without the consent of the other Party.

(d) If any dispute arises between the Parties or any members of their respective Groups regarding whether a privilege or immunity should be waived to protect or advance the interests of either Party or any member of its Group, each Party agrees that it shall (i) negotiate with the other Party in good faith; (ii) endeavor to minimize any prejudice to the rights of the other Party; and (iii) not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay consent to any request for waiver by the other Party. In addition, each Party specifically agrees that it shall not withhold its consent to the waiver of a privilege or immunity for any purpose except to protect its own legitimate interests.

 

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(e) In the event of any adversarial Action between Parent and SpinCo, or any members of their respective Groups, either Party may waive a privilege in which the other Party or member of such other Party’s Group has a shared privilege, without obtaining consent pursuant to Section 6.9(c); provided that such waiver of a shared privilege shall be effective only as to the use of Privileged Information with respect to the Action between the Parties or the applicable members of their respective Groups, and shall not operate as a waiver of the shared privilege with respect to any Third Party.

(f) Upon receipt by either Party, or by any member of its Group, of any subpoena, discovery or other request that may reasonably be expected to result in the production or disclosure of Privileged Information subject to a shared privilege or immunity or as to which the other Party has the sole right hereunder to assert a privilege or immunity, or if either Party obtains knowledge that any of its, or any member of its respective Group’s, current or former directors, officers, agents or employees has received any subpoena, discovery or other request that may reasonably be expected to result in the production or disclosure of such Privileged Information, such Party shall promptly notify the other Party of the existence of the request (which notice shall be delivered to such other Party no later than ten (10) Business Days before production is required to occur, to the extent practicable) and shall provide the other Party a reasonable opportunity to review the Privileged Information and to assert any rights it or they may have under this Section 6.9 or otherwise to prevent the production or disclosure of such Privileged Information.

(g) Any furnishing of, or access or transfer of, any Information pursuant to this Agreement is made in reliance on the agreement of Parent and SpinCo set forth in this Section 6.9 and in Section 6.10 to maintain the confidentiality of Privileged Information and to assert and maintain all applicable privileges and immunities. The Parties agree that (i) their respective rights to any access to Information, witnesses and other Persons, the furnishing of notices and documents and other cooperative efforts between the Parties contemplated by this Agreement, and the transfer of Privileged Information between the Parties and members of their respective Groups pursuant to this Agreement, shall not be deemed a waiver of any privilege or immunity that has been or may be asserted under this Agreement or otherwise, and (ii) in the event of any exchange by one Party to the other Party of any Privileged Information that should not have been transferred pursuant to the terms of this Article VI, the Party receiving such Privileged Information shall promptly return such Privileged Information to and at the request of the Party that has the right to assert the privilege or immunity.

(h) In connection with any matter contemplated by Section 6.8 or this Section 6.9, the Parties agree to, and to cause the applicable members of their Group to, use reasonable efforts to maintain their respective separate and joint privileges and immunities, including by executing joint defense or common interest agreements to implement or supersede the provisions of Section 6.8 or this Section 6.9 where necessary or useful for this purpose.

 

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6.10 Confidentiality.

(a) Confidentiality. Subject to Section 6.11 and, and without prejudice to any longer period that may be provided for in any of the Ancillary Agreements, from and after the Effective Time until the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Effective Time, each of Parent and SpinCo, on behalf of itself and each member of its Group, agrees to hold, and to cause its respective Representatives to hold, in strict confidence, with at least the same degree of care that applies to Parent’s confidential and proprietary Information pursuant to policies in effect as of the Effective Time, all confidential and proprietary Information concerning the other Party or any member of the other Party’s Group or their respective businesses that is either in its possession (including confidential and proprietary Information in its possession prior to the date hereof) or furnished by any such other Party or any member of such other Party’s Group or their respective Representatives at any time pursuant to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise, and shall not use such confidential and proprietary Information other than for such purposes as shall be expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder, except, in each case, to the extent that such confidential and proprietary Information has been (i) in the public domain or generally available to the public, other than as a result of a disclosure by such Party or any member of such Party’s Group or any of their respective Representatives in violation of this Agreement, (ii) later lawfully acquired from other sources by such Party (or any member of such Party’s Group) which sources are not themselves bound by a confidentiality obligation or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality with respect to such confidential and proprietary Information, or (iii) independently developed or generated without reference to or use of any proprietary or confidential Information of such other Party or any member of such other Party’s Group. If any confidential and proprietary Information of one Party or any member of its Group is disclosed to the other Party or any member of such other Party’s Group in connection with providing services to such first Party or any member of its Group under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, then such disclosed confidential and proprietary Information shall be used only as required to perform such services.

(b) No Release; Return or Destruction. Each Party agrees not to release or disclose, or permit to be released or disclosed, any information addressed in Section 6.10(a) to any other Person, except its Representatives who need to know such information in their capacities as such (who shall be advised of their obligations hereunder with respect to such information), and except in compliance with Section 6.11. Without limiting the foregoing, when any such Information is no longer needed for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and is no longer subject to any legal hold or other document preservation obligation, each Party shall promptly, at the request of the other Party, either return to the other Party all such Tangible Information (including all copies thereof and all notes, extracts or summaries based thereon) or notify the other Party in writing that it has destroyed such Tangible Information (and such copies thereof and such notes, extracts or summaries based thereon); provided, that the Parties may retain electronic back-up versions of such Information maintained on routine computer system backup tapes, disks or other backup storage devices; provided further, that any such Information so retained shall remain subject to the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

 

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(c) Third-Party Information; Privacy or Data Protection Laws. Each Party acknowledges that it and the members of its Group may presently have and, following the Effective Time, may gain access to or possession of confidential or proprietary Information of, or legally protected personal Information relating to, Third Parties (i) that was received under privacy policies or confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements entered into between such Third Parties, on the one hand, and the other Party or members of such other Party’s Group, on the other hand, prior to the Effective Time or (ii) that, as between the two Parties, was originally collected by the other Party or members of such other Party’s Group and that may be subject to and protected by privacy policies, as well as privacy, data protection or other applicable Laws. Each Party shall hold, protect and use, and shall cause the members of its Group and its and their respective Representatives to hold, protect and use, in strict confidence the confidential and proprietary Information of, or legally protected personal Information relating to, Third Parties in accordance with privacy policies and privacy, data protection or other applicable Laws and the terms of any agreements that were either entered into before the Effective Time or affirmative commitments or representations that were made before the Effective Time by, between or among the other Party or members of the other Party’s Group, on the one hand, and such Third Parties, on the other hand.

6.11 Protective Arrangements. In the event that a Party or any member of its Group either determines on the advice of its counsel that it is required to disclose any information pursuant to applicable Law or receives any request or demand under lawful process or from any Governmental Authority to disclose or provide Information of the other Party (or any member of the other Party’s Group) that is subject to the confidentiality provisions hereof, such Party shall notify the other Party (to the extent legally permitted) as promptly as practicable under the circumstances prior to disclosing or providing such Information and shall cooperate, at the expense of the other Party, in seeking any appropriate protective order requested by the other Party. In the event that such other Party fails to receive such appropriate protective order in a timely manner and the Party receiving the request or demand reasonably determines that its failure to disclose or provide such Information shall actually prejudice the Party receiving the request or demand, then the Party that received such request or demand may thereafter disclose or provide Information to the extent required by such Law (as so advised by its counsel) or by lawful process or such Governmental Authority, and the disclosing Party shall promptly provide the other Party with a copy of the Information so disclosed, in the same form and format so disclosed, together with a list of all Persons to whom such Information was disclosed, in each case to the extent legally permitted.

ARTICLE VII

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

7.1 Good-Faith Negotiation. Subject to Section 7.3 and except as otherwise provided in any Specified Ancillary Agreement, either Party seeking resolution of any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or to the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including regarding whether any Assets are SpinCo Assets, any Liabilities are SpinCo Liabilities or the validity, interpretation, breach or termination of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement) (a “Dispute”), shall provide written notice thereof to the other Party (the “Initial Notice”) and, within thirty (30) days of the delivery

 

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of the Initial Notice, the Parties shall attempt in good faith to negotiate a resolution of the Dispute. The negotiations shall be conducted by executives who hold, at a minimum, the title of vice president and who have authority to settle the Dispute. All such negotiations shall be confidential and shall be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for purposes of applicable rules of evidence. If the Parties are unable for any reason to resolve a Dispute within thirty (30) days after the delivery of such notice or if a Party reasonably concludes that the other Party is not willing to negotiate as contemplated by this Section 7.1, the Dispute shall be submitted to arbitration in accordance with Section 7.2.

7.2 Arbitration.

(a) In the event that a Dispute has not been resolved pursuant to Section 7.1, then such Dispute shall, upon the written request of a Party (the “Arbitration Request”), be submitted to be finally resolved by confidential arbitration in accordance with the International Institute for CPR Rules for Administered Arbitration (the “CPR Rules”) then in force. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties in writing, any Dispute to be decided pursuant to this Section 7.2 shall be decided (i) before a sole arbitrator if the amount in dispute, inclusive of all claims and counterclaims, totals less than $10 million or (ii) by a panel of three (3) arbitrators if the amount in dispute, inclusive of all claims and counterclaims, totals $10 million or more.

(b) The panel of three (3) arbitrators will be chosen as follows: (i) within fifteen (15) days from the date of the receipt of the Arbitration Request, each Party shall name an arbitrator; and (ii) the two (2) Party-appointed arbitrators shall thereafter, within thirty (30) days from the date on which the second of the two (2) arbitrators was named, name a third, independent arbitrator who shall act as chairperson of the arbitral tribunal. In the event that either Party fails to name an arbitrator within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of the Arbitration Request, then upon written application by either Party, that arbitrator shall be appointed pursuant to the CPR Rules. In the event that the two (2) Party-appointed arbitrators fail to appoint the third, then the third, independent arbitrator shall be appointed pursuant to the CPR Rules. If the arbitration shall be before a sole independent arbitrator, then the sole independent arbitrator shall be appointed by agreement of the Parties within fifteen (15) days of the date of receipt of the Arbitration Request. If the Parties cannot agree to a sole independent arbitrator during such fifteen (15)-day period, then upon written application by either Party, the sole independent arbitrator shall be appointed pursuant to the CPR Rules.

(c) The award rendered by the arbitrators shall be final and binding on the Parties, and judgment upon the award may be entered by any court having jurisdiction over the relevant party or its assets. The seat of the arbitration shall be New York, New York. The substantive law of the Dispute shall be the law of the State of Delaware, without regard to its choice of law rules. The arbitration and this agreement to arbitrate shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq. Any rights to appeal or review such award by any court or tribunal are hereby waived to the extent permitted by Law. The initiation of arbitration pursuant to this Article VII shall toll the applicable statute of limitations for the duration of any such proceedings.

 

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7.3 Litigation and Unilateral Commencement of Arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article VII, (a) a Party may seek preliminary provisional or injunctive judicial relief with respect to a Dispute without first complying with the procedures set forth in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 if such action is reasonably necessary to avoid irreparable damage and (b) either Party may initiate arbitration before the expiration of the periods specified in Section 7.2 if such Party has submitted a Arbitration Request and the other Party has failed to comply with Section 7.2 in good faith with respect to commencement and engagement in arbitration. In such event, the other Party may commence and prosecute such arbitration unilaterally in accordance with the CPR Rules.

7.4 Conduct During Dispute Resolution Process. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Parties shall, and shall cause the respective members of their Groups to, continue to honor all commitments under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to the extent required hereby and thereby during the course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Article VII unless such commitments are the specific subject of the Dispute at issue.

ARTICLE VIII

FURTHER ASSURANCES AND ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

8.1 Further Assurances.

(a) In addition to the actions specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, each of the Parties shall use its reasonable best efforts, prior to, at and after the Effective Time, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws, regulations and agreements to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

(b) Without limiting the foregoing, prior to, at and after the Effective Time, each Party shall cooperate with the other Party, and without any further consideration, but at the expense of the requesting Party, to execute and deliver, or use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be executed and delivered, all instruments, including instruments of conveyance, assignment and transfer, and to make all filings with, and to obtain all Approvals or Notifications of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person under any permit, license, agreement, indenture or other instrument (including any consents or Governmental Approvals), and to take all such other actions as such Party may reasonably be requested to take by the other Party from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, in order to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the transfers of the SpinCo Assets and the Parent Assets and the assignment and assumption of the SpinCo Liabilities and the Parent Liabilities and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Without limiting the foregoing, each Party shall, at the reasonable request of the other Party and at the cost and expense of the other Party, take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to vest in such other Party good and marketable title to the Assets allocated to such Party under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, free and clear of any Security Interest, if and to the extent it is practicable to do so.

 

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(c) At or prior to the Effective Time, Parent and SpinCo in their respective capacities as direct and indirect stockholders of the members of their Groups, shall each ratify any actions that are reasonably necessary or desirable to be taken by Parent, SpinCo or any of the members of their respective Groups, as the case may be, to effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

(d) Parent and SpinCo, and each of the members of their respective Groups, waive (and agree not to assert against any of the others) any claim or demand that any of them may have against any of the others for any Liabilities or other claims relating to or arising out of: (i) the failure of SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group, on the one hand, or of Parent or any other member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, to provide any notification or disclosure required under any Environmental Law in connection with the Separation or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the transfer by any member of any Group to any member of the other Group of ownership or operational control of any Assets not previously owned or operated by such transferee; or (ii) any inadequate, incorrect or incomplete notification or disclosure under any such Environmental Law by the applicable transferor. To the extent any Liability to any Governmental Authority or any Third Party arises out of any action or inaction described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence, the transferee of the applicable Asset hereby assumes and agrees to pay any such Liability.

8.2 Domain Name Use. Upon the request of a Party that used a domain name in connection with its business prior to the Effective Time, the Party owning the domain name following the Effective Time will re-direct traffic for that domain name to a domain name identified by the requesting Party for a period ending on the first (1st) anniversary of the Distribution Date.

ARTICLE IX

TERMINATION

9.1 Termination. This Agreement and all Ancillary Agreements may be terminated and the Distribution may be amended, modified or abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by Parent, in its sole and absolute discretion, without the approval or consent of any other Person, including SpinCo. After the Effective Time, this Agreement shall not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by a duly authorized officer of each of the Parties.

9.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of any termination of this Agreement prior to the Effective Time, no Party (nor any of its directors, officers or employees) shall have any Liability or further obligation to the other Party by reason of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power.

(a) This Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties hereto or the parties thereto, respectively, and delivered to the other Party hereto or parties thereto, respectively.

(b) This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Exhibits, Schedules and appendices hereto and thereto contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein.

(c) Parent represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the Parent Group, and SpinCo represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the SpinCo Group, as follows:

(i) each such Person has the requisite corporate or other power and authority and has taken all corporate or other action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and

(ii) this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms thereof.

(d) Each Party acknowledges that it and each other Party is executing this Agreement and certain of the Ancillary Agreements by facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature, and that delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp, electronic or mechanical signature) by email in portable document format (PDF) shall be effective as delivery of such executed counterpart of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. Each Party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature (regardless of whether delivered in person, by mail, by courier or by email in portable document format (PDF)) made in its respective name as if it were a manual signature delivered in person, agrees that it shall not assert that any such signature or delivery is not adequate to bind such Party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and delivered in person and agrees that, at the reasonable request of the other Party at any time, it shall as promptly as reasonably practicable cause each such Ancillary Agreement to be manually executed (any such execution to be as of the date of the initial date thereof) and delivered in person, by mail or by courier.

10.2 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(a) This Agreement and, unless expressly provided therein, each Ancillary Agreement (and any Disputes arising out of or related hereto or thereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby or to the inducement of any party to enter herein and therein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware irrespective of the choice of laws principles of the State of Delaware including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.

 

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(b) Subject to the provisions of Article VII, each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement for recognition or enforcement of any judgment relating hereto, and each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agrees not to commence any such action or proceeding except in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, (ii) agrees that any claim in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, (iii) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in such courts and (iv) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in such courts.

(c) EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH ANCILLARY AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 10.2(c).

10.3 Assignability. Except as set forth in any Ancillary Agreement, this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and the parties thereto, respectively, and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party nor any such party thereto may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other Party hereto or other parties thereto, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such consent shall be required for the assignment of a party’s

 

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rights and obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (except as may be otherwise provided in any such Ancillary Agreement) in whole (i.e., the assignment of a party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and all Ancillary Agreements all at the same time) in connection with a Change of Control of a Party so long as the resulting, surviving or transferee Person assumes all the obligations of the relevant party thereto by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party. Nothing herein is intended to, or shall be construed to, prohibit either Party or any member of its Group from being party to or undertaking a Change of Control, provided that nothing in this Section 10.3 shall limit the terms of Section 5.5(b).

10.4 Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except for any Parent Indemnitee or SpinCo Indemnitee (in their respective capacities as such) expressly entitled to indemnification rights under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, (a) the provisions of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties hereto and parties thereto, respectively, and are not intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies hereunder, and (b) there are no third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement and neither this Agreement nor any Ancillary Agreement shall provide any Third Party with any remedy, claim, Liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

10.5 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement and, to the extent applicable and unless otherwise provided therein, under each of the Ancillary Agreements shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by e-mail with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 10.5):

If to Parent, to:

International Paper Company

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

Attention: [    ]

E-mail: [    ]

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

[    ]

[    ]

[    ]

Attention: [    ]

E-mail: [    ]

 

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If to SpinCo, to:

[    ]

[    ]

[    ]

Attention: [    ]

E-mail: [    ]

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

[    ]

[    ]

[    ]

Attention: [    ]

E-mail: [    ]

A Party may, by notice to the other Party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.

10.6 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

10.7 Force Majeure. No Party shall be deemed in default of this Agreement or, unless otherwise expressly provided therein, any Ancillary Agreement for any delay or failure to fulfill any obligation (other than a payment obligation) hereunder or thereunder so long as and to the extent any delay or failure in the fulfillment of such obligation is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure. In the event of any such excused delay, the time for performance of such obligations (other than a payment obligation) shall be extended for a period equal to the time lost by reason of the delay unless this Agreement has previously been terminated under Article IX. A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event, (a) provide written notice to the other Party of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition and (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, as applicable, as soon as reasonably practicable.

10.8 No Set-Off. Except as expressly set forth in any Ancillary Agreement or as otherwise mutually agreed to in writing by the Parties, neither Party nor any member of such Party’s Group shall have any right of set-off or other similar rights with respect to (a) any amounts received pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or (b) any other amounts claimed to be owed to the other Party or any member of its Group arising out of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

 

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10.9 Publicity. Prior to the Effective Time, each of SpinCo and Parent shall consult with each other prior to issuing any press releases or otherwise making public statements with respect to the Separation, the Distribution or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby or under any Ancillary Agreement and prior to making any filings with any Governmental Authority with respect thereto.

10.10 Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement (including Section 2.14(b)) or any Ancillary Agreement, or as otherwise agreed to in writing by the Parties, all fees, costs and expenses incurred (a) by the Parties at or prior to the Effective Time in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery and implementation of this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, the Separation, the Form 10, the Information Statement, the Separation and the Distribution and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be charged to and paid by Parent and (b) after the Effective Time shall be borne by the Party or its applicable Subsidiary incurring such fees, costs or expenses; provided, that the costs and expenses set forth on Schedule 10.10 shall be allocated between the Parties as set forth therein.

10.11 Headings. The Article, Section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement and in the Ancillary Agreements are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

10.12 Survival of Covenants. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the covenants, representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement, and Liability for the breach of any obligations contained herein, shall survive the Separation and the Distribution and shall remain in full force and effect.

10.13 Waivers of Default. Waiver by a Party of any default by the other Party of any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement must be in writing and shall not be deemed a waiver by the waiving Party of any subsequent or other default, nor shall it prejudice the rights of the other Party. No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof prejudice any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

10.14 Specific Performance. Subject to the provisions of Article VII, in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the Party hereto or parties thereto, respectively, who are, or are to be, thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief in respect of their respective rights under this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement, as applicable, in addition to any other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived by each of the Parties.

 

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10.15 Amendments. No provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.

10.16 Interpretation.

(a) In this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, (a) words in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be deemed to include the other genders as the context requires; (b) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement (or the applicable Ancillary Agreement) as a whole (including all of the Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices hereto and thereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement (or such Ancillary Agreement); (c) Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit and Appendix references are to the Articles, Sections, Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices to this Agreement (or the applicable Ancillary Agreement) unless otherwise specified; (d) unless otherwise stated, all references to any agreement (including this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement) shall be deemed to include the Exhibits, Schedules and Annexes to such agreement; (e) the word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement (or the applicable Ancillary Agreement) shall mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified; (f) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (g) unless otherwise specified in a particular case, the word “days” refers to calendar days; (h) references to “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law to close in (x) Memphis, Tennessee or (y) New York, New York; (i) references herein to this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement or such other agreement as of the date on which it is executed and as it may be amended, modified or supplemented thereafter, unless otherwise specified; (j) the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”; (k) unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts, including the symbol “$”, refer to the lawful currency of the United States of America; and (l) all references to “the date hereof” or “the date of this Agreement” and words of similar import shall all be references to [ ], 2021.

(b) In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Transition Services Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement or the Intellectual Property Agreements (the “Specified Ancillary Agreements”), the terms of the applicable Specified Ancillary Agreement shall control with respect to the subject matter addressed by such Specified Ancillary Agreement to the extent of such conflict or inconsistency.

(c) In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of any Specified Ancillary Agreement, on the one hand, and any Transfer Document, on the other hand, including with respect to the allocation of Assets and Liabilities as among the Parties or the members of their respective Groups, such Specified Ancillary Agreement shall control.

 

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10.17 Limitations of Liability. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group, on the one hand, nor Parent or any member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, shall be liable under this Agreement to the other for any indirect, punitive, exemplary, remote, speculative or similar damages in excess of compensatory damages of the other arising in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (other than any such Liability with respect to a Third-Party Claim).

10.18 Performance. Parent shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement to be performed by any member of the Parent Group. SpinCo shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement to be performed by any member of the SpinCo Group. Each Party (including its permitted successors and assigns) further agrees that it shall (a) give timely notice of the terms, conditions and continuing obligations contained in this Agreement and any applicable Ancillary Agreement to all of the other members of its Group and (b) cause all of the other members of its Group not to take any action or fail to take any such action inconsistent with such Party’s obligations under this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

10.19 Mutual Drafting. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements shall be deemed to be the joint work product of the Parties and any rule of construction that a document shall be interpreted or construed against a drafter of such document shall not be applicable.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Separation and Distribution Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
By:  

             

Name:
Title:
SYLVAMO CORPORATION
By:  

             

Name:
Title:

[Signature Page to Separation and Distribution Agreement]

Exhibit 10.1

FORM OF

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY

AND

SYLVAMO CORPORATION

DATED AS OF [•], 2021

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

1.  DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION

     1  

1.1

  Definitions      1  

1.2

  Interpretation      3  

2.  TERM AND PROVISION OF SERVICES

     4  

2.1

  Services      4  

2.2

  Performance of Services      4  

2.3

  Privacy and Data Protection Laws      4  

2.4

  Security Policies      5  

2.5

  Changes for Services      5  

2.6

  Omitted Services      6  

2.7

  Subcontracting      6  

2.8

  Extension of a Term      7  

2.9

  Third Party Consents      7  

2.10

  Cooperation      7  

3.  PRICING, BILLING AND PAYMENT

     8  

3.1

  Service Fees      8  

3.2

  Adjustments to Service Fees      8  

3.3

  Billing Procedures      8  

3.4

  Late Payments      9  

3.5

  Monthly Cost      9  

3.6

  Taxes      9  

3.7

  Withholding      9  

3.8

  Post-Term Invoice      10  

3.9

  Invoice Disputes      10  

3.10

  No Set-Off      10  

4.  ACCESS

     10  

4.1

  Access      10  

4.2

  Information      11  

5.  TRANSITION

     11  

5.1

  Transitional Nature of Services      11  

5.2

  Migration Services      12  

 

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6.  INDEMNITY

     12  

6.1

  Service Provided Indemnity      12  

6.2

  Service Recipient Indemnity      12  

6.3

  Mitigation      12  

6.4

  Procedures      13  

7.  LIMITED WARRANTY; LIMITATION ON DAMAGES

     13  

7.1

  LIMITED WARRANTY      13  

7.2

  EXCLUDED DAMAGES      13  

7.3

  PARENT’S LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY      13  

7.4

  SPINCO’S LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY      13  

7.5

  EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES      14  

8.  OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE SERVICES

     14  

9.  FORCE MAJEURE

     14  

10.  INSURANCE

     15  

11.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION

     15  

12.  TERMINATION

     15  

12.1

  Term      15  

12.2

  Early Termination by Service Provider      15  

12.3

  Early Termination by Service Recipient      16  

12.4

  Return or Destroy of Information      16  

13.  RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES

     16  

14.  PROJECT MANAGERS; DISPUTE RESOLUTION

     17  

14.1

  Project Managers      17  

14.2

  Dispute Resolution      17  

15.  RECORDS

     17  

15.1

  Retention of Records      17  

15.2

  Property of Service Recipient      18  

15.3

  Retention by Service Provider      18  

 

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16. ASSIGNMENT AND DELEGATION

     19  

17.  NOTICES

     19  

18.  SURVIVAL

     19  

19.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

     19  

19.1

  Severability      19  

19.2

  Counterparts      19  

19.3

  Entire Agreement      20  

19.4

  Amendments; Waivers      20  

19.5

  No Third Party Beneficiaries      20  

19.6

  Specific Performance      20  

19.7

  Waiver of Jury Trial      20  

19.8

  Jurisdiction; Service of Process      21  

19.9

  Governing Law      21  

19.10

  Local Agreements      22  

Schedule I – Transition Services and Reverse Transition Services

Schedule II – Excluded Services

Schedule III – Lead Representatives

 

 

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TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of [●], between International Paper Company, a New York corporation (“Parent”), and Sylvamo Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“SpinCo” and, together with Parent, the “Parties”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Separation and Distribution Agreement (as defined below).

WHEREAS, Parent and SpinCo have entered into the Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of [●], 2021 (the “Separation and Distribution Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, certain assets and liabilities constituting the SpinCo Business will be transferred to SpinCo and its Subsidiaries, and at least 80.1% of the outstanding SpinCo Shares will be distributed to Parent’s shareholders;

WHEREAS, the SpinCo Business uses certain services provided by Parent or by Third Parties under contract to Parent, and SpinCo desires to obtain the use of these services for the purpose of enabling it to manage an orderly transition; and

WHEREAS, SpinCo acknowledges that Parent is not in the business of providing such services to Third Parties;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as set forth herein.

1. DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION

1.1 Definitions. The following terms shall have the respective meanings set out below and grammatical variations of such terms shall have corresponding meanings:

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Excluded Services” means those services set forth on Schedule II hereto.

Extension Period” means the period by which a Term is extended in accordance with Section 2.8.

Force Majeure Event” has the meaning set forth in Article IX.

Local Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 19.10.

Migration” means the transition or migration from the provision of a particular Service by Service Provider to Service Recipient under this Agreement to performance of such Service by Service Recipient or a Third Party designated by Service Recipient.

Migration Services” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.

Omitted Services” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.


Parent” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Party” means either Parent or SpinCo, as the context requires, and “Parties” means both of them, as the context requires.

Post-Term Invoice” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8.

Project Manager” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.1.

Providing Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.

Receiving Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.

Reference Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

Reverse Transition Services” means each service specified in Part B of Schedule I hereto to be provided from SpinCo to Parent, or any Supplemental Schedule thereto as may be agreed to from time to time by the Parties.

Sales and Service Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.

Schedules” means Schedule I, Schedule II, Schedule III and any Supplemental Schedule.

Security Policies” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

Separation and Distribution Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Service” means, as the context requires, one or more Transition Services and/or one or more Reverse Transition Services.

Service Delivery Environment” means the equipment, software, systems, databases, communications networks and connectivity, and facilities used by Service Provider to provide the Services.

Service Fees” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

Service Provider” means, in the case of Transition Services, Parent and any of its Affiliates providing Transition Services hereunder, and, in the case of Reverse Transition Services, SpinCo and any of its Subsidiaries to the extent that they are providing Reverse Transition Services hereunder.

Service Provider Fiscal Month” means a month during Service Provider’s fiscal year, as determined by Service Provider for accounting purposes.

Service Provider Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

 

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Service Recipient” means, in the case of Transition Services, SpinCo and any of its Affiliates receiving Transition Services hereunder, and, in the case of Reverse Transition Services, Parent and any of its Subsidiaries to the extent that they are receiving Reverse Transition Services hereunder.

Service Recipient Data” means all the data owned and provided solely by Service Recipient, or created by Service Provider solely on behalf, or for the benefit, of Service Recipient, that is used by Service Provider solely in relation to the provision of the Services, including employee information, customer information, product details and pricing information.

Service Recipient Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

SpinCo” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Supplemental Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.

Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

Transaction Agreements” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the other Ancillary Agreements and the Exhibits, Schedules and appendices hereto and thereto.

Transition Period” means the period from the Distribution Date until all of the Terms for all of the Services have expired or otherwise terminated in accordance with Section 12, and no further Services are being provided hereunder; provided such period shall not extend beyond the date that is fifteen (15) months after the Distribution Date.

Transition Service” means each service specified in Part A of Schedule I hereto to be provided by Parent to SpinCo, or any Supplemental Schedule thereto as may be agreed to from time to time by the Parties.

1.2 Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to a Section or Schedule, such reference shall be to a Section or Schedule of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to an agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof, and by this Agreement. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. Unless the context requires, “or,” “neither,” “nor,” “any,” and “either,” shall not be exclusive. All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as the feminine and neuter genders of such terms. When a reference is made

 

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in this Agreement to “Service Provider” or “Service Recipient,” such reference shall be to the provider or recipient of either Transition Services or Reverse Transition Services as the context requires with reference to the particular Transition Service or Reverse Transition Service at issue. Notwithstanding that each of Parent and SpinCo, and their respective Affiliates, may act under this Agreement in the capacity of both a Service Provider and a Service Recipient, the rights, duties, obligations or liabilities of a Service Provider or Service Recipient set forth in this Agreement shall be limited as the context requires to the rights, duties, obligations or liabilities of the Party acting in the capacity of Service Provider or Service Recipient with reference to the particular Services, rights, duties, obligations or liabilities at issue.

2. TERM AND PROVISION OF SERVICES

2.1 Services. During the Transition Period, but subject to the terms set forth in this Agreement, Service Provider shall provide to Service Recipient (or cause to be provided by its Affiliates or Third Parties to Service Recipient) each Service set forth on Schedule I hereto, which Schedule I shall also include the scope of such Service and fees associated with such Service. Subject to Section 12, each Service shall be provided for the period of time following the Distribution that is indicated on the Schedules for such Service (any such period of time with respect to a Service, including any extension period agreed to by the Parties pursuant to Section 2.10, a “Term”); provided that in no event shall any Term exceed a period of one (1) year or, if extended by Service Recipient pursuant to Section 2.8, a period ending fifteen (15) months after the Distribution Date.

2.2 Performance of Services. Except as otherwise expressly provided on Schedule I hereto, Service Provider shall perform, or shall cause one or more of its Subsidiaries to perform, all Services to be provided by Service Provider in a manner that is based on its past practice and that is substantially similar in all material respects to the analogous services provided by or on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to Parent and its Subsidiaries or its applicable functional group during the 12 months prior to the Distribution Date (“Reference Period”); provided, however, that, nothing in this Agreement shall require Service Provider to favor Service Recipient’s operation of its business over Service Provider’s own business operation; provided, further, that Service Provider shall have the right and sole discretion to establish priorities, as between Service Recipient, on the one hand, and Service Provider, on the other hand, as to the provision of any Service, so long as Service Provider uses commercially reasonable efforts to maintain sufficient resources to perform the Services in accordance with this Agreement. Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly advise Service Recipient of any Services which will be interrupted or delayed as a result of such prioritization.

2.3 Privacy and Data Protection Laws. Service Provider and Service Recipient shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, comply with applicable privacy and data security Laws in the provision or receipt of Services. Furthermore, the provisions of Schedule IV hereto shall govern Service Provider’s Processing of Personal Data (as these terms are defined in Schedule IV) in connection with the provision of Services.

 

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2.4 Security Policies. Service Recipient shall comply with all of Service Provider’s security policies, procedures and requirements relating to the Service Delivery Environment in effect, which shall be no less rigorous than Parent’s policies, procedures and requirements or such other policies as may be adopted by Parent from time to time after the Effective Time (provided that Parent notifies SpinCo in writing of any such change) in connection with its access and use of the Services (the “Security Policies”), and shall not tamper with, compromise or circumvent any security or audit measures employed by Service Provider. Service Provider shall limit access to the Service Delivery Environment to Service Provider personnel who are specifically authorized to have such access, and shall take such measures to prevent unauthorized access, use, destruction, alteration or loss of SpinCo Business data or Parent Business data, as applicable, and other information contained therein. Service Recipient shall access and use only that portion of the Service Delivery Environment for which Service Recipient has been granted the right to access and use; provided, however, that Service Provider shall not unreasonably limit the grant of such access and use by authorized personnel. Neither Party shall establish any type of external network connectivity into the other Party’s systems or network, including WAN or Internet connectivity, without the prior written consent of the other Party. Service Recipient shall limit access of its personnel to the Service Delivery Environment to those personnel who are specifically authorized to have such access and shall cause such personnel to comply with the Security Policies in accessing the Service Delivery Environment in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.4. If, at any time, a Party determines that (a) any of its personnel has sought to circumvent, or has circumvented, the Security Policies, (b) any unauthorized personnel of such Party has accessed the Service Delivery Environment, or (c) any of its personnel has engaged in activities that may reasonably be expected to lead to the unauthorized access, use, destruction, alteration or loss of data, information or software, such Party shall promptly terminate such personnel’s access to the Service Delivery Environment and promptly notify the other Party in writing. In addition, Service Provider shall have the right to deny personnel of Service Recipient access to the Service Delivery Environment upon at least 24 hours’ written notice to Service Recipient in the event that Service Provider reasonably believes that such personnel have engaged in any of the activities set forth in this Section 2.4 or otherwise pose a security concern. Each Party shall reasonably cooperate with the other Party in investigating any apparent unauthorized access to or use of the Service Delivery Environment.

2.5 Changes for Services. The Parties acknowledge that, subject to Section 2.2, the manner, means, and resources to provide the Services are in the reasonable discretion of Service Provider, and Service Provider may make changes from time to time in the manner of performing the Services if Service Provider is making similar changes in performing analogous services for itself and if Service Provider furnishes to Service Recipient reasonable prior written notice of such changes; provided, if such change shall materially adversely affect the timeliness or quality of, or the Service Fees for, the applicable Service, Service Recipient shall be permitted to terminate this Agreement or the applicable specific Service pursuant to Section 12.3. Each agreed upon change shall be documented by an amendment in writing to the applicable Schedule.

 

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2.6 Omitted Services. If any services (other than Excluded Services) that were previously provided to or for the benefit of either Party or their respective Subsidiaries, or caused to be provided to or for the benefit of either Party or their respective Subsidiaries during the Reference Period that Parent or SpinCo reasonably believes are necessary for such Party to operate the Parent Business or the SpinCo Business, respectively, in substantially the same manner as such business was conducted prior to the Distribution Date, and such services have been omitted from Schedule I hereto (“Omitted Services”), then (i) at the request of Service Recipient (made within three months after the Distribution Date) and (ii) so long as Service Recipient is unable to secure such services from a Third Party on commercially reasonable terms, Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide such services, or cause such services to be provided, as promptly as reasonably practicable, pursuant to a supplemental written schedule mutually agreed upon by the Parties acting reasonably and in good faith (each such supplemental written schedule, a “Supplemental Schedule”), setting forth in reasonable detail the nature, scope, term, rates, termination provisions and other terms applicable to such Omitted Service to be provided; provided, however, that no Party shall be obligated to provide such services if (x) the Parties are unable to reach agreement on the terms thereof or (y) Service Provider does not, in its reasonable judgment, have the capability and existing capacity to provide such services or if the provision of any such services would significantly disrupt the operation of its or its Subsidiaries’ businesses; provided, further, that (x) the Service Fees shall for such Omitted Services shall be the fully loaded costs of Service Provider to provide any such Omitted Service and (y) that the obligations of Service Provider to provide any Omitted Services shall be subject to Service Recipient’s use of its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with Service Provider in the provision of such services, and to the extent that changes to the systems, operations or business of Service Recipient implemented in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement after the Distribution Date require alterations in the means of providing any such service, Service Provider shall be obligated only to use its commercially reasonable efforts to make such alterations. Any Omitted Service that is provided or caused to be provided by Service Provider pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be a “Transition Service” or a “Reverse Transition Service”, as applicable, for the purposes of this Agreement (other than as specifically indicated herein). For the avoidance of doubt, any Supplemental Schedule shall be deemed to be part of Schedule I hereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary that may be set forth or implied elsewhere in this Agreement or in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Service Provider shall not, and shall be under no obligation to, provide any Excluded Services after the Distribution Date.

2.7 Subcontracting. Subject to the service level requirements set forth in Section 2.2, Service Provider may use Third Parties to provide some or all of the Services. Notwithstanding any such use of Third Parties, Service Provider shall remain fully obligated for the provision of such Services to the Service Recipient in accordance with the terms hereof; provided, however, if (i) Service Provider elects to use a Third Party service provider for all or substantially all of its and its Subsidiaries’ requirements and/or needs and (ii) Service Provider is able to assign, and has assigned, to Service Recipient, Service Provider’s rights and remedies against such Third Party service provider, such that Service Recipient may pursue such rights and remedies directly, Service Provider shall have no liability to Service Recipient in connection with a failure to perform by such Third Party that is not caused by the action or inaction of Service Provider.

 

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2.8 Extension of a Term. In the event that any Service is required beyond its Term, Service Recipient shall provide Service Provider with a written notice of extension no later than sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the Term of such Service; provided, that Service Recipient shall only be allowed one three (3)-month extension of any Term; provided, further, that in no event shall any Term be extended beyond the date that is fifteen (15) months after the Distribution Date. Such notice shall indicate the period during which Service Recipient wishes to receive such Service after the date of expiration of the Term for such Service; provided, that Service Provider shall not be obligated to provide such extended Service if (x) Service Provider does not, in its reasonable judgment, have the capability and existing capacity to provide such Service or if the provision of such Service would significantly disrupt the operation of its or any member of its Group’s business, or (y) there are interdependencies among such Service and any other Services, for which the Term will expire prior to the end of such extension, and such interdependencies cannot be addressed despite good-faith negotiations between the Parties. Subject to obtaining any necessary Third Party consents in accordance with Section 2.9, Service Provider shall provide, or cause to be provided, the Service to Service Recipient for such period, it being understood and agreed that the Service Fees for each applicable Service shall be subject to a 20% increase from the original Service Fees during any Extension Period. In addition, Service Recipient shall reimburse Service Provider for any reasonable and documented incremental fees charged by Third Party service providers in connection with granting any consent or otherwise extending the Service, in each case, solely with respect to an extension of the Term.

2.9 Third Party Consents. Service Provider shall not be required to provide a Service to the extent the provision of such Service by Service Provider materially conflicts with any contract or agreement to which Service Provider is a party prior to the date hereof or the rights of any Third Party with respect thereto or violates any applicable Law. The Parties shall cooperate in good faith to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any consents from third parties that Service Provider reasonably believes are necessary in order for Service Provider to provide the Services. All reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (if any) incurred by Service Provider to obtain any such consents shall be paid by Service Recipient. In the event that Service Provider is unable to obtain any such consent, Service Provider shall be relieved of its obligation to provide such Service hereunder.

2.10 Cooperation. Unless otherwise provided for in this Agreement, the Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with each other in all matters relating to the provision and receipt of the Transition Services and the Reverse Transition Services. Such cooperation shall include exchanging Information, providing electronic access to systems used in connection with the Transition Services and Reverse Transition Services. Each Party shall cooperate with the other Party in determining the extent to which any Tax is due and owing with respect to any of the Transition Services or Reverse Transition Services, as applicable, and in providing and making available appropriate documentation or Information reasonably requested by the other Party including, but not limited to, applicable resale and/or exemption certificates.

 

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3. PRICING, BILLING AND PAYMENT

3.1 Service Fees. With respect to each Service, Service Recipient shall pay to Service Provider those amounts determined in accordance with the rates and charges, including any set-up or one-time costs, set forth in the Schedule for such Service, and in addition, Service Recipient shall pay Service Provider all reasonable incidental costs and expenses reasonably incurred by Service Provider in providing the Services, including air fare (coach class), lodging, meals, mileage, parking and ground transportation, in each case in accordance with Service Provider’s standard policies with respect to such incidental costs and expenses (collectively, the “Service Fees”). Subject to Section 2.8 and Section 3.2, during the term of this Agreement, the amount of a Service Fee for any Service (or category of Service, as applicable) shall not increase, except to the extent that there is an evidenced increase after the date hereof in the costs actually incurred by Service Provider in providing such Service, including as a result of (i) an increase in the amount of such Service being provided to Service Recipient (as compared to the amount of the Service underlying the determination of a Service Fee), (ii) an increase in the rates or charges imposed by any Third Party that is providing goods or services used by Service Provider in providing the Service (as compared to the rates or charges underlying a Service Fee), (iii) an increase in the payroll or benefits for any employees used by Service Provider in providing the Service, or (iv) any increase in costs relating to any changes in the quality, nature, duration or quantity of the Service provided or how the Service is provided (including relating to newly installed products or equipment or any upgrades to existing products or equipment).

3.2 Adjustments to Service Fees. In the event that any Service is terminated by Service Recipient in accordance with Section 12.3 but subject to Section 3.5, the Service Fees shall automatically be adjusted downward (by the associated fee for such Service set forth on the respective Schedule from and after the first day of the month following termination of such Service). To the extent that such Service is provided to Service Provider by a Third Party service provider, Service Provider may at any time increase the charges for any Service upon written notice to Service Recipient provided such increase is only to the extent of the amount of increase charged by such Third Party service provider.

3.3 Billing Procedures. Not later than twenty-one (21) days after the last day of each Service Provider Fiscal Month, Service Provider shall provide to Service Recipient an itemized invoice for the preceding Service Provider Fiscal Month’s Service Fees. The amount stated in such invoice (to the extent such amount is not the subject of a good faith dispute in accordance with the terms set forth in Section 3.9) shall be paid by Service Recipient in full within thirty (30) days of the date of Service Recipient’s receipt of the invoice (or the next Business Day following such date, if such thirtieth (30th) day is not a Business Day) through payment to an account designated by Service Provider. To protect confidential or competitively sensitive Information, Service Provider may aggregate the Service Fees with respect to some or all of the Services included in such invoice; provided, that Service Provider shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, provide such back-up therefor as reasonably requested by Service Recipient in connection therewith to the extent reasonably required to permit Service Recipient and its Representatives to review and evaluate the amounts set forth in such invoice and verify such amounts; provided, however, that in the event that the Service Provider determines that providing such Information could be commercially detrimental, violate any applicable Law or agreement or waive any attorney-client privilege, then the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate the provision of such Information in a manner that avoids such harm and consequence. Any disputes regarding overpayment shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 14.

 

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3.4 Late Payments. Without prejudice to Service Provider’s other rights and remedies, in the event any sum due (other than those subject to dispute in good faith) to Service Provider pursuant to the terms of this Agreement remains unpaid thirty (30) days after the applicable due date, interest shall accrue daily, from the due date until the date of actual payment, at an annual interest rate equal to 8%.

3.5 Monthly Cost. The cost of each Service is a monthly cost, and the full monthly cost of each Service (applying the volume level, if applicable, of such Service at the beginning of a Service Provider Fiscal Month) shall apply in respect of such Service until such Service is terminated in its entirety as provided in Section 12.3.

3.6 Taxes. Service Recipient shall pay and be liable for any and all sales, service, value-added or other similar Taxes or levies (but not including any Taxes based upon or calculated by reference to income, receipts or capital or withholding taxes) imposed upon, sustained, incurred or levied with respect to the sale, performance, provision or delivery of the Transition Services or Reverse Transition Services, as applicable, provided by Service Provider pursuant to this Agreement (“Sales and Service Taxes”). Such Sales and Service Taxes shall be separately stated on the relevant invoice to the Service Recipient and shall be payable by Service Recipient to Service Provider in the manner set forth in Section 3.3. Service Recipient’s obligation to pay Sales and Service Taxes under this Section 3.6 shall be subject to the receipt by Service Recipient of a valid and customary invoice or other document under the terms of applicable Law for each Sales and Service Tax. Service Provider shall be responsible for the remittance to the applicable Tax authority of any Sales and Service Taxes paid by Service Recipient to Service Provider. If Service Recipient complies with the terms of this Section 3.6 regarding the timely payment of Sales and Service Taxes to Service Provider, it shall not be liable for any interest, penalties or other charges attributable to Service Provider’s improper filing relating to Sales and Service Taxes or late payment or failure to remit Sales and Service Taxes to the relevant Tax authority. In the event that Service Provider receives a refund of (or credit for) any Sales and Service Taxes paid by Service Recipient pursuant to this Section 3.6, Service Provider shall promptly notify Service Recipient and shall pay over to Service Recipient such refund or the amount of such credit. In connection with the Transition Services or Reverse Transition Services, as applicable, provided pursuant to this Agreement, each Party shall be responsible for, and shall withhold or pay or both (or cause to be withheld or paid or both), as may be required by Law, all Taxes pertaining to the employment of such Party’s personnel, agents, servants or designees. Each of Service Provider and Service Recipient shall pay and be responsible for their own Taxes based on their own income or profits or assets. With respect to this Section 3.6, the Parties shall reasonably cooperate with each other and use commercially reasonable efforts to take any action to provide or make available any information reasonably requested (and with a sufficient level of detail) in order to minimize any Sales and Service Taxes payable with respect to the Transition Services or Reverse Transition Services, as applicable.

3.7 Withholding. Payments for Services or other amounts due under this Agreement shall be made net of applicable withholding Taxes; provided, however, that if Service Provider reasonably believes that a reduced rate of withholding Tax applies or Service Provider is exempt from withholding Tax, (a) Service Provider shall provide Service Recipient with appropriate and customary documentation that provides Service Provider qualifies for a reduction to or

 

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exemption from withholding under applicable Law and (b) Service Recipient shall use commercially reasonable efforts to apply such reduced rate of withholding or not withhold if Service Provider provides Service Recipient with evidence satisfactory to Service Recipient that a reduced rate of or no withholding is required by applicable Law. Service Recipient shall promptly remit any amounts withheld to the appropriate taxing authority in accordance with applicable Law and all such amounts so withheld and paid to the relevant taxing authority shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to Service Provider. In the event that Service Recipient receives a refund of any amounts previously withheld from payments to Service Provider and remitted, Service Recipient shall surrender such refund to Service Provider.

3.8 Post-Term Invoice. With respect to any Service Fees that accrue or are incurred by Service Provider or its Affiliates during the Transition Period but that are not billed by Service Provider in a monthly invoice, or of which Service Provider does not become aware until after the Transition Period, Service Provider shall set forth such fees in an invoice or invoices submitted to Service Recipient following the end of the Transition Period (each, a “Post-Term Invoice”). Subject to Section 3.9, and so long as such Post-Term Invoice is received by Service Recipient as promptly as practicable and in any event within one (1) year following the Transition Period, Service Recipient shall remit payment under any such Post-Term Invoice to Service Provider within thirty (30) days after its receipt of such invoice.

3.9 Invoice Disputes. In connection with Section 3.3 or 3.8, in the event of an invoice dispute of which Service Recipient is aware, Service Recipient shall deliver a written statement to Service Provider no later than ten (10) days prior to the date payment is due on the disputed invoice listing all disputed items and providing a reasonably detailed description of each disputed item. Amounts not in dispute amongst the Parties shall be deemed accepted and shall be paid, notwithstanding disputes on other items, within the period set forth in Section 3.3 or 3.8, as applicable. The Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to resolve all such other disputes expeditiously in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 14. When the disputed amount has been resolved, any Party owing an amount to another Party as a result of such resolution shall pay such amount owed to such other Party within ten (10) Business Days following such resolution. This Section 3.9 shall not relieve Service Provider of its obligations to perform the Services.

3.10 No Set-Off. Each of the Parties hereby acknowledges that it shall have no right under this Agreement to offset any amounts owed (or to become due or owing) to the other Party, whether under this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or otherwise, against any other amount owed (or to become due or owing) to it by the other Party.

4. ACCESS

4.1 Access. Service Provider and Service Recipient shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, provide to each other and their respective agents and vendors reasonable access (during normal business hours (when appropriate with respect to physical access), upon reasonable notice and supervised by the appropriate personnel of the Parties or as otherwise agreed by the Parties) to the Information, personnel, and systems necessary (x) for the efficient

 

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and accurate administration, provision, receipt or use of each of the Services and to avoid the duplication of any expenses or benefits thereunder and (y) as reasonably necessary to verify the accuracy of internal controls over information technology, reporting of financial data and related processes employed in connection with verifying compliance with Section 4040 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; provided, that all such Information shall be shared subject to the confidentiality obligations set forth in Section 11, and any Party or Third Party vendor receiving such Information shall agree to be bound by such obligations prior to the provision of any such Information. Service Provider and Service Recipient agree that all of their and their Subsidiaries’ respective employees shall, and that they shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause their respective Representatives’ employees to, when on the property of the other Party, or when given access to any facilities, Information, systems, infrastructure or personnel of such Party and its Subsidiaries, conform to the policies and procedures of such Party, concerning health, safety, conduct and security which are made known or provided to the visiting Party from time to time.

4.2 Information. All Services provided shall be based upon reasonably timely, accurate and complete Information from Service Recipient, which Service Recipient shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide, and Service Provider shall be released from its obligations to provide or cause to be provided reasonably timely, accurate and complete Services to the extent (but only to the extent) Service Recipient fails to provide timely, accurate and complete Information to Service Provider reasonably necessary for the provision of such Services. Service Recipient’s failure to perform or delay in performing any of its obligations hereunder shall not constitute grounds for termination by Service Provider of this Agreement except as provided in Section 12.2; provided, however, that Service Provider’s nonperformance of its obligations under this Agreement shall be excused if and to the extent (i) such Service Provider’s nonperformance results from Service Recipient’s failure to perform its obligations hereunder and (ii) Service Provider provides Service Recipient with written notice of such nonperformance.

5. TRANSITION

5.1 Transitional Nature of Services. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Services to be provided hereunder are transitional in nature and are intended to provide Service Recipient with reasonable time to develop the internal resources and capacities (or to arrange for Third Party providers) to provide such Services. Service Recipient shall use commercially reasonable efforts to reduce or eliminate its and its Group’s dependency on each Service to the extent and as soon as is reasonably practicable (it being understood that this Section 5.1 shall not require Service Recipient to terminate any Service prior to the initial termination date for such Service set forth on the applicable Schedule). No later than 60 days after the Distribution Date, the Parties shall consult for the purpose of agreeing upon the terms of and a plan for the Migration of all Services. Service Recipient will have the primary responsibility for planning and carrying out the Migration of Services prior to the expiration of the Transition Period. Subject to Section 5.2 below and the other terms of this Agreement, Service Provider will provide reasonable cooperation and assistance as requested to support Service Recipient’s Migration efforts.

 

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5.2 Migration Services. To the extent that Service Recipient requires reasonable support, assistance and other services to effect an orderly Migration without interruption to the Services subject to the Migration (“Migration Services”), Service Recipient shall submit a written request describing such Migration Services to Service Provider’s Project Manager, and upon at least ten (10) days’ written notice to Service Provider, the Parties shall meet to discuss and agree, each Party acting reasonably and in good faith, on the scope, timing, hourly rates and other terms of such Migration Services, such agreement to be set forth on a Supplemental Schedule. Service Provider shall then provide such Migration Services; provided, that the Parties’ intent is that Migration Services shall include only such services that Service Provider is capable of providing. Any Migration Service that is provided or caused to be provided by Service Provider pursuant to this Section 5.2 shall be a “Transition Service” or a “Reverse Transition Service”, as applicable, for the purposes of this Agreement (other than as specifically indicated herein).

6. INDEMNITY

6.1 Service Provider Indemnity. Subject to Section 7 and in addition to, but not in duplication of, any indemnification obligations under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Service Provider shall indemnify Service Recipient and its Affiliates and its and their respective officers, directors, employees, partners, managers or persons acting in a similar capacity, agents, consultants, financial and other advisors, accountants, attorneys and other representatives (the “Service Recipient Indemnitees”) in respect of, and hold such Service Recipient Indemnitees harmless from and against, all Losses (other than with respect to Taxes, which are governed exclusively by Sections 3.6 and 3.7) incurred or suffered by Service Recipient Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from the receipt of the Services only to the extent that such Losses result from the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of Service Provider or any of its Affiliates or any of its or their respective officers, directors or employees in providing any of the Services rendered or to be rendered by or on behalf of Service Provider pursuant to this Agreement.

6.2 Service Recipient Indemnity. Subject to Section 7 and in addition to, but not in duplication of, any indemnification obligations under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Service Recipient shall indemnify Service Provider and its Affiliates and its and their respective officers, directors, employees, partners, managers or persons acting in a similar capacity, agents, consultants, financial and other advisors, accountants, attorneys and other representatives (the “Service Provider Indemnitees”) in respect of, and hold Service Provider Indemnitees harmless from and against, all claims of Third Parties (other than with respect to Taxes, which are governed exclusively by Sections 3.6 and 3.7) relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Services rendered or to be rendered by or on behalf of Service Provider pursuant to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or Service Provider’s actions or inactions in connection with any such Services or transactions, except to the extent that such claim results from gross negligence or intentional misconduct of Service Provider or any of its Affiliates or any of its or their respective officers, directors or employees in providing any of the Services rendered or to be rendered by or on behalf of Service Provider pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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6.3 Mitigation. Each of the Parties shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate its respective Losses upon and after becoming aware of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Losses that are indemnifiable hereunder.

6.4 Procedures. The procedures specified in Article IV of the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall apply with respect to any indemnification claims under this Section 6.

7. LIMITED WARRANTY; LIMITATION ON DAMAGES

7.1 LIMITED WARRANTY. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION TO THE CONTRARY, UNLESS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, SERVICE PROVIDER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS ONLY THAT THE SERVICES SHALL BE IN CONFORMITY WITH THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING SECTION 2.2). THE ABOVE-STATED LIMITED WARRANTY IS THE SERVICE PROVIDER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO ANY SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. THE SERVICE PROVIDER DOES NOT MAKE ANY OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, WHETHER OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR OTHERWISE FOR SUCH SERVICES.

7.2 EXCLUDED DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY OR SUCH PARTY’S AFFILIATES, OR ANY OF ITS OR THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES, BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OTHER LAW OR OTHERWISE, IN ALL CASES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PAYABLE IN RESPECT TO A THIRD-PARTY CLAIM.

7.3 PARENT’S LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED HEREIN, THE LIABILITY OF PARENT WITH RESPECT TO SERVICES PROVIDED TO, OR SERVICES RECEIVED FROM, SPINCO OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR ANY OF ITS OR THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS OR EMPLOYEES PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, SHALL NOT EXCEED, IN THE AGGREGATE IN ANY APPLICABLE CALENDAR YEAR, THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF SERVICE FEES ACTUALLY PAID TO PARENT BY SPINCO DURING THE TERM (EXCLUDING ANY AMOUNTS CHARGED BY PARENT AS REIMBURSEMENT OF THIRD PARTY FEES).

7.4 SPINCO’S LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED HEREIN, THE LIABILITY OF SPINCO WITH RESPECT TO SERVICES PROVIDED TO, OR SERVICES RECEIVED FROM, PARENT OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR ANY OF ITS OR THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS OR EMPLOYEES PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, SHALL NOT EXCEED, IN THE AGGREGATE IN ANY APPLICABLE CALENDAR YEAR, THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF SERVICE FEES ACTUALLY PAID TO PARENT BY SPINCO DURING THE TERM (EXCLUDING ANY AMOUNTS CHARGED BY PARENT AS REIMBURSEMENT OF THIRD PARTY FEES).

 

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7.5 EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES. THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 6.1, 6.2, 12 AND 19.6 OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES OF THE SERVICE PROVIDER INDEMNITEES AND THE SERVICE RECIPIENT INDEMNITEES, AS APPLICABLE, FOR ANY CLAIM, LOSS, DAMAGE, EXPENSE OR LIABILITY, WHETHER ARISING FROM STATUTE, PRINCIPLE OF COMMON OR CIVIL LAW, PRINCIPLES OF STRICT LIABILITY, TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.

8. OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE SERVICES

The Parties acknowledge that notwithstanding any delegation of their respective responsibilities under this Agreement to a Third Party, except as provided in the proviso in Section 2.7, such delegating Party shall remain responsible for the provision of the Services which such Party is obligated to provide and any Third Party’s compliance with the performance and standard of performance set forth herein.

9. FORCE MAJEURE

Service Provider shall not be responsible for failure or delay in delivery of any Service that it has responsibility for providing hereunder, if the event (a) does not arise or result from the fault or negligence of Service Provider (or any Person acting on its behalf) and (b) by its nature would not reasonably have been foreseen by Service Provider (or such Person), or, if it would reasonably have been foreseen, was beyond the control of Service Provider, including acts of God, acts of civil or military authority, embargoes, pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic), epidemics, wars, riots, protests or civil unrest, insurrections, fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods, government shutdowns, shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities, travel restrictions, unusually severe weather conditions, labor problems, unavailability of supplies or the response of any Governmental Authority to any of the foregoing, or, in the case of computer systems, any significant and prolonged failure in electrical or air conditioning equipment (a “Force Majeure Event”), provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the receipt by a Party of an unsolicited takeover offer or other acquisition proposal, even if unforeseen or unavoidable, and such Party’s response thereto shall not be deemed a Force Majeure Event. Service Provider shall, promptly after knowledge of the beginning of a Force Majeure Event, notify Service Recipient of a Force Majeure Event that results in a failure or delay in delivery of any Service that it has responsibility for providing hereunder, the reason therefor, and the estimated probable duration and consequence thereof. The Parties acknowledge and agree that such estimation shall not be considered binding in any way, and Service Provider shall not incur liability of any kind if such estimation proves to be inaccurate. Service Provider shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to restore provision of the Services in accordance with this Agreement as soon as reasonably practicable following the commencement of a Force Majeure

 

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Event. In the event that Service Provider is excused from supplying a Service pursuant to this Section 9, Service Recipient shall be free to acquire replacement services from a Third Party at Service Recipient’s expense, and without liability to Service Provider for Service Fees during the duration of the Force Majeure Event, for the period and to the extent reasonably necessitated by such non-performance.

10. INSURANCE

Each Party shall, throughout the term of this Agreement, carry appropriate insurance with a reputable insurance company covering property damage, business interruptions and general liability insurance (including contractual liability) to protect its own business and property interests. To the extent either Party insures, in whole or in part, through a plan of self-insurance, the Parties acknowledge that such self-insurance shall be acceptable for purposes of this Agreement. In the case of any conflict between the terms of this Section 10 and the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall control.

11. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION

Except as provided below, all Information disclosed between Service Provider and Service Recipient pursuant to this Agreement, including Information relating to or received from Third Parties and any Service Recipient Data, are deemed confidential (“Confidential Information”), except, in each case, to the extent that such information has been (i) in the public domain or generally available to the public, other than as a result of a disclosure by such Party or any member of such Party’s Group or any of their respective Representatives in violation of this Agreement, (ii) later lawfully acquired from other sources by such Party (or any member of such Party’s Group) which sources are not themselves bound by a confidentiality obligation or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality with respect to such confidential and proprietary information, or (iii) independently developed or generated without reference to or use of any Confidential Information of such other Party or any member of such other Party’s Group. A Party receiving Confidential Information (the “Receiving Party”) shall not use such information for any purpose other than for which it was disclosed by the party providing such information (the “Providing Party”) and, except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, shall not disclose to Third Parties any Confidential Information for a period of five (5) years from the termination or expiration of this Agreement or, with respect to any trade secrets, indefinitely. The obligations of the Receiving Party and the Providing Party with regard to Confidential Information shall be governed by and set forth in Sections 6.10 and 6.11 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, which shall be deemed incorporated by reference herein.

12. TERMINATION

12.1 Term. The term of this Agreement shall be for the Transition Period. This Agreement is a master agreement and shall be construed as a separate and independent agreement for each and every Service provided under this Agreement. Any termination of this Agreement with respect to any Service shall not terminate this Agreement with respect to any other Service then being provided pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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12.2 Early Termination by Service Provider. Upon at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice, Service Provider may, at its option, terminate this Agreement with respect to any or all Services it provides hereunder or suspend performance of its obligations with respect thereto, in either case solely in the event of the material breach by Service Recipient of this Agreement with respect to such Service or the failure of Service Recipient to pay any invoice within ninety (90) days of the receipt of such invoice, unless Service Recipient is disputing the invoice in good faith pursuant to Section 3.3.

12.3 Early Termination by Service Recipient. If at any time during the applicable Term, Service Recipient wishes to terminate a Transition Service or a Reverse Transition Service, as the case may be, Service Recipient shall provide a written request of termination to Service Provider at least forty-five (45) days prior to the proposed effective date of termination. If Service Provider determines, in good faith, that the termination of such Service would, or is reasonably likely to, result in Service Provider’s inability to provide any remaining Services in accordance with this Agreement (taking into account any interdependencies of the proposed terminated Service and the remaining Services), including with respect to the quality standards, or result in a Party’s inability to maintain the confidentiality of Information disclosed between Service Provider and Service Recipient pursuant to this Agreement, then Service Provider shall notify Service Recipient thereof in writing and the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to determine an alternative solution to enable Service Provider to maintain the ability to provide all other Services not subject to such written request of termination provided in the first sentence of this Section 12.3. Service Recipient shall reimburse Service Provider for incremental fees charged by Third Party service providers in connection with the early termination of Services; provided, that Service Provider shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to minimize such incremental fees.

12.4 Return or Destroy of Information. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason, Service Provider shall, upon the written request of Service Recipient, deliver to Service Recipient or destroy (provided such destruction is promptly confirmed in writing by Service Provider if requested by Service Recipient), at Service Provider’s option, all Information provided to Service Provider by Service Recipient and pertaining to any matters for which Service Provider was providing Transition Services or Reverse Transition Services, as applicable, hereunder; provided, however, Service Provider may retain copies of such Information to the extent necessary for accounting, tax reporting, compliance with Service Provider’s document retention policies or other legitimate business purposes, subject to the requirements of Section 11.

13. RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES

In providing the Services, Service Provider is acting as and shall be considered an independent contractor. This Agreement is not intended to create and shall not be construed as creating between Service Provider and Service Recipient any relationship other than an independent contractor and purchaser of contract services. The Parties specifically acknowledge that they are not, and this Agreement is not intended to and shall not be construed to make them, affiliates of one another and that no principal and agent, joint venture, partnership or similar relationship, or any other relationship, that imposes or implies any fiduciary duty, including any duty of care or duty of loyalty exists between the Parties. Except as expressly set forth herein, no Party has the authority to, and each Party agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly contract any obligations of any kind in the name of or chargeable against the other Party without such other Party’s prior written consent.

 

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14. PROJECT MANAGERS; DISPUTE RESOLUTION

14.1 Project Managers. Service Provider and Service Recipient shall each assign one person to act as that Party’s project manager (the “Project Manager”) for each area of service listed on Schedule III hereto (and other categories, as may be agreed by the Parties). The Project Managers shall (a) represent and act for their respective Party for matters related to the applicable Service, and (b) meet and/or confer on a regular basis (at mutually agreed times and locations) to review the activities under this Agreement and to discuss the status and progress of such activities. Either Party may designate a different individual as its lead representative with respect to the Transition Services or the Reverse Transition Services at any time by delivering prior written notice to the other Party. Service Provider shall promptly notify Service Recipient of any reassignments or changes in contact information of the Project Manager or other key personnel identified in the Schedules hereto. No Project Manager or lead representative for a Party shall have any authority to amend this Agreement.

14.2 Dispute Resolution. The Parties shall use good faith efforts to resolve any controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement, the interpretation of any of the provisions hereof, or the actions of the Parties hereunder. In the event of a breach of this Agreement, or a dispute as to the meaning of this Agreement or any of its terms which the Parties cannot resolve by themselves amicably, the following provisions shall apply (which provisions shall be in addition to, and not a limitation of, the Parties’ remedies under Section 6, 12 or 19.6):

(a) All disputes or issues arising hereunder shall first be referred to the applicable Project Managers for resolution. In the event any such dispute or issue is not resolved in a timely manner, such matter shall be referred to senior management representatives, with appropriate decision making authority for prompt resolution of the matter. If still not resolved, the issue shall be escalated to Service Recipient’s lead representative and Service Provider’s lead representative for resolution. The names and contact information for each of Service Recipient’s and Service Provider’s lead representative with regard to an issue or dispute arising out of or relating to the Transition Services and Reverse Transition Services shall be set forth on Schedule III hereto.

(b) If the Parties are unable to resolve such dispute within sixty (60) days following the commencement of negotiations pursuant to Section 14.2(a), then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

(c) This Section 14.2 shall apply without prejudice to any Party’s right to seek remedies under Section 6, 12 or 19.6 to which such Party may be entitled at any time.

 

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15. RECORDS

15.1 Retention of Records. During the Transition Period, Service Provider shall retain, in accordance with the policies of Parent as in effect at the Effective Time or such other policies as may be adopted by Parent after the Effective Time (provided that Parent notifies SpinCo in writing of any such change), all Information with respect to matters relating to the Services provided to Service Recipient hereunder that are in a form and contain a level of detail substantially consistent with the records maintained by Service Provider in providing similar services to the SpinCo Business or the Parent Business, as applicable, prior to the Distribution Date. As promptly as practicable following the expiration of the applicable Term (or earlier termination) of any Service, Service Provider shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to furnish to Service Recipient the Information belonging to Service Recipient and relating to such Service as clearly identified by Service Recipient at Service Recipient’s own expense, unless Service Recipient reasonably requests that Service Provider retain such Information. Upon delivery of any such Information to Service Recipient, Service Provider shall have no further obligations to Service Recipient with respect to such Information. If reasonably requested by Service Recipient to retain any such Information, Service Provider shall, at Service Recipient’s sole cost, retain such Information in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 15.1, provided that Service Provider shall have no obligation to retain such Information for more than three (3) years following the expiration of the applicable Term (or earlier termination) of such Service related to such retained Information. Thereafter, Service Provider may dispose of such Information after providing Service Recipient reasonable notice and opportunity to take possession of such Information at Service Recipient’s own expense. Service Provider shall be obligated to provide Tangible Information only in the form, condition and format in which it then exists, and in no event shall Service Provider be required to perform any improvement, modification, conversion, updating or reformatting of any such Tangible Information.

15.2 Property of Service Recipient. The Service Recipient Data shall be and shall remain the property of Service Recipient and, to the extent reasonably practicable, shall be promptly provided to Service Recipient by Service Provider upon Service Recipient’s request. The Service Provider shall use Service Recipient Data solely to provide the Services to Service Recipient as set forth herein and for no other purpose whatsoever.

15.3 Retention by Service Provider. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary and subject to Section 11, Service Provider may retain copies of the Information and Service Recipient Data in accordance with policies and procedures implemented by Service Provider in order to comply with applicable Law, professional standards or reasonable business practice, including document retention policies as in effect from time to time and in accordance with past practices.

 

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16. ASSIGNMENT AND DELEGATION

This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except as set forth in Section 2.10, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned or delegated, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, including by operation of law, by any Party hereto without the prior written consent of the other Party hereto, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that either Party may assign this Agreement to any of its Affiliates without the consent of the other Party or delegate its rights or obligations hereunder, in whole or in part, to any of its Affiliates; provided, further, that SpinCo may assign any or all of its rights or interests under this Agreement without the consent of Parent (a) to any Person providing debt financing under the SpinCo Financing Arrangements pursuant to the terms thereof for purposes of creating a security interest herein or otherwise assign as collateral in respect of such debt financing or (b) in connection with a Change of Control of a Party so long as the resulting, surviving or transferee Person assumes all the obligations of the relevant party thereto by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party. No assignment by any Party shall relieve such Party of any of its obligations hereunder; provided, that to the extent full performance or payment is made in full by an Affiliate or Affiliates of Service Provider or Service Recipient with respect to an obligation of Service Provider or Service Recipient, as applicable, hereunder, such obligation shall be in full satisfaction of such obligation of such Person hereunder.

17. NOTICES

Other than for routine communications with respect to operational matters under this Agreement, the procedures specified in Section 10.5 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall apply with respect to all notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement.

18. SURVIVAL

The Parties’ rights and obligations under Sections 3, 6, 7, 11 and 15 through 19 shall survive expiration or termination of this Agreement.

19. GENERAL PROVISIONS

19.1 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable or void, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

19.2 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties hereto or the parties thereto, respectively, and delivered to the other Party hereto or parties thereto, respectively. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp or mechanical signature) by facsimile or by email portable document format (PDF) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

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19.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the other Transaction Agreements, shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein. In the case of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of any other Transaction Agreement regarding the subject matter hereof, the terms of this Agreement shall control. In the case of any ambiguity between the terms and condition of the main body of this Agreement and a Schedule to this Agreement, the terms and conditions of the main body of this Agreement shall control.

19.4 Amendments; Waivers. No provisions of this shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification. No failure or delay by either Party in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right hereunder.

19.5 No Third Party Beneficiaries. The provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties hereto and parties thereto, respectively, and are not intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies hereunder. Except with regard to and as provided in Section 6, no Person shall be deemed a Third Party beneficiary under this Agreement.

19.6 Specific Performance. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Transaction Agreement, in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party hereto, who is, or is to be, thereby aggrieved will have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief in respect of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived by each of the Parties to this Agreement.

19.7 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 19.7.

 

20


19.8 Jurisdiction; Service of Process. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR, IF (AND ONLY IF) SUCH COURT FINDS IT LACKS SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, THE FEDERAL COURT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN DELAWARE, AND APPELLATE COURTS THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT RELATING HERETO, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY (I) AGREES NOT TO COMMENCE ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING EXCEPT IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR, IF (AND ONLY IF) SUCH COURT FINDS IT LACKS SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, THE FEDERAL COURT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN DELAWARE, AND APPELLATE COURTS THEREOF, (II) AGREES THAT ANY CLAIM IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR, IF (AND ONLY IF) SUCH COURT FINDS IT LACKS SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, THE FEDERAL COURT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN DELAWARE, AND APPELLATE COURTS THEREOF, (III) WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY LEGALLY AND EFFECTIVELY DO SO, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH COURTS AND (IV) WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH COURTS. THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE THAT MAILING OF PROCESS OR OTHER PAPERS IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN THE MANNER PROVIDED IN SECTION 17, OR IN SUCH OTHER MANNER AS MAY BE PERMITTED BY LAW, SHALL BE VALID AND SUFFICIENT SERVICE THEREOF AND HEREBY WAIVE ANY OBJECTIONS TO SERVICE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE MANNER HEREIN PROVIDED.

19.9 Governing Law. This Agreement (and any claims or disputes arising out of or related hereto or thereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby or to the inducement of any party to enter herein and therein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) and all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement (and all Schedules hereto) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.

 

21


19.10 Local Agreements. Each of the Parties recognizes and agrees that it may be necessary or desirable to separately document certain matters relating to the Services provided hereunder in various jurisdictions from time to time or to otherwise modify the scope or nature of such Services, in each case to the extent necessary to comply with applicable Law. If such an agreement or modification of any of the Services is required by applicable Law, or if the applicable Parties mutually determine entry into such an agreement or modification of Services would be desirable, in each case in order for Service Provider or its Subsidiaries to provide any of the Services in a particular jurisdiction, Service Provider and Service Recipient shall, or shall cause their applicable Subsidiaries to, to enter into local implementing agreements (as each may be amended and in effect from time to time, each a “Local Agreement”) in form and content reasonably acceptable to the applicable Parties; provided, that the execution or performance of any such Local Agreement shall in no way alter or modify any term or condition of this Agreement or the effect of any such term or condition, except to the extent expressly specified in such Local Agreement. Except as used in this Section 19.10, any references herein to this Agreement and the Services to be provided hereunder, shall include any Local Agreement and any local services to be provided thereunder. Except as expressly set forth in any Local Agreement, in the event of a conflict between the terms contained in a Local Agreement and the terms contained in this Agreement (including the applicable Schedules), the terms in this Agreement shall take precedence.

[SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

22


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Transition Services Agreement to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first above written.

 

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
By:  

                 

  Name:
  Title:
SYLVAMO CORPORATION
By:  

                 

  Name:
  Title:

Transition Services Agreement—Signature Page


SCHEDULE I – TRANSITION SERVICES AND REVERSE TRANSITION SERVICES


SCHEDULE II – EXCLUDED SERVICES


SCHEDULE III – LEAD REPRESENTATIVES


SCHEDULE IV – DATA PROCESSING

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

 

[FORM OF]

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY

AND

SYLVAMO CORPORATION

DATED AS OF [    ], 2021

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

ARTICLE II

 

ALLOCATION OF TAX LIABILITIES

 

2.1

 

General Rule

     10  

2.2

 

Ordinary Taxes

     10  

2.3

 

Scheduled Tax Allocations

     10  

2.4

 

Employment Taxes

     10  

2.5

 

Certain Transaction and Other Taxes

     10  
ARTICLE III

 

CLOSING OF TAXABLE YEARS

 

3.1

 

Closing of Taxable Years

     12  
ARTICLE IV

 

PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS

 

4.1

 

Responsibility of Preparing Tax Returns

     12  

4.2

 

Tax Accounting Practices

     13  

4.3

 

Carrybacks and Claims for Refund

     14  

4.4

 

Allocation of Earnings and Profits and Tax Attributes

     14  

4.5

 

Transfer Pricing

     15  
ARTICLE V

 

TAX PAYMENTS

 

5.1

 

Filing of Tax Returns and Payment of Taxes

     15  

5.2

 

Indemnification Payments

     16  
ARTICLE VI

 

TAX BENEFITS

 

6.1

 

Tax Benefits

     16  
ARTICLE VII

 

INTENDED TAX TREATMENT

 

7.1

 

Representations

     18  

7.2

 

Restrictions on SpinCo

     19  

7.3

 

Restrictions on Parent

     21  

7.4

 

Procedures Regarding Opinions and Rulings

     21  

7.5

 

Liability for Tax Related Losses

     22  

 

i


ARTICLE VIII  
PROCEDURAL MATTERS  
8.1  

Cooperation

     25  
8.2  

Interest

     26  
8.3  

Treatment of Payments; Tax Gross Up

     26  
8.4  

Dispute Resolution

     27  
ARTICLE IX  
TAX CONTESTS  
9.1  

Tax Contests

     28  
9.2  

Expenses and Applicability

     30  
ARTICLE X  
MISCELLANEOUS  
10.1  

Effective Date; Termination of Prior Intercompany Tax Allocation Agreements

     30  
10.2  

Coordination of Agreements

     30  
10.3  

Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power

     30  
10.4  

Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial

     31  
10.5  

Assignability

     32  
10.6  

Third-Party Beneficiaries

     32  
10.7  

Notices

     33  
10.8  

Severability

     34  
10.9  

Force Majeure

     34  
10.10  

Headings

     34  
10.11  

Survival

     34  
10.12  

Waivers of Default

     34  
10.13  

Specific Performance

     34  
10.14  

Amendments

     35  
10.15  

Interpretation

     35  
10.16  

Limitations of Liability

     35  
10.17  

Performance

     35  
10.18  

Mutual Drafting

     36  

 

ii


[FORM OF] TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

This Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of [    ], 2021 (this “Agreement”), is by and between, International Paper Company, a New York corporation (“Parent”), and Sylvamo Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“SpinCo”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Parent and SpinCo have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Separation and Distribution Agreement”), providing for the separation of the SpinCo Business from the Parent Business (the “Separation”) and, following the Separation, for the distribution, on a pro rata basis, to holders of Parent Shares on the Record Date of eighty and one tenth of a percent (80.1%) of the outstanding SpinCo Shares owned by Parent (the “Distribution”);

WHEREAS, Parent plans to dispose of the SpinCo Shares that it retains following the Distribution through sales of shares for cash;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, among other things, Parent will contribute the SpinCo Assets and the SpinCo Liabilities to SpinCo in exchange for (i) the actual or deemed issuance by SpinCo to Parent of SpinCo Shares and (ii) the distribution by SpinCo to Parent of the Cash Transfer (the “Contribution”);

WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it is intended that each of the Contribution and the Distribution, taken together, and the Internal Distributions (as defined below) qualify as a transaction that is tax-free under Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code;

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Parent is the common parent of an affiliated group of domestic corporations, including SpinCo, that has elected to file consolidated U.S. federal Income Tax Returns and, as a result of the Distribution, neither SpinCo nor any of its Affiliates will be a member of such group after the close of the Distribution Date; and

WHEREAS, in contemplation of the Separation and Distribution, Parent and SpinCo desire to set forth their agreement on the rights and obligations of Parent and SpinCo and their respective Affiliates with respect to the responsibility, handling and allocation of federal, state, local and non-U.S. Taxes, and various other Tax matters;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as set forth herein.


ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement (including the recitals hereof), the following terms have the following meaning, and capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Separation and Distribution Agreement:

Accounting Firm” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4.

Active Trade or Business” means the active conduct (as defined in Section 355(b)(2) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder) by Parent or SpinCo, as applicable, and its “separate affiliated group” (as defined in Section 355(b)(3)(B) of the Code) of the trade or business(es) relied upon to satisfy Section 355(b) of the Code with respect to the Distribution (as described in the IRS Ruling Request and the Representation Letters), as conducted immediately prior to the Distribution.

Adjustment Request” means any formal or informal claim or request filed with any Tax Authority, or with any administrative agency or court, for the adjustment, refund, or credit of Taxes, including (a) any amended Tax Return claiming adjustment to the Taxes as reported on the Tax Return or, if applicable, as previously adjusted, (b) any claim for equitable recoupment or other offset, and (c) any claim for refund or credit of Taxes previously paid.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Ancillary Agreements” has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, provided that, for purposes of this Agreement, “Ancillary Agreements” shall not include the Intellectual Property Agreements, the Commercial Agreements or the Leases (as each term is defined in the Separation and Distribution Agreement).

Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Party, all classes or series of capital stock of such Party, including (a) common stock, (b) all options, warrants and other rights to acquire such capital stock and (c) all instruments properly treated as stock in such Party for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

CFO Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(d).

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

Combined Return” means any Tax Return that actually includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of the Parent Group together with one or more members of the SpinCo Group, including (a) any consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return, and (b) any Tax Return with respect to any profit and/or loss sharing group, group payment or similar group or fiscal unit.

Distribution” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

2


Distribution Date” means the date of the consummation of the Distribution, which shall be determined by the Parent Board in its sole and absolute discretion.

Employee Matters Agreement” means the Employee Matters Agreement entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo or members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.

Employment Taxes” means (i) any Tax, the liability or responsibility for which is allocated pursuant to Section 2.6 of the Employee Matters Agreement and (ii) any employment, payroll, social security, disability, unemployment, workers’ compensation or other similar Taxes, tax withholding or similar obligations in respect of Transferred Employees (as defined in the Employee Matters Agreement) employed in jurisdictions outside of the United States, the liability or responsibility for which is allocated pursuant to any agreement entered into in connection with the Separation outside of the United States.

Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest” has the meaning ascribed to such term for purposes of Sections 355(d) and (e) of the Code.

Final Determination” means the final resolution of liability for any Tax, which resolution may be for a specific issue or adjustment or for a Tax Period, (a) by IRS Form 870 or 870-AD (or any successor forms thereto), on the date of acceptance by or on behalf of the taxpayer, or by a comparable form under the laws of a state, local, or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction, except that a Form 870 or 870-AD or comparable form shall not constitute a Final Determination to the extent that it reserves (whether by its terms or by operation of law) the right of the taxpayer to file a claim for refund or the right of the applicable Tax Authority to assert a further deficiency in respect of such issue or adjustment or for such Tax Period (as the case may be); (b) by a decision, judgment, decree, or other order by a court of competent jurisdiction, which has become final and unappealable; (c) by a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Sections 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under the laws of a state, local, or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction; (d) by any allowance of a refund or credit in respect of an overpayment of Tax, but only after the expiration of all Tax Periods during which such refund may be recovered (including by way of offset) by the jurisdiction imposing such Tax; (e) by a final settlement resulting from a treaty-based competent authority determination; or (f) by any other final disposition, including by reason of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or by mutual agreement of the parties.

Group” means either the SpinCo Group or the Parent Group, as the context requires.

Income Tax” means any Tax which is based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to income, capital, net receipts or net worth and any other franchise or similar Taxes.

Income Tax Return” means any Tax Return relating to Income Taxes.

Indemnifying Party” means a Party that has an obligation to make an Indemnity Payment.

 

3


Indemnitee” means a Party that is entitled to receive an Indemnity Payment.

Indemnity Payment” means an indemnity payment required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of any Liability.

Intended Tax Treatment” means (a) the Contribution and the Distribution, the Internal Distributions and the Internal Contributions effected as part of the Separation will qualify for Tax-Free Status and (b) the Non-U.S. Separation Transactions will qualify in accordance with the treatment set forth in the applicable Tax Opinion/Ruling.

Internal Contribution” means any internal separation of the SpinCo Assets and SpinCo Liabilities from the Parent Assets and Parent Liabilities (a) held by certain subsidiaries of Parent and (b) in a transaction intended to qualify, for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, as a contribution that is generally tax-free pursuant to Section 351(a) of the Code.

Internal Distribution” means any internal separation of the SpinCo Assets and SpinCo Liabilities from the Parent Assets and Parent Liabilities (a) held by certain subsidiaries of Parent and (b) in a transaction intended to qualify, for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, as a distribution that is generally tax-free pursuant to Section 355(a) (or Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D)) of the Code).

IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

IRS Ruling Request” means the request for private letter rulings filed by Parent on February 16, 2021 with the IRS (including all attachments, exhibits, and other materials submitted with such ruling request and any amendments or supplemental submissions related thereto).

Liability Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.5(c).

Non-U.S. Separation Transaction” shall mean each of (a) the transfer of certain assets and employees by International Paper Polska Sp. z o.o to Sylvamo Polska Sp. Zo.o in a partial demerger, in exchange for the issuance of shares of Sylvamo Polska Sp. Zo.o to International Paper (Poland) Holding sp. z. o.o. and (b) the transfer of certain assets and employees by IP Belgian Services Company SPRL to International Paper Benelux SRL in a partial demerger in exchange for the issuance of membership interests of International Paper Benelux SRL to International Paper Investments (Luxembourg) S.à.r.l.

Notified Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(a).

Ordinary Taxes” means any Taxes other than Taxes described in Sections 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5.

Parent” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

4


Parent Affiliated Group” means the affiliated group (as such term is defined in Section 1504 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder) of which Parent is the common parent.

Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return” means any U.S. federal Income Tax Return for the Parent Affiliated Group.

Parent Final Determination Adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(b).

Parent Group” means Parent and each Subsidiary of Parent (other than SpinCo and any other member of the SpinCo Group).

Parent Non-Qualified Liabilities” means the “Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities” and the “Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Liabilities”, as each term is defined in the Employee Matters Agreement.

Parent Non-U.S. Combined Income Tax Return” means any consolidated, combined or unitary or other similar Tax Return with respect to non-U.S. Income Taxes or any non-U.S. Income Tax Return with respect to any profit and/or loss sharing group, group payment or similar group or fiscal unity that actually includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of the Parent Group together with one or more members of the SpinCo Group.

Parent Separate Return” means any Tax Return of or including any member of the Parent Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return) that is not a Combined Return.

Parent State Combined Income Tax Returns” means any consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return with respect to state Income Taxes that actually includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of the Parent Group and one or more members of the SpinCo Group.

Past Practices” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

Parties” means the parties to this Agreement.

Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof, without regard to whether any entity is treated as disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Plan of Reorganization” means the plan of reorganization (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g)) that includes the Separation and the Distribution.

 

5


Post-Distribution Tax Opinion” means an unqualified “will” opinion of a Tax Advisor, which Tax Advisor is reasonably acceptable to Parent, on which Parent may rely to the effect that a transaction will not affect the applicable Intended Tax Treatment, provided that any such opinion obtained in connection with a proposed acquisition of SpinCo’s Capital Stock or the Capital Stock of any entity that was a “controlled corporation” in any Internal Distribution entered into on or before the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date shall not qualify as a Post-Distribution Tax Opinion unless such opinion also concludes that such proposed acquisition will not be treated as “part of a plan (or series of related transactions),” within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, that includes the Distribution or any Internal Distribution. Any such opinion must be consistent with the assumption that the Transactions would have qualified for the applicable Intended Tax Treatment if the transaction in question did not occur.

Post-Distribution Tax Period” means any Tax Period beginning after the Distribution Date, and, in the case of any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period beginning the day after the Distribution Date.

Pre-Distribution Tax Period” means any Tax Period ending on or before the Distribution Date, and, in the case of any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period ending on the Distribution Date

Prime Rate” means the rate that Bloomberg displays as “Prime Rate by Country United States” or “Prime Rate by Country US-BB Comp” at http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/PRIME:IND or on a Bloomberg terminal at PRIMBB Index.

Proposed Acquisition Transaction” means a transaction or series of transactions (or any agreement, understanding or arrangement, within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.355-7, or any other regulations promulgated thereunder, to enter into a transaction or series of transactions), as a result of which SpinCo would merge or consolidate with any other Person or as a result of which one or more Persons would (directly or indirectly) acquire, or have the right to acquire, from SpinCo and/or one or more holders of outstanding shares of SpinCo’s Capital Stock, a number of shares of such Capital Stock that would, when combined with any other changes in ownership of such SpinCo’s Capital Stock pertinent for purposes of Section 355(e) of the Code, including for the avoidance of doubt, the Retention and the Subsequent Sale Transactions, comprise 45% or more of (a) the value of all outstanding shares of stock of SpinCo as of the date of such transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such series, or (b) the total combined voting power of all outstanding shares of voting stock of SpinCo as of the date of such transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such series. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Proposed Acquisition Transaction shall not include (i) the adoption by SpinCo of a shareholder rights plan or (ii) issuances by SpinCo that satisfy Safe Harbor VIII (relating to acquisitions in connection with a person’s performance of services) or Safe Harbor IX (relating to acquisitions by a retirement plan of an employer) of Treasury Regulation Section 1.355-7(d). For purposes of determining whether a transaction constitutes an indirect acquisition, any recapitalization resulting in a shift of voting power or any redemption of shares of stock shall be treated as an indirect acquisition of shares of stock by the non-exchanging shareholders. This definition and the application thereof is intended to monitor compliance with Section 355(e) of the Code and shall be interpreted accordingly. Any clarification of, or change in, the statute or regulations promulgated under Section 355(e) of the Code shall be incorporated in this definition and its interpretation.

 

6


Records” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(a)(i).

Refund Recipient” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a).

Representation Letters” means the representation letters and any other materials (including a Ruling Request and any related supplemental submissions to the IRS or other Tax Authority) delivered or deliverable by or on behalf of Parent, SpinCo and others to a Tax Advisor (or Tax Authority) in connection with the issuance by such Tax Advisor (or Tax Authority) of a Tax Opinion/Ruling, as amended prior to the issuance of such Tax Opinion/Ruling.

Retained Stock” means the outstanding SpinCo Shares, up to 19.9% of the aggregate outstanding SpinCo Shares, that Parent may retain after the Distribution.

Retention” means Parent’s retention of the Retained Stock after the Distribution.

Ruling Request” means any letter filed by Parent with the IRS or any other Tax Authority requesting a ruling (including the IRS Ruling Request) regarding certain Tax consequences of the Transactions (including all attachments, exhibits, and other materials submitted with such ruling request letter) and any amendment or supplement to such ruling request letter.

Section 7.2(d) Transaction” means any transaction or series of transactions that is not a Proposed Acquisition Transaction but would be a Proposed Acquisition Transaction if the percentage reflected in the definition of Proposed Acquisition Transaction were 30% instead of 45%.

Separate Affiliated Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 355(b)(3)(B) of the Code.

Separation” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Separation and Distribution Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

SpinCo” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

SpinCo Group” means SpinCo and each Person that is a Subsidiary of SpinCo, as determined immediately after the Distribution.

SpinCo Separate Return” means any Tax Return of or including any member of the SpinCo Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return) that is not a Combined Return.

 

7


Subsequent Sale Transactions” means Parent’s sales of Retained Stock to third parties no later than five years after the Distribution.

Tax” or “Taxes” means any federal, state, local or non-U.S. income, alternative minimum, accumulated earnings, capital gains, net receipts, personal holding company, franchise, capital stock, profits, windfall profits, gross receipts, escheat, unclaimed property, sales, use, value-added, transfer, registration, stamp, premium, excise, customs duties, severance, environmental, real property, personal property, ad valorem, occupancy, license, occupation, employment, payroll, social security, disability, unemployment, workers’ compensation, withholding, estimated or other similar tax, duty, fee, assessment or other governmental charge or deficiencies thereof (including all interest and penalties thereon and additions thereto).

Tax Advisor” means any law or accounting firm that is nationally recognized as being expert in tax matters.

Tax Attribute” means a net operating loss, earnings and profits, net capital loss, overall foreign loss, unused investment credit, unused foreign tax credit, excess charitable contribution, alternative minimum tax credit, general business credit, research and development credit or any other Tax Item that could reduce a Tax or create a Tax Benefit.

Tax Authority” means, with respect to any Tax, the governmental authority or political subdivision thereof that imposes such Tax, and the agency (if any) charged with the collection of such Tax for such entity or subdivision.

Tax Benefit” means any reduction in liability for Tax as a result of any loss, deduction, refund, credit, or other item reducing Taxes otherwise payable.

Tax Contest” means an audit, review, examination, or any other administrative or judicial proceeding with the purpose or effect of determining or redetermining any Tax (including any administrative or judicial review of any claim for refund).

Tax-Free Status” means, with respect to the Contribution and the Distribution taken together (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Subsequent Sale Transactions) and each Internal Distribution and Internal Contribution, the qualification thereof (a) other than with respect to the Internal Contributions, as a reorganization described in Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, (b) with respect to the Internal Contributions, as a contribution described in Section 351 of the Code, (c) other than with respect to the Internal Contributions, as a transaction in which the stock distributed thereby is “qualified property” for purposes of Sections 355(c)(2) and 361(c)(2) of the Code, (d) a transaction in which Parent, SpinCo and the members of their respective Groups (as relevant) recognize no income or gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to Sections 355, 361, and 1032 of the Code or, in the case of the Internal Contributions, Section 351 of the Code, other than, (i) income or gain recognized pursuant to 367(a), 367(b) and/or Section 1248 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated under such provisions (assuming, for this purpose, that any available elections to avoid the recognition of income or gain for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes under such provisions have been duly and timely made), (ii) intercompany items or excess loss accounts taken into account pursuant to the Treasury Regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 1502 of the Code, (iii) in the case of Parent, income or gain in connection with Subsequent Sale Transactions and (iv) in the case of shareholders of Parent, any receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares.

 

8


Tax Item” means, with respect to any Income Tax, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit.

Tax Law” means the law of any governmental entity or political subdivision thereof relating to any Tax.

Tax Opinions/Rulings” means each opinion of a Tax Advisor or ruling by the IRS or another Tax Authority delivered or issued to Parent or any of its subsidiaries in connection with, and regarding the tax treatment of the Contribution and Distribution, any Internal Distribution, Internal Contribution or any Non-U.S. Separation Transaction.

Tax Period” means, with respect to any Tax, the period for which the Tax is reported as provided under the Code or other applicable Tax Law.

Tax-Related Losses” means (a) all Taxes imposed pursuant to any settlement, Final Determination, judgment or otherwise (including Taxes required to be reflected on any Tax Return prepared in accordance with Section 4.2(b)), (b) all accounting, legal and other professional fees, and court costs, incurred in connection with such Taxes and (c) all costs, expenses and damages associated with stockholder litigation or controversies and any amount paid by Parent (or any Affiliate of Parent) or SpinCo (or any Affiliate of SpinCo) in respect of the liability of shareholders, whether paid to shareholders or to the IRS or any other Tax Authority, in each case, resulting from the failure of the Transactions to have the Intended Tax Treatment.

Tax Return” means any federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax return, declaration, statement, report, schedule, form or information return or any amendment to any of the foregoing relating to Taxes.

Tax Return Preparer” means (a) with respect to any Tax Return that Parent is responsible for preparing under Section 4.1(a), Parent and (b) with respect to any Tax Return that SpinCo is responsible for preparing under Section 4.1(b), SpinCo.

Transactions” means the Contribution and Distribution and the other transactions contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement (including the Internal Distributions, the Internal Contributions, the Non-U.S. Separation Transactions and other transactions contemplated by the Plan of Reorganization).

Transaction Tax Contest” means a Tax Contest with the purpose or effect of determining or redetermining Taxes that could give rise to Tax-Related Losses.

Treasury Regulations” means the regulations prescribed under the Code.

 

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ARTICLE II

ALLOCATION OF TAX LIABILITIES

2.1 General Rule.

(a) Parent Liability. Parent shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the SpinCo Group from and against any liability for, Taxes that are allocated to Parent under this Article II.

(b) SpinCo Liability. SpinCo shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Parent Group from and against any liability for, Taxes which are allocated to SpinCo under this Article II.

2.2 Ordinary Taxes. Subject to Section 2.3, all Ordinary Taxes of the Parent Group and SpinCo Group shall be allocated as follows:

(a) Parent Liability. Parent shall be responsible for any and all Ordinary Taxes imposed on or payable by a member of the Parent Group for any Tax Period (including Ordinary Taxes due or required to be reported on any Combined Return that is required to be filed by any member of the Parent Group), including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination. For the avoidance of doubt, Parent shall be responsible for the amount of any installment payment that is required to be paid by Parent pursuant to Section 965(h) of the Code (including any increase in such amount as a result of a Final Determination).

(b) SpinCo Liability. SpinCo shall be responsible for any and all Ordinary Taxes imposed on or payable by a member of the SpinCo Group for any Tax Period, (other than Ordinary Taxes due or required to be reported on a Combined Return for which Parent is responsible under Section 2.2(a)), including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination.

2.3 Scheduled Tax Allocations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all Taxes arising out of the matters described in Schedule 2.3 shall be allocated as described in Schedule 2.3.

2.4 Employment Taxes. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement, including Article II, shall not apply with respect to any and all Employment Taxes, for which the Employee Matters Agreement shall govern.

2.5 Certain Transaction and Other Taxes.

(a) SpinCo Liability. SpinCo shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Parent Group from and against any liability for:

(i) any stamp, sales and use, gross receipts, real property transfer or gains, or other transfer Taxes imposed by any Tax Authority on any member of the SpinCo Group (if such member is primarily liable for such Tax) on the transfers occurring pursuant to the Transactions;

 

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(ii) any value-added or goods and services Tax imposed by any Tax Authority on any member of the SpinCo Group (if such member is primarily liable for such Tax) on the transfers occurring pursuant to the Transactions;

(iii) any Tax (other than Tax-Related Losses) resulting from a breach by any member of the SpinCo Group of any covenant in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; and

(iv) any Tax-Related Losses for which SpinCo is responsible pursuant to Section 7.5.

The amounts for which SpinCo is liable pursuant to Section 2.5(a)(i), (ii), and (iii) shall include all accounting, legal, and other professional fees and court costs incurred in connection with the relevant Taxes and in connection with enforcing this indemnity.

(b) Parent Liability. Parent shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the SpinCo Group from and against any liability for:

(i) any stamp, sales and use, gross receipts, real property transfer or gains, or other transfer Taxes imposed by any Tax Authority on any member of the Parent Group (if such member is primarily liable for such Tax) on the transfers occurring pursuant to the Transactions;

(ii) any value-added or goods and services Tax imposed by any Tax Authority on any member of the Parent Group (if such member is primarily liable for such Tax) on the transfers occurring pursuant to the Transactions;

(iii) any Tax (other than Tax-Related Losses) resulting from a breach by any member of the Parent Group of any covenant in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; and

(iv) any Tax-Related Losses for which Parent is responsible pursuant to Section 7.5.

The amounts for which Parent is liable pursuant to Section 2.5(b)(i), (ii), and (iii) shall include all accounting, legal, and other professional fees and court costs incurred in connection with the relevant Taxes and in connection with enforcing this indemnity.

 

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ARTICLE III

CLOSING OF TAXABLE YEARS

3.1 Closing of Taxable Years. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Parties acknowledge and agree that the Tax Period of each member of the SpinCo Group that joined in the filing of the Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return will close as of the end of the Distribution Date. Parent and SpinCo shall take all commercially reasonable actions necessary or appropriate to close the taxable year of each member of the SpinCo Group for any material U.S. state Tax purposes as of the end of the Distribution Date to the extent permitted by applicable Law; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that (a) SpinCo shall not and shall not permit any member of the SpinCo Group to take any action that would change any Tax Period of a non-U.S. member of the SpinCo Group that begins before the end of the Distribution Date and (b) this Section 3.1(a) shall not be construed to require any member of the Parent Group, or to require Parent to cause any member of the SpinCo Group, to change any of its Tax Periods. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3.1 to the contrary, if Parent determines to elect, or cause an election to be made, under Treasury Regulation Section 1.245A-5(e)(3)(i) to close the taxable year of any non-U.S. member of the SpinCo Group as of the Distribution Date or any prior date on which an extraordinary reduction transaction occurs as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.245A-5(e)(2)(i), SpinCo shall, and shall cause any relevant member of the SpinCo Group to, cooperate with Parent in the making of such election and shall take any action reasonably requested by Parent or that is otherwise necessary to give effect to such election (e.g., entering into a binding agreement as per Treasury Regulation Section 1.245A-5(e)(3)(i)(C)(2)). Moreover, if an election is made under Treasury Regulation Section 1.245A-5(e)(3)(i) to close the U.S. taxable year of any non-U.S. member of the SpinCo Group and such non-U.S. member’s taxable year under non-U.S. law does not close as a result of the election, Parent shall be responsible for determining the allocation of taxable income (determined under non-U.S. law), under the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-76(b), between the portion of the non-U.S. taxable year that ends with, and the portion of the non-U.S. taxable year that begins after, the date on which such non-U.S. member’s U.S. taxable year closes as a result of the election under Treasury Regulation Section 1.245A-5(e)(3)(i), which allocation shall have the effect of determining the amount of non-U.S. Taxes paid or accrued that are allocated to such periods solely for U.S. Tax purposes.

ARTICLE IV

PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS

4.1 Responsibility of Preparing Tax Returns.

(a) Parents Responsibility. Parent shall timely prepare any Combined Returns or Parent Separate Returns, including any Adjustment Request with respect thereto.

(b) SpinCos Responsibility. SpinCo shall timely prepare any SpinCo Separate Returns, including any Adjustment Request with respect thereto.

(c) Right to Review Tax Returns. The Tax Return Preparer with respect to any Tax Return shall make such Tax Return (or the relevant portions thereof) and related workpapers available for review by the other Party to the extent (i) such Tax Return relates to Taxes for which the requesting party is or could reasonably be expected to be liable, (ii) the requesting party would reasonably be expected to be liable in whole or in part for any additional Taxes owing as a result of material adjustments to the amount of Taxes reported on such Tax Return, (iii) such Tax Return relates to Taxes for which the

 

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requesting party would reasonably be expected to have a claim for material Tax Benefits under this Agreement or (iv) reasonably necessary for the requesting party to confirm compliance with the terms of this Agreement, provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Parent shall not be required to make any Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return available for review by any member of the SpinCo Group. The Tax Return Preparer shall provide a draft of any such Tax Return to the other Party for its review and comment at least 30 days prior to the due date for filing of such Tax Return (with extensions), or in the case of any such Tax Return filed on a monthly basis or property Tax Return, at least five Business Days prior to the due date for filing of such Tax Return (with extensions). Parent and SpinCo shall attempt in good faith to resolve any material disagreement arising out of the review of such Tax Return and, failing such resolution, any material disagreement shall be resolved in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.4 as promptly as practicable, provided, however, (x) nothing in this Section 4.1(c) or Section 8.4 shall prevent SpinCo or Parent, respectively, from timely filing a Tax Return (with extensions) and (y) if a payment is made to a Tax Authority in connection with the filing of a Tax Return during the pendency of a disagreement described in this sentence, the Parties shall make any further payments necessary to reflect the ultimate resolution of such disagreement within ten Business Days of such resolution.

(d) Execution of Returns Prepared by Other Party. In the case of any Tax Return which is required to be prepared and filed by one Party under this Agreement and which is required by law to be signed by the other Party (or by its authorized representative), the Party which is legally required to sign such Tax Return shall not be required to sign such Tax Return under this Agreement if there is no reasonable basis for the Tax treatment of any item reported on the Tax Return.

4.2 Tax Accounting Practices.

(a) General Rule. Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.2(b), with respect to any Tax Return that SpinCo has the obligation and right to prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, under Section 4.1, for any Pre-Distribution Tax Period or any Straddle Period (or any Tax Period beginning after the Distribution Date to the extent items reported on such Tax Return could reasonably be expected to affect items reported on any Tax Return that Parent has the obligation or right to prepare and file for any Pre-Distribution Period or any Straddle Period), such Tax Return shall be prepared in accordance with past practices, accounting methods, elections or conventions (“Past Practices”) used with respect to the Tax Returns in question (unless there is no reasonable basis for the use of such Past Practices or unless there is no adverse effect to Parent), and, to the extent any items are not covered by Past Practices (or in the event that there is no reasonable basis for the use of such Past Practices or there is no adverse effect to Parent), in accordance with reasonable Tax accounting practices selected by SpinCo. Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.2(b), Parent shall prepare any Tax Return which it has the obligation and right to prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, under Section 4.1, in accordance with reasonable Tax accounting practices selected by Parent.

 

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(b) Reporting of Transactions. Except to the extent otherwise required (i) by a change in applicable law or (ii) as a result of a Final Determination, (x) neither Parent nor SpinCo shall (and shall not permit or cause any member of its respective Group to) take any position that is inconsistent with the treatment of the Contribution and Distribution, taken together, any Internal Distribution, any Internal Contribution or any Non-U.S. Separation Transaction, in each case, as having the Intended Tax Treatment and (y) neither Parent nor SpinCo shall (and shall not permit or cause any member of its respective Group to) take any position with respect to any material item of income, deduction, gain, loss, or credit on a Tax Return, or otherwise treat such item in a manner that is inconsistent with the manner such item is reported on a Tax Return with respect to a Pre-Distribution Tax Period, if such other Party is or would reasonably be expected to be liable, in whole or in part, for any related increase in Tax liability resulting from a Final Determination (including the claiming of a deduction previously claimed on any such Tax Return or a change in transfer pricing methodology which is different from what was utilized by Parent and SpinCo prior to the Distribution).

(c) Combined Returns. SpinCo will elect and join, and will cause its respective Affiliates to elect and join, in filing the Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return and any Parent State Combined Income Tax Returns, Parent Non-U.S. Combined Income Tax Returns or any other Combined Returns that Parent determines are required to be filed or that Parent chooses to file pursuant to Section 4.1(a). With respect to any Pre-Distribution Tax Period, SpinCo will elect and join, and will cause its respective Affiliates to elect and join, in filing consolidated, unitary, combined, or other similar Tax Returns, to the extent each entity is eligible to join in such Tax Returns, if Parent reasonably determines that the filing of such Tax Returns is consistent with past reporting practices, or, in the absence of applicable past practices, will result in the minimization of the net present value of the aggregate Tax to the entities eligible to join in such Tax Returns.

4.3 Carrybacks and Claims for Refund. SpinCo hereby agrees that if a Tax Return of a member of the SpinCo Group for a Post-Distribution Tax Period reflects any Tax Attribute, then no Adjustment Request with respect to any Combined Return shall be filed and the applicable member of the SpinCo Group shall elect to relinquish, waive or otherwise forgo the right to carry back any such Tax Attribute to a Pre-Distribution Tax Period to the extent permissible under applicable Law. If, notwithstanding the preceding sentence, SpinCo is required to carryback a Tax Attribute under applicable Law, then SpinCo shall notify Parent in writing that such Tax Attribute must be carried back, which notification shall include a description in reasonable detail of the basis for any Tax Benefit and the amount thereof, including supporting analysis that the Tax treatment of such Tax Attribute is correct.

4.4 Allocation of Tax Attributes. All Tax Attributes determined on a consolidated or combined basis for Pre-Distribution Tax Periods shall be allocated to the Parent Group and SpinCo Group in accordance with the Code and the Treasury Regulations (and any applicable state, local, or non-U.S. law or regulation). Parent shall reasonably determine the amounts and proper allocation of such Tax Attributes as of the Distribution Date and shall provide written notice of the calculation thereof to SpinCo as soon as reasonably practicable after

 

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Parent or its designee prepares such calculation. Such determination and allocation shall not be subject to dispute resolution. Parent and SpinCo agree to compute their Tax liabilities for Post-Distribution Tax Periods consistent with such determination and allocation. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Parent shall not be liable to SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group for any failure of (a) any determination under this Section 4.4 to be accurate or sustained under applicable Law, including as the result of any Final Determination or (b) any Tax Attribute (including tax basis) to be available, in whole or in part, for any Tax Period. The allocations made under this Section 4.4 shall be revised by Parent to reflect any subsequent Final Determination that affects any Tax Attributes determined on a consolidated or combined basis for Pre-Distribution Tax Periods.

4.5 Transfer Pricing. If, as the result of any Final Determination relating to intercompany transfer pricing with respect to any item or items reflected on any Income Tax Return of a member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group for a Pre-Distribution Date Tax Period, there is an increase in Income Taxes payable for such Tax Period by any member of the Parent Group or SpinCo Group, then, upon the reasonable written request of, and at the expense of, the relevant member, the other members, as relevant, shall (and shall cause their respective Affiliates to) amend any Tax Returns of any member of such Parent Group or SpinCo Group, as applicable, to the extent such amendment would result in a corresponding or correlative reduction in Taxes otherwise payable by a member of such other Group and shall promptly pay over any Tax Benefit actually realized in cash as a result of such amendment (determined on a “with or without” basis); provided, however, that no Party (or any Affiliates of any Party) shall (a) have any obligation to amend any Tax Return pursuant to this Section 4.5 to the extent doing so would have an adverse effect on such Party or any of its Affiliates that is material, (b) be obligated to amend any Tax Return unless the amount of such Tax Benefit realized in cash exceeds $500,000 or (c) be obligated to make a payment otherwise required pursuant to this Section 4.5 to the extent making such payment would place such Party (or any of its Affiliates) in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Party (or such Affiliate) would have been in if the relevant Tax Benefit had not been realized. If a Party or one of its Affiliates pays over any amount pursuant to the preceding sentence and such Tax Benefit is subsequently disallowed or adjusted, the Parties shall promptly make appropriate payments (including in respect of any interest paid or imposed by any Tax Authority) to reflect such disallowance or adjustment.

ARTICLE V

TAX PAYMENTS

5.1 Filing of Tax Returns and Payment of Taxes. Subject to Section 5.2, each Party shall execute and timely file each Tax Return that it is responsible for filing under applicable Law and shall timely pay to the relevant Taxing Authority any amount shown as due on each such Tax Return. In the case of any adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination with respect to any Tax Return, the Party that is responsible for filing such Tax Return under applicable Law shall pay to the applicable Tax Authority when due (taking into account any automatic or validly elected extensions, deferral or postponements), any additional Tax due with respect to such Tax Return required to be paid as a result of such adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination.

 

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5.2 Indemnification Payments.

(a) Claims for Indemnification. Except as provided in Article IX, an Indemnitee shall be entitled to make a claim for payment with respect to Taxes (or Tax-Related Losses) under this Agreement only after such Indemnitee is required under applicable Tax Law to pay to a Tax Authority a Tax for which the Indemnifying Party would liable, in whole or in part, under this Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any administrative or judicial deposit required to be paid by to a Tax Authority or other Governmental Authority to pursue any Tax Contest, to the extent the Indemnifying Party would be liable under this Agreement for any Tax resulting from such Tax Contest). The Indemnitee shall provide to the Indemnifying Party notice of such claim within 30 Business Days of the first date on which it so becomes entitled to make such claim (which, for the avoidance of doubt shall not be prior to the due date for payment of such Tax to the applicable Tax Authority, taking into account any automatic or validly elected extensions, deferrals or postponements). Such notice shall include evidence of payment, a description of such claim and a detailed calculation of the amount claimed. A failure by an Indemnitee to give notice as provided in this Section 5.2(a) shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party’s indemnification obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party shall have been actually prejudiced by such failure. However, a failure by Indemnitee to give the notice required by this Agreement shall

extend the Indemnifying Party’s time for payment, without application of interest, until conforming notice is provided.

(b) Timing for Indemnification Payments. The Indemnifying Party shall make the claimed payment to the Indemnitee within 30 Business Days after receiving such notice, unless the Indemnifying Party reasonably disputes its liability for, or the amount of, such payment.

(c) Payment Recipients. All indemnification payments under this Agreement shall be made by Parent directly to SpinCo or by SpinCo directly to Parent, as applicable; provided, however, that if the Parties mutually agree with respect to any such indemnification payment, (i) any member of the Parent Group, on the one hand, may make such indemnification payment to any member of the relevant SpinCo Group, on the other hand and (ii) any member of the SpinCo Group, on the one hand, may make such indemnification payment to any member of the Parent Group, on the other hand.

ARTICLE VI

TAX BENEFITS

6.1 Tax Benefits.

(a) Refunds Generally. Subject to Section 4.3, if Parent, SpinCo or any of their respective Affiliates receives any refund of any Taxes for which the other Party is liable hereunder (a “Refund Recipient”), such Refund Recipient shall pay to the other Party the entire amount of the refund (including interest received from the relevant Tax Authority, but net of any Taxes imposed with respect to such refund and any other

 

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reasonable costs) within 30 Business Days of receipt thereof; provided, however, that the other Party, upon the request of such Refund Recipient, shall repay the amount paid to the other Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Tax Authority) in the event such Refund Recipient is required by applicable law to repay such refund. In the event a Party would be a Refund Recipient but for the fact it elected to apply a refund to which it would otherwise have been entitled against a Tax liability arising in a subsequent Tax Period, then such Party shall be treated as a Refund Recipient and the economic benefit of so applying the refund shall be treated as a refund for purposes of this Section 6.1.

(b) Adjustment Tax Benefits. If a member of the SpinCo Group actually realizes in cash any Tax Benefit exceeding $500,000 as a result of an adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination that increases Taxes for which a member of the Parent Group is liable hereunder (or reduces any Tax Attribute of a member of the Parent Group) (a “Parent Final Determination Adjustment”) and such Tax Benefit would not have arisen but for such adjustment (determined on a “with and without” basis), or if a member of the Parent Group actually realizes in cash any Tax Benefit exceeding $500,000 as a result of an adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination that increases Taxes for which a member of the SpinCo Group is liable hereunder (or reduces any Tax Attribute of a member of the SpinCo Group) and such Tax Benefit would not have arisen but for such adjustment (determined on a “with and without” basis), SpinCo or Parent, as the case may be, shall make a payment to either Parent or SpinCo, as appropriate, within 30 days following such actual realization of the Tax Benefit, in an amount equal to such Tax Benefit actually realized in cash exceeding $500,000 , provided, however, that no Party (or any Affiliates of any Party) shall be obligated to make a payment otherwise required pursuant to this Section 6.1(b) to the extent making such payment would place such Party (or any of its Affiliates) in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Party (or such Affiliate) would have been in if the relevant Tax Benefit had not been realized. If a Party or one of its Affiliates pays over any amount pursuant to the preceding sentence and such Tax Benefit is subsequently disallowed or adjusted, the Parties shall promptly make appropriate payments (including in respect of any interest paid or imposed by any Tax Authority) to reflect such disallowance or adjustment. In the case of a Parent Final Determination Adjustment, then, upon the written request of and at the expense of Parent, SpinCo shall (and, if applicable, shall cause the relevant member of the SpinCo Group to) amend any Tax Return thereof to the extent such amendment would result in a corresponding or correlative Tax Benefit (which shall include any step-up in tax basis).

(c) Timing for Tax Benefit Payments. No later than 30 days after a Tax Benefit described in Section 6.1(b) is actually realized in cash by a member of the Parent Group or a member of the SpinCo Group, Parent (if a member of the Parent Group actually realizes such Tax Benefit) or SpinCo (if a member of the SpinCo Group actually realizes such Tax Benefit) shall provide the other Party with a written calculation of the amount payable to such other Party by Parent or SpinCo pursuant to this Section 6.1. In the event that Parent or SpinCo disagrees with any such calculation described in this Section 6.1(c), Parent or SpinCo shall so notify the other Party in writing within 30 days of receiving the written calculation set forth above in this Section 6.1(c). Parent and SpinCo shall endeavor in good faith to resolve such disagreement, and, failing that, the amount payable under this Section 6.1 shall be determined in accordance with the disagreement resolution provisions of Section 8.4 as promptly as practicable.

 

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(d) SpinCo Carryback Refunds. SpinCo shall be entitled to any refund that is attributable to, and would not have arisen but for, a carryback by SpinCo pursuant to Section 4.3, provided, however, that SpinCo shall indemnify and hold the members of the Parent Group harmless from and against any and all collateral Tax consequences resulting from or caused by any such carryback, including the loss or postponement of any benefit from the use of Tax Attributes generated by a member of the Parent Group or an Affiliate thereof if (i) such Tax Attributes expire unutilized, but would have been utilized but for such carryback, or (ii) the use of such Tax Attributes is postponed to a later Tax Period than the Tax Period in which such Tax Attributes would have been utilized but for such carryback. Any such payment of such refund made by Parent to SpinCo pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) shall be recalculated in light of any Final Determination (or any other facts that may arise or come to light after such payment is made, such as a carryback of a Parent Group Tax Attribute to a Tax Period in respect of which such refund is received) that would affect the amount to which SpinCo is entitled, and an appropriate adjusting payment shall be made by SpinCo to Parent such that the aggregate amounts paid pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) equals such recalculated amount.

ARTICLE VII

INTENDED TAX TREATMENT

7.1 Representations.

(a) Each of SpinCo and Parent hereby represents and warrants that (i) it has reviewed the Representation Letters and (ii) subject to any qualifications therein, all information, representations and covenants contained in such Representation Letters that concern or relate to such Party or any member of its Group are true, correct and complete.

(b) SpinCo hereby represents and warrants that it has no plan or intention to take any action or to fail to take any action (or to cause or permit any member of the SpinCo Group to take or fail to take any action), in each case, from and after the Distribution Date, that could reasonably be expected to cause any representation or statement made in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Representation Letters, the Tax Opinions/Rulings or any of the Ancillary Agreements to be untrue.

(c) SpinCo hereby represents and warrants that, during the period beginning two years before the date of the consummation of the Internal Distributions and ending on the Distribution Date, there was no “agreement,” “understanding,” “arrangement,” “substantial negotiations” or “discussions” (as such terms are defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(h)) by any one or more officers or directors of any member of the SpinCo Group or by any other person or persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more of such officers or directors regarding an acquisition, directly

 

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or indirectly, of all or a significant portion of SpinCo’s Capital Stock (or any predecessor); provided, however, that no representation is made regarding any “agreement,” “understanding,” “arrangement,” “substantial negotiations” or “discussions” (as such terms are defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(h)) by any one or more officers or directors of Parent.

7.2 Restrictions on SpinCo.

(a) SpinCo agrees that it will not take or fail to take, or permit any member of the SpinCo Group to take or fail to take, any action where such action or failure to act would be inconsistent with or cause to be untrue any material, information, covenant or representation in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, any of the Ancillary Agreements, the Representation Letters or the Tax Opinions/Rulings. SpinCo agrees that it will not take or fail to take, or permit any member of the SpinCo Group to take or fail to take, any action that jeopardizes or is reasonably likely to jeopardize the Intended Tax Treatment.

(b) During the two-year period following the Distribution Date, (i) SpinCo, directly or indirectly through one or more members of SpinCo’s Separate Affiliated Group, shall continue the Active Trade or Business and (ii) SpinCo shall not engage in any transaction that would result in it ceasing to be engaged in such Active Trade or Business for purposes of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code. SpinCo further agrees that, from the date hereof until the two-year period following the date of the consummation of the Internal Distributions, SpinCo will cause each member of the SpinCo Group that was a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(b) of the Code) in any Internal Distribution (and such member’s Separate Affiliated Group) (x) to directly or indirectly through one or more members of SpinCo’s Separate Affiliated Group continue the active trade or business used by such member to satisfy Section 355(b) of the Code with respect to the relevant Internal Distribution (as described in the Tax Opinions/Ruling), as conducted immediately prior to the relevant Internal Distribution and (y) not engage in any transaction that would result in such member ceasing to be engaged in such active trade or business for purposes of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code.

(c) SpinCo agrees that, from the date hereof until the first day after the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date, it shall not (and shall not cause or permit any of its Affiliates to), in a single transaction or series of transactions:

(i) enter into any Proposed Acquisition Transaction or, to the extent SpinCo has the right to prohibit any Proposed Acquisition Transaction, permit any Proposed Acquisition Transaction to occur (whether by (1) redeeming rights under a shareholder rights plan, (2) finding a tender offer to be a “permitted offer” under any such plan or otherwise causing any such plan to be inapplicable or neutralized with respect to any Proposed Acquisition Transaction, or (3) approving any Proposed Acquisition Transaction, whether for purposes of Section 203 of the DGCL or any similar corporate statute, any “fair price” or other provision of SpinCo’s charter or bylaws or otherwise);

 

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(ii) liquidate or partially liquidate, merge or consolidate with any other Person (whether that other Person or such Affiliate is the survivor);

(iii) subject to Schedule 7.2(c)(iii), sell or transfer (other than sales or transfers of inventory in the ordinary course of business) all or substantially all of the assets that were transferred to SpinCo as part of the Separation or sell or transfer (or cause or permit to be transferred) 30% or more of the gross assets of the Active Trade or Business or 30% or more of the consolidated gross assets of SpinCo and its Affiliates;

(iv) redeem or otherwise repurchase (directly or through an Affiliate) any of SpinCo’s Capital Stock, or rights to acquire SpinCo’s Capital Stock, except to the extent such repurchases satisfy Section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue Procedure 96-30 (as in effect prior to the amendment of such Revenue Procedure by Revenue Procedure 2003-48);

(v) amend its certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents), or take any other action, whether through a stockholder vote or otherwise, affecting the

voting rights of SpinCo’s Capital Stock (including through the conversion of one class of SpinCo’s Capital Stock into another class of SpinCo’s Capital Stock);

(vi) take any other action or actions (including any action or transaction that would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with any representation made in the Representation Letters, any Ruling Request or any Tax Opinions/Rulings) that, in the aggregate (and taking into account any other transactions described in this subparagraph (c)) would be reasonably likely to have the effect of causing or permitting one or more persons (whether or not acting in concert) to acquire directly or indirectly Capital Stock representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest in SpinCo or otherwise jeopardize the Intended Tax Treatment; or

(vii) cause or permit any member of the SpinCo Group that was a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(b) of the Code) in any Internal Distribution to take any action or enter into any transaction described in the preceding clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi) (substituting references therein to “SpinCo”, the “Separation,” “Active Trade or Business” and “SpinCo’s Capital Stock” with references to the relevant corporation, the transfer of assets to such corporation pursuant to the Transactions, the active conduct of the trade or business relied upon with respect to such Internal Distribution (as described in the relevant Representation Letters, and/or relevant Tax Opinion/Ruling) for purposes of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code, and the Capital Stock of such corporation),

unless, in each case, prior to taking any such action set forth in the foregoing clauses (i) through (vii), (A) SpinCo shall have requested that Parent obtain a Ruling in accordance with Section 7.4 of this Agreement to the effect that such transaction will not negatively affect the applicable Intended Tax Treatment and Parent shall have received such a Ruling in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent in its discretion, which discretion shall be exercised in good faith solely to preserve the Intended Tax Treatment (and, in determining whether a Ruling is satisfactory, Parent may consider, among other factors, the appropriateness of any underlying

 

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assumptions and management’s representations made in connection with such Ruling), (B) SpinCo shall provide Parent with a Post-Distribution Tax Opinion in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent in its discretion, which discretion shall be exercised in good faith solely to preserve the Intended Tax Treatment (and in determining whether a Post-Distribution Tax Opinion is satisfactory, Parent may consider, among other factors, the appropriateness of any underlying assumptions and management’s representations made in connection with such Post-Distribution Tax Opinion) or (C) Parent shall have waived the requirement to obtain such Ruling or Post-Distribution Tax Opinion.

(d) If SpinCo proposes to enter into any Section 7.2(d) Acquisition Transaction or, to the extent SpinCo has the right to prohibit (or cause to be prohibited) any Section 7.2(d) Acquisition Transaction, SpinCo proposes to permit any Section 7.2(d) Acquisition Transaction to occur, in each case, during the period from the date hereof until the first day after the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date, SpinCo shall provide Parent, no later than 10 Business Days following the signing of any written agreement with respect to the Section 7.2(d) Acquisition Transaction, with a written description of such transaction (including the type and amount of SpinCo’s Capital Stock to be issued in such transaction) and a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of SpinCo to the effect that the Section 7.2(d) Acquisition Transaction is not a Proposed Acquisition Transaction or any other transaction to which the requirements of Section 7.2(c) apply (a “CFO Certificate”).

7.3 Restrictions on Parent. Parent agrees that it will not take or fail to take, or permit any member of the Parent Group to take or fail to take, any action where such action or failure to act would be inconsistent with or cause to be untrue any material, information, covenant or representation in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, any of the Ancillary Agreements, the Representation Letters or the Tax Opinions/Rulings. Parent agrees that it will not take or fail to take, or permit any member of the Parent Group to take or fail to take, any action that jeopardizes or is reasonably likely to jeopardize the Intended Tax Treatment, provided, however, that this Section 7.3 shall not be construed as obligating Parent to consummate the Distribution and shall not be construed as preventing Parent from terminating the Separation and Distribution Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

7.4 Procedures Regarding Opinions and Rulings.

(a) If SpinCo notifies Parent that it desires to take one of the actions described in clauses (i) through (vii) of Section 7.2(c) (a “Notified Action”), Parent and SpinCo shall reasonably cooperate to attempt to obtain the Ruling or Post-Distribution Tax Opinion referred to in Section 7.2(c), unless Parent shall have waived the requirement to obtain such Ruling or Post-Distribution Tax Opinion. SpinCo shall reimburse Parent for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Parent Group in obtaining any such Ruling or Post-Distribution Tax Opinion within 10 Business Days after receiving an invoice from Parent therefor.

 

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(b) Parent agrees that at the reasonable request of SpinCo pursuant to Section 7.2(c), Parent shall cooperate with SpinCo and use its reasonable efforts to seek to obtain or assist in obtaining, as expeditiously as reasonably practicable, a Ruling from the IRS or other applicable Tax Authority or a Post-Distribution Tax Opinion for the purpose of permitting SpinCo to take the Notified Action. Further, in no event shall Parent be required to file any Ruling Request under this Section 7.4(b) unless SpinCo represents that (i) it has read the Ruling Request, and (ii) all information and representations, if any, relating to any member of the SpinCo Group, contained in the Ruling Request documents are (subject to any qualifications therein) true, correct and complete. SpinCo shall reimburse Parent for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Parent Group in obtaining a Ruling or Post-Distribution Tax Opinion requested by SpinCo within 10 Business Days after receiving an invoice from Parent therefor.

(c) Parent shall have the right to obtain a Ruling or a Post-Distribution Tax Opinion at any time in its sole and absolute discretion. If Parent determines to obtain a Ruling or a Post-Distribution Tax Opinion, SpinCo shall (and shall cause each Affiliate of SpinCo to) cooperate with Parent and take any and all actions reasonably requested by Parent in connection with obtaining the Ruling or Post-Distribution Tax Opinion (including by making any representation or covenant or providing any materials or information requested by the IRS or a Tax Advisor); provided that SpinCo shall not be required to make (or cause any Affiliate of SpinCo to make) any representation that is untrue or to provide (or cause any Affiliate of SpinCo to provide) any covenant as to future matters or events over which it has no control. Parent and SpinCo shall each bear its own costs and expenses in obtaining a Ruling or a Post-Distribution Tax Opinion requested by Parent.

(d) SpinCo hereby agrees that Parent shall have sole and exclusive control over the process of obtaining any Ruling described in Section 7.2, and that only Parent shall apply for a Ruling. In connection with obtaining a Ruling pursuant to Section 7.4(b), (i) Parent shall keep SpinCo informed in a timely manner of all material actions taken or proposed to be taken by Parent in connection therewith; (ii) Parent shall (A) reasonably in advance of the submission of any Ruling Request documents provide SpinCo with a draft copy thereof, (B) reasonably consider SpinCo’s comments on such draft copy and (C) provide SpinCo with a final copy; and (iii) Parent shall provide SpinCo with notice reasonably in advance of, and SpinCo shall have the right to attend, any formally scheduled meetings with the IRS (subject to the approval of the IRS) that relate to such Ruling. Neither SpinCo nor any Affiliates of SpinCo shall seek any guidance from the IRS or any other Tax Authority (whether written, verbal or otherwise) at any time concerning the tax consequences of the Transactions.

 

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7.5 Liability for Tax-Related Losses.

(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Separation and Distribution Agreement to the contrary, subject to Section 7.5(c), SpinCo shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Parent and each of its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, 100% of any Tax-Related Losses that are attributable to or result from any one or more of the following: (i) the acquisition (other than pursuant to the Transactions) of all or a portion of the Capital Stock and/or assets of SpinCo and/or its subsidiaries by any means whatsoever by any Person, (ii) any “agreement,” “understanding,” “arrangement,” “substantial negotiations” or “discussions” (as such terms are defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(h)) by any one or more officers or directors of any member of the SpinCo Group or by any person or persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more of such officers or directors with respect to transactions or events (including stock issuances, pursuant to the exercise of stock options or otherwise, option grants, capital contributions or acquisitions, or a series of such transactions or events) that cause the Contribution and Distribution or any Internal Distributions to be treated as part of a plan pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire directly or indirectly SpinCo’s Capital Stock or any member of the SpinCo Group that was a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(b) of the Code) in any Internal Distribution, in each case representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest therein, (iii) any action or failure to act by SpinCo or a member of the SpinCo Group after the Contribution and Distribution (including any amendment to SpinCo’s certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents), whether through a stockholder vote or otherwise) affecting the voting rights of SpinCo’s Capital Stock (including through the conversion of one class of SpinCo’s Capital Stock into another class of SpinCo’s Capital Stock), (iv) any act or failure to act by SpinCo or any Affiliate of SpinCo described in Section 7.2 (regardless of whether such act or failure to act is covered by a Ruling, Post-Distribution Tax Opinion or waiver described in clause (A), (B) or (C) of Section 7.2(c)) or (v) any breach by SpinCo of its agreement and representation set forth in Section 7.1.

(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Separation and Distribution Agreement to the contrary, subject to Section 7.5(c), Parent shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless SpinCo and its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, 100% of any Tax-Related Losses that are attributable to, or result from any one or more of the following: (i) the acquisition (other than pursuant to the Transactions) of all or a portion of the Capital Stock and/or assets of Parent and/or its subsidiaries by any means whatsoever by any Person, (ii) any “agreement,” “understanding,” “arrangement,” “substantial negotiations” or “discussions” (as such terms are defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(h)) by any one or more officers or directors of any member of the Parent Group or by any person or persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more of such officers or directors with respect to transactions or events (including stock issuances, pursuant to the exercise of stock options or otherwise, option grants, capital contributions or acquisitions, or a series of such transactions or events) that cause the Contribution and Distribution or any Internal Distribution to be treated as part of a plan pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire directly or indirectly Capital Stock of Parent or any member of the Parent Group that was a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(b) of the Code) in any Internal Distribution representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest therein or (iii) any act or failure to act by Parent or any Affiliate of Parent described in Section 7.3.

 

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(c) To the extent that any Tax-Related Loss is subject to indemnity under both Section 7.5(a) and Section 7.5(b) responsibility for such Tax-Related Loss shall be shared by Parent and SpinCo, as applicable, according to relative fault. The relative fault of Parent and SpinCo shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the Parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the applicable act, failure to act, statement or omission that is the basis for the Tax-Related Loss (the “Liability Event”), and whether the Liability Event occurred because of one Party’s reasonable reliance on the other.

(d) Notwithstanding anything in Sections 7.5(b) or 7.5(c) to the contrary, SpinCo shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Parent and its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, 100% of (i) any Tax-Related Losses resulting from the application of Section 355(e) or Section 355(f) of the Code (other than as a result of an acquisition of a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest in Parent or any member of the Parent Group) and (ii) any other Tax-Related Losses, in each case resulting (for the absence of doubt, in whole or in part) from an acquisition after the Contribution and Distribution of any Capital Stock or assets of SpinCo or any Affiliate of SpinCo by any means whatsoever by any Person or any action or failure to act by SpinCo affecting the voting rights of SpinCo’s Capital Stock or the Capital Stock of any Affiliate of SpinCo.

7.6 [Section 336(e) Election. If Parent determines, in its sole discretion, that a protective election under Section 336(e) of the Code (a “Section 336(e) Election”) shall be made with respect to the Distribution (or any Internal Distribution), SpinCo shall (and shall cause any relevant member of the SpinCo Group to) join with Parent (or any relevant member of the Parent Group) in the making of such election and shall take any action reasonably requested by Parent or that is otherwise necessary to give effect to such election (including making any other related election). If a Section 336(e) Election is made with respect to the Distribution (or any Internal Distribution), then this Agreement shall be amended in such a manner as is determined by Parent in good faith to take into account such Section 336(e) Election, including by requiring that, in the event (a) the Contribution and the Distribution (or any Internal Distribution) fails to have Tax-Free Status and (b) a Party that does not have exclusive responsibility pursuant to this Agreement for Tax-Related Losses arising from such failure actually realizes in cash a Tax Benefit from the step-up in Tax basis resulting from the Section 336(e) Election, such Party shall pay over to the Party that has exclusive responsibility pursuant to this Agreement for such Tax-Related Losses any such Tax Benefits realized (provided that, if such Tax-Related Losses are Taxes for which more than one Party is liable under Section 7.5(c), the Party that actually realizes in cash the Tax Benefit resulting from the relevant Section 336(e) Election shall pay over to each the other Party the percentage of any such Tax Benefits realized that corresponds to each such Party’s percentage share of such Taxes).]

 

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ARTICLE VIII

PROCEDURAL MATTERS

8.1 Cooperation.

(a) Each Party shall cooperate with reasonable requests from the other Party in matters covered by this Agreement, including in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns, determining the liability for and amount of any Taxes or the right to and amount of any refunds of Taxes, the determination of the proper financial accounting treatment of Tax Items, the conduct and settlement of Tax Contests, mitigating or reducing the amount of losses (or potential losses) arising from potential indemnity claims hereunder, and waivers of legal requirements under this Agreement, in each case without prejudice to any Party’s rights under this Agreement. Such cooperation shall include, but is not limited to:

(i) retaining until the expiration of the relevant statute of limitations (including extensions) plus one year, any and all records, documents, accounting data, computer data, actuarial data, investment data and other information “Records”) necessary for the preparation, filing, review, audit or defense of all Tax Returns relevant to an obligation, right or liability of either Party under this Agreement;

(ii) providing the other Party reasonable access to Records (in the format reasonably determined by the other Party) and to its personnel, including employees and agents of the Parties or their respective affiliates (ensuring their cooperation and reasonable assistance), and premises during normal business hours to the extent relevant to an obligation, right or liability of the other Party under this Agreement or otherwise reasonably required by the other Party to complete Tax Returns, comply with audit requirements, participate in any audit or examination of Tax Returns or to compute the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement; and

(iii) after the period of time described in Section 8.1(a)(i) has expired, notifying the other Party prior to disposing of any Records and affording the other Party the opportunity to take possession or make copies of such Records at its discretion and at its own cost and expense.

(b) Additionally, each Party shall (and shall cause its Affiliates to) provide to the other Party with such cooperation, information and assistance reasonably requested by the other Party in connection with:

(i) preparing and filing any Tax Return described in Section 4.1(a) or (b);

(ii) determining the liability for and amount of any Taxes due (including estimated Taxes) or the right to and amount of any refund of Taxes;

(iii) timely responding to any Tax Contest;

 

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(iv) obtaining an opinion from an outside Tax Advisor with respect to matters described in (i), (ii) and (iii) above; and

(v) timely complying with auditor requests with respect to matters (i), (ii) and (iii) above.

Any such request shall be fulfilled as soon as practicable after receipt of a written notice describing the information required and, with respect to any request pursuant to Section 8.1(b)(i), no later than 60 days prior to the due date for filing such Tax Return (with extensions), or in the case of any such Tax Return filed on a monthly basis or property Tax Return, at least 10 Business Days prior to the due date for such Tax Return.

(c) Any information or documents provided under this Section 8.1 shall be kept confidential by the Party or Parties receiving the information or documents, except as may otherwise be necessary in connection with the filing of Tax Returns or in connection with any Tax Contest. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement, in no event shall either Party be required to provide the other Party or any of its respective Affiliates or their respective representatives access to or copies of any information or documents if such action could reasonably be expected to be commercially detrimental, violate any law or obligation to a third party or result in the waiver of any privilege under applicable Law, provided that each of the Parties shall use its reasonable best efforts to provide such information or documents in accordance with its obligations under Sections 8.1(a) and (b) in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence.

8.2 Interest. Any payments required pursuant to this Agreement that are not made within the time period specified in this Agreement shall bear interest from the end of that period at the Prime Rate plus two percent, compounded semiannually, from the due date of the payment to the date paid. To the extent interest required to be paid under this Section 8.2 duplicates interest required to be paid under any other provision of this Agreement, interest shall be computed at the higher of the interest rate provided under this Section 8.2 or the interest rate provided under such other provision.

8.3 Treatment of Payments; Tax Gross Up.

(a) Except to the extent otherwise required by a change in Tax treatment under the Code or other applicable Tax law, SpinCo and Parent agree that, for all Income Tax purposes, (i) any indemnity payment payable pursuant to this Agreement or by the Separation and Distribution Agreement or the Employee Matters Agreement (not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any payment to fund the Parent Non-Qualified Liabilities) shall be treated as if it occurred immediately prior to the Distribution and shall be treated as being distributed or contributed, as appropriate, pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization that includes the Distribution and (ii) any payment of interest or state Income Taxes by or to a Tax Authority, as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the Party entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment. The Parties shall cooperate in good faith (including,

 

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where relevant, by using commercially reasonable efforts to establish local payment arrangements between each Party’s Subsidiaries) to minimize or eliminate, to the extent permissible under applicable law, any Tax that would otherwise be imposed with respect to any payment required by this Agreement or by the Separation and Distribution Agreement (or maximize the ability to obtain a credit for, or refund of, any such Tax).

(b) If, notwithstanding the manner in which payments described in Section 8.3(a) were reported, there is an adjustment to the Tax liability of a Party as a result of its receipt or payment pursuant to this Agreement or the Separation or Distribution Agreement, such payment shall be appropriately adjusted so that the amount of such payment, reduced by the amount of all Income Taxes payable with respect to the receipt thereof (but taking into account all correlative Tax Benefits resulting from the payment of such Income Taxes), shall equal the amount of the payment which the Party receiving such payment would otherwise be entitled to receive.

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent a Party makes a payment of interest to another Party under this Agreement with respect to the period from (i) the date that the payor was required to make a payment to the payee to (ii) the date that the payor actually made such payment, the interest payment shall be treated as interest expense to the payor (deductible to the extent provided by law) and as interest income by the payee (includible in income to the extent provided by law). The amount of the payment shall not be adjusted to take into account any associated Tax Benefit to the payor or increase in Tax to the payee.

8.4 Dispute Resolution. In the event of any dispute between the Parties as to any matter covered by this Agreement, including any amendments thereto, the parties shall appoint a nationally recognized independent public accounting firm (the “Accounting Firm”) to resolve such dispute. In this regard, the Accounting Firm shall make determinations with respect to the disputed items based solely on representations made by Parent and SpinCo and their respective representatives, and not by independent review, and shall function only as an expert and not as an arbitrator and shall be required to make a determination in favor of one Party only. The Parties shall require the Accounting Firm to resolve all disputes no later than 30 days after the submission of such dispute to the Accounting Firm and agree that all decisions by the Accounting Firm with respect thereto shall be final and conclusive and binding on the Parties. The Accounting Firm shall resolve all disputes in a manner consistent with this Agreement. The Parties shall require the Accounting Firm to render all determinations in writing and to set forth, in reasonable detail, the basis for such determination. The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne equally by the Parties.

 

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ARTICLE IX

TAX CONTESTS

9.1 Tax Contests.

(a) Parent or SpinCo, as applicable, shall, within 10 Business Days of becoming aware of any Tax Contest (including a Transaction Tax Contest) that could reasonably be expected to cause the other Party to have an indemnification obligation under this Agreement, notify the other Party of such Tax Contest and thereafter promptly forward or make available to the Indemnifying Party copies of notices and communications relating to the relevant portions of such Tax Contest. Any such notice shall contain factual information (to the extent known) describing any asserted Tax liability in reasonable detail. A failure by an Indemnitee to give notice as provided in this Section 9.1(a) (or to promptly forward any such notices or communications) shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party’s indemnification obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party shall have been actually prejudiced by such failure; provided, however, that such Indemnitee shall make all commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate such failure, including by seeking an extension of any relevant time limitations or deadlines for response.

(b) Parent shall, subject to Section 9.1(d), have the exclusive right to control the conduct and settlement of any Tax Contest (i) that relates solely or primarily to Taxes that are the responsibility of Parent pursuant to Article II or (ii) at Parent’s election, that may reasonably be expected to materially affect amounts for which both Parent and SpinCo are liable under Article II, provided that SpinCo shall have the right, at its sole expense, to participate in and advise on all aspects of any Tax Contest Parent elects to control under clause (ii) above, but only in connection with matters relating to potential material liability of a member of the SpinCo Group. If the conduct or settlement of any portion or aspect of such Tax Contest could reasonably be expected to cause SpinCo to have an indemnification obligation or a Tax Benefit entitlement under this Agreement, then Parent shall not accept or enter into any settlement without the consent of SpinCo, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If, as result of a Tax Contest which Parent elects to control described in clause (ii) above, SpinCo could reasonably be expected to have an indemnification obligation or Tax Benefit entitlement under this Agreement, (1) Parent shall consult with SpinCo reasonably in advance of taking any material proposed course of action, (2) Parent shall consult with SpinCo and offer SpinCo a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such Tax Consent, (3) Parent shall conduct such Tax Contest with reasonable diligence and in good faith as if it were the only party in interest in connection with such Tax Contest, (4) SpinCo shall be entitled to participate in all formally scheduled meetings with any Tax Authority relating to such Tax Contest and receive copies of any written materials received by Parent from the relevant Tax Authority and (5) Parent shall keep SpinCo promptly informed of all material developments in relation to the Tax Contest. Parent shall notify SpinCo within 10 Business Days of becoming aware of a Tax Contest under Section 9.1(b)(ii) if Parent does not elect to control such Tax Contest; provided that Parent shall have the right to assume control of any such Tax Contest and to settle, compromise and/or concede such Tax Contest, if Parent reasonably determines that (x) as a result of subsequent developments the expected Tax liability exposure of any member of the Parent Group resulting from such Tax Contest has materially increased; (y) SpinCo has failed to adequately and properly manage the conduct of such Tax Contest or (z) an event has occurred during such Tax Contest that could adversely affect Parent in any material respect.

 

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(c) SpinCo shall, subject to Section 9.1(d), have the exclusive right to control the conduct and settlement of any Tax Contest (i) that relates solely to Taxes that are the responsibility of SpinCo pursuant to Article II, (ii) that could not reasonably be expected to materially affect amounts for which Parent is liable under Article II, or (iii) that Parent does not elect to control under Section 9.1(b)(ii); provided that Parent shall have the right, at its sole expense, to participate in and advise on all aspects of such Tax Contests and may coordinate discussions with the relevant Taxing Authority with respect thereto, and, with respect to any Tax Contest that could reasonably be expected to cause Parent to have an indemnification obligation or a Tax Benefit entitlement under this Agreement, SpinCo shall not accept or enter into any settlement without the consent of Parent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9.1 to the contrary, with respect to any Transaction Tax Contest as a result of which SpinCo could reasonably be expected to become liable for any Tax or Tax-Related Losses which Parent has the right to administer and control pursuant to Section 9.1(b), (i) Parent shall solely control the resolution of such Tax Contest, (ii) Parent shall consult with SpinCo reasonably in advance of taking any material proposed course of action, (iii) Parent shall consult with SpinCo and offer SpinCo a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such Tax Contest, (iv) Parent shall conduct such Tax Contest with reasonable diligence and in good faith as if it were the only party in interest in connection with such Tax Contest and (v) Parent shall provide SpinCo with any written materials relating to such Tax Contest received from the relevant Tax Authority.

(e) With respect to any Transaction Tax Contest as a result of Parent could reasonably be expected to become liable for any Tax or Tax-Related Losses which SpinCo has the right to administer and control pursuant to Section 9.1(c), (i) SpinCo shall consult with Parent reasonably in advance of taking any material proposed course of action, (ii) SpinCo shall consult with Parent and offer Parent a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such Tax Contest, (iii) SpinCo shall conduct such Tax Contest with reasonable diligence and in good faith as if it were the only party in interest in connection with such Tax Contest, (iv) Parent shall be entitled to participate in such Tax Contest and receive copies shall of any written materials relating to such Tax Contest received from the relevant Tax Authority and (v) SpinCo shall not settle, compromise or abandon any such Tax Contest without obtaining the prior written consent of Parent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided that Parent shall have right to assume control of such Tax Contest as described in Section 9.1(b).

(f) SpinCo shall (and shall cause each member of the SpinCo Group to) execute and deliver to Parent (or such member of the Parent Group as Parent shall designate) any power of attorney or similar document reasonably requested by Parent (or such designee) in connection with any Tax Contest controlled by Parent described in this Section 9.1. Parent shall (and shall cause each member of the Parent Group to) execute and deliver to SpinCo (or such member of the SpinCo Group as SpinCo shall designate) any power of attorney or similar document reasonably requested by SpinCo (or such designee) in connection with any Tax Contest controlled by SpinCo described in this Section 9.1.

 

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9.2 Expenses and Applicability. Subject to Section 7.5, after the Contribution and Distribution, each Party shall bear its own expenses in the course of any Tax Contest.

9.3 Scheduled Tax Contests. Notwithstanding anything in Sections 5.2, 9.1 and 9.2 to the contrary, all Tax Contests relating to the matter described in Schedule 9.3 shall be subject to the procedures described in Schedule 9.3.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 Effective Date; Termination of Prior Intercompany Tax Allocation Agreements . This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Time. As of the Effective Time, (i) all prior intercompany Tax allocation agreements or arrangements solely between or among Parent and/or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and SpinCo and/or any of its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, shall be terminated, and (ii) amounts due under such agreements as of the date on which the Effective Time occurs shall be settled. Upon such termination and settlement, no further payments by or to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or by or to SpinCo or any of its Subsidiaries, with respect to such agreements shall be made, and all other rights and obligations resulting from such agreements between the Parties and their Affiliates shall cease at such time. Any payments pursuant to such agreements shall be disregarded for purposes of computing amounts due under this Agreement; provided that, to the extent appropriate, payments made pursuant to such agreements shall be credited to Parent or SpinCo, respectively, in computing their respective obligations pursuant to this Agreement, in the event that such payments relate to a Tax liability that is the subject matter of this Agreement for a Tax Period that is the subject matter of this Agreement.

10.2 Coordination of Agreements. The Parties agree that, in the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, with respect to the matters addressed herein, the terms of this Agreement shall govern (it being understood that the terms pursuant to which any transition services related to Tax matters shall be provided under the Transition Services Agreement shall be governed by the Transition Services Agreement).

10.3 Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power.

(a) This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties hereto and delivered to the other Party hereto.

(b) This Agreement and the Exhibits, Schedules and appendices hereto contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein.

 

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(c) Parent represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the Parent Group, and SpinCo represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the SpinCo Group, as follows:

(i) each such Person has the requisite corporate or other power and authority and has taken all corporate or other action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement; and

(ii) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof.

(d) Each Party acknowledges that it and each other Party is executing this Agreement by facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature, and that delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp, electronic or mechanical signature) by email in portable document format (PDF) shall be effective as delivery of such executed counterpart of this Agreement. Each Party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature (regardless of whether delivered in person, by mail, by courier or by email in portable document format (PDF)) made in its respective name as if it were a manual signature delivered in person, agrees that it shall not assert that any such signature or delivery is not adequate to bind such Party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and delivered in person and agrees that, at the reasonable request of the other Party at any time, it shall as promptly as reasonably practicable cause this Agreement to be manually executed (any such execution to be as of the date of the initial date thereof) and delivered in person, by mail or by courier.

10.4 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(a) This Agreement (and any Disputes arising out of or related or to the transactions contemplated hereby or to the inducement of any party to enter herein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware irrespective of the choice of laws principles of the State of Delaware including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 8.4, each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement for recognition or enforcement of any

 

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judgment relating hereto, and each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agrees not to commence any such action or proceeding except in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, (ii) agrees that any claim in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, (iii) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in such courts and (iv) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in such courts.

(c) EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 10.4(c).

10.5 Assignability. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other Party hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such consent shall be required for the assignment of a Party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement in whole in connection with a Change of Control of a Party so long as the resulting, surviving or transferee Person assumes all the obligations of the relevant party thereto by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party. Nothing herein is intended to, or shall be construed to, prohibit either Party or any member of its Group from being party to or undertaking a Change of Control.

10.6 Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except for any Parent Indemnitee or SpinCo Indemnitee (in their respective capacities as such) expressly entitled to indemnification rights under this Agreement, (a) the provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties hereto and are not intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies hereunder, and (b) there are no third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement shall not provide any Third Party with any remedy, claim, Liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

 

32


10.7 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by e-mail with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 10.7):

If to Parent, to:

International Paper Company

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

Attention: [                     ]

E-mail: [             ]

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

[             ]

[             ]

[             ]

Attention: [                     ]

E-mail: [             ]

If to SpinCo, to:

[             ]

[             ]

[             ]

Attention: [                     ]

E-mail: [             ]

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

[             ]

[             ]

[             ]

Attention: [                     ]

E-mail: [             ]

A Party may, by notice to the other Party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.

 

33


10.8 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

10.9 Force Majeure. No Party shall be deemed in default of this Agreement for any delay or failure to fulfill any obligation (other than a payment obligation) hereunder or thereunder so long as and to the extent any delay or failure in the fulfillment of such obligation is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure. In the event of any such excused delay, the time for performance of such obligations (other than a payment obligation) shall be extended for a period equal to the time lost by reason of the delay. A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event, (a) provide written notice to the other Party of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition; and (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement, as applicable, as soon as reasonably practicable.

10.10 Headings. The Article, Section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

10.11 Survival. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the covenants, representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, and Liability for the breach of any obligations contained herein, shall survive the Separation and the Distribution and shall remain in full force and effect without limitation as to time.

10.12 Waivers of Default. Waiver by a Party of any default by the other Party of any provision of this Agreement must be in writing and shall not be deemed a waiver by the waiving Party of any subsequent or other default, nor shall it prejudice the rights of the other Party. No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof prejudice any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

10.13 Specific Performance. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.4, in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party hereto that is, or is to be, thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief in respect of its rights under this Agreement in addition to any other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived by each of the Parties.

 

34


10.14 Amendments. No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.

10.15 Interpretation. In this Agreement, (a) words in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be deemed to include the other genders as the context requires; (b) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole (including all of the schedules, exhibits and appendices hereto and thereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (c) article, section, schedule, exhibit and appendix references are to the articles, sections, schedules, exhibits and appendices to this Agreement unless otherwise specified; (d) unless otherwise stated, all references to any agreement (including this Agreement) shall be deemed to include the exhibits, schedules and annexes to such agreement; (e) the word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified; (f) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (g) unless otherwise specified in a particular case, the word “days” refers to calendar days; (h) references to “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law to close in (x) Memphis, Tennessee or (y) New York, New York; (i) references herein to this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement or such other agreement as of the date on which it is executed and as it may be amended, modified or supplemented thereafter, unless otherwise specified; (j) the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”; (k) unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts, including the symbol “$”, refer to the lawful currency of the United States of America; and (l) all references to “the date hereof” or “the date of this Agreement” and words of similar import shall all be references to [        ], 2021.

10.16 Limitations of Liability. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group, on the one hand, nor Parent or any member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, shall be liable under this Agreement to the other for any indirect, punitive, exemplary, remote, speculative or similar damages in excess of compensatory damages of the other arising in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (other than any such Liability with respect to a Third-Party Claim).

10.17 Performance. Parent shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement to be performed by any member of the Parent Group. SpinCo shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement to be performed by any member of the SpinCo Group. Each Party (including its permitted successors and assigns) further agrees that it shall (a) give timely notice of the terms, conditions and continuing obligations contained in this Agreement to all of the other members of its Group and (b) cause all of the other members of its Group not to take any action or fail to take any such action inconsistent with such Party’s obligations under this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

35


10.18 Mutual Drafting. This Agreement shall be deemed to be the joint work product of the Parties and any rule of construction that a document shall be interpreted or construed against a drafter of such document shall not be applicable.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

36


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Tax Matters Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
By:    
Name:  
Title:  
SYLVAMO CORPORATION
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

[Signature Page to Tax Matters Agreement]


Schedule 2.3

For purposes of this Schedule 2.3, “Brazil Goodwill Taxes” means any and all Taxes or legal charges imposed by any Brazilian Governmental Authority, resulting directly from the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service’s challenge of goodwill amortization deductions taken by International Paper do Brasil Ltda. (“IP do Brasil”) on its Tax Returns for its 2007-2017 Tax Periods relating to the merger of LA Celulose and IP do Brasil.

(a) Pre-Distribution Date Liability. If, prior to the Distribution Date, (i) a Brazilian Governmental Authority enacts an amnesty program and (ii) Parent determines in its sole discretion to become a party to such amnesty program and settle all or a portion of IP do Brasil’s liability relating to the Brazil Goodwill Taxes, Parent shall notify SpinCo of such determination on or prior to the Distribution Date, Parent shall be responsible for and shall pay to SpinCo or to the relevant Brazilian Governmental Authority for the account of IP do Brasil an amount equal to 100% of such settlement up to $180 million. To the extent that the amount of such settlement exceeds $180 million, SpinCo shall be responsible for and shall pay to the relevant Brazilian Governmental Authority for the account of IP do Brasil an amount equal to 100% of such excess, up to $60 million, and Parent shall be responsible for and shall pay to the relevant Brazilian Governmental Authority for the account of IP do Brasil 100% of any amount of such settlement above $240 million.

(b) Post-Distribution Date Liability.

(i) Parent shall pay to SpinCo or to the relevant Brazilian Governmental Authority for the account of IP do Brasil an amount equal to 60% of any Brazil Goodwill Taxes imposed on or payable by IP do Brasil following the Distribution Date as a result of a Final Determination, whether pursuant to a final, non-appealable determination by a federal court in Brazil, the terms of an amnesty program to which IP do Brasil has become a party or other settlement or otherwise, other than any Brazil Goodwill Taxes pursuant to a settlement for which Parent has payment responsibility under clause (a).

(ii) Parent shall pay to SpinCo an amount equal to 60% of any premium and other costs and expenses paid by SpinCo for any period following the Distribution Date to the providers of the Surety Bonds (as defined below) to maintain, renew or replace the Surety Bonds.

(c) Reimbursement of Payments by Parent. If any amount with respect to the Brazil Goodwill Taxes is either (1) (x) drawn on one or more surety bonds issued in favor of [the Federal courts in Brazil] with respect to the Brazil Goodwill Taxes (the “Surety Bonds”) and (y) reimbursed by Parent or a member of the Parent Group to the providers of the Surety Bonds pursuant to the terms of the Surety Bonds and indemnity agreements entered into in connection therewith, or (2) paid by Parent to the relevant Brazilian Governmental Authority for the account of IP do Brasil, SpinCo shall pay to Parent an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate amount reimbursed by Parent to the providers of the Surety Bonds or paid by Parent to the relevant Brazilian Governmental Authority for the account of IP do Brasil, as applicable, over (ii) the amount for which Parent has payment responsibility under clause (a) or (b) of this Schedule 2.3.


(d) Timing; Currency.

(i) Any payment required to be made by Parent pursuant to clauses (a) or (b)(i) of this Schedule 2.3 as a result of a settlement pursuant to an amnesty program shall be made on or prior to the date such settlement payment is required to be made by IP do Brasil (taking into account any available extensions for making such payment) pursuant to such amnesty program.

(ii) Any payment (x) required to be made by Parent pursuant to clause (b)(i) of this Schedule 2.3 and (y) not described in clause (d)(i) shall be made on or prior to the date a payment is required to be made by IP do Brasil (taking into account any available extensions for making such payment) following a Final Determination that is non-appealable or for which Parent has determined not to pursue an available appeal.

(iii) Any payment required to be made by Parent pursuant to clause (b)(ii) of this Schedule 2.3 shall be made within 5 Business Days after SpinCo provides Parent with a request for reimbursement with respect to the relevant amount.

(iv) Any payment required to be made by SpinCo pursuant to clause (c) of this Schedule 2.3 shall be made within 5 Business Days after the date Parent provides SpinCo with notice that an applicable amount has been drawn with respect to the Surety Bonds or has been paid by Parent to the relevant Brazilian Governmental Authority. Without prejudice to Parent’s other rights and remedies, in the event any payment required to be made to Parent by SpinCo pursuant to clause (c) of this Schedule 2.3 is not paid when due, interest shall accrue from such date until the date of actual payment, at an annual interest rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 2.5%, which interest shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each quarter and shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and the actual number of days elapsed.

(v) Any payment required to be made by SpinCo to Parent pursuant this Schedule 2.3 shall be made in U.S. dollars. The U.S. dollar amount of any payment required to be made by SpinCo to Parent pursuant to clause (c) of this Schedule 2.3 to reimburse a payment in Brazilian real by Parent or a member of the Parent Group shall be determined based the U.S. dollar cost that is incurred by Parent or such member of the Parent Group in making such payment (including the cost of any related currency hedging), as determined by Parent in good faith. Any payment required to be made by Parent to SpinCo or the relevant Brazilian Governmental Authority pursuant to clause (a) or clause (b) of this Schedule 2.3 shall be made in Brazilian real.

(e) Replacement or Renewal of Surety Bonds. Parent shall use its commercially reasonable efforts with the cooperation of SpinCo to procure the replacement, renewal or the issuance of additional Surety Bonds as the applicable Brazilian Governmental Authority may reasonably request for IP do Brasil to continue the Tax Contest relating to the Brazil Goodwill Taxes, by agreeing to indemnify or guarantee the provider or providers of such Surety Bonds (which arrangements may require Parent to post collateral to secure its obligations to the provider or providers of the Surety Bonds), or if such Surety Bonds cannot be replaced, renewed or obtained, to make other collateral arrangements as the applicable Brazilian Governmental Authority may reasonably request for IP do Brasil to continue the Tax Contest


relating to the Brazil Goodwill Taxes. SpinCo shall not permit IP do Brazil or any other member of the SpinCo Group to, without Parent’s prior written consent, (1) renew or extend, or fail to renew or extend, the term of, (2) increase its obligations under, (3) transfer to another third party or (4) amend in any manner adverse to Parent, except as contemplated by the first sentence of this paragraph (e) or Schedule 9.3, the Surety Bonds or any obligation for which Parent is, or would reasonably be expected to be, liable relating to the Brazil Goodwill Taxes.

(f) Guarantee Fee; Collateral Fee.

(i) In consideration for the indemnity agreement or any other guarantee entered into by Parent in connection with the Surety Bonds, SpinCo shall pay to Parent in cash a guarantee fee calculated at an annual rate of 1.5% based on 40% of the face amount of the Surety Bonds (the “Guarantee Fee”) for so long as the Surety Bonds remain outstanding. The Guarantee Fee shall be payable quarterly in advance, with the first quarterly installment of the Guarantee Fee payable with respect to the period beginning on October 1, 2021 and ending on December 31, 2021. Each quarterly installment of the Guarantee Fee shall be payable in advance within fifteen (15) days following the beginning of the relevant quarter and shall be calculated based on the U.S. dollar equivalent of the face amount of the Surety Bonds outstanding on the last Business Day of the previous quarter, using the applicable spot exchange rate on such day with a true up payment to be made at the end of the relevant quarter if the face amount of the Surety Bonds outstanding is increased during such quarter.

(ii) From and following any posting of collateral by the Parent to secure its obligations under the Surety Bonds pursuant to a demand therefor by the provider or providers thereof, or from and following any making by Parent of other collateral arrangements as requested by the applicable Brazilian Governmental Authority as contemplated in clause (e) of this Schedule 2.3, for so long as such collateral remains posted, (x) the Guarantee Fee shall terminate and (y) SpinCo shall instead pay to Parent in cash a collateral fee calculated at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 3% based on 40% of the fair market value of such collateral (the “Collateral Fee”), provided that, if Sylvamo elects to post collateral in respect of 40% of the liability, the collateral fee shall be zero. The Collateral Fee shall be payable in quarterly installments pursuant to the same schedule described in clause (i) with respect to the Guarantee Fee, and shall be calculated based on the amount of collateral posted on the last Business Day of the quarter preceding the period with respect to which such Collateral Fee accrues, with a true up payment to be made at the end of such period if the amount of collateral posted is increased during such period. If such collateral is cash other than U.S. dollars, the fair market value of such collateral shall be converted into U.S. dollars using the spot exchange rate on the last Business Day of the quarter preceding the period which respect to which such Collateral Fee accrues. For purposes of this clause (f)(ii) “LIBOR” means the “Benchmark” for U.S. dollar borrowings with a three month interest period under the revolving credit facility of Parent as in effect from time to time.


(g) SpinCo Liquidity. From and following the date on which 40% of the amount of the maximum potential exposure for Brazil Goodwill Taxes which may be assessed by the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service (the “Exposure Amount”), exceeds $275 million, Parent may request SpinCo and its Subsidiaries that are treated as restricted subsidiaries under SpinCo’s Revolving Credit Facility to maintain Liquidity on the last day of each fiscal quarter of not less than the Exposure Amount. If, following such a request from Parent, SpinCo and its restricted subsidiaries fail to maintain Liquidity at such level when required, the rate at which the Guarantee Fee or the Collateral Fee, as applicable, accrues shall be automatically increased by 2% for any fiscal quarter which immediately follows a fiscal quarter for which Liquidity is not maintained at the required level. For purposes of this clause (g), (i) “Liquidity” means the sum of (x) all readily available unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of SpinCo and its Subsidiaries that are treated as restricted subsidiaries under SpinCo’s Revolving Credit Facility in excess of $100 million and (y) the aggregate unused amount of commitments under SpinCo’s Revolving Credit Facility that can be drawn while maintaining pro forma compliance with the “Maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio” (as defined in SpinCo’s Revolving Credit Facility) and (ii) “Revolving Credit Facility” means the [Revolving Credit Facility, dated as of [ ], 2021, among SpinCo, as Borrower, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent].

For the avoidance of doubt, (i) Sections 5.2 and 8.3(b) of this Agreement shall not apply to payments required under this Schedule 2.3 and (ii) Parent shall not be required to make any payment in respect of Brazil Goodwill Taxes to SpinCo or any of its Affiliates to the extent that the relevant Brazilian Governmental Authority irrevocably abandons and relinquishes, or otherwise irrevocably ceases to pursue, the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service’s challenge relating to the Brazil Goodwill Taxes or such challenge is resolved in favor of IP do Brasil.


Schedule 7.2(c)(iii)


Schedule 9.3

Brazil Goodwill Tax Contests.

(a) Parent shall administer and control the conduct and resolution of any Tax Contest relating to the Brazil Goodwill Taxes (the “Brazil Goodwill Tax Contests”), provided that, other than in the case of any settlement described in clause (a) of Schedule 2.3, (i) SpinCo shall have the right, at its sole expense, to participate in any Brazil Goodwill Tax Contest (ii) Parent shall consult with SpinCo reasonably in advance of taking any material proposed course of action with respect to the Brazil Goodwill Tax Contests, (iii) Parent shall consult with SpinCo and offer SpinCo a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with the Brazil Goodwill Tax Contests, (iv) SpinCo shall be entitled to participate in all formally scheduled meetings with any Tax Authority relating to the Brazil Goodwill Tax Contests and (v) Parent shall conduct the Brazil Goodwill Tax Contests with reasonable diligence and in good faith as if it were the only party in interest in connection with the Brazil Goodwill Tax Contests. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Parent shall have the right to (1) determine in its sole discretion, which discretion shall be exercised in good faith, whether to appeal or to resolve any Brazil Tax Goodwill Contest (whether pursuant to participation in an amnesty program or other settlement or otherwise) and (2) select the counsel that will represent IP do Brasil in connection with the Brazil Tax Goodwill Contests.

(b) SpinCo shall (and shall cause each member of the SpinCo Group to) execute and deliver to Parent (or such member of the Parent Group as Parent shall designate) any power of attorney or similar document reasonably requested by Parent (or such designee) in connection with any Brazil Goodwill Tax Contest.

(c) Each Party shall bear its own expenses in the course of any Brazil Goodwill Tax Contest.

Exhibit 10.3

FORM OF EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

by and between

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY

(“Parent”)

and

SYLVAMO CORPORATION

(“SpinCo”)

dated as of [•], 2021

 


Table of Contents

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

     2  

Section 1.1.

  Definitions      2  

Section 1.2.

  Capitalized Terms      10  

ARTICLE II. EMPLOYEES

     10  

Section 2.1.

  Employees      10  

Section 2.2.

  Termination of Employment or Benefits      11  

Section 2.3.

  Employees With Right to Return      11  

Section 2.4.

  No Right to Continued Employment      12  

Section 2.5.

  Non-Solicitation; Non-Hire      13  

Section 2.6.

  Certain Tax Matters      15  

Section 2.7.

  Work Visas      15  

ARTICLE III. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS

     15  

Section 3.1.

  Assumption and Continuation of Agreements      15  

ARTICLE IV. BENEFITS PLANS AND PROGRAMS

     16  

Section 4.1.

  Continuation of Compensation and Benefits for Non-Represented Transferred Employees      16  

Section 4.2.

  No Participation in Parent Plans      17  

Section 4.3.

  Establishment of SpinCo Mirror Plans      17  

Section 4.4.

  Terms of Participation by Transferred Employees      18  

Section 4.5.

  Right to Amend SpinCo Plans      18  

ARTICLE V. PENSION PLANS

     19  

Section 5.1.

  Establishment of Pension Plans      19  

Section 5.2.

  Assumption of Parent Pension Plan Liabilities and Transfer of Assets from the Parent Pension Trust      19  

Section 5.3.

  Assumption of Liabilities Under Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan and Payment by Parent of Accrued Liabilities      23  

Section 5.4.

  International Pension Plans      25  

Section 5.5.

  Continuation of Elections and Application to SpinCo Dependents      25  

ARTICLE VI. HEALTH AND WELFARE

     25  

Section 6.1.

  Parent Health and Welfare Plans.      25  

Section 6.2.

  Adoption of SpinCo Health and Welfare Plans.      26  

Section 6.3.

  COBRA and HIPAA      28  

Section 6.4.

  Workers’ Compensation Claims      28  

 

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Section 6.5.

  Leave of Absence Programs      29  

Section 6.6.

  Time-Off Benefits.      29  

ARTICLE VII. SAVINGS PLANS

     30  

Section 7.1.

  Adoption of SpinCo Savings Plans      30  

Section 7.2.

  Assumption of Liabilities and Transfer of Assets With Respect to Parent Qualified Savings Plans      30  

Section 7.3.

  Treatment of Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Accounts      31  

Section 7.4.

  Continuation of Elections and Application to SpinCo Dependents      33  

ARTICLE VIII. EQUITY BASED INCENTIVE AWARDS

     33  

Section 8.1.

  Treatment of Outstanding PSP Awards by Parent      33  

Section 8.2.

  Treatment of Outstanding Parent Restricted Share Unit and Restricted Stock Awards      34  

Section 8.3.

  Replacement Awards for Cancelled Shares      34  

Section 8.4.

  Establishing the Number of Shares Subject to SpinCo Awards      34  

ARTICLE IX. SHORT TERM INCENTIVES AND SALES COMMISSION PROGRAMS

     35  

Section 9.1.

  Management Incentive Plan      35  

Section 9.2.

  Hourly Incentive Plans and Sales Commission Programs      35  

Section 9.3.

  SpinCo Obligations In Respect of Incentive Plans      35  

ARTICLE X. ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES

     36  

Section 10.1.

  Assumption of Liabilities.      36  

Section 10.2.

  Reimbursement      37  

Section 10.3.

  Indemnification      38  

Section 10.4.

  Procedures for Indemnification for Third-Party Claims      39  

Section 10.5.

  Reductions for Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts      39  

Section 10.6.

  Contribution      39  

Section 10.7.

  Consequential Damages      40  

ARTICLE XI. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

     40  

Section 11.1.

  Cooperation      40  

Section 11.2.

  Consent of Third Parties      42  

Section 11.3.

  Survival      42  

Section 11.4.

  Interpretation      42  

Section 11.5.

  No Third Party Beneficiary      43  

Section 11.6.

  Notices      43  

Section 11.7.

  Governing Law      44  

Section 11.8.

  Disputes      45  

Section 11.9.

  Specific Performance      45  

Section 11.10.

  No Assignment; No Amendment; Counterparts      45  

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A. Sales Commissions Programs

SCHEDULES

Schedule 2.4. Minimum Severance Benefits for Non-Represented Employees

 

 

ii


FORM OF EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

This Employee Matters Agreement (together with all exhibits, schedules, appendices and annexes hereto, this “Agreement”), dated as of [•], 2021 is by and between International Paper Company, a New York corporation (“Parent”), and Sylvamo Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“SpinCo”) (each a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in ARTICLE I.

WHEREAS, SpinCo is a wholly-owned, direct Subsidiary of Parent;

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Parent (the “Parent Board”) has determined that it is in the best interests of Parent and its shareholders to create a new publicly traded company that will operate the SpinCo Business;

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, the Parent Board has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to effect the Separation and the Distribution (as each such term is defined in the Separation Agreement);

WHEREAS, to effectuate the Separation and Distribution, Parent and SpinCo have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of [•], 2021 (the “Separation Agreement”);

WHEREAS, in addition to the matters addressed by the Separation Agreement, the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement that is an “Ancillary Agreement” under the Separation Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions of certain employment, compensation and benefit matters; and

WHEREAS, the Parties acknowledge that this Agreement, the Separation Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements under the Separation Agreement represent the integrated agreement of Parent and SpinCo relating to the Separation and Distributions, are being entered into together and would not have been entered into independently.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 


ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1. Definitions.

Actuarial Assumptions” means the actuarial assumptions used in connection with the most recently completed actuarial report of the accounting liabilities under the applicable Parent Pension Plan, except that, any actuarial assumption changes regarding accounting liabilities to the applicable Parent Pension Plan as a result of Parent’s actuary’s 2021 experience study will be utilized to the extent different, and the discount rate applied in determining such liabilities shall be determined as of the Interim Transfer Date.

Affiliate” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Agreement” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Recitals to this Agreement

Applicable CBA” means the Labor Agreement between International Paper Company (Ticonderoga Mill) and the United Steel Workers, Local 4-0005 and Local 4-0497, effective June 1, 2017, and incorporates, as applicable, any language required by the IP Mill Master Agreement Memorandum dated September 1, 2015 and expiring on August 31, 2023.

Assumption Date” means the date as of which SpinCo [assumes][assumed] the obligations of the Parent under the Applicable CBA[, which shall in all events be no later than immediately prior to the Effective Time][which was September 1, 2021].

Bargaining Units” means the bargaining units under the Applicable CBA immediately prior to the Assumption Date.

Benefit Payments” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2(d)(ii).

Business Day” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 11.4.

Business Employee” means each individual employee of Parent or a Subsidiary of Parent who (i) as of the day immediately prior to the Interim Transfer Date, was assigned to a position in which at least two-thirds of his or her services as an employee of the Parent or a Subsidiary of the Parent were devoted to or for the benefit of the SpinCo Business (including any such individual assigned to such a position who is not actively working as of the Effective Time as a result of an illness, injury or leave of absence approved by Parent’s Human Resources department or otherwise taken in accordance with applicable Law) or (ii) is identified by Parent or pursuant to Parent’s job posting process as the person to fulfill a position unassigned as of the day immediately prior to the Interim Transfer Date in which the person would be expected to devote at least two-thirds of his or her services as an employee of the Parent or a Subsidiary of the Parent to or for the benefit of the SpinCo Business.

 

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Cancelled Parent PSP Shares” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 8.1.

Cancelled Parent Restricted Shares” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 8.2.

COBRA” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.3.

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

Effective Time” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Excluded Employees” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a)(iv).

Final Asset Transfer” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2(d)(ii).

Former Business Employee” means any individual who had at any time provided services in respect of the SpinCo Business or the SpinCo Assets, but (i) as of the Interim Transfer Date, is no longer actively employed by Parent or any Subsidiary or (ii) is employed by Parent or a Subsidiary, but as of the day immediately prior to the Interim Transfer Date no longer qualified as a Business Employee (and does not otherwise thereafter again become a Business Employee prior to the Effective Time).

FSA Participants” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.2(c).

Governmental Authority” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Group” means either of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, as the context requires.

Hourly Incentive Plans” means the Ticonderoga Gain Sharing Plan, the Sumter Sheeting Facility Gain Sharing Plan, and the Eastover Gain Sharing Plan.

Indemnifiable Losses” means all Losses, Liabilities, damages, claims, demands, judgments or settlements of any nature or kind, including, but not limited to, all costs and expenses (legal, accounting or otherwise) that are reasonably incurred relating thereto, suffered by an Indemnified Party, including, but not limited to, any costs or expenses of enforcing any indemnity hereunder that are reasonably incurred.

 

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Indemnified Parties” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 10.3(b).

Indemnifying Party” means a Person that is obligated under this Agreement to provide indemnification.

Initial Asset Transfer” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2(d)(i).

Insured WC Claims” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.4.

Interim Transfer Date” means September 1, 2021.

Internal Reorganization” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Law” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Layoff with Right of Recall” means any Represented Employee who has been formally laid off by any member of the Parent Group, the SpinCo Group or a Transferred Entity under circumstances that entitle such Represented Employee to a right of recall by his or her employer and whose period of eligibility for recall pursuant to the Applicable CBA has not expired, or whose right to recall has not been forfeited pursuant to the Applicable CBA, as of the Effective Time.

Leave Employee” means any Business Employee who, as of the Effective Time, (i) is on a Leave of Absence or receiving long-term disability benefits under a Parent Plan or a SpinCo Plan and (ii) is not a Retained Employee.

Leave Employee Commencement Date” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.3(a).

Leave of Absence” means a leave from active employment that is expected to continue following the Effective Time and that (i) was granted in accordance with the applicable policies and procedures (including, but not limited to, any policy or procedures implemented to comply with the United Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act or similar state or other Law or with the Applicable CBA) of a member of the Parent Group, the SpinCo Group or a Transferred Entity or (ii) arose due to an illness or injury that results in the individual being eligible for short-term disability benefits, sickness and accident benefits or workers’ compensation under the Parent’s or SpinCo’s (as applicable) short-term disability or sickness and accident plan or state or other Law. For the avoidance of doubt, any employee who is not at work on the day of the Effective Time due to vacation, sickness or accident that has not qualified the individual for short-term disability or accident benefits, workers’ compensation or other temporary absence, but whose employment continues in accordance with the Parent Group’s or SpinCo Group’s employment policies (such as due to the use of personal days), shall be considered to be actively at work on the day of the Effective Time. Any individual who is receiving long-term disability benefits at the Effective Time shall not be considered to be on a “Leave of Absence” for purposes of this definition.

 

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Liabilities” means any and all obligations, benefit entitlements, losses, claims, charges, debts, demands, actions, costs and expenses (including, but not limited to, those arising under any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or plan, and administrative and related costs and expenses of any plan, program, or arrangement), of any nature whatsoever, whether absolute or contingent, vested or unvested, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown, whenever arising.

Liability Event” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 10.6(b).

Losses” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Management Incentive Plan” means the International Paper Company 2021 Management Incentive Plan, as amended.

Parent” has the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble to this Agreement.

Parent Board” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Recitals to this Agreement.

Parent Cancelled Share Value” shall mean the closing price of a share of the common stock of the Parent on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day immediately preceding the Effective Time.

Parent FSAs” means the International Paper Company EBRA and Tax-Free Health Care Contributions Plan and the International Paper Company Tax-Free Health Care Contributions for Hourly Employees Plan.

Parent Group” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Parent Hourly Savings Plan” means the International Paper Company Hourly Savings Plan.

Parent Indemnified Parties” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 10.3(a).

Parent Liabilities” means all Liabilities of Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries. In no event shall the term Parent Liabilities include any Liabilities that are transferred from or otherwise cease to be Liabilities of any of Parent or any other member of the Parent Group pursuant to this Agreement, or that have, or will become, SpinCo Employee Liabilities.

 

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Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan” means the International Paper Company Pension Restoration Plan for Salaried Employees.

Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.3(b).

Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan” means the International Paper Company Deferred Compensation Savings Plan.

Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Liabilities” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 7.3(b).

Parent PBO Funding Percentage” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2(g).

Parent Pension Plans” mean the Parent Qualified Pension Plan and the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan.

Parent Plan” means any plan, policy, program, payroll practice, on-going arrangement, contract, trust, insurance policy or other agreement or funding vehicle, whether written or unwritten, maintained or sponsored by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (or any of their respective predecessors) at any time on or prior to the Effective Time for the purpose of providing compensation or benefits to any current or former employee of any such person.

Parent Qualified Pension Plan” means the Retirement Plan of International Paper Company.

Parent Qualified Plan Net Assets” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2(g).

Parent Qualified Savings Plans” mean the Parent Hourly Savings Plan and the Parent Salaried Savings Plan.

Parent Salaried Savings Plan” means the International Paper Company Salaried Savings Plan.

Parent Savings Plans” means the Parent Qualified Savings Plans and the Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan.

Parent Severance Plan” means the (i) International Paper Company Salaried Employee Severance Plan and (ii) any other severance plan or policy of any member of the Parent Group applicable to Business Employees.

Parent Subsidiaries” mean all direct and indirect Subsidiaries that are, or continue to be, Subsidiaries of Parent immediately after the Effective Time. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Agreement none of the Transferred Entities, nor any other member of the SpinCo Group, shall be a Parent Subsidiary.

 

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Parent Trust” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2(d)(i).

Parent Welfare Plans” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.1(a).

Party” and “Parties” have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the preamble to this Agreement.

Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2(b).

Person” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Pro-Rated Fraction” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 9.1.

Pro-Rated Parent Award” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8.1.

Representative” means, with respect to any Person, any of such Person’s directors, managers or persons acting in a similar capacity, officers, employees, agents, consultants, financial and other advisors, accountants, attorneys and other representatives.

Represented Employee” means any Business Employee who is a member of the Bargaining Unit.

Restricted Employees” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.5(a).

Retained Employee” means any individual (a) who, as of the Effective Time, (i) is actively employed by, or on an approved Leave of Absence or Layoff with Right of Recall from a member of the Parent Group, or (ii) had been primarily employed in the SpinCo Business or with respect to the SpinCo Assets and (b) whose employment Parent has determined not to transfer to SpinCo or a member of the SpinCo Group.

Sales Commission Programs” means the programs listed on Exhibit A of this Agreement.

Separation Agreement” has the meaning ascribed to it in the fourth recital to this Agreement.

SpinCo” has the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble to this Agreement.

SpinCo Assets” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

 

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SpinCo Business” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

SpinCo Dependents” means, with respect to any Transferred Employee, any individual who, by virtue of a relationship with the Transferred Employee, was eligible to receive benefits under the terms of any applicable Parent Pension Plan, Parent Savings Plan, or Parent Welfare Plan immediately prior to the Interim Transfer Date. For the avoidance of doubt, a SpinCo Dependent includes only those persons who then actually met the relevant plan’s requirements for eligibility for benefits (i) as a beneficiary or alternate payee, in the case of any applicable Parent Pension Plan or Parent Savings Plan, or (ii) as a dependent, in the case of any applicable Parent Welfare Plans as of the time eligibility for benefits must be determined.

SpinCo Employee Liabilities” means the liabilities assumed by SpinCo pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof.

SpinCo FSA” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.2(c)(i).

SpinCo Group” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

SpinCo Indemnified Parties” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 10.3(b).

SpinCo Mirror Plans” means the SpinCo Qualified Pension Plan, the SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plan, the SpinCo Qualified Savings Plan and the SpinCo Non-Qualified Savings Plan.

SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plan” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.1.

SpinCo Non-Qualified Savings Plan” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 7.1(b).

SpinCo PBO Funding Percentage” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2(g).

SpinCo PBO Liabilities” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2(f).

SpinCo Pension Plans” means the SpinCo Qualified Pension Plan and the SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plans.

SpinCo Plan” means any plan, policy, program, payroll practice, on-going arrangement, contract, trust, insurance policy or other agreement or funding vehicle, whether written or unwritten, maintained or sponsored by any member of the SpinCo Group, including without limitation each SpinCo Mirror Plan, that provides or will provide compensation or benefits to any Transferred Employee or SpinCo Dependent.

 

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SpinCo Qualified Pension Plan” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.1.

SpinCo Qualified Savings Plan” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 7.1(a).

SpinCo Replacement Share Value” shall be an amount equal to the average of the closing prices of the SpinCo common stock on the principal exchange or national quotation system upon which such common stock is traded or listed for each of the 10 trading days commencing with and next following the Effective Time.

SpinCo Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary of SpinCo, including with respect to periods after the Effective Time, each of the Transferred Entities.

SpinCo Trust” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2(d)(i).

SpinCo Welfare Plans” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.2(a).

Subsidiary” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Successorship Provisions” means the successorship provisions set forth in Clause F of Part II of the IP Mill Master Agreement Memorandum which forms a part of the Applicable CBA.

Suitable Position” means, in respect of a Business Employee other than a Represented Employee, terms of employment that provide for a position which would not entitle such Business Employee to any severance benefits under the Parent Severance Plan if such Business Employee were terminated in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement, or solely in the case of a Represented Employee, such terms as may be required pursuant to the terms of the Applicable CBA.

Tax” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Tax Matters Agreement.

Tax Matters Agreement” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Third-Party Claim” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Time-Off Benefits” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.6.

Total PBO Liabilities” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.2(f).

Transferred Employees” means (i) each Business Employee who has accepted an offer of employment with, and has become an employee of, a member of the SpinCo Group or (ii) whose employment otherwise transfers to a member of the SpinCo Group by operation of law or otherwise.

 

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Transferred Entities” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Union” means the United Steel Workers, Local 4-0005 and Local 4-0497, which represent the employees of the Bargaining Unit.

Workers’ Compensation Claims” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.4.

Section 1.2. Capitalized Terms. Any other capitalized term used and not defined herein, but defined in the Separation Agreement, shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Separation Agreement.

ARTICLE II.

EMPLOYEES

Section 2.1. Employees.

Prior to the Effective Time, except for (i) Retained Employees, (ii) Business Employees who are Leave Employees at the Interim Transfer Date and (iii) those Business Employees (including, where applicable, Leave Employees) whose employment transfers to a member of the SpinCo Group automatically by operation of Law, SpinCo has caused or shall cause the applicable member of the SpinCo Group to offer employment to each Business Employee in a Suitable Position. At or prior to the Effective Time, the employment of each Transferred Employee has or shall be transferred to, and each such employee has or shall become an employee of, a member of the SpinCo Group, without any interruption or cessation of employment or break in service. Except with respect to Represented Employees, an individual’s acceptance of an offer of employment from a member of the SpinCo Group shall be conclusive evidence that such offer constituted a Suitable Position. If a member of the SpinCo Group fails to offer a Business Employee (other than Retained Employee) a Suitable Position prior to the Effective Time and such Business Employee’s employment does not otherwise transfer to a member of the SpinCo Group by operation of law, such Business Employee shall be entitled to receive severance under the Parent Severance Plan applicable to such Business Employee and SpinCo shall reimburse Parent for the aggregate amount of the severance benefits payable, regardless of when payable to the affected employee, within 30 days following the Effective Time. Each Business Employee who receives and who declines an offer of a Suitable Position with a member of the SpinCo Group shall be deemed to have voluntarily resigned employment with the member of the Parent Group by which such Business Employee was employed, effective as of the Effective Time (or such earlier date as of which such Business Employee ceases to provide services to such member of the Parent Group), and for the avoidance of doubt shall not be entitled to any severance benefits from any member of the Parent Group under any Parent Severance Plan or otherwise, unless otherwise required by Law. All individuals employed by the

 

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Parent Group at the Effective Time who are not Business Employees shall remain employees of Parent or another member of the Parent Group immediately following the Effective Time, except in the case of such an individual who accepts an offer of employment from SpinCo or an Affiliate prior to the Effective Time. Nothing in this Agreement shall, or shall be construed to, modify, alter, diminish or otherwise interfere with or supersede or override any right afforded to any Transferred Employee or any obligation imposed on any member of the SpinCo Group at or by operation of applicable Law.

Section 2.2. Termination of Employment or Benefits.

Except as otherwise expressly and specifically provided herein, (i) no provision of this Agreement or the Separation Agreement, and (ii) no actions by the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group taken in contemplation of, or in connection with, this Agreement, the Internal Reorganization or the Separation Agreement shall be construed to create any right, or accelerate any entitlement, to any compensation or benefit whatsoever on the part of any Business Employee (including any Business Employee who becomes a Transferred Employee), or to limit the ability of the SpinCo Group or the Parent Group, respectively, to administer any SpinCo Plan or Parent Plan, as applicable, in accordance with its terms and as may be expressly provided in this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing described above in Section 2.1 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall cause any Transferred Employee to be deemed to have incurred a termination of employment or to have created any entitlement to any severance benefits or the commencement of any other benefits under any Parent Plan or the Applicable CBA, unless otherwise required by Law.

Section 2.3. Employees With Right to Return.

(a) Leave Employees. With respect to all Leave Employees receiving short-term disability benefits as of the Interim Transfer Date, except as otherwise required by applicable Law, Parent Group shall retain all obligations to provide such short-term disability benefits and other benefits for such Leave Employees while the Leave Employees continue to be eligible for short-term disability benefits under the short- term disability plans maintained by the Parent Group. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to any Leave Employee who is employed by a member of the SpinCo Group as of immediately prior to the Interim Transfer Date or whose employment automatically transfers to a member of the SpinCo Group by operation of Law, in which case the appropriate member of the SpinCo Group shall be responsible for providing such Leave Employee disability benefits and any other rights conveyed to such Transferred

 

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Employee at applicable law. Any Business Employee who becomes a Leave Employee on or after the Interim Transfer Date shall be treated as a Transferred Employee for all purposes of this Agreement. SpinCo Group shall honor any reinstatement rights that exist for Leave Employees under applicable Law, the Applicable CBA or otherwise under the policies and practices of the Parent Group (including Business Employees who become Leave Employees on or after the Interim Transfer Date). In the event that any Leave Employee who becomes a Leave Employee prior to the Interim Transfer Date later becomes an employee of the SpinCo Group by reason of the exercise of any such reinstatement rights, from and after the date such Leave Employee commences employment with the SpinCo Group (the “Leave Employee Commencement Date”) such Leave Employee shall be afforded the same rights afforded to a Transferred Employee hereof, except that such rights shall extend solely from such Leave Employee Commencement Date and not the Effective Time. Parent and SpinCo shall in good faith take such actions as shall be necessary or appropriate to implement the provisions of this Section 2.3(a) and of the other applicable provisions of this Agreement with regard to such newly characterized Transferred Employee. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the Applicable CBA or otherwise under the policies and practices of the Parent Group, SpinCo and its Affiliates shall have no obligation hereunder to employ or offer employment to any Leave Employee who becomes a Leave Employee prior to the Interim Transfer Date later and who is not cleared to return to work or who otherwise fails to present himself of herself for active work within twelve (12) months following the Effective Time.

(b) Reinstatement of Former Business Employees. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary and subject to any judicial challenge or appeal undertaken by Parent, in the event that an arbitration or judicial decision orders that a Former Business Employee whose employment terminated with the Parent Group prior to the Effective Time be reinstated to employment with back pay, Parent shall be responsible for the back pay and any other pre-reinstatement monetary damages or other relief awarded (including benefits-related relief), and SpinCo shall be responsible for the reinstatement of the Former Business Employee in accordance with the terms and conditions of the decision. Upon any such reinstatement, such Former Business Employee shall become a Transferred Employee, SpinCo shall have the obligations in respect of such Former Business Employee that it has to Transferred Employees generally and Parent and SpinCo shall in good faith take such actions as shall be necessary or appropriate to implement the provisions of this Section 2.3(b) and of the Agreement with regard to such newly characterized Transferred Employee.

Section 2.4. No Right to Continued Employment.

Subject to the Applicable CBA and applicable Law, nothing contained in this Agreement shall confer on any employee of any member of the Parent Group or any Transferred Employee any right to continued employment. Except as specifically provided in this Section 2.4, the Applicable CBA, or Section 3.1(a) or 4.1, this Agreement shall not limit the ability of SpinCo to change, at any time after the Effective Time and in its sole discretion, a Transferred Employee’s position, compensation or benefits for performance-related, business or any other reasons or require any member of the SpinCo Group to continue the employment of a Transferred Employee for any particular period of time after the Effective Time, provided that SpinCo shall bear all liability for any such termination of employment (including a termination of employment

 

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of a Leave Employee resulting from job or position elimination). With respect to any such terminations of employment of (a) any Transferred Employee occurring prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Time or (b) any Leave Employee occurring within the period in which such Leave Employee would have been entitled to severance or termination benefits under the policies and practices of the Parent Group, SpinCo shall provide to such terminated Transferred Employees or Leave Employees (in each case other than a Represented Employee) severance and termination benefits no less favorable in the aggregate than the severance and termination benefits that are described on Schedule 2.4 to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Transferred Employee shall receive full credit for years of service with the Parent Group for purposes of calculating the amount of severance payable to any such Transferred Employee under any applicable plan, program or arrangement sponsored or maintained by the applicable member of the SpinCo Group, such that, to the extent service, compensation or other factors are taken into account under the terms of such plan, program or arrangement, the Transferred Employee’s entitlement to severance shall be calculated taking into account all service, all compensation, and all other factors that, as of the Interim Transfer Date or the date on which the Effective Time occurs, as applicable, would have been taken into account under any Parent Plan providing severance benefits applicable to such Transferred Employee had such Transferred Employee’s employment been terminated immediately before the Interim Transfer Date or the date on which the Effective Time occurs, as applicable.

Section 2.5. Non-Solicitation; Non-Hire.

(a) Non-Solicitation. Each of Parent and SpinCo agrees that, for a period of eighteen (18) months from the Effective Time, it shall not, and shall cause each member in its respective Group to not, solicit for employment any individual who is an employee of a member of the other Group as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (“Restricted Employees”); provided that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply:

(i) to any Restricted Employee who responds to general solicitations not targeted at the Restricted Employees,

(ii) to any Restricted Employee who is hired pursuant to the application of internal job posting policies and practices at the Parent Group, where the posting of the position occurred prior to the Effective Time;

(iii) to any Restricted Employee whose employment was involuntarily terminated by the employing Party in a severance-qualifying termination before the employment discussions with the soliciting Party commenced;

(iv) to any Restricted Employee whose prospective employment by the soliciting Party is agreed to in writing by the employing Party, or in the case of a Restricted Employee who is not currently employed, the Party who last employed Restricted Employee (the employees referenced in each of clauses (i)-(iv) above, the “Excluded Employees”);

 

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(v) to any Restricted Employee located in a jurisdiction where adherence to such restriction would violate applicable Law.

(b) Non-Hire. Each of Parent and SpinCo agrees that, for a period of eighteen (18) months from the Interim Transfer Date, it shall not, and shall cause each member in its respective Group not to, hire any person who at any time (i) during the six months prior to the Effective Time, or (ii) during the 18 month period after the Interim Transfer Date, was an employee of any member of the other Group; provided that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply (i) to the hire of an Excluded Employee, (ii) to the hire of any employee whose hire is agreed to in writing by Parent and SpinCo or (iii) to any Restricted Employee located in any jurisdiction where adherence to such restriction would violate applicable Law.

(c) Transferred Employees. Subject to Section 2.5(b), nothing in this Section 2.5 shall preclude any member of the SpinCo Group from hiring any Business Employees in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

(d) Remedies; Enforcement. Each Party acknowledges and agrees that (i) injury to the employing Party or employing Group member from any breach by another Party or member of another Party’s Group of the obligations set forth in this Section 2.5 would be irreparable and impossible to measure and (ii) the remedies at Law for any breach or threatened breach of this Section 2.5, including monetary damages, would therefore be inadequate compensation for any loss and the employing Party or employing Group member shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief in accordance with this Section 2.5, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at Law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. Each Party understands and acknowledges that the restrictive covenants and other agreements contained in this Section 2.5 are an essential part of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. It is the intent of the Parties that the provisions of this Section 2.5 shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under applicable Law applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. If any particular provision or portion of this Section 2.5 shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision or portion thereof shall be deemed amended to the minimum extent necessary to render such provision or portion valid and enforceable, such amendment to apply only with respect to the operation of such provision or portion thereof in the particular jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made.

 

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Section 2.6. Certain Tax Matters.

With respect to compensation payable by Parent in 2021, including salary payable through the end of the last payroll period that ends prior to the Interim Transfer Date and any bonus payable pursuant to Section 9.1, Parent shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to (i) be responsible for all employment, payroll, social security, disability, unemployment, workers’ compensation or other similar Taxes, tax withholding or similar obligations, and all reporting obligations, in each case in respect of Transferred Employees, and (ii) furnish a Form W-2 or similar earnings statement to all Transferred Employees employed in the United States and, to the extent applicable, shall furnish similar earnings statements to non-U.S. Transferred Employees in accordance with Law. With respect to compensation payable by SpinCo in 2021 or thereafter, including salary payable from and after the payroll period that includes the Interim Transfer Date, SpinCo shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to (x) be responsible for all employment, payroll, social security, disability, unemployment, workers’ compensation or other similar Taxes, tax withholding or similar obligations, and all reporting obligations, in each case in respect of Transferred Employees and (y) furnish a Form W-2 or similar earnings statement to all Transferred Employees employed in the United States and, to the extent applicable, shall furnish similar earnings statements to non-U.S. Transferred Employees in accordance with Law.

Section 2.7. Work Visas.

With respect to each Transferred Employee who requires a work visa under applicable immigration Laws in order to obtain and maintain employment with the applicable member of the SpinCo Group, the Parties acknowledge and agree that the member of the SpinCo Group that employs each such individual from and following the Interim Transfer Date (or such later date on which such person became a Transferred Employee) is, to the extent applicable and necessary to maintain necessary work authorizations, intended to be a successor in interest to the member of the Parent Group that employed such individual prior to the transfer of employment contemplated herein for purposes of applicable immigration Laws, including without limitation for purposes of sponsoring such Transferred Employees for his or her required work visas where applicable.

ARTICLE III.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS

Section 3.1. Assumption and Continuation of Agreements.

(a) Successor Provisions of the Applicable CBA. SpinCo hereby acknowledges that Parent has informed SpinCo of the Successorship Provisions. In accordance with such Successorship Provisions, as of the Assumption Date, Parent has caused or shall cause SpinCo, and SpinCo has agreed or agrees to assume all the obligations of the Parent under, and to be bound by, the Applicable CBA until its expiration date and to treat all the affected employees of the Bargaining Unit in accordance with the terms of the Applicable CBA. SpinCo has agreed or agrees to honor all contractual agreements regarding seniority, including provisions for lay off and recall,

 

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under the Applicable CBA and to make its hiring decisions with respect to Bargaining Unit positions according to the contractual rules that would apply as though such hiring were a decision to recall or layoff Bargaining Unit employees). It is understood and agreed that (i) SpinCo will not be required to have the same number of employees in the Bargaining Unit as the Parent had immediately prior to the Assumption Date, and (b) subject to otherwise applicable provisions of this Agreement, SpinCo may make changes in the benefit programs required by the Applicable CBA, provided that the benefits in all events continue to be substantially equivalent in the aggregate to those provided under the Applicable CBA immediately prior to the Assumption Date. So long as the Union consents to SpinCo’s assumption of the obligations of the Parent under the Applicable CBA, the Union shall be a third party beneficiary of the provisions of this Section 3.1.

(b) SpinCo Responsible as of the Assumption Date. As of the Assumption Date, any and all binding obligations arising out of, relating to or resulting from the Applicable CBA or the Parent Plans with respect to Represented Employees shall be or become solely the obligations of the SpinCo Group; provided that Parent or a Parent Plan shall be responsible for (1) all Liabilities attributable to any individual who is a Former Business Employee (except to the extent expressly provided with respect to reinstated Leave Employees in Section 2.3(a) or reinstated Former Business Employees in Section 2.3(b)).

(c) Continuation of Compensation and Benefits for Transferred Employees Who Are Represented Employees. As of the Assumption Date, SpinCo shall be responsible to, and shall, assure that the compensation, benefits, hours, terms and conditions of employment of Represented Employees shall continue to be governed by the Applicable CBA.

(d) No Limitation on Bargaining Rights. Except as expressly provided in the Applicable CBA, nothing in this Article III or elsewhere in this Agreement shall preclude SpinCo or, as applicable, any member of the SpinCo Group from bargaining in good faith, after the Assumption Date or the Effective Time, with the Union representing those Represented Employees.

ARTICLE IV.

BENEFITS PLANS AND PROGRAMS

Section 4.1. Continuation of Compensation and Benefits for Non-Represented Transferred Employees.

With respect to Transferred Employees who are not Represented Employees, for a period of one year following the Effective Time and subject to their continued employment with SpinCo or a member of the SpinCo Group, SpinCo shall, or shall cause another member of the SpinCo Group to, (i) pay all such non-represented Transferred Employees at least the same rate of base salary as was paid to each such non-represented Transferred Employee by SpinCo or the SpinCo Group immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) provide annual bonus opportunities to each such non-represented

 

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Transferred Employee at least the same target level as annual bonus opportunities made available to such non-represented Transferred Employee immediately prior to the Effective Time and (iii) provide each such non-represented Transferred Employee and, if and to the extent applicable, SpinCo Dependents eligibility for SpinCo’s or any of its Affiliates’, as applicable, employee benefit plans in accordance with their terms, as in effect as of the Effective Time (which benefits shall include, at a minimum, health insurance, a tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plan, and paid time off for sick/medical reasons and personal reasons, including vacation), or such greater benefits as may be required by applicable Law.

Section 4.2. No Participation in Parent Plans.

Effective at the Interim Transfer Date or at such later date occurring on or before the Effective Time as the applicable SpinCo Plan shall provide benefits to Transferred Employees (or persons who are expected to be Transferred Employees), (i) the participation of each member of the SpinCo Group in each of the (or the applicable) Parent Plans shall cease, and (ii) no Transferred Employee shall be entitled to receive or accrue any benefits under any such Parent Plans with respect to services rendered or compensation earned after the Effective Time (or the earlier date the Transferred Employee becomes a participant in the applicable SpinCo Plan). For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent that any Transferred Employee receives benefits pursuant to any program or arrangement established or maintained by any government or any subdivision or agency thereof, SpinCo or the appropriate member of the SpinCo Group shall assume responsibility to contribute to or otherwise participate in (and Parent and its Affiliates will cease to have any obligation to contribute or participate in) such program or arrangement as to each applicable Transferred Employee as of the Interim Transfer Date or such later date occurring before the Effective Time as of which the Transferred Employee becomes employed by any member of the SpinCo Group.

Section 4.3. Establishment of SpinCo Mirror Plans.

On or before, and effective as of no later than, the Interim Transfer Date, SpinCo shall have adopted the SpinCo Mirror Plans and the SpinCo Welfare Plans, and shall have designated the other SpinCo Plans, that shall provide benefits to the Transferred Employees in the United States. As of no later than the Interim Transfer Date, each SpinCo Mirror Plan shall provide benefits that are substantially identical in all material respects to the corresponding Parent Plan as in effect immediately prior to the Interim Transfer Date. Immediately after the Interim Transfer Date, the terms of the SpinCo Mirror Plans, as they relate to Transferred Employees who are not Represented Employees, shall be governed by Section 4.4 and SpinCo shall have all rights described under the last sentence in Section 4.5.

 

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Section 4.4. Terms of Participation by Transferred Employees.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each of the SpinCo Plans is and shall be, with respect to Transferred Employees who are participants in such plan, in all respects, the successor in interest to and shall recognize all rights and entitlements that are accrued as of the Interim Transfer Date, under the corresponding Parent Plan in which such Transferred Employee participated prior to the Interim Transfer Date or as of the Effective Time, as applicable. With respect to Transferred Employees, each SpinCo Plan shall provide that all service, all compensation, and all other factors affecting benefit determinations that, as of the Interim Transfer Date or the date on which the Effective Time occurs, as applicable, were recognized under the corresponding Parent Plan (for periods immediately before the Interim Transfer Date or the date on which the Effective Time occurs, as applicable) have received or shall receive corresponding recognition and credit and have been or shall be taken into account under such SpinCo Plan to the same extent as though arising under such SpinCo Plan, except to the extent that duplication of benefits would result. All beneficiary designations made by Transferred Employees under the corresponding Parent Plans have, to the extent reasonably practicable and permitted by applicable Law, been or shall be transferred to and be in full force and effect under the corresponding SpinCo Plans until such beneficiary designations are replaced or revoked by the Transferred Employee who made the beneficiary designation. Prior to and after the Effective Time, Parent and SpinCo agree to cooperate with each other and to provide, or cause to be provided, all reasonably requested data, documents, or other information necessary to avoid such duplication of benefits, to the extent permitted by applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, where employee benefits provided to a Transferred Employee by a member of the Parent Group must be preserved or maintained pursuant to applicable Law (e.g., pursuant to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/246)) or pursuant to an agreement with an employee representative body (e.g., a works council), such benefits shall be provided in accordance with such applicable Law or agreement.

Section 4.5. Right to Amend SpinCo Plans.

Subject to the Applicable CBA, nothing in this Agreement to the contrary, other than those provisions that expressly and specifically require particular benefits to be maintained after the Effective Time and, in such event, only for the period so required, shall preclude SpinCo (or, as applicable, any member of the SpinCo Group) from amending, merging, modifying, terminating, eliminating, reducing, or otherwise altering in any respect after the Effective Time any SpinCo Plan, any benefit under any SpinCo Plan or any trust, insurance policy or funding vehicle related to any SpinCo Plan.

 

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ARTICLE V.

PENSION PLANS

Section 5.1. Establishment of Pension Plans.

SpinCo or a member of the SpinCo Group has established defined benefit pension plans for the benefit of Transferred Employees in the United States. One such plan, which is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, is and will be responsible for benefits of Transferred Employees who are participants and their beneficiaries in the Parent Qualified Pension Plan (the “SpinCo Qualified Pension Plan”). Another plan, which is not qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, is and will be responsible for benefits of participants and beneficiaries in the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan who are Transferred Employees (the “SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plan”). The SpinCo Qualified Pension Plan and SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plan is identical in all material respects to the corresponding Parent Pension Plan in which the applicable Transferred Employees participated immediately prior to the Interim Transfer Date. SpinCo is and shall be responsible for taking or causing to be taken all necessary, reasonable, and appropriate action to establish, maintain and administer the SpinCo Qualified Pension Plan, so that it qualifies under Section 401(a) of the Code and the related trust thereunder is exempt from Federal income taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code.

Section 5.2. Assumption of Parent Pension Plan Liabilities and Transfer of Assets from the Parent Pension Trust.

(a) Assumption of Liabilities by SpinCo Pension Plans. Subject to clause (b) below, effective as of the Interim Transfer Date, all Liabilities under the Parent Qualified Pension Plan relating to Transferred Employees shall cease to be Liabilities of the Parent Qualified Pension Plan and shall be assumed in full and in all respects by the SpinCo Qualified Pension Plan.

(b) Calculation of Pension Plan Asset Allocation. As soon as practicable after the Interim Transfer Date, Parent’s actuary shall calculate and certify the amounts to be transferred in the aggregate from the Parent Qualified Pension Plan, which shall be equal to the amount determined in accordance with the requirements of Section 414(l) of the Code and the regulations thereunder, based on the present value of benefits in respect of all Transferred Employees) and persons entitled to receive a benefit in respect of such Transferred Employees, calculated applying the de minimis rule in the regulations promulgated under Section 414(l) of the Code (the “Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount”).

 

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(c) Confirmation of Calculations. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, Parent’s actuary shall certify to SpinCo the Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount to be transferred to the SpinCo Qualified Pension Plan. If requested by SpinCo within ten (10) days after such certification, Parent’s actuary shall provide SpinCo’s actuary with a complete computer file containing the employee data and all other relevant information used by Parent’s actuary or otherwise reasonably requested by SpinCo’s actuary as needed to confirm the Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount. The Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount shall become final and binding upon the Parties at the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day following Parent’s actuary’s certification to SpinCo of the Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount, unless prior to such one hundred twentieth (120th) day SpinCo delivers a written notice to Parent stating that SpinCo believes that the calculation of the Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount contains factual or mathematical errors or otherwise fails to comport with the Actuarial Assumptions. Any such notice shall state in reasonable detail the basis for such belief. Should SpinCo timely provide such notice, the Parties shall use their reasonable best efforts to resolve promptly any disagreements regarding such calculations. In the event that the Parties cannot resolve such disagreements, the Parties shall jointly select an independent third actuary with whom none of the Parties have a material relationship, who shall render its determination promptly (and in any case within thirty (30) days of being engaged to review the disputed matter). The third actuary’s determination shall be made in accordance with the requirements of this Section 5.2(c) and shall be binding on the Parties. The third actuary shall be required to confirm the determination of the Parent actuary unless, and solely to the extent that, the third actuary determines that (i) such determination contains factual or mathematical errors or (ii) the determination of the Parent actuary has no reasonable basis or otherwise fails to comport with the Actuarial Assumptions, in each case applying an abuse of discretion standard. In no event (except for inaccuracy of the data provided) shall the amount determined by the third actuary be more than the amount claimed by SpinCo or less than the amount shown in the calculations of Parent’s actuary. Each of the Parties shall bear the fees, costs and expenses of their respective actuaries, and the fees, costs and expense of the third actuary shall be borne one half by Parent and one half by SpinCo. Any decision by the third actuary shall be treated as confidential information by the Parties, except as may be required to obtain judgment on the award or enforce performance thereof or except as disclosure may be required by law.

(d) Transfer of Assets to SpinCo Pension Trust.

(i) As soon as practicable and no more than thirty (30) days after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause to be transferred from the trust established under the Parent Qualified Pension Plan (the “Parent Trust”) to a trust established in respect of the SpinCo Qualified Pension Plan (the “SpinCo Trust”), an initial amount of assets (the “Initial Asset Transfer”). The amount of the Initial Asset Transfer shall be equal to 90% of the amount the enrolled actuary for the Parent Qualified Pension Plan determines in good faith to be the Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount. The amount determined under the preceding sentence shall accrue interest for the period commencing as of the date on which the Effective Time falls and ending on the date the Initial Asset Transfer is received by the SpinCo Trust, at a rate equal to the discount rate that would apply for purposes of the Actuarial Assumptions as of such date.

 

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(ii) As soon as practicable and no more than ten (10) days after the final calculation and certification of the Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount, Parent will cause the Parent Trust to transfer to the SpinCo Trust assets in an amount equal to the Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount with respect to the Parent Qualified Pension Plan less the sum of (A) the Initial Asset Transfer, and (B) the aggregate amount of any benefit payments (the “Benefit Payments”), if any, made by the Parent Qualified Pension Plan in respect of Transferred Employees from and after the Interim Transfer Date and prior to the time of transfer (the “Final Asset Transfer”). The amount determined under the preceding sentence shall accrue interest on the applicable amount from the Interim Transfer Date determined in the manner described in Section 5.2(d)(i) above. If the sum of the Initial Asset Transfer plus the Benefit Payments exceeds the Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount, then the SpinCo Trust shall return such excess, which shall accrue interest determined in the manner described above from the date of the Initial Asset Transfer or the date of the Benefit Payment, as applicable, to the date of return, to the Parent Trust relating to the Parent Qualified Pension Plan.

(iii) Except as may be mutually agreed by the Parties, the Initial Asset Transfer and the Final Asset Transfer shall be made entirely in cash.

(e) To the extent that one or more Leave Employees or Former Business Employees shall become Transferred Employees pursuant to Section 2.3 after the Interim Transfer Date, as soon as practicable after the first anniversary of the Effective Time (or such later date as of which a Former Business Employee shall become a Transferred Employee), the parties shall effect a transfer of assets from the Parent Qualified Pension Plan to the SpinCo Qualified Pension Plan in respect of such newly characterized Transferred Employees, applying the principles set forth in this Section 5.2 in respect of the Pension Assets Transfer Amount in regard to such Transferred Employees’ benefits accrued under the Parent Qualified Pension Plan as of the Effective Time.

(f) At the same time as it certifies the Pension Asset Transfer Amount pursuant to Section 5.2(c), Parent’s actuary shall also calculate and inform SpinCo of (i) the aggregate amount of the liabilities under the Parent Qualified Pension Plan for all participants thereunder (the “Total PBO Liabilities”) and (ii) the aggregate amount of the liabilities in respect of the Transferred Employees under the Parent Qualified Pension Plan (the “SpinCo PBO Liabilities”), as of the Interim Transfer Date in each case using the Actuarial Assumptions but determined on a projected benefit obligation basis (and not in

 

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accordance with the provisions of Section 414(l) of the Code). If requested by SpinCo within ten (10) days after the date Parent informs SpinCo of the amount of the Total PBO Liabilities and SpinCo PBO Liabilities, Parent’s actuary shall provide SpinCo’s actuary with information used by Parent’s actuary to calculate such Liabilities. The calculation of the Total PBO Liabilities and the SpinCo PBO Liabilities shall become final and binding upon the Parties at the close of business on the one-hundredth and twentieth (120th) day following SpinCo’s receipt of Parent’s actuary’s delivery to SpinCo of the Total PBO Liabilities and the SpinCo PBO Liabilities, unless prior to such one hundred and twentieth (120th) day SpinCo delivers a written notice to Parent stating that SpinCo believes that the calculation of either the Total PBO Liabilities or the SpinCo PBO Liabilities contains factual or mathematical errors or otherwise fails to comport with the Actuarial Assumptions and states in reasonable detail the basis for such belief. In the event that SpinCo’s actuary shall deliver such a written notice to Parent, the Parties shall follow the procedures substantially identical to those set forth in Section 5.2(c) with regard to the Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount to determine the final amount related to the Total PBO Liabilities or the SpinCo PBO Liabilities, as applicable.

(g) Once the amount of the Total PBO Liabilities and the SpinCo PBO Liabilities are final, the Parties shall then determine the percentages derived by dividing:

(i) (A) the remainder of (1) the fair market value of the assets of the Parent Qualified Plan as of the Interim Transfer Date minus (2) the final Pension Asset Transfer Amount (such remainder, the “Parent Qualified Plan Net Assets”) by (B) the remainder of (1) the Total PBO Liabilities minus (2) the SpinCo PBO Liabilities (such resulting percentage, the “Parent PBO Funding Percentage”); and

(ii) (A) the final Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount by (B) the SpinCo PBO Liabilities (such resulting percentage, the “SpinCo PBO Funding Percentage”).

If the Parent PBO Funding Percentage exceeds the SpinCo PBO Funding Percentage, the Parent shall pay to SpinCo, within thirty (30) days after such percentages are determinable, an amount in cash equal to the amount that would be required to be added to the final Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount to cause the SpinCo PBO Funding Percentage to equal the Parent PBO Funding Percentage. If the SpinCo PBO Funding Percentage exceeds the Parent PBO Funding Percentage, SpinCo shall pay to Parent, within thirty (30) days after such percentages are determinable, an amount in cash equal to the amount that would be required to be added to the Parent Qualified Plan Net Assets to cause the Parent PBO Funding Percentage to equal the SpinCo PBO Funding Percentage.

 

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Section 5.3. Assumption of Liabilities Under Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan and Payment by Parent of Accrued Liabilities.

(a) SpinCo Non-Qualified Plan to Assume Liabilities. Effective as of the Effective Time, all Liabilities under the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan relating to persons who are Transferred Employees shall cease to be Liabilities of the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan and shall be assumed in full and in all respects by the SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plan. SpinCo is and shall be responsible for taking or causing to be taken all necessary, reasonable, and appropriate action to establish, maintain and administer the SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plan and from and after the Interim Transfer Date, shall be solely responsible for all ongoing rights of or relating to such Transferred Employees for future participation in the SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plan.

(b) Determination of Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, Parent’s actuary shall certify to SpinCo the Liabilities, individually and in the aggregate, in respect of the Transferred Employees under the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan at the Interim Transfer Date, based on the present value of benefits in respect of each such Transferred Employees at the Interim Transfer Date (the “Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities”). If requested by SpinCo within ten (10) days after the date Parent certifies to SpinCo the amount of the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities, Parent’s actuary shall provide SpinCo’s actuary with a complete computer file containing the employee data and all other relevant information used by Parent’s actuary or otherwise reasonably requested by SpinCo’s actuary as needed to calculate the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities (including data and information related to such calculation and otherwise appropriate for SpinCo’s actuary to consider, and any other data and information reasonably requested by SpinCo’s actuary). The calculation of the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities shall become final and binding upon the Parties at the close of business on the one-hundred twentieth (120th) day following Parent’s actuary’s certification to SpinCo of the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities to make its determination and any additional information reasonably requested by SpinCo’s actuary, unless prior to such one hundred twentieth (120th) day SpinCo delivers a written notice to Parent stating that SpinCo believes that the calculation of the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities contains factual or mathematical errors or otherwise fails to comport with the Actuarial Assumptions and states in reasonable detail the basis for such belief. In the event that SpinCo’s actuary shall deliver such a written notice to Parent, the Parties shall follow the procedures substantially identical to those set forth in Section 5.2(c) with regard to the Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount to determine the final amount related to the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities.

 

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(c) Reimbursement Process for Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities. As of June 30 and January 31 each calendar year, and/or such other date or dates as may be agreed between the Parties, starting in the calendar year following the Effective Time, SpinCo shall send Parent a statement showing all distributions made in the period immediately preceding the date covered through the last statement (or from the Effective Time with respect to the first such statement) in respect of the benefits paid to all Transferred Employees under the SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plan, showing in adequate detail the amount of payments made in respect to each such Transferred Employee and the portion thereof attributable to such Transferred Employee’s entitlement under the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities and the method for such attribution. Within 30 days of the receipt of such statement, Parent shall pay to SpinCo the amount described in Section 5.3(d), provided that, in no event shall Parent be required to pay SpinCo an amount (i) in respect of any Transferred Employee, greater than the accrued benefit of such Transferred Employee at the Interim Transfer Date taken into account in determining the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities or (ii) in the aggregate greater than the amount of the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities as of the Interim Transfer Date. Notwithstanding the forgoing, (x) at the sole discretion of Parent, Parent may at any time and from time to time prepay all or any portion of the aggregate amount that it would otherwise be required to pay SpinCo in respect of the Transferred Employees under this Section 5.3(c) in respect of the Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan Liabilities, and unless Parent agrees to another offset schedule, any such prepaid amount shall be applied to offset any amounts that Parent would otherwise be required to pay hereunder as of the next semi-annual statement and each subsequent statement until fully applied to such future payments and (y) any amounts paid under the SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plan which SpinCo fails to include in a statement of payments that is delivered to Parent within fourteen months of the actual payment date shall no longer be subject to reimbursement by Parent under this Section 5.3(c) and shall remain the sole responsibility of SpinCo. Any payment made by Parent pursuant this Section 5.3(c) shall be made for the account of SpinCo or its Subsidiary and not for the benefit of any Transferred Employee participating in the SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plan, each of whom shall remain an unsecured creditor of SpinCo or its applicable Subsidiary in respect of his or her SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plan benefit.

(d) Reimbursement Determined on an After-Tax Basis. The amount payable by Parent pursuant to Section 5.3(c) with respect to each statement provided by SpinCo shall equal (i) the amount of the distributions made to Transferred Employees under the SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plan listed on the applicable statement (reduced as a result of any applicable limitations described in Section 5.3(c)), less (ii) the amount of the reduction in U.S. federal and state income Taxes payable by SpinCo as a result of the payment of such distributions. For purposes of this Section 5.3(d), the amount of the reduction in U.S. federal and state income Taxes payable by SpinCo as a result of such distributions shall be deemed to equal (x) the amount of such distributions under the SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plan reflected on such statement, multiplied by (y) the highest marginal U.S. federal income Tax rate applicable to U.S. corporations on the date such distributions were paid plus the applicable weighted average state income Tax rate on the date such distributions were paid.

 

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Section 5.4. International Pension Plans.

Except as otherwise provided herein, at the Effective Time (or at any earlier date required at applicable law), SpinCo shall or shall cause another member of the SpinCo Group to assume each Parent Plan providing pension or retirement benefits to Business Employees in jurisdictions outside of the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent shall or shall cause a member of the Parent Group to retain the liabilities to Business Employees who do not become Transferred Employees under the Parent Plans in which employees located in Italy or Spain participate as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Section 5.5. Continuation of Elections and Application to SpinCo Dependents.

To the extent (a) reasonably practicable and (b) that the relevant information has been made available to SpinCo, SpinCo shall cause the SpinCo Qualified Pension Plan and the SpinCo Non-Qualified Pension Plan to recognize and maintain all existing elections, including, but not limited to, beneficiary designations, payment forms and other rights of alternate payees under qualified domestic relation orders as were in effect under the corresponding Parent Qualified Pension Plan and Parent Non-Qualified Pension Plan immediately prior to the Interim Transfer Date, unless and until changed or modified in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or otherwise in accordance with applicable law. To the extent applicable, the provisions of this Article V shall also apply to SpinCo Dependents. From the Effective Time, Parent shall cooperate with SpinCo to provide any reasonably requested information regarding such administrative matters.

ARTICLE VI.

HEALTH AND WELFARE

Section 6.1. Parent Health and Welfare Plans.

(a) Parent or one or more of the Parent Subsidiaries maintain or contribute to health and welfare plans. The health and welfare plans include, but are not limited to, plans providing severance and active employee health, dental, disability and life insurance benefits, for the benefit of eligible employees and certain former employees, including certain Former Business Employees who have retired as of the date of the Separation Agreement or will retire prior to the Effective Time (the “Parent Welfare Plans”). As of the Interim Transfer Date, each person who was a Transferred Employee or SpinCo Dependent on such date ceased to be covered under the Parent Welfare Plans. Parent and the Parent Welfare Plans are and shall continue to be responsible for all Liabilities relating to (i) Former Business Employees (except to the extent expressly

 

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provided with respect to reinstated Leave Employees in Section 2.3(a) or reinstated Former Business Employees in Section 2.3(b)), (ii) Retained Employees and (iii) Transferred Employees or SpinCo Dependents with respect to, in each case, (A) medical, vision, or dental plan claims in respect of services that were performed or goods provided prior to the Interim Transfer Date (or, if later, the date on which such individual becomes an employee of a member of the SpinCo Group), (B) life insurance claims in respect of deaths occurring prior to the Interim Transfer Date (or, if later, the date on which such individual becomes an employee of a member of the SpinCo Group), and (C) any payments due any Transferred Employees under the terms of a Parent disability plan with respect to any period prior to the Interim Transfer Date (or, if later, the date on which such individual becomes an employee of a member of the SpinCo Group).

(b) Except for the Parent FSA account balances described in Section 6.2(c), nothing in this Agreement shall require Parent or any other Parent Group member or any Parent Welfare Plans to transfer assets or reserves with respect to the Parent Welfare Plans, including, but not limited to, any plan providing severance, health, dental or life insurance benefits, to SpinCo, the Transferred Entities, any other member of the SpinCo Group, or the SpinCo Welfare Plans.

Section 6.2. Adoption of SpinCo Health and Welfare Plans.

(a) Establishment of Welfare Plans. From and after the Interim Transfer Date, and subject to the provisions of Section 3.1 and Section 4.1, SpinCo has maintained and shall continue to maintain or cause to be maintained health and welfare plans, which (i) with respect Transferred Employees in the United States other than Represented Employees, includes, but is not limited to, plans providing severance and active health, dental, disability and life insurance benefits that provide benefits to Transferred Employees, (ii) with respect to Represented Employees is as required pursuant to the terms of an Applicable CBA, and (iii) with respect to employees outside of the United States, is as required by Law (the “SpinCo Welfare Plans”).

(b) Terms of Participation in SpinCo Welfare Plans. From and after the Interim Transfer Date, SpinCo has caused and shall continue to cause the SpinCo Welfare Plans to (i) waive all limitations as to preexisting conditions, exclusions, service conditions and waiting period limitations, and any evidence of insurability requirements applicable to any such Transferred Employees and SpinCo Dependents other than such limitations, exclusions, and conditions that were in effect with respect to Transferred Employees and SpinCo Dependents as of the Interim Transfer Date, in each case under and in accordance with the terms of the corresponding Parent Welfare Plans and (ii) honor any deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums and co-payments incurred by Transferred Employees and SpinCo Dependents under and in accordance with the terms of the corresponding Parent Welfare Plans in satisfying the applicable deductibles, out-of-pocket expenses or co-payments under such Parent Welfare Plans for the calendar year

 

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in which the Effective Time occurs. SpinCo has caused and shall continue to cause the SpinCo Welfare Plans to recognize and maintain all existing elections, including, but not limited to, beneficiary designations, as were in effect under the corresponding Parent Welfare Plans, unless and until changed or modified in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or otherwise in accordance with applicable law. To the extent applicable, the provisions of this Section 6.2(b) shall also apply to SpinCo Dependents. From the Interim Transfer Date, Parent shall cooperate with SpinCo to provide any reasonably requested information regarding such administrative matters, to the extent permitted by applicable Law.

(c) Transfer of Parent FSA Assets. Parent will make available to SpinCo, prior to the Effective Time, a list of individuals who will become or continue to be Transferred Employees as of the Effective Time and who are participants in the Parent FSAs (the “FSA Participants”), together with the elections made prior to the Interim Transfer Date with respect to such accounts through the Interim Transfer Date.

(i) SpinCo shall take all actions necessary and legally permissible to ensure that as of the Interim Transfer Date, it has adopted one or more SpinCo Welfare Plans in which Parent FSA Participants may participate and that constitutes a Code Section 125 plan (“SpinCo FSA”). SpinCo shall further take all actions necessary and legally permissible to amend SpinCo’s FSA to provide that as of the Interim Transfer Date and for the plan year in which the Interim Transfer Date occurs, but not for any specific time thereafter, subject to any collective bargaining obligations, (A) the FSA Participants shall become participants in SpinCo’s FSA, with a deemed effective date as of the beginning of the applicable Parent FSA’s plan year and at the level of coverage provided under the applicable Parent FSA, and (B) the FSA Participants’ salary reduction elections shall be taken into account for the remainder of SpinCo’s FSA plan year as if made under SpinCo’s FSA. The applicable Parent shall reimburse medical expenses incurred by the FSA Participants at any time during the applicable Parent FSA’s plan year (including, but not limited to, claims incurred prior to the Interim Transfer Date but unpaid prior to the Interim Transfer Date), up to the amount of the FSA Participants’ election and reduced by amounts previously reimbursed by the applicable Parent FSA. SpinCo’s FSA shall reimburse medical expenses incurred by the FSA Participants from and after the Interim Transfer Date, up to the amount of the FSA Participants’ election and reduced by amounts previously reimbursed by the applicable Parent FSA and the SpinCo FSA.

(ii) Parent shall take all actions necessary and legally permissible to amend each of the Parent FSAs to provide that the FSA Participants shall cease to be eligible to make contributions to the applicable Parent FSA as of the Interim Transfer Date.

(iii) As soon as practicable following the Effective Time, Parent shall transfer to SpinCo, and SpinCo agrees to accept, those amounts (plus all related individual participant records and accountings) which represent the debit and credit balances under the Parent FSAs of the FSA Participants and the transfer of such amounts shall take into account on a net basis participants’ payroll deductions and claims paid through the Effective Time in respect of expenses incurred through the day immediately prior to the Interim Transfer Date.

 

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Section 6.3. COBRA and HIPAA.

From and after the Interim Transfer Date, SpinCo has been and shall continue to be responsible for administering compliance with the continuation coverage requirements for “group health plans” under Title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), and the requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 with respect to Transferred Employees and any SpinCo Dependents for the period after the Interim Transfer Date. Parent will retain any Parent Liabilities under the Parent Welfare Plans to provide COBRA coverage to any Former Business Employee and any of his or her eligible dependents who incurred a qualifying event under COBRA at or prior to the Interim Transfer Date and who is still eligible to receive such continuing coverage as of or after the Interim Transfer Date.

Section 6.4. Workers Compensation Claims.

All Liabilities for any workers’ compensation claims or coverage, whether arising under any Law of any state, territory, or possession of the United States or the District of Columbia or otherwise (“Workers’ Compensation Claims”), made by current or former employees (including Transferred Employees) of either Party arising out of or related to the operation of the SpinCo Business (including SpinCo Discontinued Operations or SpinCo Divested Operations), which claims shall have been made not later than two years after the Effective Time, but which relate in whole or in part to injuries or occurrences arising prior to the Effective Time, shall be covered, to the extent covered under any Parent Policy, under and in accordance with the applicable provisions of such Parent Policy (“Insured WC Claims”) or, if applicable, as otherwise required at applicable Law. Except to the extent provided in the foregoing sentence, from and after the Effective Time, SpinCo or the appropriate member of the SpinCo Group shall assume and have all Liabilities for any Workers’ Compensation Claims made by current or former employees (including Transferred Employees) of either Party arising out of or related to the operation of the SpinCo Business, SpinCo Discontinued Operations or SpinCo Divested Operations, even if such claims relate in whole or in part to injuries, conditions or events arising or occurring on or prior to the Effective Time. Parent or the appropriate member of the Parent Group shall be responsible for the administration of any Insured WC Claims on behalf of all parties against which such claim is made. With regard to any Workers’ Compensation Claims that are not Insured WC Claims, each Party shall be fully responsible for the administration of all claims for which it has responsibility pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.4. If SpinCo is unable to assume any Liability otherwise allocated to it hereunder or the administration

 

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of any such claim because of the operation of applicable state Law or for any other reason, Parent shall retain such Liabilities and SpinCo shall reimburse and otherwise fully indemnify Parent for all such Liabilities (subject to reduction for any amounts payable from insurance), including, but not limited to, the costs of administering the plans, programs or arrangements under which any such Liabilities have accrued or otherwise arisen, and SpinCo shall enter into reasonable arrangements acceptable to Parent (such acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld) to secure the payment of such Liabilities. All reimbursement amounts shall be paid in accordance with the procedure set forth in Section 6.4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Section 6.4 shall not apply to claims arising out of Latent Injury Liabilities, which shall be governed by the Separation Agreement.

Section 6.5. Leave of Absence Programs.

From and after the Interim Transfer Date, SpinCo is and shall continue to be responsible for the administration and compliance of all leaves of absences and related programs (including, but not limited to, compliance with the United Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar state or other Laws or with the Applicable CBA) affecting Transferred Employees for the period at and after the Interim Transfer Date.

Section 6.6. Time-Off Benefits.

The SpinCo Group has credited and shall continue to credit each Transferred Employee with the amount of accrued but unused vacation time, sick time and other time-off benefits (together the “Time-Off Benefits”) as such individual had with the Parent Group or the Transferred Entities as of the Interim Transfer Date (or, if later, the date on which such individual becomes an employee of a member of the SpinCo Group) and has provided and shall continue to provide such individuals with the same rights, benefits, and entitlements in respect to such Time-Off Benefits as they were entitled to from the Parent Group or the Transferred Entities as of the Interim Transfer Date (or, if later, the date on which such individual becomes an employee of a member of the SpinCo Group), provided that nothing in this Section 6.6 requires the SpinCo Group to apply the accrual rules for Time-Off Benefits of Parent Group or the Transferred Entities in effect immediately prior to the Interim Transfer Date with respect to service of Transferred Employees after the Interim Transfer Date.

 

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ARTICLE VII.

SAVINGS PLANS

Section 7.1. Adoption of SpinCo Savings Plans.

(a) From and after the Interim Transfer Date, SpinCo has or has caused the appropriate member of the SpinCo Group to establish a defined contribution plan and corresponding trust effective as of the Interim Transfer Date for the benefit of Transferred Employees who participate in a Parent Qualified Savings Plan immediately prior to the Interim Transfer Date (the “SpinCo Qualified Savings Plan”). The SpinCo Qualified Savings Plan (i) meets and shall continue to meet all requirements of applicable Law, including, but not limited to, Section 411(d)(6) of the Code, and (ii) accept the transfer of assets from the Parent Qualified Savings Plans contemplated by Section 7.2. As of and from the Interim Transfer date, SpinCo has been and shall continue to be responsible for taking or causing to be taken all necessary, reasonable and appropriate action to establish, maintain and administer the SpinCo Qualified Savings Plan so that it qualifies under Section 401(a) of the Code and the related trusts thereunder are exempted from Federal income taxation under Section 501(a)(1) of the Code.

(b) From and after the Interim Transfer Date, SpinCo or a member of the SpinCo Group has established a defined contribution plan for the benefit of Transferred Employees who participated in the Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan immediately prior to the Interim Transfer Date (the “SpinCo Non-Qualified Savings Plan”). The SpinCo Non-Qualified Savings Plan is not and shall not be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, and will accept the transfer of all Liabilities under the Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan contemplated by Section 7.3.

Section 7.2. Assumption of Liabilities and Transfer of Assets With Respect to Parent Qualified Savings Plans.

(a) Effective as of the Interim Transfer Date, but subject to the asset transfer specified in Section 7.2(b) below, the SpinCo Qualified Savings Plan shall assume and be solely responsible for all Liabilities for or relating to Transferred Employees under the Parent Hourly Savings Plan. Effective as of the Interim Transfer Date, but subject to the asset transfer specified in Section 7.2(b) below, the SpinCo Qualified Savings Plan shall assume and be solely responsible for all Liabilities for or relating to Transferred Employees under the Parent Salaried Savings Plan. SpinCo shall be solely responsible for all ongoing rights of or relating to Transferred Employees for future participation (including, but not limited to, the right to make contributions through payroll deductions) in the SpinCo Qualified Savings Plan.

 

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(b) As soon as practicable and no more than thirty (30) days after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the account balances (including, but not limited to, any outstanding loan balances) in each Parent Qualified Savings Plan attributable to Transferred Employees to be transferred to the SpinCo Qualified Savings Plan in the form of (x) promissory notes, to the extent of Transferred Employees’ account balances that represent outstanding loans; (y) an in-kind transfer of securities, to the extent of Transferred Employees’ account balances that are held through the open brokerage window under a Parent Qualified Savings Plan and to the extent the SpinCo Qualified Savings Plan is capable of accepting such in-kind transfer; or (z) cash, to the extent of account balances of Transferred Employees do not represent outstanding loans of Transferred Employees or securities transferred in-kind pursuant to clause (y). SpinCo shall cause the SpinCo Qualified Savings Plan to accept such transfer of accounts and underlying assets and, effective as of the date of such transfer, to assume and to fully perform pay or discharge, all obligations of the Parent Qualified Savings Plans relating to the accounts of Transferred Employees (to the extent those assets related to those accounts are actually transferred from a Parent Qualified Savings Plan). The transfers shall be conducted in accordance with Section 414(l) of the Code, Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(l) -1, and Section 208 of ERISA.

Section 7.3. Treatment of Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Accounts.

(a) Assumption of Liabilities under Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan. Effective as of the Interim Transfer Date, all Liabilities under the Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan relating to persons who are Transferred Employees shall cease to be Liabilities of the Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan and shall be assumed in full and in all respects by the SpinCo Non-Qualified Savings Plan. SpinCo is and shall be responsible for taking or causing to be taken all necessary, reasonable, and appropriate action to establish, maintain and administer the SpinCo Non-Qualified Savings Plan and from and after the Interim Transfer Date shall be solely responsible for all ongoing rights of or relating to Transferred Employees for future participation in the SpinCo Non-Qualified Savings Plan.

(b) Determination of Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Liabilities. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Parent shall calculate and certify to SpinCo the Liabilities, individually and in the aggregate, in respect of the Transferred Employees who were participants in the Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan at the Interim Transfer Date, based on the value of the notional account balances in respect of each such Transferred Employees as of the Interim Transfer Date (the “Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Liabilities”). Within ten (10) days after the date Parent certifies to SpinCo the amount of the Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Liabilities, Parent’s record keeper shall provide SpinCo or its record keeper with a complete computer file containing the employee data and all other relevant information used to calculate the Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Liabilities. The calculation of the Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Liabilities shall become final and binding upon the Parties at the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day following SpinCo’s receipt of such computer file, unless prior to such one hundred twentieth (120th) day SpinCo delivers a written

 

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notice to Parent stating that SpinCo believes that the calculation of the Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Liabilities contains factual or mathematical errors. In the event that SpinCo shall deliver such a written notice to Parent, the Parties shall follow the procedures substantially identical to those set forth in Section 5.2(c) with regard to the Pension Plan Asset Transfer Amount to determine the final amount related to the Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Liabilities (using such appropriate third party plan administrator rather than an actuary as the arbitrator of any unresolved dispute).

(c) Reimbursement Process for Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Liabilities.

As of June 30 and January 31 each calendar year, or such other times as may be agreed between the Parties, starting in the calendar year following the Effective Time, SpinCo shall send Parent a statement showing all distributions made in the immediately preceding six month period (or from the Effective Time with respect to the first such statement) in respect of the benefits paid to all Transferred Employees under the SpinCo Non-Qualified Savings Plan, showing in adequate detail the amount of payments made in respect to each such Transferred Employee. Within 30 days of the receipt of such statement, Parent shall pay to SpinCo the amount described in Section 7.3(d), provided that, in no event shall Parent be required to pay SpinCo an amount (i) in respect of any Transferred Employee, an amount greater than the notional account balances of such Transferred Employee as of the Interim Transfer Date taken into account in determining the Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Liabilities or (ii) in the aggregate greater than the amount of the Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Liabilities as of the Interim Transfer Date. Notwithstanding the forgoing, (x) at the sole discretion of the Parent, the Parent may at any time and from time to time prepay all or any portion of the aggregate amount that it would otherwise be required to pay SpinCo in respect of the Transferred Employees under this Section 7.3(c) in respect of the Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan Liabilities, and unless Parent agrees to another offset schedule, any such prepaid amount shall be applied to offset any amounts that Parent would otherwise be required to pay hereunder as of the next semi-annual statement and each subsequent statement until fully applied to such future payments and (y) any amounts paid under the SpinCo Non-Qualified Savings Plan which SpinCo fails to include in a statement of payments that is delivered to Parent within fourteen months of the actual payment date shall no longer be subject to reimbursement by Parent under this Section 7.3(c) and shall remain the sole responsibility of SpinCo. Any payment made by Parent pursuant this Section 7.3(c) shall be made for the account of SpinCo or its Subsidiary and not for the benefit of any Transferred Employee who is a Participant in the SpinCo Non-Qualified Savings Plan, each of whom shall remain an unsecured creditor of SpinCo or its applicable Subsidiary in respect of his or her SpinCo Non-Qualified Savings Plan benefit.    

 

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(d) Reimbursement Determined on an After-Tax Basis. The amount payable by Parent pursuant to Section 7.3(c) with respect to each statement provided by SpinCo shall equal (i) the amount of the distributions made to Transferred Employees under the SpinCo Non-Qualified Savings Plan listed on the applicable statement (reduced as a result of any applicable limitations described in Section 7.3(c)), less (ii) the amount of the reduction in U.S. federal and state income Taxes payable by SpinCo as a result of the payment of such distributions. For purposes of this Section 7.3(d), the amount of the reduction in U.S. federal and state income Taxes payable by SpinCo as a result of such distributions shall be deemed to equal (x) the amount of such distributions under the SpinCo Non-Qualified Savings Plan reflected on such statement, multiplied by (y) the highest marginal U.S. federal income Tax rate applicable to U.S. corporations on the date such distributions were paid plus the applicable weighted average state income Tax rate on the date such distributions were paid.

Section 7.4. Continuation of Elections and Application to SpinCo Dependents.

SpinCo has caused and shall continue to cause the SpinCo Qualified Savings Plans and the SpinCo Non-Qualified Savings Plan to recognize and maintain all elections in effect as of immediately prior to the Interim Transfer Date, including, but not limited to, beneficiary designations, payment forms and other rights of alternate payees under qualified domestic relation orders as were in effect under the corresponding Parent Qualified Savings Plan and Parent Non-Qualified Savings Plan, unless and until changed or modified in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or otherwise in accordance with applicable law. To the extent applicable, the provisions of this Article VII shall also apply to SpinCo Dependents. Parent shall cooperate with SpinCo to provide any reasonably requested information regarding such administrative matters.

ARTICLE VIII.

EQUITY BASED INCENTIVE AWARDS

Section 8.1. Treatment of Outstanding PSP Awards by Parent.

The target number of shares of Parent stock subject to each outstanding performance share plan award held by a Transferred Employee at the Effective Time shall be multiplied by the percentage determined by the quotient of (i) the number of months in the performance period applicable to such award that has been completed on the day immediately prior to the Effective Time divided by (ii) the number of months in the entire performance period, as determined by Parent in accordance with the Parent stock incentive plan. Each such outstanding performance share award shall remain outstanding as to such adjusted target number of shares of Parent common stock (the “Pro-Rated Parent Award”), and eligible to vest and be paid based upon the achievement of the applicable performance criteria (including in respect of any dividend equivalents granted in connection with such award), at the same time and subject to the same terms and conditions as though the Transferred Employee had remained employed by Parent through the date the performance share awards, in respect of such performance period, are payable to employees of Parent. The target number of shares of Parent stock subject to each outstanding performance share plan award held by a Transferred Employee at the Effective Time in excess of the target number of shares subject to the Pro-Rated Parent Award shall be cancelled and forfeited as of the Effective Time (the “Cancelled Parent PSP Shares”).

 

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Section 8.2. Treatment of Outstanding Parent Restricted Share Unit and Restricted Stock Awards.

Each outstanding award of restricted shares of Parent common stock and each award that constitutes a promise to deliver shares of Parent common Stock held by a Transferred Employee at the Effective Time (other than performance share plan awards which shall be treated as set forth in Section 8.1) shall be cancelled and forfeited as of the Effective Time (the “Cancelled Parent Restricted Shares”).

Section 8.3. Replacement Awards for Cancelled Shares.

Unless otherwise agreed between Parent and a Transferred Employee prior to the date on which the Effective Time falls, effective as of the Effective Time, SpinCo shall grant each Transferred Employee who forfeits Cancelled Parent PSP Shares or Cancelled Parent Restricted Shares one or more replacement awards in respect of such cancelled shares having the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 8.3. With respect to Cancelled Parent Restricted Shares, SpinCo shall grant a replacement award in respect of the number of shares of SpinCo common stock determined in accordance with Section 8.4 that shall have terms and conditions substantially identical to those applicable to the Cancelled Parent Restricted Shares, except that SpinCo shall replace Parent for all purposes of such award and continuing service with SpinCo and its affiliates shall determine the right of the Transferred Employee to vest in (or receive a payment in respect of) the shares of SpinCo common stock subject to such award. With respect to Cancelled Parent PSP Shares, SpinCo shall grant a replacement award for the number of shares of SpinCo common stock as determined in accordance with Section 8.4 that shall be eligible to vest and become payable in three equal installments on each of the three payment dates applicable to the Cancelled PSP Shares to which such replacement award relates, based solely upon the continued performance of services with SpinCo and its affiliates through the applicable vesting date, and have other terms and conditions substantially equivalent to the terms and conditions applicable under the corresponding Parent performance share plan award.

Section 8.4. Establishing the Number of Shares Subject to SpinCo Awards.

The number of shares of SpinCo common stock to be subject to any replacement award granted in accordance with Section 8.3 shall be equal to the quotient of (i) the product of (A) the Parent Cancelled Share Value multiplied by (B) the number of cancelled shares of Parent common stock which the applicable SpinCo award is replacing, divided by (ii) the SpinCo Replacement Share Value.

 

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ARTICLE IX.

SHORT TERM INCENTIVES AND SALES COMMISSION PROGRAMS

Section 9.1. Management Incentive Plan.

Except with respect to any Transferred Employee who during 2021 held a title with Parent of at least Senior Vice President and in all cases as set forth under the terms and conditions of the Management Incentive Plan, Parent shall pay to each Transferred Employee participating in the Management Incentive Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time a cash bonus amount, not later than 30 days following the Effective Time, equal to such Transferred Employee’s target annual incentive opportunity under such plan for 2021, multiplied by a fraction (the “Pro-Rated Fraction”), the numerator of which is the number of calendar months in 2021 in which such Transferred Employee worked 15 days or more, determined through and including the day immediately prior to the Effective Time, and the denominator of which is 12. With respect to any Transferred Employee who during 2021 held a title with Parent of at least Senior Vice President and in all cases as set forth under the terms and conditions of the Management Incentive Plan, Parent shall pay to each such Transferred Employee, at the same time that bonuses are paid generally to other officers of Parent, an amount in respect of his or her participation in the Management Incentive Plan for 2021 equal to the product of (i) the amount that such Transferred Employee would have been eligible to receive under the terms and conditions of such Management Incentive Plan had he or she remained employed by Parent through the date of payment and (ii) the Pro-Rated Fraction.

Section 9.2. Hourly Incentive Plans and Sales Commission Programs.

Parent or a Transferred Entity shall pay any amounts that are earned under each Hourly Incentive Plan and each Sales Commission Program to Transferred Employees prior to the Effective Time. The SpinCo Group shall be responsible for all Liabilities to Transferred Employees under each Hourly Incentive Plan and each Sales Commission Program for amounts that are earned in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs on or after the Effective Time.

Section 9.3. SpinCo Obligations In Respect of Incentive Plans.

The SpinCo Group shall maintain in effect the Hourly Incentive Plans and each Sales Commission Program until the first anniversary of the Effective Time; provided, however, SpinCo shall have the right to amend each such Hourly Incentive Plan and Sales Commission Program as necessary to reflect the changes resulting from the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement, including, without limitation, changes to the performance metrics under such plans and programs to use SpinCo performance metrics.

 

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ARTICLE X.

ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES

Section 10.1. Assumption of Liabilities.

(a) By SpinCo. Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, not later than the Effective Time, SpinCo shall or shall cause a member of the SpinCo Group (including the Transferred Entities) or a SpinCo Plan to assume, perform, and discharge all of the following, regardless of when or where such Liabilities arose or arise or are incurred:

(i) all Liabilities to or relating to Transferred Employees and their dependents and beneficiaries, to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from employment on or prior to the Effective Time, including, but not limited to, all Liabilities governed by the Applicable CBA, but excluding all Liabilities retained by Parent as provided in this Agreement including, but not limited to, the Liabilities retained by Parent pursuant to Section 10.1(c) below; and

(ii) all other Liabilities relating to, or arising out of, or resulting from obligations, liabilities, and responsibilities expressly assumed or retained by SpinCo or a member of the SpinCo Group pursuant to this Agreement or the Applicable CBA.

(b) By Parent. Parent shall or shall cause the applicable Parent Plan or Parent Group member to retain and discharge all of the following:

(i) all Liabilities to or relating to Retained Employees and Former Business Employees, and any individuals who are not Business Employees (and the foregoing’s dependents and beneficiaries), to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from former, present, or future employment with the Parent Group, including, but not limited to, all Liabilities governed by the collective bargaining agreements that cover Retained Employees, Former Business Employees, and any individuals who are not Business Employees (and the foregoing’s dependents and beneficiaries);

(ii) all Liabilities with respect to Pro-Rated Parent Awards;

(iii) all Liabilities expressly assumed or retained under Sections 3.1(b), 6.1(a) and 6.4;

 

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(iv) all Liabilities under the Management Incentive Plan, the Hourly Incentive Plans and the Sales Commission Programs for amounts that become due and payable under the terms of such programs prior to the Effective Time, as provided in Article IX; and

(v) all other Liabilities relating to, or arising out of, or resulting from obligations, liabilities, and responsibilities expressly assumed or retained by the Parent Group or a Parent Plan pursuant to this Agreement or the collective bargaining agreements that cover Retained Employees, Former Business Employees, and any individuals who are not Business Employees (and the foregoing’s dependents and beneficiaries).

(c) Allocation of Liabilities among Parent and SpinCo with respect to grievances and demands for arbitration pending as of the Effective Time shall be as set forth in Sections 10.1(a) and (b). Parent shall retain liability for such claims relating to Former Business Employees and, except as provided in Section 10.1(c), SpinCo shall assume liability for such claims relating to the Transferred Employees.

(d) For the avoidance of doubt, allocation of Liabilities for Taxes that (i) are imposed on Parent or a Parent Plan that, in either case, arise from or relate to a Parent Plan or (ii) are imposed on SpinCo or a SpinCo Plan that, in either case, arise from or relate to a SpinCo Plan shall be as set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement, other than, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), Taxes described in Section 2.6.

(e) In the event that any Third Party Claim is asserted in respect of which an Indemnifying Party could have liability to any Person hereunder, such Third Party Claim shall be addressed following the procedures set forth in Section [4.5] of the Separation Agreement.

Section 10.2. Reimbursement.

(a) By SpinCo. From time to time after the Effective Time, SpinCo shall promptly reimburse Parent, but in no event more than thirty (30) days after delivery by Parent of an invoice therefor containing reasonable substantiating documentation of such costs and expenses, for the cost of any obligations or Liabilities that Parent or a Parent Plan elects to, or is compelled to, pay or otherwise satisfy, that are or that pursuant to this Agreement have become, the responsibility of SpinCo or any SpinCo Subsidiary; provided, however, that if payment in respect of any such Liability is made by a Parent Plan, SpinCo or the appropriate SpinCo Plan shall reimburse the Parent Plan directly. To the extent that any SpinCo Subsidiary is responsible for any of the SpinCo Employee Liabilities, each member of the SpinCo Group shall be jointly and severally liable to Parent or Parent Plan, as applicable, for the payment of such Liabilities by such SpinCo Subsidiary.

 

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(b) By Parent. From time to time after the Effective Time, Parent shall promptly reimburse SpinCo, but in no event more than thirty (30) days after delivery by SpinCo of an invoice therefor containing reasonable substantiating documentation of such costs and expenses, for the cost of any obligations or Liabilities that SpinCo or a SpinCo Plan elects to, or is compelled to, pay or otherwise satisfy, that are or that pursuant to this Agreement have become, the responsibility of Parent; provided, however, that if payment in respect of any such Liability is made by a SpinCo Plan, Parent or the appropriate Parent Plan shall reimburse such SpinCo Plan directly.

(c) Any reimbursement made by either Party pursuant to this Section 10.2 shall be treated by the Parties as a reimbursement to the other Party for having acted as the reimbursing Party’s agent for purposes of paying the corresponding expenses.

Section 10.3. Indemnification.

(a) SpinCo agrees that from and after the Effective Time it shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Parent, each of its Subsidiaries, and their respective directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, attorneys, accountants, agents, representatives and employees and their heirs, successors and permitted assigns, each in their capacity as such (the “Parent Indemnified Parties”) from, against and in respect of any claims, damages, losses, charges, Liabilities, actions, suits, proceedings, judgments, settlements, assessments, interest, penalties, and reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) actually incurred or suffered by any of the Parent Indemnified Parties arising out of or resulting from, (i) the failure of any member of the SpinCo Group to pay, perform, discharge or satisfy any Liabilities assumed in Section 10.1(a) of this Agreement (other than any Liabilities which arise due to the failure of Parent to satisfy its obligations under Article VIII hereof or to satisfy any Liability assumed in Section 10.1(b) and (c) hereof), and (ii) any other breach of the duties or obligations of any member of the SpinCo Group, as set forth in this Agreement. SpinCo shall take commercially reasonable efforts to procure insurance against any Indemnifiable Losses arising from the obligations set forth in this Agreement.

(b) Parent hereby agrees that from and after the Effective Time it shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless SpinCo, its Affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, attorneys, accountants, agents, representatives and employees (other than the Business Employees) and their heirs, successors and permitted assigns, each in their capacity as such (the “SpinCo Indemnified Parties” and, collectively with the Parent Indemnified Parties, the “Indemnified Parties”) from, against and in respect of any Losses actually incurred or suffered by, any of the SpinCo Indemnified Parties arising out of or resulting from (i) the failure to pay, perform, discharge or satisfy any Parent Liabilities (other than Parent Liabilities which arise due to the failure of any member of the SpinCo Group or any SpinCo Plans to satisfy any liabilities assumed by SpinCo in Section 10.1(a) hereof) and (ii) any other breach of the duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement.

 

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Section 10.4. Procedures for Indemnification for Third-Party Claims.

Except as specifically set forth in this Agreement, in the event that Parent or any other Parent Indemnified Party shall seek indemnification in respect of any SpinCo Employee Liabilities, or SpinCo or any SpinCo Indemnified Party shall seek indemnification in respect of any Parent Liabilities, such person shall comply with and follow the procedures regarding indemnification set forth in Article [IV] of the Separation Agreement, which shall apply to claims for indemnification hereunder in the same manner as though such claims were eligible for indemnification under the Separation Agreement, but assuming that such claims were not subject to any limitation on the ability to claim indemnification under such Separation Agreement.

Section 10.5. Reductions for Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts.

The amount that any Indemnifying Party is or may be required to pay to any Indemnified Party pursuant to this Article X shall be reduced (retroactively or prospectively) in the same manner as provided in Section [4.3] of the Separation Agreement as though such claims were eligible for indemnification under the Separation Agreement, but assuming that such claims were not subject to any limitation on the ability to claim indemnification under such Separation Agreement.

Section 10.6. Contribution.

(a) If the indemnification provided for in this Article X is unavailable to, or insufficient to hold harmless, any Indemnified Party in respect of any Losses for which indemnification is provided for herein, then the relevant Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the Losses for which such indemnification is unavailable or insufficient in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and such Indemnified Party in connection with the circumstances which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

(b) The relative fault of Parent and SpinCo shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the Parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the applicable act, failure to act, statement or omission that is the basis for the Liability (the “Liability Event”), and whether the Liability Event occurred because of one Party’s reasonable reliance on the other.

 

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(c) Parent and SpinCo agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 10.6 were determined by any method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 10.6(b). The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an Indemnitee shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

Section 10.7. Consequential Damages.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or the Separation Agreement, no Person shall be liable under this Article X for any consequential, punitive, special or exemplary damages, regardless of the form of action, whether in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise, and whether or not such damages were foreseen or unforeseen, except to the extent awarded by a court of competent jurisdiction in connection with a Third-Party Claim.

ARTICLE XI.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Section 11.1. Cooperation.

(a) General. Each of the Parties hereto will use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly take, or cause to be taken, any and all actions and to do, or cause to be done, any and all things necessary, proper and advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation, adopting plans or plan amendments. Each of the Parties hereto shall cooperate fully on any issue relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which the other Party seeks a determination letter or any other filing, consent, or approval with respect to governmental authorities regarding a benefit plan.

(b) Cooperation in Benefits, Plan, and Other Employee Transition. Parent shall administer the Parent Plans with respect to Business Employees in the ordinary course of business between the date of the Separation Agreement and the Interim Transfer Date or the Effective Time, as applicable. Without limitation, the Parties’ cooperation under this Agreement shall include Parent (and its employees and agents) acting to provide SpinCo (and its employees and agents) with all information that is reasonably requested by SpinCo in connection with meeting, and reasonably necessary for SpinCo to comply with, its obligations under this Agreement, including but not limited to, in connection with providing compensation, benefits, hours and terms and conditions of employment of Represented Employees that are governed by the Applicable CBA, establishing and administering SpinCo’s ongoing benefit plans for Business Employees, and assessing appropriate insurances for the period on and after the Effective Time. The information to be provided to SpinCo (and its employees and agents) shall include, without limitation, names of employees anticipated to be assigned to SpinCo and their respective work status, demographics and data; plan records;

 

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underwriting and risk assessment information; records relating to workers’ compensation claims; records related to collective bargaining and the processing of grievances (including, but not limited to all transcripts of negotiations, written proposals and negotiation binders); access to any information related to prior events and past practice that become relevant in future arbitrations; and periodic updates on the foregoing; in each case, so long as such information is reasonably necessary for SpinCo to comply with its obligations under this Agreement. Such information may be requested by SpinCo at any time following the date of the Separation Agreement and extending following the Effective Time as long as SpinCo reasonably has a need for such information, and shall be provided by Parent or a Parent agent as soon as reasonably practicable without incurring undue expense (with any increased third party cost being borne by SpinCo) and in a de-identified format to the extent necessary to comply with privacy provisions of federal or applicable state law.

(c) Communications. SpinCo shall not make any written communications (including websites or other passive communication channels) that are directed to the directors, officers or employees of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries pertaining to compensation or benefit matters that are affected by the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement without Parent’s written consent; provided that SpinCo may communicate with Union representatives (including any Union representatives who are also employees of Parent Group) in relation to SpinCo’s duties under the Applicable CBA and SpinCo may provide transition information regarding SpinCo’s benefits (including any benefit identification cards). Notwithstanding the restriction in the preceding sentence, SpinCo may provide notices to Business Employees relating to the requirements of Sections 404(c) of ERISA or other legally required notices (after giving Parent a reasonable opportunity for review and reasonably considering Parent’s comments on these notices), and the Parties shall cooperate in the notices’ timely distribution in advance of the Effective Time (in accordance with the timing requirements of laws regarding such notices, in order to permit plan changes, whether before or after the Effective Time). The Parties shall each designate a single point of contact to facilitate prompt approvals of communications.

(d) Cooperation in Labor and Employment Disputes. Parent shall promptly notify SpinCo of any organizing activities or of any representation petition submitted to the NLRB and of any work stoppages, with respect to any Business Employees. For the avoidance of doubt, Parent shall retain sole decision-making authority with respect to all employment matters prior to the Effective Date.

 

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Section 11.2. Consent of Third Parties.

If any provision of this Agreement is dependent on the consent of any third party (such as a vendor) and such consent is withheld, the Parties shall use their reasonable best efforts to implement the applicable provisions of this Agreement to the full extent practicable. If any provision of this Agreement cannot be implemented due to the failure of such third party to consent, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to implement the provision in a mutually satisfactory manner. The phrase “reasonable best efforts” as used in this Agreement shall not be construed to require the incurrence of any non-routine or commercially unreasonable expense or liability or the waiver of any right.

Section 11.3. Survival.

This Agreement shall survive the Effective Time.

Section 11.4. Interpretation.

In this Agreement, (a) words in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be deemed to include the other genders as the context requires; (b) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole (including all of the Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices hereto and thereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (c) Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit and Appendix references are to the Articles, Sections, Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices to this Agreement unless otherwise specified; (d) unless otherwise stated, all references to any agreement (including this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement) shall be deemed to include the Exhibits, Schedules and Annexes to such agreement; (e) the word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified; (f) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (g) unless otherwise specified in a particular case, the word “days” refers to calendar days; (h) references to “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law to close in (x) Memphis, Tennessee or (y) New York, New York; (i) references herein to this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement or such other agreement as of the date on which it is executed and as it may be amended, modified or supplemented thereafter, unless otherwise specified; the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”; (j) unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts, including the symbol “$”, refer to the lawful currency of the United States of America; and (k) all references to “the date hereof” or “the date of this Agreement” and words of similar import shall all be references to [•], 2021.

 

42


Section 11.5. No Third Party Beneficiary.

(a) Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon any person (nor any beneficiary thereof) any rights under or with respect to any plan, program, agreement or arrangement described in or contemplated by this Agreement and each person (and any beneficiary thereof) shall be entitled to look only to the express terms of any such plan, program, agreement or arrangement for his, her or its rights thereunder. The purpose of this Agreement is to specify the respective potential responsibilities and obligations of Parent and SpinCo (and their respective affiliates) as between each other, but it does not affect, impair, enhance, modify, construe or interpret the rights of any Parent Employee, Retained Employee, Former Business Employee or Business Employee under or in respect of any such plan, program, agreement or arrangement.

(b) Nothing in this Agreement shall create any right of a Person to object or to refuse to assent to the assumption of or succession to, by any member of the SpinCo Group or the SpinCo Group, any benefit plan, collective bargaining agreement or other agreement relating to conditions of employment, termination of employment, severance or employee benefits, nor shall this Agreement be construed as recognizing that any such rights exist.

(c) Nothing in this Agreement shall amend or shall be construed to amend, or interpret the terms of, any plan, program, agreement or arrangement described in or contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 11.6. Notices.

Any notice, demand, claim, or other communication under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given to a Party when (a) delivered to the appropriate address by hand or by nationally recognized overnight courier services (costs prepaid); (b) by email with receipt confirmed; (c) received or rejected by the addressee, if sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the following addresses or e-mail address and marked to the attention of the person designated below (or to such other address, e-mail address or person as a Party may designate by notice to the other Parties):

 

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(a) If to Parent, to:

 

International Paper Company

 

6400 Poplar Avenue

 

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

 

Attention: [•]

 

E-mail: [•]

 

With copies to:

 

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention:

  

William Regner

   Emily Huang
   Franklin Mitchell

E-Mail:

  

wdregner@debevoise.com

   efhuang@debevoise.com
   flmitchell@debevoise.com

(b) If to SpinCo, to:

 

[•]

 

[•]

 

[•]

 

[•]

 

[•]

 

Section 11.7. Governing Law.

This Agreement (and any claims or disputes arising out of or related hereto or thereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby or to the inducement of any party to enter herein and therein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) and all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement (and all Schedules hereto) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.

 

44


Section 11.8. Disputes.

Except as expressly provided in Section 2.5(c), Section 5.2(c), Section 5.3(b) and Section 7.3(b), any disputes arising under this Agreement shall be resolved applying the dispute resolution provisions set forth in [Article VII] of the Separation Agreement.

Section 11.9. Specific Performance.

The Parties acknowledge and agree that any breach of this Agreement would give rise to irreparable harm for which monetary damages would not be an adequate remedy. The Parties accordingly agree that, in addition to any other rights or remedies it may have at law or in equity, the other Party shall be entitled to (x) enforce the terms of this Agreement by decree of specific performance without the necessity of proving the inadequacy of monetary damages as a remedy and (y) seek injunctive relief against any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement. Neither Party will contest an action by the other Party for injunctive relief or an order of specific performance on the basis that there is an adequate remedy at law, or that an award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason, at law or in equity. The Parties agree to not seek and agree to waive any requirement for the securing or posting of a bond in connection with a Party seeking or obtaining any relief pursuant to this Section 11.9.

Section 11.10. No Assignment; No Amendment; Counterparts.

This Agreement may not be assigned by either Party (except by operation of law) without the written consent of the other, and shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assignees. This Agreement may not be amended or supplemented except by an agreement in writing signed by Parent and SpinCo. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

 

45


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party has caused its duly authorized officer to execute this Agreement, as of the date first written above.

 

Date:                                                                                   

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY

 

By:

Its:

Date:                                                                                   

SYLVAMO CORPORATION

 

By:

Its:

Exhibit 10.4

 

 

 

FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

dated as of

[•], 2021

between

Sylvamo Corporation

and

International Paper Company

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1

 

Definitions

     1  

1.2

 

Interpretation

     5  
ARTICLE II

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

2.1

 

Shelf Registration

     5  

2.2

 

Demand Registrations

     7  

2.3

 

Priority

     8  

2.4

 

Piggyback Registrations

     8  

2.5

 

Lock-up Agreements

     10  

2.6

 

Registration Procedures

     10  

2.7

 

Registration Expenses

     16  

2.8

 

Underwritten Offering

     17  

2.9

 

Suspension of Registration

     17  

2.10

 

Indemnification

     18  

2.11

 

Conversion of Other Securities

     22  

2.12

 

Rule 144; Rule 144A

     22  

2.13

 

Transfer of Registration Rights

     22  
ARTICLE III

 

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL DISPOSITIONS OF REGISTRABLE SECURITIES BY INTERNATIONAL PAPER

 

3.1

 

Underwriter Selection

     23  

3.2

 

Cooperation with Sales

     23  

3.3

 

Further Assurances

     23  
ARTICLE IV

 

VOTING RESTRICTIONS

 

4.1

 

Voting of the Company’s Common Stock

     24  

 

i


ARTICLE V

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.1

 

Term

     24  

5.2

 

Other Holder Activities

     25  

5.3

 

No Inconsistent Agreements

     25  

5.4

 

Amendment, Modification and Waiver

     25  

5.5

 

No Third-Party Beneficiaries

     25  

5.6

 

Entire Agreement

     25  

5.7

 

Severability

     25  

5.8

 

Counterparts

     26  

5.9

 

Specific Performance; Remedies

     26  

5.10

 

GOVERNING LAW

     26  

5.11

 

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     26  

5.12

 

Jurisdiction; Venue

     26  

5.13

 

Notice

     27  

 

ii


FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of [•], 2021 (this “Agreement”), is between Sylvamo Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and International Paper Company, a New York corporation (“International Paper”).

WHEREAS, International Paper and the Company are party to that certain Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of [•], 2021, pursuant to which, among other things, International Paper intends to distribute a portion of the shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 (the “Common Stock”), on a pro rata basis to International Paper’s stockholders (the “Distribution”);

WHEREAS, following the Distribution, International Paper will continue to own approximately 19.9% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock; and

WHEREAS, in connection with the Distribution, SpinCo has agreed to provide International Paper certain rights with respect to the registration and sale of the Common Stock as set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Definitions.

In this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person.

Block Sale” means the sale of Registrable Securities to one or several purchasers in a registered transaction by means of (i) a bought deal, (ii) a block trade or (iii) a direct sale.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.

Business Day” means any day except (i) Saturday, (ii) Sunday and (iii) any other day on which commercial banks in New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

1


Company” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Company Outside Counsel” means one counsel selected by the Company to act on its behalf, which counsel, for the avoidance of doubt, may be the same counsel as Holders’ Counsel.

control” (including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise.

Covered Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(a).

Demand Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

Effective Date” means the date the Distribution is completed.

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

FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Holder” means any of (i) International Paper and (ii) any Permitted Transferee.

Holders’ Counsel” means, if International Paper is participating in an offering of Registrable Securities, one counsel selected by International Paper for the Holders participating in such offering, or otherwise, one counsel selected by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such offering, which counsel, for the avoidance of doubt, may be the same counsel as Company Outside Counsel.

Loss” or “Losses” each has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(a).

Material Disclosure Event” means, as of any date of determination, any pending or imminent event relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries that the Board of Directors reasonably determines in good faith, after consultation with Company Outside Counsel, (i) would require disclosure of material, non-public information relating to such event in any Registration Statement under which Registrable Securities may be offered and sold (including documents incorporated by reference therein) in order that such Registration Statement would not be materially misleading and (ii) would not otherwise be required to be publicly disclosed by the Company at that time in a periodic report to be filed with or furnished to the SEC under the Exchange Act but for the submission or filing of such Registration Statement.

Permitted Transferee” means any Subsidiary of International Paper.

 

2


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

Piggyback Registration” means any registration of Registrable Securities under the Securities Act requested by a Holder in accordance with Section 2.4(a).

register,” “registered” and “registration” refers to a registration made effective by preparing and filing a Registration Statement with the SEC in compliance with the Securities Act, and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, and compliance with applicable state securities laws of such states in which Holders notify the Company of their intention to offer Registrable Securities.

Registrable Securities” means (i) all shares of Common Stock held by a Holder and (ii) any equity securities issued or issuable, directly or indirectly, with respect to any such securities referred to in (i) above by way of conversion or exchange thereof or stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, reclassification, merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or other reorganization; provided that any securities constituting Registrable Securities will cease to be Registrable Securities when (a) such securities are sold to a Person who is not a Permitted Transferee, in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under this Agreement are not assigned in accordance with this Agreement to the transferee of the securities, (b) such securities are sold pursuant to an effective Registration Statement, (c) such securities are sold to a Person who is not a Permitted Transferee pursuant to Rule 144 or (d) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding.

Registration Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

Registration Statement” means any registration statement of the Company under the Securities Act that permits the public offering of any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statements and all other documents filed with the SEC to effect a registration under the Securities Act.

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act.

Rule 405” means Rule 405 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act.

Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act.

 

3


SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

Selling Expenses” means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities hereunder.

Selling Holder” means a Holder that holds Registrable Securities registered (or to be registered) on a Registration Statement.

Selling Holder Information” means information furnished to the Company in writing by a Selling Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement, which information is limited to the name of such Selling Holder, the number of offered shares of Common Stock and the address and other information with respect to such Selling Holder included in the “Principal and Selling Stockholders” (or similarly titled) section of the Registration Statement.

Shelf Registration Statement” means a Registration Statement that contemplates offers and sales of securities pursuant to Rule 415.

Short-Form Registration Statement” means Form S-3 or any successor or similar form of Registration Statement pursuant to which the Company may incorporate by reference its filings under the Exchange Act made after the date of effectiveness of such Registration Statement.

Subsidiary” means (i) any corporation of which a majority of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors thereof, at the time as of which any determination is being made, are owned by International Paper, either directly or indirectly and (ii) any joint venture, general or limited partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity in which International Paper is the record or beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of a majority of the voting interests or the general partner (or a majority of the voting interests of the general partner).

Suspension” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9.

Take-Down Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(e).

Underwritten Offering” means a discrete registered offering of securities under the Securities Act in which securities of the Company are sold by one or more underwriters pursuant to the terms of an underwriting agreement.

 

4


1.2 Interpretation.

(a) The words “hereto,” “hereunder,” “herein,” “hereof” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, unless expressly stated otherwise herein.

(b) Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed followed by the words “without limitation.”

(c) The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms.

(d) “Writing,” “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing, and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form.

(e) All references to “$” or “dollars” mean the lawful currency of the United States of America.

(f) The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

(g) Except as expressly stated in this Agreement, all references to any statute, rule or regulation are to the statute, rule or regulation as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time (and in the case of statutes, include any rules and regulations promulgated under the statute) and to any successor to such statute, rule or regulation.

(h) Except as expressly stated in this Agreement, all references to agencies, self-regulatory organizations or governmental entities in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to the comparable successor thereto.

ARTICLE II

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

2.1 Shelf Registration.

(a) Filing. Upon the written request of any Holder, at any time after the date that is twelve full calendar months following the effective date of the Form 10 filed by the Company with the SEC in connection with the Distribution (or, if sooner, the date on which the Company first becomes eligible to use a Short-Form Registration Statement), the Company shall promptly (but no later than 30 days after the receipt of such request) file with the SEC a Shelf Registration Statement (which, if permitted, shall be an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined in Rule 405) relating to the offer and

 

5


sale by such Holder of all or part of the Registrable Securities. Promptly after its receipt of a request to file a Shelf Registration Statement (but in any event within two Business Days), the Company shall give written notice of such request to all other Holders, if any, and include all Registrable Securities that have been requested by any other Holders by written notice to the Company within two Business Days after the Company has given the Holders notice of the request to file a Shelf Registration Statement. If at any time while Registrable Securities are outstanding and the Company is eligible to utilize a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company files any Shelf Registration Statement for its own benefit or for the benefit of holders of any of its securities other than the Holders, the Company shall include in such Shelf Registration Statement such disclosures as may be required under the Securities Act to ensure that the Holders may sell their Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement through the filing of a prospectus supplement rather than a post-effective amendment.

(b) Effectiveness. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such Shelf Registration Statement is filed and (ii) keep such Shelf Registration Statement (or a replacement Shelf Registration Statement) continuously effective and in compliance with the Securities Act and usable for the resale of Registrable Securities, until such time as there are no Registrable Securities remaining.

(c) Sales by Holders. The plan of distribution contained in any Shelf Registration Statement referred to in this Section 2.1 (or any related prospectus supplement) shall be determined by International Paper, if International Paper or an Affiliate of International Paper is a requesting Holder for such Shelf Registration Statement, or otherwise by the other requesting Holder or Holders. Each Holder shall be entitled to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement referred to in this Section 2.1 from time to time and at such times as such Holder shall determine.

(d) Underwritten Offering. If any Holder intends to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement referred to in this Section 2.1 through an Underwritten Offering, the Company shall take all steps to facilitate such an offering, including the actions required pursuant to Section 2.6 and Article III, as appropriate; provided that the Company shall not be required to facilitate such Underwritten Offering unless so requested by International Paper. Any Holder shall be entitled to request an unlimited number of Underwritten Offerings under this Section 2.1.

(e) Shelf Take-Downs. At any time that a Shelf Registration Statement covering Registrable Securities is effective, if any Holder delivers a notice to the Company (a “Take-Down Notice”) stating that it intends to effect an Underwritten Offering of all or part of its Registrable Securities included by it on such Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall amend or supplement such Shelf Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to enable such Registrable Securities to be

 

6


distributed pursuant to the Underwritten Offering. In connection with any Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Section 2.1, the Company shall within two Business Days deliver the Take-Down Notice to any other Holder with securities included on such Shelf Registration Statement and permit such Holder to include its Registrable Securities included on the Shelf Registration Statement in such Underwritten Offering if any such Holder notifies the Company within two Business Days after the Company has given Holders notice of the Take-Down Notice.

(f) No Notice in Block Sales. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if International Paper wishes to engage in a Block Sale (including a Block Sale off of a Shelf Registration Statement or an effective automatic shelf registration statement, or in connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities of International Paper under an automatic shelf registration statement for purposes of effectuating a Block Sale), then notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provisions hereunder, no Permitted Transferee or any other holder shall be entitled to receive any notice of or have its Registrable Securities included in such Block Sale.

2.2 Demand Registrations.

(a) Right to Request Additional Demand Registrations. At any time after the Effective Date, any Holder may, by providing a written request to the Company, request to sell all or part of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement separate from a Shelf Registration Statement (a “Demand Registration”). Each request for a Demand Registration shall specify the kind and estimated aggregate amount of Registrable Securities to be registered and the intended methods of disposition thereof (which, if not specified, shall be by way of Underwritten Offering). Promptly after its receipt of a request for a Demand Registration (but in any event within two Business Days), the Company shall give written notice of such request to all other Holders. Within 30 days after the date the Company has given the Holders notice of the request for Demand Registration, the Company shall submit or file a Registration Statement, in accordance with this Agreement, with respect to all Registrable Securities that have been requested to be registered in the request for Demand Registration and that have been requested by any other Holders by written notice to the Company within two Business Days after the Company has given the Holders notice of the request for Demand Registration.

(b) Limitations on Demand Registrations. Subject to Section 2.2(a) and this Section 2.2(b), any Holder shall be entitled to request an unlimited number of Demand Registrations. Any Holder shall be entitled to participate in a Demand Registration initiated by any other Holder. The Company shall not be obligated to effect more than one Demand Registration in any 90-day period. Any Demand Registration shall be in addition to any registration on a Shelf Registration Statement.

 

7


(c) Effectiveness. The Company shall be required to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement with respect to any Demand Registration for a period of at least 90 days after the effective date thereof or such shorter period during which all Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement have actually been sold; provided, however, that such period shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period the Holder of Registrable Securities refrains from selling any securities included in such Registration Statement at the request of the Company or an underwriter of the Company pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

(d) Withdrawal. A Holder may, by written notice to the Company, withdraw its Registrable Securities from a Demand Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement. Upon receipt of notices from all applicable Holders to such effect, the Company shall cease all efforts to seek effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement.

2.3 Priority. If a registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2 above is an Underwritten Offering and the managing underwriters of such proposed Underwritten Offering advise the Holders in writing that, in their good faith opinion, the number of securities requested to be included in such Underwritten Offering exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without being likely to have a material adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the securities offered or the market for the securities offered, then the number of securities to be included in such Underwritten Offering shall be reduced in the following order of priority: first, there shall be excluded from the Underwritten Offering any securities to be sold for the account of any selling securityholder other than the Holders; second, there shall be excluded from the Underwritten Offering any securities to be sold for the account of the Company; and finally, the number of Registrable Securities of any Holders that have been requested to be included therein shall be reduced, pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such Holder, in each case to the extent necessary to reduce the total number of securities to be included in such offering to the number recommended by the managing underwriters.

2.4 Piggyback Registrations.

(a) Piggyback Request. Whenever the Company proposes to register any of its securities (for its account or for the account of any selling securityholder) under the Securities Act or equivalent non-U.S. securities laws (other than (i) pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2 hereof, (ii) pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or any similar or successor form or (iii) pursuant to a registration solely relating to an offering and sale to employees or directors of the Company pursuant to any employee stock plan or other employee benefit plan arrangement), and the registration form to be submitted or filed may be used for the registration or qualification for distribution of Registrable Securities, the Company shall give prompt written notice to all Holders of its intention to effect such a registration (but in no event less than 10 days prior to the proposed date of submission

 

8


or filing of the applicable Registration Statement) and, subject to Section 2.4(c), shall include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 10 days after the date the Company’s notice is given to such Holders (a “Piggyback Registration”). There shall be no limitation on the number of Piggyback Registrations that the Company shall be required to effect under this Section 2.4.

(b) Withdrawal and Termination. The Company shall be required to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement for a registration requested pursuant to Section 2.4(a) until the earlier to occur of (i) 90 days after the effective date thereof and (ii) consummation of the distribution by the Holders of the Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement. Any Holder that has made a written request for inclusion in a Piggyback Registration may withdraw its Registrable Securities from such Piggyback Registration by giving written notice to the Company on or before the fifth day prior to the planned effective date of such Piggyback Registration. The Company may, without prejudice to the rights of Holders to request a registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2 hereof, at its election, give written notice of such determination to each Holder of Registrable Securities and terminate or withdraw any registration under this Section 2.4 prior to the effectiveness of such registration, whether or not any Holder has elected to include Registrable Securities in such registration, and, except for the obligation to pay or reimburse Registration Expenses, the Company shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such registration and will have no liability to any Holder in connection with such termination or withdrawal.

(c) Priority of Piggyback Registrations. If the managing underwriters advise the Company and Holders of Registrable Securities in writing that, in their good faith opinion, the number of securities requested to be included in an Underwritten Offering to be effected pursuant to a Piggyback Registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without being likely to have a material adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the securities offered or the market for the securities offered, then the securities to be included in such Underwritten Offering shall be reduced in the following order of priority: first, the number of securities requested to be included in such Underwritten Offering by any securityholder other than International Paper shall be reduced; second, the number of securities to be included in the Underwritten Offering shall be reduced pro rata based, in the case of International Paper, on the number of Registrable Securities owned by International Paper, and in the case of the Company, the number of securities to be sold for the account of the Company, in each case to the extent necessary to reduce the total number of Registrable Securities to be included in such offering to the number recommended by the managing underwriters. No registration of Registrable Securities effected pursuant to a request under this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to have been effected pursuant to Sections 2.1 or 2.2 or shall relieve the Company of its obligations under Sections 2.1 or 2.2.

 

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2.5 Lock-up Agreements. Each of the Company and the Holders agrees, upon notice from the managing underwriters in connection with any registration for an Underwritten Offering of the Company’s securities (other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or any similar or successor form, or pursuant to a registration solely relating to an offering and sale to employees or directors of the Company pursuant to any employee stock plan or other employee benefit plan arrangement), not to effect (other than pursuant to such registration) any public sale or distribution of Registrable Securities, including, but not limited to, any sale pursuant to Rule 144, or make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of, any Registrable Securities, any other equity securities of the Company or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity securities of the Company without the prior written consent of the managing underwriters for a period of up to 90 days (or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the managing underwriter(s)); provided that such restrictions shall not apply in any circumstance to (i) securities acquired by a Holder in the public market subsequent to the Effective Date, (ii) distributions-in-kind to a Holder’s limited or other partners, members, shareholders or other equity holders, (iii) any direct or indirect transfer to a Permitted Transferee or (iv) such other exceptions as may be agreed to by the managing underwriter(s). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no holdback agreements of the type contemplated by this Section 2.5 shall be required of Holders unless each of the Company’s directors and executive officers agrees to be bound by a substantially identical holdback agreement for at least the same period of time.

2.6 Registration Procedures. Subject to the proviso of Section 2.1(d), if and whenever the Company is required to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect and facilitate the registration, offering and sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof as promptly as is practicable, and the Company shall as expeditiously as possible:

(a) prepare and submit or file with the SEC (within 30 days after the date on which the Company has given Holders notice of any request for a Demand Registration) a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities, make all required submissions or filings (including FINRA filings) in connection therewith and thereafter and (if the Registration Statement is not automatically effective upon filing) use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective; provided that, before submitting or filing a Registration Statement or any amendments or supplements thereto (including free writing prospectuses under Rule 433), the Company will furnish to Holders’ Counsel for such registration copies of all such documents proposed to be submitted or filed (including exhibits thereto), which documents will be subject to review of such counsel, and such other documents reasonably requested by such counsel, including any comment letter from the SEC and any communications from any stock exchange on which the Registrable Securities are trading, and give the Holders

 

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participating in such registration an opportunity to comment on such documents and keep such Holders reasonably informed as to the registration process; provided further that if the Board of Directors determines in its good faith judgment that registration at the time would require the inclusion of financial or other information (including pro forma financial information), which requirement the Company is reasonably unable to comply with, then the Company may defer the filing (but not the preparation) of the Registration Statement which is required to effect the applicable registration for a reasonable period of time (but not in excess of 45 days from the date on which the Company has given Holders notice of any request for a Demand Registration);

(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to any Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for a period of either (i) not less than 90 days or, if such Registration Statement relates to an Underwritten Offering in the case of a Demand Registration, such longer period as in the opinion of counsel for the managing underwriters a prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales of Registrable Securities by an underwriter or dealer or the maximum period of time permitted by the Securities Act in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, or (ii) such shorter period ending when all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been disposed of (but in any event not before the expiration of any longer period required under the Securities Act);

(c) furnish to each Selling Holder, Holders’ Counsel and the underwriters such number of copies, without charge, of any Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, including each preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, all exhibits and other documents submitted or filed therewith and such other documents as such Persons may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Holder; provided that, before amending or supplementing any Registration Statement, the Company shall furnish to the Holders a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and not submit or file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which any Selling Holder reasonably objects. The Company hereby consents to the use of such prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the Selling Holders of Registrable Securities and the underwriters, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such prospectus and any such amendment or supplement thereto;

(d) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify any Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Selling Holder, and the managing underwriters, if any reasonably request, use its reasonable best efforts to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or reasonably advisable to enable such

 

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Selling Holder and each underwriter, if any, to consummate the disposition of Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this subsection, (ii) subject itself to taxation in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (iii) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject (other than service of process in connection with such registration or qualification or any sale of Registrable Securities in connection therewith);

(e) use its reasonable best efforts to (i) cause all Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies, authorities or self-regulatory bodies as may be necessary or reasonably advisable in light of the business and operations of the Company to enable the Selling Holders to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof and (ii) comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and with the rules and regulations of such other bodies with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement;

(f) during any time when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, promptly notify each Selling Holder and Holders’ Counsel upon discovery that, or upon the discovery of the happening of any event as a result of which, the prospectus contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made and, as promptly as practicable, prepare and furnish to such Selling Holders a reasonable number of copies of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were made;

(g) promptly notify each Selling Holder and Holders’ Counsel (i) when the Registration Statement, any prospectus supplement or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement has been submitted or filed and, with respect to such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of any written comments by the SEC or any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement or to amend or to supplement any prospectus contained therein or for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes, (iv) if at the time the Company has reason to believe that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section 2.6(j) below cease to be true and correct and (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of such Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose;

 

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(h) cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or, if no similar securities issued by the Company are then listed on any securities exchange, use its reasonable best efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange;

(i) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement, and, if required, obtain a CUSIP number for such Registrable Securities not later than such effective date;

(j) enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting agreements with customary provisions in such forms as may be requested by the managing underwriters) and take all such other actions as the Selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (including, without limitation, effecting a share split or a combination of shares);

(k) make available for inspection by any Selling Holder, Holders’ Counsel, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such Selling Holder or underwriter all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and documents relating to the business of the Company reasonably requested by such Selling Holder, cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Selling Holder, Holders’ Counsel, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such Registration Statement and make senior management of the Company available for customary due diligence and drafting activity; provided that any such Person gaining access to information or personnel pursuant to this Section 2.6(k) shall (i) reasonably cooperate with the Company to limit any resulting disruption to the Company’s business and (ii) agree to use reasonable efforts to protect the confidentiality of any information regarding the Company which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination such Person is notified, unless (A) the release of such information is requested or required by deposition, interrogatory, requests for information or documents by a governmental entity, subpoena or similar process, (B) the release of such information, in the opinion of such Person, is required to be released by law or applicable legal process, (C) such information is or becomes publicly known without a breach of this Agreement, (D) such information is or becomes available to such Person on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company or (E) such information is independently developed by such Person. In the case of a proposed disclosure pursuant to (A) or (B) above, such Person shall be required to give the Company written notice of the proposed disclosure prior to such disclosure and, if requested by the Company, assist the Company in seeking to prevent or limit the proposed disclosure;

 

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(l) otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement, which earnings statement will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the U.S. Securities Act (including, at the Company’s option, Rule 158 thereunder);

(m) in the case of an Underwritten Offering, promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriters or any Selling Holder reasonably requests to be included therein, the purchase price being paid therefor by the underwriters and any other terms of the Underwritten Offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering, and promptly make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

(n) in the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or ceasing trading of any securities included in such Registration Statement for sale in any jurisdiction, use its reasonable best efforts to promptly obtain the withdrawal of such order;

(o) make senior management of the Company available to assist to the extent reasonably requested by the managing underwriters of any Underwritten Offering to be made pursuant to such registration in the marketing of the Registrable Securities to be sold in the Underwritten Offering, including the participation of such members of the Company’s senior management in “road show” presentations and other customary marketing activities, including “one-on-one” meetings with prospective purchasers of the Registrable Securities to be sold in the Underwritten Offering, and otherwise to facilitate, cooperate with, and participate in each proposed offering contemplated herein and customary selling efforts related thereto, in each case to the same extent as if the Company were engaged in a primary registered offering of its Common Stock;

(p) use reasonable best efforts to: (a) obtain all consents of independent public accountants required to be included in the Registration Statement and (b) in connection with each offering and sale of Registrable Securities, obtain one or more comfort letters, addressed to the underwriters and to the Selling Holders, dated the date of the underwriting agreement for such offering and the date of each closing under the underwriting agreement for such offering, signed by the Company’s independent public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters as the underwriters or International Paper, if International Paper is a Selling Holder in such offering, or otherwise by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold in such offering, as applicable, reasonably request;

 

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(q) use reasonable best efforts to obtain: (a) all legal opinions from Company Outside Counsel (or internal counsel if acceptable to the managing underwriters) required to be included in the Registration Statement and (b) in connection with each closing of a sale of Registrable Securities, legal opinions from Company Outside Counsel (or internal counsel if acceptable to the managing underwriters), addressed to the underwriters and the Selling Holders, dated as of the date of such closing, with respect to the Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (including the preliminary prospectus) and such other documents relating thereto in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by legal opinions of such nature;

(r) upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 2.6(f) above, promptly prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(s) reasonably cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the FINRA;

(t) take no direct or indirect action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act; provided that, to the extent that any prohibition is applicable to the Company, the Company will take all reasonable action to make such prohibition inapplicable; and

(u) use its reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all other actions, and do and cause to be done all other things necessary or reasonably advisable in the opinion of Holders’ Counsel to effect the registration, marketing and sale of such Registrable Securities.

The Company agrees not to submit, file or make any amendment to any Registration Statement with respect to any Registrable Securities, or any amendment of or supplement to the prospectus used in connection therewith, that refers to any Holder covered thereby by name, or otherwise identifies such Holder as the holder of any securities of the Company, without the consent of such Holder, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, unless and to the extent such disclosure is required by law, rule or regulation, in which case the Company shall provide prompt written notice to such Holders prior to the submission or filing of such amendment to any Registration Statement or amendment of or supplement to such prospectus or any free writing prospectus.

 

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Each Holder of Registrable Securities as to which any registration is being effected shall furnish the Company with such information regarding such Holder and pertinent to the disclosure requirements relating to the registration and the distribution of such securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing.

If the Company files any Shelf Registration Statement for the benefit of the holders of any of its securities other than the Holders, the Company agrees that it shall use its reasonable best efforts to include in such registration statement such disclosures as may be required by Rule 430B under the Securities Act (referring to the unnamed selling security holders in a generic manner by identifying the initial offering of the securities to the Holders) in order to ensure that the Holders may be added to such Shelf Registration Statement at a later time through the filing of a Prospectus supplement rather than a post-effective amendment.

2.7 Registration Expenses. Whether or not any Registration Statement is submitted or filed or becomes effective, the Company shall pay directly or promptly reimburse all reasonable out-of-pocket costs, fees and expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including (i) all registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses associated with filings to be made with any securities exchange or with any other governmental or quasi-governmental authority, (iii) all fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws, including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection therewith, (iv) all printing expenses (including expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities and of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is requested by the Holders or the managing underwriters, if any), (v) all “road show” expenses incurred in respect of any Underwritten Offering, including all costs of travel, lodging and meals, (vi) all messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (vii) all fees and disbursements of Company Outside Counsel, (viii) all fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants of the Company (including expenses of any “cold comfort” letters required in connection with this Agreement) and all other persons, including special experts, retained by the Company in connection with such Registration Statement, (ix) all reasonable fees and disbursements of underwriters (other than Selling Expenses) customarily paid by the issuers or sellers of securities and, (x) all other costs, fees and expenses incident to the Company’s performance or compliance with this Agreement (all such expenses, “Registration Expenses”). The Selling Holders shall be responsible for the fees and expenses of Holders’ Counsel (if such Holders’ Counsel is different from Company Outside Counsel) and Selling Expenses. The Company will, in any event, pay its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit or quarterly review and the expenses of any liability insurance. The Company shall have no obligation to pay any Selling Expenses.

 

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2.8 Underwritten Offering.

(a) No Holder may participate in any registration hereunder that is an Underwritten Offering unless such Holder (i) agrees to sell its Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements (including, without limitation, pursuant to the terms of any over-allotment or “green shoe” option requested by the managing underwriters; provided that no Holder will be required to sell more than the number of Registrable Securities that such Holder has requested the Company to include in any registration), (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements, and (iii) cooperates with the Company’s reasonable requests in connection with such registration or qualification (it being understood that the Company’s failure to perform its obligations hereunder, which failure is caused by such Holder’s failure to cooperate, will not constitute a breach by the Company of this Agreement); provided that no such Holder shall be required to make any representations or warranties in connection with any such registration other than representations and warranties as to (A) such Holder’s ownership of Registrable Securities to be transferred free and clear of all liens, claims, and encumbrances created by such Holder and (B) such Holder’s power and authority to effect such transfer; provided further that any obligation of such Holder to indemnify any Person pursuant to any underwriting agreement shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders selling Registrable Securities, and such liability shall be limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder, as applicable, from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration (which proceeds shall include the amount of cash or the fair market value of any assets in exchange for the sale or exchange of such Registrable Securities or that are the subject of a distribution), and the relative liability of each such Holder shall be in proportion to such net proceeds.

2.9 Suspension of Registration. In the event of a Material Disclosure Event at the time of the submission or filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement, including a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may, upon giving at least 10 days’ prior written notice of such action to the Holders delay the submission or filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement (a “Suspension”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be permitted to exercise a Suspension (i) more than twice during any 12-month period, (ii) for a period exceeding 60 days on any one occasion, (iii) unless for the full period of the Suspension, the Company does not offer or sell securities for its own account, does not permit registered sales by any holder of its securities and prohibits offers and sales by its

 

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directors and officers, or (iv) at any time within seven days prior to the anticipated pricing of an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Demand Registration or within 35 days after the pricing of such an Underwritten Offering. In the case of a Suspension, the Holders will suspend use of the applicable prospectus in connection with any sale or purchase of, or offer to sell or purchase, Registrable Securities, upon receipt of the notice referred to above. In connection with a Demand Registration, prior to the termination of any Suspension, the Holder that made the request for Demand Registration will be entitled to withdraw its Demand Notice. Upon receipt of notices from all Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to such effect, the Company shall cease all efforts to secure effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders upon the termination of any Suspension.

2.10 Indemnification.

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Holder, any Person who is or might be deemed to be a controlling person of the Company or any of its subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act their respective direct and indirect general and limited partners, advisory board members, directors, officers, trustees, managers, members, agents, Affiliates and shareholders, and each other Person, if any, who controls any such Holder or controlling person within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and any such Person’s direct and indirect general and limited partners, advisory board members, directors, officers, trustees, managers, members, agents, Affiliates and shareholders (each such person being referred to herein as a “Covered Person”) against, and pay and reimburse such Covered Persons for any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, costs (including, without limitation, costs of preparation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and any legal or other fees or expenses incurred by such Covered Person in connections with any investigation or proceeding), expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, charges and amounts paid in settlement (collectively, “Losses” and, individually, each a “Loss”) to which such Covered Person may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state blue sky securities laws, any equivalent non-U.S. securities laws or otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained or incorporated by reference in any Registration Statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus or free writing prospectus, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein, or any other such disclosure document (including reports and other documents filed under the Exchange Act and any document incorporated by reference therein) or other document or report, (ii) any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation by the Company of any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act or any

 

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state securities laws applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any such registration, and the Company will pay and reimburse such Covered Persons for any legal or any other expenses actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating, defending or settling any such loss, claim, liability, action or proceeding; provided that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such Loss (or action or proceeding in respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement, or omission or alleged omission, made or incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement, any such prospectus, preliminary prospectus or free writing prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein, or any other such disclosure document (including reports and other documents filed under the Exchange Act and any document incorporated by reference therein) or other document or report, or in any application in reliance upon, and in conformity with, the Selling Holder Information. In connection with an Underwritten Offering, the Company, if requested, will indemnify the underwriters, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Covered Persons and in such other manner as the underwriters may request in accordance with their standard practice.

(b) In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder is participating, each such Holder will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors and officers, employees, agents and any Person who is or might be deemed to be a controlling person of the Company or any of its subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any Losses to which the Company or any such director or officer, any such underwriter or controlling person may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state blue sky securities laws, any equivalent non-U.S. securities laws or otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus or free writing prospectus, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or in any application or document incorporated by reference therein, or any other such disclosure document (including reports and other documents filed under the Exchange Act and any document incorporated by reference therein) or other document or report, or (ii) any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is made in such Registration Statement, any such prospectus, preliminary prospectus or free writing prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any application or document incorporated by reference therein, or any other such disclosure document (including reports and other documents filed under the Exchange Act and any document incorporated by reference therein) or other document or report, in reliance upon and in conformity with the Selling Holder Information furnished

 

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by such Holder (and except insofar as such Losses arise out of or are based upon any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to any underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such underwriter expressly for use in such Registration Statement), and such Holder will reimburse the Company and each such director, officer, underwriter and controlling Person for any legal or any other expenses actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating, defending or settling any such loss, claim, liability, action or proceeding; provided, however, that the obligations of such Holder hereunder shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such Losses (or actions in respect thereof) if such settlement is effected without the consent of such Holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); and provided further that the obligation to indemnify and hold harmless shall be individual and several to each Holder and shall be limited to the amount of net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement.

(c) Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim or the commencement of any proceeding with respect to which it seeks indemnification pursuant hereto; provided, however, that any delay or failure to so notify the indemnifying party shall relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations hereunder only to the extent, if at all, that it is actually and materially prejudiced by reason of such delay or failure. The indemnifying party shall have the right, exercisable by giving written notice to an indemnified party promptly after the receipt of written notice from such indemnified party of such claim or proceeding, to assume, at the indemnifying party’s expense, the defense of any such claim or proceeding, with counsel reasonably acceptable to such indemnified party; provided that (i) any indemnified party shall have the right to select and employ separate counsel and to participate in the defense of any such claim or proceeding, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (A) the indemnifying party has agreed in writing to pay such fees or expenses or (B) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume, or in the event of a conflict of interest cannot assume, the defense of such claim or proceeding within a reasonable time after receipt of notice of such claim or proceeding or fails to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party or to pursue the defense of such claim in a reasonably vigorous manner or (C) the named parties to any proceeding (including impleaded parties) include both such indemnified and the indemnifying party, and such indemnified party has reasonably concluded (based upon advice of its counsel) that there may be legal defenses available to it that are inconsistent with those available to the indemnifying party or that a conflict of interest is likely to exist among such indemnified party and any other indemnified parties (in which case the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party); and (ii) subject to clause (i)(C) above, the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one such claim or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related claims or proceedings in the same jurisdiction, arising out of the same general allegations

 

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or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one firm of attorneys (together with appropriate local counsel) at any time for all of the indemnified parties, or for fees and expenses that are not reasonable. Whether or not the indemnifying party assumes the defense, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to settle such action without the consent of the indemnified party. No indemnifying party shall consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which (x) does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party, from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation for which such indemnified party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder or (y) involves the imposition of equitable remedies or the imposition of any obligations on the indemnified party or adversely affects such indemnified party other than as a result of financial obligations for which such indemnified party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.10 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party with respect to any Losses (other than in accordance with its terms), then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, will contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relevant fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party will be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount any Holder will be obligated to contribute pursuant to this Section 2.10(d) will be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds to such Holder from the Registrable Securities sold pursuant to the Registration Statement which gives rise to such obligation to contribute (less the aggregate amount of any damages which the Holder has otherwise been required to pay in respect of such Loss or any substantially similar Loss arising from the sale of such Registrable Securities). No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

(e) To the extent that any of the Holders is, or would be expected to be, deemed to be an underwriter of Registrable Securities pursuant to any SEC comments or policies or any court of law or otherwise, the Company agrees that (i) the indemnification and contribution provisions contained in this Section 2.10 shall be applicable to the benefit of such Holder in its role as deemed underwriter in addition to its capacity as a Holder (so long as the amount for which any other Holder is or becomes responsible does

 

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not exceed the amount for which such Holder would be responsible if the Holder were not deemed to be an underwriter of Registrable Securities) and (ii) such Holder and its representatives shall be entitled to conduct the due diligence which would normally be conducted in connection with an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act, including receipt of customary opinions and comfort letters.

(f) The indemnification provided for under this Agreement will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling Person of such indemnified party and will survive the registration and sale of any securities by any Person entitled to any indemnification hereunder and the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

2.11 Conversion of Other Securities. If any Holder offers any options, rights, warrants or other securities issued by it that are offered with, convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Registrable Securities, the Registrable Securities underlying such options, rights, warrants or other securities shall be eligible for registration pursuant to Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.4 hereof.

2.12 Rule 144; Rule 144A. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to file in a timely fashion all reports and other documents required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and shall take such further action as the Holders may reasonably request, all to the extent required by the SEC as a condition to the availability of Rule 144, Rule 144A or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC under the Securities Act.

2.13 Transfer of Registration Rights. International Paper may transfer all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to any transferee of Registrable Securities constituting not less than 10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company; provided that no such transfer of Registrable Securities shall be made to any Person listed on Schedule A hereto without the prior written consent of the Company if such transfer is other than in connection with (i) an SEC-registered offering (whether or not an Underwritten Offering) or (ii) to the public through a broker, dealer or market maker pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 145 (or other exemption from registration under the Securities Act). Any transfer of registration rights pursuant to this Section 2.13 from International Paper to any Person that is not a Permitted Transferee shall be effective upon receipt by the Company of written notice from the transferor stating the name and address of the transferee and identifying the amount of Registrable Securities with respect to which rights under this Agreement are being transferred.

 

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ARTICLE III

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL DISPOSITIONS OF REGISTRABLE

SECURITIES BY INTERNATIONAL PAPER

3.1 Underwriter Selection. In any public or private offering of Registrable Securities in which International Paper is a Selling Holder, other than pursuant to a Piggyback Registration, International Paper shall have the sole right, following consultation with the Company, to select the managing underwriters to arrange such Underwritten Offering, which shall be one or more investment banking institutions of national or international standing.

3.2 Cooperation with Sales. In addition to the provisions of Section 2.6 hereof, applicable to sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration, in connection with any sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by International Paper, the Company shall provide full cooperation, including:

(a) providing access to employees, management and company records to any purchaser or potential purchaser, and to any underwriters, initial purchasers, brokers, dealers or agents involved in any sale or disposition, subject to entry into customary confidentiality arrangements;

(b) participation in road shows, investor and analyst meetings, conference calls and similar activities;

(c) using reasonable best efforts to obtain customary auditor comfort letters and legal opinions;

(d) entering into customary underwriting and other agreements;

(e) using reasonable best efforts to obtain any regulatory approval or relief necessary for any proposed sale or disposition; and

(f) submitting or filing of registration statements with the SEC or with other authorities or making other regulatory or similar filings necessary or advisable in order to facilitate any sale or disposition.

3.3 Further Assurances. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cooperate with and facilitate, and shall not interfere with, the disposition by International Paper of its holdings of Registrable Securities.

 

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ARTICLE IV

VOTING RESTRICTIONS

4.1 Voting of the Company’s Common Stock.

(a) From the date of the Distribution and until the date that International Paper and its Permitted Transferees cease to own any shares of Common Stock, International Paper shall, and shall cause any Permitted Transferee to (in each case, to the extent that they own any shares of Common Stock), be present, in person or by proxy, at each and every stockholder meeting of the Company, and otherwise to cause all Registrable Securities owned by them to be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum at any such meeting, and to vote or consent on any matter (including waivers of contractual or statutory rights), or cause to be voted or consented on any such matter, all such shares of Common Stock in proportion to the votes cast by the other holders of Common Stock on such matter.

(b) From the date of this Agreement and until the date that International Paper and its Permitted Transferees cease to own any shares of Common Stock, International Paper hereby grants, and shall cause each Permitted Transferee (in each case, to the extent that they own any shares of Common Stock) to grant, an irrevocable proxy, which shall be deemed coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable proxy to the Company or its designees, to vote, with respect to any matter (including waivers of contractual or statutory rights), all shares of Common Stock owned by them, in proportion to the votes cast by the other holders of Common Stock on such matter; provided that (i) such proxy shall automatically be revoked as to a particular share of Common Stock upon any transfer of such share of Common Stock from International Paper or a Permitted Transferee to a Person other than International Paper or a Permitted Transferee and (ii) nothing in this Section 4.1(b) shall limit or prohibit any such transfer.

(c) International Paper acknowledges and agrees (on behalf of itself and each Permitted Transferee) that the Company will be irreparably damaged in the event any of the provisions of this Article IV are not performed by International Paper in accordance with their terms or are otherwise breached. Accordingly, it is agreed that the Company shall be entitled to an injunction to prevent breaches of this Article IV and to specific enforcement of the provisions of this Article IV.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

5.1 Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon such time as no Registrable Securities remain outstanding, except for the provisions of Sections 2.7, 2.10 and 3.3 and this Article 4, each of which shall survive such termination.

 

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5.2 Other Holder Activities. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, none of the provisions of this Agreement shall in any way limit a Holder or any of its Affiliates from engaging in any brokerage, investment advisory, financial advisory, financing, asset management, trading, market making, arbitrage, investment activity and other similar activities conducted in the ordinary course of their business.

5.3 No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company represents and warrants that it has not entered into and covenants and agrees that it will not enter into, any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with, more favorable than or violates the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement.

5.4 Amendment, Modification and Waiver. This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented at any time by written agreement of the named parties hereto without any other party’s agreement or consent. Any failure of any party to comply with any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived by the other party, by an instrument in writing signed by such party, but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance with such term or provision shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure to comply.

5.5 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Other than as set forth in Section 2.10 with respect to the indemnified parties and as expressly set forth elsewhere in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any person, other than the parties, and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement. Only the parties that are signatories to this Agreement and any Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (and their respective permitted successors and assigns) shall have any obligation or liability under, in connection with, arising out of, resulting from or in any way related to this Agreement or any other matter contemplated hereby, or the process leading up to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

5.6 Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between or on behalf of International Paper or its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Company or its Affiliates, on the other hand, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

5.7 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and such invalid, void or unenforceable provision shall be interpreted in a manner that accomplishes, to the extent possible, the original purpose of such provision.

 

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5.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The counterparts of this Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile or other electronic imaging means (including in .pdf or .tif format sent by electronic mail) and other electronic signatures (including without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign or any other similar platform) by a party to the other party and the receiving party may rely on the receipt of such document so executed and delivered by facsimile or other electronic imaging means as if the original had been received.

5.9 Specific Performance; Remedies. In the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the affected party shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The other party shall not oppose the granting of such relief. The parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach hereof, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are hereby waived.

5.10 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH PRINCIPLES WOULD APPLY THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

5.11 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW) ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH DISPUTE SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A JUDGE SITTING WITHOUT A JURY.

5.12 Jurisdiction; Venue. Any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or in the courts of the State of New York, in each case located in New York County, New York. The parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts for any such suit, action or proceeding, and irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection to such courts that they may now or hereafter have based on improper venue or forum non conveniens.

 

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5.13 Notice. Unless otherwise specified herein, all notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing, shall refer specifically to this Agreement and shall be delivered personally, sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service or sent in the form of an electronic transmission (receipt confirmation requested), and shall be deemed to be effective upon delivery. All such notices shall be addressed to the receiving Party at such Party’s address or email address set forth below, or at such other address or email address as the receiving Party may from time to time furnish by notice as set forth in this Section 5.13:

If to International Paper, to:

International Paper Company

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

Attn: General Counsel

Email:

If to the Company, to:

Sylvamo Corporation

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

Attn: General Counsel

Email:

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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In witness whereof, the parties have caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

SYLVAMO CORPORATION
By:  

                         

  Name:
  Title:
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
By:  

                    

  Name:
  Title:


Exhibit A

JOINDER AGREEMENT

Reference is made to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of [•], 2021 (as amended from time to time, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), by and among Sylvamo Corporation and International Paper Company and the other parties thereto, if any. The undersigned agrees, by execution hereof, to become a party to, and to be subject to the rights and obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement.

[NAME]

 

By:  

                             

  Name:
  Title:

Date:

Address:

 

Acknowledged by:
SYLVAMO CORPORATION
By:  

                                         

  Name:
  Title:

Exhibit 10.5

FORM OF

SUPPLY AND OFFTAKE AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY

AND

SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC

DATED AS OF [•], 2021

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

1.

  Operation and Intent      1  

2.

  Production Process and Management      1  

3.

  Limited License      8  

4.

  Payment Procedures      9  

5.

  Job Lot      12  

6.

  Term and Termination; Payment Default      12  

7.

  Force Majeure      13  

8.

  Indemnification; Limitation of Damages      14  

9.

  Changes to IP’s Systems at Mill      17  

10.

  Confidential Information      18  

11.

  Binding Effect; Assignment      18  

12.

  No Third Party Beneficiaries      18  

13.

  Governing Law      18  

14.

  Waiver of Jury Trial      19  

15.

  Jurisdiction; Service of Process      19  

16.

  Project Managers      19  

17.

  Dispute Resolution      19  

18.

  Relationship of the Parties      20  

19.

  Amendments; Waivers      20  

20.

  Entire Agreement      21  

21.

  Severability      21  

22.

  Notices      21  

23.

  Interpretation      21  

24.

  Counterparts      22  

Schedule A— Service Level Agreement

Schedule B— Product Specifications

Schedule C— Fixed Costs and Variable Costs

Schedule D— Project Managers

Schedule E— Standard Tolerances

Schedule F— Sylvamo Names and Marks

Schedule G— Bristols & Specialty Trademarks

Schedule H— GT Trademarks


FORM OF SUPPLY AND OFFTAKE AGREEMENT

This Supply and Offtake Agreement (“Agreement”), dated as of [•], 2021 (the “Effective Date”) is made by and between INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY, a New York corporation (“IP”), and SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sylvamo” and, together with IP, the “Parties”):

WHEREAS, IP and Sylvamo have entered into that certain Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of [•], 2021 (as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Separation and Distribution Agreement”), pursuant to which the business of Sylvamo is being separated from IP into a new publicly traded company;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, IP and Sylvamo agreed to enter into this Agreement to reflect the arrangements under which IP will continue to operate paper machines number 1 (“GT 1”) and 2 (“GT 2”, and together with GT 1, “GT 1&2”) at its mill in Georgetown, South Carolina (the “Mill”) to produce uncoated freesheet, uncoated bristols, wallboard tape and specialty papers (the “Products”) following the Distribution, and Sylvamo will purchase the Product produced by GT 1&2 upon the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, all capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Separation and Distribution Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, the Parties hereby agree as set forth herein.

1. Operation and Intent. Following the Distribution, IP shall continue to own and retain title to the Mill, but agrees to operate GT 1&2 to produce the Products to be purchased by Sylvamo consistent in all material respects with the manner in which IP has operated GT 1&2 during the past three (3) years and pursuant to the terms set forth herein. The intent of this Agreement is to effectively transfer the economics associated with ownership and operation of GT 1&2 at the Mill to Sylvamo for the Term.

2. Production Process and Management.

(a) Orders.

(i) Subject to Section 2(c)(ii), Sylvamo shall use reasonable best efforts to maintain sufficient Product orders to keep GT 1&2 operating at their respective annual volume targets in the SAP System (as determined by IP during its annual budgeting process and adjusted for any calendar year on each Annual Adjustment Date (as defined below)), adjusted for grade mix and normal machine variability (“Budgeted Capacity”) during the Term.

 

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(ii) Sylvamo shall manage all communications with its customers (including orders, inquiries and invoices) for the Product and shall be responsible for the sale of any Inventory or Saleable Job Lot (as defined below). All customer pricing decisions shall be Sylvamo’s sole responsibility.

(iii) Sylvamo shall be responsible for the order management process of the Product produced pursuant to this Agreement, including order entry (both production and replenishment orders). IP shall produce the Products for Sylvamo only when such orders have been loaded into the production plan via EDI or other method and released to IP. Sylvamo shall be liable for any order entry errors and any resulting manufacturing losses, and IP shall invoice Sylvamo for any Products produced due to an order entry error. The Parties agree to cooperate in the disposal of any order entry errors. IP and Sylvamo shall each provide access to the other Party to its information technology systems only to the extent necessary so that the Parties can fulfill their obligations under this Agreement and in any case without compromising the information security protocols of either party and review and track the status of their Product orders and associated Inventory. The Parties acknowledge that the manner in which such orders are reviewed and monitored may change as IP’s systems change, as more fully described in Section 9.

(b) Production Management.

(i) IP shall be responsible for managing all aspects of production of Products under this Agreement, including production planning, production, transportation planning and shipping. Sylvamo and IP shall comply in all material respects with the Service Level Agreement attached hereto as Schedule A, including the Sales and Operations Plan (“S&OP”) referred to therein as modified by IP from time to time, for Products produced at the Mill. The Project Managers (as defined below) shall meet at least annually to discuss in good faith and implement any changes to the S&OP or the Service Level Agreement that such Project Managers agree are necessary to maintain production, sales and operations consistent with past practice.

(ii) As part of the Service Level Agreement, the Parties agree to develop and jointly manage an effective S&OP process consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice. The S&OP process will address efficient planning and scheduling of GT 1&2 to align commercial and manufacturing imperatives.

(iii) Production overruns that exceed the percentage tolerance attached hereto as Schedule E (“Standard Tolerances”) shall be borne by IP, provided that Sylvamo shall cooperate with IP and use commercially reasonable efforts to sell any production overrun that exceeds Standard Tolerances.

(iv) Sylvamo shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the grade/customer mix at Georgetown is consistent with past practices at the Mill prior to the Effective Date.

 

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(c) Mill Downtime; Curtailments; IP Production Runs.

(i) Sylvamo and IP shall cooperate to adjust the production schedule as necessary and consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice (taking into account the commercially reasonable requests of Sylvamo) in order to accommodate planned pulp availability curtailments, necessary maintenance, changeover downtime, mill-wide outages, customer emergencies, other market or marketing needs and related or similar events and any other shutdown; provided that the final determination of the timing of planned or anticipated maintenance or other shutdown of either GT 1, GT 2 or the Mill shall be at IP’s sole discretion. IP shall provide Sylvamo with advance notice, as promptly as reasonably practicable after any final determination, of any such maintenance or shutdown that IP believes is reasonably likely to affect the supply of Products and shall notify Sylvamo as soon as reasonably practicable upon the occurrence of any emergency or other unplanned shutdown at the Mill that IP believes is reasonably likely to affect the supply of the Product. In the event of a planned or unplanned shutdown (including as a result of lack of wood, gas curtailments, equipment failures or weather related events) affecting multiple production lines at the Mill, to the extent reasonably practicable, IP shall endeavor to manage the effects of such shutdown so that the effects are borne proportionally (as measured by machine output) by Sylvamo through the shutdown of GT 1&2 and by IP through the shutdown of machine number 3 at the Mill.

(ii) IP may from time to time, upon prior notice to Sylvamo, perform production runs of IP products on GT 1 or GT 2 (“IP Corp Production Runs”), subject to Sylvamo’s prior consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). IP shall bear all costs incurred in connection with such production runs. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Sylvamo shall not be liable for Fixed Costs incurred by IP during any IP Corp Production Runs on GT 1 or GT 2.

(d) Quality Control.

(i) IP shall meet in specifications and customer requirements consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice, including those specified in the specifications for the Products listed on Schedule B, as well as, to the extent reasonably practicable, customer-specific specifications, customer contracts and/or order-specific notes (collectively, the “Specifications”). For the avoidance of doubt, all Products shipped by IP to Sylvamo or its customers hereunder that meet the Specifications at gate exit shall be deemed to be 1st grade. Specifications contained in the Mill’s Profacy system on the Effective Date shall be the initial production Specifications. Thereafter, alterations to the Specifications shall be adopted only as mutually agreed by the Parties. All costs associated with adopting and meeting new Specifications shall be borne by Sylvamo. IP and Sylvamo shall cooperate in good faith to ensure Specifications meet industry standards. If an order requires, or Sylvamo otherwise requests, the use of certified fiber for the Products, all costs associated with sourcing and transporting such certified fiber to the

 

3


Mill shall be borne by Sylvamo. IP shall cooperate with Sylvamo in good faith to create Products with new grades, which will be deemed to be Products under this Agreement in a manner consistent with IP’s past practice during the past three years and priced for purposes of Mill Cash Costs at mutually agreed levels. Sylvamo shall be responsible for all costs associated with any trial work requested by Sylvamo for new grade runs, and IP shall invoice Sylvamo for such costs.

(ii) IP shall perform quality testing services consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practices at the Mill.

(iii) IP shall cooperate with Sylvamo to address reasonable requests from Sylvamo’s customers, with not less than thirty (30) Business Days’ prior written notice, to conduct quality control or sustainability audits consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice (and subject to entry into an appropriate confidentiality agreement); provided that IP shall have no obligation to permit any quality control or sustainability audit more than once per calendar quarter. All out-of-pocket costs associated with any such quality control or sustainability audit shall be borne by and invoiced to Sylvamo. Any request related to Mill compliance with a Sylvamo customer’s code of conduct will be subject to IP’s review and agreement.

(iv) IP shall cooperate with Sylvamo to address reasonable requests from Sylvamo’s customers, with not less than thirty (30) Business Days’ prior written notice, to conduct social responsibility audits consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice; provided that IP shall have no obligation to permit any social responsibility audit more than twice per calendar year. All out-of-pocket costs associated with any such social responsibility audits shall be borne by Sylvamo, and Sylvamo shall reimburse IP for 50% of its fully loaded costs for conducting such social responsibility audit.

(e) Remedies in the Case of Nonconforming or Damaged Products. In the event Sylvamo or a customer of Sylvamo rejects or revokes acceptance of any Product that has a Manufacturing Defect, Sylvamo shall promptly notify IP, and the Parties shall cooperate in good faith to resolve such claim in a manner consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice. Except as provided in Section 8, Sylvamo’s sole and exclusive remedy for any Manufacturing Defect shall be, at Sylvamo’s option, (i) IP’s replacement of the defective or nonconforming Products with conforming Products without charge to Sylvamo (provided that any sale proceeds received by Sylvamo for such replaced defective or nonconforming Products, as more fully described in Section 5, shall be remitted to IP) or (ii) a refund to Sylvamo of the Mill Cash Cost (as defined below) associated with the defective or nonconforming Products net of any proceeds received by Sylvamo from the sale of such defective or nonconforming Products, as more fully described in Section 5. For the avoidance of doubt, IP shall not be liable to Sylvamo in the event a customer of Sylvamo rejects or revokes acceptance of any Products for any reason other than a Manufacturing Defect and any associated freight cost reimbursements. A “Manufacturing Defect” with respect to any Product shall mean the failure to meet the Specifications or readily apparent and visible handling or transit damage.

 

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(f) Operational Efficiency. The Parties agree that in the event three (3) successive production runs from a single grade averages 1000 basis points (i.e., 10%) less than the operating machine efficiency (“OME”) standard for the grade, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to return the grade OME to the standard. If after such production runs, the OME for such grade has not improved to be less than 1000 basis points (i.e., 10%) below from the standard by the later to occur of (x) three (3) months elapsing since the original deficient production runs and (y) three (3) subsequent production runs of that grade, the Parties agree to update the grade standard cost to reflect the decline in OME.

(g) Customer Complaints. Sylvamo shall be responsible for investigating any customer complaints related to the Products and relaying complaints relating to the Product produced under this Agreement to IP. Any customer complaints that Sylvamo receives regarding Products that meet the Specifications shall be handled by Sylvamo as a sales policy decision for Sylvamo’s account, and IP shall have no obligations or liabilities with respect to such complaints. Sylvamo and IP shall cooperate in good faith to resolve any customer complaints relating to product damages from transportation that is managed by IP under Section (2)(i).

(h) Inventory.

(i) “Inventory” shall include all completed Products manufactured by GT 1&2 that meet the Specifications after the machine winder and prior to delivery to Sylvamo or any other customer. IP shall have ownership and title to Inventory located at the Mill. Ownership and title to Inventory shall pass to Sylvamo upon gate exit of Products from the Mill.

(ii) Prior to or as of the Effective Date, Inventory existing as of September 1, 2021, whether located at the Mill or elsewhere (“Day One Inventory”), shall be invoiced to Sylvamo in accordance with this Section 2(h)(ii). Day One Inventory that is located at the Mill shall be invoiced to Sylvamo upon shipment in accordance with Section 4(b). Day One Inventory that has already been shipped from the Mill (or is being held on consignment outside of the Mill) and not yet invoiced shall be invoiced to Sylvamo and payment therefor shall be made in three (3) equal monthly installment payments, the first of which will be due April 1, 2022 and the remaining two payments will be due thirty (30) days and sixty (60) days, respectively, after the due date of the first invoice. For the avoidance of doubt, ownership and title to such Day One Inventory that has already been shipped shall be deemed to have passed to Sylvamo upon gate exit from the Mill. As of September 1, 2021, Sylvamo shall take ownership and title to any Job Lot located outside of the Mill and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the provisions of Section 5 shall not apply to any such Job Lot. The immediately foregoing sentence shall apply to any Job Lot existing as of September 1, 2021 but not discovered or identified as Job Lot until after September 1, 2021.

 

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(iii) Subject to the Service Level Agreement, Sylvamo shall be entitled to store up to and average of 12,000 tons based on a seven (7)-day moving average of Inventory on the Mill floor at any given time during the Term. Upon notice from IP, Sylvamo shall promptly, but in any event within three (3) days of receipt of such notice notify IP of where to ship the excess Inventory from the Mill floor, and IP shall ship such excess Inventory to the greatest extent practicable in full truckload quantities at Sylvamo’s expense. If Sylvamo does not provide a shipment destination within such three (3)-day period, IP shall ship such excess Inventory to the greatest extent possible in full truckload quantities to the location(s) designated by IP at Sylvamo’s expense. Following the Effective Date, any offsite warehouse or other storage outside the Mill floor, including any associated mill overflow warehouses, shall be the responsibility of Sylvamo. For the avoidance of doubt, the risk of any loss, damage, impairment, confiscation or condemnation of any of the Inventory in excess of 12,000 tons of Inventory on the Mill floor shall be borne by Sylvamo. IP shall manage Inventory aging data at the Mill and its warehouses utilizing the “first in, first out” methodology, consistent with past practices, to the extent practical. IP shall provide Sylvamo with Inventory ageing reports on a monthly basis. In event that Inventory on the Mill floor exceeds the limits in this Section 2(h)(iii) at any point in time due to third-party transportation disruptions outside of the control of IP (which disruptions do not constitute a Force Majeure Event), then IP and Sylvamo shall cooperate in good faith to identify an alternative mode of transportation for such excess Inventory as soon as practicable

(iv) For any Inventory remaining on the Mill floor (A) that IP has notified Sylvamo is aged more than (x) twelve (12) months, in the case of envelope papers or (y) twenty four (24) months, in the case of bristols and specialty papers or (B) on the date that is six (6) months following the termination of this Agreement, Sylvamo shall provide prompt notice to IP (and in any event within seven (7) days of a request from IP for a shipping destination) of a shipment destination, and such Inventory shall be invoiced to Sylvamo, in each case, upon gate exit from the Mill. IP shall ship such Inventory to such destination to the greatest extent practicable in full truckload quantities at Sylvamo’s expense. If Sylvamo does not provide the requested shipment destination within such seven (7)-day period, IP shall ship such Inventory to any location(s) designated by IP at Sylvamo’s expense. For the avoidance of doubt, the risk of any loss, damage, impairment, confiscation or condemnation of any such Inventory remaining on the Mill floor after such applicable time shall be borne by Sylvamo.

(i) Packaging. Except for GT Trademarks, Sylvamo shall own all rights in, and be responsible for providing all labeling and packaging designs, and upon notice from Sylvamo of its desired labeling and packaging, IP shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to accommodate Sylvamo’s desired labeling and packaging in producing packaging for the Product. Except for GT Trademarks, Sylvamo shall have

 

6


final approval over all artwork (if any) associated with all labeling and packaging designs. IP and Sylvamo shall mutually agree on packaging inventory levels maintained at the mills and the order/reorder quantities for packaging replenishments. IP and Sylvamo shall cooperate in good faith in planning for packaging changes to minimize the level of obsolete packaging. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sylvamo shall reimburse IP for any packaging that is (A) deemed obsolete by Sylvamo consistent with agreed upon inventory levels and invoiced to Sylvamo or (B) packaging for an item that has not had any sales over the previous 270 days. IP is responsible for all packaging sourcing functions. In the event of a lack of available packaging for a type of Product, the Parties shall cooperate in good faith to adjust the run schedule to the greatest extent reasonably practicable to run alternate Product where packaging is available. If all options to run alternate Product are exhausted and downtime results, Sylvamo shall not bear the Fixed Costs in connection with such downtime.

(j) Shipping.

(i) IP shall manage shipment of the Products, including all trailer pool and rail car scheduling management. IP shall be solely responsible for the management of all transportation contracts, including carrier selection, contract duration and other terms and negotiation of all related fees. IP shall ship the Products to the location(s) designated by Sylvamo or Sylvamo’s customers in a manner consistent with IP’s past practice. IP shall use commercially reasonable efforts to allocate transportation capacity equitably (based on relative production capacity) between IP’s own businesses and the shipping of Products on behalf of Sylvamo.

(ii) IP shall pay carriers to ship the Products and invoice Sylvamo for freight costs incurred (“Freight Costs”). Estimated Freight Costs shall be included on the invoice sent to Sylvamo upon gate exit as described in Section 4(b). Freight Costs shall be reconciled quarterly by IP in good faith with actual cost data. IP shall be liable for any demurrage and detention charges accrued at the Mill. Sylvamo shall be responsible for any demurrage and detention changes accrued at any delivery destination to Sylvamo, and IP shall include such charges in the reconciliation of Freight Costs.

(iii) As the operator placing products on the market for the first time, Sylvamo shall document and demonstrate compliance with the US Lacey Act or any other market related timber law in which they sell products to their customers under their own name. Annually or on an as needed basis, as requested by Sylvamo, IP shall confirm what species are present in sourcing to assist with this law due diligence process, including the species common and scientific names sourced by each location within fiber supply. All sourcing legality declarations shall be made in Sylvamo’s name.

 

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(iv) To the extent there is any stranded Product located at the Mill that is not included in any shipment of an order, IP and Sylvamo shall cooperate and each use commercial reasonable efforts to utilize such stranded Product consistent with past practices, including by including such stranded Product in future orders and production planning for the same customer or selling such stranded Product to another customer. If any stranded Product is not shipped from the Mill after twelve (12) months, such stranded Product will be written off and IP and Sylvamo shall each bear 50% of (1) the Mill Cash Costs for such stranded Product less (2) any amount for which Sylvamo can sell such stranded Product as Job Lot. IP shall invoice Sylvamo for its half of such write off of the stranded Product.

(v) If the amount of claims (measured in dollars claimed) for transportation-related complaints in any month over any three consecutive months exceeds 120% of the Historical Transportation-Related Complaint Rate, then the Parties shall cooperate to develop a plan to return the claims rate to the Historical Transportation-Related Complaint Rate. The “Historical Transportation-Related Complaint Rate” means the amount equal to (x) the average annual amount of claims (measured in dollars claimed) for transportation-related complaints over the last three years prior to the Effective Date, divided by (y) 12.

3. Intellectual Property.

(a) Except for the SpinCo Know-How assigned to Sylvamo and its Affiliates in connection with the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Parties hereby expressly acknowledge and agree that all rights in any Know-How used at the Mill, including in connection with the manufacture of Products hereunder, is, and shall at all times remain, fully and exclusively owned by IP. Sylvamo hereby grants to IP a non-exclusive, fully-paid, royalty-free license to use (without further right of sub-license) the Sylvamo Names and Marks during the Term solely for the purpose of applying the Sylvamo Names and Marks to the Products and the packaging, labeling and shipping materials for the Products as directed by Sylvamo pursuant to Section 2(i). Further, Sylvamo hereby grants to IP a non-exclusive fully-paid, royalty-free license to use (without further right of sub-license) any and all Sylvamo Intellectual Property rights during the Term solely for the purpose of fulfilling IP’s obligations to Sylvamo under this Agreement. Sylvamo Names and Marks” means the names, marks, trademarks, service marks, license codes, trade dress, logos, monograms, domain names and other source or business identifiers of Sylvamo products set forth on Schedule F and related copyrights.

(b) IP hereby grants to Sylvamo a non-exclusive, non-transferable, fully-paid, royalty-free license to use (without further right of sub-license) the GT Trademarks solely in connection with the Products manufactured at the Mill for or on behalf of Sylvamo pursuant to this Agreement. Sylvamo shall use such GT Trademarks equivalent to the use of such GT Trademarks by IP on the day prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement. Sylvamo shall use such GT Trademarks on Products having a level of quality equivalent to or greater than the quality of such Products on the day prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement. Sylvamo shall not use the GT Trademarks in any manner that may damage or tarnish the goodwill associated therewith or the reputation or goodwill of IP. Any and all goodwill generated by the use of the GT Trademarks shall inure solely to the benefit of IP. At IP’s reasonable request, Sylvamo shall provide samples of its use of the GT Trademarks, pursuant to the limited rights granted to it hereunder, for purposes of

 

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confirming Sylvamo’s compliance with the terms of this Section 3(b) or for the purposes of aiding IP in the maintenance and enforcement of GT Trademarks. In the event IP terminates this Agreement in accordance with Section 6(a)(ii)(A)(1), IP shall assign to Sylvamo only the Intellectual Property specifically and exclusively associated with any wallboard tape product and Products bearing Bristols & Specialty Trademarks, provided that (i) IP has not used such Intellectual Property elsewhere in IP’s business or manufacturing; (ii) such Products have been manufactured for Sylvamo within the 12 months immediately preceding the date IP exercises its termination option under the Agreement; (iii) such assignment is completed at Sylvamo’s sole cost and expense; and after such assignment Sylvamo shall assume responsibility for the maintenance of such Intellectual Property. “Bristols & Specialty Trademarks” means the (i) names, marks, trademarks, service marks, license codes, trade dress, logos, monograms and other source or business identifiers set forth on Schedule G. “GT Trademarks” means the (i) names, marks, trademarks, service marks, license codes, trade dress, logos, monograms, and other source or business identifiers set forth on Schedule H and (ii) Bristols & Specialty Trademarks.

(c) Sylvamo shall obtain any consents, licenses or certifications from third parties, including third party fiber certification bodies or COLORLOK certification, to use Intellectual Property required for IP to manufacture the Products and the packaging, labeling and shipping materials for the Products and, if any such consent is not obtained, provide acceptable alternative arrangements to maintain the operation of GT 1&2 at Budgeted Capacity. All costs and expenses (if any) incurred by Sylvamo to obtain any such consents, licenses or certifications or to secure alternative arrangements shall be paid by Sylvamo. For the avoidance of doubt, failure to obtain such consents or secure alternative arrangements shall not relieve Sylvamo of its obligation to operate GT 1&2 at Budgeted Capacity, although IP shall not be obligated to produce the affected Products hereunder until such consents are obtained or alternative arrangements are provided.

4. Payment Procedures.

(a) Costs. Sylvamo shall pay IP its fully loaded costs for producing each ton of the Product based on the Mill Cash Cost. “Mill Cash Cost” shall equal the sum of the Fixed Costs and the Variable Costs.

(i) Fixed Costs. The “Fixed Costs” shall equal IP’s total fixed cash costs for operating GT 1&2 less depreciation, which categories of fixed cash costs are set forth on Schedule C hereto, per ton of the Product. The Fixed Costs shall be charged to Sylvamo notwithstanding any lack of orders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fixed Costs shall be offset proportionately (as measured by machine hours) for any IP Production Run on GT 1&2 during the invoiced period.

(A) The initial Fixed Costs shall be determined based on the Fixed Costs set forth in IP’s SAP system on the Effective Date. Thereafter, the Project Managers shall meet in October of each year during the Term to review the Fixed Costs and to determine appropriate adjustments to be made to any or all of the Fixed Costs for the immediately succeeding calendar year of the Term consistent with IP’s past practice.

 

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The Fixed Costs as so adjusted shall take effect on January 1 of the subsequent calendar year (the “Annual Adjustment Date”) for such calendar year; provided that if the Project Managers fail to mutually agree upon adjustments prior to the Annual Adjustment Date, then the Fixed Costs for the calendar year beginning on the Annual Adjustment Date shall increase proportionately with the increase in the Producer Price Index published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics from the preceding year (the “PPI”).

(B) IP shall be responsible, in its sole discretion, for routine cost management associated with owning and operating the Mill as determined consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice.

(ii) Variable Costs. The “Variable Costs” shall equal IP’s total direct cash costs related to the manufacturing a ton of the Product, which categories of direct cash costs are as set forth on Schedule C hereto.

(A) The initial Variable Costs shall be determined based on the Variable Costs set forth in IP’s SAP system on the Effective Date. Thereafter, the Project Managers shall meet in October of each year during the Term to review the Variable Costs and to determine appropriate adjustments to be made to any or all of the Variable Costs for the immediately succeeding calendar year of the Term consistent with IP’s past practice. The Variable Costs as so adjusted will take effect on the Annual Adjustment Date for the following calendar year beginning on the Annual Adjustment Date; provided that if the Project Managers fail to mutually agree upon adjustments prior to the Annual Adjustment Date, then the Variable Costs for the calendar year beginning on the Annual Adjustment Date shall increase proportionately with the increase in the PPI.

(iii) Invoices shall be reviewed by the Project Managers on a quarterly basis to account for the difference between the Variable Costs invoiced to Sylvamo for raw materials, utilities and other supplies used in the production of the Product (“Supplies”) and the actual cash costs paid by IP for such Supplies for the period under review (such variance, a “Purchased Price Variance”) To the extent there is a Purchased Price Variance, Sylvamo shall be credited for 100% of any overcharge of Variable Costs relative to IP’s actual cash costs or charged 100% of any undercharge relative to IP’s actual cash costs, as the case may be. IP shall deliver to Sylvamo an invoice reflecting such additional charges or credits, as the case may be, following each quarterly determination of the required adjustments.

(iv) IP shall maintain processes consistent with the processes used during the past three years in its annual budgeting process to adjust Fixed Costs and Variable Costs in the SAP system.

 

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(v) The Project Managers shall meet in the fourth quarter of each calendar year to discuss, among other things, the following year’s projected outlook for Product demand.

(b) Invoice Procedures.

(i) Upon gate exit of the Product from the Mill, IP shall provide Sylvamo with an invoice for the Mill Cash Cost plus estimated Freight Costs for the tonnage of Product contained in shipments of Product from the Mill and any non-routine expenditures or other charges provided in this Agreement for Sylvamo’s account, plus any applicable sales taxes.

(ii) If there is a Lack of Orders for Product, IP shall provide Sylvamo with an invoice on weekly basis for IP’s total fixed cash costs for operating GT 1&2 less depreciation per hour incurred for such period without orders as if GT 1&2 had operated at Budgeted Capacity. For purposes of this Agreement, “Lack of Orders” shall mean any lack of orders as measured in SAP that exceeds the amount of lack of orders accounted for in Budgeted Capacity (as determined by IP during its annual budgeting process and adjusted for any calendar year on each Annual Adjustment Date); provided that downtime that is caused by IP’s operational inefficiency shall not be charged to Sylvamo.

(iii) Sylvamo shall make a single payment to IP within thirty (30) days of receiving any invoice of all amounts due to IP under the invoice. All invoices may include any additional charges or credit required to correct for any prior billing error or make any required adjustment (including any adjustments made pursuant to any provision of this Agreement). Any invoice issued by IP shall be on the form of invoice in general use by IP at such time.

(c) Late Payments. All amounts not paid by Sylvamo when due (that is, within thirty (30) days of receiving the invoice) pursuant to this Agreement shall bear interest consistent with the terms of the invoice. In addition, Sylvamo shall pay IP’s reasonable attorney’s fees and other reasonable expenses incurred in collecting such amounts not timely paid by Sylvamo.

(d) Obligation to Pay. Subject to Section 4(e), Sylvamo’s obligation to pay the foregoing invoiced amounts in full is an unconditional obligation of Sylvamo, and IP shall be permitted to exercise rights provided in Section 4(c) and Section 6(b) in the event Sylvamo does not timely pay all amounts due and payable under this Section.

(e) Disputed Amounts; Audit.

(i) In the event that Sylvamo disputes any amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Section, Sylvamo shall be required to pay to IP the disputed amount and then to pursue its claim for refund of such amounts in accordance with Section 17.

 

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(ii) Not more than once each calendar year, Sylvamo shall be permitted, upon its reasonable request and at its sole cost and expense, to engage an independent accounting firm mutually agreed by the Parties to conduct an audit of the costs charged by IP to Sylvamo and the allocation of transportation capacity between IP’s own businesses and the shipping of Products on behalf of Sylvamo; provided that Sylvamo shall notify IP in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to any audit. IP shall cooperate with the accounting firm in connection with any such audit (including providing records and information as shall be reasonably necessary to conduct such audit, subject to entry into an appropriate confidentiality agreement). All audits shall be conducted in a manner to minimize any disruption, delay or interference with the business activities of IP and the Mill. In the event that the audit shall disclose any matter that requires correction to the amounts charged hereunder during the previous calendar year, Sylvamo shall promptly provide IP with written notice thereof, together with copies of any documentation supporting such claimed correction. Such correction shall be reflected on the next invoice delivered to Sylvamo unless disputed in accordance with Section 17. If any audit reveals a material error solely caused by IP, then IP shall reimburse Sylvamo for the costs of such audit.

(iii) Not more than once each calendar year, IP shall be permitted, upon its reasonable request and at its sole cost and expense, to engage an independent accounting firm mutually agreed by the Parties to conduct an audit of the sales of Saleable Job Lot; provided that IP shall notify Sylvamo in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to any audit. Sylvamo shall cooperate with the accounting firm in connection with any such audit (including providing records and information as shall be reasonably necessary to conduct such audit, subject to entry into an appropriate confidentiality agreement). All audits shall be conducted in a manner to minimize any disruption, delay or interference with the business activities of Sylvamo. In the event that the audit shall disclose any matter that requires correction to the amounts charged or refunded hereunder during the previous calendar year, IP shall promptly provide Sylvamo with written notice thereof, together with copies of any documentation supporting such claimed correction. Such correction shall be reflected on the next invoice delivered to Sylvamo unless disputed in accordance with Section 17.

5. Job Lot. Any Product manufactured at the Mill for or on behalf of Sylvamo hereunder that does not meet the Specifications (unless otherwise agreed by Sylvamo) shall be considered obsolete product (“Job Lot”). IP shall be entitled to re-pulp any Job Lot located at the Mill. To the extent IP does not re-pulp Job Lot, it shall be considered “Saleable Job Lot”. At IP’s request, Sylvamo shall sell Saleable Job Lot that has yet to be invoiced to Sylvamo on commercially reasonable terms and otherwise in a manner consistent with past practice, including the possible sale to IP, and IP shall be responsible for invoicing those customers and delivering the Saleable Job Lot; provided that any Product that becomes Saleable Job Lot due to the action(s) or inaction(s) of Sylvamo shall be invoiced to Sylvamo at full cost and disposed of at the direction of Sylvamo. Any Product that was invoiced to Sylvamo but is later discovered to have been Job Lot due to a Manufacturing Defect shall be sold by Sylvamo on commercially reasonable terms and otherwise in a manner consistent with past practice.

 

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6. Term and Termination; Payment Default.

(a) Term and Termination.

(i) The term of this Agreement shall be ten (10) years (such period, including as may be earlier terminated, the “Term”), commencing on the Effective Date.

(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) IP may, at its option, terminate this Agreement (1) effective as early as January 1, 2023 upon at least 180 days’ prior written notice to Sylvamo, (2) upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to Sylvamo if GT 1 or GT 2 is operating on average at less than 80% of Budgeted Capacity during any consecutive sixty (60)-day period caused by Sylvamo’s Lack of Orders or (3) in accordance with Section 7, and (B) Sylvamo may at its option, terminate this Agreement effective as early as January 1, 2025 upon at least 180 days’ prior written notice to IP. Upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement, all rights and obligations of each party hereunder shall cease, as of the date of the termination, and any amounts owed by either party pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid in full.

(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the termination of this Agreement pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to any rights, or diminution of any obligations or liabilities of either party, that may have accrued prior to the effective date of such termination. In addition, the provisions of Sections 8 and 11 to 24 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

(b) Payment Default.

(i) In the event that any amount due and payable by Sylvamo hereunder is not paid within thirty (30) days after Sylvamo receives written notice of such nonpayment (a “Payment Default”), then immediately, or at any time thereafter before such Payment Default is cured (provided that the time period for such cure has expired), IP may, at its option and upon written notice to Sylvamo, pursue its rights under Section 17.

(ii) If there shall exist a Payment Default under this Agreement that has not been cured (an “Uncured Payment Default”), then IP shall be permitted to suspend its provision of any or all Products under this Agreement for so long as such Uncured Payment Default remains uncured; provided, however, that Sylvamo shall have the opportunity to secure payment for future shipments of the Products (through an escrow arrangement, letter of credit or otherwise, in each case acceptable to IP in its sole discretion) in order to prevent a suspension of the production of the Products. Sylvamo shall continue to be liable for all payments due hereunder during any such period of suspension of performance. IP shall be obligated to resume providing Products hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable after Sylvamo has cured all Uncured Payment Defaults within five (5) Business Days following such cure.

 

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7. Force Majeure. IP shall not be responsible for failure or delay in production or delivery of any Products that it has responsibility for providing hereunder, if the event (a) does not arise or result from the fault or negligence of IP (or any Person acting on its behalf) and (b) by its nature would not reasonably have been foreseen by IP (or such Person), or, if it would reasonably have been foreseen, was beyond the control of IP, including acts of God, acts of civil or military authority, embargoes, pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic), epidemics, wars, riots, protests or civil unrest, insurrections, fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods, tornados, hurricanes, government shutdowns, shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities, travel restrictions, weather conditions, labor problems, unavailability of supplies or the response of any Governmental Authority to any of the foregoing, or, in the case of computer systems, any failure in electrical or air conditioning equipment (a “Force Majeure Event”). IP shall, as promptly as practicable after it learns of a Force Majeure Event, notify Sylvamo of such Force Majeure Event that IP believes will result in a failure or delay in production or delivery of any Products, and the estimated probable duration and consequence thereof. The Parties acknowledge and agree that such estimation shall not be considered binding in any way, and IP shall not incur liability of any kind if such estimation proves to be inaccurate. Following notice of a Force Majeure Event by IP, Sylvamo shall be excused from Fixed Costs for any Lack of Orders the duration of the Force Majeure Event. IP shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to restore production of Product on GT 1&2 provided hereunder in accordance with this Agreement as soon as reasonably practicable following the Force Majeure Event; provided, however, if the restoration of the production of Product on either GT 1 or GT 2 would not be commercially reasonable, as determined in IP’s sole discretion, then IP may terminate this Agreement upon five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice to Sylvamo.

8. Indemnification; Limitation of Damages.

(a) Indemnification by IP. Subject to Sections 8(d), (e) and (f), IP shall indemnify and hold harmless Sylvamo from and against all liabilities, penalties, judgments, losses, injuries, damages, costs, fees and expenses (including, without limitation, costs of defense, settlement, and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to matters or actions arising under this Agreement), whether arising under common law or any federal, state or local statute or ordinance (“Damages”) suffered or incurred by Sylvamo arising out of or resulting from (i) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of IP in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement or (ii) a claim by any customer of Sylvamo against Sylvamo or IP directly attributable to a Manufacturing Defect in the Products produced hereunder; provided that in the case of any claim for indemnification under clause (ii), Damages arising out of such claim must exceed $500,000 (the “Deductible”) before IP has any liability hereunder and those Damages incurred to the extent exceeding the Deductible, and only those incremental Damages above the deductible, shall be borne 50% by IP and 50% by Sylvamo.

 

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(b) Indemnification by Sylvamo. Subject to Sections 8(d), (e) and (f), Sylvamo shall indemnify and hold harmless IP from and against any and all Damages suffered or incurred by IP, arising out of or resulting from (i) any breach of this Agreement by Sylvamo, (ii) Sylvamo’s use of the GT Trademarks (including in connection with Products bearing such GT Trademarks), (iii) infringement of Intellectual Property used in the Products (or labeling or packaging thereof), including Third-Party Claim, (iii) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Sylvamo in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement or (iv) a claim by any customer of Sylvamo against IP; provided that in the case of any claim for indemnification under clause (iv), such claim may be offset against any indemnification obligation of IP under Section 8(a)(ii).

(c) Notice of Claims. If, on or following the Effective Date, any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder (an “Indemnitee”) shall receive notice or otherwise learn of the assertion by any Third Party (including any Governmental Authority) of any claim or of the commencement by any such Third Party of any Third-Party Claim with respect to which either Party (an “Indemnifying Party”) may be obligated to provide indemnification to such Indemnitee pursuant to Section 8(a) or (b), such Indemnitee shall give such Indemnifying Party written notice thereof as soon as practicable, but in any event within twenty one (21) days (or sooner if the nature of the Third-Party Claim so requires or it relates to a customer claim that could reasonably result in in indemnifiable Damages in excess of the Deductible pursuant to Section (a)(ii) above) after becoming aware of such Third-Party Claim. Any such notice shall describe the Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail, including the facts and circumstances giving rise to such claim and the Product involved, and include copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third-Party Claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of an Indemnitee to provide notice in accordance with this Section 8(c) shall not relieve an Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations under Section 8(a) or (b) of this Agreement, except to the extent the Indemnifying Party is actually and materially prejudiced by the Indemnitee’s failure to provide notice in accordance with this Section 8(c).

(d) Control of Defense. An Indemnifying Party may elect to defend, at its own expense and with its own counsel, any Third-Party Claim; provided that, prior to the Indemnifying Party assuming and controlling the defense of such Third-Party Claim, it shall first confirm to the Indemnitee in writing that, assuming the facts presented to the Indemnifying Party by the Indemnitee are true, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify the Indemnitee for any such Damages to the extent resulting from, or arising out of, such Third-Party Claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Indemnifying Party assumes such defense and, in the course of defending such Third-Party Claim, (i) the Indemnifying Party discovers that the facts presented at the time the Indemnifying Party acknowledged its indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim were not true and (ii) such untruth provides a reasonable basis for asserting that the Indemnifying Party does not have an indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim, then (A) the Indemnifying Party shall not be bound by such acknowledgment, (B) the Indemnifying Party shall promptly thereafter provide the Indemnitee written notice of its assertion that it does not have an indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim and (C) the Indemnitee shall have the obligation to assume the defense of such Third-Party Claim. Within thirty (30) days after

 

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the receipt of a notice from an Indemnitee in accordance with Section 8(c) (or sooner, if the nature of the Third-Party Claim so requires), the Indemnifying Party shall provide written notice to the Indemnitee indicating whether the Indemnifying Party shall assume responsibility for defending the Third-Party Claim. If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending any Third-Party Claim or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election within thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice from an Indemnitee as provided in Section 8(c), then the Indemnitee that is the subject of such Third-Party Claim shall be entitled to continue to conduct and control the defense of such Third-Party Claim.

(e) Allocation of Defense Costs. If an Indemnifying Party has elected to assume the defense of a Third-Party Claim, then such Indemnifying Party shall be solely liable for all fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with the defense of such Third-Party Claim and shall not be entitled to seek any indemnification or reimbursement from the Indemnitee for any such fees and expenses incurred by the Indemnifying Party during the course of the defense of such Third-Party Claim by such Indemnifying Party, regardless of any subsequent decision by the Indemnifying Party to reject or otherwise abandon its assumption of such defense, unless such Indemnifying Party assumed the defense of such Third-Party Claim by such Indemnifying Party due to a misrepresentation of facts by the Indemnitee in the notice of such Third-Party Claim. If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending any Third-Party Claim or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election within thirty (30) days after receipt of a notice from an Indemnitee as provided in Section 8(c), and the Indemnitee conducts and controls the defense of such Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party has an indemnification obligation with respect to such Third-Party Claim, then the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for all reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense of such Third-Party Claim.

(f) Right to Monitor and Participate. An Indemnitee that does not conduct and control the defense of any Third-Party Claim, or an Indemnifying Party that has failed to elect to defend any Third-Party Claim as contemplated hereby, nevertheless shall have the right to employ separate outside counsel (including local counsel as necessary) of its own choosing to monitor and participate in (but not control) the defense of any Third-Party Claim for which it is a potential Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party, as applicable, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party, as the case may be, and the provisions of Section 8(e) shall not apply to such fees and expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Sections 6.8 and 6.9 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, such Party shall cooperate with the Party entitled to conduct and control the defense of such Third-Party Claim in such defense and make available to the controlling Party, at the non-controlling Party’s expense, all witnesses, information and materials in such Party’s possession or under such Party’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the controlling Party. In addition to the foregoing, if any Indemnitee shall in good faith determine that such Indemnitee and the Indemnifying Party have actual or potential differing defenses or conflicts of interest between them that make joint representation in connection with a Third-Party Claim inappropriate, then the Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate outside counsel (including local counsel as necessary) and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise or settlement thereof, and the Indemnifying Party shall bear the reasonable fees and expenses of such outside counsel for all Indemnitees.

 

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(g) No Settlement. Neither Party shall settle or compromise any Third-Party Claim for which either Party is seeking to be indemnified hereunder without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed unless such settlement or compromise is solely for monetary damages that are fully payable by the settling or compromising Party, does not involve any admission, finding or determination of wrongdoing or violation of Law by the other Party and provides for a full, unconditional and irrevocable release of the other Party and its Indemnitees from all Liability in connection with the Third-Party Claim. The Parties hereby agree that if a Party presents the other Party with a written notice containing a proposal to settle or compromise a Third-Party Claim for which either Party is seeking to be indemnified hereunder and the Party receiving such proposal does not respond in any manner to the Party presenting such proposal within twenty (20) days or such longer period, not to exceed thirty (30) days, as may be agreed by the Parties (or within any such shorter time period that may be required by applicable Law or court order) of receipt of such proposal, then the Party receiving such proposal shall be deemed to have consented to the terms of such proposal.

(h) Customer Claims. Without limiting the other provisions of this Section 8, Sylvamo shall keep IP reasonably informed of the status of any customer claim that could reasonably result in in indemnifiable Damages in excess of the Deductible pursuant to Section 8(a)(ii) above and consult with IP, and consider IP’s recommendations in good faith, on resolution of such customer claim, and IP shall have the opportunity to participate in any meetings or negotiations concerning such customer claim.

(i) Limited Warranty. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, unless expressly set forth herein, IP does not make any other warranties, whether express, implied or statutory and specifically disclaims any implied warranties, whether of merchantability, suitability, fitness for a particular purpose, or otherwise for such Products or services.

(j) Excluded Damages. In no event shall any Party or such Party’s affiliates, or any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives, be liable for any special, punitive, exemplary, consequential, incidental or indirect Damages, or any Damages based on lost profits (except for claims of Intellectual Property infringement, dilution or misappropriation), in each case whether based on contract, tort, strict liability, other Law or otherwise, including if such Damages are payable to a Third Party.    

9. Changes to IPs Systems at Mill. From time to time, IP may upgrade, change and/or convert its current software, information technology and other systems used in the operations of the Mill, including without limitation, resource planning and similar items (including business continuity support for such systems as needed for disaster recovery). IP shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that such changes do not materially adversely affect the ability of Sylvamo to conduct its business as relating to the Products as so conducted at the beginning of the Term. Sylvamo shall bear any costs in connection with upgrading its systems to remain compatible with any IP system changes.

 

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10. Project Managers. IP and Sylvamo shall each assign one person to act as that Party’s project manager (the “Project Manager”), which shall initially be those individuals set forth on Schedule D hereto. The Project Managers shall (a) represent and act for their respective Party for matters related to this Agreement, and (b) meet and/or confer on a regular basis (at mutually agreed times and locations) to review the activities under this Agreement and to discuss the status and progress of such activities. Any Project Manager may be replaced at any time by the Party entitled to designate such Project Manager. Each Party shall promptly notify the other Party of any reassignments or changes in contact information of the Project Manager. No Project Manager for a Party shall have any authority to amend this Agreement.

11. Confidential Information. Except as provided below, all Information disclosed between the Parties pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed confidential (“Confidential Information”), except, in each case, to the extent that such information has been (i) in the public domain or generally available to the public, other than as a result of a disclosure by such Party or any member of such Party’s Group or any of their respective Representatives in violation of this Agreement, (ii) later lawfully acquired from other sources by such Party (or any member of such Party’s Group) which sources are not themselves bound by a confidentiality obligation or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality with respect to such confidential and proprietary information, or (iii) independently developed or generated without reference to or use of any Confidential Information of such other Party or any member of such other Party’s Group. A Party receiving Confidential Information (the “Receiving Party”) shall not use such information for any purpose other than for which it was disclosed by the party providing such information (the “Providing Party”) and, except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, shall not disclose to Third Parties any Confidential Information for a period of five (5) years from the termination or expiration of this Agreement or, with respect to any trade secrets, indefinitely. The obligations of the Receiving Party and the Providing Party with regard to Confidential Information shall be governed by and set forth in Sections 6.10 and 6.11 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, which shall be deemed incorporated by reference herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 11, the Parties acknowledge that amounts paid hereunder will be considered related party transactions and will be disclosed in public filings in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC or the NYSE.

12. Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either Party may delegate its obligations under this Agreement to any Subsidiary of such Party without the prior written consent of the other Party.

13. No Third Party Beneficiaries. The provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties, respectively, and are not intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies hereunder. There are no Third Party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement shall not provide any Third Party with any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

 

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14. Governing Law. This Agreement (and any claims or disputes arising out of or related hereto or thereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby or to the inducement of any party to enter herein and therein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) and all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement (and all Schedules hereto) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.

15. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the Parties hereby waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law any right it may have to a trial by jury with respect to any action or proceeding directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the Parties hereby (a) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of the other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other Party would not, in the event of any action or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (b) acknowledges that it has been induced to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as applicable, by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section 15.

16. Jurisdiction; Service of Process. Subject to Section 17, each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement for recognition or enforcement of any judgment relating hereto, and each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agrees not to commence any such action or proceeding except in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, (ii) agrees that any claim in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, (iii) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in such courts and (iv) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in such courts. The Parties hereby agree that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided in Section 22, or in such other manner as may be permitted by Law, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof and hereby waive any objections to service accomplished in the manner herein provided.

17. Dispute Resolution.

(a) The Parties shall use good faith efforts to resolve any controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement, the interpretation of any of the provisions hereof, or the actions of the Parties hereunder. In the event of a breach of this Agreement, a dispute as

 

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to the meaning of this Agreement or a dispute as to any invoiced amount or any of its terms which the Parties cannot resolve by themselves amicably, the following provisions shall apply (which provisions shall be in addition to, and not a limitation of, the Parties’ remedies under Section 2(e), 6 and 8):

(i) All disputes or issues arising hereunder shall first be referred to the applicable Project Managers for resolution. In the event any such dispute or issue is not resolved in a timely manner, such matter shall be referred to senior management representatives, with appropriate decision making authority, for prompt resolution of the matter.

(ii) If the Parties are unable to resolve such dispute within sixty (60) days following the commencement of negotiations pursuant to Section 17(a), then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 17, either Party may initiate arbitration before the expiration of the periods specified in Section 7.2 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement if such Party has submitted a Arbitration Request and the other Party has failed to comply with Section 7.2 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement in good faith with respect to commencement and engagement in arbitration. In such event, the other Party may commence and prosecute such arbitration unilaterally in accordance with the CPR Rules.

(c) Unless otherwise agreed in writing or expressly stated herein, the Parties shall continue to honor all commitments under this Agreement to the extent required hereby and thereby during the course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Section 17 unless such commitments are the specific subject of the dispute at issue.

18. Relationship of the Parties. In providing the Products and services hereunder, IP is acting as and shall be considered an independent contractor. This Agreement is not intended to create and shall not be construed as creating between IP and Sylvamo any relationship other than an independent contractor and purchaser of the Products. The Parties specifically acknowledge that they are not, and this Agreement is not intended to and shall not be construed to make them, affiliates of one another and that no principal and agent, joint venture, partnership or similar relationship, or any other relationship, that imposes or implies any fiduciary duty, including any duty of care or duty of loyalty, exists between the Parties. Except as expressly set forth herein, no Party has the authority to, and each Party agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly contract any obligations of any kind in the name of or chargeable against the other Party without such other Party’s prior written consent.

19. Amendments; Waivers. No provisions of this shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification. No failure or delay by either Party in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right hereunder.

 

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20. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Separation and Distribution Agreement, shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein.

21. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable or void, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

22. Notices. Other than for routine communications with respect to operational matters under this Agreement, the procedures specified in Section 10.5 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall apply with respect to all notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement.

23. Interpretation. In this Agreement, (a) words in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be deemed to include the other genders as the context requires; (b) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole (including all of the Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices hereto and thereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (c) Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit and Appendix references are to the Articles, Sections, Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices to this Agreement unless otherwise specified; (d) unless otherwise stated, all references to this Agreement shall be deemed to include the Exhibits, Schedules and Annexes to such agreement; (e) the word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified; (f) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (g) unless otherwise specified in a particular case, the word “days” refers to calendar days; (h) references to “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by Law to close in (x) Memphis, Tennessee, (y) Selma, Alabama or (z) New York, New York; (i) references herein to this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement or such other agreement as of the date on which it is executed and as it may be amended, modified or supplemented thereafter, unless otherwise specified; (j) the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”; (k) unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts, including the symbol “$”, refer to the lawful currency of the United States of America; and (l) all references to “the date hereof” or “the date of this Agreement” and words of similar import shall all be references to [                ], 2021.

 

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24. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties hereto, respectively, and delivered to the other Party hereto, respectively. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp or mechanical signature) by facsimile or by email portable document format (PDF) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

[The Remainder of this Page is Intentionally Left Blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Supply and Offtake Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written.

 

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to Supply and Offtake Agreement]

Exhibit 10.6

FORM OF

SUPPLY AND OFFTAKE AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY

AND

SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC

DATED AS OF [•], 2021

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

1.

  Operation and Intent      1  

2.

  Production Process and Management      1  

3.

  Limited License      8  

4.

  Payment Procedures      8  

5.

  Job Lot      12  

6.

  Sheeting Assets      12  

7.

  Term and Termination; Payment Default      13  

8.

  Force Majeure      14  

9.

  Indemnification; Limitation of Damages      14  

10.

  Changes to IP’s Systems at Mill      18  

11.

  Confidential Information      18  

12.

  Binding Effect; Assignment      18  

13.

  No Third Party Beneficiaries      19  

14.

  Governing Law      19  

16.

  Waiver of Jury Trial      19  

17.

  Jurisdiction; Service of Process      19  

18.

  Project Managers      20  

19.

  Dispute Resolution      21  

20.

  Relationship of the Parties      21  

21.

  Amendments; Waivers      21  

22.

  Entire Agreement      21  

23.

  Severability      21  

24.

  Notices      21  

24.

  Interpretation      21  

25.

  Counterparts      22  

Schedule A— Service Level Agreement

Schedule B— Product Specifications

Schedule C— Fixed Costs and Variable Costs

Schedule D— Project Managers

Schedule E— Standard Tolerances

Schedule F— Sylvamo Names and Marks


FORM OF SUPPLY AND OFFTAKE AGREEMENT

This Supply and Offtake Agreement (“Agreement”), dated as of [•], 2021 (the “Effective Date”) is made by and between INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY, a New York corporation (“IP”), and SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sylvamo and, together with IP, the “Parties”):

WHEREAS, IP and Sylvamo have entered into that certain Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of [•], 2021 (as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Separation and Distribution Agreement”), pursuant to which the business of Sylvamo is being separated from IP into a new publicly traded company;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, IP and Sylvamo agreed to enter into this Agreement to reflect the arrangements under which IP will continue to operate paper machine number 16 and related sheeting equipment (collectively, “RD16”) at its mill in Selma, Alabama (the “Mill”) to produce uncoated freesheet (the “Product”) following the Distribution, and Sylvamo will purchase the Product produced by RD16 upon the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, all capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Separation and Distribution Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, the Parties hereby agree as set forth herein.

1. Operation and Intent. Following the Distribution, IP shall continue to own and retain title to the Mill, but agrees to operate RD16 to produce the Products to be purchased by Sylvamo consistent in all material respects with the manner in which IP has operated RD16 during the past three (3) years and pursuant to the terms set forth herein. The intent of this Agreement is to effectively transfer the economics associated with ownership and operation of RD16 at the Mill to Sylvamo for the Term.

2. Production Process and Management.

(a) Orders.

(i) Subject to Section 2(c)(ii), Sylvamo shall use reasonable best efforts to maintain sufficient Product orders to keep RD16 operating at its annual volume target in the SAP System (as determined by IP during its annual budgeting process and adjusted for any calendar year on each Annual Adjustment Date (as defined below)), adjusted for grade mix and normal machine variability(“Budgeted Capacity”) during the Term.

 

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(ii) Sylvamo shall manage all communications with its customers (including orders, inquiries and invoices) for the Product and shall be responsible for the sale of any Inventory or Saleable Job Lot (as defined below). All customer pricing decisions shall be Sylvamo’s sole responsibility.

(iii) Sylvamo shall be responsible for the order management process of the Product produced pursuant to this Agreement, including order entry (both production and replenishment orders). IP shall produce the Products for Sylvamo only when such orders have been loaded into the production plan via EDI or other method and released to IP. Sylvamo shall be liable for any order entry errors and any resulting manufacturing losses, and IP shall invoice Sylvamo for any Products produced due to an order entry error. The Parties agree to cooperate in the disposal of any order entry errors. IP and Sylvamo shall each provide access to the other Party to its information technology systems only to the extent necessary so that the Parties can fulfill their obligations under this Agreement and in any case without compromising the information security protocols of either party and review and track the status of their Product orders and associated Inventory. The Parties acknowledge that the manner in which such orders are reviewed and monitored may change as IP’s systems change, as more fully described in Section 10.

(b) Production Management.

(i) IP shall be responsible for managing all aspects of production of Products under this Agreement, including production planning, production, transportation planning and shipping. Sylvamo and IP shall comply in all material respects with the Service Level Agreement attached hereto as Schedule A, including the Sales and Operations Plan (“S&OP”) referred to therein as modified by IP from time to time, for Products produced at the Mill. The Project Managers (as defined below) shall meet at least annually to discuss in good faith and implement any changes to the S&OP or the Service Level Agreement that such Project Managers agree are necessary to maintain production, sales and operations consistent with past practice.

(ii) As part of the Service Level Agreement, the Parties agree to develop and jointly manage an effective S&OP process consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice. The S&OP process will address efficient planning and scheduling of RD16 to align commercial and manufacturing imperatives.

(iii) Production overruns that exceed the percentage tolerance attached hereto as Schedule E (“Standard Tolerances”) shall be borne by IP, provided that Sylvamo shall cooperate with IP and use commercially reasonable efforts to sell any production overrun that exceeds Standard Tolerances.

(iv) Sylvamo shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the grade/customer mix at Riverdale is consistent with past practices at the Mill prior to the Effective Date.

 

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(c) Mill Downtime; Curtailments; IP Production Runs.

(i) Sylvamo and IP shall cooperate to adjust the production schedule as necessary and consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice (taking into account the commercially reasonable requests of Sylvamo) in order to accommodate planned pulp availability curtailments, necessary maintenance, changeover downtime, mill-wide outages, customer emergencies, other market or marketing needs and related or similar events and any other shutdown; provided that the final determination of the timing of planned or anticipated maintenance or other shutdown of RD16 or the Mill shall be at IP’s sole discretion. IP shall provide Sylvamo with advance notice, as promptly as reasonably practicable after any final determination, of any such maintenance or shutdown that IP believes is reasonably likely to affect the supply of Products and shall notify Sylvamo as soon as reasonably practicable upon the occurrence of any emergency or other unplanned shutdown at the Mill that IP believes is reasonably likely to affect the supply of the Product. In the event of a planned or unplanned shutdown (including as a result of lack of wood, gas curtailments, equipment failures or weather related events) affecting multiple production lines at the Mill, to the extent reasonably practicable, IP shall endeavor to manage the effects of such shutdown so that the effects are borne proportionally (as measured by machine output) by Sylvamo through the shutdown of RD16 and by IP through the shutdown of machine number 15 at the Mill.

(ii) IP may from time to time, upon prior notice to Sylvamo, perform production runs of IP products on RD16 (“IP Corp Production Runs”), subject to Sylvamo’s prior consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). IP shall bear all costs incurred in connection with such production runs. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Sylvamo shall not be liable for Fixed Costs incurred by IP during any IP Corp Production Runs on RD16.

(d) Quality Control.

(i) IP shall meet in specifications and customer requirements consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice, including those specified in the specifications for the Products listed on Schedule B, as well as, to the extent reasonably practicable, customer-specific specifications, customer contracts and/or order-specific notes (collectively, the “Specifications”). For the avoidance of doubt, all Products shipped by IP to Sylvamo or its customers hereunder that meet the Specifications at gate exit shall be deemed to be 1st grade. Specifications contained in the Mill’s Profacy system on the Effective Date shall be the initial production Specifications. Thereafter, alterations to the Specifications shall be adopted only as mutually agreed by the Parties. All costs associated with adopting and meeting new Specifications shall be borne by Sylvamo. IP and Sylvamo shall cooperate in good faith to ensure Specifications meet industry standards. If an order requires, or Sylvamo otherwise requests, the use of certified fiber for the Products, all costs associated with sourcing and transporting such certified fiber to

 

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the Mill shall be borne by Sylvamo. IP shall cooperate with Sylvamo in good faith to create Products with new grades, which will be deemed to be Products under this Agreement in a manner consistent with IP’s past practice during the past three years and priced for purposes of Mill Cash Costs at mutually agreed levels. Sylvamo shall be responsible for all costs associated with any trial work requested by Sylvamo for new grade runs, and IP shall invoice Sylvamo for such costs.

(ii) IP shall perform quality testing services consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practices at the Mill.

(iii) IP shall cooperate with Sylvamo to address reasonable requests from Sylvamo’s customers, with not less than thirty (30) Business Days’ prior written notice, to conduct quality control or sustainability audits consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice (and subject to entry into an appropriate confidentiality agreement); provided that IP shall have no obligation to permit any quality control or sustainability audit more than once per calendar quarter. All out-of-pocket costs associated with any such quality control or sustainability audit shall be borne by and invoiced to Sylvamo. Any request related to Mill compliance with a Sylvamo customer’s code of conduct will be subject to IP’s review and agreement.

(iv) IP shall cooperate with Sylvamo to address reasonable requests from Sylvamo’s customers, with not less than thirty (30) Business Days’ prior written notice, to conduct social responsibility audits consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice; provided that IP shall have no obligation to permit any social responsibility audit more than twice per calendar year. All out-of-pocket costs associated with any such social responsibility audits shall be borne by Sylvamo, and Sylvamo shall reimburse IP for 50% of its fully loaded costs for conducting such social responsibility audit.

(e) Remedies in the Case of Nonconforming or Damaged Products. In the event Sylvamo or a customer of Sylvamo rejects or revokes acceptance of any Product that has a Manufacturing Defect, Sylvamo shall promptly notify IP, and the Parties shall cooperate in good faith to resolve such claim in a manner consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice. Except as provided in Section 9, Sylvamo’s sole and exclusive remedy for any Manufacturing Defect shall be, at Sylvamo’s option, (i) IP’s replacement of the defective or nonconforming Products with conforming Products without charge to Sylvamo (provided that any sale proceeds received by Sylvamo for such replaced defective or nonconforming Products, as more fully described in Section 5, shall be remitted to IP) or (ii) a refund to Sylvamo of the Mill Cash Cost (as defined below) associated with the defective or nonconforming Products net of any proceeds received by Sylvamo from the sale of such defective or nonconforming Products, as more fully described in Section 5. For the avoidance of doubt, IP shall not be liable to Sylvamo in the event a customer of Sylvamo rejects or revokes acceptance of any Products for any reason other than a Manufacturing Defect and any associated freight cost reimbursements. A “Manufacturing Defect” with respect to any Product shall mean the failure to meet the Specifications or readily apparent and visible handling or transit damage.

 

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(f) Operational Efficiency. The Parties agree that in the event three (3) successive production runs from a single grade averages 1000 basis points (i.e., 10%) less than the operating machine efficiency (“OME”) standard for the grade, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to return the grade OME to the standard. If after such production runs, the OME for such grade has not improved to be less than 1000 basis points (i.e., 10%) below from the standard by the later to occur of (x) three (3) months elapsing since the original deficient production runs and (y) three (3) subsequent production runs of that grade, the Parties agree to update the grade standard cost to reflect the decline in OME.

(g) Customer Complaints. Sylvamo shall be responsible for investigating any customer complaints related to the Products and relaying complaints relating to the Product produced under this Agreement to IP. Any customer complaints that Sylvamo receives regarding Products that meet the Specifications shall be handled by Sylvamo as a sales policy decision for Sylvamo’s account, and IP shall have no obligations or liabilities with respect to such complaints. Sylvamo and IP shall cooperate in good faith to resolve any customer complaints relating to product damages from transportation that is managed by IP under Section (2)(i).

(h) Inventory.

(i) “Inventory” shall include all completed Products manufactured by RD16 that meet the Specifications after the machine winder (or sheeter in the case of sheeted products) and prior to delivery to Sylvamo or any other customer. IP shall have ownership and title to Inventory located at the Mill. Ownership and title to Inventory shall pass to Sylvamo upon gate exit of Products from the Mill.

(ii) Prior to or as of the Effective Date, Inventory existing as of September 1, 2021, whether located at the Mill or elsewhere (“Day One Inventory”), shall be invoiced to Sylvamo in accordance with this Section 2(h)(ii). Day One Inventory that is located at the Mill shall be invoiced to Sylvamo upon shipment in accordance with Section 4(b). Day One Inventory that has already been shipped from the Mill (or is being held on consignment outside of the Mill) and not yet invoiced shall be invoiced to Sylvamo and payment therefor shall be made in three (3) equal monthly installment payments, the first of which will be due January 2, 2022 and the remaining two payments will be due thirty (30) days and sixty (60) days, respectively, after the due date of the first invoice. For the avoidance of doubt, ownership and title to such Day One Inventory that has already been shipped shall be deemed to have passed to Sylvamo upon gate exit from the Mill. As of September 1, 2021, Sylvamo shall take ownership and title to any Job Lot located outside of the Mill and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the provisions of Section 5 shall not apply to any such Job Lot. The immediately foregoing sentence shall apply to any Job Lot existing as of September 1, 2021 but not discovered or identified as Job Lot until after September 1, 2021.

 

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(iii) Sylvamo shall be entitled to store up to 3,000 tons of work-in-progress Inventory (“WIP Inventory”) on the Mill floor at any given time during the Term. IP shall have the discretion to manage production as necessary to maintain WIP Inventory below this level. If IP anticipates that WIP Inventory will reach 2,700 tons, IP shall notify Sylvamo and the Project Managers will convene within two (2) Business Days to discuss inventory management strategies. Sylvamo shall be entitled to store up to and average of 8,500 tons based on a seven (7)-day moving average of finished Inventory (“Finished Inventory”) on the Mill floor at any given time during the Term. Upon notice from IP, Sylvamo shall promptly, but in any event within three (3) days of receipt of such notice notify IP of where to ship the excess Inventory from the Mill floor, and IP shall ship such excess Inventory to the greatest extent practicable in full truckload quantities at Sylvamo’s expense. If Sylvamo does not provide a shipment destination within such three (3)-day period, IP shall ship such excess Inventory to the greatest extent possible in full truckload quantities to the location(s) designated by IP at Sylvamo’s expense. Following the Effective Date, any offsite warehouse or other storage outside the Mill floor, including any associated mill overflow warehouses, shall be the responsibility of Sylvamo. For the avoidance of doubt, the risk of any loss, damage, impairment, confiscation or condemnation of any of the Inventory in excess of 8,500 tons of Finished Inventory on the Mill floor shall be borne by Sylvamo. IP shall manage Inventory aging data at the Mill and its warehouses utilizing the “first in, first out” methodology, consistent with past practices, to the extent practical. IP shall provide Sylvamo with Inventory ageing reports on a monthly basis. In event that Inventory on the Mill floor exceeds the limits in this Section 2(h)(iii) at any point in time due to third-party transportation disruptions outside of the control of IP (which disruptions do not constitute a Force Majeure Event), then IP and Sylvamo shall cooperate in good faith to identify an alternative mode of transportation for such excess Inventory as soon as practicable.

(iv) For any Inventory remaining on the Mill floor (A) that IP has notified Sylvamo is aged more than twelve (12) months or (B) on the date that is six (6) months following the termination of this Agreement, Sylvamo shall provide prompt notice to IP (and in any event within seven (7) days of a request from IP for a shipping destination) of a shipment destination, and such Inventory shall be invoiced to Sylvamo, in each case, upon gate exit from the Mill. IP shall ship such Inventory to such destination to the greatest extent practicable in full truckload quantities at Sylvamo’s expense. If Sylvamo does not provide the requested shipment destination within such seven (7)-day period, IP shall ship such Inventory to any location(s) designated by IP at Sylvamo’s expense. For the avoidance of doubt, the risk of any loss, damage, impairment, confiscation or condemnation of any such Inventory remaining on the Mill floor after such applicable time shall be borne by Sylvamo.

 

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(i) Packaging. Sylvamo shall own all rights in, and be responsible for providing all labeling and packaging designs, and upon notice from Sylvamo of its desired labeling and packaging, IP shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to accommodate Sylvamo’s desired labeling and packaging in producing packaging for the Product. Sylvamo shall have final approval over all artwork associated with all labeling and packaging designs. IP and Sylvamo shall mutually agree on packaging inventory levels maintained at the mills and the order/reorder quantities for packaging replenishments. IP and Sylvamo shall cooperate in good faith in planning for packaging changes to minimize the level of obsolete packaging. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sylvamo shall reimburse IP for any packaging that is (A) deemed obsolete by Sylvamo consistent with agreed upon inventory levels and invoiced to Sylvamo or (B) packaging for an item that has not had any sales over the previous 270 days. IP is responsible for all packaging sourcing functions. In the event of a lack of available packaging for a type of Product, the Parties shall cooperate in good faith to adjust the run schedule to the greatest extent reasonably practicable to run alternate Product where packaging is available. If all options to run alternate Product are exhausted and downtime results , Sylvamo shall not bear the Fixed Costs in connection with such downtime.

(j) Shipping.

(i) IP shall manage shipment of the Products, including all trailer pool and rail car scheduling management. IP shall be solely responsible for the management of all transportation contracts, including carrier selection, contract duration and other terms and negotiation of all related fees. IP shall ship the Products to the location(s) designated by Sylvamo or Sylvamo’s customers in a manner consistent with IP’s past practice. IP shall use commercially reasonable efforts to allocate transportation capacity equitably (based on relative production capacity) between IP’s own businesses and the shipping of Products on behalf of Sylvamo.

(ii) IP shall pay carriers to ship the Products and invoice Sylvamo for freight costs incurred (“Freight Costs”). Estimated Freight Costs shall be included on the invoice sent to Sylvamo upon gate exit as described in Section 4(b). Freight Costs shall be reconciled quarterly by IP in good faith with actual cost data. IP shall be liable for any demurrage and detention charges accrued at the Mill. Sylvamo shall be responsible for any demurrage and detention changes accrued at any delivery destination to Sylvamo, and IP shall include such charges in the reconciliation of Freight Costs.

(iii) As the operator placing products on the market for the first time, Sylvamo shall document and demonstrate compliance with the US Lacey Act or any other market related timber law in which they sell products to their customers under their own name. Annually or on an as needed basis, as requested by Sylvamo, IP shall confirm what species are present in sourcing to assist with this law due diligence process, including the species common and scientific names sourced by each location within fiber supply. All sourcing legality declarations shall be made in Sylvamo’s name.

 

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(iv) To the extent there is any stranded Product located at the Mill that is not included in any shipment of an order, IP and Sylvamo shall cooperate and each use commercial reasonable efforts to utilize such stranded Product consistent with past practices, including by including such stranded Product in future orders and production planning for the same customer or selling such stranded Product to another customer. If any stranded Product is not shipped from the Mill after twelve (12) months, such stranded Product will be written off and IP and Sylvamo shall each bear 50% of (1) the Mill Cash Costs for such stranded Product less (2) any amount for which Sylvamo can sell such stranded Product as Job Lot. IP shall invoice Sylvamo for its half of such write off of the stranded Product.

(v) If the amount of claims (measured in dollars claimed) for transportation-related complaints in any month over any three consecutive months exceeds 120% of the Historical Transportation-Related Complaint Rate, then the Parties shall cooperate to develop a plan to return the claims rate to the Historical Transportation-Related Complaint Rate. The “Historical Transportation-Related Complaint Rate” means the amount equal to (x) the average annual amount of claims (measured in dollars claimed) for transportation-related complaints over the last three years prior to the Effective Date, divided by (y) 12.

3. Limited License. Except for the SpinCo Know-How assigned to Sylvamo and its Affiliates in connection with the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Parties hereby expressly acknowledge and agree that all rights in any Know-How used at the Mill, including in connection with the manufacture of Products hereunder, is, and shall at all times remain, fully and exclusively owned by IP.]Sylvamo hereby grants to IP a non-exclusive, fully-paid, royalty-free license to use (without further right of sub-license) the Sylvamo Names and Marks during the Term solely for the purpose of applying the Sylvamo Names and Marks to the Products and the packaging, labeling and shipping materials for the Products as directed by Sylvamo pursuant to Section 2(i). Further, Sylvamo hereby grants to IP a non-exclusive fully-paid, royalty-free license to use (without further right of sub-license) any and all Sylvamo Intellectual Property rights during the Term solely for the purpose of fulfilling IP’s obligations to Sylvamo under this Agreement. Sylvamo shall obtain any consents, licenses or certifications from third parties, including third party fiber certification bodies or COLORLOK certification, to use Intellectual Property required for IP to manufacture the Products and the packaging, labeling and shipping materials for the Products and, if any such consent is not obtained, provide acceptable alternative arrangements to maintain the operation of RD16 at Budgeted Capacity. All costs and expenses (if any) incurred by Sylvamo to obtain any such consents, licenses or certifications or to secure alternative arrangements shall be paid by Sylvamo. For the avoidance of doubt, failure to obtain such consents or secure alternative arrangements shall not relieve Sylvamo of its obligation to operate RD16 at Budgeted Capacity, although IP shall not be obligated to produce the affected Products hereunder until such consents are obtained or alternative arrangements are provided. “Sylvamo Names and Marks” means the names, marks, trademarks, service marks, license codes, trade dress, logos, monograms, domain names and other source or business identifiers of Sylvamo products set forth on Schedule F and related copyrights.

 

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4. Payment Procedures.

(a) Costs. Sylvamo shall pay IP its fully loaded costs for producing each ton of the Product based on the Mill Cash Cost. “Mill Cash Cost” shall equal the sum of the Fixed Costs and the Variable Costs.

(i) Fixed Costs. The “Fixed Costs” shall equal IP’s total fixed cash costs for operating RD16 less depreciation, which categories of fixed cash costs are set forth on Schedule C hereto, per ton of the Product. The Fixed Costs shall be charged to Sylvamo notwithstanding any lack of orders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fixed Costs shall be offset proportionately (as measured by machine hours) for any IP Production Run on RD16 during the invoiced period.

(A) The initial Fixed Costs shall be determined based on the Fixed Costs set forth in IP’s SAP system on the Effective Date. Thereafter, the Project Managers shall meet in October of each year during the Term to review the Fixed Costs and to determine appropriate adjustments to be made to any or all of the Fixed Costs for the immediately succeeding calendar year of the Term consistent with IP’s past practice. The Fixed Costs as so adjusted shall take effect on January 1 of the subsequent calendar year (the “Annual Adjustment Date”) for such calendar year; provided that if the Project Managers fail to mutually agree upon adjustments prior to the Annual Adjustment Date, then the Fixed Costs for the calendar year beginning on the Annual Adjustment Date shall increase proportionately with the increase in the Producer Price Index published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics from the preceding year (the “PPI”).

(B) IP shall be responsible, in its sole discretion, for routine cost management associated with owning and operating the Mill as determined consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice.

(ii) Variable Costs. The “Variable Costs” shall equal IP’s total direct cash costs related to the manufacturing a ton of the Product, which categories of direct cash costs are as set forth on Schedule C hereto.

(A) The initial Variable Costs shall be determined based on the Variable Costs set forth in IP’s SAP system on the Effective Date. Thereafter, the Project Managers shall meet in October of each year during the Term to review the Variable Costs and to determine appropriate adjustments to be made to any or all of the Variable Costs for the immediately succeeding calendar year of the Term consistent with IP’s past practice. The Variable Costs as so adjusted will take effect on the Annual Adjustment Date for the following calendar year beginning on the Annual Adjustment Date; provided that if the Project Managers fail to mutually agree upon adjustments prior to the Annual Adjustment Date, then the Variable Costs for the calendar year beginning on the Annual Adjustment Date shall increase proportionately with the increase in the PPI.

 

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(iii) Invoices shall be reviewed by the Project Managers on a quarterly basis to account for the difference between the Variable Costs invoiced to Sylvamo for raw materials, utilities and other supplies used in the production of the Product (“Supplies”) and the actual cash costs paid by IP for such Supplies for the period under review (such variance, a “Purchased Price Variance”) To the extent there is a Purchased Price Variance, Sylvamo shall be credited for 100% of any overcharge of Variable Costs relative to IP’s actual cash costs or charged 100% of any undercharge relative to IP’s actual cash costs, as the case may be. IP shall deliver to Sylvamo an invoice reflecting such additional charges or credits, as the case may be, following each quarterly determination of the required adjustments.

(iv) IP shall maintain processes consistent with the processes used during the past three years in its annual budgeting process to adjust Fixed Costs and Variable Costs in the SAP system.

(v) The Project Managers shall meet in the fourth quarter of each calendar year to discuss, among other things, the following year’s projected outlook for Product demand.

(b) Invoice Procedures.

(i) Upon gate exit of the Product from the Mill, IP shall provide Sylvamo with an invoice for the Mill Cash Cost plus estimated Freight Costs for the tonnage of Product contained in shipments of Product from the Mill and any non-routine expenditures or other charges provided in this Agreement for Sylvamo’s account, plus any applicable sales taxes.

(ii) If there is a Lack of Orders for Product, IP shall provide Sylvamo with an invoice on weekly basis for IP’s total fixed cash costs for operating RD16 less depreciation per hour incurred for such period without orders as if RD16 had operated at Budgeted Capacity. For purposes of this Agreement, “Lack of Orders” shall mean any lack of orders as measured in SAP that exceeds the amount of lack of orders accounted for in Budgeted Capacity (as determined by IP during its annual budgeting process and adjusted for any calendar year on each Annual Adjustment Date); provided that the amount of Lack of Orders for the RD16 sheeting equipment shall not exceed the amount of the Lack of Orders for the RD16 paper machine as measured by ton; provided, further, that downtime that is caused by IP’s operational inefficiency shall not be charged to Sylvamo.

(iii) Sylvamo shall make a single payment to IP within thirty (30) days of receiving any invoice of all amounts due to IP under the invoice. All invoices may include any additional charges or credit required to correct for any prior billing error or make any required adjustment (including any adjustments made pursuant to any provision of this Agreement). Any invoice issued by IP shall be on the form of invoice in general use by IP at such time.

 

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(c) Late Payments. All amounts not paid by Sylvamo when due (that is, within thirty (30) days of receiving the invoice) pursuant to this Agreement shall bear interest consistent with the terms of the invoice. In addition, Sylvamo shall pay IP’s reasonable attorney’s fees and other reasonable expenses incurred in collecting such amounts not timely paid by Sylvamo.

(d) Obligation to Pay. Subject to Section 4(e), Sylvamo’s obligation to pay the foregoing invoiced amounts in full is an unconditional obligation of Sylvamo, and IP shall be permitted to exercise rights provided in Section 4(c) and Section 7(b) in the event Sylvamo does not timely pay all amounts due and payable under this Section.

(e) Disputed Amounts; Audit.

(i) In the event that Sylvamo disputes any amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Section, Sylvamo shall be required to pay to IP the disputed amount and then to pursue its claim for refund of such amounts in accordance with Section 18.

(ii) Not more than once each calendar year, Sylvamo shall be permitted, upon its reasonable request and at its sole cost and expense, to engage an independent accounting firm mutually agreed by the Parties to conduct an audit of the costs charged by IP to Sylvamo and the allocation of transportation capacity between IP’s own businesses and the shipping of Products on behalf of Sylvamo; provided that Sylvamo shall notify IP in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to any audit. IP shall cooperate with the accounting firm in connection with any such audit (including providing records and information as shall be reasonably necessary to conduct such audit, subject to entry into an appropriate confidentiality agreement). All audits shall be conducted in a manner to minimize any disruption, delay or interference with the business activities of IP and the Mill. In the event that the audit shall disclose any matter that requires correction to the amounts charged hereunder during the previous calendar year, Sylvamo shall promptly provide IP with written notice thereof, together with copies of any documentation supporting such claimed correction. Such correction shall be reflected on the next invoice delivered to Sylvamo unless disputed in accordance with Section 18. If any audit reveals a material error solely caused by IP, then IP shall reimburse Sylvamo for the costs of such audit.

(iii) Not more than once each calendar year, IP shall be permitted, upon its reasonable request and at its sole cost and expense, to engage an independent accounting firm mutually agreed by the Parties to conduct an audit of the sales of Saleable Job Lot; provided that IP shall notify Sylvamo in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to any audit. Sylvamo shall cooperate with the accounting firm in connection with any such audit (including providing records and information as shall be reasonably necessary to conduct such audit, subject to entry into an

 

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appropriate confidentiality agreement). All audits shall be conducted in a manner to minimize any disruption, delay or interference with the business activities of Sylvamo. In the event that the audit shall disclose any matter that requires correction to the amounts charged or refunded hereunder during the previous calendar year, IP shall promptly provide Sylvamo with written notice thereof, together with copies of any documentation supporting such claimed correction. Such correction shall be reflected on the next invoice delivered to Sylvamo unless disputed in accordance with Section 18.

5. Job Lot. Any Product manufactured at the Mill for or on behalf of Sylvamo hereunder that does not meet the Specifications (unless otherwise agreed by Sylvamo) shall be considered obsolete product (“Job Lot”). IP shall be entitled to re-pulp any Job Lot located at the Mill. To the extent IP does not re-pulp Job Lot, it shall be considered “Saleable Job Lot”. At IP’s request, Sylvamo shall sell Saleable Job Lot that has yet to be invoiced to Sylvamo on commercially reasonable terms and otherwise in a manner consistent with past practice, including the possible sale to IP, and IP shall be responsible for invoicing those customers and delivering the Saleable Job Lot; provided that any Product that becomes Saleable Job Lot due to the action(s) or inaction(s) of Sylvamo shall be invoiced to Sylvamo at full cost and disposed of at the direction of Sylvamo. Any Product that was invoiced to Sylvamo but is later discovered to have been Job Lot due to a Manufacturing Defect shall be sold by Sylvamo on commercially reasonable terms and otherwise in a manner consistent with past practice.

6. Sheeting Assets.

(a) IP shall continue to operate the uncoated freesheet assets ancillary to RD16 (the “Sheeting Assets”) as long as they remain onsite at the Mill. IP shall pay for routine maintenance and repair expenditures (as determined by IP consistent in all material respects with IP’s past practice) necessary to maintain the Sheeting Assets and related information technology systems at the Mill. Sylvamo shall reimburse IP for any non-routine maintenance and repair expenditures related to Sheeting Assets and related information technology systems that (x) would reasonably be expected to exceed $300,000 and (y) was not caused by IP’s gross negligence (“Non-Routine Maintenance”); provided that Non-Routine Maintenance shall be made only with Sylvamo’s prior written consent. If Sylvamo does not consent to any Non-Routine Maintenance, IP shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to remove any associated equipment or systems from service. For the avoidance of doubt, failure to consent to any Non-Routine Maintenance shall not relieve Sylvamo of its obligation to operate RD16 at Budgeted Capacity. Sylvamo shall also bear all costs any enhancements or upgrades to information technology systems relating to the Sheeting Assets that Sylvamo may request.

(b) If either (x) the Term has expired or (y) this Agreement has been terminated by IP (other than a termination by IP in accordance with Section 7(a)(ii)(A)) then, within ninety (90) days following the date that uncoated freesheet ceases to be produced the Mill, Sylvamo shall have the right to acquire any Sheeting Asset at the Mill for a purchase price equal to such Sheeting Asset’s book value set forth in IP’s SAP system at the time of such termination. Ownership and title to any Sheeting Asset purchased by Sylvamo shall pass to Sylvamo upon removal and payment in full. All costs

 

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associated with the removal, relocation or storage of any purchased Sheeting Assets shall be borne by Sylvamo. Any contractors hired by Sylvamo to remove any of the Sheeting Assets located at the Mill shall be subject to IP’s prior written approval, and all such contractors shall be required to comply with IP’s Contractor Rules & Regulations and will be required to provide evidence of insurance reasonably protective of IP. Sylvamo shall be invoiced for any IP mill resources, equipment or personnel needed to support equipment removal from the Mill. Sylvamo shall bear the cost of any damage done to IP facilities (beyond normal wear and tear) in the removal of the Sheeting Assets. Sylvamo shall remove any purchased Sheeting Asset from the Mill within twelve (12) months following exercise of its option to purchase. Ownership and title to any Sheeting Asset that remains located at the Mill following such six (6) month period shall revert to IP. If Sylvamo does not exercise its option to purchase any Sheeting Asset or ownership reverts to IP in accordance with the foregoing, IP shall be entitled to dispose of such Sheeting Asset in its sole discretion. For the avoidance of doubt, if Sylvamo terminates this Agreement early in accordance with Section 7(a)(ii)(B), Sylvamo shall have no right to acquire the Sheeting Assets.

7. Term and Termination; Payment Default.

(a) Term and Termination.

(i) The term of this Agreement shall be ten (10) years (such period, including as may be earlier terminated, the “Term”), commencing on the Effective Date.

(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) IP may, at its option, terminate this Agreement (1) effective as early as January 1, 2024 upon at least 180 days’ prior written notice to Sylvamo, (2) upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to Sylvamo if RD16 is operating on average at less than 80% of Budgeted Capacity during any consecutive sixty (60)-day period caused by Sylvamo’s Lack of Orders or (3) in accordance with Section 8, and Sylvamo may at its option, terminate this Agreement effective as early as January 1, 2026 upon at least 180 days’ prior written notice to IP. Upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement, all rights and obligations of each party hereunder shall cease, as of the date of the termination, and any amounts owed by either party pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid in full.

(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the termination of this Agreement pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to any rights, or diminution of any obligations or liabilities of either party, that may have accrued prior to the effective date of such termination. In addition, the provisions of Sections 6, 9 and 12 to 25 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

(b) Payment Default.

 

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(i) In the event that any amount due and payable by Sylvamo hereunder is not paid within thirty (30) days after Sylvamo receives written notice of such nonpayment (a “Payment Default”), then immediately, or at any time thereafter before such Payment Default is cured (provided that the time period for such cure has expired), IP may, at its option and upon written notice to Sylvamo, pursue its rights under Section 18.

(ii) If there shall exist a Payment Default under this Agreement that has not been cured (an “Uncured Payment Default”), then IP shall be permitted to suspend its provision of any or all Products under this Agreement for so long as such Uncured Payment Default remains uncured; provided, however, that Sylvamo shall have the opportunity to secure payment for future shipments of the Products (through an escrow arrangement, letter of credit or otherwise, in each case acceptable to IP in its sole discretion) in order to prevent a suspension of the production of the Products. Sylvamo shall continue to be liable for all payments due hereunder during any such period of suspension of performance. IP shall be obligated to resume providing Products hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable after Sylvamo has cured all Uncured Payment Defaults within five (5) Business Days following such cure.

8. Force Majeure. IP shall not be responsible for failure or delay in production or delivery of any Products that it has responsibility for providing hereunder, if the event (a) does not arise or result from the fault or negligence of IP (or any Person acting on its behalf) and (b) by its nature would not reasonably have been foreseen by IP (or such Person), or, if it would reasonably have been foreseen, was beyond the control of IP, including acts of God, acts of civil or military authority, embargoes, pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic), epidemics, wars, riots, protests or civil unrest, insurrections, fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods, tornados, hurricanes, government shutdowns, shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities, travel restrictions, weather conditions, labor problems, unavailability of supplies or the response of any Governmental Authority to any of the foregoing, or, in the case of computer systems, any failure in electrical or air conditioning equipment (a “Force Majeure Event”). IP shall, as promptly as practicable after it learns of a Force Majeure Event, notify Sylvamo of such Force Majeure Event that IP believes will result in a failure or delay in production or delivery of any Products, and the estimated probable duration and consequence thereof. The Parties acknowledge and agree that such estimation shall not be considered binding in any way, and IP shall not incur liability of any kind if such estimation proves to be inaccurate. Following notice of a Force Majeure Event by IP, Sylvamo shall be excused from Fixed Costs for any Lack of Orders the duration of the Force Majeure Event. IP shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to restore production of Product on RD16 provided hereunder in accordance with this Agreement as soon as reasonably practicable following the Force Majeure Event; provided, however, if the restoration of the production of Product on RD16 would not be commercially reasonable, as determined in IP’s sole discretion, then IP may terminate this Agreement upon five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice to Sylvamo.

 

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9. Indemnification; Limitation of Damages.

(a) Indemnification by IP. Subject to Sections 9(d), (e) and (f), IP shall indemnify and hold harmless Sylvamo from and against all liabilities, penalties, judgments, losses, injuries, damages, costs, fees and expenses (including, without limitation, costs of defense, settlement, and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to matters or actions arising under this Agreement), whether arising under common law or any federal, state or local statute or ordinance (“Damages”) suffered or incurred by Sylvamo arising out of or resulting from (i) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of IP in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement or (ii) a claim by any customer of Sylvamo against Sylvamo or IP directly attributable to a Manufacturing Defect in the Products produced hereunder; provided that in the case of any claim for indemnification under clause (ii), Damages arising out of such claim must exceed $500,000 (the “Deductible”) before IP has any liability hereunder and those Damages incurred to the extent exceeding the Deductible, and only those incremental Damages above the deductible, shall be borne 50% by IP and 50% by Sylvamo.

(b) Indemnification by Sylvamo. Subject to Sections 9(d), (e) and (f), Sylvamo shall indemnify and hold harmless IP from and against any and all Damages suffered or incurred by IP, arising out of or resulting from (i) any breach of this Agreement by Sylvamo, (ii) infringement of Intellectual Property used in the Products (or labeling or packaging thereof), including Third-Party Claim, (iii) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Sylvamo in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement or (iv) a claim by any customer of Sylvamo against IP; provided that in the case of any claim for indemnification under clause (iv), such claim may be offset against any indemnification obligation of IP under Section 9(a)(ii).

(c) Notice of Claims. If, on or following the Effective Date, any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder (an “Indemnitee”) shall receive notice or otherwise learn of the assertion by any Third Party (including any Governmental Authority) of any claim or of the commencement by any such Third Party of any Third-Party Claim with respect to which either Party (an “Indemnifying Party”) may be obligated to provide indemnification to such Indemnitee pursuant to Section 9(a) or (b), such Indemnitee shall give such Indemnifying Party written notice thereof as soon as practicable, but in any event within twenty one (21) days (or sooner if the nature of the Third-Party Claim so requires or it relates to a customer claim that could reasonably result in in indemnifiable Damages in excess of the Deductible pursuant to Section (a)(ii) above) after becoming aware of such Third-Party Claim. Any such notice shall describe the Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail, including the facts and circumstances giving rise to such claim and the Product involved, and include copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third-Party Claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of an Indemnitee to provide notice in accordance with this Section 9(c) shall not relieve an Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations under Section 9(a) or (b) of this Agreement, except to the extent the Indemnifying Party is actually and materially prejudiced by the Indemnitee’s failure to provide notice in accordance with this Section 9(c).

 

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(d) Control of Defense. An Indemnifying Party may elect to defend, at its own expense and with its own counsel, any Third-Party Claim; provided that, prior to the Indemnifying Party assuming and controlling the defense of such Third-Party Claim, it shall first confirm to the Indemnitee in writing that, assuming the facts presented to the Indemnifying Party by the Indemnitee are true, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify the Indemnitee for any such Damages to the extent resulting from, or arising out of, such Third-Party Claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Indemnifying Party assumes such defense and, in the course of defending such Third-Party Claim, (i) the Indemnifying Party discovers that the facts presented at the time the Indemnifying Party acknowledged its indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim were not true and (ii) such untruth provides a reasonable basis for asserting that the Indemnifying Party does not have an indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim, then (A) the Indemnifying Party shall not be bound by such acknowledgment, (B) the Indemnifying Party shall promptly thereafter provide the Indemnitee written notice of its assertion that it does not have an indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim and (C) the Indemnitee shall have the obligation to assume the defense of such Third-Party Claim. Within thirty (30) days after the receipt of a notice from an Indemnitee in accordance with Section 9(c) (or sooner, if the nature of the Third-Party Claim so requires), the Indemnifying Party shall provide written notice to the Indemnitee indicating whether the Indemnifying Party shall assume responsibility for defending the Third-Party Claim. If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending any Third-Party Claim or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election within thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice from an Indemnitee as provided in Section 9(c), then the Indemnitee that is the subject of such Third-Party Claim shall be entitled to continue to conduct and control the defense of such Third-Party Claim.

(e) Allocation of Defense Costs. If an Indemnifying Party has elected to assume the defense of a Third-Party Claim, then such Indemnifying Party shall be solely liable for all fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with the defense of such Third-Party Claim and shall not be entitled to seek any indemnification or reimbursement from the Indemnitee for any such fees and expenses incurred by the Indemnifying Party during the course of the defense of such Third-Party Claim by such Indemnifying Party, regardless of any subsequent decision by the Indemnifying Party to reject or otherwise abandon its assumption of such defense, unless such Indemnifying Party assumed the defense of such Third-Party Claim by such Indemnifying Party due to a misrepresentation of facts by the Indemnitee in the notice of such Third-Party Claim. If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending any Third-Party Claim or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election within thirty (30) days after receipt of a notice from an Indemnitee as provided in Section 9(c), and the Indemnitee conducts and controls the defense of such Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party has an indemnification obligation with respect to such Third-Party Claim, then the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for all reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense of such Third-Party Claim.

 

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(f) Right to Monitor and Participate. An Indemnitee that does not conduct and control the defense of any Third-Party Claim, or an Indemnifying Party that has failed to elect to defend any Third-Party Claim as contemplated hereby, nevertheless shall have the right to employ separate outside counsel (including local counsel as necessary) of its own choosing to monitor and participate in (but not control) the defense of any Third-Party Claim for which it is a potential Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party, as applicable, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party, as the case may be, and the provisions of Section 9(e) shall not apply to such fees and expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Sections 6.8 and 6.9 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, such Party shall cooperate with the Party entitled to conduct and control the defense of such Third-Party Claim in such defense and make available to the controlling Party, at the non-controlling Party’s expense, all witnesses, information and materials in such Party’s possession or under such Party’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the controlling Party. In addition to the foregoing, if any Indemnitee shall in good faith determine that such Indemnitee and the Indemnifying Party have actual or potential differing defenses or conflicts of interest between them that make joint representation in connection with a Third-Party Claim inappropriate, then the Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate outside counsel (including local counsel as necessary) and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise or settlement thereof, and the Indemnifying Party shall bear the reasonable fees and expenses of such outside counsel for all Indemnitees.

(g) No Settlement. Neither Party shall settle or compromise any Third-Party Claim for which either Party is seeking to be indemnified hereunder without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed unless such settlement or compromise is solely for monetary damages that are fully payable by the settling or compromising Party, does not involve any admission, finding or determination of wrongdoing or violation of Law by the other Party and provides for a full, unconditional and irrevocable release of the other Party and its Indemnitees from all Liability in connection with the Third-Party Claim. The Parties hereby agree that if a Party presents the other Party with a written notice containing a proposal to settle or compromise a Third-Party Claim for which either Party is seeking to be indemnified hereunder and the Party receiving such proposal does not respond in any manner to the Party presenting such proposal within twenty (20) days or such longer period, not to exceed thirty (30) days, as may be agreed by the Parties (or within any such shorter time period that may be required by applicable Law or court order) of receipt of such proposal, then the Party receiving such proposal shall be deemed to have consented to the terms of such proposal.

(h) Customer Claims. Without limiting the other provisions of this Section 9, Sylvamo shall keep IP reasonably informed of the status of any customer claim that could reasonably result in in indemnifiable Damages in excess of the Deductible pursuant to Section 9(a)(ii) above and consult with IP, and consider IP’s recommendations in good faith, on resolution of such customer claim, and IP shall have the opportunity to participate in any meetings or negotiations concerning such customer claim.

(i) Limited Warranty. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, unless expressly set forth herein, IP does not make any other warranties, whether express, implied or statutory and specifically disclaims any implied warranties, whether of merchantability, suitability, fitness for a particular purpose, or otherwise for such Products or services.

 

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(j) Excluded Damages. In no event shall any Party or such Party’s affiliates, or any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives, be liable for any special, punitive, exemplary, consequential, incidental or indirect Damages, or any Damages based on lost profits (except for claims of Intellectual Property infringement, dilution or misappropriation), in each case whether based on contract, tort, strict liability, other Law or otherwise, including if such Damages are payable to a Third Party.    

10. Changes to IPs Systems at Mill. From time to time, IP may upgrade, change and/or convert its current software, information technology and other systems used in the operations of the Mill, including without limitation, resource planning and similar items (including business continuity support for such systems as needed for disaster recovery). IP shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that such changes do not materially adversely affect the ability of Sylvamo to conduct its business as relating to the Products as so conducted at the beginning of the Term. Sylvamo shall bear any costs in connection with upgrading its systems to remain compatible with any IP system changes.

11. Project Managers. IP and Sylvamo shall each assign one person to act as that Party’s project manager (the Project Manager”), which shall initially be those individuals set forth on Schedule D hereto. The Project Managers shall (a) represent and act for their respective Party for matters related to this Agreement, and (b) meet and/or confer on a regular basis (at mutually agreed times and locations) to review the activities under this Agreement and to discuss the status and progress of such activities. Any Project Manager may be replaced at any time by the Party entitled to designate such Project Manager. Each Party shall promptly notify the other Party of any reassignments or changes in contact information of the Project Manager. No Project Manager for a Party shall have any authority to amend this Agreement.

12. Confidential Information. Except as provided below, all Information disclosed between the Parties pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed confidential (“Confidential Information”), except, in each case, to the extent that such information has been (i) in the public domain or generally available to the public, other than as a result of a disclosure by such Party or any member of such Party’s Group or any of their respective Representatives in violation of this Agreement, (ii) later lawfully acquired from other sources by such Party (or any member of such Party’s Group) which sources are not themselves bound by a confidentiality obligation or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality with respect to such confidential and proprietary information, or (iii) independently developed or generated without reference to or use of any Confidential Information of such other Party or any member of such other Party’s Group. A Party receiving Confidential Information (the “Receiving Party”) shall not use such information for any purpose other than for which it was disclosed by the party providing such information (the “Providing Party”) and, except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, shall not disclose to Third Parties any Confidential Information for a period of five (5) years from the termination or expiration of this Agreement or, with respect to any trade secrets, indefinitely. The obligations of the Receiving Party and the Providing Party with regard to Confidential Information shall be governed by and set forth in Sections 6.10 and 6.11 of the Separation and

 

18


Distribution Agreement, which shall be deemed incorporated by reference herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 12, the Parties acknowledge that amounts paid hereunder will be considered related party transactions and will be disclosed in public filings in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC or the NYSE.

13. Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither Party may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either Party may delegate its obligations under this Agreement to any Subsidiary of such Party without the prior written consent of the other Party.

14. No Third Party Beneficiaries. The provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties, respectively, and are not intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies hereunder. There are no Third Party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement shall not provide any Third Party with any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

15. Governing Law. This Agreement (and any claims or disputes arising out of or related hereto or thereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby or to the inducement of any party to enter herein and therein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) and all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement (and all Schedules hereto) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.

16. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the Parties hereby waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law any right it may have to a trial by jury with respect to any action or proceeding directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the Parties hereby (a) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of the other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other Party would not, in the event of any action or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (b) acknowledges that it has been induced to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as applicable, by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section 16.

17. Jurisdiction; Service of Process. Subject to Section 18, each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement for recognition or enforcement of any judgment relating hereto, and each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agrees not to commence any such action or proceeding except in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the federal court of the United States of America

 

19


sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, (ii) agrees that any claim in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, (iii) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in such courts and (iv) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in such courts. The Parties hereby agree that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided in Section 23, or in such other manner as may be permitted by Law, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof and hereby waive any objections to service accomplished in the manner herein provided.

18. Dispute Resolution.

(a) The Parties shall use good faith efforts to resolve any controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement, the interpretation of any of the provisions hereof, or the actions of the Parties hereunder. In the event of a breach of this Agreement, a dispute as to the meaning of this Agreement or a dispute as to any invoiced amount or any of its terms which the Parties cannot resolve by themselves amicably, the following provisions shall apply (which provisions shall be in addition to, and not a limitation of, the Parties’ remedies under Section 2(e), 7 and 9):

(i) All disputes or issues arising hereunder shall first be referred to the applicable Project Managers for resolution. In the event any such dispute or issue is not resolved in a timely manner, such matter shall be referred to senior management representatives, with appropriate decision making authority, for prompt resolution of the matter.

(ii) If the Parties are unable to resolve such dispute within sixty (60) days following the commencement of negotiations pursuant to Section 18(a), then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 18, either Party may initiate arbitration before the expiration of the periods specified in Section 7.2 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement if such Party has submitted a Arbitration Request and the other Party has failed to comply with Section 7.2 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement in good faith with respect to commencement and engagement in arbitration. In such event, the other Party may commence and prosecute such arbitration unilaterally in accordance with the CPR Rules.

(c) Unless otherwise agreed in writing or expressly stated herein, the Parties shall continue to honor all commitments under this Agreement to the extent required hereby and thereby during the course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Section 18 unless such commitments are the specific subject of the dispute at issue.

 

20


19. Relationship of the Parties. In providing the Products and services hereunder, IP is acting as and shall be considered an independent contractor. This Agreement is not intended to create and shall not be construed as creating between IP and Sylvamo any relationship other than an independent contractor and purchaser of the Products. The Parties specifically acknowledge that they are not, and this Agreement is not intended to and shall not be construed to make them, affiliates of one another and that no principal and agent, joint venture, partnership or similar relationship, or any other relationship, that imposes or implies any fiduciary duty, including any duty of care or duty of loyalty, exists between the Parties. Except as expressly set forth herein, no Party has the authority to, and each Party agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly contract any obligations of any kind in the name of or chargeable against the other Party without such other Party’s prior written consent.

20. Amendments; Waivers. No provisions of this shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification. No failure or delay by either Party in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right hereunder.

21. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Separation and Distribution Agreement, shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein.

22. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable or void, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

23. Notices. Other than for routine communications with respect to operational matters under this Agreement, the procedures specified in Section 10.5 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall apply with respect to all notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement.

24. Interpretation. In this Agreement, (a) words in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be deemed to include the other genders as the context requires; (b) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole (including all of the Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices hereto and thereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (c) Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit and Appendix

 

21


references are to the Articles, Sections, Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices to this Agreement unless otherwise specified; (d) unless otherwise stated, all references to this Agreement shall be deemed to include the Exhibits, Schedules and Annexes to such agreement; (e) the word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified; (f) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (g) unless otherwise specified in a particular case, the word “days” refers to calendar days; (h) references to “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by Law to close in (x) Memphis, Tennessee, (y) Selma, Alabama or (z) New York, New York; (i) references herein to this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement or such other agreement as of the date on which it is executed and as it may be amended, modified or supplemented thereafter, unless otherwise specified; (j) the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”; (k) unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts, including the symbol “$”, refer to the lawful currency of the United States of America; and (l) all references to “the date hereof” or “the date of this Agreement” and words of similar import shall all be references to [                ], 2021.

25. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties hereto, respectively, and delivered to the other Party hereto, respectively. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp or mechanical signature) by facsimile or by email portable document format (PDF) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

[The Remainder of this Page is Intentionally Left Blank.]

 

22


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Supply and Offtake Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written.

 

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
By:  

         

  Name:
  Title:
SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC
By:  

         

  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to Supply and Offtake Agreement]

Exhibit 10.7

CERTAIN IDENTIFIED INFORMATION HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS EXHIBIT BECAUSE IT IS BOTH NOT MATERIAL AND IS THE TYPE THAT THE REGISTRANT TREATS AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL. THE REDACTED TERMS HAVE BEEN MARKED WITH THREE ASTERISKS [***]

FORM OF SUPPLY AGREEMENT

This Supply Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of September 1, 2021 by and between Sylvamo North America, LLC, a Delaware Company, with corporate offices located in Memphis TN (“Buyer”) and International Paper Company, a New York corporation with corporate offices located at 6400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38197 (“Seller”).

WHEREAS, prior to the date hereof Seller, through its North American Container business unit, manufactured and sold corrugated packaging products (“Products”) to Seller’s North American Papers business unit (the “Papers Business”); and

WHEREAS, Seller is spinning off the Papers Business into a stand-alone, publicly traded company operated under Buyer’s name and marks by Buyer (the “Transaction”); and

WHEREAS, Buyer will purchase and Seller will to continue to supply Products that were supplied to the Papers Business prior to the close of the Transaction, as further described herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

CONTRACT ELEMENT

  

SPECIFICS

1.    Term of Contract    Three (3) Years (“Initial Term”). After the Initial Term, the Agreement shall automatically renew for a successive one (1) year term (a “Renewal Term”) unless either party gives written notice of termination to the other party at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or Renewal Term (the Initial Term and Renewal Term referred to herein as the “Term”).
2.    Start Date and End Date    September1, 2021 through August 31, 2024
3.    Purchase Commitment    During the Term of this Agreement, Buyer agrees to purchase 100% of its requirements for the Products identified in the attached Exhibit A from International Paper, including any replacements, modifications or revisions of said Products (“Replacement Products”). Provided, however, in the event International Paper is unable to manufacture the Replacement Product(s) to meet Buyer’s requirements, Buyer shall be free to purchase said Replacement Product(s) from an alternate supplier.
4.    Prices    Initial prices are listed in Exhibit A. Prices may be changed as described below in Section 5.
5.    Price changes based on changes in price/ton of linerboard    The prices of Products shall increase or decrease by [***]% for every $10/ton movement in the midpoint of the East Coast, open market price for 42# unbleached kraft linerboard as reported in the “Price Watch” section of Pulp & Paper Week (“PPW”). The benchmark price for calculating a change in the price of linerboard shall be $[***]/ton for the initial adjustment and thereafter the baseline will be the midpoint of the East Coast open market price as of the immediately prior price adjustment under this Agreement. Price change is made quarterly (Jan 1, April 1, July 1 and Oct 1) based on PPW price publication for the 2nd month for the prior quarter (i.e., Nov for Jan 1, Feb for April 1, May for July 1, August for October 1). Price changes will be implemented with shipments. $20 per ton min trigger (cumulative)
6.    Payment Terms    Net 30 days from date of invoice
7.    Minimum order    Full or mixed full truckload, small quantity adders for any order less than 6,000 pieces
8.    Freight    FOB Buyer location. All pricing includes freight with the exception of shipment to South Coast Paper. For South Coast Paper, freight is added as a separate line and billed to Buyer.


CONTRACT ELEMENT

  

SPECIFICS

9.    Lead Time for
Orders
   Ten (10) working days existing items, Fifteen (15) working days for new items. Changes will be communicated to the customer to better understand if expectations have changed.
10.    Drop Trailers / Warehousing    All items are quoted make and ship. Warehousing is not included in pricing. For locations that require drop trailers (i.e., Sumter), pricing includes [***] drop trailers. Any additional trailer need will be charged at monthly fee of $[***].
11.    Cost Savings    Seller will work with Buyer to identify cost savings on an annual basis. The annual targeted cost savings shall be [***] percent ([***]%); however, the parties acknowledge that the foregoing is not intended to be a guarantee of cost savings.
12.    Commercialization Support    Seller will support Buyer with efforts around corrugated packaging opportunities with end-use customers. Our businesses will also schedule top to top meetings as appropriate, to discuss strategies on key customers / support.
13.    Pre-press and Printing Plates    Buyer pays for new and changed items, Seller pays for repairs and replacements. Print plates shall be procured only from Seller approved tooling manufacturers
14.    Cutting Dies    Buyer pays for new and changed items, Seller pays for repairs and replacements
15.    Termination for Cause and/or Performance    This Agreement may be terminated as follows: (i) by either party, upon written notice to the other party in the event that the other breaches any of its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect and such breach continues for a period of 30 days after the non-breaching party has given the breaching party written notice of such breach; or (ii) by either party, in the event that the other files a petition in bankruptcy or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or a third party files a petition in bankruptcy against the other, which petition is not dismissed within 30 days after filing. The parties acknowledge that failure of International Paper to fulfill orders pursuant to Customer’s requirements, as identified in Section 3, in accordance with the agreed upon quality and service standards, shall constitute a breach of this Agreement that is subject to cure or termination in accordance with this provision.

The parties also agree that the provisions contained in any Schedules or Addenda attached hereto shall apply to the purchase and sale of Products under this Agreement. In addition, the Standard Terms and Conditions of Sale of Packaging Products attached hereto are incorporated into this Agreement and shall apply to the purchase and sale of Products under this Agreement, provided that any of the foregoing provisions and the provisions in any Schedules or Addenda shall prevail over any conflicting provisions in the Standard Terms and Conditions.

The parties hereby consent to this Agreement as evidenced by the signatures of their authorized representatives on the date or dates indicated below.

 

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
By:___________________________
          (Signature)
______________________________
(Name -- typed or printed)
______________________________
(Title)
______________________________
(Date)


EXHIBIT A

PRICE LIST SCHEDULE

[***]

Exhibit 10.8

CERTAIN IDENTIFIED INFORMATION HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS EXHIBIT BECAUSE IT IS BOTH NOT MATERIAL AND IS THE TYPE THAT THE REGISTRANT TREATS AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL. THE REDACTED TERMS HAVE BEEN MARKED WITH THREE ASTERISKS [***]

GLOBAL SOURCING AGREEMENT- IP EMEA

Between

Papeteries d’Espaly. a private limited liability company governed by the laws of France, with a share capital of 2 947 836,63 EUR, with its registered office at Espaly - 43000 Le Puy and registered under number 585 950 298 RCS Le Puy en Velay hereinafter referred to as “Supplier”,

Represented by:

And

IP Belgian Services Company SRL, a limited liability company existing under the laws of Belgium, with registered office at Chaussée de la Hulpe 166, B-1170 Brussels (Belgium), and registered in the Register of Legal Persons under the number RPM 0864.502.107, acting in the name and for the account of its affiliates as listed in Annex 1 “IP Facilities” hereinafter referred to as “International Paper” or

“IP”.

Supplier and IP are collectively referred to as the “Parties” and individually as a “Party”.

Whereas Supplier produces/distributes Boxes, hereinafter called the “Product(s)” and shall provide Services as defined by this contract, and International Paper is willing to buy said Products for its affiliate, the parties agree as follows.

1. SCOPE OF AGREEMENT

Supplier commits to sell and supply the Products under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

This Agreement and the terms and conditions contained herein are applicable to all current stock, non-stock, and future new products within Supplier’s product lines that shall mutually be agreed to be appropriate for International Paper’s applications.

IP does not commit to supply Products exclusively from Supplier. Any volume or quantity is given as a best estimate or potential. IP does not guarantee the purchase of any specific volumes or quantities to Supplier.

2. TERM OF THE AGREEMENT / TERMINATION

The term of this Agreement is 3 years, beginning on May 1st, 2020 and ending on April 30th, 2022.

This Agreement may be extended for an additional period with the mutual agreement of both parties.

3. QUALITY

Supplier will supply the Products with the quality standards and service levels as defined in the specifications as agreed by both Parties. Both Parties will review on regular basis, at least quarterly, the past quality and service performance and will define corrective measures to improve quality and services levels.

Supplier is encouraged to propose a product of an alternate specification for any application where the supplier identifies an opportunity for reduces cost and/or greater value. Supplier basis for proposing and alternative specification must be clearly stated.

Supply of an alternate Product is subject to IP’s prior approval, and if needed Trial procedures as described in Annex 4 “Product Specification” will be needed.

 

Page 1


4. PRICES / TITLE AND RISK OF LOSS / PRICE PROTECTION / PAYMENT TERMS

All prices are in EUROS and will be adjusted quarterly based on the Price Revision Formula attached in Annex 2.

Any price surcharge that is not clearly defined as such in this Agreement is supposed to be included in prices attached in Annex 2.

All prices are DAP IP Saillat (Incoterms 2010), VAT excluded. Supplier shall provide transportation for all products purchased by IP via either Supplier’s vehicles, Distributor’s vehicles, or common carrier.

IP shall, at all times during the term of this Agreement, monitor third parties’ prices for the same or similar Products and have the ability to buy from that third party supplier if Supplier does not match third party’s lower prices for the same or similar products and specifications.

The Payment Terms for all orders from IP being placed with Supplier using traditional purchase orders, blanket order releases and EDI purchase orders is 60 [sixty] days from Invoice date and after the Products invoiced have been delivered to the appropriate affiliate.

5. DELIVERIES TIMES / INVENTORIES

Time is of the essence, Supplier shall always respect previously agreed delivery times.

After receiving and accepting the IP’s order by Supplier otherwise Supplier is obliged to liquidated damages of 2% of value of claimed delivery per day for each delivery that is delivered late will apply, up to a maximum of 10% of the value of claimed delivery.

This will apply also to orders that do not correspond to a full truck load.

6. PURCHASE ORDERS / SPECIFICATIONS

IP is allowed to enter purchase orders based on following Minimum Order Quantity

Minimum order quantities are defined by each items. MOQ are provided in Annex 2.1 – “PRICE LIST”

7. TRIALS/MEET COMPETITION

IP reserves the right to run trials to investigate new and more cost-efficient technology or that is more appropriate for IP’s application at any time without prior approval or notification to Supplier. Supplier will be given the opportunity by IP to meet new performance requirements and/or costs established from these trials.

IP reserves the right to consult market competitions on yearly basis to assess the competitiveness of the pricing proposed by the Supplier. Supplier will be given the opportunity by IP to meet new requirements and/or costs established from these consultation.

8. SUBCONTRACTORS

Supplier will act as general contractor. Supplier is not allowed to use any subcontractors without IP’s prior written approval. In the event of breaching this clause the Supplier will pay to IP liquidated damages of 100,000 EUR, without prejudice to IP’s claims for damages exceeding that amount.

9. GOVERNING LAW

The validity and interpretation of this Agreement and of the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed and construed according to the Law of Belgium.

 

Page 2


Signed in two counterparts.    
PAPETERIES D’ESPALY     IP Belgian Services Company SRL,

/s/ Olivier Gazengel

   

/s/ Danny Pieters

By:   Olivier Gazengel     By:   Danny Pieters
Title:   Directeur Général     Title:   Proxyholder
Director Global Sourcing EMEA
Date:       Date:  

List of Annexes:

Annex 1: List of IP Facilities

Annex 2: Prices and Price Revision Formula

 

LOGO

 

Page 3


ANNEX 1 – LIST OF FACILITIES

[***]

 

Page 4


ANNEX 2 - PRICE LIST & PRICE REVISION MECHANISM

[***]

 

Page 5

Exhibit 10.9

 

LOGO

CERTAIN IDENTIFIED INFORMATION HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS EXHIBIT BECAUSE IT IS BOTH NOT MATERIAL AND IS THE TYPE THAT THE REGISTRANT TREATS AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL. THE REDACTED TERMS HAVE BEEN MARKED WITH THREE ASTERISKS [***]

FORM OF RECYCLABLE MATERIAL MASTER PURCHASE AGREEMENT

International Paper Company, a New York corporation, with an office and principal place of business at 6400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38197 (“International Paper” or “Buyer”) agrees to buy, and the person, firm, or corporation listed below (“Seller”) agrees to sell certain recyclable materials (“Goods”) on the terms and conditions described in this Recyclable Material Master Purchase Agreement (“Agreement”).

This Agreement consists of:

 

   

The attached addenda (“Addenda”)

 

   

Addendum A: Statement of Work (“SOW”)

 

   

Addendum B: Standard Terms and Conditions

 

   

Any additional applicable SOWs executed by the parties

 

   

Any applicable NDA between the parties

Contact Information for Notices:

 

Seller

  

Buyer

NAME: Sylvamo North America, LLC

ADDRESS: ____________________________

PHONE: ________________________________

EMAIL: _________________________________

STATE ORGANIZED: _____________________

CORPORATION/LLC: _____________________

  

International Paper Company

Attention: Vice President and General Manager,
Recycling and Recovered Fiber

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

With a copy to:    With a copy to:

NAME: __________________________

ADDRESS: ______________________

PHONE: _________________________

EMAIL: __________________________

  

International Paper Company

Attention: Senior Counsel, Recycling

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

Each party may update its contacts above by notice to the other. Routine business and technical correspondence must be in English, and may be in electronic form. The parties will give all legal notices under this Agreement in writing, in non-electronic form, and in English.

Duly authorized representatives of the parties execute this Agreement to be effective as of 9/1/2021.

 

SELLER: SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC   BUYER: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
By:                                                                                                        By:                                                                                                     
Print Name:                                                                                        Print Name:                                                                                     
Title:                                                                                                     Title:                                                                                                  

 

1


LOGO

 

ADDENDUM A: STATEMENT OF WORK (“SOW”)

This Statement of Work (“SOW”), between the International Paper Company (“International Paper” or “Buyer”) and Sylvamo North America, LLC (“Seller”) is entered into and made a part of the Recyclable Material Master Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) between International Paper and Seller, dated 9/1/2021. Any capitalized term not defined in this SOW has the meaning attributed to it in the Agreement. To the extent that any terms of this SOW conflict with any of the terms of the Agreement, the terms of the SOW explicitly supersede the terms in the Agreement. The parties may negotiate and execute additional SOWs as agreed.

 

CONTRACT ELEMENT

  

SPECIFICS

1.    Start and End Dates    [***] until [***] (the “Initial Term”).
2.    Renewal    After the Initial Term, this SOW shall automatically renew for a successive one (1) year term (a “Renewal Term”) unless either party gives written notice of termination to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or Renewal Term (the Initial Term and Renewal Term referred to herein as the “Term”).
3.    Seller’s Designated Location(s), Grade(s), and Volume    Seller’s Designated Location(s), Grade(s), and Estimated Volume for each ton of Goods sold and purchased under this SOW shall be as described in Exhibit 1. [***]
4.    Purchase Pricing Formula   

The Purchase Pricing Formula for each ton of Goods sold and purchased under this SOW shall be as described in Exhibit 1 and shall be adjusted monthly based on either:

 

PPI Pulp & Paper Week Recovered Paper Price Watch (“PPI”). If PPI changes pricing policy, ceases to publish, or no longer reasonably reflects the Goods’ value, then the Parties shall attempt in good faith to agree on a mutually acceptable alternative; or

 

The Fair Market Value (“FMV”) of the Goods as determined and quoted by Buyer from time to time and confirmed by Seller either in writing or by delivery of Goods to Buyer after receiving such quotation.

 

Prior to the end of each year of the Term, Buyer agrees to compare prices of each Grade as set forth in Exhibit 1 (“Sylvamo Prices”) to the average prices Buyer is paying to other suppliers for the same Goods (“Third Party Pricing). If Sylvamo Prices are inconsistent with Third Party Prices (either higher or lower), Sylvamo Prices will be adjusted in line with Third Party Prices and Exhibit 1 will be revised accordingly to be effective for the following year.

5.    Shipping    Shipping costs are included in the Purchase Pricing Formula described above, unless otherwise indicated. Shipping shall be as described in Exhibit 1.
6.    Payment Terms    Net thirty (30) days from the date of invoice.
7.    Minimum Weight   

From Sumter: [***]

 

From Eastover: [***]

8.    Safe Loading Pattern    Seller will ship all baled Goods (if any) in accordance with the Safe Loading Pattern Requirements attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit 2.
9.    Termination    This SOW is subject to termination at any time during the Term with no less than thirty (30) days prior written notice to the other party in the event that (i) Buyer no longer offers the services contemplated herein or (ii) Seller no longer possesses the Goods (as defined below).
10.    Container Placement    Exhibit 4 is not applicable and is intentionally not attached.
11.    Trailer Placement    The Parties shall execute the Trailer Placement Addendum attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit 5. Seller’s use of the Trailers shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Trailer Placement Addendum.
12.    Equipment Placement    Exhibit 6 is not applicable and is intentionally not attached.

 

2


LOGO

 

CONTRACT ELEMENT

  

SPECIFICS

13.    Document Destruction    Exhibit 7 is not applicable and is intentionally not attached.
14.    Storage    Exhibit 8 is not applicable and is intentionally not attached.
15.    Transload    Exhibit 9 is not applicable and is intentionally not attached.
16.    Fees    Seller shall be assessed monthly fee(s) (“Fee(s)”), as described below:
   ☒ Trash Disposal    $[***] per ton (Eastover and Sumter)
   ☒ Handling   

$[***] per pickup (Eastover)

$[***] per pickup (Sumter)

  

 

The parties agree the Fee(s) shall be deducted from any amounts due to Seller under the terms of the SOW. The parties agree to review the Fees annually and adjust either up or down on changes in (i) inflation as demonstrated by the Consumer Price Index or (ii) changes in costs to Buyer. International Paper is providing no warranty with regard to ITEMS OR PERFORMANCE LISTED IN THIS SECTION.

 

SELLER: SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC   BUYER: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
By:                                                                                                        By:                                                                                                     
Print Name:                                                                                        Print Name:                                                                                     
Title:                                                                                                     Title:                                                                                                  

 

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EXHIBIT 1: SELLER’S DESIGNATED LOCATION, GRADES, VOLUME, SHIPPING, PURCHASE PRICING FORMULA

[***]

 

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ADDENDUM B: STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS (RMMPA)

 

1. APPLICABILITY. These terms and conditions of sale (“Terms”) are the only Terms that govern the purchase of the defined Goods by Buyer from Seller. Unless otherwise provided for in a written agreement executed by Buyer and Seller, these Terms, including any accompanying confirmation or purchase order (collectively, this “Agreement”) comprise the entire Agreement between the parties, and supersede all prior or contemporaneous understandings, agreements, negotiations, representations and warranties, and communications, both written and oral. These Terms prevail over any of Seller’s general terms and conditions of sale regardless whether or when Seller has submitted its invoice or such terms. Payment of Seller’s invoice does not constitute acceptance of any of Seller’s terms and conditions and does not serve to modify or amend these Terms.

2. SCOPE. The terms of this Agreement apply only to the purchase or sale of Goods or Services between Seller and International Paper’s Recycling Business Unit. The terms of this Agreement do not apply to any other purchase or sale of Goods or Services between Seller and any other International Paper business unit.

3. CURRENCY; TERMS OF PAYMENT. All purchase prices are expressed in US Dollars (”US Dollar Purchase Price”). Buyer may pay all amounts due under this Agreement, including the purchase price and indemnification or other amounts owed under this Agreement, in US Dollars. Unless otherwise agreed, Buyer shall pay for Goods on or before the last day of the calendar month after the month in which they were received. Any fees and amounts owed by Seller to Buyer may be offset by Buyer.

4. TITLE; RISK OF LOSS. Title and risk of loss shall pass from Seller to Buyer upon: (a) departure from Seller’s Designated Location if Buyer designates the carrier or picks up the Goods or (b) delivery to Buyer’s designated location if Seller designates or provides the carrier. Under no circumstances shall title to

Hazardous Materials or Restricted Materials (as defined in the Agreement) pass from Seller to Buyer and such title shall always remain with Seller.

5. INSURANCE. Seller, or Seller’s respective subcontractors, affiliates, agents, and assigns delivering to an International Paper facility shall, prior to commencing operations hereunder:

(a) Maintain at its own cost adequate insurance coverage, purchased on a primary and non-contributory basis, from an insurer with at minimum an A.M. Best’s Credit Rating of A-, VII or equivalent covering its business interests, property and employees and its obligations hereunder. Seller shall maintain, at minimum, the following types and amounts of coverage on policies on an “occurrence” basis: (i) Worker’s Compensation Insurance (or qualification as a self-insurer) covering its employees, owner(s), partners and/or executive officers in amounts (1) as required by state law where Seller’s operations are performed, or (2) if no amount is required by state law, in amounts reasonably acceptable to Buyer. The insurance required under this section shall bear an endorsement evidencing a waiver of the right of subrogation against Buyer and an assignment of statutory lien, if applicable; (ii) Commercial General Liability Insurance covering bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage, including products/completed operations liability and contractual liability coverage, with per occurrence limits of not less than $1,000,000 and an aggregate limit of not less than $1,000,000; (iii) Employer’s Liability Insurance coverage with limits not less than $500,000 each accident, $500,000 disease – policy limit and $500,000 disease – each employee; and if operating commercial vehicles, (iv) Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance with a limit of not less than $1,000,000 and an aggregate limit of not less than $1,000,000 on any owned, non-owned, or hired vehicle. If Seller does not own, operate or use its own trucking or hauling services in the

performance of its obligations under this Agreement, but uses contracted services for the delivery of Goods to Buyer, then Seller shall also maintain Truck Broker Liability coverage or similar type of coverage of not less than $1,000,000.

(b) Agree to name Buyer as an “Additional Insured” for full limits of insurance coverage, including but not limited to any excess coverage purchased and obtain a waiver of subrogation in Buyer’s favor on its Commercial General Liability, Commercial Automobile Liability or Truck Broker Liability policies. Seller will provide Buyer with copies of policy endorsements evidencing Additional Insured requirements and waivers of subrogation thereunder from each insurer. If Seller uses external carriers or subcontractors to perform such delivery services on behalf of Seller, then Seller shall require that all such carriers or subcontractors obtain and maintain adequate insurance coverage with at minimum coverage types and limits as set forth in this Section 5, including Workers Compensation Insurance. Seller shall obtain from such carriers and subcontractors evidence of such insurance coverage and make the same available for Buyer’s review upon request.

(c) Provide to Buyer a certificate of insurance, bearing applicable endorsements evidencing that Seller is maintaining the coverage provided in this Section. If Seller receives notice from its insurance company of any cancellation or any material change of such insurance policies required hereunder, Seller shall promptly provide Buyer with a copy of any such notice.

6. WARRANTY. Seller warrants to Buyer that, at the time title passes to Buyer: (i) the Goods conform to the specifications described in the most recently published ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular or required by the receiving mill, if applicable, and communicated in writing to Seller by Buyer, (ii) Buyer has marketable title to the Goods free of all lawful liens and

 

 

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encumbrances, and (iii) the Goods shall be free of all Hazardous Materials and Restricted Materials, where “Hazardous Materials” is defined as any toxic, hazardous, dangerous, or restricted substance or waste, including medical waste, petroleum, any byproducts or fractions thereof, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), urea formaldehyde foam insulation, asbestos, radioactive substances, poly-aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, and any other substances regulated by, and identified as “hazardous” by, federal, state, local or municipal laws, regulations, rules, and codes, and any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, on the basis of their actual or potential adverse effect on human health and/or the environment and “Restricted Materials” is defined as any material containing readable information whose public disclosure is restricted or prohibited by law or regulation, including, without limitation, information regulated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Social Security numbers, bank account or credit card numbers, medical or personnel records, confidential or classified information.

7. INSPECTION; NON-CONFORMING GOODS; LIABILITY. Buyer shall have the right to inspect, accept or reject the Goods at any time for conformance with applicable specifications. Buyer shall give Seller notice of any non-conforming Goods within thirty (30) days of discovery of defect. If Seller does not object in writing to Buyer’s determination of non-conformity within two (2) days, Seller shall: (1) properly handle, remove and dispose of any and all non-conforming Goods identified by Buyer, unless Buyer has already done so in order to avoid additional cost, contamination or liability, and (2) refund the portion of the price paid with respect to such non-conforming Goods and pay all costs associated with the handling, removal, storage, disposal, inspection, testing and clean up of such non-conforming Goods or, at Buyer’s option, Buyer may credit or offset such amounts against payments to Seller. If no rejection has been made within such 30-day period, Buyer shall be deemed to have finally and unconditionally accepted the Goods, except with respect to Hazardous and Restricted Materials, in which case no time limitation shall apply.

8. MINIMUM LOAD WEIGHT; CHARGE BACK. Seller agrees to provide minimum truckload weight as designated by Buyer (“Minimum Weight”). Truckload weight shall be defined as the total net weight of the Goods based on Buyer’s scale (“Load Weight”). If the Load Weight is less than the required Minimum Weight, Buyer may charge back Seller the freight costs associated with the difference between the Load Weight and the Minimum Weight.

9. EXCUSE OF PERFORMANCE. No liability shall result from delay in performance caused by circumstances beyond the control of the party affected, including but not limited to, act of God, fire, flood, war, government action, accident, labor trouble or shortage, inability to obtain material, equipment or transportation.

10. TERMINATION. Either party may terminate this Agreement if the other party fails to cure any default in the performance of any covenant or obligation under this Agreement within thirty (30) days after written notice. This Agreement will terminate immediately and automatically if either party files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or enters into an arrangement with its creditors, or applies for consents to the appointment, or suffers or permits the entry of an order adjudicating it to be bankrupt or insolvent.

11. PROPERTY DAMAGE. Seller shall be responsible for any damage to Buyer’s property to the extent caused by any negligent act, negligent omission, or willful misconduct of Seller or Seller’s respective parent company, affiliates, agents, employees, officers, directors, successors, and assigns Any damage shall be reported to International Paper immediately. Seller will pay Buyer the full current repair or replacement cost of such property within thirty (30) days after its loss or damage.

12. INDEMNIFICATION. Seller and Buyer (“Indemnitor”) each agrees to indemnify and hold the other and its respective parent company, affiliates, agents, employees, officers, directors, successors, and assigns (“Indemnitee”)

harmless, against any and all third-party claims, damages, fines, penalties, costs, liabilities or losses (including sums paid in settlement of claims, reasonable attorneys’ fees, consultant fees, expert fees and costs) (“Claim”) arising out of Indemnitor’s negligence or other tort, including that of its officers, employees, contractors, agents and subcontractors, except that no right of indemnity shall exist in that portion of such Claim resulting from the fault of Indemnitee, its officers, employees, contractors, agents and subcontractors, or if the Indemnitor has relied on the express written approval, acceptance or instructions of Indemnitee with respect to the act or omission giving rise to the Claim. Indemnitee shall, within ten (10) calendar days after receipt of notice of the commencement of any third party Claim against Indemnitee, for which indemnity may be sought, notify Indemnitor; provided, however, that the failure to provide such notice shall not relieve Indemnitor of its indemnity obligations, unless the Indemnitor is prejudiced by such delay. Unless otherwise agreed, Indemnitor shall assume the defense of any such Claim with reputable counsel. Indemnitee will cooperate with Seller in the defense of such action as Seller may reasonably request. Buyer shall have the right to participate in such defense and any related settlement discussions, but at its own cost and expense.

13. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY. Except set forth in other sections of this Agreement, neither party shall be liable to the other for incidental, consequential, punitive or exemplary damages whether in tort, contract, breach of this agreement or any warranty or any other theory.

14. WAIVER. The failure of either party to insist in any one or more instances upon strict performance of any of the provisions of the Agreement or to take advantage of any of its rights shall not operate as a continuing waiver of such rights.

15. NO INTENDED THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. There are no intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement.

16. ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement may be assigned by Buyer and shall pass in full force and effect to any successor in interest to Buyer.

 

 

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17. GOVERNING LAW; VENUE; NOTICES. This AGREEMENT shall be governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee, without reference to choice of law rules or to the Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. Any dispute arising under, in connection with, or incident to this Agreement or about its interpretation will be resolved exclusively in the state courts for Shelby County, Tennessee or the federal courts for the Western District of Tennessee. Seller irrevocably submits to those courts’ venue and jurisdiction. Seller waives all defenses of lack of personal jurisdiction and forum non-conveniens. A final judgment in any such suit or action may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. All notices shall be deemed sufficient if sent by U.S. mail addressed to the party at the place of business referred to above, with copy to 6400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38197, Attn: General Counsel—Containerboard.

18. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS. Seller shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations and ordinances and shall maintain in effect all the licenses, permissions, authorizations, consents and permits that it needs to carry out its obligations under this Agreement.

19. POLICY COMPLIANCE. Seller agrees to comply with and require its employees, contractors and agents to comply with Buyer’s Third Party Code of Conduct, as well as Buyer’s policies, rules and directions regarding safety, security and appropriate conduct on Buyer’s premises or delivery points and toward Buyer’s employees. Buyer’s Third Party Code of Conduct is attached hereto as Exhibit 3 and may also be found at:

http://www.internationalpaper.com/company/suppliers/third-party-code-of-conduct

Seller shall be responsible for notifying any of Seller’s parent, subsidiary and

affiliated companies of this Third Party Code of Conduct and its expectations.

20. SAFETY. Seller and its subcontractors shall comply with all local, state, and federal health and safety laws and regulations applicable to Seller in the performance of its services hereunder, including, but not limited to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and its amendments and regulations. While on Buyer’s premises, Seller and its subcontractors shall comply with Buyer’s site-specific regulations and shall ensure that all of its employees, subcontractors and agents have a safe work environment. Seller shall establish and instruct its employees in good practices of safety and hygiene and enforce observance of the same. Seller shall comply with all standards set forth by OSHA Hazard Communications Standard. Seller is solely responsible for the safety of Seller’s employees or subcontractors and the means and methods employed by its employees or subcontractors in performing the services contemplated herein, and agree that Buyer shall have no such responsibility. In the event an employee of Seller or one of its subcontractors is injured while on Buyer’s premises, Seller shall (i) immediately notify Buyer of the time, nature, and severity of the injury, (ii) at its own cost and expense cause to be performed an investigation into the “root cause” of the injury by a competent investigator, and (iii) provide Buyer with a copy of the investigation report. The report shall include an explanation of causation of the accident and the steps Seller or its subcontractor is taking to avoid a similar accident from occurring. Seller shall also provide Buyer with periodic updates on the recovery of the injured individual until such time as he or she returns to work. In the event Buyer elects to perform its own investigation, or requests that a joint investigation be performed, Seller shall cooperate and actively assist in such an effort. In addition to the above, if an employee of Seller or one of its subcontractors experiences a “near

miss” that could have resulted in serious injury while on Buyer’s premises, Seller shall investigate the incident and report to Buyer its findings and the steps that Seller will take to avoid a repeat incident.

21. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS. Except as provided below, no relationship of employer-employee or master and servant is intended, nor shall it be construed, to exist between Seller and Buyer, or between Buyer and any servant, agent, employee and/or supplier of Seller. Seller shall select and pay its own servants, agents, employees, suppliers and/or subcontractors and neither Seller nor its servants, agents, employees, suppliers or subcontractors shall be subject to any orders, supervision or control of Buyer.

In Louisiana, for work and/or services performed by Seller at Buyer’s owned or leased sites, it is further agreed between Seller and Buyer that the work being performed by Seller is part of Buyer’s trade, business or occupation, and the work performed by Seller pursuant to this Agreement is an integral part of and essential to the ability of Buyer to generate Buyer’s goods, products and/or services. Accordingly, pursuant to La. R.S. 23:1061, Buyer is the statutory employer of Seller’s employees, including both direct and statutory employees, performing work under this Agreement. Seller assumes full responsibility for supervising and directing its employees.

22. MODIFICATION; MERGER. These Terms and Conditions may be modified or revised only by a writing signed by authorized agents of the parties. Unless the goods covered by this Agreement are the subject of a written contract between the parties, the Agreement, including these Terms and Conditions, shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and there are no understandings, agreements or representations, express or implied, not specified herein.

 

 

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Exhibit 10.10

 

 

 

FORM OF FIBER PURCHASE AGREEMENT

by and among

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY

and

SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Dated as of [●], 2021

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I – Defined Terms

     Page 1  

ARTICLE II – Duration and Termination

     Page 5  

ATICLE III – Sale of Products and IP Procurement Services

     Page 6  

ARTICLE IV – Sylvamo Mill Woodyard Operations

     Page 9  

ARTICLE V – Title and Risk of Loss

     Page 10  

ARTICLE VI – Transition at end of Term

     Page 10  

ARTICLE VII – Quantities

     Page 12  

ARTICLE VIII – Audit/Verification

     Page 12  

ARTICLE IX – Terms of Payment

     Page 13  

ARTICLE X – Transparency and Meetings

     Page 14  

ARTICLE XI – Supply Security

     Page 15  

ARTICLE XII – Certification

     Page 15  

ARTICLE XIII – Indemnification, Limitation of Liability and Force Majeure

     Page 16  

ARTICLE XIV – Safety

     Page 18  

ARTICLE XV – General Provisions

     Page 19  

 

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EXHIBITS

Exhibit A – Example Calculations of Delivered Base Price and Monthly Procurement Fee

Exhibit B –– Product Terms

Appendix A to Exhibit B (Specifications)

Ticonderoga Mill Chip Quality Specifications and Guidelines for Delivery of Wood and Chips

Eastover Mill Chip Quality Specifications and Woodyard Specifications and Rules

Appendix B to Exhibit B (Compliance with Boiler MACT Regulations)

Exhibit C – Intentionally Omitted

Exhibit D – Transition Provisions

Exhibit E – Sylvamo Insurance Requirements

Exhibit F – Wood Employees Organizational Chart

 

 

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FORM OF FIBER PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS FIBER PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is entered into by and between International Paper Company, a New York corporation (“IP”) and Sylvamo North America, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sylvamo”) and shall become effective as of [●], 2021 (the “Effective Date”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, Sylvamo Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), IP and Sylvamo entered into that certain Transaction Agreement, dated as of _______________, 2021 (the “Transaction Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, at the Closing (as defined in the Transaction Agreement) certain assets and liabilities constituting the Transferred Business (as defined in the Transaction Agreement) will be contributed to Parent and its subsidiaries, which includes Sylvamo;

WHEREAS, in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, IP desires to sell and provide to Sylvamo, and Sylvamo desires to purchase and accept, Sylvamo’s requirements of the Products and IP Procurement Services; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINED TERMS

Section 1.1 Defined Terms. When used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings specified therefor below (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined).

Affiliate(s)” shall mean a Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, a specified Person as of the date on which, or at any time during the period for which, the determination of affiliation is being made. The term “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other ownership interest, by contract or otherwise.

Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

 

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Area Mills

(a) shall mean, with respect to the Eastover Mill: the Eastover Mill and any IP owned mill located within a 150 road mile radius of the Eastover Mill; and

(b) shall mean, with respect to the Ticonderoga Mill: the Ticonderoga Mill only.

Auditor” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.

Business Day” shall mean a day, other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by applicable Law to close.

Certified Products” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

Client Mills” shall mean the mills that were previously owned and operated by IP where IP is providing Procurement Services during the Term of this Agreement.

Confidential Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.

Continuation Services” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

Contracts with Suppliers” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

Cost Management” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.7.

Delivered Base Price” shall mean the total out-of-pocket cost IP pays to third parties for the purchase price of all Products provided to the Transferred Mills and the associated fuel, handling, processing and transportation costs for such Products during a given week, but Delivered Base Price shall not include costs included in the Monthly Procurement Fee. An example of the calculation of the Delivered Base Price is attached as Exhibit A.

Disclosing Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.

Dispute” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.11.

Dispute Resolution Request” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.11.

Eastover Mill” shall mean the Converting and Specialty and Papers mill and all associated facilities in Eastover, South Carolina included in the Transferred Assets under the Transaction Agreement.

Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

 

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Facilities Lease Agreements” shall mean those certain Lease Agreements by and between Sylvamo and IP dated of even date herewith pursuant to which Sylvamo leases to IP the real property constituting the Supporting Facilities and improvements thereon and personal property and equipment located thereon.

FSC” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

Governmental Authority” shall mean any foreign, federal, state or local court, administrative agency, official board, bureau, governmental or quasi-governmental entities having competent jurisdiction over IP or Sylvamo and any other tribunal or commission or other governmental department, authority or instrumentality or any subdivision, agency, mediator, arbitrator, commission or authority of competent jurisdiction.

Inventory” shall mean the inventory of Products maintained at the Transferred Mills and the Supporting Facilities for the benefit of Sylvamo.

IP” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

IP Mills” shall mean any pulp and paper mills and associated facilities owned or operated by IP and/or any of its Affiliates.

IP Procurement Services” shall mean the procurement services for Products to be provided by IP to Sylvamo consistent with the services that were provided to the Transferred Mills under IP ownership.

Joint Contracts” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

Law” shall mean any federal, state, local or foreign law (including common law), statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order, injunction, decree, arbitration award, agency requirement, license, treaty or permit of any Governmental Authority.

Liability” shall mean all debts, liabilities, obligations, Losses, interest and penalties of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown, whenever arising.

Losses” shall mean any and all damages, judgments, awards, liabilities, losses (including to the extent reasonably foreseeable lost profits, lost revenue and diminution in value), obligations, claims of any kind or nature, fines and costs and expenses (including interest, penalties, reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys, auditors, consultants and other agents and all amounts paid in investigation, defense or settlement of any of the foregoing and the enforcement of any rights hereunder).

 

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Maximum Inventory” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.

Monthly Procurement Fee” shall mean all necessary and reasonable: (i) overhead and administrative costs; and (ii) other such costs not included in the Delivered Base Price necessary to provide the IP Procurement Services (as defined herein), including but not limited to personnel associated costs, “Supporting Facility” operating costs, maintenance costs, income credits, severance tax payments (where applicable), working capital fee, rail car lease costs, and IP region and IP corporate allocations for support services. All IP region and corporation allocation for support services shall be allocated based on the average cost per ton. An example of the calculation and allocation of the Monthly Procurement Fee is attached as Exhibit A.

MWPSA” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3

Parent” shall have the meaning set forth in the recital hereof.

Person” shall mean a natural person, corporation, company, joint venture, individual business trust, trust association, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or other entity, including a Governmental Authority.

Physical Inventories” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.

Product” shall mean hardwood and softwood, roundwood and chips, and fiber fuel.

Product Invoice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.

Qualifying Special Cause Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.8.

Receiving Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.

Service Invoice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.2.

Special Cause Event” shall mean an event that is outside of the normal course of operations or historical norms that requires IP to take actions in order to provide products and/or services to a Transferred Mill and/or its applicable Area Mill(s) and such action adversely impacts one or more of the other applicable Area Mills (including the Transferred Mill) such that the mill(s) that was benefited should be responsible for reimbursing the other applicable Area Mills the incremental out of pocket expenses they incurred. For the avoidance of doubt, Special Cause Event shall not include changes in demand for Products by Sylvamo that have been communicated to IP with reasonable advance written notice.

Sylvamo” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

 

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Sylvamo’s Consent” shall mean where Sylvamo’s consent is required in this Agreement, said consent shall not unreasonably be denied, withheld, conditioned, or delayed.

Supporting Facilities” shall mean the chip mills with associated wet storage yards (located in Santuc, South Carolina and Silverstreet, South Carolina, the onsite wet storage yard (referenced as the Goss woodyard), and offsite office locations (located in Eastover, South Carolina and Ticonderoga, New York), all of which are assets owned or leased by Sylvamo and leased to IP pursuant to the Facilities Lease Agreements.

Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

Termination Assistance Services” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

Ticonderoga Mill” shall mean the Converting and Specialty and Papers mill and all associated facilities in Ticonderoga, New York included in the Transferred Assets under the Transaction Agreement.

Third Party Yards” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

Transaction Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the recital hereof.

Transfer Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.

Transferred Mills” shall mean the Ticonderoga Mill and the Eastover Mill.

Transferred Product Inventory” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.

ARTICLE II

DURATION AND TERMINATION

Section 2.1 Duration. Unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.2 through 2.5 below, this Agreement shall commence and take effect on the Effective Date and continue for a period of ten (10) years thereafter (the “Term”). The Term may be extended for additional ten (10) year periods upon mutual written agreement of the parties entered into no later than one (1) year prior to the expiration of the then existing Term.

Section 2.2 Intentionally omitted.

 

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Section 2.3 Termination for Cause. Either party may terminate this Agreement in the event of a material breach of this Agreement by the other party. The non-breaching party shall give written notice of such breach to the breaching party. If the breaching party has not cured the breach in all material respects within thirty (30) days of such written notice, or if such breach is not subject to cure in all material respects, the non-breaching party may, upon written notice to the breaching party, terminate this Agreement upon sixty (60) days’ prior written notice (or such longer period up to one (1) year as the non-breaching party may specify in a written notice). For purposes of this Section 2.3, a material breach of this Agreement shall include: (i) a breach of a material obligation of either party for which a reasonable person in the position of the non-breaching party would wish to terminate this Agreement because such breach would significantly and negatively impact the benefit of the Agreement to the non-breaching party; (ii) any continuing series or pattern of breaches (whether or not similar or related) of this Agreement and which, taken together, are material in relation to this Agreement and which have not been cured; or (iii) failure to timely deliver Products conforming to the requirements of, and otherwise in accordance with, the terms and conditions of this Agreement subject to, among other terms and conditions the terms and conditions relating to a Force Majeure Event.

Section 2.4 Intentionally omitted.

Section 2.5 Termination for Insolvency. By either party if the other party becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or enters into or files (or has filed or commenced involuntarily against it) a petition, arrangement, application, action or other proceeding seeking relief or protection under the bankruptcy laws of the United States or any similar laws of the United States or any state of the United States, or any other country. The parties acknowledge and agree that, in the event of a bankruptcy by either party, cause exists under the terms and circumstances of this Agreement for the court to require debtor under Section 365(d) of the Bankruptcy Code to make a decision to assume or reject this Agreement within one hundred twenty (120) days of the petition date, or such sooner date as may be allowed by Law.

Section 2.6 Effect of Termination. The following shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement: (a) Section 5.2 (a)(vi), Article VI (Transition at End of Term), Article XIII (Indemnification, Limitation of Liability, and Force Majeure) and Article XV (General Provisions); (b) Sylvamo’s obligation to pay IP the Monthly Procurement Fee for such IP Procurement Services and the Delivered Base Price for such Products provided and/or delivered through the date of termination or expiration; and (c) any expressed limitations of or releases from liability.

ARTICLE III

SALE OF PRODUCTS AND IP PROCUREMENT SERVICES

Section 3.1 Facilitation of Purchase of Products. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and any Exhibits hereto, IP agrees to facilitate in the sale and delivery to Sylvamo of one hundred percent (100%) of Sylvamo’s requirements for Products at the Transferred Mills at the Delivered Base Price. Except for Section 13.4, nothing in the other provisions of this Agreement (including any efforts standard or the fact that IP is providing the IP Procurement Services) shall restrict or limit the requirement that IP facilitate in the sale to Sylvamo one hundred percent (100%) of Sylvamo’s requirements for Products.

 

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Section 3.2 IP Procurement Services. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and any Exhibits hereto, IP agrees to provide to Sylvamo, and Sylvamo agrees to purchase from IP, the IP Procurement Services for the Monthly Procurement Fee. These Procurement Services shall include but are not limited to: procurement, delivery, and payment for the Products to meet Transferred Mills’ demand, operation of supporting facilities, managing Product inventory, scaling and weighing system maintenance, video monitoring at scale houses, data prep for external reporting (e.g. F2M, SFI), chip quality testing and reporting, and management activities of the forested areas of the Transferred Mills’ footprint. IP will be responsible for any and all fraud monitoring and associated audits related to wood purchasing, delivery, and scaling. Sylvamo will refer to IP, any fraud related information it acquires, and IP will share information on its investigation activities with Sylvamo. Sylvamo may elect (at Sylvamo’s sole cost and expense) to add its own fraud monitoring system, provided said system is compatible with IP’s system. If Sylvamo directs IP to purchase any additional fraud monitoring equipment, then any and all costs associated with the additional equipment shall be borne by Sylvamo. The parties acknowledge and agree that the current fiber supply contracts associated with the Transferred Mills as set forth in Disclosure Schedule 3.16, Items 87 – 111 shall continue to be maintained during their current term, as may be amended, as an IP Procurement Service by IP’s Wood Employees on behalf of Sylvamo. Any penalties assessed against any fiber suppliers pursuant to the fiber supply contracts shall be the property of IP.

Section 3.3 Contracts with Suppliers. With respect to any obligations between IP and the suppliers who supply Product or Product-related services with respect to the Transferred Mills (the “Contracts with Suppliers”), IP will obtain Sylvamo’s Consent before entering, amending, terminating, renewing or extending any such obligation to the extent that: (i) the scope of the relevant Contract with Supplier is outside the normal course of business; or (ii) the relevant Contract with Suppliers includes a material obligation relating to the Transferred Mills binding for a period of more than twenty-four (24) months or involves an obligation of more than 300,000 tons; provided, however that Sylvamo’s Consent shall not be necessary for entry by IP with a supplier of IP’s general Master Wood Purchase and Service Agreement (“MWPSA”) with purchase orders to suppliers written against the MWPSA, and so long as such MWPSA has no more than a three (3)year term and does not contain take-or-pay obligations or volume commitments of more than 300,000 tons. Following the execution of this Agreement, IP will maintain a record for Sylvamo of all existing and new Contracts with Suppliers which contemplate delivery of Products or associated services to mills of both parties (“Joint Contracts”) so as to facilitate, in case of expiration or early termination of this Agreement, the bifurcation of such Joint Contracts with Suppliers in a fair and reasonable manner. The parties will agree in advance to any bifurcation provisions for any new Joint Contracts and assignability provisions for all Contracts with Suppliers.

 

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Section 3.4 Execution of the IP Procurement Services. All sourcing and purchasing decisions in respect to the Products to be delivered to the Transferred Mills pursuant to this Agreement shall be made by IP; provided, however, such decisions shall be made: (x) in a manner consistent with historical practices when IP procured Products while the Transferred Mills were owned or operated by IP; (y) in order to minimize the overall spend at the applicable Area Mills; and (z) ensure Adequate Supply to the Transferred Mills.

Section 3.5 Wood Employees. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Transaction Agreement, the parties acknowledge and agree that employees on IP’s wood procurement teams supporting the Eastover Mill (currently 19 employees), and the Ticonderoga Mill (currently 4 employees) (the “Wood Employees”) shall not be considered for the purpose of the Transaction Agreement as “Transferred Employees” and, therefore, shall not transfer to Sylvamo simultaneously with the Transferred Employees, but will remain employees of IP through the Term of this Agreement. The current organizational chart for the Wood Employees is attached as Exhibit F. The parties agree that any material change to the structure or number of Wood Employees during the Term of this Agreement shall require Sylvamo’s Consent; provided, however, IP agrees that in the event there is a major change in operations, (e.g. significant change in consumption at either of the Transferred Mills), IP will make appropriate adjustments in staffing to reflect the changes in operations, which shall require Sylvamo’s consent. Furthermore, for a period of one (1) year prior to the end of the Term or an early termination date, IP shall be prohibited from making any changes in the individuals serving in the Wood Employees positions without the prior written Consent of Sylvamo.

Section 3.6 Scaling Services. Sylvamo shall be responsible for determining and coordinating scaling services at the Transferred Mills, which said scaling services may be performed by Sylvamo, IP, a third party contractor, or a combination thereof. IP shall be responsible for scaling services at the Supporting Facilities. IP shall provide reasonable instruction to the Sylvamo or third party scalers on the use of the scaling system and associated applications.

Section 3.7 Cost Management

(a) Historical Cost: IP will provide historical wood cost data for the Eastover Mill and Ticonderoga Mill for the period 2000 through 2020.

(b) Fiber Cost Plan: By November 1st of each year, IP will provide Sylvamo with a detailed cost forecast for the upcoming calendar year based on the annual volume plan as described in Section 7.2 (the “Fiber Cost Plan”). The Fiber Cost Plan will include the monthly as purchased fiber cost forecasts for all species and products managed herein and the estimated Monthly Procurement Fee for the Transferred Mills, as well as the Supporting Facilities and Third Party Yards holding IP-owned Inventory for the Transferred Mills as set forth in Section 7.1.

 

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(c) Monthly Reporting: At the end of each calendar month IP will report the previous month’s actual cost and updated forecast for the remainder of the year.

(d) Performance Monitoring: On a quarterly basis, IP and Sylvamo representatives shall meet to discuss general performance under this Agreement.

(e) If Sylvamo has reason to believe IP Procurement Services were not performed pursuant to the standards set forth herein, including, but not limited to the standards set forth in Article III, Sylvamo may escalate the issue pursuant to the audit and verification process set forth in Section 8.1 and the dispute resolution process set forth in Section 15.11.

Section 3.8 Occurrence of a Qualifying Special Cause Event. Subject to IP’s obligations set forth in Article XI herein, sourcing decisions will be made to minimize the total enterprise spend for Product for each applicable set of Area Mills. If as a result of a Special Cause Event, IP is required to take enterprise-based actions with respect to a Transferred Mill or its applicable Area Mills with respect to the Products or the IP Procurement Services provided under this Agreement which adversely impact either party by more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($250,000.00) in a period of less than three (3) consecutive calendar months (a “Qualifying Special Cause Event”), then for the duration of the Qualifying Special Cause Event, the impacted party will be paid by the other party and/or receive an offset, as appropriate, of the out of pocket costs paid by such party in connection therewith to the extent arising out of such Qualifying Special Cause Event.

ARTICLE IV

SYLVAMO MILL WOODYARD OPERATIONS

Section 4.1 Woodyards. Sylvamo shall make commercially reasonable efforts to operate its Transferred Mill woodyard receiving facilities at the Transferred Mills in accordance with the current schedule at time of Closing, with any changes to be mutually agreed upon with the supporting IP Fiber Supply Manager whose agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

Section 4.2 Scales. IP shall maintain Sylvamo’s scales (which shall include calibration) at the Supporting Facilities in a good and workmanlike manner and in accordance with the manufacturers’ specifications such that they are capable of performing all necessary functions and conform to all legal requirements. Sylvamo shall maintain its scales (which shall include calibration) at the Transferred Mills in a good and

 

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workmanlike manner and in accordance with the manufacturers’ specifications such that they are capable of performing all necessary functions and conform to all legal requirements. IP is responsible for the computer systems, software and associated applications for the scales at both the Supporting Facilities and Transferred Mills. Absent fraud or demonstrable error, the weight shown on any scale ticket will be final and binding upon both parties for all purposes. IP will be the party of record for all scale transaction documents such as scale tickets.

Section 4.3 Weighing and Unloading Subject to IP’s obligations in Section 3.3, Sylvamo shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide for the prompt weighing and unloading of Products delivered to the Transferred Mills. Both parties agree to jointly monitor and manage truck turnaround time and take necessary action to, at a minimum, maintain historical performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, rail cars are not weighed and a volume determination is based on weight factors mutually agreed to with the Product supplier.

ARTICLE V

TITLE AND RISK OF LOSS

Title to all Products shall pass to Sylvamo upon the first weighing of the vehicles containing such Product at the scales at the Transferred Mills. All risk of loss or damage to Products prior to said Products arriving at a Transferred Mill shall fall upon IP. IP expressly warrants that title to Products will pass to Sylvamo free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests or encumbrances.

ARTICLE VI

TRANSITION AT END OF TERM

Section 6.1 Termination Assistance Services. The parties agree that IP will cooperate with Sylvamo and its Affiliates to assist in the orderly transfer of the IP Procurement Services (the “Termination Assistance Services”) to Sylvamo or its designee commencing up to one (1) year prior to termination or expiration. The Termination Assistance Services shall include, to the extent reasonably requested by Sylvamo: (a) for a period of up to six (6) months following termination of this Agreement prior to the end of the Term, continued performance by IP of its obligations under this Agreement, including delivery of Products and performance of the IP Procurement Services, in accordance with the terms of the Agreement (the “Continuation Services”); and (b) providing Sylvamo and its Affiliates participating in the transition activities, with reasonable access to the business processes, materials, equipment, software and other resources (including human resources) used by IP to deliver the IP Procurement Services, as reasonably necessary to support the transition of the relevant services from IP to performance by Sylvamo and its Affiliates of functions to replace the IP Procurement Services. IP shall not be required to provide the Termination Assistance Services in accordance with this Section 6.1 in the event of termination by IP due to Sylvamo’s material breach unless (1) Sylvamo pays IP for the Termination Assistance Services in accordance with Section 6.2 and (2) if such termination is due to a failure of Sylvamo to pay undisputed amounts, Sylvamo first cures such payment default. Neither the Term nor applicable Service Agreement Term shall be deemed to have expired or terminated until the Termination Assistance Services thereunder are completed.

 

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Section 6.2 Charges for Termination Assistance Services. The charges with respect to the Continuation Services shall be the charges contemplated by this Agreement for the Products and the IP Procurement Services. The Termination Assistance Services (other than the Continuation Services) provided during the Term of this Agreement shall be provided as a part of the Monthly Procurement cost as set forth in this Agreement. Any Termination Assistance Services provided after the Term of this Agreement and/or any Continuation Services shall be provided at a cost agreed to by the parties consistent with level of services that are being provided at that time by IP.

Section 6.3 Transfer of Fiber Procurement Business. Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement or the later completion of the Continuation Services (such date, the “Transfer Date”), Sylvamo shall: (a) begin to directly purchase the Products and perform IP Procurement Services covered by this Agreement and associated with the Transferred Mills including assuming all contracts and commitments made by IP on Sylvamo’s behalf in accordance with this Agreement (except to the extent such purchasing is provided by IP as a Termination Assistance Service); and (b) purchase from IP (and IP shall sell to Sylvamo) all of the usable Inventory at the Supporting Facilities on the Transfer Date (the “Transferred Product Inventory”) at IP’s actual out-of-pocket cost. Sylvamo shall have the right to do a physical inventory to confirm the Transferred Product Inventory. In addition, the parties shall comply with the provisions of Exhibit D (Transition Provisions) with respect to assets, employees and other matters.

Section 6.4 Transfer of Fiber Procurement Employees. Upon the Transfer Date, the then current Wood Employees shall be transferred to Sylvamo as Transferred Employees under the Transaction Agreement, provided that for purposes of this Agreement, in Section 5.14 and 5.15 of the Transaction Agreement, specific terms will be modified as follows: “Sylvamo” will replace “Issuer,” “Transfer Date” will replace “Closing Date” and “September 1, 2021,” and “Wood Employee” will replace “Business Employee.”

Section 6.5 Title to Assets. If IP purchases or acquires assets during the Term for use in connection with the Wood Procurement Services, and Sylvamo reimburses IP for the costs associated with such acquisition of assets then: (1) IP hereby conveys title to such assets to Sylvamo free and clear of all liens and encumbrances effective as of the time of such reimbursement; and (2) such assets shall be deemed leased to IP under the terms of the applicable Facilities Lease Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE VII

QUANTITIES

Section 7.1 Inventory Targets. On or before October 1st of each year, the parties will mutually agree on annual Inventory targets/plans for the upcoming calendar year for the Transferred Mills. This Inventory plan will include targets/plans for the Transferred Mills, as well as the Supporting Facilities and third party yards holding IP-owned Inventory for the Transferred Mills (“Third Party Yards”). The parties intend that these annual Inventory targets/plans will only deviate significantly from current target levels upon mutual written agreement.

Section 7.2 Estimated Quantities. On or before July 1st of each year, Sylvamo shall provide IP with a non-binding (yet best estimate after commercially reasonable analysis) annual plan of volume amounts of Products for the upcoming calendar year at the Transferred Mills. Such amounts shall be provided by month for each species on a chip equivalent basis. IP and the Transferred Mill will collaborate on the chip versus roundwood mix, subject to the limitations of the Transferred Mills and their equipment. Also to be included is the monthly amounts for Certified Products.

Section 7.3 Deliveries of Products. Subject to the obligations set forth in Article XI herein and any unforeseen events beyond the reasonable control of IP, IP shall endeavor to deliver the Products required each month in uniform weekly amounts or as otherwise agreed to by both parties.

Section 7.4 Physical Inventories. IP shall take and report to Sylvamo by location an estimate of the physical inventory on a weekly basis at the Transferred Mills, Supporting Facilities and Third Party Yards (“Physical Inventories”). Sylvamo shall provide IP with reasonably necessary consumption numbers both past and forecasted. Sylvamo shall have the right to audit the Physical Inventories on giving at least five (5) Business Days prior written notice to IP.

ARTICLE VIII

AUDIT/VERIFICATION

Section 8.1 Audit/Verification. Sylvamo is entitled, on giving at least fifteen (15) Business Days prior written notice to IP, no more than one time per calendar year during the Term and only during IP’s normal business hours, to have a reputable, independent certified public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to IP (the “Auditor”) audit:

(a) the Product purchasing transaction / contract details of IP for the Area Mills and Third Party Yards supporting Area Mills. Product purchasing/transaction contract details for the Client Mills are subject to confidentiality;

 

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(b) IP’s maintenance practices and spend at Supporting Facilities;

(c) amounts charged to Sylvamo for IP Procurement Services and Products.

Section 8.2 Auditor Non-disclosure Agreement. Prior to any such audit, the Auditor must sign a non-disclosure agreement with IP substantially having the same terms as those set out in Section 15.1 below and the results of the audit and all information reviewed during such audit will be deemed IP’s Confidential Information.

Section 8.3 Auditing Rules. Any audit shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and according to IP’s reasonable and customary office policies and procedures. Each such audit shall be completed within ten (10) consecutive Business Days and, in no event, shall any audit under this paragraph commence during the last two (2) weeks of any calendar quarter. Further, IP shall have the right to have a representative present at any such audit.

Section 8.4 Auditing Costs. If an audit reveals that errors have been made in connection with the amounts charged hereunder, then the parties will work together to correct the error and any overpayments revealed by the audit will be promptly paid by IP and any underpayments revealed will be promptly paid by Sylvamo. Each party shall bear its own costs and expenses related to any audit.

ARTICLE IX

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Section 9.1 Sale of Products. On Thursday of each week no later than 12:00 PM Central, IP will deliver to Sylvamo an invoice for the Products delivered during the preceding week which invoice shall include, or be accompanied by, a statement showing the scale ticket numbers, the date of delivery, and the total Delivered Base Price (a “Product Invoice”).

Section 9.2 IP Procurement Services. On the 10th day of each month (or the next Business Day following such date, if such date is not a Business Day), IP will deliver to Sylvamo an invoice for the Monthly Procurement Fee for the preceding month which invoice shall include a detailed breakdown of the costs (a “Service Invoice”).

Section 9.3 Payment. Sylvamo shall initiate payment via Automatic Clearing House (“ACH”) of undisputed amounts on each such Product Invoice within one (1) day after Sylvamo’s receipt thereof (or the next Business Day following such date, if such date is not a Business Day); provided that Sylvamo receives such invoice prior to noon. Sylvamo shall initiate payment via ACH undisputed amounts on each such Service Invoice within ten (10) days after Sylvamo’s receipt thereof (or the next Business Day following such date, if such date is not a Business Day). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Sylvamo shall not be responsible for any payment-related breach or default for so long as IP is managing payment-related matters under the Transition Services Agreement (as defined in the Transaction Agreement).

 

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Section 9.4 Sylvamo shall have no liability for and no further refund or compensation for any expense, cost or fee borne by IP other than the Monthly Procurement Fee and the Delivered Base Price, except to the extent contemplated by this Agreement upon the occurrence of a Qualifying Special Cause Event.

Section 9.5 All payments to be made under this Agreement shall be made on the due date by ACH.

Section 9.6 Without prejudice to IP’s other rights and remedies, in the event any sum due (other than those subject to dispute in good faith) to IP pursuant to the terms of this Agreement remains unpaid ten (10) Business Days after the applicable due date, interest shall accrue daily, from the due date until the date of actual payment, at an annual interest rate equal to 12%.

Section 9.7 Sylvamo may dispute in good faith amounts charged to Sylvamo hereunder. The parties shall meet in good faith to discuss such charges following delivery of such notice for a reasonable period of time. If the parties are unsuccessful, either party may consider such item a Dispute and initiate the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Section 15.11.

ARTICLE X

TRANSPARENCY AND MEETINGS

Section 10.1 IP shall deliver or make available to Sylvamo all reasonably requested information with respect to the purchase, freight and other transactions made on behalf of the Transferred Mills, Supporting Facilities and the Third Party Yards (which information, for avoidance of doubt, will be subject to the confidentiality obligations set forth herein). Upon Sylvamo’s reasonable request, IP shall provide Sylvamo reasonable access to the facilities, assets, employees and information used by IP (or generated by IP) in connection with providing the Products and performing the IP Procurement Services. Sylvamo will provide IP’s Wood Employees with full ingress and egress to the Transferred Mills woodyards, scale houses, and other parts of the Transferred Mills as reasonably required in the normal course of business.

Section 10.2 IP’s Product procurement teams will continue their normal interaction with mill teams at the Transferred Mills through the current Joint Team process consisting of monthly meetings with the mill manager, pulp mill manager and woodyard manager and others mill leaders as required. In addition, meetings will be scheduled periodically as requested by either party between IP and Sylvamo Product procurement management to review progress and discuss future plans.

 

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ARTICLE XI

SUPPLY SECURITY

Section 11.1 IP shall endeavor to maintain Adequate Supply at the Transferred Mills and Supporting Facilities in accordance with the Inventory Targets mutually agreed upon per Section 7.1. For purposes of this Agreement, “Adequate Supply” shall mean Inventory levels sufficient to ensure supply security for Sylvamo and to protect against any slow down or shut down of Sylvamo’s operations at the Transferred Mills. As Inventory levels decrease and become more critical, IP and Sylvamo shall increase communications and collaboration in order to ensure supply security. Specifically, if Inventory levels for any specific category of Product decrease to sixty-six percent (66%) of the target Inventory level, IP and Sylvamo will meet, review options and agree on actions to mitigate the chances of failure of supply. At forty percent (40%) of the target Inventory level, without limiting any other rights hereunder, Sylvamo shall have the right to approve all contingency sourcing procedures that the parties have discussed and determined will ensure supply security, or Sylvamo may request that IP take certain actions necessary to ensure the supply security, which such request IP cannot unreasonably reject, withhold, condition, or delay. In the event that wood supply across a Transferred Mill and its applicable Area Mills is insufficient to satisfy the combined demand, IP agrees to allocate the available fiber proportional to demand, across the Transferred Mill and its applicable Area Mills, to the extent practical, so that Sylvamo and the Transferred Mill is neither advantaged or disadvantaged relative to an Area Mill. 

Section 11.2 Should Inventory levels for a Product increase such that they are more than twenty percent (20%) above the Inventory targets set jointly by the parties in Section 7.1 herein (“Maximum Inventory”), the parties shall discuss in good faith mitigation strategies and sourcing adjustments if it is mutually determined to be necessary, and IP shall use commercially reasonable efforts to undertake such mitigation strategies and sourcing adjustments.

ARTICLE XII

CERTIFICATION

Section 12.1 IP will use commercially reasonable efforts to provide adequate volume of the certified fiber listed below (“Certified Products”) to meet Sylvamo’s demand for Certified Products at the Transferred Mills. IP will maintain the certification of Products to the following standards: FSC chain of custody, FSC controlled wood, SFI chain of custody, and SFI certified sourcing. A summary of Certified Products Volumes will be provided to Sylvamo on a monthly basis for Chain of Custody certification purposes. Volumes provided will carry one of the following claims: SFI 100% Certified Forest Content, PEFC 100% certified, or FSC 100%. Monthly, Sylvamo will provide IP with a 12-month certification forecast. Upon request, IP agrees to provide Sylvamo with species information (including the scientific name of the tree species sourced on behalf of Sylvamo) and state and county level sourcing records, and reasonably cooperate in the participation of audits and customer visits in the ordinary course of business.

 

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Section 12.2 Cost for the Certified Products. All costs associated with Certified Products for the Transferred Mills (including but not limited to landowner premiums, audit expenses, and fees to certifying agencies) shall be paid by IP and charged back to Sylvamo as part of the Monthly Procurement Fees (net of any FSC credits). Both parties recognize that any material change to Sylvamo’s demand signal for Certified Product will require time and potential additional cost for IP to build additional Certified Product capacity.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that there is a significant change to any of the standards listed above and IP reasonably determines that certification is no longer viable, practical, or cost effective, then the parties will work together to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

ARTICLE XIII

INDEMNIFICATION, LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND FORCE MAJEURE

Section 13.1 IP’s Indemnification. IP shall indemnify, defend, protect and hold harmless Sylvamo, its employees, agents, servants, successors and assigns from and against any and all Losses arising out of: (i) IP’s or its subcontractors’ performance of its obligations hereunder or failure to perform such obligations, including, but not limited to its obligations set forth in Section 11.1 herein, (ii) employment of the Wood Employees by IP (including any: (w) co-employer related claims; (x) federal state and local taxes or contributions imposed or required under unemployment insurance, social security and income tax laws; (y) claims relating to the failure of IP to secure healthcare coverage under the Affordable Healthcare Act and any resulting penalties); and (z) workers’ compensation claims; or (iii) death or bodily injury or loss of or damage to real or tangible personal property resulting from the Products or IP’s or its subcontractors’ negligent acts or omissions.

IP shall also indemnify, defend, protect and hold harmless Sylvamo, its employees, agents, servants, successors and assigns from all Losses arising out of infringement or claim of infringement of any patent rights, trademark, tradename or copyright based on the sale, purchase or use of the items covered by this Agreement. IP further agrees without in any way limiting any other remedies Sylvamo, its successors and assigns might have against IP, that in the event of any such claim, and if required by Sylvamo, IP shall at its expense and at no cost to Sylvamo do one of the following:

1. Procure for Sylvamo the right of license to use and continue to use said items; or

 

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2. Replace said items with non-infringing items and/or services of like or superior kind, productivity, efficiency, quality and value; or

3. Modify said items so as to become non-infringing. Should the items or services be modified, as provided herein, such modification shall not reduce the usefulness or productivity of same.

Section 13.2 Sylvamo’s Indemnification. Sylvamo shall indemnify, defend, protect and hold harmless IP, its employees, agents, servants, successors and assigns from and against any and all Losses arising out of: (i) Sylvamo’s, or its subcontractors’, performance of its, or their, obligations hereunder or failure to perform such obligations; or (ii) death or bodily injury or loss of or damage to real or tangible personal property resulting from Sylvamo’s or its subcontractors’ negligent acts or omissions.

Section 13.3 Limitation of Liability. Except to the Losses pursuant to Section 13.1 or 13.2 or otherwise expressly contemplated hereby, neither party shall be liable to the other party for any punitive, exemplary, multiplied, special, indirect or consequential damages arising under or as a result of this Agreement (or the termination hereof).

Section 13.4 Occurrence of a Force Majeure Event. Upon the occurrence of an event of Force Majeure, if any party desires to invoke such Force Majeure Event as the reason for such party’s failure to perform any obligation hereunder, it shall promptly inform the other party of the occurrence of such event of Force Majeure and comply with the other provisions of this Section. No liability shall be borne by such party for any nonfulfillment or delay in the fulfilment of the undertakings arising out of this Agreement due to the event of Force Majeure for the entire period for which the event of Force Majeure will exist. The Force Majeure Event will postpone any terms for the fulfillments of the obligations of the parties for a period equal to the duration of the Force Majeure Event date. If, due to a Force Majeure Event, IP should be unable to meet its obligations hereunder as they become due, IP shall not discriminate against Sylvamo in favor of any other customers or in favor of any of other IP Mills.

Section 13.5 The term “Force Majeure” shall mean acts of God, unusual weather conditions, third-party strikes, lockouts or other industrial disturbances, acts of the public enemy, war, blockades, insurrections, riots, epidemics, landslides, lightning, earthquakes, fires, storms, floods, arrests and restraints of governments and people, civil disturbances, explosions, and casualty or condemnation not caused by IP. It is understood and agreed that the settlement of strikes or lockouts shall be entirely within the discretion of the person affected, and the above requirement that any Force Majeure shall be remedied with all reasonable dispatch shall not require the settlement of strikes or lockouts when such course is inadvisable in the discretion of the person affected thereby.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

SAFETY

Section 14.1 While on Sylvamo property, IP personnel, its subcontractors and agents are obligated to comply with all Sylvamo site-specific safety protocols as well as all applicable local, state, and federal safety laws and regulations, including, but not limited to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and its amendments and regulations, as well as those set forth by the OSHA Hazard Communications Standard. IP personnel, its subcontractors and agents will participate as required in Sylvamo safety training, awareness, and other such programs and initiatives to promote a safe work environment. Sylvamo agrees to maintain and support all current safety infrastructure and protocols for protection of truck drivers and other authorized IP personnel including: safe load protocols, chip van untarping ladders, driver unloading shelters, unbinding racks, crush zones at scales, truck weight compliance, unloading procedure for unsafe loads. Sylvamo will promptly notify IP of any observed violation by drivers or IP personnel. Any disciplinary action of a driver resulting from noncompliance of a safety requirement will be at the sole discretion of IP. Sylvamo and IP agree to collaborate on adjustments and changes to safety practices and protocols relating to delivery of the Products and the performance of the IP Procurement Services. IP is solely responsible for the safety of IP’s employees and the means and methods employed by its employees in performing the services contemplated herein.

Section 14.2 In the event an employee of IP or one of its subcontractors is injured while on Sylvamo premises, or if Sylvamo learns of an injury or safety incident at the Transferred Mills that is not caused by IP or one of its subcontractors, but that could have an impact on IP’s supply chain operations, or impact driver or fiber supply employee safety, the parties shall notify each other upon learning of the incident regarding the time, nature, and severity of the injury and determine whether a joint investigation is desired. If so, the parties: (i) will reasonably cooperate and assist one another; (ii) at its own cost and expense cause to be performed an investigation into the “root cause” of the injury or safety incident by a competent investigator; and (iii) will provide the other party with a copy of the investigation report. The report shall include an explanation of causation of the incident and the steps IP, or Sylvamo, or its contractors, or subcontractors is taking to avoid a similar incident from occurring, or the steps that IP, or Sylvamo, or its contractors, or subcontractors should take to avoid the same. In addition to the above, if an employee of IP, or Sylvamo, or one of its contractors, or subcontractors experiences a “near miss” that could have resulted in serious injury while on Sylvamo’s premises, the parties shall investigate the incident and report its findings and the steps that IP or Sylvamo will take or should take to avoid a repeat incident.

 

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ARTICLE XV

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 15.1 Confidentiality. Each party (the “Receiving Party”) may have access to information (in any form) that relates to the other party’s (the “Disclosing Party”) past, present, and future business operations, clients, members, employees and other nonpublic information which is identified by the Disclosing Party or its Affiliates as confidential (“Confidential Information”); provided, that Confidential Information relating to the Transferred Business prior to or after the Closing shall be property of Sylvamo. Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, proprietary information and trade secrets of the Disclosing Party, including data, customer lists, products, business plans, marketing plans, financial information, wood costs at surrounding IP mills, research and research tools, algorithms, studies, reports, designs, drawings, drafts, computer models, manuscripts, specifications, software and coding. IP shall restrict Confidential Information of Sylvamo to only those individuals who need to know such information in connection with performing their obligations hereunder. The Receiving Party shall maintain the Confidential Information in strict confidence and shall not disclose such information to any third party, unless and only to the extent required by law. Should the Receiving Party be required to disclose Confidential Information pursuant to an order of a court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction, or if disclosure is necessary to comply with applicable governmental laws or regulations or rules or orders, the Receiving Party may, after giving prompt notice to the Disclosing Party so that the Disclosing Party may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy (unless such notice is prohibited by law), disclose without liability the minimum amount of Confidential Information necessary for compliance. Confidential Information does not include information (including ideas, concepts, know-how, techniques, and methodologies): (i) previously known to the Receiving Party without an obligation not to disclose such information; (ii) independently developed by or for the Receiving Party without use of the information; (iii) acquired by the Receiving Party from a third party which was not, to the Receiving Party’s knowledge, under an obligation not to disclose such information; or (iv) which is or becomes publicly available through no breach of this Agreement.

Section 15.2 Cooperation. The parties shall act in good faith and shall cooperate with respect to the performance of their obligations under this Agreement. Each party shall cooperate with the other in the making of any calculations or determinations provided in this Agreement and shall make available for inspection (subject to reasonable notice and reasonable confidentiality requirements) upon request all books and records reasonably required to substantiate any such calculations or determinations.

 

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Section 15.3 Notices. All notices and other communications to be given or delivered under or by the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given only: (i) when delivered personally to the recipient; (ii) one (1) Business Day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid); provided that confirmation of delivery is received; (iii) when sent if sent by e-mail transmission; or (iv) five (5) days after being mailed to the recipient by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested and postage prepaid). Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the parties at the following addresses (or at such address for a party as will be specified by like notice):

 

  (d)

if to IP, to:

International Paper Company

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN 38197

Attention: Vice President—Fiber Supply

With a copy to:

International Paper Company

1740 International Drive

Tower IV, 9-039

Memphis, TN 38197

Attn: Kevin J. Havens

901-419-1935

Kevin.Havens@ipaper.com

 

  (e)

if to Sylvamo, to:

Any party to this Agreement may notify any other party of any changes to the address or any of the other details specified in this paragraph; provided that such notification shall only be effective on the date specified in such notice or five (5) Business Days after the notice is given, whichever is later. Rejection or other refusal to accept or the inability to deliver because of changed address of which no notice was given shall be deemed to be receipt of the notice as of the date of such rejection, refusal or inability to deliver.

Section 15.4 Counterparts; Delivery by Electronic Transmission. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Signature pages may be executed via “wet” signature or electronic mark, and the executed signature pages may be delivered using pdf or similar file type transmitted via electronic mail, cloud based server, or e-signature technology or other similar electronic means.

 

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Section 15.5 Independent Contractor. IP agrees that in the performance of this Agreement, IP shall act as an independent contractor and all of its agents, and employees, and agents and employees of its subcontractors, shall be subject solely to the control, supervision and authority of IP. The parties specifically acknowledge that they are not, and this Agreement is not intended to and shall not be construed to make them, affiliates of one another and that no principal and agent, joint venture, partnership or similar relationship, or any other relationship, that imposes or implies any fiduciary duty, including any duty of care or duty of loyalty exists between the parties. Except as expressly set forth herein, no party has the authority to, and each party agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly contract any obligations of any kind in the name of or chargeable against the other party without such other party’s prior written consent.

Section 15.6 Compliance with Law. Sylvamo represents and warrants that it is a government contractor and an EEO/AA employer. IP, unless exempt from any of the requirements set out below pursuant to the rules and regulations published at 41 C.F.R. Sec.60-1.5, 41 C.F.R. Sec. 60-250.3, and Sec. 60-741-4, represents and warrants that it is an EEO/AA employer and that it shall comply with Executive Orders 11246 and 11375; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Vietnam Era Readjustment Act of 1974; and all other related applicable regulations. Accordingly, the mandatory clauses required under those laws, being set forth in 41 CFR 60-1, et seq.; 41 CFR 60-250.5, et seq.; 41 CFR 60-250.4, et seq.; 41 CFR 60-741.4(a); 41 CFR 60-741.40; and 41 CFR 60-741.5 are incorporated herein by reference.

IP: (1) is required to meet the filing requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.7(a) and 41 CFR 61-250.11, if applicable; (2) hereby certifies that it currently observes and will hereafter observe all requirements pertaining to non-segregated facilities set out in 41 CFR 60-1.8(b); (3) will list all suitable employment openings with the appropriate state employment service pursuant to 41 CFR 60-250.5(d); and (4) will make and/or retain all records required by state and federal laws.

IP currently observes and will continue to observe the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. IP will also comply with all provisions of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (20) CFR 1910.1200, et seq.) including IP’s obligation to furnish any applicable material safety data sheets, together with appropriate labels and employee training and instruction materials.

IP will comply with requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, and all applicable United States Department of Labor Regulations promulgated thereunder or otherwise dealing with wages and hours of work, and shall certify at time of delivery said compliance.

IP shall not, under any circumstances, in connection with the work to be performed hereunder, cause or permit the discharge, emission, release, storage, disposal or transportation of any pollutant, hazardous contaminant, toxic or other substance in amounts that would be in violation of any applicable laws, rules or regulations which are now or hereafter promulgated by Federal, state, or local authorities.

 

21


IP further agrees to comply with any and all applicable laws not specifically referenced herein.

Section 15.7 Insurance. IP shall ensure that it has procured and will maintain insurance with terms as required by Sylvamo. Sylvamo’s insurance requirements are attached hereto as Exhibit E. IP’s suppliers are required, and do, carry insurance with ratings and at levels appropriate for IP.

Section 15.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits hereto shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the body of this Agreement and any Exhibit to this Agreement, the terms of the body of this Agreement shall control, unless the Exhibit specifically overrides the applicable provision of the body of the Agreement.

Section 15.9 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, benefits or obligations hereunder may be assigned by any of the parties hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party, and any purported assignment without such consent shall be null and void; provided that either party may, by written notice, assign any and all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Affiliate (but no such assignment shall relieve such party of any of its duties or obligations hereunder). This Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is intended for the use and benefit of Sylvamo and as such, this Agreement will remain with Sylvamo after the closing of the transaction that is the subject of the Transaction Agreement and the change in control shall not constitute an assignment and shall not require the consent of any party to this Agreement.

Section 15.10 Governing Law and Venue. This Agreement and all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement (and all Exhibits hereto) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of Tennessee, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions. The parties agree that the exclusive venue of any proceeding that arises under this Agreement shall be Shelby County, Tennessee.

Section 15.11 Dispute Resolution Process. In the event of a breach or default under this Agreement or other such disputes or issues as specified in this Agreement (a “Dispute”), either party may notify the other of the existence of such Dispute. Upon receipt of the other party of such notice, IP and Sylvamo shall negotiate in good faith to promptly resolve the Dispute within the following fifteen (15) days following receipt. If IP and Sylvamo are unable to resolve such Dispute within such fifteen (15) day period, then, at the written request of either such party (the “Dispute Resolution Request”), the

 

22


Dispute shall be escalated to Senior Management of each company for discussion and negotiation. In the event Senior Management is unable to resolve the Dispute within thirty (30) days after delivery of the Dispute Resolution Request, thereafter either IP or Sylvamo may, at its option, provide notice of its intent to arbitrate the Dispute. Upon receipt of such notice, the parties shall submit the Dispute to final, binding arbitration. Each party will pick an arbitrator with reasonable experience in the relevant subject matter of the Dispute and such arbitrators will pick a third arbitrator to form a panel of three. IP and Sylvamo agree to utilize the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Decisions of the panel must be in writing and will be final and binding upon the parties. The parties will submit to the panel a written notice which shall designate the issues to be arbitrated, such party’s proposed resolution of such issues and the maximum amount of damages, if any, sought by the party; the panel shall permit each party to conduct reasonable discovery as promptly and expeditiously as possible which shall be limited to requests for production of documents and examination upon deposition; the parties shall submit information, evidence, testimony that such party desires and any materials such party wishes to submit supporting of its position. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for interim, provisional, and/or emergency relief, and any such request: (1) shall not eliminate the obligation of the parties to resolve Disputes in accordance with the foregoing dispute resolution procedures; and (2) shall not be deemed incompatible with the foregoing dispute resolution procedures. Except where prevented from doing so by the matter in Dispute, IP agrees to continue performing its obligations under the Agreement while any good faith Dispute is being resolved unless and until such obligations are terminated by the termination or expiration of the Agreement.

Section 15.12 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance shall be declared judicially to be invalid, unenforceable or void, such decision shall not have the effect of invalidating or voiding the remainder of this Agreement, it being the intent and agreement of the parties hereto that this Agreement shall be deemed amended by modifying such provision to the extent necessary to render it valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent permitted while preserving its intent or, if such modification is not possible, by substituting therefor another provision that is valid, legal and enforceable and that achieves the original intent of the parties hereto.

Section 15.13 Headings. The headings and captions of the Articles and Sections used in this Agreement and the table of contents to this Agreement are for reference and convenience purposes of the parties hereto only, and will be given no substantive or interpretive effect whatsoever.

Section 15.14 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto at any time. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.

 

23


Section 15.15 Specific Performance. In the event of any default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the party who is, or is to be, thereby aggrieved will have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief in respect of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity. The parties hereto agree that the remedies at law for any breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived by each of the parties hereto.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 

24


In WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the date first written above.

 

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
By:  

            

  Name:
  Title:
SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 


Exhibit A – Example Calculations of Delivered Base Price and Monthly Procurement Fee

 

26


EXHIBIT B

PRODUCT TERMS

 

27


Exhibit C – Intentionally Omitted

 

28


Exhibit D – Transition Provisions

 

29


Exhibit E – Sylvamo Insurance Requirements

 

30


Exhibit F – Wood Employees Organizational Chart

 

31

Exhibit 10.11

FORM OF TAX-EXEMPT BOND AGREEMENT

THIS TAX-EXEMPT BOND AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of this [____] day of [     ], 2021 (the “Effective Date”), by and between International Paper Company, a New York corporation (“International Paper”), and Sylvamo North America, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sylvamo”).

Recitals

The facilities owned by International Paper listed in Schedule A hereto (the “Tax-Exempt Facilities”) have been financed and/or refinanced, in whole or in part, with proceeds of the issuance and sale of the Series 2014 Bonds (as defined and listed in Schedule B hereto, the “Tax-Exempt Bonds”). International Paper is the obligor and borrower in respect of the Tax-Exempt Bonds. The obligations of International Paper with respect to the Tax-Exempt Bonds are contained in the agreements listed in Schedule C hereto (the “Loan Agreement”).

The interest paid or accrued on the Tax-Exempt Bonds, with certain exceptions, is not includable in the gross income of the holders of the Tax-Exempt Bonds (the “Bondholders”) for purposes of federal income taxation. Pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (collectively, the “Code”), the basis for the federal income tax exclusion for interest payable to the Bondholders is the use of the Tax-Exempt Facilities for certain qualified purposes.

The use of all or part of the Tax-Exempt Facilities for a purpose other than a qualifying purpose or purposes may cause (a) the interest payable on all or part of the Tax-Exempt Bonds to be includable in the federal gross income of the Bondholders possibly with retroactive effect, and/or (b) the deductibility of the interest payable by International Paper on all or part of the Tax-Exempt Bonds to be disallowed by the Code.

The parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement to ensure that the Tax-Exempt Facilities will continue to be used in a qualifying manner as required by the Code.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the parties hereto formally covenant, agree and bind themselves as follows:

Section 1. (a) Pursuant to authority granted in the Loan Agreement, International Paper hereby transfers and assigns as of the Effective Date unto Sylvamo and its successors and assigns all of its right, title and interest in and to, and all remedies under, the Loan Agreement, including, without limitation, the rights to any condemnation and insurance proceeds, and except for the Retained Liabilities (as hereinafter defined), Sylvamo hereby assumes as of the Effective Date all of International Paper’s obligations under the Loan Agreement, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. Sylvamo’s assumption of International Paper’s obligations hereunder and under the Loan Agreement are subject to any and all limitation, exclusions, conditions and non-recourse limitations set forth in the Loan Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, International Paper shall remain liable for (i) the payment obligations with respect to the Tax-Exempt Bonds and “Administrative Expenses” (as defined in the Loan Agreement), including, without limitation, any amounts payable under the “Indenture” (as defined in the Loan Agreement), (ii) any indemnification obligations under the Loan


Agreement, other than such indemnification obligations caused by or arising from the operation, use, occupancy, maintenance and ownership of the Tax-Exempt Facilities after the Effective Date, (iii) any obligations with respect to the acquisition, construction and installation of the Tax-Exempt Facilities, (iv) any representation or warranty made by International Paper under the Loan Agreement and (v) the payment of all amounts, the performance of all duties and obligations and the satisfaction of all conditions under the Loan Agreement that accrued prior to the Effective Date or which were to be performed or satisfied prior to the Effective Date or which arise from events, actions or omissions which occurred on or before the Effective Date, including, without limitation, its obligations under any indemnities included in the Loan Agreement (collectively, the “Retained Liabilities”).

(b) Sylvamo acknowledges the recitals herein and that any breach bySylvamo of its obligations under this Agreement could result in the incurrence by International Paper of additional costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, an increase in the rate of interest required to be paid to the Bondholders, liability to some or all of the Bondholders for their failure to include interest payable on the Tax-Exempt Bonds in their respective federal gross income in the event of a final determination of taxability by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and loss of the interest deduction to International Paper under the Code. Sylvamo acknowledges receipt of copies of the Loan Agreement and tax compliance documents or non-arbitrage certificates for the Tax-Exempt Bonds and certain tax representations made by International Paper in such documents. International Paper represents that it is in compliance with such tax representations and that no default or event of default exists under the tax compliance documents or non-arbitrage certificates for the Tax-Exempt Bonds.

Section 2. In order to avoid any or all of the consequences described in Section 1 and the recitals herein, Sylvamo agrees that it will not use, or permit the use of, all or part of the Tax-Exempt Facilities for any purpose except (a) the current use of such Tax-Exempt Facilities or (b) use as contemplated by the tax compliance documents or non-arbitrage certificates for the Tax-Exempt Bonds, unless Sylvamo (x) provides notice to International Paper in accordance with Section 3 hereof or (y) obtains at its own expense an opinion addressed to International Paper of nationally recognized bond counsel reasonably acceptable to International Paper that such proposed change in use of the Tax-Exempt Facilities or part thereof will not impair (I) the exclusion from gross income of the interest on any Tax-Exempt Bonds for federal income tax purposes or (II) the deductibility of the interest payable on the Tax-Exempt Bonds by International Paper under the Code.

Section 3. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, it is expressly understood and agreed that the provisions of this Agreement shall not prohibit Sylvamo from ceasing to operate, maintain or repair any element or item of the Tax-Exempt Facilities, suspending the operation of the Tax-Exempt Facilities on a temporary basis, changing the use of the Tax-Exempt Facilities, or terminating the operation of the Tax-Exempt Facilities on a permanent basis and shutting down, selling or transferring, retiring and/or decommissioning the Tax-Exempt Facilities, provided the purchaser or transferee of the Tax-Exempt Facilities shall expressly assume in writing the obligations of Sylvamo hereunder in a separate tax-exempt bond agreement (or similarly styled agreement) among International Paper, Sylvamo and the purchaser or the transferee. Sylvamo shall provide to International Paper written notice at least thirty (30) days (or such shorter period of time as may be agreed to by International Paper and Sylvamo) in advance of any change in use, permanent shut-down, retirement, abandonment or decommissioning of any Tax-Exempt Facilities in whole or in part.

 

2


Section 4. International Paper and Sylvamo agree to cooperate fully with each other in the event of an audit of the Tax-Exempt Bonds and/or the deductibility and/or excludability of interest payable thereon by the IRS and to provide in a timely fashion copies of or reasonable access to all documents and papers relating to the Tax-Exempt Facilities which may be necessary in connection with a response to such audit.

Section 5. Sylvamo agrees reasonably to assist International Paper in connection with the refinancing with tax-exempt bonds of any or all of the Tax-Exempt Facilities, including, but not limited to, certifications regarding the continued operation, anticipated useful life and relevant operating data with respect to such facility and to communicate support for such refinancing to the issuer of tax-exempt bonds upon request of International Paper.

Section 6. (a) International Paper hereby represents and warrants that it has the power and authority to enter into and execute this Agreement and any other documents or instruments necessary or desirable in connection herewith.

(b) International Paper hereby represents and warrants that, as of the Effective Date, (i) there are no fees and other amounts payable to the Issuer (as defined in the Loan Agreement) under the Loan Agreement that are currently due and payable or that have accrued but are unpaid, (ii) International Paper is not in default (and no circumstances exist or fail to exist that, with the giving of notice or passage of time or both would constitute such a default) under the Loan Agreement, and (iii) no material breaches, defaults or defenses have been asserted under the Loan Agreement by any of the parties thereto (including International Paper).

(c) International Paper further represents and warrants that, as of the Effective Date, (i) the Tax-Exempt Facilities have been completed, (ii) it has delivered to Sylvamo a complete and correct copy of the Loan Agreement, (iii) the Loan Agreement has not been modified or amended and is in full force and effect, and (iv) the Issuer has not assigned or pledged its interest in the Loan Agreement.

(d) As required by and in accordance with Section 7.01 of the Loan Agreement, International Paper shall cause a notice of assignment and a copy of this Agreement to be delivered to the Issuer and Tax-Exempt Bond trustee within 30 days of the date hereof under notice in the form substantially similar to that which is attached hereto as Schedule D.

(e) From and after the Effective Date, International Paper will at its own expense indemnify and hold harmless Sylvamo from all actions, suits, losses, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), obligations and liability arising with respect to (i) the Retained Liabilities, (ii) International Paper’s default with respect to its covenants and obligations under this Agreement, and (iii) any misrepresentation or incorrect warranty of International Paper set forth herein. The obligations of International Paper under this Section 6(e) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall survive the expiration or termination of the Loan Agreement.

 

3


Section 7. (a) Sylvamo hereby represents and warrants that Sylvamo has the power and authority to enter into and execute this Agreement and any other documents or instruments necessary or desirable in connection herewith, and to incur and perform the obligations provided for herein.

(b) Following the Effective Date and throughout the remaining term of the Loan Agreement, Sylvamo will at its own expense indemnify and hold harmless International Paper from all actions, suits, losses, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), obligations and liability arising with respect to (i) Sylvamo’s default with respect to its covenants and obligations under this Agreement and (ii) the Loan Agreement (other than with respect to the Retained Liabilities) and the performance and observance of any and all other agreements of International Paper provided in the Loan Agreement other than the Retained Liabilities. The obligations of Sylvamo under this Section 7(b) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall remain in full force and effect until the Loan Agreement has expired.

Section 8. The obligations of each party hereto are unconditional and shall not be contingent upon performance by the other party of its obligations hereunder.

Section 9. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the substantive laws of the State of Delaware (without giving effect to Delaware’s conflicts of law analysis).

Section 10. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under or by the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given only (a) when delivered personally to the recipient, (b) one business day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid); provided that confirmation of delivery is received, (c) when sent if sent by e-mail transmission or (d) five days after being mailed to the recipient by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested and postage prepaid). Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the parties at the following addresses (or at such address for a party as will be specified by like notice):

(a) if to International Paper, to:

[                         ]

[                         ]

[                         ]

Attention: [                        ]

E-Mail: [                        ]

(b) if to Sylvamo, to:

[                     ]

[                     ]

[                     ]

Attention: [                    ]

E-Mail: [                        ]

 

4


Any party to this Agreement may notify any other party of any changes to the address or any of the other details specified in this paragraph; provided that such notification shall only be effective on the date specified in such notice or five business days after the notice is given, whichever is later. Rejection or other refusal to accept or the inability to deliver because of changed address of which no notice was given shall be deemed to be receipt of the notice as of the date of such rejection, refusal or inability to deliver.

Section 11. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 12. This Agreement may not be amended, altered or terminated except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, International Paper and Sylvamo have caused this Agreement to be executed in their respective names by their duly authorized officers, all as of the date first above written.

 

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
By:  

                          

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC
By:  

                          

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Tax-Exempt Bond Agreement]


SCHEDULE A

Tax-Exempt Facilities


SCHEDULE B

Tax-Exempt Bonds

$71,705,000 Richland County, South Carolina Environmental Improvement Revenue Refunding Bonds (International Paper Company Project), 2014 Series A (the “Series 2014 Bonds”)


SCHEDULE C

Loan Agreement

Loan Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2014, between International Paper and Richland County, South Carolina, relating to the Series 2014 Bonds.


SCHEDULE D

[LETTERHEAD]

[______________] [     ], 2021

[Address]

Re: $71,705,000 Richland County, South Carolina Environmental Improvement Revenue Refunding Bonds (International Paper Company Project), 2014 Series A (the “Bonds”)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with the referenced Bonds and pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.01 of the Loan Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2014 (the “Agreement”), between Richland County, South Carolina (the “Issuer”) and International Paper Company (“International Paper”), enclosed is a true and complete copy of a Tax-Exempt Bond Agreement, dated as of [__________] [     ], 2021 (the “TEB Agreement”), between International Paper and Sylvamo North America, LLC, relating to, among other things, the assignment by International Paper of all of its right, title and interest in and to, and all remedies under, the Agreement.

 

Very truly yours,
International Paper Company
By:  

 

  Authorized Company Representative

Exhibit 10.12

FORM OF TAX-EXEMPT BOND AGREEMENT

THIS TAX-EXEMPT BOND AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of this [____] day of [     ], 2021 (the “Effective Date”), by and between International Paper Company, a New York corporation (“International Paper”), and Sylvamo North America, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sylvamo”).

Recitals

The facilities owned by International Paper listed in Schedule A hereto (the “Tax-Exempt Facilities”) have been financed and/or refinanced, in whole or in part, with proceeds of the issuance and sale of the Series 2015 Bonds (as defined and listed in Schedule B hereto, the “Tax-Exempt Bonds”). International Paper is the obligor and borrower in respect of the Tax-Exempt Bonds. The obligations of International Paper with respect to the Tax-Exempt Bonds are contained in the agreements listed in Schedule C hereto (the “Financing Agreements”).

The interest paid or accrued on the Tax-Exempt Bonds, with certain exceptions, is not includable in the gross income of the holders of the Tax-Exempt Bonds (the “Bondholders”) for purposes of federal income taxation. Pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (collectively, the “Code”), the basis for the federal income tax exclusion for interest payable to the Bondholders is the use of the Tax-Exempt Facilities for certain qualified purposes.

The use of all or part of the Tax-Exempt Facilities for a purpose other than a qualifying purpose or purposes may cause (a) the interest payable on all or part of the Tax-Exempt Bonds to be includable in the federal gross income of the Bondholders possibly with retroactive effect, and/or (b) the deductibility of the interest payable by International Paper on all or part of the Tax-Exempt Bonds to be disallowed by the Code.

The parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement to ensure that the Tax-Exempt Facilities will continue to be used in a qualifying manner as required by the Code.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the parties hereto formally covenant, agree and bind themselves as follows:

Section 1.    (a) International Paper hereby agrees that, as of the Effective Date, Sylvamo and its successors and assigns shall have the right to exercise all of the rights and remedies of International Paper under the Financing Agreements, including, without limitation, the right to receive any condemnation and insurance proceeds, and except for the Retained Liabilities (as hereinafter defined), Sylvamo hereby agrees as of the Effective Date to perform all of International Paper’s obligations under the Financing Agreements, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. Sylvamo’s agreement to perform International Paper’s obligations hereunder and under the Financing Agreements is subject to any and all limitation, exclusions, conditions and non-recourse limitations set forth in the Financing Agreements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, International Paper shall remain liable for (i) the payment obligations with respect to the Tax-Exempt Bonds and administrative expenses of the Issuer (as defined in the Financing Agreements) and the lender for the Series 2015 Bonds, (ii) any indemnification obligations under the Financing Agreements, other than such indemnification

 


obligations caused by or arising from the operation, use, occupancy, maintenance and ownership of the Tax-Exempt Facilities after the Effective Date, (iii) any obligations with respect to the acquisition, construction and installation of the Tax-Exempt Facilities, (iv) any representation or warranty made by International Paper under the Financing Agreements and (v) the payment of all amounts, the performance of all duties and obligations and the satisfaction of all conditions under the Financing Agreements that accrued prior to the Effective Date or which were to be performed or satisfied prior to the Effective Date or which arise from events, actions or omissions which occurred on or before the Effective Date, including, without limitation, its obligations under any indemnities included in the Financing Agreements (collectively, the “Retained Liabilities”).

(b) Sylvamo acknowledges the recitals herein and that any breach bySylvamo of its obligations under this Agreement could result in the incurrence by International Paper of additional costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, an increase in the rate of interest required to be paid to the Bondholders, liability to some or all of the Bondholders for their failure to include interest payable on the Tax-Exempt Bonds in their respective federal gross income in the event of a final determination of taxability by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and loss of the interest deduction to International Paper under the Code. Sylvamo acknowledges receipt of copies of the Financing Agreements and tax compliance documents or non-arbitrage certificates for the Tax-Exempt Bonds and certain tax representations made by International Paper in such documents. International Paper represents that it is in compliance with such tax representations and that no default or event of default exists under the tax compliance documents or non-arbitrage certificates for the Tax-Exempt Bonds.

Section 2. In order to avoid any or all of the consequences described in Section 1 and the recitals herein, Sylvamo agrees that it will not use, or permit the use of, all or part of the Tax-Exempt Facilities for any purpose except (a) the current use of such Tax-Exempt Facilities or (b) use as contemplated by the tax compliance documents or non-arbitrage certificates for the Tax-Exempt Bonds, unless Sylvamo (x) provides notice to International Paper in accordance with Section 3 hereof or (y) obtains at its own expense an opinion addressed to International Paper of nationally recognized bond counsel reasonably acceptable to International Paper that such proposed change in use of the Tax-Exempt Facilities or part thereof will not impair (I) the exclusion from gross income of the interest on any Tax-Exempt Bonds for federal income tax purposes or (II) the deductibility of the interest payable on the Tax-Exempt Bonds by International Paper under the Code.

Section 3. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, it is expressly understood and agreed that the provisions of this Agreement shall not prohibit Sylvamo from ceasing to operate, maintain or repair any element or item of the Tax-Exempt Facilities, suspending the operation of the Tax-Exempt Facilities on a temporary basis, changing the use of the Tax-Exempt Facilities, or terminating the operation of the Tax-Exempt Facilities on a permanent basis and shutting down, selling or transferring, retiring and/or decommissioning the Tax-Exempt Facilities, provided the purchaser or transferee of the Tax-Exempt Facilities shall expressly assume in writing the obligations of Sylvamo hereunder in a separate tax-exempt bond agreement (or similarly styled agreement) among International Paper, Sylvamo and the purchaser or the transferee. Sylvamo shall provide to International Paper written notice at least thirty (30) days (or such shorter period of time as may be agreed to by International Paper and Sylvamo) in advance of any change in use, permanent shut-down, retirement, abandonment or decommissioning of any Tax-Exempt Facilities in whole or in part.

 

2


Section 4. International Paper and Sylvamo agree to cooperate fully with each other in the event of an audit of the Tax-Exempt Bonds and/or the deductibility and/or excludability of interest payable thereon by the IRS and to provide in a timely fashion copies of or reasonable access to all documents and papers relating to the Tax-Exempt Facilities which may be necessary in connection with a response to such audit.

Section 5. Sylvamo agrees reasonably to assist International Paper in connection with the refinancing with tax-exempt bonds of any or all of the Tax-Exempt Facilities, including, but not limited to, certifications regarding the continued operation, anticipated useful life and relevant operating data with respect to such facility and to communicate support for such refinancing to the issuer of tax-exempt bonds upon request of International Paper.

Section 6. (a) International Paper hereby represents and warrants that it has the power and authority to enter into and execute this Agreement and any other documents or instruments necessary or desirable in connection herewith.

(b) International Paper hereby represents and warrants that, as of the Effective Date, (i) there are no fees and other amounts payable to the Issuer under any Financing Agreement that are currently due and payable or that have accrued but are unpaid, (ii) International Paper is not in default (and no circumstances exist or fail to exist that, with the giving of notice or passage of time or both would constitute such a default) under any Financing Agreement, and (iii) no material breaches, defaults or defenses have been asserted under any Financing Agreement by any of the parties thereto (including International Paper).

(c) International Paper further represents and warrants that, as of the Effective Date, (i) the Tax-Exempt Facilities have been completed, (ii) it has delivered to Sylvamo a complete and correct copy of each Financing Agreement, (iii) the Financing Agreements have not been modified or amended and is in full force and effect, and (iv) the Issuer has not assigned or pledged its interest in any of the Financing Agreements.

(d) International Paper shall cause a notice and a copy of this Agreement to be delivered to the Issuer within 30 days of the date hereof under notice in the form substantially similar to that which is attached hereto as Schedule D.

(e) From and after the Effective Date, International Paper will at its own expense indemnify and hold harmless Sylvamo from all actions, suits, losses, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), obligations and liability arising with respect to (i) the Retained Liabilities, (ii) International Paper’s default with respect to its covenants and obligations under this Agreement, and (iii) any misrepresentation or incorrect warranty of International Paper set forth herein. The obligations of International Paper under this Section 6(e) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall survive the expiration or termination of the Financing Agreements.

 

3


Section 7. (a) Sylvamo hereby represents and warrants that Sylvamo has the power and authority to enter into and execute this Agreement and any other documents or instruments necessary or desirable in connection herewith, and to incur and perform the obligations provided for herein.

(b) Following the Effective Date and throughout the remaining term of the Financing Agreements, Sylvamo will at its own expense indemnify and hold harmless International Paper from all actions, suits, losses, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), obligations and liability arising with respect to (i) Sylvamo’s default with respect to its covenants and obligations under this Agreement and (ii) the Financing Agreements (other than with respect to the Retained Liabilities) and the performance and observance of any and all other agreements of International Paper provided in the Financing Agreements other than the Retained Liabilities. The obligations of Sylvamo under this Section 7(b) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall remain in full force and effect until the Financing Agreements have expired.

Section 8. The obligations of each party hereto are unconditional and shall not be contingent upon performance by the other party of its obligations hereunder.

Section 9. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the substantive laws of the State of Delaware (without giving effect to Delaware’s conflicts of law analysis).

Section 10. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under or by the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given only (a) when delivered personally to the recipient, (b) one business day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid); provided that confirmation of delivery is received, (c) when sent if sent by e-mail transmission or (d) five days after being mailed to the recipient by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested and postage prepaid). Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the parties at the following addresses (or at such address for a party as will be specified by like notice):

 

  (a)

if to International Paper, to:

[                                                  ]

[                                                  ]

[                                                  ]

Attention: [                                 ]

E-Mail: [                                     ]

 

  (b)

if to Sylvamo, to:

[                                                  ]

[                                                  ]

[                                                  ]

Attention: [                                 ]

E-Mail: [                                     ]

 

4


Any party to this Agreement may notify any other party of any changes to the address or any of the other details specified in this paragraph; provided that such notification shall only be effective on the date specified in such notice or five business days after the notice is given, whichever is later. Rejection or other refusal to accept or the inability to deliver because of changed address of which no notice was given shall be deemed to be receipt of the notice as of the date of such rejection, refusal or inability to deliver.

Section 11. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 12. This Agreement may not be amended, altered or terminated except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, International Paper and Sylvamo have caused this Agreement to be executed in their respective names by their duly authorized officers, all as of the date first above written.

 

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
By:  

                              

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Tax-Exempt Bond Agreement]


SCHEDULE A

Tax-Exempt Facilities

 


SCHEDULE B

Tax-Exempt Bonds

$15,000,000 Essex County Industrial Development Agency Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Refunding Bonds (International Paper Company Project), Series 2015A (the “Series 2015 Bonds”)


SCHEDULE C

Financing Agreements

Financing Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2015, between the Essex County Industrial Development Agency and International Paper, as amended by the First Amendment to Financing Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2018, between the Essex County Industrial Development Agency and International Paper, each relating to the Series 2015 Bonds.

Installment Sale Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2015, between the Essex County Industrial Development Agency and International Paper, relating to the Series 2015 Bonds.


SCHEDULE D

[LETTERHEAD]

[______________] [    ], 2021

[Address]

 

  Re:

$15,000,000 Essex County Industrial Development Agency Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Refunding Bonds (International Paper Company Project), Series 2015A (the “Bonds”)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Installment Sale Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2015 (the “Agreement”), between the Essex County Industrial Development Agency (the “Issuer”) and International Paper Company (“International Paper”). Enclosed is a true and complete copy of a Tax-Exempt Bond Agreement, dated as of [__________] [     ], 2021 (the “TEB Agreement”), between International Paper and Sylvamo North America, LLC, relating to, among other things, the use of the Tax-Exempt Facilities (as defined in the TEB Agreement).

 

Very truly yours,
International Paper Company
By:  

                          

  Authorized Company Representative

Exhibit 10.13

FORM OF TAX-EXEMPT BOND AGREEMENT

THIS TAX-EXEMPT BOND AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of this [____] day of [             ], 2021 (the “Effective Date”), by and between International Paper Company, a New York corporation (“International Paper”), and Sylvamo North America, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sylvamo”).

Recitals

The facilities owned by International Paper listed in Schedule A hereto (the “Tax-Exempt Facilities”) have been financed and/or refinanced, in whole or in part, with proceeds of the issuance and sale of the Series 2019 Bonds (as defined and listed in Schedule B hereto, the “Tax-Exempt Bonds”). International Paper is the obligor and borrower in respect of the Tax-Exempt Bonds. The obligations of International Paper with respect to the Tax-Exempt Bonds are contained in the agreement listed in Schedule C hereto (the “Installment Sale Agreement”).

The interest paid or accrued on the Tax-Exempt Bonds, with certain exceptions, is not includable in the gross income of the holders of the Tax-Exempt Bonds (the “Bondholders”) for purposes of federal income taxation. Pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (collectively, the “Code”), the basis for the federal income tax exclusion for interest payable to the Bondholders is the use of the Tax-Exempt Facilities for certain qualified purposes.

The use of all or part of the Tax-Exempt Facilities for a purpose other than a qualifying purpose or purposes may cause (a) the interest payable on all or part of the Tax-Exempt Bonds to be includable in the federal gross income of the Bondholders possibly with retroactive effect, and/or (b) the deductibility of the interest payable by International Paper on all or part of the Tax-Exempt Bonds to be disallowed by the Code.

The parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement to ensure that the Tax-Exempt Facilities will continue to be used in a qualifying manner as required by the Code.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the parties hereto formally covenant, agree and bind themselves as follows:

Section 1. (a) Pursuant to authority granted in the Installment Sale Agreement, International Paper hereby transfers and assigns as of the Effective Date unto Sylvamo and its successors and assigns all of its right, title and interest in and to, and all remedies under, the Installment Sale Agreement, including, without limitation, the rights to any condemnation and insurance proceeds, and except for the Retained Liabilities (as hereinafter defined), Sylvamo hereby assumes as of the Effective Date all of International Paper’s obligations under the Installment Sale Agreement, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. Sylvamo’s assumption of International Paper’s obligations hereunder and under the Installment Sale Agreement are subject to any and all limitation, exclusions, conditions and non-recourse limitations set forth in the Installment Sale Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, International Paper shall remain liable for (i) the payment obligations with respect to the Tax-Exempt Bonds and “Administrative Expenses” (as defined in the Installment Sale Agreement), including, without limitation, any amounts payable under the “Indenture” (as defined in the

 


Installment Sale Agreement), (ii) any indemnification obligations under the Installment Sale Agreement, other than such indemnification obligations caused by or arising from the operation, use, occupancy, maintenance and ownership of the Tax-Exempt Facilities after the Effective Date, (iii) any obligations with respect to the acquisition, construction and installation of the Tax-Exempt Facilities, (iv) any representation or warranty made by International Paper under the Installment Sale Agreement and (v) the payment of all amounts, the performance of all duties and obligations and the satisfaction of all conditions under the Installment Sale Agreement that accrued prior to the Effective Date or which were to be performed or satisfied prior to the Effective Date or which arise from events, actions or omissions which occurred on or before the Effective Date, including, without limitation, its obligations under any indemnities included in the Installment Sale Agreement (collectively, the “Retained Liabilities”).

(b) Sylvamo acknowledges the recitals herein and that any breach bySylvamo of its obligations under this Agreement could result in the incurrence by International Paper of additional costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, an increase in the rate of interest required to be paid to the Bondholders, liability to some or all of the Bondholders for their failure to include interest payable on the Tax-Exempt Bonds in their respective federal gross income in the event of a final determination of taxability by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and loss of the interest deduction to International Paper under the Code. Sylvamo acknowledges receipt of copies of the Installment Sale Agreement and tax compliance documents or non-arbitrage certificates for the Tax-Exempt Bonds and certain tax representations made by International Paper in such documents. International Paper represents that it is in compliance with such tax representations and that no default or event of default exists under the tax compliance documents or non-arbitrage certificates for the Tax-Exempt Bonds.

Section 2. In order to avoid any or all of the consequences described in Section 1 and the recitals herein, Sylvamo agrees that it will not use, or permit the use of, all or part of the Tax-Exempt Facilities for any purpose except (a) the current use of such Tax-Exempt Facilities or (b) use as contemplated by the tax compliance documents or non-arbitrage certificates for the Tax-Exempt Bonds, unless Sylvamo (x) provides notice to International Paper in accordance with Section 3 hereof or (y) obtains at its own expense an opinion addressed to International Paper of nationally recognized bond counsel reasonably acceptable to International Paper that such proposed change in use of the Tax-Exempt Facilities or part thereof will not impair (I) the exclusion from gross income of the interest on any Tax-Exempt Bonds for federal income tax purposes or (II) the deductibility of the interest payable on the Tax-Exempt Bonds by International Paper under the Code.

Section 3. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, it is expressly understood and agreed that the provisions of this Agreement shall not prohibit Sylvamo from ceasing to operate, maintain or repair any element or item of the Tax-Exempt Facilities, suspending the operation of the Tax-Exempt Facilities on a temporary basis, changing the use of the Tax-Exempt Facilities, or terminating the operation of the Tax-Exempt Facilities on a permanent basis and shutting down, selling or transferring, retiring and/or decommissioning the Tax-Exempt Facilities, provided the purchaser or transferee of the Tax-Exempt Facilities shall expressly assume in writing the obligations of Sylvamo hereunder in a separate tax-exempt bond agreement (or similarly styled agreement) among International Paper, Sylvamo and the purchaser or the transferee. Sylvamo shall provide to International Paper written notice at least thirty (30) days (or such shorter period of time as may be agreed to by International Paper and Sylvamo) in advance of any change in use, permanent shut-down, retirement, abandonment or decommissioning of any Tax-Exempt Facilities in whole or in part.

 

2


Section 4. International Paper and Sylvamo agree to cooperate fully with each other in the event of an audit of the Tax-Exempt Bonds and/or the deductibility and/or excludability of interest payable thereon by the IRS and to provide in a timely fashion copies of or reasonable access to all documents and papers relating to the Tax-Exempt Facilities which may be necessary in connection with a response to such audit.

Section 5. Sylvamo agrees reasonably to assist International Paper in connection with the refinancing with tax-exempt bonds of any or all of the Tax-Exempt Facilities, including, but not limited to, certifications regarding the continued operation, anticipated useful life and relevant operating data with respect to such facility and to communicate support for such refinancing to the issuer of tax-exempt bonds upon request of International Paper.

Section 6. (a) International Paper hereby represents and warrants that it has the power and authority to enter into and execute this Agreement and any other documents or instruments necessary or desirable in connection herewith.

(b) International Paper hereby represents and warrants that, as of the Effective Date, (i) there are no fees and other amounts payable to the Issuer under the Installment Sale Agreement that are currently due and payable or that have accrued but are unpaid, (ii) International Paper is not in default (and no circumstances exist or fail to exist that, with the giving of notice or passage of time or both would constitute such a default) under the Installment Sale Agreement, and (iii) no material breaches, defaults or defenses have been asserted under the Installment Sale Agreement by any of the parties thereto (including International Paper).

(c) International Paper further represents and warrants that, as of the Effective Date, (i) the Tax-Exempt Facilities have been completed, (ii) it has delivered to Sylvamo a complete and correct copy of the Installment Sale Agreement, (iii) the Installment Sale Agreement has not been modified or amended and is in full force and effect, and (iv) the Issuer has not assigned or pledged its interest in the Installment Sale Agreement.

(d) As required by and in accordance with Section 7.01 of the Installment Sale Agreement, International Paper shall cause a notice of assignment and a copy of this Agreement to be delivered to the Issuer and Tax-Exempt Bond trustee within 30 days of the date hereof under notice in the form substantially similar to that which is attached hereto as Schedule D.

(e) From and after the Effective Date, International Paper will at its own expense indemnify and hold harmless Sylvamo from all actions, suits, losses, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), obligations and liability arising with respect to (i) the Retained Liabilities, (ii) International Paper’s default with respect to its covenants and obligations under this Agreement, and (iii) any misrepresentation or incorrect warranty of International Paper set forth herein. The obligations of International Paper under this Section 6(e) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall survive the expiration or termination of the Installment Sale Agreement.

 

3


Section 7. (a) Sylvamo hereby represents and warrants that Sylvamo has the power and authority to enter into and execute this Agreement and any other documents or instruments necessary or desirable in connection herewith, and to incur and perform the obligations provided for herein.

(b) Following the Effective Date and throughout the remaining term of the Installment Sale Agreement, Sylvamo will at its own expense indemnify and hold harmless International Paper from all actions, suits, losses, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), obligations and liability arising with respect to (i) Sylvamo’s default with respect to its covenants and obligations under this Agreement and (ii) the Installment Sale Agreement (other than with respect to the Retained Liabilities) and the performance and observance of any and all other agreements of International Paper provided in the Installment Sale Agreement other than the Retained Liabilities. The obligations of Sylvamo under this Section 7(b) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall remain in full force and effect until the Installment Sale Agreement has expired.

Section 8. The obligations of each party hereto are unconditional and shall not be contingent upon performance by the other party of its obligations hereunder.

Section 9. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the substantive laws of the State of Delaware (without giving effect to Delaware’s conflicts of law analysis).

Section 10. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under or by the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given only (a) when delivered personally to the recipient, (b) one business day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid); provided that confirmation of delivery is received, (c) when sent if sent by e-mail transmission or (d) five days after being mailed to the recipient by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested and postage prepaid). Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the parties at the following addresses (or at such address for a party as will be specified by like notice):

(a) if to International Paper, to:

[                                          ]

[                                          ]

[                                          ]

Attention:     [                                         ]

E-Mail:         [                                         ]

(b) if to Sylvamo, to:

[                                          ]

[                                          ]

[                                          ]

Attention:     [                                         ]

E-Mail:         [                                         ]

 

4


Any party to this Agreement may notify any other party of any changes to the address or any of the other details specified in this paragraph; provided that such notification shall only be effective on the date specified in such notice or five business days after the notice is given, whichever is later. Rejection or other refusal to accept or the inability to deliver because of changed address of which no notice was given shall be deemed to be receipt of the notice as of the date of such rejection, refusal or inability to deliver.

Section 11. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 12. This Agreement may not be amended, altered or terminated except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, International Paper and Sylvamo have caused this Agreement to be executed in their respective names by their duly authorized officers, all as of the date first above written.

 

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
By:  

         

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC
By:  

         

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Tax-Exempt Bond Agreement]


SCHEDULE A

Tax-Exempt Facilities


SCHEDULE B

Tax-Exempt Bonds

$2,900,000 Essex County Industrial Development Agency Environmental Improvement Revenue Refunding Bonds (International Paper Company Project), Series 2019A (the “Series 2019 Bonds”)


SCHEDULE C

Installment Sale Agreement

Installment Sale Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2019, between the Essex County Industrial Development Agency and International Paper, relating to the Series 2019 Bonds.


SCHEDULE D

[LETTERHEAD]

[______________] [     ], 2021

[Address]

 

  Re:

$2,900,000 Essex County Industrial Development Agency Environmental Improvement Revenue Refunding Bonds (International Paper Company Project), Series 2019A (the “Bonds”)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with the referenced Bonds and pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.01 of the Installment Sale Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2019 (the “Agreement”), between the Essex County Industrial Development Agency (the “Issuer”) and International Paper Company (“International Paper”), enclosed is a true and complete copy of a Tax-Exempt Bond Agreement, dated as of [__________] [     ], 2021 (the “TEB Agreement”), between International Paper and Sylvamo North America, LLC, relating to, among other things, the assignment by International Paper of all of its right, title and interest in and to, and all remedies under, the Agreement.

 

Very truly yours,
International Paper Company
By:  

             

  Authorized Company Representative

Exhibit 10.14

FORM OF TEMPORARY OCCUPANCY AGREEMENT

This Temporary Occupancy Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of the ___ day of _______________, 20__ (“Effective Date”) by and between International Paper Company, a New York corporation (“OWNER”), and Sylvamo North America, LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company (“OCCUPANT”), on the following terms:

AGREEMENTS:

OWNER hereby agrees to allow OCCUPANT to enter upon, occupy and use the premises defined to be approximately 40,493 usable square feet (the “Premises”) of an approximately 210,000 square foot building owned by OWNER (the “Building”) located at 6400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, 38197, Tower I, Floors 8 and 9 said Premises and Project being further designated on Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein for a period of time commencing on September 1, 2021 (“Commencement Date”) and continuing through March 31, 2022 (“Term”). Thereafter, at OWNER’S discretion and subject to OWNER’S sole approval, the Term may renew on a month-to-month basis until OCCUPANT receives a certificate of occupancy or other approval indicating OCCUPANT’S new headquarters is ready for use and possession. The Premises shall be used solely for office use.

For and in consideration of the grant by OWNER to OCCUPANT of the right to enter, occupy and use the Premises, OWNER and OCCUPANT hereby covenant and agree as follows:

1. Insurance. Prior to entry onto the Premises, OCCUPANT shall deliver to OWNER an insurance certificate from OCCUPANT’s insurance carrier or insurance agent/broker, satisfying the following requirements:

 

  (a)

The insurance certificate must reflect minimum insurance coverage as follows:

 

  (i)

Worker’s Compensation Insurance, in minimum statutory limit amounts for the State of Tennessee;

 

  (ii)

Employer’s Liability Insurance, in an amount not less than $500,000;

 

  (iii)

General Liability Insurance in the amount of not less than $1,000,000, combined single limit coverage per occurrence; and

 

  (iv)

Commercial Property Insurance covering full replacement cost of OCCUPANT’s property. Such insurance shall include a waiver of subrogation by the insurer and all rights based upon an assignment from its insured, against the OWNER, its officers, directors, employees, managers, agents, invitees, and contractors in connection with any loss or damage thereby insured against.

 

  (b)

OWNER shall be named as an “Additional Insured” to the extent of the indemnification required of OCCUPANT hereunder on the above-described general liability policy.

 

  (c)

OWNER agrees to obtain and maintain commercial property insurance covering the full replacement cost of the Building.


2. Indemnification.

(a) OCCUPANT hereby agrees at OCCUPANT’s cost, to defend, indemnify and hold OWNER, its trustees, officers, agents and employees, harmless from and against any and all claims, actions, liabilities, losses, costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) and demands for personal injury, including death of persons (including the officers, agents and employees of OCCUPANT and OCCUPANT’s contractors, subcontractors and materialmen, regardless of tier), and/or for destruction of or damage to property, to the extent any such injuries, deaths or damages to property are caused or contributed to by the negligence or willful misconduct of OCCUPANT (including any of the officers, agents or employees of OCCUPANT, and any of OCCUPANT’s contractors, subcontractors or materialmen), and arise out of, as a result of or in connection with the negligence or willful misconduct in the entry, occupation or use of the Premises or the Project by OCCUPANT, or the performance of any work performed by or contracted for by OCCUPANT in the Premises. OCCUPANT further covenants and agrees to indemnify, defend and hold OWNER harmless from any and all mechanic’s and materialmen’s liens and/or claims of any contractors, subcontractors or materialmen claiming by, through or under OCCUPANT with respect to any work performed, or labor, materials or supplies provided, in connection with any work performed by or for OCCUPANT on or with respect to the Premises or the Project.

(b) OWNER hereby agrees at OWNER’s cost, to defend, indemnify and hold OCCUPANT, its trustees, officers, agents and employees, harmless from and against any and all claims, actions, liabilities, losses, costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) and demands for personal injury, including death of persons (including the officers agents and employees of OWNER and OWNER’s contractors, subcontractors and materialmen), and/or destruction of or damage to property, to the extent any such injuries, deaths or damages to property are caused or contributed to by the negligence or willful misconduct of OWNER (including any of the officers, agents or employees of OWNER, and any of OWNER’s contractors, subcontractors or materialmen), and arise out of, as a result of or in connection with the ownership or entry into the Premises or the Project by OWNER, or the performance of any work performed by or for OWNER on the Premises.

3. Rent and Operating Expenses. In consideration for OCCUPANT’s right to use the Premises for the Term as herein provided, OCCUPANT shall pay to OWNER a gross monthly rent in the amount of One Hundred Eighty Thousand, Six Hundred Sixty-Six and 67/100 Dollars ($180,666.67) (“Rent”) to be due and payable to OWNER on or before the first day of each calendar month. Gross Monthly Rent shall be prorated daily for any portion of a month included in the Term. Rent shall be sent or delivered to OWNER at the address set forth below.

4. Access to Premises.

(a) From and after the Commencement Date, OCCUPANT, its agents, employees, invitees, and guests shall have access to the Premises and reasonable ingress and egress to common and public areas of the Building twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week; provided, however, OWNER, by reasonable regulation and on reasonable prior notice to OCCUPANT, may control such access as needed for making repairs and alterations, provided such control minimizes interference with such access. OCCUPANT shall be responsible for providing access to the Premises to the agents, employees, invitees and guests after business hours and on weekends and holiday, but in no event shall OCCUPANT’s use of and access to the Premises during non-business hours compromise the security of the Building.

(b) Owner shall have the right, at all reasonable times and upon reasonable prior notice to OCCUPANT’s designated representative, either itself or through its authorized agents, to enter the Premises (i) to make repairs, alterations or changes as OWNER deems reasonably necessary, (ii) to inspect the Premises, mechanical systems and electrical devices, and (iii) to show the Premises to prospective mortgages, purchasers or Occupants. In addition to the foregoing, OWNER shall have the right to enter the Premises at any time without notice in the event of an emergency.

 

2


5. Common Areas. OCCUPANT and its employees, guests, contractors or any other visitors shall be entitled to park in the parking areas at the Project.

6. Facility Services. OWNER will provide the following services to OCCUPANT subject to change in Landlord’s reasonable discretion:

 

  (a)

Facility/Maintenance Services- Owner will provide basic facility maintenance services typical in office leases such as repairs for HVAC, lights, water leaks, and other building maintenance involving the fixtures, furniture and equipment in the Premises.

 

  (b)

Information Technology Services: IT services shall include network switches, wiring and jacks, access to HP-managed printers, wireless access points, WAN and Internet Access, IT support of existing Telepresence video conference units, IT support of existing conference room a/v (monitors, wireless presentation, etc.), and in-building cellular services for AT&T and Verizon.

 

  (c)

Health Services-Nurses are on site Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for emergency needs only.

 

  (d)

Mail & Parcel Processing Services. Owner will receive and deliver to Occupant at a designated location. Owner will meter outgoing U.S. Mail for Occupant (such charges to be paid by Occupant). Owner will also receive and deliver any exchange of mail between Owner and Occupant. Occupant will be responsible for preparing labels and packages for outgoing packages for FedEx and UPS, but may drop packages off with Owner for pickup by such carriers. Postage for and large outbound distributions are not included in mail services and will be charged to Occupant separately.

 

  (e)

Printing & Bindery Services Occupant may submit large printing jobs to the printing center Occupant will be charged separately for the costs of any print job(s) performed in the printing center.

 

  (f)

Security Services. Security Services shall include employee and visitor badging, stationary and roving security guards, Memphis Police Department roving patrols, and emergency response to security matters. Occupant will instruct its employees to apply for a security badge and upon application, Occupant employees will receive a badge, together with the access and restrictions afforded to Occupant employees at the Building including access to the Tower I Lobby, as well as the stairwell doors on the 8th and 9th floors of Tower I.

 

  (g)

Janitorial Services & Carpet Cleaning. Trash collection, cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms in accordance with the rest of the building

 

  (h)

Access to Dining & Catering Services- Occupant will have access to the on-site cafeteria. Occupant may utilize the catering services offered by the on-site cafeteria, but will not receive a discount on such services.

 

3


  (i)

Coffee Service- Owner will supply coffee brewers/machines, condiments, and cups on each floor of the Premises.

 

  (j)

Parking- Employees of Occupant may park in any of the lots of the Property.

7. Alterations and Improvements. OCCUPANT shall not make any additions, alterations, or improvements to the Premises without obtaining the prior written consent of Owner, which may be withheld in OWNER’s sole and absolute discretion, and may be conditioned upon OCCUPANT removing any such additions, alterations or improvements at the expiration or earlier termination of the Term and restoring the Premises to the same condition as the date OCCUPANT took possession. Any work performed pursuant to this Section shall be done in a good and workmanlike manner by properly qualified and licensed personnel.

8. Default. Either party shall be in default under this Agreement in the event such party fails to pay when due any amount owing under this Agreement, or breaches any other agreement, covenant or obligation in this Agreement and such breach is not remedied within fifteen (15) days after notice of such non-compliance with the agreement.

9. Remedies.

(a) In the event OWNER defaults in any obligation of performance under this Agreement, OCCUPANT may, upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to OWNER, terminate this Agreement.

(b) In the event OCCUPANT defaults in any obligation under this Agreement, OWNER may, at its option, (i) terminate this Agreement and recover all damages caused by OCCUPANT’s breach; (ii) repossess the Premises; or (iii) pursue any other remedy available in law or equity.

(c) All rights and remedies are cumulative, and the exercise of any one shall not preclude the exercise of another remedy. In no event shall either party be liable to the other for any special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages arising from any breach of this Agreement. In addition to all other remedies, the non-defaulting party shall be entitled to reimbursement upon demand of all reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the prevailing party in connection with any default by the other party.

10. Repairs. Except for damage to or within the Project or Premises caused by OCCUPANT, its employees, agents, contractors, or invitees, OWNER shall be responsible for all other repairs to the Project and to the Premises. OWNER’s obligations under this Section do not relieve OCCUPANT of its obligations under Section 5 above, which include returning the Premises systems in the same working order as received (normal wear and tear and damage by casualty or by OWNER or its employees, agents or contractors excepted), including warehouse lighting fixtures and dock doors/equipment. OWNER and OCCUPANT agree that they will do a thorough walk through prior to occupancy and document the existing condition of the Premises (“Inspection Report”). OCCUPANT will not be responsible for any pre-existing damage as noted in the Inspection Report.

11. Vacation of Premises. Upon vacation of the Premises, Occupant agrees to return the Premises broom-clean and in substantially the same condition as received (normal wear and tear and damage by casualty or by OWNER or its employees, agents or contractors excepted), which includes any improvements or modifications performed by OCCUPANT. The condition of the Premises shall be documented as of the Commencement Date by both parties. In addition to the foregoing, Occupant shall remove all security technology installed for Occupant upon its vacation of the Premises, and shall repair any damage caused by such removal.

 

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12. Holdover. If, after the expiration of the initial Term, OCCUPANT remains in possession of the Premises without OWNER’s permission, OCCUPANT’s Rent shall be increased to three hundred percent (300%) of the monthly installments of Rent set forth in Section 3 above.

13. Compliance.

(a) OCCUPANT agrees to use the Premises in a manner which shall be in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, orders and ordinances which relate specifically to, or are imposed by reason of its use of the Premises, and further agrees not to suffer or permit the Premises to be used for any unlawful purpose, and to protect Owner and save it and the Premises harmless from any and all fines and penalties that may result from or be due to any infractions of or noncompliance with the said laws, rules, regulations, orders and ordinances. As of the commencement of the Term, OCCUPANT shall be responsible for compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, orders and ordinances which relate to the Premises and the common areas and all ingress and egress associated with the Premises, including, but not limited to, laws requiring the removal of asbestos or other hazardous materials and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) 1991.

(b) OCCUPANT shall comply with the Rules and Regulations attached as Exhibit “B” to this Agreement. The Rules and Regulations may be modified from time to time by OWNER, effective as of the date delivered to OCCUPANT or posted on the Premises.

14. Governing Laws, Assignment. This Agreement shall be construed under and enforceable in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee. This Agreement may not be assigned by OCCUPANT without the prior written consent of OWNER. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of OCCUPANT and OWNER, and their respective successors and permitted assigns, if any.

15. Attorneys’ Fees. In the event of any litigation between the parties arising out of this Agreement the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable costs of litigation and attorneys’ fees from the non-prevailing party.

16. Quiet Possession. OWNER covenants and agrees with OCCUPANT that upon OCCUPANT’s paying Rent and complying with all other terms of this Agreement, OCCUPANT may peaceably and quietly have, hold, occupy and enjoy the Premises, subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

17. Notices. All notices or communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be personally delivered or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid or by receipted overnight delivery service. Notices to the parties shall be sent to the addresses specified at the end of this Agreement. Either party may change its notice address at any time upon written notice to the other party.

18. Modifications. All amendments or modifications to this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by both parties.

19. Special Conditions. The following special conditions shall apply, and where in conflict with earlier provisions in this Agreement shall control:

 

  (a)

Amendment of EDGE Lease. The parties acknowledge that the Building, of which the Premises is a part, is subject to that certain Real Property Lease Agreement (the “EDGE Lease”) dated December 31, 2015, made between THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROWTH ENGINE INDUSTRIAL

 

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  DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF THE CITY OF MEMPHIS AND COUNTY OF SHELBY, TENNESSEE (“EDGE”) and Owner. As such, the parties acknowledge and agree further that the signing of this Agreement may necessitate an amendment of the EDGE Lease to redefine the basis of the PILOT due during the term of the EDGE Lease. Occupant will cooperate with Owner to amend the EDGE Lease at any time on and after the Effective Date for said purpose, and in any future amendment to the EDGE Lease. Occupant shall pay all costs and expenses of Owner, including, but not limited to, a reasonable attorney’s fee associated with any such amendment(s).

 

  (b)

PILOT Benefits. It is understood and agreed that the tax benefits granted by the EDGE Lease shall be solely for the benefit of Owner. Owner may charge Occupant the entire amount of any increase in PILOT payments owing under the EDGE Lease occasioned by this Agreement and/or Occupant’s presence in the Building.

[Signature Page to Follow]

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, OCCUPANT and OWNER have executed this Temporary Occupancy Agreement to be effective as of the date first set forth above.

 

OCCUPANT:
Sylvamo North America, LLC
By:  

                

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

OWNER:
International Paper Company
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

International Paper Company

Attn: Corporate Real Estate Department

6400 Poplar Avenue,

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

 

with required copy to:

 

International Paper Company

Attn: Senior Counsel- Real Estate

1740 International Drive, Tower IV 9-038

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

 

7


EXHIBIT “A”

FLOOR PLAN

 

8


EXHIBIT “B”

Rules and Regulations

 

9

Exhibit 10.15

CERTAIN IDENTIFIED INFORMATION HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS

EXHIBIT BECAUSE IT IS BOTH NOT MATERIAL AND IS THE TYPE THAT THE

REGISTRANT TREATS AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL. THE REDACTED

TERMS HAVE BEEN MARKED WITH THREE ASTERISKS [***]

FORM OF NET LEASE

THIS LEASE, entered into as of this __ day of _________________________________ for reference purposes, is by and between International Paper Company, a New York corporation, hereinafter referred to as “Landlord”, and Sylvamo North America, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company hereinafter referred to as “Tenant”.

DEFINED TERMS/SPECIAL PROVISIONS

“Landlord”

International Paper Company, a New York corporation, with its principal place of business at 6400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38197. Landlord’s notice address and address for payment of rent may be changed at any time by Landlord upon written notice to Tenant.

“Tenant”

Sylvamo North America, LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company with its principal place of business at 6400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38197, Tower I, Floors 8-9.

“Leased Premises”

The building located at 15005 Northam Street, La Mirada, California 90638 containing 236,069 square feet of rentable area (the “Building”), and all improvements and facilities appurtenant to the Building including all drive aisles, parking areas, sidewalks, walls, landscaping and exterior improvements located on the land upon the Building is situated as more particularly described in Exhibit “A”, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

“Term”

The Term shall be three (3) years, beginning September 1, 2021 (“Commencement Date”), plus any partial month at the beginning of the Term, together with any extensions thereof permitted hereunder.

“Options”

One (1) Five (5)-year option subject to Tenant providing written notice to Landlord not less than One Hundred Eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the then current term of its intent to exercise its option, all upon the terms and at the rental rate outlined in Article XXVI.


“Rent”

During the Term, monthly Base Rent shall be paid in accordance with the schedule immediately following this paragraph. Rent shall escalate by [***] percent ([***]%) on each anniversary of the Commencement Date and shall be payable as provided in the schedule below. Rent payments shall commence on the Commencement Date as defined herein. If the Commencement Date shall fall on any day other than the first day of any month, the Rent for that month shall be prorated for the number of days left in the month after the Commencement Date. Thereafter, Rent shall be due on the first day of each successive month. The Rent shall be timely remitted to Landlord’s address above set forth or to such other address as Landlord may from time to time hereafter direct by written notice to Tenant.

 

Year

   PSF/
Month
     Monthly
Rent
     Annual
Rent
 

Year 1

     $[***]        $[***]        $[***]  

Year 2

     $[***]        $[***]        $[***]  

Year 3

     $[***]        $[***]        $[***]  

“Additional Rent”

At the commencement of any calendar year during the Term hereof, Landlord may deliver to Tenant a written estimate of any Additional Rent (such expense being hereinafter referred to as “Estimated Operating Expenses”) which may be due hereunder during the calendar year. For each month, Tenant shall pay 1/12 of the amount of the Estimated Operating Expenses for that particular calendar year in addition to the monthly Base Rent and concurrently with each payment of monthly Base Rent. Estimated Operating Expenses shall include without limitation all reimbursements by Tenant for Landlord’s insurance, any repair and maintenance costs incurred by Landlord as a result of any default by Tenant in its maintenance and repair obligations under this Lease and any taxes or utilities not timely paid by Tenant. Landlord agrees that there shall be no property management fee payable to Landlord during the initial Term, but Tenant agrees that Landlord shall have the right to charge a management fee equal to 2.0% of monthly Base rent during the Extension Term.

Statements showing the actual Operating Expenses for the Leased Premises (hereinafter referred to as “Statement of Actual Expenses”) shall be delivered by Landlord to Tenant within ninety (90) days after any calendar year in which Estimated Operating Expenses were paid by Tenant or due Landlord under the provisions hereof. Any overpayment owed to Tenant by Landlord shall be paid to Tenant within the same timeframe.

Upon request, Landlord shall present copies of such charges included in Additional Rent for Tenant’s review and Tenant shall have the right to contest any charges that appear inaccurate or excessive to Tenant. Upon notice of such contest, Landlord agrees to work in good faith with Tenant to rectify any inaccuracies. Tenant shall not be required to pay any contested charges during the pendency of said contest and any overpayment or underpayment made shall be returned or remitted to Tenant or Landlord, as applicable, within thirty (30) days of determination of the same.

 

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“Acceptance of Premises”

Tenant acknowledges that, as of the Commencement Date, the Leased Premises and the Building of which it forms a part and its systems and components are in good working order and condition and repair and Tenant accepts the Premises in its current as-is condition. Tenant acknowledges that, except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Lease neither Landlord nor any agent of Landlord has made any representation or warranty with respect to the Leased Premises, or with respect to the condition and/or suitability thereof for the conduct of Tenant’s business and that pursuant to Section 1938 of the California Civil Code, Landlord hereby advises Tenant that as of the date of this Lease neither the Premises, nor the Building have undergone inspection by a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) as to compliance with applicable access laws and regulations and Tenant accepts such fact and as-is condition of the Premises.

“Assignment of Contractors’ Warranties to Tenant”

Landlord does hereby assign to Tenant, on a non-exclusive basis, the benefits of any and all manufacturers’ and contractors’ warranties and guarantees with regard to construction and improvement of the Leased Premises prior to commencement of the Term. Landlord shall enforce such warranties or guarantees on behalf of Tenant upon written notice from Tenant as to any defects in the Leased Premises which might be covered by any such warranties or guarantees.

ARTICLE I

Lease of Premises

Landlord does hereby lease to Tenant the Leased Premises as described and referred to above for the Term and at the rental above set forth upon the following provisions, each of which shall be both covenants and conditions, and Landlord and Tenant hereby covenant and agree to abide by and perform each and every provision hereof. Landlord reserves the right from time to time to do any of the following: (a) make any changes, additions, improvements, maintenance, repairs or replacements in or to the Leased Premises if required to do so by any applicable Laws or to the extent necessary in conjunction with any improvements to the Leased Premises, provided that Tenant’s use of the Premises is not materially and adversely affected); (c) close temporarily any of the Premises while engaged in making repairs, improvements or alterations to the Leased Premises; and (d) perform such other acts and make such other changes with respect to the Leased Premises, as Landlord may, in the exercise of good faith business judgment, deem to be appropriate, provided in all events Landlord gives Tenant reasonable prior notice before commencing any such actions at the Premises and Landlord uses commercially reasonable and diligent efforts to avoid interfering with Tenant’s use and operations at the Premises.

 

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ARTICLE II

Net Basis Lease

Except as provided herein to the contrary, it is intended that the Rent provided for in this Lease shall be an absolute net return to Landlord (exclusive of any debt service and income taxes of Landlord) for the initial Term or for any extensions or renewals thereof, free of any expenses or charges whatsoever with respect to the Leased Premises, including, but not in limitation of the foregoing, all insurance premiums, all utility charges, all taxes, and all repairs, replacements and betterments, except for repairs, replacements or betterments to the roof (membrane and structural elements), structural floors and structural portions and exterior walls of the Building on the Leased Premises and electrical, embedded plumbing and other utility lines serving the Premises and situated outside the exterior walls and roof of the Building (collectively, the “Structural Elements”), each of which shall be the responsibility of Landlord under Article IX, Section 1.

ARTICLE III

Use of Leased Premises

The Leased Premises may be used for the operation of a warehouse, or for any other lawful use which does not increase the wear and tear on the Leased Premises above that which is likely to be caused by the enumerated uses. Tenant shall, at its sole cost and expense, observe and comply with all Laws and all requirements of any board of fire underwriters or similar body relating to the Leased Premises now or hereafter in force relating to or affecting the condition, use, occupancy, alteration or improvement of the Leased Premises (whether, except as otherwise provided herein, structural or nonstructural, including unforeseen and/or extraordinary alterations and/or improvements to the Leased Premises and regardless of the period of time remaining in the Term). Tenant shall not use or allow the Leased Premises to be used for any improper, immoral, unlawful or reasonably objectionable purpose. Tenant shall not cause, maintain or permit any nuisance in, on or about the Leased Premises, the Building or the Property, nor commit or suffer to be committed any waste in, on or about the Leased Premises. Without limiting the foregoing, Tenant is prohibited from engaging or permitting others to engage in any activity which would be a violation of any state and/or federal laws relating to the use, sale, possession, cultivation and/or distribution of any controlled substances (whether for commercial or personal purposes) regulated under any applicable law or other applicable law relating to the medicinal use and/or distribution of marijuana (“Prohibited Drug Law Activities”).

ARTICLE IV

Utility Charges

Tenant shall pay and be liable for all charges for fuel, electricity, water, gas, telephone service, sewage, garbage collection and other utilities to be furnished to the Leased Premises during the Term of this Lease. Landlord shall have no liability to Tenant for any interruption in utilities or services to be provided to the Leased Premises when such failure is caused by all or any of the following: (a) accident, breakage or repairs; (b) strikes, lockouts or other labor disturbances or labor disputes of any such character; (c) governmental regulation, moratorium or other governmental action; (d) inability, despite the exercise of reasonable diligence, to obtain electricity, water or fuel; (e) service interruptions or any other unavailability of utilities resulting

 

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from causes beyond Landlord’s control including without limitation, any electrical power “brown-out” or “black-out”; or (f) any other cause beyond Landlord’s reasonable control. In addition, in the event of any such interruption in utilities or services, Tenant shall not be entitled to any abatement or reduction of Rent, no eviction of Tenant shall result, and Tenant shall not be relieved from the performance of any covenant or agreement in this Lease. In the event of any stoppage or interruption of services or utilities which are not obtained directly by Tenant, Landlord shall diligently attempt to resume such services or utilities as promptly as practicable.

ARTICLE V

Taxes

Section 1. Tenant covenants and agrees to pay or cause to be paid, in addition to all other sums required to be paid by Tenant under the provisions of this Lease, all taxes, including, but not limited to, all real property taxes and assessments of any kind, sales taxes on rents, and all sewer use fees or charges for utilities, which may be levied or imposed by the United States, or the state, county or municipality in which the Leased Premises are located, or by any subdivision or department thereof, upon all or any part of the Leased Premises, upon any buildings, structures, fixtures or improvements now or hereafter located thereon or arising in respect of the occupation, use or possession of the Leased Premises or any estate, right, title or interest of the owner of the fee or of Landlord as the owner of a leasehold (excluding, however, any taxes imposed upon or measured by the net income of Landlord, which shall be the sole responsibility of Landlord), which are assessed or become a lien or due and owing at any time during the Term; provided, however, that any taxes, assessments or levies as aforesaid which become due and owing during the year that rent first or last becomes payable under this Lease and prior or subsequent to such time, as the case may be, shall be prorated as of the date for which rent first or last becomes payable under the terms of this Lease, as appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such a tax, assessment or levy is payable over a period which exceeds the Term, only that portion which is attributable to the Term is to be paid by Tenant, and in computing the term over which such a tax, assessment or levy is due, the longest available period shall be utilized. If the Leased Premises are not separately assessed, said taxes and assessments shall be determined by Landlord through a reasonable apportionment in accordance with a fraction, the numerator of which is the total floor area of the Leased Premises and the denominator of which is the total leasable floor area of the Buildings multiplied by the amount of tax or assessment.

Section 2. Tenant may, at its own expense and in its own name and behalf or in the name and behalf of Landlord, in good faith, following reasonable prior notice to Landlord and an opportunity for Landlord to participate in any such contest, contest any such taxes, levies, assessments and other charges and, in the event of any such contest, may permit the taxes, levies, assessments or other charges so contested to remain unpaid during the period of such contest and any appeal therefrom unless by such action the title of Landlord to any part of the Leased Premises shall be materially endangered or the Leased Premises or any part thereof shall become subject to loss or forfeiture, in which event such taxes, assessments or charges shall be paid forthwith by Tenant. Landlord will cooperate fully with Tenant in any such contest at Tenant’s sole cost and expense.

 

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Section 3. Subject to its right of contest as provided in Section 2 hereof, should Tenant fail within the time provided and before the same become delinquent to pay any of such taxes to be paid by Tenant under the provisions hereof, including all penalties, fines, interest, costs and expenses, Landlord may, but shall not be so obligated, discharge or in any manner compromise or adjust the payments or obligations involved or any part thereof, and in the case of any sale or sales to enforce the same, Landlord may seek and effect any redemption therefrom as Landlord may deem fit, and Tenant shall pay to Landlord on demand therefor by Landlord, the full amount so paid and expended by Landlord, including all costs and expenses paid or incurred, which shall include reasonable attorney’s fees, together with interest at the highest rate permitted in the State of California from the date of payment by Landlord until paid by Tenant.

Section 4. Notwithstanding anything found in this Lease to the contrary, Landlord shall notify Tenant of all taxes and assessments on the Leased Premises owed by Tenant, within one hundred eighty (180) days of the first day of the following year for which the taxes and assessments were made. Any deficiency owed for such taxes and assessments shall be paid by Tenant within thirty (30) days of Tenant’s receipt of written notice from Landlord. Any overpayment of such taxes and assessments paid by Tenant shall be reimbursed to Tenant within thirty (30) days of written notice of such overpayment. If Landlord fails to notify Tenant of such taxes and assessments within eighteen (18) months after the first day of the following year for which the taxes and assessments were made, Landlord shall be estopped from attempting to charge Tenant for the same at a later date.

ARTICLE VI

Insurance

Section 1. Tenant agrees, at Tenant’s expense, to procure and maintain in force and effect continuously during the entire Term and any extensions or renewals thereof, a policy or policies of Commercial General Liability insurance in a company or companies authorized to do business in the state of California, insuring Landlord as an Additional Insured, and, at Landlord’s option, any other person, firm, or corporation having an interest in the leasehold estate, but for each Additional Insured only for occurrences arising out of Tenant’s use and occupancy of the Leased Premises in an amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage per occurrence and Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) in the aggregate. Tenant agrees to provide evidence of all such policies of insurance and all renewals thereof to Landlord. Tenant shall also procure and maintain at Tenant’s expense continuously during the entire Term and any extensions or renewals thereof, (i) Special Form (formerly known as “all risk”) insurance, including fire and extended coverage, sprinkler leakage (including earthquake sprinkler leakage), vandalism, malicious mischief plus earthquake and flood coverage upon property of every description and kind owned by Tenant and located in or on the Leased Premises, or for which Tenant is legally liable or installed by or on behalf of Tenant including, without limitation, furniture, equipment and any other personal property, and any alterations, in an amount not less than the full replacement cost thereof, (ii) Commercial Automobile Liability covering all owned, hired and non-owned automobiles, (iii) Worker’s compensation, in statutory amounts and employers’ liability, covering all persons employed in connection with any work done in, on or about the Leased Premises for which claims for death, bodily injury or illness could be asserted against Landlord, Tenant or the Leased Premises, and (iv) Umbrella liability insurance on an occurrence basis in an amount not less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00).

 

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Section 2. At all times during the Term, Landlord shall, at Tenant’s expense, keep or cause to be kept the Building and all other improvements at any time constituting the Leased Premises, insured against fires and all perils included within full standard extended coverage insurance, in good and responsible insurance companies, authorized to do business in the state of California, in an amount not less than One Hundred Percent (100%) of the insurable value of the building erected or to be erected on the Leased Premises or One Hundred Percent (100%) of its replacement cost, whichever shall be less, said insurance to be for the benefit of Landlord and the mortgagee of the Leased Premises, if any, as their interests appear. Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for the cost of all such insurance under this Section 2 within ten (10) days of receipt of a billing therefor. If the Leased Premises are not separately insured, said insurance premiums shall be determined by Landlord through a reasonable apportionment in accordance with a fraction, the numerator of which is the total floor area of the Leased Premises and the denominator of which is the total leasable floor area of the Buildings multiplied by the amount of such insurance premiums.

ARTICLE VII

Indemnity

Section 1. Neither Landlord nor Tenant shall be liable to the other or any other person for any consequential damages, special or punitive damages, or for loss of business, revenue, income or profits (excluding however all rent payable by Tenant under this Lease) and each hereby waives any and all claims for any such damages against the other. Subject to the limitation set forth below, and to the extent not provided by any insurance coverage carried by Landlord, Tenant agrees to indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, judgments, suits, causes of action, losses, liabilities and expenses, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and court costs including all reasonable expenses to Landlord (except as provided herein pursuant to Section 2 of this Article VII), for, or in connection with, any accident, injury or damage whatsoever caused to any person or property arising, directly or indirectly, out of the business conducted in the Leased Premises or occurring in, on or about the Leased Premises or any part thereof or arising directly or indirectly from any negligent act or omission of Tenant or any sub-tenant, or their respective servants, agents, employees or contractors, and from and against any and all costs, expenses and liabilities incurred in connection with any such claim or proceeding brought thereon.

Section 2. Notwithstanding anything in Section 1 of this Article VII to the contrary, Landlord shall remain liable for any and all claims and demands for, or in connection with, any accident, injury or damage whatsoever caused to any person or property arising, directly or indirectly, from any grossly negligent act or willful misconduct by Landlord or Landlord’s officers, employees, agents, servants or contractors occurring in, on or about the Leased Premises or any part thereof.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

Damage or Destruction of Leased Premises

Section 1. If, during the Term, twenty-five percent (25%) or less of the insurable value of the buildings and improvements, now or hereafter existing upon the Leased Premises, shall be destroyed by fire, explosion, the elements, an act of God or any other insured casualty, Landlord shall promptly rebuild and restore the same as nearly as possible to the condition existing prior to the damage. Rent payments shall be reduced proportionately from the date of such loss until the Leased Premises are restored to the condition which existed prior to the damage.

Section 2. If, during the Term, more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the insurable value of the building or improvements upon the Leased Premises shall be damaged or destroyed by fire, explosion, the elements, an act of God or any other casualty or any uninsured casualty or event, this Lease shall nevertheless continue in full force and effect for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of such damage or destruction or until sooner terminated by the Tenant, subject to abatement of Rent for the period following such destruction. During such thirty (30) day period, Tenant shall have the option of terminating the Lease. In the event Tenant does not elect to terminate the Lease within such period, Landlord shall promptly commence to restore or rebuild the building or improvements and complete the same within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date of destruction, with Rent abated from the date of destruction and throughout the period of repair and reconstruction during which Tenant is deprived of the use of the Leased Premises.

Section 3. If the Landlord shall fail to rebuild and restore the said building and improvements within such one hundred and eighty (180) day period as above provided, the Tenant shall have the right to cancel this Lease at the expiration of such one hundred and eighty (180) day period.

Section 4. Landlord shall also have the right to terminate this Lease if any damage to the Building occurs during the last twelve (12) months of the Term and Landlord’s contractor estimates in writing delivered to the parties that the repair, reconstruction or restoration of such damage cannot be completed within the earlier of (a) the scheduled expiration date of the Term, or (b) sixty (60) days after the date of such casualty.

ARTICLE IX

Maintenance of Leased Premises

Section 1. Landlord’s Obligations. Upon receipt of written notice from Tenant, Landlord agrees to proceed with due diligence, at its sole cost and expense, to make any repairs, replacements or renewals to the Structural Elements, provided such repairs, replacements and renewals are not made necessary by any neglect or act of Tenant (which shall be paid by Tenant), other than normal wear and tear and depreciation. Without limiting the foregoing, Landlord intends to replace the roof membrane in Year 4 of the Term, at Landlord’s cost, provided if Landlord determines that the roof needs to be replaced sooner than during Year 4,

 

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then Landlord will replace the roof as and when so required at Landlord’s cost. All preventative maintenance and repairs of the existing roof shall be made by Landlord, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense as part of Operating Expenses. In addition, Landlord shall, at Tenant’s expense to be billed to Tenant monthly as “Operating Expenses” as provided herein, maintain, repair and replace all utility lines running outside of the exterior walls and roof, all HVAC systems, fire/life safety systems, electrical and plumbing systems of the Leased Premises and all drive aisles, driveways, walks, parking areas and landscaping and lighting and irrigation systems at the Leased Premises, including periodic removal of graffiti and periodic repainting of the exterior walls of the Building and periodic slurry coating and striping of the parking areas, provided however, any capital expenditures, including, but not limited to, the replacement of parking areas, drive aisles, HVAC system(s), etc. that are a part of Operating Expenses shall be amortized on a straight line basis over the useful life thereof. Landlord shall provide Tenant with monthly estimates of estimated Operating Expenses which Tenant shall pay to Landlord During any period of repair by Landlord, Rent shall be abated if, and to the extent, that Tenant’s use of the Leased Premises is restricted.

Section 2. Tenant’s Obligations. Tenant agrees promptly to make all repairs, replacements and renewals which become necessary in or about the Leased Premises, other than those which are Landlord’s obligation under Section 1 of this Article IX. To the extent Tenant is obligated to make any repairs, replacements or renewals in or about the Leased Premises, Landlord does hereby assign to Tenant all manufacturers’ and contractors’ warranties and guarantees covering the Building and any other improvements on the Leased Premises that may be in effect during the Term.

ARTICLE X

Waiver of Claims for Damages to Real and Personal Property

Section 1. Landlord and Tenant, for themselves and for their respective insurers, agree to and do hereby mutually release each other of and from any and all claims, demands, actions and causes of action that each may have or claim to have against the other for loss of or damage to the property of the other, both real and personal, caused by or resulting from fire, tornado and all other casualties or perils of the type and character covered by fire and extended coverage insurance, notwithstanding that any such loss or damage may be due to or result from the negligence of either of the parties hereto or their respective officers, employees or agents. Landlord and Tenant will each secure an appropriate clause in, or endorsement on, any fire and extended coverage insurance policy covering their respective real and personal property, pursuant to which the respective insurance companies waive subrogation; provided, however, that a failure on the part of either party to secure such appropriate clause in, or endorsement on, any fire and extended coverage insurance policy covering their respective real and personal property, pursuant to which the respective insurance companies waive subrogation, shall not, in any manner, affect or restrict the provisions of the above and foregoing mutual releases.

 

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Section 2. Tenant, for itself and for its respective insurers, if any, does hereby agree that all personal property on the Leased Premises shall be at the risk of the Tenant only, and Landlord shall not be or become liable for any damage to said personal property or to Tenant or to any other persons for damage whatsoever done or occasioned by or from any boiler, plumbing, gas, water, steam or other pipes or any fixtures or appurtenances whatsoever, or arising by reason of the use of, said building, fixtures or appurtenances therein, or by damage caused in any other manner whatsoever; provided, however, that Landlord shall not be relieved of any liability for damage to Tenant’s personal property where such damage results from a condition or malfunction of equipment, fixtures or appurtenances, the maintenance or repair of which is Landlord’s responsibility hereunder.

ARTICLE XI

Mechanic’s Liens

Except for work or material which is the responsibility of Landlord under this Lease, Tenant agrees to pay promptly for any work done or material furnished in or about the Leased Premises after the commencement of the Term and to not suffer or permit any lien to attach to the Leased Premises, and Tenant further agrees promptly to cause any such lien or claims therefor to be released; provided, however, that in the event Tenant contests any such claim, Tenant agrees to indemnify and secure Landlord to the satisfaction of Landlord. Notice is hereby given that no mechanic’s, materialman’s or other lien sought to be taken or vested on the Leased Premises shall in any manner affect the right, title or interest of the Landlord therein, and that Tenant shall have no authority from Landlord to permit or create such lien. In the event that any such lien shall be filed upon the Leased Premises by reason of any act or omission (or alleged act or omission) of Tenant or any subtenant, and Tenant shall not, within thirty (30) days from and after notice to Tenant of the filing thereof, have caused the same to be released or have indemnified and secured Landlord to the satisfaction of Landlord, then in such event, Landlord may, but shall not be obligated to, cause the same to be discharged; and if Landlord does so, Tenant agrees to reimburse Landlord promptly upon demand for all costs, expenses and other sums of money expended by Landlord in connection therewith.

ARTICLE XII

Eminent Domain

Section 1. If the whole or any part of the land or Building constituting the Leased Premises shall be taken by any public authority under the power of eminent domain, and if the portion of such land or Building remaining after such taking shall not constitute sufficient space for the maintenance and operation of Tenant’s business in an economically feasible and profitable manner, as determined by Tenant, then the Term shall cease as of the date possession is delivered by Tenant, and Tenant shall pay Rent up to that date with an appropriate refund by Landlord of such Rent as may have been paid in advance for a period subsequent to the date of taking; provided, however, if Tenant, in its sole opinion, can use any part of the Building constituting a portion of the Leased Premises in an economically feasible and profitable manner, then the Lease shall continue in effect as to that part of the Building, and the Rent shall be abated from the date of taking in proportion to the number of square feet so taken. In the case of taking of unused land but not of Building, such that Tenant, it its sole opinion, can still use the remaining part of the Leased Premises in an economically feasible and profitable manner, then

 

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the Lease shall continue in effect, and no abatement of Rent shall occur by reason thereof. Landlord agrees at its sole cost and expense to make all repairs, construction, additions or alterations that may be necessary or requisite for the making of the remainder of the Leased Premises a complete architectural and operating unit, and suitable for the business and operations of Tenant in an economically feasible and profitable manner.

Section 2. All compensation awarded for any taking under the power of eminent domain, whether for the whole or a part of the Leased Premises, shall be the property of Landlord, whether such damages shall be awarded as compensation for diminution in the value of, or loss of, the fee of the Leased Premises, and Tenant hereby assigns to Landlord all of Tenant’s right, title and interest in and to any and all such compensation; provided, however, that Landlord shall not be entitled to any award made to Tenant for the cost of removal of fixtures, stock and other personal property of Tenant, or for any other expenses or losses of Tenant connected with or resulting from any such taking, or any other awards, reimbursements or payments that may be made, awarded or granted to Tenant directly under applicable law.

ARTICLE XIII

Quiet Enjoyment

Landlord covenants that Tenant, when paying the Rent and performing all the covenants and agreements herein provided to be performed by Tenant, shall peaceably and quietly have, hold and enjoy the Leased Premises for the Term.

ARTICLE XIV

Default

Section 1. Subject to the provisions of this Article XIV, this Lease is made upon the express condition that Tenant shall faithfully and punctually perform and observe all the agreements, covenants and conditions herein set forth to be performed by Tenant, and that if at any time any Rent, taxes, assessments, charges, insurance premiums, utilities charges or any other monies required to be paid by Tenant hereunder, or any part thereof, shall be in arrears and unpaid for a period of five (5) days after notice in writing thereof shall have been given by Landlord to Tenant, or if defaults shall be made or suffered in the performance or observance of any of the other covenants or conditions of this Lease, and if Tenant fails to commence action to eliminate such default within thirty (30) days after notice in writing thereof shall have been given by Landlord to Tenant, Landlord shall have the right, at its election, to terminate this Lease or to enter upon the Leased Premises and take immediate possession thereof. If Landlord shall elect to so terminate this Lease, then Landlord may recover from Tenant: (a) the worth at the time of award of any unpaid Rent which had been earned at the time of such termination; plus (b) the worth at the time of the award of the amount by which the unpaid Rent which would have been earned after termination until the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that Tenant proves could have been reasonably avoided; plus (c) the worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid Rent for the balance of the term after the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that Tenant proves could be reasonably avoided; plus (d) any other

 

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amount necessary to compensate Landlord for all the detriment proximately caused by Tenant’s failure to perform its obligations under this Lease or which, in the ordinary course of things, would be likely to result therefrom, and this Lease and the Building and all improvements upon the Leased Premises shall be forfeited to Landlord without compensation therefor to Tenant, or any other person, firm or corporation whomsoever; provided, however, that Tenant may at any time before the expiration of such periods, pay and/or perform the engagements of this Lease for which Tenant shall be in default, and thereby prevent such entry and forfeiture. As used herein, the “worth at the time of award” is computed by allowing interest at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum. As used in (c) above, the “worth at the time of award” is computed by discounting such amount at the discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco at the time of award plus one percent (1%). Such right to sue and the right to forfeit and reenter are cumulative and not exclusive of each other or of any other lawful right or remedy that Landlord may have, and the fact that Landlord may have brought suit and recovered judgment for Rent or other sums in default hereunder shall not impair its right to cause forfeiture of this Lease and reenter, upon the terms set forth herein, in case the default upon which any such suit was based shall continue unsatisfied for the period of time hereinabove stipulated for such forfeiture and entry.

Section 2. Should any of the events of default hereinabove specified occur, in case Landlord does not elect to exercise the right to terminate this Lease conferred by the provisions of Section 1 of this Article XIV, Landlord shall nevertheless have, and is hereby expressly given, the right at its sole election to reenter the Leased Premises with or without legal process, and to remove and store for Tenant, Tenant’s signs and all property and effects of Tenant or other occupants of said premises, and to relet the premises or any part thereof at or near market rents and upon such terms and to such person or persons and for such period or periods as may seem fit to Landlord; and in case of such reletting, Tenant shall be liable to Landlord for the difference between the rents and payments herein reserved and agreed upon for the residue of the Term (except as hereinafter otherwise provided) and the rent realized by Landlord by such reletting, such net rents and payments to be determined by deducting from the entire rents and payments received by Landlord from such reletting, the expenses of recovering possession, reletting, repairing said premises, storing Tenant’s property, and collecting rents; and Tenant hereby agrees to pay to Landlord such deficiency each month, as the same may accrue. Tenant shall pay to Landlord within ten (10) days after the expiration of each month during such residue of the Term the difference between the reserved rents and payments for said month, and the net amount realized by Landlord from the premises during said month from such reletting. Landlord shall have the right at any time after such reentry and reletting, in its sole discretion, to terminate this Lease and thence forward there shall be no liability on the part of Tenant for any future accruing Rent or payments reserved under this Lease.

Section 3. If, after the commencement of the Term, (a) Tenant shall be adjudicated as bankrupt or adjudged to be insolvent; (b) a receiver or trustee shall be appointed for Tenant’s property and affairs; (c) Tenant shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or shall file a petition in bankruptcy or insolvency or for reorganization or debtor’s arrangement or shall make application for the appointment of a receiver, or (d) any execution or attachment shall be issued against Tenant or any of Tenant’s property, whereby the Leased Premises or any building or buildings or any improvements thereon shall be taken or occupied or attempted to be taken or

 

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occupied by someone other than Tenant, except as may be herein permitted, and such adjudication, appointment, assignment, petition, application, execution or attachment shall not be set aside, vacated, discharged or bonded within thirty (30) days after the issuance of the same, then an event of default hereunder shall become effective, and Landlord shall have the rights and remedies provided for herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, so long as the Rent shall continue to be paid hereunder, and Tenant shall perform all of the terms, covenants and conditions on its part to be performed, Landlord shall not have the right to declare a default in this Lease.

Section 4. This Lease is also made upon the express condition that Landlord shall faithfully and punctually perform and observe all the agreements, covenants and conditions set forth herein to be performed by Landlord. If any default shall be made or suffered in the performance or observance of any of the covenants or conditions of this Lease to be performed by Landlord, and if Landlord fails to commence action to eliminate such default within thirty (30) days after notice in writing thereof shall have been given by Tenant to Landlord, Tenant shall have the right, at its election, to (i) terminate this Lease and thence forward this Lease shall become void for all intents and purposes whatsoever subject, however, to the right of Tenant to sue on such Lease for damages sustained by reason of Landlord’s default; or (ii) cure said default and offset the next succeeding months’ Base Rent by the cost of curing the same. Provided, however, that Landlord may at any time before the expiration of such period of thirty (30) days, perform its obligations under this Lease for which Landlord shall be in default, and thereby prevent such termination of this Lease. Any rights of Tenant hereunder in the event of default by Landlord are cumulative and not exclusive of each other or any other lawful right or remedy that Tenant may have, and the fact that Tenant may have brought suit and recovered judgment against Landlord shall not impair its right to cause termination of this Lease.

Section 5. If Landlord does not receive Rent or any other payment within three (3) business days of when due from Tenant on the due date, Tenant shall pay to Landlord a late charge equal to five percent (5%) of such past due Rent or other payment; provided, however, Landlord agrees not to impose a late charge for the first late payment in any calendar year of the Term provided Tenant pays such late payment within five (5) business days of written invoice. Tenant agrees that this late charge represents a fair and reasonable estimate of the cost Landlord will incur by reason of Tenant’s late payment. Accepting any late charge shall not constitute a waiver by Landlord of Tenant’s default with respect to any overdue amount nor prevent Landlord from exercising any other rights or remedies available to Landlord. If any installment of Monthly Base Rent or Additional Rent, or any other amount payable by Tenant hereunder is not received by Landlord within thirty (30) days after written invoice by Landlord, it shall bear interest at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum from the due date until paid.

ARTICLE XV

Surrender of Leased Premises

Section 1. Upon the end of the Term, Tenant shall quit and surrender the Leased Premises, in good condition and repair (depreciation, wear and tear excepted). Tenant shall, upon or before the end of the Term, remove from the Leased Premises all its property, including by way of illustration the furniture, fixtures, equipment and trade fixtures, and all property not so removed shall be deemed abandoned by Tenant.

 

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Section 2. It is understood that all movable furniture, fixtures, equipment and all trade fixtures of every kind, character and description, placed in or upon the Leased Premises or owned by Tenant shall remain the property of Tenant, and may be removed by Tenant at any time.

Section 3. At the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Landlord and Tenant shall schedule a walk-through of the Leased Premises to determine whether Tenant has complied with its obligation to surrender the Leased Premises in accordance with Section 1 above. Landlord shall notify Tenant of any non-compliance at said time or Landlord shall be estopped from attempting to charge Tenant for any repairs it deems the responsibility of Tenant at a later date.

ARTICLE XVI

Holding Over

If Tenant should remain in possession of the Leased Premises after the expiration of the Term, as renewed or extended, and without executing a new lease, then such holding over shall be construed as a tenancy from month to month, subject to all the conditions, provisions and obligations of this Lease insofar as the same are applicable to a month-to-month tenancy, and Rent computed as One Hundred Fifty Percent (150%) of the monthly Base Rent paid during the last month of the term previously expired and shall continue to apply to such extended tenancy.

ARTICLE XVII

Compliance With Laws

Section 1. Tenant agrees to use the Leased Premises in a manner which shall be in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, orders and ordinances which relate specifically to, or which are imposed by reason of, its particular use or alteration of the Leased Premises, and further agrees not to suffer or permit the Leased Premises to be used for any unlawful purpose, and to protect Landlord and save it and the Leased Premises harmless from any and all fines and penalties that may result from or be due to any infractions of or noncompliance with the said laws, rules, regulations, orders and ordinances. Landlord shall be responsible for compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, orders and ordinances which relate to the Leased Premises generally and to the parking lots, walkways, common areas and all ingress and egress associated with the Leased Premises and any modifications thereto initiated by Landlord, and which laws, rules, regulations, orders and ordinances are not applicable solely due to Tenant’s particular use of the Leased Premises, including by way of illustration, laws requiring the removal of asbestos or other hazardous materials and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) 1991.

Section 2. Landlord shall be responsible for compliance with all laws including but not limited to the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) 1991, as the same may become applicable either through alterations to the Leased Premises by Landlord or new construction of a portion or portions of Leased Premises by Landlord.

 

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ARTICLE XVIII

Notices

Section 1. Any notice herein provided to be given to Landlord shall be given by registered or certified United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to Landlord, return receipt requested, or by hand delivery or overnight courier service, as above provided for the payment of Rent.

Section 2. Any notice herein provided to be given to Tenant shall be given by registered or certified United States mail, postage prepaid, and shall be addressed return receipt requested, or by hand delivery or overnight courier service, as follows:

If to Tenant:

Sylvamo North America, LLC

Attn: Corporate Real Estate Department

6400 Poplar Avenue, Tower I

Memphis, TN 38197

with required notice to:

Sylvamo North America, LLC

Attn: Brian Wamble

6400 Poplar Avenue, Tower I

Memphis, TN 38197

Section 3. Any and all notices given, as above provided, shall be deemed to be given when received by the addressee, as evidenced by return receipt.

Section 4. Each party shall have the right to specify, in lieu of its above-specified address, any other address in the United States of America by giving to the other party at least fifteen (15) days prior written notice of such change of address sent in accordance with Section 1 or 2 above.

ARTICLE XIX

Non-Waiver; Rights and Remedies Cumulative

No requirement of this Lease shall be deemed waived or varied, nor shall either party’s acceptance of any payment with knowledge of any default or either party’s failure or delay to take advantage of any default constitute a waiver of such party’s rights hereunder or of any subsequent or continued breach of any requirement of this Lease. All rights and remedies of either party hereunder or in connection with this Lease shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for, any rights or remedies otherwise available to such party.

 

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ARTICLE XX

Successors and Assigns

All covenants, agreements, conditions, limitations, exceptions and undertakings contained in this Lease shall extend to, and inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns of Tenant and Landlord. The parties hereto further agree that all of the covenants, agreements, conditions, limitations, exceptions and undertakings contained in this Lease shall be binding upon the parties hereto and shall be construed to be covenants running with the land.

ARTICLE XXI

Access to Leased Premises

Subject to applicable laws, and Tenant’s compliance with same, Tenant shall have access to the Leased Premises 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.

Tenant agrees that Landlord, its agents, servants or employees, or any person authorized by Landlord, may enter the Leased Premises during usual business hours and upon twenty four (24) hours prior written notice to inspect the condition of the same and to make such repairs as Landlord may be required or permitted to make under the provisions of this Lease, to exhibit the same to prospective purchasers of the Leased Premises, and, within one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the termination of this Lease, or any extensions thereof, to exhibit the Leased Premises to prospective tenants and to place in and upon the premises at such places as Landlord may determine “For Rent” signs or notices; provided, however, that such signs or notices shall not be placed in positions in which they would unreasonably interfere with the continued conduct of Tenant’s business or obstruct Tenant’s own signs as then erected. Nothing herein contained, however, shall be deemed or construed to impose upon Landlord any obligation or liability whatever for care, supervision, repair, improvement, addition, change or alteration of the Leased Premises or the building or improvements thereon other than as expressly provided in this Lease.

ARTICLE XXII

Assignment and Subletting

Tenant may not assign this Lease or sublet all or part of the Leased Premises without the prior written consent of Landlord to such assignment or such subletting, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, provided the new entity is financially sound in the reasonable opinion of Landlord and further provided, however, that in the event of such assignment or such subletting, Tenant shall give Landlord prior written notice thereof and continue primarily responsible to Landlord for the performance of each of the terms, conditions and covenants to be performed by Tenant under the terms of this Lease, and provided further, that at the time of such assignment or subletting, such assignee or subtenant shall execute a

 

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document agreeing to perform for the benefit of Landlord each and every term, condition and covenant of this Lease. Landlord shall be permitted to proceed directly against Tenant for the failure of the performance of any term, condition or covenant of this Lease without the necessity of joining in any such action or actions any assignee or subtenant, provided, however, that at Landlord’s option, Landlord may join such assignee or subtenant. Tenant agrees to pay to Landlord as Additional Rent within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof, fifty percent (50%) of any rent or other economic consideration received by Tenant as a result of any assignment or subletting which exceeds, in the aggregate, (i) the total Rent which Tenant is obligated to pay Landlord under this Lease (prorated to reflect obligations allocable to any portion of the Premises subleased) for the applicable period, plus (ii) any reasonable brokerage commissions and attorneys’ fees actually paid by Tenant in connection with such assignment or subletting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant may assign or sublet this Lease without Landlord’s consent to: (i) any affiliate, subsidiary or parent entity of Tenant; or (ii) any entity resulting from a merger involving Tenant and/or Tenant’s affiliates, subsidiaries or parent entity.

ARTICLE XXIII

Modification/Construction

No oral statement or written matter bearing date prior to the date hereof shall have any force or effect in connection with the interpretation of this agreement or otherwise. Tenant and Landlord agree that they are not relying on any representations or agreements other than those contained in this Lease. No agreement shall be held as changing or in any manner modifying, adding to, or detracting from, any of the terms or conditions of this Lease unless such agreement shall be in writing and duly executed by the parties hereto. Landlord and Tenant acknowledge that this Lease constitutes their mutual work product and agree that no inferences shall be drawn based upon this Lease being drafted either by Landlord or by Tenant.

ARTICLE XXIV

Signage; Parking

Tenant shall be permitted to erect signs that comply with all applicable zoning laws and regulations now or hereafter in effect. Landlord shall cooperate with Tenant in obtaining approval from the appropriate state and local authorities to install such signage on behalf of Tenant, located as shown on the site plan attached hereto as Exhibit B. Tenant shall bear all costs associated with obtaining said approvals.

Tenant shall have access to the parking as identified on Exhibit “B” hereto.

ARTICLE XXV

Alterations and Additions

Tenant shall not make or allow to be made any alterations, additions or improvements to or of the Premises or any part thereof, which alteration costs in excess of $50,000.00, without first obtaining the written consent of Landlord, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Any alteration made to the Leased Premises below the above-referenced threshold amount shall not require Landlord’s prior written consent but shall require written notice from Tenant to Landlord.

 

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ARTICLE XXVI

Options to Extend Term

Tenant is hereby granted one (1) option to extend the Term hereof an additional five (5) years each, upon one hundred eighty (180) days written notice prior to the expiration of the Term (the “Extended Term”). Rent for said Extended Term shall be equal to the then prevailing fair market rent (“FMV”). Fair Market Value shall mean the average annual rental rate then being charged in the La Mirada, Sante Fe Springs, Cerritos, Buena Park, and Fullerton areas for comparable space in comparable buildings, comparably located for which market rate is being determined, taking into consideration: location in the building, tenant improvements or allowances to be provided, rental abatements, lease takeovers/assumptions, moving expenses and other forms of rental concessions, proposed term of lease, extent of service provided or to be provided, whether or not the transaction is a sublease, the time the particular rate under consideration became or is to become effective, contraction and expansion options, and any other relevant terms or conditions. In the event Landlord and Tenant are not able to agree upon the Fair Market Value rental rate for the Extended Term, such Fair Market Value rental rate shall be determined as provided in Rider No. 1. Except as provided above, this Lease shall remain in full force and effect during the Extended Term.

ARTICLE XXVII

Subordination and Acknowledgements

Section 1. At the option of the Landlord or the applicable mortgagee, chargee or trustee (as the case may be), this Lease shall be subject and subordinate to any and all mortgages, charges and deeds of trust (and instruments supplemental thereto), which may now affect the Leased Premises. Tenant acknowledges and agrees that any such mortgagee, chargee or trustee may unilaterally postpone and subordinate its mortgage, charge or deed of trust to this Lease and any renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements or extensions thereof to the intent that this Lease and all right, title and interest of Tenant in the Leased Premises shall be prior to the rights of such mortgagee, chargee or trustee as fully as if such Lease had been executed and registered before the registration of the mortgage, charge or deed of trust, as applicable. On request at any time and from time to time of Landlord or of the mortgagee, chargee or trustee under any such mortgage, charge or deed of trust, Tenant shall promptly, at no cost to the Landlord or mortgagee, chargee or trustee, and provided said mortgagee, chargee or trustee agrees to enter in a non-disturbance agreement with Tenant and agrees not to in any way disturb or modify Tenant’s rights under this Lease or Tenant’s occupancy of the Leased Premises under this Lease unless in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Lease:

 

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(a) attorn to such mortgagee, chargee or trustee and become its tenant of the Leased Premises or the tenant of the Leased Premises of any purchaser from such mortgagee, chargee or trustee in the event of an exercise of any permitted power of sale contained in any such mortgage, charge or deed of trust for the then unexpired residue of the Term on the terms herein contained; and/or

(b) postpone and subordinate this Lease to such mortgage, charge or deed of trust to the intent that this Lease and all right, title and interest of Tenant in the Leased Premises shall be subject to the rights of such mortgagee, chargee or trustee as fully as if such mortgage, charge or deed of trust had been executed and registered and the money thereby secured had been advanced before the execution of this Lease (and notwithstanding any authority or consent of such mortgagee, or trustee, express or implied, to the making of this Lease).

Section 2. Tenant shall, within not more than twenty (20) days’ written request therefor, execute and return to Landlord or its mortgagee as required by Landlord from time to time and without cost to Landlord or such mortgagee, a statement in writing certifying that this Lease is unmodified and in full force and effect (or if modified, stating the modifications and that the Lease is in full force and effect as modified), the amount of the annual Rent then being paid hereunder, the dates to which the same, by instalment or otherwise, and other charges hereunder have been paid, whether or not there is any existing default on the part of Landlord of which Tenant has notice, and any other information reasonably required.

ARTICLE XXVIII

Environmental

Section 1. Landlord covenants and warrants that it knows of no transportation, storage (including underground storage tanks), placement, handling, treatment, discharge, generation, production or disposal (treatment) of any waste, petroleum product, waste products, radioactive waste, poly-chlorinated biphenyls, asbestos, hazardous materials of any kind, or any substance which is regulated by any law, statute, ordinance, rule or regulation (“Hazardous Materials”), by Landlord or any other person or entity (including other tenants) on or around the Leased Premises prior to the Tenant taking possession of the Leased Premises.

Section 2. Landlord hereby agrees it will indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless Tenant and Tenant’s officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents, representatives, invitees, licensees, subtenants, customers or contractors and their respective heirs, successors, and assigns (collectively “Indemnified Parties/Tenant”) against and from, and to reimburse the Indemnified Parties/Tenant with respect to, any and all damages, claims, liabilities, loss, costs, and expenses (including reasonable and actual attorneys’ fees and expenses, court costs, administrative costs and costs of appeals), incurred by or asserted against the Indemnified Parties/Tenant by reason of or arising out of: (a) the breach of any representation or undertaking of Landlord of its agents, employees, heirs, successors, or assigns under Section 1 of this Article or (b) arising out of any act or negligence or violation of any law, statute, ordinance, rule or regulation with respect to the treatment or handling of Hazardous Materials at any time by Landlord, its agents, employees, contractors, other tenants or their respective heirs, successors or assigns. Further, Tenant shall not be responsible or liable for any violation of any environmental law during the Term of this Lease not caused by Tenant or an employee, authorized agent or invitee of Tenant.

 

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Section 3. Except for ordinary and general office supplies, such as copier toner, liquid paper, glue, ink and common household cleaning materials, and motor vehicle fuel stored in fuel tanks of motor vehicles used on site in compliance with all environmental laws (some or all of which may constitute Hazardous Materials), Tenant agrees not to cause or permit any Hazardous Materials to be brought upon, stored, used, handled, generated, released or disposed of on, in, under or about the Leased Premises, without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent Landlord may withhold in its sole and absolute discretion. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant agrees to promptly remove from the Leased Premises, at its sole cost and expense, any and all Hazardous Materials, including any equipment or systems containing Hazardous Materials which are installed, brought upon, stored, used, generated or released upon, in, under or about the Leased Premises or any portion thereof by Tenant or any of Tenant’s Parties. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Tenant agrees to promptly indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless Landlord and Landlord’s members, shareholders, partners, officers, directors, managers, employees, agents, contractors, successors and assigns (collectively, “Landlord Parties”) from and against any and all claims, damages, judgments, suits, causes of action, losses, liabilities, penalties, fines, expenses and costs (including, without limitation, clean-up, removal, remediation and restoration costs, sums paid in settlement of claims, attorneys’ fees, consultant fees and expert fees and court costs) which arise or result from the presence of Hazardous Materials on, in, under or about the Leased Premises or any portion thereof and which are caused or permitted by Tenant or any of Tenant’s Parties. The provisions of this Article 10 will survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

ARTICLE XXIX

Broker

Landlord and Tenant warrant that no broker was involved in this Lease or the transactions contemplated hereby except IP Commercial Properties, LLC (“Broker”). Tenant shall not be responsible for any real estate commission claimed to be owed to any broker or other person on any renewal, amendment, modification, or the like, of the Lease unless said party is specifically authorized in writing to receive the same by Tenant. Each party agrees to indemnify the other party from claims for real estate commissions or fees arising out of any acts or negotiations of the indemnifying party with any broker, realtor or finder.

ARTICLE XXX

Confidentiality

Each party agrees to treat all information contained in the Lease (including the name of the other party) as strictly confidential and shall not disclose any information about the Lease or the other party to anyone not an agent of said party, and if then only on a “need to know” basis and with the requirement that said agent treat the Lease and the terms hereof as strictly confidential. Neither party shall make any marketing or press release regarding the Lease without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent may be withheld in said party’s sole and absolute discretion. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, either party may disclose information regarding the Lease under proper authority of court.

 

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ARTICLE XXXI

Public Recordation of Lease

Each party agrees that neither party shall have the right to record and/or cause or permit this Lease, or any memorandum of this Lease, to be recorded publicly without prior written consent of the other party.

ARTICLE XXXII

Counterpart Signatures

This Lease may be executed simultaneously in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

ARTICLE XXXIII

Miscellaneous

Section 1. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Lease to the contrary, the obligations of Landlord under this Lease (including as to any actual or alleged breach or default by Landlord) do not constitute personal obligations of the individual members, managers, investors, partners, directors, officers, or shareholders of Landlord or Landlord’s members or partners, and Tenant shall not seek recourse against the individual members, managers, investors, partners, directors, officers, or shareholders of Landlord or Landlord’s members or partners or any other persons or entities having any interest in Landlord, or any of their personal assets for satisfaction of any liability with respect to this Lease. In addition, in consideration of the benefits accruing hereunder to Tenant and notwithstanding anything contained in this Lease to the contrary, Tenant hereby covenants and agrees for itself and all of its successors and assigns that the liability of Landlord for its obligations under this Lease (including any liability as a result of any actual or alleged failure, breach or default hereunder by Landlord), shall be limited solely to, and Tenant’s and its successors’ and assigns’ sole and exclusive remedy shall be against, Landlord’s interest in the Leased Premises, and no other assets of Landlord. The term “Landlord” as used in this Lease, so far as covenants or obligations on the part of the Landlord are concerned, shall be limited to mean and include only the owner or owners, at the time in question, of the fee title to, or a lessee’s interest in a ground lease of, the Leased Premises. In the event of any transfer or conveyance of any such title or interest (other than a transfer for security purposes only), the transferor shall be automatically relieved of all covenants and obligations on the part of Landlord contained in this Lease. Landlord and Landlord’s transferees and assignees shall have the absolute right to transfer all or any portion of their respective title and interest in the Leased Premises and/or this Lease without the consent of Tenant, and such transfer or subsequent transfer shall not be deemed a violation on Landlord’s part of any of the terms and conditions of this Lease.

 

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Section 2. Within 15 business days following Landlord’s written request, Tenant shall execute and deliver to Landlord a commercially reasonable and typical estoppel certificate. Any such estoppel certificate may be relied upon by any mortgagee, beneficiary, purchaser or prospective purchaser of any portion of the Leased Premises, as well as their assignees. Tenant’s failure to deliver such estoppel certificate following an additional two (2) business day cure period after notice shall constitute a default hereunder. Tenant’s failure to deliver such certificate within such time shall be conclusive upon Tenant that this Lease is in full force and effect, without modification except as may be represented by Landlord, that there are no uncured defaults in Landlord’s performance, and that not more than one (1) month’s Rent has been paid in advance.

Section 3. This Lease shall be governed by, and construed pursuant to, the laws of the state of California. Venue for any litigation between the parties hereto concerning this Lease or the occupancy of the Premises shall be initiated in the county in which the Premises are located. Tenant shall comply with all governmental and quasi-governmental laws, ordinances and regulations applicable to the Premises, and all rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto and all covenants, conditions and restrictions applicable to and/or of record against the Premises (individually, a “Law” and collectively, the “Laws”).

Section 4. All of the covenants, conditions and provisions of this Lease shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives and permitted successors and assigns.

Section 5. If either Landlord or Tenant should bring suit (or alternate dispute resolution proceedings) against the other with respect to this Lease, including for unlawful detainer, forcible entry and detainer, or any other relief against the other hereunder, then all costs and expenses incurred by the prevailing party therein (including, without limitation, its actual appraisers’, accountants’, attorneys’ and other professional fees, expenses and court costs), shall be paid by the other party, including any and all costs incurred in enforcing, perfecting and executing such judgment and all reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees associated with any appeal.

Section 6. Landlord acknowledges that Tenant is currently a public company and its financial information is available as part of its public reporting obligations. However, should Tenant cease to be a publicly traded company or should Tenant assign this Lease to a company which is not a publicly traded company, then Tenant or such assignee agree to provide financial information to Landlord as follows: Upon ten (10) days prior written request from Landlord (which Landlord may make at any time during the Term including in connection with Tenant’s exercise of any Option in this Lease, but no more often that two (2) times in any calendar year, other than in the event of a default by Tenant during such calendar year or the exercise of any Option in such calendar year, when such limitation shall not apply), Tenant shall deliver to Landlord for review by Landlord and by Landlord’s accountants, investors and prospective purchasers and lenders: (a) a current financial statement of Tenant and any guarantor of this Lease, and (b) financial statements of Tenant and such guarantor for the two (2) years prior to the current financial statement year. Landlord covenants and agrees not to disclose any information regarding Tenant’s financial statements to any parties other than its accountants,

 

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investors, purchasers, and lenders to keep all of Tenant’s financial information confidential. Such statements shall be prepared in accordance with generally acceptable accounting principles and certified as true in all material respects by Tenant (if Tenant is an individual) or by an authorized officer, member/manager or general partner of Tenant (if Tenant is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership, respectively).

Section 7. This Lease may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which shall be one and the same agreement. Signatures and initials required in this document may be executed via “wet” original handwritten signature or initials, or via electronic signature or mark, which shall be binding on the parties as originals, and the executed signature pages may be delivered using pdf or similar file type transmitted via electronic mail, cloud based server, e-signature technology or other similar electronic means, and any such transmittal shall constitute delivery of the executed document for all purposes of this Lease.

Section 8. Landlord and its employees and agents shall at all reasonable times have the right to enter the Leased Premises to inspect the same, to supply any service required to be provided by Landlord to Tenant under this Lease, to exhibit the Leased Premises to prospective lenders or purchasers (or during the last year of the Term or during any default by Tenant, to prospective tenants), to post notices of non-responsibility, and/or to alter, improve or repair the Leased Premises or any portion thereof, all without being deemed guilty of or liable for any breach of Landlord’s covenant of quiet enjoyment or any eviction of Tenant, and without abatement of Rent. In exercising such entry rights, Landlord shall endeavor to minimize, to the extent reasonably practicable, the interference with Tenant’s business, and shall provide Tenant with reasonable advance notice (oral or written) of such entry (except in emergency situations and for scheduled services). For each of the foregoing purposes, Landlord shall at all times have and retain a key with which to unlock all of the doors in, upon and about the Leased Premises, excluding Tenant’s vaults and safes, and Landlord shall have the means which Landlord may deem proper to open said doors in an emergency in order to obtain entry to the Leased Premises. Any entry to the Leased Premises obtained by Landlord by any of said means or otherwise shall not under any circumstances be construed or deemed to be a forcible or unlawful entry into, or a detainer of, the Leased Premises, or an eviction of Tenant from the Leased Premises or any portion thereof, or grounds for any abatement or reduction of Rent and Landlord shall not have any liability to Tenant for any damages or losses on account of any such entry by Landlord.

[The remainder of this page intentionally left blank. Signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Landlord and Tenant have executed this Lease this ___ day of __________________.

 

LANDLORD:

 

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
By:  

                    

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

TENANT:

 

SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

DESCRIPTION OF LEASED PREMISES

 

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EXHIBIT B

SITE PLAN

 

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Exhibit 10.16

FORM OF RETAINED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

LICENSE AGREEMENT

This Retained Intellectual Property License Agreement (this “Agreement) dated as of [•], 2021 (“Effective Date”), is made by and between International Paper Company, a New York corporation (“Licensor”), and Global Holdings II, Inc, a Delaware corporation (“Licensee”).

WHEREAS, Licensor and Licensee have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of [•] (the “Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which Licensor has agreed to contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Licensee all of Licensor’s right, title and interest in and to the SpinCo Assets, including the SpinCo Intellectual Property and SpinCo Know-How, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Separation Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Retained Licensed Intellectual Property (as defined below) is not being transferred to Licensee pursuant to the Separation Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Licensee wishes to continue to use the Retained Licensed Intellectual Property in connection with Products (as defined below) manufactured at the Facility (as defined below), and Licensor has agreed to license the Retained Licensed Intellectual Property to Licensee in connection with Products manufactured at the Facility, subject to the limitations set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed:

SECTION 1. Definitions.

(a) Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Separation Agreement.

(b) “Facility” means the existing manufacturing facilities located at (i) Ticonderoga, (ii) Eastover, (iii) Luís Antônio, Brazil, (iv) Três Lagoas, Brazil, (v) Mogi Guaçu, Brazil, (vi) Svetogorsk, Russia and (vii) Saillat, France; sheeter facilities located at (x) Sumter and (y) Saillat, France; and any future expansions to such existing manufacturing facilities that result in an expansion of capacity, provided that such future expansions are co-located with and physically connected to such existing manufacturing facilities.

(c) “Patents” means patents, patent applications (including patents issued thereon), utility models, and industrial design registrations, including reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations in part, substitutions, renewals, extensions and reexaminations of any of the foregoing, and all rights in any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions.


(d) “Products” means, with respect to any Facility, products manufactured in the operation of the SpinCo Business as conducted at such Facility during the twenty-four (24) months immediately prior to the Effective Date; provided that Products shall exclude bristols and specialty papers and any product produced by the Parent Business, including containerboard, linerboard, white top linerboard, medium recycled linerboard, recycled medium, saturating kraft, corrugated containers and fluff, market and specialty pulps (the products in this proviso, collectively, the “Excluded Products”).

(e) “Retained Licensed Intellectual Property” means (i) Patents owned by Licensor or its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 1 (“Licensed Patents”) and (ii) Know-How owned by, or licensed to (and sublicensable by Licensor without any obligation to the owner of such Know-How), Licensor or its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date that are related to the Licensed Patents. For the avoidance of doubt, Retained Licensed Intellectual Property excludes all Intellectual Property owned by Licensor or its Subsidiaries (including the Patents and Know-How described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii)) to the extent relating to Excluded Products.

SECTION 2. License and Use.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Licensor, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, grants to Licensee a fully paid-up, royalty-free, perpetual (subject to Section 4), worldwide, sublicensable (subject to Section 16), non-assignable (subject to Section 16), non-exclusive license to use (including to create modifications, enhancements or improvements to) the Retained Licensed Intellectual Property to make, have made, sell, offer to sell, import and export Products and services solely in connection with Products manufactured at the Facility in the conduct of the SpinCo Business following the Effective Date, in the manner conducted as of the Effective Date and not for any other current or future purpose or business of Licensee (collectively, the rights granted above will be referred to as the “License”).

(b) Licensee shall not do, cause, suffer or cause to be done any deed, matter or thing whatsoever which shall, or is likely to, adversely affect or prejudice, directly or indirectly, the validity of the Retained Licensed Intellectual Property or the ownership of the Retained Licensed Intellectual Property by Licensor and Licensor’s business partners or any other third party.

SECTION 3. Improvements. In the event a party makes, or has a Third Party make, modifications, enhancements or improvements to any Retained Licensed Intellectual Property (“Improvements”), each party shall retain ownership of any modifications, enhancements or improvements that such party makes, or has a Third Party make. For the purposes of clarity, the License does not include rights to Improvements.

 

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SECTION 4. Term and Termination.

(a) Unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms herein, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in perpetuity, except that, with respect to any Patent included in the Retained Licensed Intellectual Property, the License granted hereunder shall terminate, only as to such Patent, upon the expiration of such Patent.

(b) Licensor may terminate (i) this Agreement in the event Licensee makes or attempts to make an assignment of this Agreement in violation of Section 16, (ii) this Agreement in the event Licensee (x) becomes insolvent, (y) becomes the subject of a petition in bankruptcy which is not withdrawn or dismissed within sixty (60) days thereafter, or (z) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iii) this Agreement upon the mutual written agreement of the parties, (iv) this Agreement in the event Licensee challenges or attempts to challenge Licensor’s ownership of or the validity of the Retained Licensed Intellectual Property (except to the extent that Licensee cannot be prohibited from making such challenge as a matter of law) and (v) the License in the event Licensee uses the Retained Licensed Intellectual Property outside the conduct of the SpinCo Business as conducted as of the Effective Date or otherwise contrary to this Agreement.

SECTION 5. No Representations or Warranties. ALL OF THE RETAINED LICENSED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IS LICENSED ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS. ACCORDINGLY, EXCEPT AS MAY EXPRESSLY BE SET FORTH IN THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS, (a) LICENSOR EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO ANY RETAINED LICENSED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INCLUDING AS TO VALIDITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND ADEQUACY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OPERATION OR PERFORMANCE THEREOF AND (b) IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT DAMAGES, COSTS OR SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS WITH RESPECT TO THE RETAINED LICENSED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INCLUDING ANY USE THEREOF BY LICENSEE.

SECTION 6. Maintenance.

(a) If, at any time, any of the Retained Licensed Intellectual Property is a trade secret, Licensee will use commercially reasonable efforts to protect the confidentiality thereof consistent with the manner in which it protects the confidentiality of its own trade secrets of like kind. Licensor shall retain the sole right, but not the obligation, to maintain the Licensed Patents, including deciding whether to abandon or otherwise cease to maintain (including to discontinue payment of any fees due with respect to) any such Licensed Patent.

 

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SECTION 7. Confidentiality. The parties hereto shall hold in strict confidence, and not disclose to any other Person or use for any purpose other than as expressly permitted pursuant to this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the other party, any information regarding (or related to) the Retained Licensed Intellectual Property or otherwise received under this Agreement which the disclosing party, at the time of disclosure, identifies as confidential or a trade secret (whether in writing or orally) or that would otherwise reasonably be understood to constitute confidential information or a trade secret; provided that the parties hereto may disclose, or may permit disclosure of, such confidential information (a) to their respective Representatives who have a need to know such information for auditing and other non-commercial purposes and are informed of their obligation to hold such information confidential to the same extent as is applicable to the parties hereto and in respect of whose failure to comply with such obligations, the applicable party will be responsible, (b) if the parties hereto are requested or required to disclose any such confidential information by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or other documents in legal proceedings, subpoena, civil investigative demand or any other similar process, or by other requirements of Law or stock exchange rule, (c) as required in connection with any legal or other proceeding by one party against any other party or (d) as necessary in order to permit a party to prepare and disclose its financial statements, or other required disclosures required by Law or such applicable stock exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any demand or request for disclosure of confidential information is made pursuant to clause (b) above, each party hereto, as applicable, shall provide the other with prompt written notice of any such request or requirement so that the other party has an opportunity to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy, which such parties will cooperate in obtaining. In the event that such appropriate protective order or other remedy is not obtained, the party that is required to make disclosure shall disclose or shall cause to be disclosed only that portion of the confidential information that is in the opinion of outside counsel necessary to be disclosed and shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure confidential treatment is accorded to such disclosed information.

SECTION 8. Infringement Actions. In the event Licensor takes affirmative action against an infringement or misappropriation or a threatened infringement or misappropriation, Licensee agrees to assist Licensor in whatever manner Licensor reasonably requests, at the expense of Licensor. Recovery of damages resulting from any such action shall be solely for the account of Licensor. Licensee will provide information reasonably requested by Licensor in any infringement or misappropriation action, including in connection with the calculation of damages. Licensee may participate, at its expense, in any action taken by or proceeding instituted by or brought against Licensor through separate counsel of Licensee’s own choosing; provided that Licensor will at all times retain full control over such action, and not compromise or settle any such action or proceeding unless such compromise or settlement (a) is solely for monetary damages (for which Licensor shall be responsible), (b) does not impose injunctive or other equitable relief against Licensee and (c) includes an unconditional release of Licensee from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action or proceeding.

 

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SECTION 9. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give to any other Person any legal or equitable rights hereunder.

SECTION 10. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by e-mail with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 10):

if to Licensor, to:

International Paper Company

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

Attention: Sharon Ryan (General Counsel)

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN 38197

Attention: Chief Counsel—Intellectual Property

if to Licensee, to:

[                             ]

[                             ]

[                             ]

Attention: [                                 ]

E-Mail:     [                                 ]

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

[                                 ]

[                                 ]

[                                 ]

Attention: [                                 ]

E-Mail:     [                                 ]

 

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A party may, by notice to the other party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.

SECTION 11. Amendments. No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.

SECTION 12. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the parties.

SECTION 13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Separation Agreement and the exhibits, schedules and appendices hereto and thereto, contain the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement, on the one hand, and the provisions of the Separation Agreement (including the exhibits, schedules and appendices thereto), on the other hand, the provisions of the Separation Agreement shall control.

SECTION 14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to the other party hereto. Each party acknowledges that it and the other party are executing this Agreement by facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature, and that delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp, electronic or mechanical signature) by email in portable document format (PDF) shall be effective as delivery of such executed counterpart of this Agreement. Each party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature (regardless of whether delivered in person, by mail, by courier or by email in portable document format (PDF)) made in its respective name as if it were a manual signature delivered in person, agrees that it shall not assert that any such signature or delivery is not adequate to bind such party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and delivered in person and agrees that, at the reasonable request of the other party at any time, it shall as promptly as reasonably practicable cause this Agreement to be manually executed (any such execution to be as of the date of the initial date thereof) and delivered in person, by mail or by courier.

 

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SECTION 15. Governing Law; Forum; Waiver of Jury Trial. The provisions of Section 10.2 of the Separation Agreement shall apply to this Agreement mutatis mutandis.

SECTION 16. Assignment and Sublicense. Neither this Agreement nor any rights and obligations of Licensee hereunder may be assigned or sublicensed by Licensee; provided, however, that Licensee may, without consent, and upon prior written notice to Licensor, (a) assign this Agreement or sublicense, solely within the scope of the License, the rights granted hereunder, in whole or in part, to an Affiliate of Licensee or (b) assign this Agreement, in whole or in part, to a non-Affiliate purchaser or non-Affiliate transferee of all or part of a Facility, provided further, that in no event may the non-Affiliate assignee or transferee use any of the Retained Licensed Intellectual Property in any business or activity other than that of the portion of the purchased or transferred Facility as operated as of the date of such assignment. Licensee shall be responsible for the activities of any sublicensee of Licensee as if the activities were directly those of Licensee. Any transfer or other disposition by Licensor or any of its Affiliates of any Retained Licensed Intellectual Property will be made subject to the terms of this Agreement. Licensor may freely assign this Agreement in whole or in part in connection with the transfer of all or any portion of its business to which this Agreement pertains. Subject to the preceding sentences of this Section 16, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

SECTION 17. Limitations of Liability. NEITHER PARTY, NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY, OR ITS AFFILIATES, FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOST PROFITS, REVENUE OR BUSINESS) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT. THIS LIMITATION APPLIES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH DAMAGES ARE SOUGHT BASED ON BREACH OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.

SECTION 18. Headings. The Section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 19. Bankruptcy. All licenses granted under this Agreement will be deemed licenses of rights to intellectual property for purposes of Section 365(n) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and a licensee under this Agreement will retain and may fully exercise all of its rights and elections under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the date first set forth above.

 

LICENSOR,
by  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

LICENSEE,
by  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

9

Exhibit 10.17

FORM OF RETAINED COPYRIGHT

LICENSE AGREEMENT

This Retained Copyright License Agreement (this “Agreement) dated as of [•], 2021 (“Effective Date”) , is made by and between International Paper Company, a New York corporation (“Licensor”), and Global Holdings II, Inc, a Delaware corporation (“Licensee”).

WHEREAS, Licensor and Licensee have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of [•] (the “Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which Licensor has agreed to contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Licensee all of Licensor’s right, title and interest in and to the SpinCo Assets, including the SpinCo Intellectual Property, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Separation Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Retained Licensed Copyrights (as defined below) are not being transferred to Licensee pursuant to the Separation Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Licensee wishes to continue to use the Retained Licensed Copyrights in connection with Products (as defined below) manufactured at the Facility (as defined below), and Licensor has agreed to license the Retained Licensed Copyrights to Licensee in connection with Products manufactured at the Facility, subject to the limitations set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed:

SECTION 1. Definitions.

(a) Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Separation Agreement.

(b) “Copyrights” means copyrights, moral rights, mask work rights, database rights and design rights, whether or not registered, and all registrations and applications for registration of any of the foregoing, and all rights in and to any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions.

(c) Facility” means the existing manufacturing facilities located at (i) Ticonderoga, (ii) Eastover, (iii) Luís Antônio, Brazil, (iv) Três Lagoas, Brazil, (v) Mogi Guaçu, Brazil, (vi) Svetogorsk, Russia and (vii) Saillat, France; sheeter facilities located at (x) Sumter and (y) Saillat, France; and any future expansions to such existing manufacturing facilities that result in an expansion of capacity, provided that such future expansions are co-located with and physically connected to such existing manufacturing facilities.

(d) “Products” means, with respect to any Facility, products manufactured in the operation of the SpinCo Business as conducted at such Facility during the twenty-four (24) months immediately prior to the Effective Date; provided that Products shall exclude bristols and specialty papers and any product produced by the Parent Business, including containerboard, linerboard, white top linerboard, medium recycled linerboard, recycled medium, saturating kraft, corrugated containers and fluff, market and specialty pulps (the products in this proviso, collectively, the “Excluded Products”).


(e) “Retained Licensed Copyrights” means Copyrights owned by, or licensed to (and sublicensable by Licensor without any obligation to the owner of such Copyrights) (such licensed Copyrights, the “Licensed Copyrights”), Licensor or its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date which is in commercial use in connection with Products manufactured at the Facility by Licensee or its Affiliates and which is reasonably necessary for Licensee or its Affiliates in the design, manufacture, application, sale or marketing of Products manufactured at the Facility as of the Effective Date of this Agreement including without limitation those specifically mentioned in Schedule 1, provided, however, that Retained Licensed Copyrights shall not include Software.

SECTION 2. License and Use.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Licensor, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, grants to Licensee a fully paid-up, royalty-free, perpetual (subject to Section 4), worldwide, sublicensable (subject Section 2(b) and Section 14), non-assignable (subject to Section 14), non-exclusive license to reproduce, display, perform, distribute, transmit and use (including, subject to Section 2(b), to create derivative works from) the Retained Licensed Copyrights solely to conduct the SpinCo Business in connection with Products manufactured at the Facility following the Effective Date, in the manner conducted as of the Effective Date and not for any other current or future purpose or business of Licensee (collectively, the rights granted above will be referred to as the “License”).

(b) For purposes of clarity, the rights granted to Licensee under this section are subject to Section 2(c) of this Agreement and no rights to grant sublicenses or create derivative works are granted to Licensee with respect to the Licensed Copyrights, which are owned by Licensor’s business partners or any other third party.

(c) Licensee acknowledges that Licensor and, if applicable, Licensor’s business partners or other third party are and at all times shall continue to be the exclusive owners of the Retained Licensed Copyrights and that all of Licensee’s rights and use under this Agreement will inure to the benefit of the Licensor and Licensor’s business partners all title and property in the Retained Licensed Copyrights continue at all times to vest solely and absolutely in the Licensor and Licensor’s business partners or other third party. In the event that Licensee desires to expand its use of the Licensed Copyrights (including but not limited to such Licensed Copyrights set forth on Schedule 1 of this Agreement), Licensee agrees that: (i) Licensor shall have no liability related to such expanded use; (ii) Licensor shall have no responsibility to negotiate such rights to enable Licensee’s expanded use; and (iii) Licensee shall negotiate such rights to Licensee’s expanded use directly with Licensor’s business partners.

(d) Licensee shall not do, cause, suffer or cause to be done any deed, matter or thing whatsoever which shall, or is likely to, adversely affect or prejudice, directly or indirectly, the validity of the Retained Licensed Copyrights or the ownership of the Retained Licensed Copyrights by Licensor and Licensor’s business partners or any other third party.

 

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SECTION 3. Derivative Works. In the event a party creates, or has a Third Party create, derivative works of any Retained Licensed Copyrights (excluding the Licensed Copyrights, for which no rights to create derivative works therefrom are granted hereunder) (“Derivative Works”), each party shall retain ownership of any derivative works that such party creates, or has a Third Party create. For purposes of clarity, the License does not include rights to Derivative Works.

SECTION 4. Term and Termination.

(a) Unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms herein, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in perpetuity.

(b) Licensor may terminate (i) this Agreement in the event Licensee makes or attempts to make an assignment of this Agreement in violation of Section 14, (ii) this Agreement in the event Licensee (x) becomes insolvent, (y) becomes the subject of a petition in bankruptcy which is not withdrawn or dismissed within sixty (60) days thereafter, or (z) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iii) this Agreement upon the mutual written agreement of the parties, (iv) this Agreement in the event Licensee challenges or attempts to challenge Licensor’s ownership of or the validity of the Retained Licensed Copyrights and (v) the License in the event Licensee uses the Retained Licensed Copyrights outside the conduct of the SpinCo Business as conducted as of the Effective Date or otherwise contrary to this Agreement.

SECTION 5. No Representations or Warranties. ALL OF THE RETAINED LICENSED COPYRIGHTS ARE LICENSED ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS. ACCORDINGLY, EXCEPT AS MAY EXPRESSLY BE SET FORTH IN THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS, (a) LICENSOR EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO ANY RETAINED LICENSED COPYRIGHTS, INCLUDING AS TO VALIDITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND ADEQUACY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OPERATION OR PERFORMANCE THEREOF AND (b) IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT DAMAGES, COSTS OR SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS WITH RESPECT TO THE RETAINED LICENSED COPYRIGHTS, INCLUDING ANY USE THEREOF BY LICENSEE.

SECTION 6. Confidentiality. The parties hereto shall hold in strict confidence, and not disclose to any other Person or use for any purpose other than as expressly permitted pursuant to this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the other party, any information regarding the Retained Licensed Copyrights or otherwise received under this Agreement which the disclosing party, at the time of disclosure, identifies as confidential (whether in writing or orally) or that would otherwise reasonably be understood to constitute confidential information; provided that the parties hereto may disclose, or may permit disclosure of, such confidential information (a) to their respective Representatives who have a need to know such information for auditing and other non-commercial purposes and are informed of their obligation to hold such

 

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information confidential to the same extent as is applicable to the parties hereto and in respect of whose failure to comply with such obligations, the applicable party will be responsible, (b) if the parties hereto are requested or required to disclose any such confidential information by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or other documents in legal proceedings, subpoena, civil investigative demand or any other similar process, or by other requirements of Law or stock exchange rule, (c) as required in connection with any legal or other proceeding by one party against any other party or (d) as necessary in order to permit a party to prepare and disclose its financial statements, or other required disclosures required by Law or such applicable stock exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any demand or request for disclosure of confidential information is made pursuant to clause (b) above, each party hereto, as applicable, shall provide the other with prompt written notice of any such request or requirement so that the other party has an opportunity to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy, which such parties will cooperate in obtaining. In the event that such appropriate protective order or other remedy is not obtained, the party that is required to make disclosure shall disclose or shall cause to be disclosed only that portion of the confidential information that is in the opinion of outside counsel necessary to be disclosed and shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure confidential treatment is accorded to such disclosed information.

SECTION 7. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give to any other Person any legal or equitable rights hereunder.

SECTION 8. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by e-mail with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 8):

if to Licensor, to:

International Paper Company

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

Attention: Sharon Ryan (General Counsel)

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN 38197

Attention: Chief Counsel - Intellectual Property

if to Licensee, to:

 

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[                             ]

[                             ]

[                             ]

Attention: [                            ]

E-Mail: [                            ]

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

[                             ]

[                             ]

[                             ]

Attention: [                            ]

E-Mail: [                            ]

A party may, by notice to the other party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.

SECTION 9. Amendments. No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.

SECTION 10. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the parties.

SECTION 11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Separation Agreement and the exhibits, schedules and appendices hereto and thereto, contain the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement, on the one hand, and the provisions of the Separation Agreement (including the exhibits, schedules and appendices thereto), on the other hand, the provisions of the Separation Agreement shall control.

SECTION 12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to the other party hereto. Each party acknowledges that it and the other party are executing this Agreement by facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature, and that delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp,

 

5


electronic or mechanical signature) by email in portable document format (PDF) shall be effective as delivery of such executed counterpart of this Agreement. Each party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature (regardless of whether delivered in person, by mail, by courier or by email in portable document format (PDF)) made in its respective name as if it were a manual signature delivered in person, agrees that it shall not assert that any such signature or delivery is not adequate to bind such party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and delivered in person and agrees that, at the reasonable request of the other party at any time, it shall as promptly as reasonably practicable cause this Agreement to be manually executed (any such execution to be as of the date of the initial date thereof) and delivered in person, by mail or by courier.

SECTION 13. Governing Law; Forum; Waiver of Jury Trial. The provisions of Section 10.2 of the Separation Agreement shall apply to this Agreement mutatis mutandis.

SECTION 14. Assignment and Sublicense. Neither this Agreement nor any rights and obligations of Licensee hereunder may be assigned or sublicensed (subject to Section 2(b)) by Licensee; provided, however, that Licensee may, without consent, and upon prior written notice to Licensor, (a) assign this Agreement or sublicense, solely within the scope of the License, the rights granted hereunder (excluding such rights with respect to the Licensed Copyrights, for which no rights to grant sublicenses thereof or thereto are granted hereunder), in whole or in part, to an Affiliate of Licensee or (b) assign this Agreement, in whole or in part, to a non-Affiliate purchaser or non-Affiliate transferee of all or part of a Facility, provided further, that in no event may the non-Affiliate assignee or transferee use any of the Retained Licensed Copyrights in any business or activity other than that of the portion of the purchased or transferred Facility as operated as of the date of such assignment. Licensee shall be responsible for the activities of any sublicensee of Licensee as if the activities were directly those of Licensee. Any transfer or other disposition by Licensor or any of its Subsidiaries of any Retained Licensed Copyrights will be made subject to the terms of this Agreement. Licensor may freely assign this Agreement in whole or in part in connection with the transfer of all or any portion of its business to which this Agreement pertains. Subject to the preceding sentences of this Section 14, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

SECTION 15. Limitations of Liability. NEITHER PARTY, NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY, OR ITS AFFILIATES, FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOST PROFITS, REVENUE OR BUSINESS) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT. THIS LIMITATION APPLIES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH DAMAGES ARE SOUGHT BASED ON BREACH OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.

SECTION 16. Headings. The Section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 17. Bankruptcy. All licenses granted under this Agreement will be deemed licenses of rights to intellectual property for purposes of Section 365(n) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and a licensee under this Agreement will retain and may fully exercise all of its rights and elections under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the date first set forth above.

 

LICENSOR,
by  

 

  Name:
  Title:
LICENSEE,
by  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

8

Exhibit 10.18

FORM OF RETAINED KNOW-HOW AND TECHNOLOGY

LICENSE AGREEMENT

This Retained Know-How and Technology License Agreement (this “Agreement”) dated as of [•], 2021 (“Effective Date”), is made by and between International Paper Company, a New York corporation (“Licensor”), and Global Holdings II, Inc, a Delaware corporation (“Licensee”). “Parties” refers to Licensor and Licensee jointly. “Party” refers to Licensor or Licensee individually.

WHEREAS, Licensor and Licensee have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of [•] (the “Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which Licensor has agreed to contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Licensee all of Licensor’s right, title and interest in and to the SpinCo Assets, including the SpinCo Intellectual Property, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Separation Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Licensed Technology (as defined below) is not being transferred to Licensee pursuant to the Separation Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Licensee wishes to continue to use the Licensed Technology in connection with Products (as defined below) manufactured at the Facility (as defined below), and Licensor has agreed to license the Licensed Technology to Licensee in connection with Products manufactured at the Facility, subject to the limitations set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed:

SECTION 1. Definitions.

(a) Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Separation Agreement.

(b) “Facility” means the existing manufacturing facilities located at (i) Ticonderoga, (ii) Eastover, (iii) Luís Antônio, Brazil, (iv) Três Lagoas, Brazil, (v) Mogi Guaçu, Brazil, (vi) Svetogorsk, Russia and (vii) Saillat, France; sheeter facilities located at (x) Sumter and (y) Saillat, France; and any future expansions to such existing manufacturing facilities that result in an expansion of capacity, provided that such future expansions are co-located with and physically connected to such existing manufacturing facilities.

(c) “Licensed Technology” means Know-How, whether confidential or not, delivered in association with Licensor being a former Affiliate of Licensee owned by, or licensed to (and sublicensable by Licensor without any obligation to the owner of such Know-How) (such licensed Know-How, the “Sublicensed Technology”), Licensor or its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date which is in commercial use by Licensee or its Affiliates within the Facility and which is reasonably necessary for Licensee in the design, manufacture, application, sale or marketing of Products within the Facility as of the Effective Date of this Agreement including without limitation those specifically mentioned in Schedule 1. For the avoidance of doubt, Retained Licensed Intellectual Property excludes all Intellectual Property owned by Licensor or its Subsidiaries (including the Know-How described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii)) to the extent relating to Excluded Products.


(d) “Products” means, with respect to any Facility, products manufactured in the operation of the SpinCo Business as conducted at such Facility during the twenty-four (24) months immediately prior to the Effective Date; provided that Products shall exclude bristols and specialty papers and any product produced by the Parent Business, including containerboard, linerboard, white top linerboard, medium recycled linerboard, recycled medium, saturating kraft, corrugated containers and fluff, market and specialty pulps (the products in this proviso, collectively, the “Excluded Products”).

SECTION 2. License and Use.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Licensor, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, grants to Licensee a fully paid-up, royalty-free, perpetual (subject to Section 5), worldwide, non-assignable (subject to Section 17), non-exclusive license to use (including, subject to Section 2(b), to create modifications, enhancements or improvements to) the Licensed Technology to make, have made, sell, offer to sell, import and export Products and services solely in connection with Products manufactured at the applicable Facility in the conduct of the SpinCo Business following the Effective Date, in the manner conducted as of the Effective Date and not for any other current or future purpose or business of Licensee (collectively, the rights granted above will be referred to as the “License”).

(b) Licensee shall not be entitled to (i) sublicense, assign (except as expressly provided herein this Agreement) or otherwise authorize anyone to use the Licensed Technology without the prior written consent of Licensor or (ii) make modifications, enhancements or improvements to the Sublicensed Technology.

(c) All rights not expressly granted to Licensee hereunder are reserved for the Licensor. No licenses, implied or otherwise, are granted to the Licensee other than those granted pursuant to this Section 2, and no act of manufacture or use of any products by Licensor or Licensee shall be construed as, or result in, a grant of any license to the Licensee, expressly or by implication, estoppel, or otherwise. Licensee agrees not to use the Licensed Technology other than as set forth in this Agreement.

(d) Licensee undertakes not to represent in any manner that it has any ownership in the Licensed Technology and acknowledges that its use of the Licensed Technology shall not create in Licensee any right other than such specifically granted by this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 3. Ownership and Protection of Licensed Technology.

(a) Licensee acknowledges that Licensor and, if applicable, Licensor’s business partners are and at all times shall continue to be the exclusive owners of the Licensed Technology and that all of Licensee’s rights and use under this Agreement will inure to the benefit of the Licensor and Licensor’s business partners and all title and property in the Licensed Technology continues at all times to vest solely and absolutely in the Licensor and Licensor’s business partners. In the event that Licensee desires to expand its use of the Sublicensed Technology, Licensee agrees: (i) Licensor shall have no liability related to such expanded use; (ii) Licensor shall have no responsibility to negotiate such rights to enable Licensee’s expanded use; and (iii) Licensee shall negotiate such rights to Licensee’s expanded use directly with Licensor’s business partners.

(b) Licensee shall acquire no ownership, title, right, interest, benefit in or to the Licensed Technology other than the right to use the Licensed Technology in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Licensee acknowledges that it shall not and is not acquiring any ownership, title, rights, interest of benefit, in or other than the right to use the Licensed Technology in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(c) Licensee shall not do, cause, suffer or cause to be done any deed, matter or thing whatsoever which shall, or is likely to, adversely affect or prejudice, directly or indirectly, the validity of the Licensed Technology or the ownership of the Licensed Technology by Licensor and Licensor’s business partners.

(d) Licensee shall not take any action in protection of the Licensed Technology, or in furtherance of the interest of Licensor therein, without Licensor’s written consent.

SECTION 4. Improvements. In the event a Party makes, or has a Third Party make, modifications, enhancements or improvements to any Licensed Technology (excluding the Sublicensed Technology, for which no rights to make modifications, enhancements or improvements therefrom are granted hereunder) (“Improvements”), each Party shall retain ownership of any modifications, enhancements or improvements that such Party makes, or has a Third Party make. For purposes of clarity, the License does not include rights to Improvements.

SECTION 5. Term and Termination.

(a) Unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms herein, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in perpetuity.

(b) Licensor may terminate (i) this Agreement in the event Licensee makes or attempts to make an assignment of this Agreement in violation of Section 17, (ii) this Agreement in the event Licensee (x) becomes insolvent, (y) becomes the subject of a petition in bankruptcy which is not withdrawn or dismissed within sixty (60) days thereafter, or (z) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iii) this Agreement upon the mutual written agreement of the Parties, (iv) this Agreement in the event Licensee challenges or attempts to challenge Licensor’s ownership of or the validity of the Licensed Technology, and (v) the License in the event Licensee uses the Licensed Technology outside the conduct of the SpinCo Business as conducted as of the Effective Date or otherwise contrary to this Agreement.

 

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(c) Licensee will immediately cease any and all use of the Licensed Technology upon termination of this Agreement, and within a reasonable period, but in no event more than ninety (90) days from the date of termination Licensee shall deliver to Licensor all documents, data, information, records, confidential information whether or not so marked, provided by Licensor for the purposes of the Agreement and, at the request of Licensor, destroy all copies, physical and electronic, thereof and provide Licensor with a certificate from its general counsel certifying that all copies have been destroyed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Licensee may retain copies of such documents, data, information, records or confidential information to the extent (i) retained in Licensee’s standard archival or computer back-up systems pursuant to Licensee’s internal document retention policies and (ii) required to comply with legal requirements; in each case, provided Licensee shall continue to maintain such documents, data, information, records or confidential information as confidential and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

SECTION 6. Confidentiality. The Parties hereto shall hold in strict confidence, and not disclose to any other Person or use for any purpose other than as expressly permitted pursuant to this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the other Party, any information regarding the Licensed Technology or otherwise received under this Agreement which the disclosing Party, at the time of disclosure, identifies as confidential (whether in writing or orally) or that would otherwise reasonably be understood to constitute confidential information; provided that the Parties hereto may disclose, or may permit disclosure of, such confidential information (a) to their respective Representatives who have a need to know such information for auditing and other non-commercial purposes and are informed of their obligation to hold such information confidential to the same extent as is applicable to the Parties hereto and in respect of whose failure to comply with such obligations, the applicable Party will be responsible, (b) if the Parties hereto are requested or required to disclose any such confidential information by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or other documents in legal proceedings, subpoena, civil investigative demand or any other similar process, or by other requirements of Law or stock exchange rule, (c) as required in connection with any legal or other proceeding by one Party against any other party or (d) as necessary in order to permit a Party to prepare and disclose its financial statements, or other required disclosures required by Law or such applicable stock exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any demand or request for disclosure of confidential information is made pursuant to clause (b) above, each Party hereto, as applicable, shall provide the other with prompt written notice of any such request or requirement so that the other Party has an opportunity to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy, which such Parties will cooperate in obtaining. In the event that such appropriate protective order or other remedy is not obtained, the Party that is required to make disclosure shall disclose or shall cause to be disclosed only that portion of the confidential information that is in the opinion of outside counsel necessary to be disclosed and shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure confidential treatment is accorded to such disclosed information.

 

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SECTION 7. No Representations or Warranties. ALL OF THE LICENSED TECHNOLOGY IS LICENSED ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS. ACCORDINGLY, EXCEPT AS MAY EXPRESSLY BE SET FORTH IN THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS, (a) LICENSOR EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO ANY LICENSED TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING AS TO VALIDITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND ADEQUACY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OPERATION OR PERFORMANCE THEREOF AND (b) IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT DAMAGES, COSTS OR SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS WITH RESPECT TO THE LICENSED TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING ANY USE THEREOF BY LICENSEE.

SECTION 8. Maintenance and Registration of Licensed Technology.

(a) Licensor shall have complete discretion whether or not to decide to apply for, abandon or let expire any registerable rights related to the Licensed Technology.

(b) Licensee shall not file registrations or applications related to Improvements without the prior express written authorization from Licensor. In the event that an authorized or unauthorized registration or application related to Improvements occurs, such registration or application will be licensed royalty-free to Licensor. Any and all fees directly associated with the additional registrations will be borne by Licensee.

(c) Should any use of the Licensed Technology result in the Licensee acquiring or becoming entitled to any property rights or other rights in the Licensed Technology, Licensee agrees that at a time and in a manner designated by Licensor, Licensee shall, without demur, assign, free of charge and execute all such documents and/ or affidavits as may be required under applicable laws to transfer to and confirm in Licensor, any rights, title, interest in, to and under the Licensed Technology or any of them, that might arise out of the Licensee’s use of the Licensed Technology. Costs of such assignment shall be borne by Licensor.

SECTION 9. Infringement Actions. Licensor will from time to time take commercially reasonable steps that it considers (in its sole discretion) necessary to protect the Licensed Technology, and Licensee agrees forthwith to communicate to any infringement or misappropriation or threatened infringement or misappropriation of any Licensed Technology which may come to its notice. In the event Licensor takes affirmative action against an infringement or misappropriation or a threatened infringement or misappropriation, Licensee agrees to assist Licensor in whatever manner Licensor reasonably requests, at the expense of Licensor. Recovery of damages resulting from any such action shall be solely for the account of Licensor. Licensee will provide information reasonably requested by Licensor in any infringement or misappropriation action, including in connection with the calculation of damages.

SECTION 10. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give to any other Person any legal or equitable rights hereunder.

 

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SECTION 11. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by e-mail with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 11):

if to Licensor, to:

International Paper Company

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

Attention: Sharon Ryan (General Counsel)    

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:    

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN 38197

Attention:                Chief Counsel—Intellectual Property

if to Licensee, to:

[                ]

[                ]

[                ]

Attention:    [                ]

E-Mail:        [                 ]

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

[                ]

[                ]

[                ]

Attention:    [                ]

E-Mail:        [                 ]

 

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A Party may, by notice to the other Party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.

SECTION 12. Amendments. No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.

SECTION 13. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

SECTION 14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Separation Agreement and the exhibits, schedules and appendices hereto and thereto, contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement, on the one hand, and the provisions of the Separation Agreement (including the exhibits, schedules and appendices thereto), on the other hand, the provisions of the Separation Agreement shall control.

SECTION 15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties hereto and delivered to the other Party hereto. Each Party acknowledges that it and the other Party are executing this Agreement by facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature, and that delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp, electronic or mechanical signature) by email in portable document format (PDF) shall be effective as delivery of such executed counterpart of this Agreement. Each Party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature (regardless of whether delivered in person, by mail, by courier or by email in portable document format (PDF)) made in its respective name as if it were a manual signature delivered in person, agrees that it shall not assert that any such signature or delivery is not adequate to bind such Party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and delivered in person and agrees that, at the reasonable request of the other Party at any time, it shall as promptly as reasonably practicable cause this Agreement to be manually executed (any such execution to be as of the date of the initial date thereof) and delivered in person, by mail or by courier.

 

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SECTION 16. Governing Law; Forum; Waiver of Jury Trial. The provisions of Section 10.2 of the Separation Agreement shall apply to this Agreement mutatis mutandis.

SECTION 17. Assignment and Sublicense. Neither this Agreement nor any rights and obligations of Licensee hereunder may be assigned or sublicensed (subject to Section 2(b)) by Licensee; provided, however, that Licensee may, without consent, and upon prior written notice to Licensor, (a) assign this Agreement or sublicense, solely within the scope of the License, the rights granted hereunder (excluding such rights with respect to the Sublicensed Technology, for which no rights to grant sublicenses thereof or thereto are granted hereunder), in whole or in part, to an Affiliate of Licensee or (b) assign this Agreement, in whole or in part, to a non-Affiliate purchaser or non-Affiliate transferee of all or part of a Facility, provided further, that in no event may the non-Affiliate assignee or transferee use any of the Licensed Technology in any business or activity other than that of the portion of the purchased or transferred Facility as operated as of the date of such assignment. Licensee shall be responsible for the activities of any sublicensee of Licensee as if the activities were directly those of Licensee. Any transfer or other disposition by Licensor or any of its Subsidiaries of any Licensed Technology will be made subject to the terms of this Agreement. Licensor may freely assign this Agreement in whole or in part in connection with the transfer of all or any portion of its business to which this Agreement pertains. Subject to the preceding sentences of this Section 17, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

SECTION 18. Limitations of Liability. NEITHER PARTY, NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY, OR ITS AFFILIATES, FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOST PROFITS, REVENUE OR BUSINESS) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT. THIS LIMITATION APPLIES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH DAMAGES ARE SOUGHT BASED ON BREACH OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.

SECTION 19. Headings. The Section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

SECTION 20. Bankruptcy. All licenses granted under this Agreement will be deemed licenses of rights to intellectual property for purposes of Section 365(n) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and a licensee under this Agreement will retain and may fully exercise all of its rights and elections under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the date first set forth above.

 

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY    GLOBAL HOLDINGS II, INC
By:                                                                   By:                                                               
Name:                                                              Name:                                                          
Title:                                                                Title:                                                            
Date:                                                                Date:                                                            

 

9

Exhibit 10.19

FORM OF TRANSFERRED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

LICENSE AGREEMENT

This Transferred Intellectual Property License Agreement (this “Agreement”) dated as of [•], 2021, is made by and between Global Holdings II, Inc, a Delaware corporation (“Licensor”), and International Paper Company, a New York corporation (“Licensee”).

WHEREAS, Licensor and Licensee have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of [•] (the “Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which Licensee has agreed to contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Licensor all of Licensee’s right, title and interest in and to the SpinCo Assets, including the SpinCo Intellectual Property and SpinCo Know-How, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Separation Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Transferred Licensed Intellectual Property (as defined below) is being transferred to Licensor pursuant to the Separation Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Licensee wishes to continue to use the Transferred Licensed Intellectual Property, and Licensor has agreed to license the Transferred Licensed Intellectual Property to Licensee, subject to the obligations set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed:

SECTION 1. Definitions.

(a) Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Separation Agreement.

(b) Affiliate” means any Entity directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, or through one or more intermediaries, owning, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with Licensor or Licensee, as the case may be. In addition, an Entity shall be deemed to own or control another Entity if it owns 50% or more of the common stock or other interest representing the right to vote for the election of managing authority of the other Entity (or, in any jurisdiction where local law does not permit ownership of 50% or more of such interest, then if it owns the maximum interest permitted by law). For the avoidance of doubt, OJSC Ilim Group, located at 17 ul. Marata, St. Petersburg, 191025, shall constitute an Affiliate of Licensee.

(c) “Entity” means any individual natural person, firm, company, registered company, corporation, limited liability company, joint stock company, joint venture, association, trust, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, or partnership, or similar legal structure.

(d) “Patents” means patents, patent applications (including patents issued thereon), utility models, and industrial design registrations, including reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations in part, substitutions, renewals, extensions and reexaminations of any of the foregoing, and all rights in any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions.


(e) “Transferred Licensed Intellectual Property” means (i) Patents owned by Licensor or its Affiliates as of the Effective Time and set forth on Schedule 1 (“Licensed Patents”) and (ii) Know-How owned by, or licensed to (and sublicensable by Licensor without any obligation to the owner of such Know-How), Licensor or its Affiliates as of the Effective Time that are related to the Licensed Patents.

SECTION 2. License.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Licensor, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, grants to Licensee a fully paid-up, royalty-free, perpetual (subject to Section 4), worldwide, sublicensable to Affiliates (subject to Section 16), assignable (subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 16), non-exclusive license to use (including to create modifications, enhancements or improvements to) the Transferred Licensed Intellectual Property to make, have made, sell, offer to sell, import and export products and services (collectively, the rights granted above will be referred to as the “License”).

(b) Licensee shall not do, cause, suffer or cause to be done any deed, matter or thing whatsoever which shall, or is likely to, adversely affect or prejudice, directly or indirectly, the validity of the Transferred Licensed Intellectual Property or the ownership of the Transferred Licensed Intellectual Property by Licensor and Licensor’s business partners or any other third party.

SECTION 3. Improvements.

(a) In the event a party makes, or has a Third Party make, modifications, enhancements or improvements to any Transferred Licensed Intellectual Property (“Improvements”), each party shall retain ownership of any modifications, enhancements or improvements that such party makes, or has a Third Party make. For the purposes of clarity, the License does not include rights to Improvements.

SECTION 4. Term and Termination.

(a) Unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms herein, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in perpetuity, except that, with respect to any Patent included in the Transferred Licensed Intellectual Property, the License granted hereunder shall terminate, only as to such Patent, upon the expiration of such Patent.

(b) Licensor may terminate this Agreement (i) in the event Licensee makes or attempts to make an assignment of this Agreement in violation of Section 16, (ii) in the event Licensee (x) becomes insolvent, (y) becomes the subject of a petition in bankruptcy which is not withdrawn or dismissed within sixty (60) days thereafter, or (z) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iii) upon the mutual written agreement of the parties and (iv) in the event Licensee challenges or attempts to challenge Licensor’s ownership of or the validity of the Transferred Licensed Intellectual Property (except to the extent that Licensee cannot be prohibited from making such challenge as a matter of law).

 

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SECTION 5. No Representations or Warranties. ALL OF THE TRANSFERRED LICENSED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IS LICENSED ON AN “AS IS” BASIS. ACCORDINGLY, EXCEPT AS MAY EXPRESSLY BE SET FORTH IN THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS, (a) LICENSOR EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO ANY TRANSFERRED LICENSED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INCLUDING AS TO VALIDITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND ADEQUACY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OPERATION OR PERFORMANCE THEREOF AND (b) IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT DAMAGES, COSTS OR SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSFERRED LICENSED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INCLUDING ANY USE THEREOF BY LICENSEE.

SECTION 6. Maintenance. If, at any time, any of the Transferred Licensed Intellectual Property is a trade secret, Licensee will use commercially reasonable efforts to protect the confidentiality thereof consistent with the manner in which it protects the confidentiality of its own trade secrets of like kind. Licensor shall retain the sole right, but not the obligation, to maintain the Licensed Patents, including deciding whether to abandon or otherwise cease to maintain (including to discontinue payment of any fees due with respect to) any such Licensed Patent.

SECTION 7. Confidentiality. The parties hereto shall hold in strict confidence, and not disclose to any other Person or use for any purpose other than as expressly permitted pursuant to this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the other party, any information regarding (or related to) the Transferred Licensed Intellectual Property or otherwise received under this Agreement which the disclosing party, at the time of disclosure, identifies as confidential or a trade secret (whether in writing or orally) or that would otherwise reasonably be understood to constitute confidential information or a trade secret; provided that the parties hereto may disclose, or may permit disclosure of, such confidential information (a) to their respective Representatives who have a need to know such information for auditing and other non-commercial purposes and are informed of their obligation to hold such information confidential to the same extent as is applicable to the parties hereto and in respect of whose failure to comply with such obligations, the applicable party will be responsible, (b) if the parties hereto are requested or required to disclose any such confidential information by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or other documents in legal proceedings, subpoena, civil investigative demand or any other similar process, or by other requirements of Law or stock exchange rule, (c) as required in connection with any legal or other proceeding by one party against any other party or (d) as necessary in order to permit a party to prepare and disclose its financial statements, or other required disclosures required by Law or such applicable stock exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any demand or request for disclosure of confidential information is made pursuant to clause (b) above, each party hereto, as applicable, shall provide the other with prompt written notice of any such request or requirement so that the other party has an opportunity to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy, which such parties will cooperate in obtaining. In the event that such appropriate protective order or other remedy is not obtained, the party that is required to make disclosure shall disclose or shall cause to be disclosed only that portion of the confidential information that is in the opinion of outside counsel necessary to be disclosed and shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure confidential treatment is accorded to such disclosed information.

 

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SECTION 8. Infringement Actions. In the event Licensor takes affirmative action against an infringement or misappropriation or a threatened infringement or misappropriation, Licensee agrees to assist Licensor in whatever manner Licensor reasonably requests, at the expense of Licensor. Recovery of damages resulting from any such action shall be solely for the account of Licensor. Licensee will provide information reasonably requested by Licensor in any infringement or misappropriation action, including in connection with the calculation of damages. Licensee may participate, at its expense, in any action taken by or proceeding instituted by or brought against Licensor through separate counsel of Licensee’s own choosing; provided that Licensor will at all times retain full control over such action, and not compromise or settle any such action or proceeding unless such compromise or settlement (a) is solely for monetary damages (for which Licensor shall be responsible), (b) does not impose injunctive or other equitable relief against Licensee and (c) includes an unconditional release of Licensee from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action or proceeding.

SECTION 9. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give to any other Person any legal or equitable rights hereunder.

SECTION 10. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by e-mail with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 10):

if to Licensor, to:

[                                 ]

[                                  ]

[                                  ]

Attention:     [                                 ]

E-Mail:         [                                 ]

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

[                                  ]

[                                  ]

[                                  ]

Attention:     [                                 ]

E-Mail:         [                                 ]

 

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if to Licensee, to:

International Paper Company

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

Attention: Sharon Ryan (General Counsel)

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN 38197

Attention: Chief Counsel—Intellectual Property

A party may, by notice to the other party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.

SECTION 11. Amendments. No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.

SECTION 12. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the parties.

SECTION 13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Separation Agreement and the exhibits, schedules and appendices hereto and thereto, contain the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement, on the one hand, and the provisions of the Separation Agreement (including the exhibits, schedules and appendices thereto), on the other hand, the provisions of the Separation Agreement shall control.

SECTION 14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to the other party hereto. Each party acknowledges that it and the other party are

 

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executing this Agreement by facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature, and that delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp, electronic or mechanical signature) by email in portable document format (PDF) shall be effective as delivery of such executed counterpart of this Agreement. Each party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature (regardless of whether delivered in person, by mail, by courier or by email in portable document format (PDF)) made in its respective name as if it were a manual signature delivered in person, agrees that it shall not assert that any such signature or delivery is not adequate to bind such party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and delivered in person and agrees that, at the reasonable request of the other party at any time, it shall as promptly as reasonably practicable cause this Agreement to be manually executed (any such execution to be as of the date of the initial date thereof) and delivered in person, by mail or by courier.

SECTION 15. Governing Law; Forum; Waiver of Jury Trial. The provisions of Section 10.2 of the Separation Agreement shall apply to this Agreement mutatis mutandis.

SECTION 16. Assignment and Sublicense. Neither this Agreement nor any rights and obligations of Licensee hereunder may be assigned or sublicensed by Licensee; provided, however, that Licensee may, without consent, and upon prior written notice to Licensor, (a) assign this Agreement or sublicense, solely within the scope of the License, the rights granted hereunder, in whole or in part, to an Affiliate of Licensee or (b) assign this Agreement, in whole or in part, to a non-Affiliate purchaser or non-Affiliate transferee of all or part of a business or facility, provided further, that in no event may the non-Affiliate assignee or transferee use any of the Transferred Licensed Intellectual Property in any business or activity other than that of the portion of the purchased or transferred business or facility as operated as of the date of such assignment. Licensee shall be responsible for the activities of any sublicensee of Licensee as if the activities were directly those of Licensee. Any transfer or other disposition by Licensor or any of its Affiliates of any Transferred Licensed Intellectual Property will be made subject to the terms of this Agreement. Licensor may freely assign this Agreement in whole or in part in connection with the transfer of all or any portion of its business to which this Agreement pertains. Subject to the preceding sentences of this Section 16, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

SECTION 17. Limitations of Liability. NEITHER PARTY, NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY, OR ITS AFFILIATES, FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOST PROFITS, REVENUE OR BUSINESS) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT. THIS LIMITATION APPLIES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH DAMAGES ARE SOUGHT BASED ON BREACH OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.

SECTION 18. Headings. The Section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 19. Bankruptcy. All licenses granted under this Agreement will be deemed licenses of rights to intellectual property for purposes of Section 365(n) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and the Licensee under this Agreement will retain and may fully exercise all of its rights and elections under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the date first set forth above.

 

LICENSOR,
by  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

LICENSEE,
by  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

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Exhibit 10.20

TRANSITIONAL TRADEMARK

LICENSE AGREEMENT

This Transitional Trademark License Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between International Paper Company, a New York, United States of America corporation having an office at 6400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38197 (hereinafter referred to as “Licensor”) and Global Holdings II, Inc, a Delaware, United States of America corporation having an office at [•], and its Affiliates (hereinafter referred to as “Licensee”). “Parties refers to Licensor and Licensee jointly. “Party” refers to Licensor or Licensee individually.

WHEREAS:

A. Licensor and Licensee have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of [•] (the “Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which Licensor has agreed to contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Licensee all of Licensor’s right, title and interest in and to the SpinCo Assets on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Separation Agreement;

B. The Licensed Trademarks (as defined below) are not being transferred to Licensee pursuant to the Separation Agreement;

C. Licensor is the owner of the Licensed Trademarks, which are highly renowned and have acquired worldwide fame, great value, unique prestige, distinction, wide public recognition, acceptance and goodwill;

D. Licensee will need to transition the use of the Licensed Trademarks to its own brands and trademarks as part of signage, vehicles, stationary, business cards and the like;

E. Licensee desires to manufacture and sell products and packaging materials bearing the Licensed Trademarks for a limited transitional period; and

F. Licensor has agreed to license the Licensed Trademarks to the Licensee, subject to and on the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as set forth herein.

ARTICLE 1

EFFECTIVE DATE

1.1 The Effective Date of this Agreement is October 1, 2021.


ARTICLE 2

DEFINITIONS

 

2.1

Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Separation Agreement.

 

2.2

As used herein the following terms will be defined as indicated:

Facility” means the existing manufacturing facilities located at (i) Ticonderoga, (ii) Eastover, (iii) Luís Antônio, Brazil, (iv) Três Lagoas, Brazil, (v) Mogi Guaçu, Brazil, (vi) Svetogorsk, Russia and (vii) Saillat, France; and sheeter facilities located at (x) Sumter and (y) Saillat, France.

Infringement” means any infringement, misappropriation, dilution, act of unfair competition, or other unauthorized use or violation of the Licensed Trademarks, whether actual or threatened.

Licensed Trademarks” means the trademarks, and any application and/ or registrations thereof, as set forth in Exhibit A of this Agreement.

Long-Term Products” means the products set forth on Exhibit B to the extent manufactured at the Facilities.

Short-Term Products” means the products set forth on Exhibit C to the extent manufactured at the Facilities.

ARTICLE 3

GRANT OF LICENSE

 

3.1

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and applicable Law, Licensor, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, hereby grants to Licensee and its Affiliates a limited, non-exclusive, non-sublicensable (subject to Article 3.2), non-transferable, fully paid-up, royalty-free, worldwide right and license to use the Licensed Trademarks solely to the extent necessary:

 

  (i)

to transition off of use of the Licensed Trademarks for a period of six (6) months from the Effective Date in order to take all actions to (A) modify the corporate or business names and the trade names the Licensee and its Affiliates to the extent necessary to remove any reference to (or otherwise prevent any risk of confusion or association with) International Paper Company or the Licensed Trademarks therein, (B) modify all signage to remove any reference therein to (or otherwise prevent any risk of confusion or association with) the Licensed Trademarks, and (C) ensure that the Licensed Trademarks will cease to appear in all new marketing or other materials (including vehicles, letters, faxes, brochures and other promotional materials, business cards, websites, emails, etc.);

 

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  (ii)

to sell, for a period of six (6) months following the Effective Date, finished product inventory of the Short-Term Products (A) existing as of the Effective Date or (B) (x) manufactured by Licensee within six (6) months following the Effective Date and (y) branded using packaging materials bearing the Licensed Trademarks that do not contain or are otherwise matched to finished products (the “Packaging Materials”) existing as of the Effective Date or manufactured by Licensee pursuant to Article 3.1(iv) (such finished products, the “Short-Term Finished Products”);

 

  (iii)

to sell, for a period of twelve (12) months following the Effective Date, finished product inventory of the Long-Term Products (A) existing as of the Effective Date or (B) manufactured by Licensee within six (6) months following the Effective Date and branded using Packaging Materials existing as of the Effective Date or manufactured by Licensee pursuant to Article 3.1(iv) (such finished products, the “Long-Term Finished Products” and, together with the Short-Term Finished Products, the “Finished Products”); and

 

  (iv)

to manufacture, procure or produce, for a period of four (4) months following the Effective Date, Packaging Materials for use solely as part of the Finished Products;

provided, that Licensee shall at all times comply with the terms, conditions and obligations set forth herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Licensee shall not manufacture, procure, or produce any Finished Products (using the Packaging Materials) pursuant to this Agreement for sale (x) in Brazil, for a period that exceeds three (3) months following the name change of the Brazil legal entity (provided that, in no event, shall such total period exceed the duration of the applicable license period set forth above), or (y) in Russia, at any time following the Effective Date.

 

3.2

Licensee will not be entitled to sublicense, assign or otherwise authorize anyone (including any third-party vendors or Affiliates) to use the Licensed Trademarks without the prior written consent of Licensor. Licensee shall (i) enter into a written agreement with any applicable sublicensees pursuant to which such licensees agree to comply with all of the terms of this Agreement or other conditions of Licensor as part of any subsequent written consent and (ii) remain responsible for the activities of any such sublicensee as if the activities were directly those of Licensee.

 

3.3

All rights not expressly granted to Licensee hereunder are reserved for the Licensor. No licenses, implied or otherwise, are granted to the Licensee other than those specifically granted pursuant to this Article 3, and no act of manufacture or use of any products by Licensor or Licensee shall be construed as, or result in, a grant of any license to the Licensee, expressly or by implication, estoppel, or otherwise. Licensee agrees not to use the Licensed Trademarks other than as set forth in this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE 4

APPROVAL AND RECORDATION

 

4.1

Licensee shall use its best efforts to obtain, at Licensee’s cost, all necessary approvals of any applicable Governmental Authority of the Territory with respect to the rights granted under this Agreement and shall make any necessary filings and recordings of this Agreement with such applicable Governmental Authority at Licensee’s own cost.

 

4.2

Each Party shall promptly notify the other Party when such Party receives (i) notification that any such governmental approval has been granted; (ii) notification that any such governmental approval has been denied; or (iii) information that would in reasonable judgment lead such Party to determine that any such governmental approval is likely to be denied.

ARTICLE 5

OWNERSHIP AND PROTECTION OF LICENSED TRADEMARKS

 

5.1

Licensee acknowledges that Licensor is and at all times shall continue to be the exclusive owner of the Licensed Trademarks and the goodwill associated with them and that all of Licensee’s rights, use and goodwill under this Agreement will inure to the benefit of the Licensor and all title and property in the Licensed Trademarks continues at all times to vest solely and absolutely in the Licensor.

 

5.2

Licensee acknowledges that it shall not and is not acquiring any ownership, title, rights, interest of benefit, in or to any of the Licensed Trademarks other than the limited rights to use the Licensed Trademarks in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

5.3

Licensee shall not do, cause, suffer or cause to be done any deed, matter or thing whatsoever which shall or is likely to adversely affect or prejudice, directly or indirectly, the validity of the Licensed Trademarks and the goodwill associated with them or the ownership of the Licensed Trademarks by Licensor.

 

5.4

Licensee shall use commercially reasonable efforts to discover any Infringement of the Licensed Trademarks and shall promptly notify Licensor of any Infringement or threatened Infringement or challenge to Licensee’s use of the Licensed Trademarks of which it becomes aware or any claim by any person of any rights in the Licensed Trademarks that may become known to Licensee. Further, Licensee shall provide assistance to the Licensor to determine the nature, origin, duration and extent of such actual or potential Infringements or claims or actions brought by third parties. Licensor shall have the sole right, but not the obligation, to institute and pursue appropriate legal action against infringing third parties at its own expense, defend the Licensed Trademarks and to recover any damages awarded in such action. If any such action is brought by Licensor, Licensor shall have full control of any such litigation or action it brings under this Article 5. Licensee shall fully cooperate with and assist Licensor in any such action to protect and defend the Licensed Trademarks and shall be the nominal plaintiff or join as a co-plaintiff, at Licensor’s expense, if and to the extent required by applicable Law or requested by Licensor.

 

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5.5

Licensee shall not take any action in protection of the Licensed Trademarks, or in furtherance of the interest of Licensor therein, without Licensor’s written consent. Licensee shall not file any trademark application(s) or seek registration(s) of any Licensed Trademarks or any other trademark confusingly similar thereto on its own behalf.

 

5.6

Licensee shall take such action as Licensor may request to preserve the value of the Licensed Trademarks, including assisting in the filing and prosecution of trademark or service mark applications covering any Licensed Trademarks. Licensee shall cooperate with Licensor in connection with Licensor’s registration, maintenance, and enforcement of the Licensed Trademarks, and will supply Licensor with samples of the Finished Products or the Packaging Materials, products, packaging or marketing collateral and associated materials, in each case, bearing the Licensed Trademarks, as may reasonably be requested by Licensor in connection therewith. Licensee agrees to execute any and all instruments and documents and do such acts and things as in the opinion of Licensor’s legal counsel may be reasonably necessary or advisable to register, protect, defend and maintain the Licensed Trademarks. Licensor will bear any and all out of pocket expenses associated with Licensee’s cooperation under this Article 5.

ARTICLE 6

FORM OF USE

 

6.1

To the extent permitted by Law, Licensee will not at any time during the term of this Agreement or at any time after its termination:

 

  (i)

use the Licensed Trademarks in any way that may tend to impair their validity as proprietary marks of Licensor;

 

  (ii)

contest directly or indirectly or take any other action that would impair Licensor’s ownership or interest in the Licensed Trademarks or the validity or enforceability of the Licensed Trademarks; or

 

  (iii)

use or register any trademarks, service marks, monograms, logos, domain names or other indicia that are identical or confusingly similar, in Licensor’s sole opinion, to the Licensed Trademarks.

 

6.2

Licensee will use the Licensed Trademarks only on or in connection with the Finished Products (including the Packaging Materials) in accordance with the terms herein, and in the form and manner and with appropriate legends as prescribed by Law and by the Licensor, including conformance with any style guides and usage instructions provided and as may be updated by the Licensor, and will not use any other trademark, service mark, trade name, graphic or symbol in combination with the Licensed Trademarks without prior written approval of Licensor. Current Licensor brand guidelines are set out at https://www.internationalpaper.com/newsroom/brand-guidelines

 

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6.3

Any and all uses of the Licensed Trademarks on electronic or printed materials, including, but not limited to, tags, brochures, product displays, catalogs, advertising materials, websites and product inserts, must bear appropriate legends as prescribed under Article 6.2 or otherwise by the Licensor.

ARTICLE 7

QUALITY CONTROL

 

7.1

Licensee acknowledges the importance to Licensor of its reputation and goodwill and of maintaining high, uniform standards of quality in the products offered under the Licensed Trademarks. Licensee therefore will use the Licensed Trademarks only in connection with products manufactured or provided by sources that meet Licensor’s high standards of quality and in accordance with any guidelines and instructions that may be furnished by the Licensor and updated in Licensor’s sole discretion from time to time.

 

7.2

Licensee will not produce products under the Licensed Trademarks in such a way that any disparagement is brought upon the Licensed Trademarks. To this end, Licensee will adhere to all applicable Law, regulations, and standards concerning human rights, child rights, work conditions, and ethical business practices.

 

7.3

At the request of Licensor, final versions of all products (including the Finished Products) that use or include any Licensee Trademarks, as well as all packaging (including the Packaging Materials), advertising, marketing or other promotional materials therefor, shall be provided (at Licensee’s sole cost and expense) by Licensee to Licensor for Licensor’s review and approval prior to their market launch in order to confirm compliance with this Agreement.

 

7.4

To determine whether Licensee is complying with this Agreement and the quality controls and standards set forth herein, upon Licensor’s request, Licensee will provide representative samples of the products, promotional collateral, product literature and other representative uses of the Licensed Trademarks on products produced by Licensee hereunder for review by Licensor. Representative samples of Packaging Material manufactured after the Effective Date must be provided to Licensor, even if such representative samples are identical to Packaging Materials manufactured prior to the Effective Date. Licensor’s approval of continuing uses of the Licensed Trademarks in the forms provided by the Licensee, either in whole or in part, may be withheld if the Licensor reasonably concludes that the Licensee is not complying with this Agreement and the quality control and standards set forth herein. Licensor shall designate a contact to receive and review such representative samples.

 

7.5

Licensee shall implement and maintain a process to monitor and track any consumer complaints relating to the Finished Products sold by Licensee.

 

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7.6

The Licensee shall ensure that the Finished Products, and respective Packaging Materials, will carry markings and notices for safety, packing and other applicable Laws required to be complied with by the Licensee under the Laws of any applicable jurisdiction and the Licensee shall indemnify and hold harmless the Licensors from any liability incurred as a result of the Licensee’s failure to comply with this Article 7.

 

7.7

At Licensor’s request and expense, (i) within two (2) business days of the occurrence of an event that Licensor reasonably determines could result in Licensee’s breach of the terms of this Agreement, (ii) at any other time if Licensor has reasonable grounds to believe that Licensee has breached the terms of this Agreement or (iii) at any other time as reasonably requested by Licensor, Licensee shall, upon reasonable notice, during normal business hours, permit Licensor or its authorized representatives to inspect the Finished Products or any Packaging Materials, Licensee’s quality assurance processes and systems, Licensee’s methods of (and the premises used for) manufacturing, storage, distribution and selling such Finished Products or Packaging Materials, whether upon the premises of Licensee or of any third-party person, firm, or entity on Licensee’s behalf, provided that Licensor shall conduct such inspection in the manner that does not disrupt Licensee’s or such third-party’s business operations. Licensee shall audit and inspect the use of the Licensed Trademarks by, and at the locations of, any of Licensee’s permitted sublicensees.

 

7.8

Promptly following the date that is six (6) months from the Effective Date, Licensee shall provide Licensor with a written progress report detailing (i) Licensee’s manufacture and sale of the Finished Products and Packaging Materials under this Agreement and (ii) projected remaining product inventory, and any Packaging Materials not part of Finished Products bearing the Licensed Trademarks anticipated to be sold or manufactured in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 8

TRADEMARK MAINTENANCE AND REGISTRATION

 

8.1

Licensor is under no obligation to the Licensee to keep registration of any Licensed Trademarks in force and such maintenance and renewal decisions rest solely in the discretion of the Licensor.

 

8.2

Licensee shall not register any trademark that is confusingly similar to any Licensed Trademark in Licensee’s name. Any application or registration of such confusingly similar trademark by Licensee shall be subject to the condition that such trademark will be assigned to the Licensor or cancelled by Licensee at Licensor’s request and sole discretion.

 

8.3

Should any use of the Licensed Trademarks result in the Licensee acquiring or becoming entitled to any property rights or other rights including common law trademark rights, in the Licensed Trademarks, Licensee agrees that at a time and in a manner designated by Licensor, Licensee shall, without demur, assign, free of charge and execute all such documents, affidavits as may be required under applicable Law to transfer to and confirm in Licensor, any rights, title, interest in, to and under the Licensed Trademarks or any of them, that might arise out of the Licensee’s use of the Licensed Trademarks. Costs of such assignment shall be borne by the Licensor.

 

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ARTICLE 9

TERM AND AMENDMENT

 

9.1

This Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date and shall continue in effect for twelve (12) months.

 

9.2

This Agreement, in whole or part, may be amended from time-to-time upon the mutual agreement of the Parties in writing.

ARTICLE 10

TERMINATION; EFFECT OF TERMINATION

 

10.1

This Agreement and the licenses granted hereunder shall terminate upon written notice:

 

  (i)

If Licensee commits any breach or fails to comply with the provisions of this Agreement and such breach or default continues uncured for a period of thirty (30) days after the Licensor has given prior written notice thereof to the defaulting Party, specifying the breach or default.

 

  (iii)

Upon the mutual agreement of the Parties hereto.

 

10.2

Notwithstanding Article 10.1 above, this Agreement and the license granted hereunder shall automatically terminate in the event:

 

  (i)

There is a cessation of operations by Licensee or the institution by or against Licensee of any proceeding (whether voluntary or judicially ordered) in bankruptcy, or of, or for dissolution, liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement or the appointment of a receiver, trustee or judicial administrator or any other proceeding under any law for the relief of debtors; or

 

  (ii)

Licensee makes an assignment for the benefit of, or composition or arrangement with, creditors or admits in writing, its inability to pay its debts as they become due or fails to clear any check or note when presented for payment; or

 

  (iii)

A competitor acquires any interest in Licensee entitling it to appoint a member to the board of directors of Licensee, or giving it twenty-five percent (25%) or more, of the issued and subscribed share capital of Licensee or voting interest, directly or indirectly, or Control in Licensee; or

 

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  (iv)

Any person or entity other than an Affiliate of Licensor acquires any interest giving it fifty percent (50%) or more control of Licensee, or constituting fifty percent (50%) or more of the issued and subscribed share capital of Licensee; or

 

  (v)

Licensee discontinues its business or its business or material assets are disposed or expropriated or nationalized, or there is a material change in the ownership or control of Licensee or a material portion of its assets.

 

10.3

Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, the following provisions will apply:

 

  (i)

The license granted hereunder will immediately and automatically terminate upon expiry of the notice period or the period to cure the breach if applicable and automatically in case of events set out in Article 10.2, and within a reasonable period but in no event more than thirty (30) days from the date of termination or expiration, Licensee will cease using the Licensed Trademarks in any manner whatsoever and furnish Licensor with evidence reasonably satisfactory to Licensor demonstrating Licensee’s compliance with the obligations of this Article 10.3(i).

 

  (ii)

Licensee will immediately cease any and all use of the Licensed Trademarks upon termination of this Agreement.

 

10.4

Nothing herein will be construed to relieve either Party of any obligations under this Agreement accruing prior to the date of any such termination, and any such obligations will survive any such termination.

ARTICLE 11

CLAIMS RELATED TO LICENSEE’S ACTIVITIES

 

11.1

Except as otherwise expressly agreed in writing between Licensor and Licensee, Licensor and its Affiliates shall have no liability to Licensee, or any Affiliates of Licensee, and Licensee hereby releases Licensor, each member of the Parent Group and each of their respective past, present and future directors, officers, employees and agents, in each case in their respective capacities as such, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (individually and collectively, the “IP Group”) from any and all liability to Licensee or any Affiliate of Licensee, and Licensee waives any rights against the IP Group for contribution or indemnity arising, from this Agreement or the manufacture, use, marketing or sale of products bearing the Licensed Trademarks by or for Licensee or any purchaser therefrom, including any Third-Party Claim against Licensee or any Affiliate of Licensee in connection with such products.

 

11.2.

Except as otherwise expressly agreed in writing between Licensor and Licensee, Licensee indemnifies and holds harmless the IP Group from and against all Liabilities of the IP Group relating to, arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly: (i) the manufacture, sale or use of products or Packaging Material bearing the Licensed Trademarks by or for Licensee; (ii) any representation made or warranty given by

 

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  Licensee to a third party with respect to any products bearing the Licensed Trademarks; (iii) any Infringement of any third party’s intellectual property or other right arising out of the Licensee’s use of the Licensed Trademarks; or (iv) any breach by Licensee of any representation, warranty, covenant, obligation, or undertaking made by Licensee in this Agreement. In the event that Licensor or any other member of the IP Group shall seek indemnification in respect of any of the foregoing, such person shall comply with and follow the procedures regarding indemnification set forth in Article IV of the Separation Agreement, which shall apply to claims for indemnification hereunder in the same manner as though such claims were eligible for indemnification under the Separation Agreement.

ARTICLE 12

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; DISCLAIMERS AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY

 

12.1

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, LICENSOR DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL OTHER PROMISES, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND/OR QUIET ENJOYMENT, AND THE LICENSED TRADEMARKS, ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND WITH ALL FAULTS. LICENSOR DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE LICENSED TRADEMARKS WILL MEET LICENSEE’S REQUIREMENTS OR THAT THE USE OF THE LICENSED TRADEMARKS WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT ALL ERRORS WILL BE CORRECTED. LICENSEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT DIRECTLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY OTHER PARTY, AND THAT LICENSOR’S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT ARE FOR THE BENEFIT OF LICENSEE ONLY. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, LICENSOR MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OR AS TO THE VALIDITY, ENFORCEABILITY, OR SCOPE OF THE LICENSED TRADEMARKS, OR AS TO THE ABILITY OF LICENSEE TO ADAPT ANY OF THE LICENSED TRADEMARKS TO MEET LICENSEE’S NEEDS.

 

12.4

Notwithstanding Licensor’s right to inspect the Finished Products and Packaging Materials, the Licensor shall have no responsibility for the quality of such products.

 

12.5

Neither Party’s directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable to the other Party or any of its Affiliates in any way or on any account whatsoever, whether in contract, tort (including breach of statutory duty or negligence) or otherwise, for any loss of profit, business, contracts, revenues, use, goodwill or anticipated savings or for any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage whatsoever, arising under this Agreement or arising directly or indirectly from the acts or omissions of its employees, agents and contractors in relation to this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE 13

MISCELLANEOUS

 

13.1

Notices

All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by e-mail with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Article 13.1):

if to Licensor, to:

International Paper Company

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

Attention: [                 ]

E-mail: [                 ]

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

[                ]

[                ]

[                ]

Attention:    [                ]

E-Mail:    [                 ]

if to Licensee, to:

[                ]

[                ]

[                ]

Attention:    [                ]

E-Mail:        [                ]

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

[                ]

[                ]

[                ]

Attention:    [                ]

E-Mail:        [                 ]

 

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A party may, by notice to the other party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.

 

13.2

Assignment

This Agreement cannot be assigned, sold, pledged or hypothecated by Licensee without prior written approval by Licensor. Licensor may freely assign, sell, or pledge any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, or the Agreement in whole, without consent of the Licensee, but shall provide written notice of any transfer to Licensee.

 

13.3

No Third-Party Beneficiaries

This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give to any other Person any legal or equitable rights hereunder.

 

13.4

Amendments

No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.

 

13.5

Severability

If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

 

13.6

Entire Agreement

This Agreement and the Separation Agreement and the exhibits, schedules and appendices hereto and thereto, contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement, on the one hand, and the provisions of the Separation Agreement (including the exhibits, schedules and appendices thereto), on the other hand, the provisions of the Separation Agreement shall control.

 

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13.7

Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties hereto and delivered to the other Party hereto. Each Party acknowledges that it and the other Party are executing this Agreement by facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature, and that delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp, electronic or mechanical signature) by email in portable document format (PDF) shall be effective as delivery of such executed counterpart of this Agreement. Each Party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature (regardless of whether delivered in person, by mail, by courier or by email in portable document format (PDF)) made in its respective name as if it were a manual signature delivered in person, agrees that it shall not assert that any such signature or delivery is not adequate to bind such Party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and delivered in person and agrees that, at the reasonable request of the other Party at any time, it shall as promptly as reasonably practicable cause this Agreement to be manually executed (any such execution to be as of the date of the initial date thereof) and delivered in person, by mail or by courier.

 

13.8

Governing Law; Forum; Waiver of Jury Trial

The provisions of Section 10.2 of the Separation Agreement shall apply to this Agreement mutatis mutandis.

 

13.9

Headings

The Section, Article and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

13.10

Bankruptcy

All licenses granted under this Agreement will be deemed licenses of rights to intellectual property for purposes of Section 365(n) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and a licensee under this Agreement will retain and may fully exercise all of its rights and elections under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized representatives.

 

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY

 

    GLOBAL HOLDINGS II, INC
By:         By:    
Name:         Name:    
Title:         Title:    
Date:         Date:    

 

14

Exhibit 10.21

FORM OF BRAZIL PAYMENT AGREEMENT

This BRAZIL PAYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [●], 2021, is by and among International Paper Investments (Luxembourg) S.à r.l., a Luxembourg société à responsibilité limitée (“IP”), IP Papers Holdings S.à r.l., a Luxembourg société à responsibilité limitée and wholly owned, indirect Subsidiary of Sylvamo Corporation (“Sylvamo Sub”), and Sylvamo North America, LLC (the “Guarantor”) (each a “Party” and together, the “Parties”).

WHEREAS, Sylvamo Sub is a wholly owned, indirect Subsidiary of International Paper Company and has indirect economic ownership of the Brazil Lands;

WHEREAS, following the separation and distribution of Sylvamo Corporation (“Sylvamo”) from International Paper Company pursuant to a Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of [●], 2021, by and between Sylvamo and International Paper Company (the “Separation Agreement”), Sylvamo Sub will no longer be a wholly owned, indirect Subsidiary of International Paper Company;

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions on which Sylvamo Sub will make certain payments to IP upon the Transfer of the Brazil Property.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as set forth herein.

1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the respective meanings set out below and grammatical variations of such terms shall have corresponding meanings:

Affiliate” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Agreement” has the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble of this Agreement.

Appurtenances” means all easements, rights-of-way or use, rights, strips and gores of land, streets, ways, alleys, passages, public places, vaults, sewer rights, timber, timber rights, minerals, mineral rights, water, water courses, water rights and powers, parking areas, conservation areas, parks, air rights and development rights, and all estates, rights, titles, interests, privileges, liberties, servitudes, tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances of any nature whatsoever, in any way now or hereafter belonging, relating or pertaining to the Brazil Lands and the Improvements.

Brazil Lands” means the approximately 106,100 hectares of Eucalyptus forest lands and conservation lands in the States of São Paulo, Brazil and Minas Gerais, Brazil owned by Sylvamo Sub and its Affiliates as of the date of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the Brazil Lands do not include hectares acquired by Sylvamo Sub or its Affiliates in Brazil after the date of this Agreement.


Brazil Payment” means the amount equal to US$100,000,000.

Brazil Property” means, collectively, the Brazil Lands, the Improvements and the Appurtenances.

Brazil Property Sale” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2(a).

Brazil Property Sale Notice” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2(b).

Change of Control” means, with respect to any Person, any occurrence resulting in (a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities entitled to vote in the election of members of the board of directors or similar governing body of such Person having 50% or more of the then-outstanding voting power of such Person, in each case determined irrespective of whether such Person is subject to the Exchange Act; (b) such Person becoming a party to a merger, consolidation, share exchange, reorganization, sale of assets or other similar extraordinary transaction, or being the subject of a proxy contest, in each case as a consequence of which members of the board of directors or similar governing body of such Person in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of such board or other body thereafter; or (c) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Person.

CPR Rules” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement

Effective Time” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Exchange Act” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Improvements” means all buildings, structures and other improvements now or hereafter erected on the Brazil Lands and all building materials, equipment, fixtures and fittings of every kind or character now owned or hereafter acquired by Sylvamo Sub and its Affiliates for the purpose of being used or useful in connection with the alteration or repair of the buildings, structures and other improvements now or hereafter erected on the Brazil Lands, whether such materials, equipment, fixtures and fittings are actually located on or adjacent to the Brazil Lands or not, and whether in storage or otherwise, wheresoever the same may be located.

IP” has the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble of this Agreement.

Party” and “Parties” has the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble to this Agreement.

Person” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Separation Agreement” has the meaning ascribed to it in the third recital to this Agreement.

Subsidiary” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Separation Agreement.

Sylvamo Sub” has the meaning ascribed to it in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

2


Transfer” means any direct or indirect transfer, sale, exchange, assignment, distribution, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or other disposition of the Brazil Property, or any legal or beneficial interest therein, in whole or in part, including any grant of an option or other right or interest, or entry into any Contract, that would result in a reduction or diminution of the transferor’s economic ownership in the Brazil Property.

2. Brazil Property Sale.

(a) If, at any time following the Effective Time, Sylvamo Sub or any of its Affiliates Transfers all or any portion of the Brazil Property (a “Brazil Property Sale”) to a third party, Sylvamo Sub shall make the Brazil Payment to IP, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, within five (5) Business Days following the consummation of such Brazil Property Sale. For the avoidance of doubt, a direct or indirect Change of Control of Sylvamo Sub shall constitute a Brazil Property Sale. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a Transfer of up to 2.5% of the total acreage of the Brazil Lands in any calendar year, or 10% of the total acreage of the Brazil Lands in the aggregate following the Effective Time, shall not constitute a Brazil Property Sale for purposes of this Agreement.

(b) No later than the earlier of (x) five (5) Business Days following the signing of any definitive agreement with regard to a Brazil Property Sale and (y) thirty (30) Business Days prior to the consummation of any Brazil Property Sale, Sylvamo Sub shall provide written notice to IP of such Brazil Property (“Brazil Property Sale Notice”).

(c) The Brazil Payment is a gross amount, and Sylvamo Sub shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any Brazil Payment otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement any taxes required by applicable Law to be deducted or withheld from such payment, provided that, prior to making any such deduction or withholding (i) Sylvamo Sub shall provide at least thirty (30) Business Days’ prior written notice if any such deduction or withholding is required by applicable Law and provide IP a reasonable opportunity to provide forms or other evidence that would exempt such amounts from such deduction or withholding and (ii) Sylvamo Sub and IP shall cooperate and use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize or eliminate any such deduction or withholding in accordance with applicable law.

3. Termination. This Agreement shall be effective at the Effective Time and shall continue until (x) terminated by the mutual written consent of the Parties and (y) such time as when the Brazil Payment required to be made under this Agreement has been paid in full.

4. Guaranty. The Guarantor hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to IP the due and punctual payment of, observance, performance and discharge of the obligations of Buyer with respect to the Brazil Payment, if and when due, pursuant to this Agreement. The Guarantor’s guarantee is an absolute, unconditional, irrevocable and continuing guarantee of payment and not merely of collectability, and IP shall not be required to proceed against Sylvamo Sub first before proceeding against the Guarantor hereunder.

 

3


5. Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, that neither Party may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other Party; provided, however, that IP may assign this Agreement (including any or all of its rights and obligations hereunder) to any of its Affiliates without the consent of the other Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such consent shall be required for the assignment of a Party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement in whole in connection with a Change of Control of a Party so long as the resulting, surviving or transferee Person assumes all the obligations of the relevant Party by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party.

6. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by e-mail with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 6):

If to IP, to:

[             ]

[             ]

[             ]

Attention: [             ]

E-mail: [             ]

If to Sylvamo Sub, to:

[             ]

[             ]

[             ]

Attention: [             ]

E-mail: [             ]

If to Guarantor, to:

[             ]

[             ]

[             ]

Attention: [             ]

E-mail: [             ]

A Party may, by notice to the other Party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.

 

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7. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable or void, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

8. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each Party and delivered to the other Party. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp or mechanical signature) by facsimile or by email portable document format (PDF) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

9. Amendments; Waivers. No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification. No failure or delay by either Party in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right hereunder.

10. No Third Party Beneficiaries. The provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties and are not intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies hereunder.

11. Specific Performance. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party that is, or is to be, thereby aggrieved will have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief in respect of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived by each of the Parties.

12. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HEREBY (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY

 

5


ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 12.

13. Jurisdiction; Service of Process. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR, IF (AND ONLY IF) SUCH COURT FINDS IT LACKS SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, THE FEDERAL COURT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN DELAWARE, AND APPELLATE COURTS THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT RELATING HERETO, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY (I) AGREES NOT TO COMMENCE ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING EXCEPT IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR, IF (AND ONLY IF) SUCH COURT FINDS IT LACKS SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, THE FEDERAL COURT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN DELAWARE, AND APPELLATE COURTS THEREOF, (II) AGREES THAT ANY CLAIM IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR, IF (AND ONLY IF) SUCH COURT FINDS IT LACKS SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, THE FEDERAL COURT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN DELAWARE, AND APPELLATE COURTS THEREOF, (III) WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY LEGALLY AND EFFECTIVELY DO SO, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH COURTS AND (IV) WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH COURTS. THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE THAT MAILING OF PROCESS OR OTHER PAPERS IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN THE MANNER PROVIDED IN SECTION 6, OR IN SUCH OTHER MANNER AS MAY BE PERMITTED BY LAW, SHALL BE VALID AND SUFFICIENT SERVICE THEREOF AND HEREBY WAIVE ANY OBJECTIONS TO SERVICE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE MANNER HEREIN PROVIDED.

14. Governing Law. This Agreement (and any claims or disputes arising out of or related hereto or thereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby or to the inducement of any party to enter herein and therein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) and all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement (and all Schedules hereto) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies. In the event of litigation relating to this Agreement, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final, non-appealable order that Sylvamo Sub has breached this Agreement, the Sylvamo Sub will reimburse IP for its costs and expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) incurred in connection with such litigation.

 

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15. Interpretation. In this Agreement, (a) words in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be deemed to include the other genders as the context requires; (b) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (c) unless otherwise stated, all references to any agreement shall be deemed to include the Exhibits, Schedules and Annexes to such agreement; (d) the word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified; (e) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (f) unless otherwise specified in a particular case, the word “days” refers to calendar days; (g) references to “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law to close in (x) Memphis, Tennessee or (y) New York, New York; (h) references herein to this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement or such other agreement as of the date on which it is executed and as it may be amended, modified or supplemented thereafter, unless otherwise specified; (i) the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”; (j) unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts in this Agreement, including the symbol “$”, refer to the lawful currency of the United States of America; and (k) all references to “the date hereof” or “the date of this Agreement” and words of similar import shall all be references to [                ], 2021.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

7


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

INTERNATIONAL PAPER INVESTMENTS (LUXEMBOURG) S.À R.L.
By:               
Name:
Title:
IP PAPERS HOLDING S.À R.L.
By:               
Name:
Title:
SYLVAMO NORTH AMERICA, LLC
By:                   
Name:
Title:

Exhibit 10.22

SYLVAMO CORPORATION

2021 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

ARTICLE 1

PURPOSE

1.1. GENERAL. The purpose of the Sylvamo Corporation 2021 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) is to provide incentive for non-employee directors and designated employees of Sylvamo Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), or any Affiliate, to improve the performance of the Company on a long-term basis, and to attract and retain certain persons in the employ of the Company. Accordingly, the Plan permits the grant of incentive awards from time to time to directors of the Company and selected designated employees of the Company and its Affiliates.

ARTICLE 2

DEFINITIONS

2.1. DEFINITIONS. The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)

Affiliate” means (i) any Subsidiary or Parent, or (ii) an entity that directly or through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company, as determined by the Committee.

 

(b)

Award” means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Deferred Stock Unit Award, Dividend Equivalent Award, Other Stock-Based Award, or any other right or interest relating to Stock or cash, granted to a Participant under the Plan.

 

(c)

Award Certificate” means a written document, in such form as the Committee prescribes from time to time, setting forth the terms and conditions of an Award. Award Certificates may be in the form of individual award agreements or certificates or a program document describing the terms and provisions of an Award or series of Awards under the Plan. The Committee may provide for the use of electronic, internet or other non-paper Award Certificates.

 

(d)

Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning given such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.

 

(e)

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

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(f)

Cause” as a reason for a Participant’s termination of employment shall have the meaning assigned such term in the employment, severance or similar agreement, if any, between such Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, provided, however that if there is no such employment, severance or similar agreement in which such term is defined, and unless otherwise defined in the applicable Award Certificate, “Cause” shall include but is not limited to misconduct or other activity detrimental to the business interest or reputation of the Company or continued unsatisfactory job performance without making reasonable efforts to improve. Examples include insubordination, protracted or repeated absence from work without permission, illegal activity, disorderly conduct, etc.

 

(g)

Change in Control” means and includes the occurrence of any one of the following events:

(1) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of the Company’s voting stock representing 30% or more of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding voting stock, provided, however, that an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries for whom shares are held under an employee stock ownership, employee retirement, employee savings or similar plan and whose shares are voted in accordance with the instructions of such employee shall not be a member of a “group”(as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) solely because such employee’s shares are held by a trustee under said plan;

(2) during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for election, by the Company’s shareowners of each new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period;

(3) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any person, or any person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the Company’s outstanding voting stock or voting stock of such other person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the Company’s voting stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitutes, or is converted into or exchanged for, voting stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of the voting stock of the surviving person immediately after giving effect to such transaction;

 

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(4) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than to the Company or one of its subsidiaries; or

(5) the shareowners of the Company approve a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

(h)

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. For purposes of this Plan, references to sections of the Code shall be deemed to include references to any applicable regulations thereunder and any successor or similar provision.

 

(i)

Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board described in Article 4.

 

(j)

Company” means Sylvamo Corporation, a Delaware corporation, or any successor corporation.

 

(k)

Continuous Service” means the absence of any interruption or termination of service as an employee, officer, or director of the Company or any Affiliate, as applicable; provided, however, that for purposes of an Incentive Stock Option “Continuous Service” means the absence of any interruption or termination of service as an employee of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, as applicable, pursuant to applicable tax regulations. Continuous Service shall not be considered interrupted in the following cases: (i) a Participant transfers employment between the Company and an Affiliate or between Affiliates, or (ii) in the discretion of the Committee as specified at or prior to such occurrence, in the case of a spin-off, sale or disposition of the Participant’s employer from the Company or any Affiliate, (iii) a Participant transfers from being an employee of the Company or an Affiliate to being a director of the Company or of an Affiliate, or vice versa, or (iv) any leave of absence authorized in writing by the Company prior to its commencement; provided, however, that for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed 90 days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, on the 91st day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Non-qualified Stock Option. Whether military, government or other service or other leave of absence shall constitute a termination of Continuous Service shall be determined in each case by the Committee at its discretion, and any determination by the Committee shall be final and conclusive; provided, however, that for purposes of any Award that is subject to Code Section 409A, the determination of a leave of absence must comply with the requirements of a “bona fide leave of absence” as provided in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h).

 

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(l)

Deferred Stock Unit” means a right granted to a Participant under Article 9 to receive Shares of Stock (or the equivalent value in cash or other property if the Committee so provides) at a future time as determined by the Committee, or as determined by the Participant within guidelines established by the Committee in the case of voluntary deferral elections.

 

(m)

Disability” of a Participant means that the Participant (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Participant’s employer. If the determination of Disability relates to an Incentive Stock Option, Disability means Permanent and Total Disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. In the event of a dispute, the determination whether a Participant has incurred a Disability will be made by the Committee and may be supported by the advice of a physician competent in the area to which such Disability relates.

 

(n)

Dividend Equivalent” means a right granted to a Participant under Article 11.

 

(o)

Effective Date” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.1.

 

(p)

Eligible Participant” means Non-Employee Directors and designated employees of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

(q)

Exchange” means any national securities exchange on which the Stock may from time to time be listed or traded.

 

(r)

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

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(s)

Fair Market Value,” on any date, means (i) if the Stock is listed on a securities exchange, the closing stock price on such date (or, in the absence of reported sales on such date, on the immediately preceding date on which sales were reported), or (ii) if the Stock is not listed on a securities exchange, the mean between the bid and offered prices as quoted by the applicable interdealer quotation system for such date, provided that if the Stock is not quoted on an interdealer quotation system or if it is determined that the fair market value is not properly reflected by such quotations, Fair Market Value will be determined by such other method as the Committee determines in good faith to be reasonable and in compliance with Code Section 409A.

 

(t)

Full-Value Award means an Award other than in the form of an Option or SAR, and which is settled by the issuance of Stock (or at the discretion of the Committee, settled in cash valued by reference to Stock value).

 

(u)

Good Reason” (or a similar term denoting constructive termination) has the meaning, if any, assigned such term in the employment, severance or similar agreement, if any, between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, provided, however that if there is no such employment, severance or similar agreement in which such term is defined, “Good Reason” shall have the meaning, if any, given such term in the applicable Award Certificate. If not defined in any such document, the term “Good Reason” as used herein shall not apply to a particular Award.

 

(v)

Grant Date” of an Award means the first date on which all necessary corporate action has been taken to approve the grant of the Award as provided in the Plan, or such later date as is determined and specified as part of that authorization process. Notice of the grant shall be provided to the grantee within a reasonable time after the Grant Date.

 

(w)

Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is intended to be an incentive stock option and meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.

 

(x)

Independent Directors” means those members of the Board of Directors who qualify at any given time as “independent” directors under the applicable rules of each Exchange on which the Shares are listed, and “non-employee” directors under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.

 

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(y)

Non-Employee Director” means a director of the Company who is not a common law employee of the Company or an Affiliate.

 

(z)

Non-qualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(aa)

Non-Segmented Performance Award” means a Performance Award that is not a Segmented Performance Award.

 

(ab)

Option” means a right granted to a Participant under Article 7 of the Plan to purchase Stock at a specified price during specified time periods. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock Option.

 

(ac)

Other Stock-Based Award” means a right granted to a Participant under Article 12 that relates to or is valued by reference to Stock or other Awards relating to Stock.

 

(ad)

Parent” means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity which owns or beneficially owns a majority of the outstanding voting stock or voting power of the Company. Notwithstanding the above, with respect to an Incentive Stock Option, Parent shall have the meaning set forth in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

(ae)

Participant” means an Eligible Participant who has been granted an Award under the Plan; provided that in the case of the death of a Participant, the term “Participant” refers to a beneficiary designated pursuant to Section 13.4 or the legal guardian or other legal representative acting in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of the Participant under applicable state law and court supervision.

 

(af)

Performance Award” means any award granted under the Plan pursuant to Article 10.

 

(ag)

Person” means any individual, entity or group, within the meaning of Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and as used in Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.

 

(ah)

Plan” means the Sylvamo Corporation 2021 Incentive Compensation Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

(ai)

Restricted Stock Award” means Stock granted to a Participant under Article 9 that is subject to certain restrictions and to risk of forfeiture.

 

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(aj)

Restricted Stock Unit Award” means the right granted to a Participant under Article 9 to receive shares of Stock (or the equivalent value in cash or other property if the Committee so provides) in the future, which right is subject to certain restrictions and to risk of forfeiture.

 

(ak)

Retirement” means a Participant’s termination of employment with the Company or an Affiliate after reaching at least age 55 with 10 years of service, age 61 with 20 years of service, age 62 with 10 years of service, or age 65; for purposes of determining whether any service requirement under this definition are satisfied, any continuous service (as defined in the International Paper Company Amended and Restated 2009 Incentive Compensation Plan) with International Paper Company through the date of the spin-off of Sylvamo Corporation from International Paper Company shall be included and count towards satisfaction of such service requirement. In the case of a Participant who is a Non-Employee Director, “Retirement” means retirement from the Board after reaching the age specified for mandatory retirement from the Board.

 

(al)

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

(am)

Segmented Performance Award” means a Performance Award that provides for two or more segments within an overall performance period and in which performance achievement is measured separately for each individual segment and a portion of the award is deemed earned and “banked” pending the final assessment of performance over the full performance period.

 

(an)

Shares” means shares of the Company’s Stock. If there has been an adjustment or substitution with respect to the Shares (whether or not pursuant to Article 14), the term “Shares” shall also include any shares of stock or other securities that are substituted for Shares or into which Shares are adjusted.

 

(ao)

Stock” means the $1.00 par value common stock of the Company and such other securities of the Company as may be substituted for Stock pursuant to Article 14.

 

(ap)

Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted to a Participant under Article 8 to receive a payment equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the date of exercise of the SAR over the base price of the SAR, all as determined pursuant to Article 8.

 

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(aq)

Subsidiary” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity of which 50% or more of the outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Company. Notwithstanding the above, with respect to an Incentive Stock Option, Subsidiary shall have the meaning set forth in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

(ar)

Surviving Entity” means the entity resulting from a Change in Control (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or stock either directly or through one or more subsidiaries).

ARTICLE 3

EFFECTIVE TERM OF PLAN

3.1. EFFECTIVE DATE. The Plan shall be effective as of October 1, 2021 (the “Effective Date”).

3.2. TERMINATION OF PLAN. Unless earlier terminated as provided herein, the Plan shall continue in effect until the date of the 2031 annual shareowners’ meeting or, if the shareowners approve an amendment to the Plan that increases the number of Shares subject to the Plan, the tenth anniversary of the date of such approval. The termination of the Plan shall not affect the validity of any Award outstanding on the date of termination, which shall continue to be governed by the applicable terms and conditions of this Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Incentive Stock Options may be granted more than ten (10) years after the the Effective Date.

 

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ARTICLE 4

ADMINISTRATION

4.1. COMMITTEE. The Plan shall be administered by a Committee appointed by the Board (which Committee shall consist of at least two directors) or, at the discretion of the Board from time to time, the Plan may be administered by the Board. Unless and until changed by the Board, the Compensation Committee of the Board is designated as the Committee to administer the Plan. It is intended that the Committee be composed solely of two or more Independent Directors and that any such members of the Committee who do not so qualify shall abstain from participating in any decision to make or administer Awards that are made to Eligible Participants who at the time of consideration for such Award are persons subject to the short-swing profit rules of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. However, a Committee member’s failure to qualify as an Independent Director or failure to abstain from such action shall not invalidate any Award made by the Committee which Award is otherwise validly made under the Plan. The members of the Committee shall be appointed by, and may be changed at any time and from time to time in the discretion of, the Board. The Board may reserve to itself any or all of the authority and responsibility of the Committee under the Plan or may act as administrator of the Plan for any and all purposes. To the extent the Board has reserved any authority and responsibility or during any time that the Board is acting as administrator of the Plan, it shall have all the powers and protections of the Committee hereunder, and any reference herein to the Committee (other than in this Section 4.1) shall include the Board. To the extent any action of the Board under the Plan conflicts with actions taken by the Committee, the actions of the Board shall control.

4.2. ACTION AND INTERPRETATIONS BY THE COMMITTEE. For purposes of administering the Plan, the Committee may from time to time adopt rules, regulations, guidelines and procedures for carrying out the provisions and purposes of the Plan and make such other determinations, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Committee may deem appropriate. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award in the manner and to the extent it deems necessary to carry out the intent of the Plan. The Committee’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted under the Plan, any Award Certificate and all decisions and determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and conclusive on all parties. Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Affiliate, the Company’s or an Affiliate’s independent certified public accountants, Company counsel or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan. No member of the Committee will be liable for any good faith determination, act or omission in connection with the Plan or any Award.

 

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4.3. AUTHORITY OF COMMITTEE. Except as provided in Section 4.1 hereof, the Committee has the exclusive power, authority and discretion to:

 

(a)

Grant Awards;

 

(b)

Delegate the granting Awards as specified in Section 4.4;

 

(c)

Designate Participants;

 

(d)

Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant;

 

(e)

Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares or dollar amount to which an Award will relate;

 

(f)

Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted under the Plan;

 

(g)

Prescribe the form of each Award Certificate, which need not be identical for each Participant;

 

(h)

Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;

 

(i)

Establish, adopt or revise any rules, regulations, guidelines or procedures as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

 

(j)

Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required under the Plan or as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

 

(k)

Amend the Plan or any Award Certificate as provided herein; and

 

(l)

Adopt such modifications, procedures, and subplans as may be necessary or desirable to comply with provisions of the laws of the United States or any non-U.S. jurisdictions in which the Company or any Affiliate may operate, in order to assure the viability of the benefits of Awards granted to participants located in the United States or such other jurisdictions and to meet the objectives of the Plan.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, grants of Awards to Non-Employee Directors hereunder shall be made only in accordance with the terms, conditions and parameters of a plan, program or policy for the compensation of Non-Employee Directors as in effect from time to time that is approved and administered by a committee of the Board consisting solely of Independent Directors, and the Committee may not make other discretionary grants hereunder to Non-Employee Directors.

4.4. DELEGATION.

 

(a)

Administrative Duties. The Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more officers of the Company or an Affiliate or to one or more agents or advisors such administrative duties or powers as it may deem advisable, and the Committee or any individuals to whom it has delegated duties or powers as aforesaid may employ one or more individuals to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Committee or such individuals may have under this Plan.

 

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(b)

Special Committee. The Board may, by resolution, expressly delegate to a special committee, consisting of one or more directors who may but need not be officers of the Company, the authority, within specified parameters as to the number and terms of Awards, to (i) designate employees of the Company or any of its Affiliates to be recipients of Awards under the Plan, and (ii) to determine the number of such Awards to be received by any such Participants; provided, however, that such delegation of duties and responsibilities to an officer of the Company may not be made with respect to the grant of Awards to eligible participants who are subject to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act at the Grant Date. The acts of such delegates shall be treated hereunder as acts of the Board and such delegates shall report regularly to the Board and the Committee regarding the delegated duties and responsibilities and any Awards so granted.

 

(c)

Other Delegation. The Board may, by resolution, expressly delegate to the Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer the authority, within specified parameters as to the number and terms of Awards, to (i) designate employees of the Company or any of its Affiliates to be recipients of Awards under the Plan, and (ii) to determine the number of such Awards to be received by any such Participants; provided, however, that such delegation of duties and responsibilities may not be made with respect to the grant of Awards to eligible participants who are Senior Vice President of the Company and above. The acts of such delegate shall be treated hereunder as acts of the Board and such delegate shall report regularly to the Committee regarding the delegated duties and responsibilities and any Awards so granted.

ARTICLE 5

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

5.1. NUMBER OF SHARES. Subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 5.2 and 14.1, the aggregate number of Shares reserved and available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall be [ten percent (10%) of Sylvamo Corporation common shares outstanding]. The maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon exercise of Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be [].

5.2. SHARE COUNTING. Shares covered by an Award shall be subtracted from the Plan share reserve as of the Grant Date, but shall be added back to the Plan share reserve in accordance with this Section 5.2.

 

(a)

To the extent that an Award is canceled, terminates, expires, is forfeited or lapses for any reason, any unissued or forfeited Shares subject to the Award shall be added back to the Plan share reserve and again be available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan.

 

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(b)

Shares subject to Awards settled in cash shall be added back to the Plan share reserve and again be available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan.

 

(c)

Shares withheld from an Award or delivered by a Participant to satisfy minimum tax withholding requirements shall be added back to the Plan share reserve and again be available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan.

 

(d)

If the exercise price of an Option is satisfied by delivering Shares to the Company (by either actual delivery or attestation), only the number of Shares issued to the Participant in excess of the Shares tendered (by delivery or attestation) shall be debited from the number of Shares remaining available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan.

 

(e)

To the extent that the full number of Shares subject to an Option or SAR is not issued upon exercise of the Option or SAR for any reason, including by reason of net-settlement of the Award, only the number of Shares issued and delivered upon exercise of the Option or SAR shall be considered for purposes of determining the number of Shares remaining available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan.

 

(f)

To the extent that the full number of Shares subject to a Performance Award is not issued by reason of failure to achieve maximum performance goals, the unissued Shares originally subject to the Performance Award will be added back to the Plan share reserve and again be available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan.

 

(g)

Substitute Awards granted pursuant to Section 13.11 shall not count against the Shares otherwise available for issuance under the Plan under Section 5.1.

 

(h)

Subject to applicable Exchange requirements, shares available under a shareowner-approved plan of a company acquired by the Company (as appropriately adjusted to Shares to reflect the transaction) may be issued under the Plan pursuant to Awards granted to individuals who were not employees of the Company or its Affiliates immediately before such transaction and will not count against the maximum share limitation specified in Section 5.1.

 

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5.3. STOCK DISTRIBUTED. Any Stock distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Stock, treasury Stock or Stock purchased on the open market.

 

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ARTICLE 6

ELIGIBILITY

6.1. GENERAL. Awards may be granted only to Eligible Participants. Eligible Participants who are service providers to an Affiliate may be granted Options or SARs under this Plan only if the Affiliate qualifies as an “eligible issuer of service recipient stock” within the meaning of §1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii)(E) of the final regulations under Code Section 409A.

ARTICLE 7

STOCK OPTIONS

7.1. GENERAL. The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)

Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share under an Option shall be determined by the Committee, provided that the exercise price for any Option (other than an Option issued as a substitute Award pursuant to Section 13.11) shall not be less than the Fair Market Value as of the Grant Date.

 

(b)

Prohibition on Repricing. Except as otherwise provided in Section 14.1, the exercise price of an Option may not be reduced, directly or indirectly by cancellation and regrant or otherwise, without the prior approval of the shareowners of the Company.

 

(c)

Time and Conditions of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, subject to Section 7.1(e). The Committee shall also determine the performance or other conditions, if any, that must be satisfied before all or part of an Option may be exercised or vested.

 

(d)

Payment. The Committee shall determine the methods by which the exercise price of an Option may be paid, the form of payment, and the methods by which Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants. As determined by the Committee at or after the Grant Date, payment of the exercise price of an Option may be made, in whole or in part, in the form of (i) cash or cash equivalents, (ii) delivery (by either actual delivery or attestation) of previously-acquired Shares based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Option is exercised, (iii) withholding of Shares from the Option based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Option is exercised, (iv) broker-assisted market sales, or (iv) any other “cashless exercise” arrangement.

 

 

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(e)

Exercise Term. Except for Non-qualified Stock Options granted to Participants outside the United States, no Option granted under the Plan shall be exercisable for more than ten years from the Grant Date.

 

(f)

No Deferral Feature. No Option shall provide for any feature for the deferral of compensation other than the deferral of recognition of income until the exercise or disposition of the Option.

 

(g)

No Dividend Equivalents. No Option shall provide for Dividend Equivalents.

7.2. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. Incentive Stock Options may be granted to only to Eligible Participants who are employees of the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary as defined in Section 424(e) and (f) of the Code. The terms of any Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan must comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. If all of the requirements of Section 422 of the Code are not met, the Option shall automatically become a Non-qualified Stock Option.

ARTICLE 8

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

8.1. GRANT OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. The Committee is authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”) to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)

Right to Payment. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Participant to whom it is granted has the right to receive, for each Share with respect to which the SAR is being exercised, the excess, if any, of:

(1) The Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise; over

(2) The base price of the SAR as determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Certificate, which shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of one Share on the Grant Date.

 

(b)

Prohibition on Repricing. Except as otherwise provided in Section 14.1, the base price of a SAR may not be reduced, directly or indirectly by cancellation and regrant or otherwise, without the prior approval of the shareowners of the Company.

 

(c)

Time and Conditions of Exercise. Except for SARs granted to Participants outside the United States, no SAR shall be exercisable for more than ten years from the Grant Date.

 

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(d)    No Deferral Feature. No SAR shall provide for any feature for the deferral of compensation other than the deferral of recognition of income until the exercise or disposition of the SAR.
(e)    No Dividend Equivalents. No SAR shall provide for Dividend Equivalents.
(f)    Other Terms. All SARs shall be evidenced by an Award Certificate. Subject to the limitations of this Article 8, the terms, methods of exercise, methods of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, and any other terms and conditions of any SAR shall be determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award and shall be reflected in the Award Certificate.

ARTICLE 9

RESTRICTED STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

AND DEFERRED STOCK UNITS

9.1. GRANT OF RESTRICTED STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AND DEFERRED STOCK UNITS . The Committee is authorized to make Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units to Participants in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as may be selected by the Committee. An Award of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Certificate setting forth the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to the Award.

9.2. ISSUANCE AND RESTRICTIONS. Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions as the Committee may impose (including, without limitation, limitations on the right to vote Restricted Stock or the right to receive dividends on the Restricted Stock). These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances, in such installments, upon the satisfaction of performance goals or otherwise, as the Committee determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter. Except as otherwise provided in an Award Certificate or any special Plan document governing an Award, the Participant shall have all of the rights of a shareowner with respect to the Restricted Stock, and the Participant shall have none of the rights of a shareowner with respect to Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units until such time as Shares of Stock are paid in settlement of the Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Certificate, Awards of Restricted Stock will be entitled to full dividend rights and any dividends paid thereon will be paid or distributed to the holder no later than the end of the calendar year in which the dividends are paid to shareowners or, if later, the 15th day of the third month following the date the dividends are paid to shareowners.

 

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9.3. FORFEITURE. Subject to the terms of the Award Certificate and except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter, upon termination of Continuous Service during the applicable restriction period or upon failure to satisfy a performance goal during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units that are at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited.

9.4. DELIVERY OF RESTRICTED STOCK. Shares of Restricted Stock shall be delivered to the Participant on the Grant Date either by book-entry registration or by delivering to the Participant, or a custodian or escrow agent (including, without limitation, the Company or one or more of its employees) designated by the Committee, a stock certificate or certificates registered in the name of the Participant. If physical certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, such certificates must bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock.

ARTICLE 10

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

10.1. GRANT OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS. The Committee is authorized to grant any Award under this Plan, including cash-settled Awards, with performance-based vesting criteria, on such terms and conditions as may be selected by the Committee. Any such Awards with performance-based vesting criteria are referred to herein as Performance Awards. The Committee shall have the complete discretion to determine the number of Performance Awards granted to each Participant, subject to Section 5.4, and to designate the provisions of such Performance Awards as provided in Section 4.3. All Performance Awards shall be evidenced by an Award Certificate or a written program established by the Committee, pursuant to which Performance Awards are awarded under the Plan under uniform terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in such written program. All Dividend Equivalents credited on Performance Shares during a performance period shall be reinvested in additional Performance Shares, which shall be allocated to the same performance period and shall be subject to being earned by the Participant on the same basis as the original Award. Once a Performance Award has been settled in Stock, any dividends on such Shares shall be paid in the same form and at the same time as to other shareowners.

10.2. PERFORMANCE GOALS. The Committee may establish performance goals for Performance Awards which may be based on any criteria selected by the Committee. Such performance goals may be described in terms of Company-wide objectives or in terms of objectives that relate to the performance of the Participant, an Affiliate or a division, region, department or function within the Company or an Affiliate. Such performance measures may include, but are not limited to:

 

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(a)    Revenue
(b)    Sales
(c)    Profit (net profit, gross profit, operating profit, economic profit, profit margins or other corporate profit measures)
(d)    Earnings (EBIT, EBITDA, earnings per share, or other corporate earnings measures)
(e)    Net income (before or after taxes, operating income or other income measures)
(f)    Cash (cash flow, cash generation or other cash measures)
(g)    Stock price or performance
(h)    Total shareholder return (stock price appreciation plus reinvested dividends divided by beginning share price)
(i)    Economic value added
(j)    Return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, income, capital, equity, investments or sales, and cash flow return on assets, capital, equity, or sales);
(k)    Market share
(l)    Improvements in capital structure
(m)    Expenses (expense management, expense ratio, expense efficiency ratios or other expense measures)
(n)    Business expansion or consolidation (acquisitions and divestitures)
(o)    Internal rate of return or increase in net present value
(p)    Working capital targets relating to inventory and/or accounts receivable
(q)    Safety standards
(r)    Productivity measures
(s)    Cost reduction measures
(t)    Strategic plan development and implementation

If the Committee determines that events or circumstances render the performance goals to be unsuitable, the Committee may modify such performance goals in whole or in part, as the Committee deems appropriate. If a Participant is promoted, demoted or transferred to a different business unit or function during a performance period, the Committee may determine that the performance goals or performance period are no longer appropriate and may (i) adjust, change or eliminate the performance goals or the applicable performance period as it deems appropriate to make such goals and period comparable to the initial goals and period, or (ii) make a cash payment to the participant in an amount determined by the Committee.

 

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ARTICLE 11

DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS

11.1. GRANT OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS. The Committee is authorized to grant Dividend Equivalents with respect to Full-Value Awards granted hereunder, subject to such terms and conditions as may be selected by the Committee. Dividend Equivalents shall entitle the Participant to receive payments equal to ordinary cash dividends or distributions with respect to all or a portion of the number of Shares subject to a Full-Value Award, as determined by the Committee. Dividend Equivalents will be accrued and only vest and be payable to a Participant if and to the extent that any Shares underlying such Full-Value Award with which respect to the Dividend Equivalent was granted actually vest and become payable.

ARTICLE 12

STOCK OR OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS

12.1. GRANT OF STOCK OR OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS. The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Participants such other Awards that are payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to Shares, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, including without limitation Shares awarded purely as a “bonus” and not subject to any restrictions or conditions, convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Shares, and Awards valued by reference to book value of Shares or the value of securities of or the performance of specified Parents or Subsidiaries. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards.

ARTICLE 13

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS

13.1. AWARD CERTIFICATES. Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Certificate. Each Award Certificate shall include such provisions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as may be specified by the Committee.

13.2. FORM OF PAYMENT FOR AWARDS. At the discretion of the Committee, payment of Awards may be made in cash, Stock, a combination of cash and Stock, or any other form of property as the Committee shall determine. In addition, payment of Awards may include such terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations, if any, as the Committee deems appropriate, including, in the case of Awards paid in the form of Stock, restrictions on transfer and forfeiture provisions. Further, payment of Awards may be made in the form of a lump sum, or in installments, as determined by the Committee.

 

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13.3. LIMITS ON TRANSFER. No right or interest of a Participant in any unexercised or restricted Award may be pledged, encumbered, or hypothecated to or in favor of any party other than the Company or an Affiliate, or shall be subject to any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant to any other party other than the Company or an Affiliate. No unexercised or restricted Award shall be assignable or transferable by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, except in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, pursuant to a domestic relations order that would satisfy Section 414(p)(1)(A) of the Code if such Section applied to an Award under the Plan; provided, however, that the Committee may (but need not) permit other transfers (other than transfers for value) where the Committee concludes that such transferability (i) does not result in accelerated taxation, (ii) does not cause any Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option to fail to be described in Code Section 422(b), and (iii) is otherwise appropriate and desirable, taking into account any factors deemed relevant, including without limitation, state or federal tax or securities laws applicable to transferable Awards.

13.4. BENEFICIARIES. Notwithstanding Section 13.3, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights under the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Certificate applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan and Award Certificate otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, any payment due to the Participant shall be made to the Participant’s estate. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is filed with the Company.

13.5. STOCK TRADING RESTRICTIONS. All Stock issuable under the Plan is subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal or state securities laws, rules and regulations and the rules of any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock is listed, quoted, or traded. The Committee may place legends on any Stock certificate or issue instructions to the transfer agent to reference restrictions applicable to the Stock.

13.6. TREATMENT UPON DEATH OR DISABILITY. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Certificate or any special Plan document governing an Award, upon the termination of a person’s Continuous Service by reason of death or Disability:

 

(a)    all of that Participant’s outstanding Options and SARs shall become fully exercisable, and shall thereafter remain exercisable for a period of one (1) year or until the earlier expiration of the original term of the Option or SAR;
(b)    all time-based vesting restrictions on that Participant’s outstanding Awards shall lapse as of the date of termination; and
(c)    the payout opportunities attainable under all of that Participant’s outstanding Performance Awards shall be prorated based upon the number of months employed during each measurement period and shall be paid at the end of the Award period based on actual Company performance.

 

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To the extent that this provision causes Incentive Stock Options to exceed the dollar limitation set forth in Code Section 422(d), the excess Options shall be deemed to be Non-qualified Stock Options.

13.7. TREATMENT UPON RETIREMENT. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Certificate or any special Plan document governing an Award, upon the termination of a person’s Continuous Service by reason of his or her Retirement:

 

(a)    that Participant’s outstanding Options and SARs shall become exercisable on a pro-rated basis (based upon the number of months employed during the applicable vesting period), and shall thereafter remain exercisable for a period of one (1) year or until the earlier expiration of the original term of the Option or SAR;
(b)    time-based vesting restrictions on that Participant’s outstanding Awards shall lapse in a pro-rated basis (based upon the number of months employed during the applicable vesting period); and
(c)    the payout opportunities attainable under all of that Participant’s outstanding Performance Awards shall be prorated based upon the number of months employed during each measurement period and shall be paid at the end of the Award period based on actual Company performance.

To the extent that this provision causes Incentive Stock Options to exceed the dollar limitation set forth in Code Section 422(d), the excess Options shall be deemed to be Non-qualified Stock Options.

13.8. EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL. The provisions of this Section 13.8 shall apply in the case of a Change in Control, unless otherwise provided in the Award Certificate or any special Plan document or separate agreement with a Participant governing an Award.

 

(a)    Awards Assumed or Substituted by Surviving Entity. With respect to Awards assumed by the Surviving Entity or otherwise equitably converted or substituted in connection with a Change in Control in a manner approved by the Committee or the Board: if within two years after the effective date of the Change in Control, a Participant’s employment is terminated without Cause or the Participant resigns for Good Reason, then

 

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(i)  

all of that Participant’s outstanding Options or SARs shall become fully vested and exercisable as of the employment termination date and shall thereafter continue or lapse in accordance with the other provisions of the Plan and the Award Certificate;

(ii)  

all time-based vesting restrictions on that Participant’s outstanding Awards shall lapse as of the employment termination date; and

(iii)  

the level of performance achievement under all of that Participant’s Performance Awards that were outstanding immediately prior to effective time of the Change in Control shall be calculated as follows:

(A) Segmented Performance Awards:

 

1.  

The portion of the Award that had been “banked” prior to the employment termination date based on the assessment of performance for a completed segment shall be fully vested as of the employment termination date; and

2.  

The portion of the Award that relates to any segment that had not been completed, or for which performance had not been assessed, prior to the employment termination date shall vest as of the employment termination date based on the assumed achievement of performance at the “target” level.

3.  

In either such case, the vested portion of the Award shall be paid within sixty (60) days following the employment termination date (unless a later date is required by Section 16.4 hereof).

(B) Non-Segmented Performance Awards:

 

1.  

Where less than one year had elapsed between the beginning of the applicable performance period and the employment termination date, a Non-Segmented Performance Award shall vest as of the employment termination date based on the assumed achievement of performance at the “target” level; and

2.  

Where one year or more has elapsed between the beginning of the applicable performance period and the employment termination date, a Non-Segmented Award shall vest based upon the level of actual Company performance measured through the end of the year immediately preceding the employment termination date.

3.  

In either such case, the vested portion of the Award shall be paid within sixty (60) days following the employment termination date (unless a later date is required by Section 16.4 hereof).

 

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(b)    Awards not Assumed or Substituted by Surviving Entity. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, and except with respect to any Awards assumed by the Surviving Entity or otherwise equitably converted or substituted in connection with the Change in Control in a manner approved by the Committee or the Board:
(i)   

outstanding Options or SARs shall become fully vested and exercisable as of the date of the Change in Control and shall thereafter continue or lapse in accordance with the other provisions of the Plan and the Award Certificate;

(ii)   

time-based vesting restrictions on outstanding Awards shall lapse as of the date of the Change in Control; and

(iii)   

the level of performance achievement under outstanding Performance Awards shall be calculated as follows:

(A) Segmented Performance Awards:

 

1.  

The portion of the Award that had been “banked” prior to the Change in Control based on the assessment of performance for a completed segment shall be fully vested as of the date of the Change in Control; and

2.  

The portion of the Award that relates to any segment that had not been completed, or for which performance had not been assessed, prior to the Change in Control shall vest as of the date of the Change in Control based on the assumed achievement of performance at the “target” level.

3.  

In either such case, the vested portion of the Award shall be paid within sixty (60) days following the Change in Control (unless a later date is required by Section 16.4 hereof).

(B) Non-Segmented Performance Awards:

 

1.  

Where less than one year has elapsed between the beginning of the applicable performance period and the Change in Control, a Non-Segmented Performance Award shall vest as of the date of the Change in Control based on the assumed achievement of performance at the “target” level; and

 

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2.  

Where one year or more has elapsed between the beginning of the applicable performance period and the Change in Control, a Non-Segmented Award shall vest as of the date of the Change in Control based upon the level of actual Company performance measured through the date of the Change in Control.

3.  

In either such case, the vested portion of the Award shall be paid within sixty (60) days following the Change in Control (unless a later date is required by Section 16.4 hereof).

13.9. ACCELERATION FOR ANY OTHER REASON. Regardless of whether an event has occurred as described in Sections 13.6, 13.7 or 13.8 above, the Committee may in its sole discretion at any time determine that all or a portion of a Participant’s Options, SARs, and other Awards in the nature of rights that may be exercised shall become fully or partially exercisable, that all or a part of the time-based vesting restrictions on all or a portion of the outstanding Awards shall lapse, and/or that any performance-based criteria with respect to any Awards shall be deemed to be wholly or partially satisfied, in each case, as of such date as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, declare. The Committee may discriminate among Participants and among Awards granted to a Participant in exercising its discretion pursuant to this Section 13.9. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan, including this Section 13.9, the Committee may not accelerate the payment of any Award if such acceleration would violate Section 409A(a)(3) of the Code.

13.10. FORFEITURE EVENTS. Awards under the Plan shall be subject to any compensation recoupment policy that the Company may adopt from time to time that is applicable by its terms to the Participant. In addition, the Committee may specify in an Award Certificate that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award.

Such events may include, but shall not be limited to, voluntary termination prior to Retirement eligibility, termination of employment for Cause, violation of a Non-Compete Agreement, Non-Solicitation Agreement or Confidentiality Agreement, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business interest or reputation of the Company or any Affiliate or any act that is determined by the Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer to be a deliberate disregard of the Company’s rules.

 

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13.11. SUBSTITUTE AWARDS. The Committee may grant Awards under the Plan in substitution for stock and stock-based awards held by employees of another entity who become employees of the Company or an Affiliate as a result of a merger or consolidation of the former employing entity with the Company or an Affiliate or the acquisition by the Company or an Affiliate of property or stock of the former employing corporation. The Committee may direct that the substitute awards be granted on such terms and conditions as the Committee considers appropriate in the circumstances.

ARTICLE 14

CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE

14.1. MANDATORY ADJUSTMENTS. In the event of a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its shareowners that causes the per-share value of the Stock to change (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering, or large nonrecurring cash dividend), the authorization limits under Section 5.1 and 5.4 shall be adjusted proportionately, and the Committee shall make such adjustments to the Plan and Awards as it deems necessary, in its sole discretion, to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights immediately resulting from such transaction. Action by the Committee may include: (i) adjustment of the number and kind of shares that may be delivered under the Plan; (ii) adjustment of the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) adjustment of the exercise price of outstanding Awards or the measure to be used to determine the amount of the benefit payable on an Award; and (iv) any other adjustments that the Committee determines to be equitable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee shall not make any adjustments to outstanding Options or SARs that would constitute a modification or substitution of the stock right under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(v) that would be treated as the grant of a new stock right or change in the form of payment for purposes of Code Section 409A. Without limiting the foregoing, in the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Stock (stock-split), a declaration of a dividend payable in Shares, or a combination or consolidation of the outstanding Stock into a lesser number of Shares, the authorization limits under Sections 5.1 and 5.4 shall automatically be adjusted proportionately, and the Shares then subject to each Award shall automatically, without the necessity for any additional action by the Committee, be adjusted proportionately without any change in the aggregate purchase price therefor.

14.2 DISCRETIONARY ADJUSTMENTS. Upon the occurrence or in anticipation of any corporate event or transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any merger, reorganization, recapitalization, combination or exchange of shares, or any transaction described in Section 14.1), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide (i) that Awards will be settled in cash rather than Stock, (ii) that Awards will become immediately vested and exercisable (in whole or in part) and will expire after a designated period of time to the extent not then exercised, (iii) that Awards will be assumed by another party to a transaction or otherwise be equitably converted or substituted in connection with such transaction, (iv) that outstanding Awards may be settled by payment in cash or cash equivalents equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the underlying Stock, as of a specified date associated with the transaction, over the exercise or base price of the Award, or (v) any combination of the foregoing. The Committee’s determination need not be uniform and may be different for different Participants whether or not such Participants are similarly situated.

 

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14.3 GENERAL. Any discretionary adjustments made pursuant to this Article 14 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 15.2. To the extent that any adjustments made pursuant to this Article 14 cause Incentive Stock Options to cease to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, such Options shall be deemed to be Non-qualified Stock Options.

ARTICLE 15

AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION

15.1. AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION. The Board or the Committee may, at any time and from time to time, amend, modify or terminate the Plan without shareowner approval; provided, however, that if an amendment to the Plan would, in the reasonable opinion of the Board or the Committee, either (i) materially increase the number of Shares available under the Plan, (ii) expand the types of awards under the Plan, (iii) materially expand the class of participants eligible to participate in the Plan, (iv) materially extend the term of the Plan, or (v) otherwise constitute a material change requiring shareowner approval under applicable laws, policies or regulations or the applicable listing or other requirements of an Exchange, then such amendment shall be subject to shareowner approval; and provided, further, that the Board or Committee may condition any other amendment or modification on the approval of shareowners of the Company for any reason, including by reason of such approval being necessary or deemed advisable (i) to comply with the listing or other requirements of an Exchange, or (ii) to satisfy any other tax, securities or other applicable laws, policies or regulations.

15.2. AWARDS PREVIOUSLY GRANTED. At any time and from time to time, the Committee may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award without approval of the Participant; provided, however:

 

(a)    Subject to the terms of the applicable Award Certificate, no amendment, modification or termination shall, without the Participant’s consent, reduce or diminish the value of such Award determined as if the Award had been exercised, vested, cashed in or otherwise settled on the date of such amendment or termination (with the per-share value of an Option or SAR for this purpose being calculated as the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value as of the date of such amendment or termination over the exercise or base price of such Award);

(b)

   The original term of an Option or SAR may not be extended without the prior approval of the shareowners of the Company;

 

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(c)    Except as otherwise provided in Section 14.1, the exercise price of an Option or base price of a SAR may not be reduced, directly or indirectly, without the prior approval of the shareowners of the Company; and
(d)    No termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect any Award previously granted under the Plan, without the written consent of the Participant affected thereby. An outstanding Award shall not be deemed to be “adversely affected” by a Plan amendment if such amendment would not reduce or diminish the value of such Award determined as if the Award had been exercised, vested, cashed in or otherwise settled on the date of such amendment (with the per-share value of an Option or SAR for this purpose being calculated as the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value as of the date of such amendment over the exercise or base price of such Award).

15.3. COMPLIANCE AMENDMENTS. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or in any Award Certificate to the contrary, the Board may amend the Plan or an Award Certificate, to take effect retroactively or otherwise, as deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of conforming the Plan or Award Certificate to any present or future law relating to plans of this or similar nature (including, but not limited to, Section 409A of the Code), and to the administrative regulations and rulings promulgated thereunder. By accepting an Award under this Plan, a Participant agrees to any amendment made pursuant to this Section 15.3 to any Award granted under the Plan without further consideration or action.

ARTICLE 16

GENERAL PROVISIONS

16.1. RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS.

 

(a)    No Participant or any Eligible Participant shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan. Neither the Company, its Affiliates nor the Committee is obligated to treat Participants or Eligible Participants uniformly, and determinations made under the Plan may be made by the Committee selectively among Eligible Participants who receive, or are eligible to receive, Awards (whether or not such Eligible Participants are similarly situated).
(b)    Nothing in the Plan, any Award Certificate or any other document or statement made with respect to the Plan, shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate any Participant’s employment or status as an officer, or any Participant’s service as a director, at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue as an employee, officer, or director of the Company or any Affiliate, whether for the duration of a Participant’s Award or otherwise.

 

 

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(c)    Neither an Award nor any benefits arising under this Plan shall constitute an employment contract with the Company or any Affiliate and, accordingly, subject to Article 15, this Plan and the benefits hereunder may be terminated at any time in the sole and exclusive discretion of the Committee without giving rise to any liability on the part of the Company or an of its Affiliates.
(d)    No Award gives a Participant any of the rights of a shareowner of the Company unless and until Shares are in fact issued to such person in connection with such Award.

16.2. WITHHOLDING. The Company or any Affiliate shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation in the United States and any social tax obligations for any non-U.S. jurisdiction) required by law to be withheld with respect to any exercise, lapse of restriction or other taxable event arising as a result of the Plan. The obligations of the Company under the Plan will be conditioned on such payment or arrangements and the Company or such Affiliate will, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time the Award is granted or thereafter, any such withholding requirement may be satisfied, in whole or in part, by withholding from the Award Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding equal to the minimum amount (and not any greater amount) required to be withheld for tax purposes, all in accordance with such procedures as the Committee establishes. All such elections shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. For certain Participants designated by the Company, the Company shall also have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold additional amounts to satisfy federal, state or local taxes up to a maximum amount of 85% of the Award at the election of the Participant.

16.3. IMPACT OF RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS UPON PREVIOUS AWARDS. If any of the Company’s financial statements are required to be restated, resulting from errors, omissions, or fraud, the Committee may (in its sole discretion, but acting in good faith) direct that the Company recover all or a portion of any such Award made to any, all or any class of Participants with respect to any fiscal year of the Company the financial results of which are negatively affected by such restatement. The amount to be recovered from any Participant shall be the amount by which the affected Award(s) exceeded the amount that would have been payable to such Participant had the financial statements been initially filed as restated, or any greater or lesser amount (including, but not limited to, the entire award) that the Committee shall determine. The Committee may determine to recover different amounts from different Participants or different classes of

 

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Participants on such bases as it shall deem appropriate. In no event shall the amount to be recovered by the Company be less than the amount required to be repaid or recovered as a matter of law. The Committee shall determine whether the Company shall effect any such recovery (i) by seeking repayment from the Participant, (ii) by reducing (subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of the applicable plan, program or arrangement) the amount that would otherwise be payable to the Participant under any compensatory plan, program or arrangement maintained by the Company or any of its affiliates, (iii) by withholding payment of future increases in compensation (including the payment of any discretionary bonus amount) or grants of compensatory awards that would otherwise have been made in accordance with the Company’s otherwise applicable compensation practices, or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing.

16.4. SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO SECTION 409A OF THE CODE.

 

(a)    General. It is intended that the payments and benefits provided under the Plan and any Award shall either be exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The Plan and all Award Certificates shall be construed in a manner that effects such intent. Nevertheless, the tax treatment of the benefits provided under the Plan or any Award is not warranted or guaranteed. Neither the Company, its Affiliates nor their respective directors, officers, employees or advisers (other than in his or her capacity as a Participant) shall be held liable for any taxes, interest, penalties or other monetary amounts owed by any Participant or other taxpayer as a result of the Plan or any Award.
(b)    Definitional Restrictions. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or in any Award Certificate to the contrary, to the extent that any amount or benefit that would constitute non-exempt “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code (“Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation”) would otherwise be payable or distributable, or a different form of payment (e.g., lump sum or installment) of such Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation would be effected, under the Plan or any Award Certificate by reason of the occurrence of a Change in Control, or the Participant’s Disability or separation from service, such Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation will not be payable or distributable to the Participant, and/or such different form of payment will not be effected, by reason of such circumstance unless the circumstances giving rise to such Change in Control, Disability or separation from service meet any description or definition of “change in control event”, “disability” or “separation from service”, as the case may be, in Section 409A of the Code and applicable regulations (without giving effect to any elective provisions that may be available under such definition). This provision does not affect the dollar amount or prohibit the vesting of such Non-Exempt Deferred

 

 

29


   Compensation upon a Change in Control, Disability or separation from service, however defined. If this provision prevents the payment or distribution of any Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation, or the application of a different form of payment, such payment or distribution shall be made at the time and in the form that would have applied absent the non-409A-conforming event.
(c)    Allocation among Possible Exemptions. If any one or more Awards granted under the Plan to a Participant could qualify for any separation pay exemption described in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(b)(9), but such Awards in the aggregate exceed the dollar limit permitted for the separation pay exemptions, the Company (acting through the Committee or the Head of Human Resources) shall determine which Awards or portions thereof will be subject to such exemptions.
(d)    Six-Month Delay in Certain Circumstances. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or in any Award Certificate to the contrary, if any amount or benefit that would constitute Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation would otherwise be payable or distributable under this Plan or any Award Certificate by reason of a Participant’s separation from service during a period in which the Participant is a Specified Employee (as defined below), then, subject to any permissible acceleration of payment by the Committee under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ii) (domestic relations order), (j)(4)(iii) (conflicts of interest), or (j)(4)(vi) (payment of employment taxes):

(i) the amount of such non-exempt deferred compensation that would otherwise be payable during the six-month period immediately following the Participant’s separation from service will be accumulated through and paid or provided on the first day of the seventh month following the Participant’s separation from service (or, if the Participant dies during such period, within 30 days after the Participant’s death) (in either case, the “Required Delay Period”); and

(ii) the normal payment or distribution schedule for any remaining payments or distributions will resume at the end of the Required Delay Period.

For purposes of this Plan, the term “Specified Employee” has the meaning given such term in Code Section 409A and the final regulations thereunder, provided, however, that, as permitted in such final regulations, the Company’s Specified Employees and its application of the six-month delay rule of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) shall be determined in accordance with rules adopted by the Board or any committee of the Board, which shall be applied consistently with respect to all nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements of the Company, including this Plan.

 

30


(e)    Installment Payments. If, pursuant to an Award, a Participant is entitled to a series of installment payments, such Participant’s right to the series of installment payments shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments and not to a single payment. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “series of installment payments” has the meaning provided in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii) (or any successor thereto).
(f)    Timing of Release of Claims. Whenever an Award conditions a payment or benefit on the Participant’s execution and non-revocation of a release of claims, such release must be executed and all revocation periods shall have expired within 60 days after the date of termination of the Participant’s employment; failing which such payment or benefit shall be forfeited. If such payment or benefit is exempt from Section 409A of the Code, the Company may elect to make or commence payment at any time during such 60-day period. If such payment or benefit constitutes Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation, then, subject to subsection (c) above, (i) if such 60-day period begins and ends in a single calendar year, the Company may make or commence payment at any time during such period at its discretion, and (ii) if such 60-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in the next calendar year, the payment shall be made or commence during the second such calendar year (or any later date specified for such payment under the applicable Award), even if such signing and non-revocation of the release occur during the first such calendar year included within such 60-day period. In other words, a Participant is not permitted to influence the calendar year of payment based on the timing of signing the release.
(g)    Permitted Acceleration. The Company shall have the sole authority to make any accelerated distribution permissible under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4) to Participants of deferred amounts, provided that such distribution(s) meets the requirements of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4).

16.5. UNFUNDED STATUS OF AWARDS. The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Certificate shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate. This Plan is not intended to be subject to ERISA.

 

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16.6. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER BENEFITS. No payment under the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate unless provided otherwise in such other plan.

16.7. EXPENSES. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Affiliates.

16.8. TITLES AND HEADINGS. The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.

16.9. GENDER AND NUMBER. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine and any feminine term used herein also shall include the masculine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

16.10. FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional Shares shall be issued and the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares shall be eliminated by rounding up or down.

16.11. GOVERNMENT AND OTHER REGULATIONS.

 

(a)    Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, no Participant who acquires Shares pursuant to the Plan may, during any period of time that such Participant is an affiliate of the Company (within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act), sell such Shares, unless such offer and sale is made (i) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, which is current and includes the Shares to be sold, or (ii) pursuant to an appropriate exemption from the registration requirement of the Securities Act, such as that set forth in Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
(b)    Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if at any time the Committee shall determine that the registration, listing or qualification of the Shares covered by an Award upon any Exchange or under any foreign, federal, state or local law or practice, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the granting of such Award or the purchase or receipt of Shares thereunder, no Shares may be purchased, delivered or received pursuant to such Award unless and until such registration, listing,

 

32


        qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any condition not acceptable to the Committee. Any Participant receiving or purchasing Shares pursuant to an Award shall make such representations and agreements and furnish such information as the Committee may request to assure compliance with the foregoing or any other applicable legal requirements. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for Shares under the Plan prior to the Committee’s determination that all related requirements have been fulfilled. The Company shall in no event be obligated to register any securities pursuant to the Securities Act or applicable state or foreign law or to take any other action in order to cause the issuance and delivery of such certificates to comply with any such law, regulation or requirement.

16.12. GOVERNING LAW. To the extent not governed by federal law, the Plan and all Award Certificates shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

16.13. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision of this Plan is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable under any applicable law, such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed as rendering any other provisions contained herein as invalid or unenforceable, and all such other provisions will be given full force and effect to the same extent as though the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained herein.

16.14. NO LIMITATIONS ON RIGHTS OF COMPANY. The grant of any Award shall not in any way affect the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassification or changes in its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets. The Plan shall not restrict the authority of the Company, for proper corporate purposes, to draft or assume awards, other than under the Plan, to or with respect to any person. If the Committee so directs, the Company may issue or transfer Shares to an Affiliate, for such lawful consideration as the Committee may specify, upon the condition or understanding that the Affiliate will transfer such Shares to a Participant in accordance with the terms of an Award granted to such Participant and specified by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

16.15. INDEMNIFICATION. Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, or of the Board, or an officer of the Company to whom authority was delegated in accordance with Article 4 shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and

 

33


all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf, unless such loss, cost, liability, or expense is a result of his or her own willful misconduct or except as expressly provided by statute. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s charter or bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

 

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Exhibit 10.23

Sylvamo Corporation

2021 Executive Severance Plan

 

1.

Purpose and Background. The purpose of the Plan is to assist certain Company officers and executives in making a successful transition upon termination of employment by the Company without Cause, or by the officer or executive for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Plan).

 

2.

Definitions. For purposes of this Plan, the following words and phrases have the meanings specified below:

 

2.1

Administrator” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.

 

2.2

Base Salary” means the annual base salary rate of a Participant as of the last day of his or her employment with the Company.

 

2.3

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

2.4

Bonus” means the actual annual cash incentive awards paid to a Participant for a particular performance year.

 

2.5

Cause” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

 

2.6

Change in Control” means the occurrence of any one or more of the following:

 

  (a)

the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, hereinafter the “Exchange Act”) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-1 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of the Company’s voting stock representing 30% or more of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding voting stock, provided, however, that an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries for whom shares are held under an employee stock ownership, employee retirement, employee savings, or similar plan and whose shares are voted in accordance with the instructions of such employee shall not be a member of a “group” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) solely because such employee’s shares are held by a trustee under said plan;

 

  (b)

during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election or the nomination for election, by the Company’s shareholders of each new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period;

 

1


  (c)

the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any person, or any person consolidates with, merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the Company’s outstanding voting stock or voting stock of such person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities, or other property, other than any such transaction where the Company’s voting stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitutes, or is converted into or exchanged for, voting stock representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the voting stock of the surviving person immediately after giving effect to such transaction;

 

  (d)

the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than to the Company or one of its subsidiaries; or

 

  (e)

the shareholders of the Company approve a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

2.7

COBRA” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, and any successor thereto.

 

2.8

Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. References to a particular section of the Code include references to regulations and rulings thereunder and to successor provisions.

 

2.9

Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

 

2.10

Company” means Sylvamo Corporation.

 

2.11

Continuation Benefits” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.

 

2.12

Disability” means that, as a result of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, a Participant is receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under and accident and health plan covering employees of the Company.

 

2.13

Eligible Executive” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.

 

2.14

Good Reason” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

 

2.15

Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.

 

2.16

Participation Agreement” means a Participation Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

 

2.17

Plan” means this Sylvamo Corporation 2021 Executive Severance Plan, as described in this document and as amended or amended and restated from time to time.

 

2.18

Pro Rata Bonus” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A.

 

2.19

Pro Rata Target Bonus” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A.

 

2.20

Qualifying Termination” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.

 

2.21

Release” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.

 

2


2.22

Retirement” means that a Participant has terminated employment after providing the Company with notice and has either attained the age of 55 with 10 years of services or the age of 65.

 

2.23

Severance Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 in accordance with the Severance Payment Table set forth in Exhibit A.

 

2.24

Severance Period” means, with respect to each Participant, a number of full and/or partial years beginning on the date the Participant’s employment is terminated, which number shall be equal to the number by which under the terms of this Plan the Participant’s Base Salary is multiplied for purposes of calculating the Participant’s Severance Payment pursuant to Section 7.1.

 

2.25

Target Bonus” means the target Bonus opportunity (including any deferred target Bonus opportunity) for the year of Qualifying Termination for the Participant on an annualized basis.

 

3.

Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, except that (a) for purposes of the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) in the Plan, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee and the other independent members of the Board established as a special committee of the Board for this purpose and (b) for purposes of Section 15, the Plan may be administered by the Committee or a person or persons appointed from time to time by the Committee, as determined by the Committee, which appointment may be revoked at any time by the Committee (as applicable, the “Administrator”). Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator shall have exclusive authority to interpret and administer the Plan, to establish appropriate rules relating to the Plan, to delegate some or all of its authority under the Plan to the extent permitted by law, and to take all such steps and make all such determinations in connection with the Plan and the benefits granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem necessary or advisable. Any reasonable decision of the Administrator in the interpretation and administration of the Plan, as described herein, shall lie within its sole and absolute discretion and shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all parties concerned.

 

4.

Eligibility; Certain Conditions to Payment. Eligibility under the Plan is limited to certain executives and officers of the Company who are employed in full-time positions in the Company’s businesses located in the U.S. (“Eligible Executives”). The Administrator in its sole discretion will, from time to time, select those Eligible Executives who will participate from time to time in the Plan (“Participants”) and will notify the Participants of such participation. Subject to the provisions of this Plan, Participants shall receive the Severance Payment and Continuation Benefits described in this Plan if the Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated (a) by the Company for a reason other than Cause, Disability, or death, or (b) by the Participant for Good Reason (any such termination, a “Qualifying Termination”). The provisions of this Plan shall not apply to any officer or executive who is covered by any other written employment, change in control, or severance agreement. Participants who receive a Severance Payment under this Executive Severance Plan shall not be eligible for a benefit under the Salaried Severance Plan for U.S. employees or its non-US equivalent.

 

3


4.1

Cause. For purposes of this Plan, the term “Cause” means termination upon:

 

  (a)

The willful and continued failure by a Participant substantially to perform Participant’s duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from the Participant’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness or any such actual or anticipated failure resulting from termination by the Participant for Good Reason) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Participant by the Company, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes that the Participant has not substantially performed the Participant’s duties; or

 

  (b)

The willful engaging by a Participant in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise.

 

  (c)

For purposes of this definition of “Cause,” no act or failure to act, on a Participant’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Participant’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Participant a copy of the Company’s written finding (after reasonable notice to the Participant and an opportunity for the Participant, together with Participant’s counsel, to be heard before the Company) that in the good faith opinion of the Company the Participant was guilty of conduct set forth above under Subsection 4.1(a) or 4.1(b), and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

 

4.2

Good Reason. For purposes of this Plan, the term “Good Reason” means the occurrence, without the Participant’s consent, of any one or more of the following events:

 

  (a)

The assignment to a Participant of any duties with the Company (or with a successor or affiliated company) inconsistent with the Participant’s status as an executive, or a substantial adverse alteration in the nature or status of Participant’s responsibilities, from those in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control;

 

  (b)

A reduction in a Participant’s base salary as in effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to time;

 

  (c)

The failure by the Company to continue in effect any material compensation plan in which a Participant participates (including, but not limited to, the Company Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan or Management Incentive Plan, each as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control) or any substitute plans adopted prior to the Change in Control, unless an equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative plan) has been made with respect to such plan in connection with the Change in Control, or the failure by the Company to continue the Participant’s participation therein on substantially the same basis, both in terms of the amount of benefits provided and the level of the Participant’s participation relative to other participants, as existed immediately prior to the Change in Control;

 

4


  (d)

Except for across-the-board reductions similarly affecting all executives of the Company and all executives of any person in control of the Company: (i) the failure by the Company to continue to provide a Participant with benefits substantially similar to those enjoyed by the Participant under any of the Company’s pension, savings, life insurance, medical, health, and accident or disability plans in which the Participant was participating at the time of the Change in Control, (ii) the taking of any action by the Company which would directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive the Participant of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by the Participant at the time of the Change in Control, or (iii) the failure by the Company to provide a Participant with the number of paid vacation days to which the Participant is entitled on the basis of years of service with the Company in accordance with the Company’s normal vacation policy in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;

 

  (e)

The failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to assume and agree to perform all of the Company’s duties and obligations under this Plan;

 

  (f)

Any purported termination of a Participant’s employment which is not affected pursuant to a Notice of Termination (as defined below); for purposes of this Plan, no such purported termination shall be an effective termination by the Company; or

 

  (g)

The Company’s requiring a Participant to be based at a new place of work more than fifty (50) miles from the Participant’s place of work immediately prior to the Change in Control, except for required travel on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with the Participant’s present business travel obligations.

A Participant’s right to terminate employment pursuant to “Good Reason” shall not be affected by the Participant’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness.

Any termination of a Participant’s employment by the Company or by a Participant shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 6. For purposes of this Plan, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Plan relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of employment which shall not be less than thirty (30) days or more than sixty (60) days after the date of delivery of the Notice of Termination.

 

5.

Equity Awards. This Plan does not alter or amend any vesting or other terms and conditions of any equity-based compensation awards under the Company’s equity incentive plan(s), which shall be governed by the terms and conditions set forth in the equity incentive plan(s) and separate written grant agreements.

 

5


6.

Notice. The Company or any Participant may terminate the Participant’s employment at any time for any reason by delivery of notice to the other party at least the number of days in advance of the date of termination as set forth in Section 7.1; provided, that if the Company terminates the Participant’s employment for Cause under Section 4.1, no advance written notice is required; and provided, further, that no communication, statement, or announcement shall be considered to constitute notice of termination of the Participant’s employment unless it is in writing and specifically recites that it is a notice of termination for purposes of this Plan.

 

7.

Severance Payment and Continuation Benefits.

 

7.1

Severance Payment. Subject to the provisions of this Plan, if the Participant experiences a Qualifying Termination, the Company, as severance, shall pay to the Participant an amount (the “Severance Payment”) as determined by the table set out in Exhibit A.

Subject to Sections 8 and 10, the Company shall pay such Severance Payment (other than the Pro Rata Bonus) in substantially equal monthly payments over the Severance Period; provided, that such payments shall begin no later than the sixty-fifth (65th) day following the Participant’s termination of employment and the first payment will include any monthly installment that would have been paid during the sixty-five (65) day period following the Participant’s termination of employment if the payments had begun on the first day of the Severance Period. The Company shall pay the Pro Rata Bonus, if any, at the same time as Bonuses are paid to other recipients for the year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs, but in no event later than March 15th of the year following the year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs.

 

  (a)

As a condition of receiving the Severance Payment, the Participant shall remain employed in good standing until the earlier of (a) the termination date specified in the notice of termination provided for in Section 6, or (b) for so long as his or her services are required by the Company. With the mutual agreement of the Participant and the Company, the Participant may remain employed beyond the period described in the preceding sentence.

 

  (b)

If Cause is determined to have existed during the Participant’s employment, and such determination is made within two (2) years following his or her termination of employment, or as otherwise required by law, the Company reserves the right, subject to Section 409A of the Code, to recoup any Severance Payment paid to the Participant.

 

7.2

Continuation Benefits. Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Participant shall be entitled to continuation of group health coverage (including medical, dental, and vision benefits, to the extent permitted under the applicable plan), and the health care flexible spending account (to the extent required to comply with COBRA continuation coverage requirements) (collectively, the “Continuation Benefits”) in accordance with the applicable

 

6


  plan terms and applicable law, and to the extent that such programs and plans are maintained by the Company, for the shorter of (x) the Severance Period or (y) eighteen (18) months following the date of the Participant’s termination of employment (the “Benefit Continuation Period”); provided, however, that the Participant pays the full cost of his or her coverage under such plans, except that the Participant shall pay only the required contributions for any health care continuation coverage required to be provided to or on behalf of the Participant under COBRA, on the same basis as any other plan participant electing similar COBRA continuation coverage under the Company health plan; and provided, further, that any such coverage shall terminate to the extent that the Participant obtains comparable benefits from any other employer during the Benefit Continuation Period. The Participant shall be reimbursed by the Company for the cost of the Continuation Benefits (except that the reimbursement for his or her required contributions for COBRA health care continuation coverage shall be reduced by an amount equal to the cost paid by an active employee for similar coverage under the Company health plan), and any such reimbursement shall be treated as taxable and reduced by applicable tax withholding.

 

7.3

Outplacement Benefits. Company shall reimburse Participant for all reasonable expenses incurred by Participant for professional outplacement services by qualified consultants selected by Participant during a period equal to the Severance Period following Participant’s Qualifying Termination, up to a maximum amount equal to $[], payable within 30 days of Participant’s submission of appropriate documentation of such expenses.

 

8.

Release; Participation Agreement.

 

8.1

Release. A Participant shall only be entitled to receive the Severance Payment if, within sixty-five (65) days after the Participant’s termination of employment, he or she shall have executed and delivered (and, if applicable, not revoked) a release of claims against the Company (and its officers, directors, employees, affiliates, stockholders, etc.) in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company in the Company’s sole discretion (the “Release”), and any applicable revocation period for the Release has expired within such sixty-five (65) day period without the Participant revoking the Release. The form of Release shall be delivered to the Participant by the Company at the time of, or within five (5) days after, the termination of the Participant’s employment. Should the Participant revoke all or any portion of the Release within any legally applicable revocation period, then the Participant will be treated hereunder as if he or she did not execute the Release and the Participant will not be entitled to any of the payments or benefits provided under Section 7.

 

8.2

Participation Agreement. No Eligible Executive shall be designated as a Participant, and no Participant shall be entitled to receive the Severance Payment, unless he or she shall have executed and delivered the Participation Agreement while employed with the Company, and such shall be in full force and effect. The Participation Agreement shall terminate without further action of the Company or a Participant if, prior to the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company, the Participant ceases to be designated as a Participant.

 

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8.3

Breach of Participation Agreement. If a Participant materially breaches any provision of the Participation Agreement or the Release, the Administrator may determine that he or she (i) will forfeit any unpaid portion of the Severance Payment or right to reimbursements under Section 7.2 hereof and (ii) will repay to the Company any portion of the Severance Payment or any reimbursements received pursuant to Section 7.2 hereof previously paid to him or her.

 

9.

Benefits in Respect of Short Term Incentives Upon Death, Disability, or Retirement.

 

9.1

Death or Disability. Unless otherwise provided in the Company’s Short-Term Incentive Plan, upon a Participant’s termination of employment due to death or Disability, the interrupted short-term incentive cycle in-process will be prorated assuming target level performance has been achieved and be paid out to the Participant or the Participant’s estate as soon as practicable. For the avoidance of doubt, the Participant or Participant’s estate will be paid an amount equal to the product of (A) the Target Bonus for the Participant (if any) for the year in which the termination of employment due to death or Disability occurs, multiplied by (B) a fraction (in no case greater than 1) the numerator of which is the number of days from (and including) the first day of the applicable performance period for such Bonus through (and including) the date of such termination of employment due to death or Disability and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the applicable performance period for such Bonus.

 

9.2

Retirement. Unless otherwise provided in the Company’s Short-Term Incentive Plan, upon a Participant’s termination of employment due to Retirement, the interrupted short-term incentive cycle in-process will be prorated based on actual performance achieved and be paid out to the Participant or the Participant’s estate as soon as practicable after the end of the performance period. For the avoidance of doubt, the Participant will be paid an amount equal to the product of (A) the Bonus actually earned by the Participant (if any) for the year in which the termination of employment due to Retirement occurs, multiplied by (B) a fraction (in no case greater than 1) the numerator of which is the number of days from (and including) the first day of the applicable performance period for such Bonus through (and including) the date of such termination of employment due to Retirement and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the applicable performance period for such Bonus.

 

8


10.

Section 409A.

 

10.1

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, the payments and benefits provided under this Plan are intended to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the Code and the applicable guidance and regulations thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”), and the provisions of this Plan shall be interpreted such that the payments and benefits provided under the Plan are either exempt from, or are in compliance with, Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Administrator has any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any additional income tax, interest, or penalties under Section 409A on any person and none of the Company, its subsidiaries, or any of their employees, agents or representatives, including the Administrator, shall have any liability to any Participant with respect thereto. It is also intended that the terms “termination” and “termination of employment” and like terms as used herein shall constitute a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. The Administrator may modify the payments and benefits under this Plan at any time solely as necessary to avoid adverse tax consequences under Section 409A; providedhowever, that this Section 9 shall not create any obligation on the part of the Administrator to make such modifications or take any other action.

 

10.2

Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, each payment of the Severance Payment made to a Participant shall be treated as a separate and distinct payment from all other such payments for purposes of Section 409A.

 

10.3

Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Participant is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)) on the date of the Participant’s termination of employment, then any payment or benefit which would be considered “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A that the Participant is entitled to receive upon the Participant’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A and which otherwise would be payable during the six (6)-month period immediately following the Participant’s termination of employment will instead be paid, or commence to be paid, without interest, on the first regularly scheduled payroll date to occur on or after the seventh (7th) month following the Participant’s termination of employment (or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death).

 

10.4

With regard to any provision herein that provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses or in-kind benefits, except as permitted by Section 409A: (i) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits, provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year; and (iii) such payments shall be made on or before the last day of the Participant’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense occurred, or such earlier date as required hereunder.

 

11.

Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from payments to or on behalf of the Participant any amount of tax or other withholding required by law.

 

9


12.

Governing Law. This Plan shall be construed, interpreted, and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to rules relating to conflicts of law, except to the extent preempted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).

 

13.

Effect on Other Plans. This Plan supersedes in all respects any prior severance or termination benefit plan or policy of the Company that applies to Participants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and the Board reserve the right to adhere to other policies and practices that may be in effect for other groups of employees.

 

14.

Amendment and Modification of Plan. This Plan may be modified, amended, or terminated at any time by the Board without notice to Participants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) for a period of two (2) years following a Change in Control, the Plan may not be discontinued, terminated, or amended in such a manner that decreases the Severance Payment payable to any Participant or that makes any provision less favorable for any Participant without the consent of the Participant, and (b) subject to Section 10 or as may otherwise be required to comply with Section 409A of the Code or Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Plan may not be modified, amended, or terminated in a manner adverse to Participants as of the date of the modification, amendment, or termination without six (6) months’ advance written notice of such modification, amendment, or termination (including modifying the eligibility of the Eligible Executives who are already Participants to participate in the Plan).

 

15.

Claims, Inquiries, and Appeals.

 

15.1

Applications for Benefits and Inquiries. Any application for benefits, inquiries about the Plan, or inquiries about present or future rights under the Plan must be submitted to the Administrator in writing by an applicant (or his or her authorized representative), to as follows:

Vice President, Compensation & Benefits

c/o Sylvamo Corporation

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN 38197

 

15.2

Denial of Claims. In the event that any application for benefits is denied in whole or in part, the Administrator must notify the applicant, in writing, of the denial of the application, and of the applicant’s right to review the denial. The written notice of denial will be set forth in a manner designed to be understood by the applicant, and will include specific reasons for the denial, specific references to the Plan provisions upon which the denial is based, a description of any information or material that the Administrator needs to complete the review and an explanation of why such information or material is necessary, and an explanation of this Plan’s review procedure and the time limits applicable to such procedure, including a statement of the applicant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following a denial on review of the claim, as described in Section 15.5 below.

 

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This written notice will be given to the applicant within ninety (90) days after the Administrator receives the application, unless special circumstances require an extension of time, in which case the Administrator has up to an additional ninety (90) days for processing the application. If an extension of time for processing is required, written notice of the extension will be furnished to the applicant before the end of the initial ninety (90)-day period.

This notice of extension will describe the special circumstances necessitating the additional time and the date by which the Administrator is to render its decision on the application. If written notice of denial of the application for benefits is not furnished within the specified time, the application shall be deemed to be denied. The applicant will then be permitted to appeal the denial in accordance with the review procedure described below.

 

15.3

Request for a Review. Any person (or that person’s authorized representative) for whom an application for benefits is denied (or deemed denied), in whole or in part, may appeal the denial by submitting a request for a review to the Administrator within sixty (60) days after the application is denied (or deemed denied). The Administrator will give the applicant (or his or her representative) a reasonable opportunity to review pertinent documents in preparing a request for a review and submit written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the claim. A request for a review will be in writing and will be addressed to:

Vice President, Compensation & Benefits

c/o Sylvamo Corporation

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN 38197

A request for review must set forth all of the grounds on which it is based, all facts in support of the request, and any other matters that the applicant feels are pertinent. The Administrator may require the applicant to submit additional facts, documents, or other material as it may find necessary or appropriate in making its review.

Decision on Review. The Administrator will act on each request for review within sixty (60) days after receipt of the request, unless special circumstances require an extension of time (not to exceed an additional sixty (60) days), for processing the request for a review. If an extension for review is required, written notice of the extension will be furnished to the applicant within the initial sixty (60)-day period. This notice of extension will describe the special circumstances necessitating the additional time and the date by which the Administrator is to render its decision on the review. The Administrator will give prompt, written notice of its decision to the applicant. In the event that the Administrator confirms the denial of the application for benefits in whole or in part, the notice will outline, in a

 

11


manner calculated to be understood by the applicant, the specific reasons for the denial, the specific Plan provisions upon which the decision is based, a statement that the applicant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim, and a statement of the applicant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA. If written notice of the Administrator’s decision is not given to the applicant within the time prescribed in this Section 15.4, the application will be deemed denied on review.

 

15.4

Rules and Procedures. The Administrator will establish rules and procedures, consistent with the Plan and with ERISA, as necessary and appropriate in carrying out its responsibilities in reviewing benefit claims. The Administrator may require an applicant who wishes to submit additional information in connection with an appeal from the denial (or deemed denial) of benefits to do so at the applicant’s own expense.

 

15.5

Exhaustion of Remedies. No legal action for benefits under the Plan may be brought until the claimant (a) has submitted a written application for benefits in accordance with the procedures described by Section 15.1, (b) has been notified by the Administrator that the application is denied (or the application is deemed denied due to the Administrator’s failure to act on it within the established time period), (c) has filed a written request for a review of the application in accordance with the appeal procedure described in Section 15.3, and (d) has been notified in writing that the Administrator has denied the appeal (or the appeal is deemed to be denied due to the Administrator’s failure to take any action on the claim within the time prescribed by Section 15.4).

 

16.

No Employment Rights. Neither this Plan nor the benefits hereunder shall be a term of the employment of any employee, and the Company shall not be obligated in any way to continue the Plan. The terms of this Plan shall not give any employee the right to be retained in the employment of the Company.

 

17.

Effective Date. This Plan shall become effective as of October 1, 2021.

 

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EXHIBIT A

SEVERANCE PAYMENT TABLE

 

Participant

  

Severance Payment

  

Notice Period

#1. CEO (only in the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs within two (2) years following a Change in Control)   

1. [Two and one-half (212)] times the Participant’s Base Salary.

 

2. [Two and one-half (212)] times the Target Bonus.

 

3. An amount equal to the product of (A) the Target Bonus for the Participant (if any) for the year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs, multiplied by (B) a fraction (in no case greater than 1) the numerator of which is the number of days from (and including) the first day of the applicable performance period for such Bonus through (and including) the date of such Qualifying Termination and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the applicable performance period for such Bonus (such amount, the “Pro Rata Target Bonus”).

 

4. Outplacement benefits as described in Section 7.3 (“Outplacement Benefits”).

   [90] days
#2. CEO (except as provided in #1 above)   

1. [Two (2)] times the Participant’s Base Salary.

 

2. [Two (2)] times the Target Bonus.

 

3. An amount equal to the product of (A) the Bonus actually earned by the Participant (if any) for the year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs, multiplied by (B) a fraction (in no case greater than 1) the numerator of which is the number of days from (and including) the first day of the applicable performance period for such Bonus through (and including) the date of such Qualifying Termination and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the applicable performance period for such Bonus (such amount, the “Pro Rata Bonus”).

 

4. Outplacement Benefits

   [90] days

 

13


#3. Senior Leadership Team (only in the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs within two (2) years following a Change in Control)   

1. [One and one-half (112)] times the Participant’s Base Salary.

 

2. [One and one-half (112)] times the Target Bonus.

 

3. An amount equal to the Pro Rata Target Bonus.

 

4. Outplacement Benefits

   [90] days
#4. Senior Leadership Team (except as provided in #3 above)   

1. [One (1)] times the Participant’s Base Salary.

 

2. An amount equal to the Pro Rata Bonus.

 

3. Outplacement Benefits

   [90] days

 

14


EXHIBIT B

PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

This Participation Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated [                ], is by and between Sylvamo Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [                ] (“Executive”).

WHEREAS, Executive has accepted employment in a senior position with the Company and is a participant in the Company 2021 Executive Severance Plan, as may be amended or amended and restated from time to time (the “Severance Plan”); and

WHEREAS, the Company deems it essential to the protection of its confidential information and competitive standing in its market to have its senior leadership have reasonable restrictive covenants in place; and

WHEREAS, Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Company has a legitimate interest to protect its confidential information and competitive standing.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration for the provisions stated below, and intending to be legally bonded thereby, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.

Executive has been informed and is aware that the execution of this Agreement is a necessary term and condition of Executive’s employment, continued employment, or receipt of severance payment.

 

2.

The term “Confidential Information” as used in this Agreement shall be broadly interpreted to include, without limitation, materials and information (whether in written, electronic, or other form and whether or not identified as confidential at the time of disclosure) concerning technical matters, business matters, business plans, operations, opportunities, plans, processes, procedures, standards, strategies, policies, programs, software, schematics, models, systems, results, studies, analyses, compilations, forecasts, data, figures, projections, estimates, components, records, methods, criteria, designs, quality control, research, samples, work-in-progress, prototypes, , materials, clients and prospective clients, customer lists, contracts, projects, suppliers, referral sources, sales, marketing, bidding, purchasing, personnel, financial condition, assets, inventory, accounts payable, accounts receivable, tax matters, books of account, financing, collections, intellectual property, trade secrets, and all other know-how and information of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company which has not been published or disclosed to the general public. While employed by the Company and at all times thereafter, Executive will keep Confidential Information, including trade secrets, confidential and shall not, directly or indirectly, use for himself or herself or use for,

 

15


  or disclose to, any party other than the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company (other than in the ordinary course of Executive’s duties for the benefit of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company), any Confidential Information. At the termination of Executive’s employment, or at any other reasonable time the Company or any of its subsidiaries may request, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all memoranda, notes, records, plats, sketches, plans, or other documents (including, without limitation, any “soft” copies or computerized or electronic versions thereof) containing Confidential Information, including trade secrets or any other information concerning Company’s business, including all copies, then in Executive’s possession or under Executive’s control whether prepared by Executive or others. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company employees, contractors, and consultants may disclose trade secrets in confidence, either directly or indirectly, to a Federal, State, or local government official or to an attorney, solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding if such filing is made under seal. Additionally, Company employees, contractors, and consultants who file retaliation suits for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose related trade secrets to their attorney and use them in related court proceedings, as long as the individual files documents containing the trade secret under seal and does not otherwise disclose the trade secret except pursuant to Court order.

 

3.

In consideration of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement, Executive agrees that while employed by the Company and for a period of [one (1)] year thereafter, without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), he or she shall not, directly or indirectly, as principal, manager, agent, consultant, officer, director, stockholder, partner, investor, lender, or employee or in any other capacity, carry on, be engaged in, or have any financial interest in, any entity which is in competition with the business of the Company or its subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Severance Plan is discontinued, terminated, or amended in such a manner that materially decreases the severance payment payable to Executive or that makes any provision materially less favorable for Executive without the consent of Executive, the restrictions set forth in this paragraph 3 shall not apply to Executive.

 

4.

In consideration of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement, Executive agrees that while employed by the Company and for a period of [one (1)] year thereafter, without the prior written consent of the Board, he or she shall not, on his or her own behalf or on behalf of any person, firm or company, directly or indirectly, (a) solicit or offer employment to or hire any person who is or has been employed by the Company or its subsidiaries at any time during the [twelve (12)] months immediately preceding such solicitation or (b) solicit or entice away or in any manner attempt to persuade any client, vendor, partner, customer, or prospective customer of the Company to discontinue or diminish his, her, or its relationship or prospective relationship with the Company or to otherwise provide his, her, or its business to any corporation, partnership, or other business entity which engages in any line of business in which the Company is engaged (other than the Company).

 

16


5.

For purposes of this Agreement, an entity shall be deemed to be in competition with the Company if it enters into or engages in any business or activity that substantially and directly competes with the business of the Company. For purposes of this paragraph 5, the business of the Company is defined to be: the sale and manufacture of uncoated free sheet, printing papers, converting and specialty papers, and fluff pulp; in each case by the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries or affiliated or related companies. Notwithstanding this paragraph 5 or paragraph 8, nothing herein shall be construed so as to preclude Executive from investing in any publicly or privately held company, provided that no such investment in the equity securities of an entity with publicly traded equity securities may exceed one percent (1%) of the equity of such entity, and no such investment in any other entity may exceed five percent (5%) of the equity of such entity, without the prior written approval of the Board.

 

6.

Executive agrees that he or she will not at any time make, directly or indirectly, any negative, derogatory, disparaging, or defamatory comment, whether written, oral, or in electronic format, to any reporter, author, producer, or similar person or entity or to any general public media in any form (including, without limitation, books, articles, or writings of any other kind, as well as film, videotape, audio tape, digital recording, computer/Internet format, social media, or any other medium) that concerns directly or indirectly the Company its business or operations, or any of its current or former agents, employees, officers, directors, customers, or clients. Executive understands that nothing in this section or this Agreement limits Executive’s ability to communicate with any government agencies or otherwise participate or cooperate with an investigation conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or other similar agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company.

 

7.

Upon the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive, or his or her estate, shall surrender to the Company all correspondence, letters, files, contracts, mailing lists, customer lists, advertising materials, ledgers, supplies, equipment, checks, and all other materials and records of any kind that are the property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, that may be in Executive’s possession or under his or her control, including, without limitation, any “soft” copies or computerized or electronic versions thereof.

 

17


8.

Executive agrees that the covenant not to compete, the covenants not to solicit, and the covenant not to make disparaging comments are reasonable under the circumstances and will not interfere with his or her ability to earn a living or otherwise to meet his or her financial obligations. Executive and the Company agree that if in the opinion of any court of competent jurisdiction such restraint is not reasonable in any respect, such court shall have the right, power, and authority to excise or modify such provision or provisions of this covenant which appear unreasonable and to enforce the remainder of the covenant as so amended. Executive agrees that any breach of the covenants contained in this Agreement would irreparably injure the Company. Accordingly, Executive agrees that, in the event that a court enjoins Executive from any activity prohibited by this Agreement, the Company may, in addition to pursuing any other remedies it may have in law or in equity, cease making any payments otherwise required under the Severance Plan and Executive’s employment agreement with the Company (if any) and obtain an injunction against Executive from any court having jurisdiction over the matter restraining any further violation of this Agreement by Executive.

 

9.

Executive acknowledges and agrees that cash and equity incentive compensation paid in connection with this employment and any severance payments or benefits after the termination of Executive’s employment, including under the Sylvamo Corporation 2021 Executive Severance Plan, shall be subject to cancellation and recoupment by the Company, and shall be repaid by Executive to the Company, to the extent required by law, regulation or listing requirement, or by any Company policy adopted pursuant thereto.

 

10.

No waiver or modification of all or any part of this Agreement will be effective unless set forth in a written document signed by both the Company and Executive expressly indicating their intention to waive or modify the specified provisions of this Agreement. If the Company chooses not to enforce its rights in the event Executive breaches some or all of the terms of this Agreement, the Company’s rights with respect to any such breach shall not be considered a waiver of a future breach by Executive of this Agreement, regardless of whether the breach is of a similar nature or not.

 

11.

This Agreement accurately sets forth and entirely sets forth the understandings reached between Executive and the Company with respect to the matters treated herein. If there are any prior written or oral understandings or agreements pertaining to the subject matter addressed in this Agreement, they are specifically superseded by this Agreement and have no effect, except that any other restrictive covenant agreements by and between Executive and the Company shall remain in full force and effect. This Agreement is binding on Executive and the Company, and our respective successors, assigns, and representatives. This Agreement shall terminate without further action of the parties if, prior to the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive ceases to be designated as a Participant in the Severance Plan.

 

18


12.

Because of Company’s and Executive’s substantial contacts with the State of Tennessee, the fact that Company’s headquarters is located in Tennessee, the parties’ interests in ensuring that disputes regarding the interpretation, validity, and enforceability of this Agreement are resolved on a uniform basis, and Company’s making and execution of this Agreement in Tennessee, the parties agree that the Agreement shall be interpreted and governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee, without regard for any conflict of law principles. The parties agree that the exclusive venue and jurisdiction for any litigation concerning or arising out of or based on this Agreement shall be the federal and state courts located in Tennessee. The parties expressly consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of said courts. The provisions of this paragraph shall not restrict the ability of Company or Executive to enforce in any court any judgment obtained in Tennessee federal or state court.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and the Company and Executive have executed this Agreement on the date(s) noted next to their respective signatures.

 

SYLVAMO CORPORATION

    

EXECUTIVE

        
By:           By:     
Title:           Title:     
Date:           Date:     
          

 

19

Exhibit 10.24

Sylvamo Corporation

RESTRICTED STOCK AND

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

Effective October 1, 2021


SYLVAMO CORPORATION

RESTRICTED STOCK AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

1. Purpose and Effective Date of Plan

This plan shall be known as the Sylvamo Corporation Restricted Stock and Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to enable Sylvamo Corporation (“Sylvamo”) to attract and retain persons of outstanding competence to serve as non-employee directors of Sylvamo, and to permit such non-employee directors to defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual retainer and committee fees, payable in cash or restricted shares of Sylvamo common stock, for services in 2021 and thereafter.

This Plan is a subplan of the Sylvamo 2021 Incentive Compensation Plan (“ICP”), consisting of a program for the grant of restricted stock or restricted stock units under Article 9 of the ICP and referenced under Section 4.3 of the ICP.

This Plan is a non-funded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan that is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Plan is not subject to full protection under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).

2. Eligibility

Participation in this Plan is limited to persons who serve as members of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Sylvamo and who are not employees of Sylvamo or its subsidiaries (“Participants”). An employee-director who retires from employment with Sylvamo (and its subsidiaries) shall become eligible to participate in this Plan upon his or her re-election as a non-employee director.

 

1


3. Equity Compensation

(a) Awards of restricted stock units of Sylvamo are made to each Participant on an annual basis on the day of the Annual Meeting of Shareowners of Sylvamo in an amount equal to: (i) a fixed dollar value determined by the independent members of the Board based on a review of competitive market practices of Sylvamo’s comparator peer group of companies for compensation analysis (the “Compensation Comparator Group”), divided by (ii) the closing market price of common stock of Sylvamo as reported for the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions on the last business day immediately preceding the first day of the Performance Year. The fixed dollar value for the annual restricted stock awards shall be set forth on Exhibit A hereto, as approved and changed from time to time by the independent members of the Board.

(b) For purposes of this Plan, a “Performance Year” shall mean the approximate one-year period beginning on the date of the Annual Meeting of Shareowners of Sylvamo for a given year and ending on the last business day immediately preceding the next Annual Meeting of Shareowners of Sylvamo.

(c) A Participant who is elected by the Board to fill a vacancy during a Performance Year shall receive a number of restricted stock units representing a pro rata portion of the number of shares of restricted stock units awarded to non-employee directors for the Performance Year in which such Participant is elected, determined by dividing the number of full months of eligible service during the Performance Year by the number twelve (12).

(d) Each award of restricted stock units under this Plan shall be expressly subject to all of the restrictions, service provisions, and all other terms and conditions set forth in Section 6 of this Plan and the terms and conditions of the ICP, of which this Plan is a subplan. In the event of any actual or alleged conflict between the provisions of the ICP and the provisions of this Plan as it relates to restricted stock units, the provisions of the ICP shall be controlling and determinative.

4. Cash Compensation

(a) Each non-employee director of the Board shall receive an annual cash retainer (“Cash Retainer Fee”) in an amount determined by the independent members of the Board. Each non-employee director who serves as Chair of a standing committee of the Board or as Lead Director, shall receive an additional annual cash retainer (such “Committee Fee” and “Lead Director Fee” shall, together with the Cash Retainer Fee, be referred to as “Cash Compensation”). The amount of the Cash Compensation shall be determined by the independent members of the Board based on a review of competitive market practices of the Sylvamo’s Compensation Comparator Group. The Cash Retainer Fee and Committee Fees shall be set forth on Exhibit A hereto, as approved and changed from time to time by the independent members of the Board.

(b) Each non-employee director of the Board may elect, in the form and manner prescribed by Sylvamo, to receive shares of restricted stock units of Sylvamo in lieu of all or half of his or her Cash Compensation. A non-employee director who elects to receive shares of restricted stock units in lieu of Cash Compensation will receive a number of shares of restricted stock units determined by dividing (A) the sum of (i) the portion of Cash Compensation elected to be received in the form of restricted stock, by (B) the closing market price of common stock of Sylvamo as reported for the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions on the last business day immediately preceding the first day of the Performance Year.

 

2


5.

Deferral Elections

(a) Prior to the first day of a Performance Year, non-employee directors may elect to defer in the form of deferred stock units (“DSUs”), for either a five (5) or ten (10) year period, of (i) all shares of restricted stock units and/or (ii) all or half of his or her Cash Compensation for services on the Board in the following Performance Year by filing an initial deferral election notice in the manner and form prescribed by Sylvamo (the “Initial Deferral Election Notice”).

(b) Non-employee directors newly elected to the Board may submit an Initial Deferral Election Notice by the 30th day after becoming eligible to participate in the Plan; but such deferral election shall be applicable only with respect to compensation earned after the filing of such Initial Deferral Election Notice.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Initial Deferral Election Notice may not be completed during a period when directors and officers of Sylvamo are restricted from trading in shares of Sylvamo common stock, referred to as a “Black-out Period.”

(d) Deferral elections are effective for one Performance Year only and do not carry over from year to year. Participants must submit a new Initial Deferral Election Notice prior to the first day of each Performance Year in order to defer compensation to be earned in the next Performance Year.

(e) An Initial Deferral Election Notice may change the percentage to be deferred only with respect to compensation payable on a prospective basis, and may not change the percentage to be deferred with respect to a prior year’s election.

6. Restrictions, Removal of Restrictions, and Terms and Conditions of Awards of Restricted Stock Units

(a) A Participant shall have the right to receive all dividends or dividend equivalent units and other distributions made with respect to restricted stock units in his or her name.

(b) Restricted stock units may not be sold, assigned, pledged or otherwise transferred by the Participant unless and until all of the restrictions imposed by this Plan have been removed pursuant to the provisions of this Plan.

(c) Restricted stock units awarded under this Plan shall vest and become free of restrictions and non-forfeitable on the earlier of the first anniversary of the date of the award of the restricted stock units or the next annual shareholders meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, restricted stock units awarded under this Plan shall vest and become free of restrictions and non-forfeitable upon the occurrence of one of the following events:

 

  (i)

the Participant’s death or disability;

 

3


  (ii)

mandatory retirement at the end of the calendar year during which the Participant reaches mandatory retirement age, pro rated for the number of months of service for the Performance Year in which retirement occurs; or

 

  (iii)

resignation or failure to stand for re-election with the consent of the Board (which shall mean approval by at least 80% of the directors voting, with the affected director abstaining), or any failure to be reelected after being duly nominated. In the event of a resignation with consent during the first year in which an award is received, the number of shares with respect to which the restrictions shall be removed will be a pro rata portion of shares originally awarded determined by dividing the number of months served during the first year of the award by the number twelve (12).

Termination of service as a director for any reason other than those specified in this Section 7(e), including, without limitation, any involuntary termination effected by Board action, shall result in forfeiture of the restricted stock units.

Mandatory retirement age under this Plan shall have the definition as set forth in the Sylvamo Corporate Governance Guidelines.

(d) In the event of a “change in control” of Sylvamo (as defined below), the Board may accelerate the removal of all restrictions relating to all or an equal portion of the outstanding restricted stock units. Termination of Board service resulting from a change of control will result in immediate lapse of the forfeiture provisions relating to all of the affected director’s restricted stock units. In any situation involving acceleration of the removal of restrictions relating to the awarded restricted stock units upon a change of control, the Board may elect to repurchase such shares at the then fair market price instead of releasing the shares to the Participant owning such shares. For purposes of this Plan, a “change in control” of Sylvamo shall mean a change in control of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 1(a) of Form 8-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”); provided that, without limitation, such a change in control shall be deemed to have occurred if (a) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act other than company benefit plans) except a transaction that is approved by the Board in accordance with the standards set forth under Delaware General Corporation Law is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of Sylvamo representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of Sylvamo’s then outstanding securities, or (b) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of Sylvamo cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election, by shareholders of each new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.

(e) All restricted stock units with respect to which the restrictions are not removed in accordance with the provisions of this Plan shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Treasury of Sylvamo.

 

4


(f) All awarded restricted stock units shall remain subject to the Plan’s restrictions prohibiting sales or transfer of such units during the period of time while the Participant continues to serve as a director of Sylvamo,; in addition, the issuance or delivery of any shares may be postponed for such period as may be required to comply with any applicable requirements of any national securities exchange or any requirements under any other law or regulation applicable to the issuance or delivery of such restricted stock units, and Sylvamo shall not be obligated to issue or deliver any such restricted stock units if the issuance or delivery thereof shall constitute a violation of any provision of any law or any regulation of any governmental authority or any national securities exchange.

7. Restrictions, Removal of Restrictions, and Terms and Conditions of Awards of Deferred Stock Units

(a) All amounts deferred in the form of DSUs shall be issued pursuant to and shall be subject to the terms and condition of the ICP. In the event of any actual or alleged conflict between the provisions of the ICP and the provisions of this Plan as it relates to DSUs, the provisions of the ICP shall be controlling and determinative. All such DSUs shall be credited to a bookkeeping account on behalf of the Participant. Such account shall be credited with a number of DSUs (calculated to the nearest thousandth of a unit) computed by dividing: (i) the value of the Cash Compensation and restricted stock units deferred for the Performance Year by (ii) the closing market price of common stock of Sylvamo as reported for the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions on the last business day immediately preceding the first day of the Performance Year.

(b) DSUs may not be sold, assigned, pledged or otherwise transferred by the Participant. If any such assignment is made, Sylvamo may disregard such assignment and may discharge its obligation hereunder by making payment as though no such assignment had been made.

(c) A Participant has an interest as an unsecured creditor in the cash value represented by the DSUs in his or her account, but has no interests or rights in any common stock of Sylvamo or dividends, and has no right to elect delivery of shares of common stock of Sylvamo.

(d) DSUs shall vest according to the Participant’s deferral election of either five (5) or ten (10) years upon the last day of the applicable Performance Year.

(e) Whenever a dividend is declared on the common stock of Sylvamo, the number of DSUs in the Participant’s account shall be increased by the result of the following calculation:

 

  (i)

the number of DSUs in the Participant’s account multiplied by any cash dividend declared by Sylvamo on a share of its common stock, divided by the closing market price of such common stock on the business day immediately prior to the related dividend payment date as reported for New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions; and/or

 

  (ii)

the number of DSUs in the Participant’s account on the related dividend payment date multiplied by any stock dividend declared by Sylvamo on a share of its common stock. In the event of any change in the number or kind of outstanding shares of common stock of Sylvamo including a stock split or splits (other than a stock dividend as provided above) an equitable and proportionate adjustment shall be made in the number of RSUs credited to the Participant’s account, as provided in the ICP.

 

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(f) A statement shall be delivered to each Participant in this Plan annually setting forth the amount deferred, the amount of DSUs credited to the Participant’s account, the amount of any payments made during the year, and the closing market price of Sylvamo common stock used for determining the number of DSUs earned and credited through dividend equivalents.

8. Time and Method of Payment of RSUs and DSUs

(a) After a Participant ceases to be a director of Sylvamo (and has incurred a “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A of the Code and applicable regulations), payment of RSUs and/or DSUs shall be made in shares of Sylvamo stock payable in January of the next calendar year following the year in which the Participant terminates service as a director.

9. Amendment or Termination of Plan

Sylvamo reserves the right to amend, modify or terminate this Plan at any time by action of the Board, provided (a) no amendment shall be made more than once every six months, other than to comport with changes in the Code, ERISA, or the rules thereunder; (b) that such action shall not adversely affect any Participant’s rights under the provisions of this Plan with respect to awards of restricted stock or RSUs that were made prior to such action; (c) that such amendment is consistent with Section 409A of the Code and any regulations promulgated thereunder; and (d) that no modification of this Plan shall be made which shall increase the aggregate number of shares available for award under this Plan without the approval of the shareowners of Sylvamo.

10. Source of Funds for Payment of RSUs and DSUs

Any benefit payments to Participants pursuant to the Plan shall be paid from the general assets of Sylvamo. Participants shall have the status of general unsecured creditors of Sylvamo and the Plan constitutes a mere promise by Sylvamo to make benefit payments in the future. Any contract, policy or other asset which Sylvamo may utilize to assure themselves of the funds to provide the benefits under the Plan shall not serve in any way as security for the payment of Plan benefits and Sylvamo shall not be under any obligation whatsoever to purchase or maintain any contract, policy or other asset to provide the benefits payable under the Plan.

11. Administration of Plan

This Plan shall be administered by the Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer of Sylvamo (the “Administrator”). All decisions which are made by the Administrator with respect to interpretation of the terms of the Plan, with respect to the restrictions, terms and conditions of the restricted stock units and deferred stock units, and with respect to any questions or disputes arising under this Plan, shall be final and binding on Sylvamo and the Participants (and their heirs or beneficiaries).

 

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12. Changes in Stock and Adjustment of Number under the Plan

In the event of any stock dividend, split-up, reclassification or other analogous change in capitalization or any distribution (other than regular cash dividends) to holders of Sylvamo’s common stock, the number of units awarded and earned under this Plan, and the aggregate number of shares covered by this Plan shall be equitably and proportionately adjusted by the Administrator to take account of such change, all in accordance with the terms of the ICP.

13. Designation of Beneficiary

A Participant may file with the Administrator a designation of beneficiary or beneficiaries on a form approved by the Administrator (which designation may be changed or revoked by the Participant’s sole action) to receive distribution of all or a designated portion of the Participant’s RSUs and/or DSUs under this Plan upon the death of the Participant. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, then the account shall be distributed as directed by the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate.

 

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EXHIBIT A

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2021

UNDER THE

NON-EMPLOYEE RESTRICTED STOCK AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

The following compensation amounts are effective for the Performance Year beginning October 1, 2021, and shall remain in effect for future Performance Years until changed by the independent members of the Board.

 

Type of Fee

   Approved Program
(2021-2022)
 

Board Fees

  

Cash Retainer

   $ 100,000  

Equity Retainer

   $ 125,000  

Committee Chair Fees

  

Audit and Finance Committee Chair

   $ 25,000  

Management Development & Compensation Committee Chair

   $ 20,000  

Governance Committee Chair

   $ 15,000  

Lead Director Fee

   $ 25,000  

 

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Exhibit 10.25

DIRECTOR INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

Indemnification Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated the date set forth on the signature page hereof, between Sylvamo Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and the director whose name appears on the signature page hereof (“Indemnitee”).

WHEREAS, qualified persons are reluctant to serve corporations as directors or otherwise unless they are provided with appropriate indemnification and insurance against claims arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporations;

WHEREAS, the Company has determined that attracting and retaining such persons is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and the Company desires the benefits of having Indemnitee serve as a director secure in the knowledge that any and all expenses, liability or losses incurred by him or her in his or her good faith service to the Company will be borne by the Company and its successors and assigns;

WHEREAS, the Company has determined that it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to provide reasonable assurance regarding insurance;

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the bylaws and certificate of incorporation of the Company, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and

WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Company’s bylaws, certificate of incorporation and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve as a director without adequate protection and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he or she be so indemnified.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Indemnitee’s agreement as a director from and after the date hereof, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:

1. Defined Terms; Construction.

(a) Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:


Change in Control” means, and shall be deemed to have occurred if, on or after the date of this Agreement, (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than (A) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries acting in such capacity, or (B) a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities, (ii) during any period of two consecutive years commencing from and after the date hereof, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof, (iii) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the Voting Securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) at least 50% of the total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) all or substantially all of its assets, or (v) the Company shall file or have filed against it, and such filing shall not be dismissed, any bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution proceedings, or a trustee, administrator or creditors committee shall be appointed to manage or supervise the affairs of the Company.

Corporate Status” means the status of a person who is or was a director (or a member of any committee of a board of directors), officer, employee or agent (including without limitation a manager of a limited liability company) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or of any predecessor thereof, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director (or a member of any committee of a board of directors), officer, employee or agent (including without limitation a manager of a limited liability company), of another entity, or of any predecessor thereof, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (including in a fiduciary or settlor capacity).

Determination” means a determination that either (x) there is a reasonable basis for the conclusion that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee met a particular standard of conduct (a “Favorable Determination”) or (y) there is no reasonable basis for the conclusion that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee met a particular standard of conduct (an “Adverse Determination”). An Adverse Determination shall include the decision that a Determination was required in connection with indemnification and the decision as to the applicable standard of conduct.

 

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DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time.

Expenses” means all attorneys’ fees and expenses, retainers, court, arbitration and mediation costs, transcript costs, fees and expenses of experts, witnesses and public relations consultants, bonds, costs of collecting and producing documents, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, Insolvency Hearing Costs and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in (whether or not a party thereto), appealing or otherwise participating in a Proceeding.

Independent Legal Counsel” means an attorney or firm of attorneys competent to render an opinion under the applicable law, selected in accordance with the provisions of Section 5(e), who has not performed any services (other than services in connection with a Determination or a determination regarding the rights of indemnitees under other indemnity agreements with the Company) for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, Indemnitee or any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to the claim for indemnification hereunder within the last three years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Legal Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

Insolvency Hearing Costs” means the reasonable fees, costs and expenses incurred by Indemnitee to retain legal advisors for that Indemnitee’s preparation for and attendance at any formal or official hearing in connection with the investigation or inquiry into the affairs of any Company by any bankruptcy trustee or insolvency administrator, receiver, or liquidator or the equivalent under the laws of any jurisdiction where the facts underlying such hearing, investigation or inquiry may be expected to give rise to a Proceeding against such Indemnitee. Insolvency Hearing Costs shall not include any remuneration of any Indemnitee.

Proceeding” means a threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including without limitation (i) a claim, demand, discovery request, formal or informal investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing, arbitration or other form of alternative dispute resolution, (ii) an appeal from any of the foregoing and (iii) any such action, suit or proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company or a third-party or in which Indemnitee is solely a witness in a proceeding involving the Company.

 

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Subsidiary” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity, a majority of whose outstanding voting securities is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.

Voting Securities” means any securities of the Company that vote generally in the election of directors of the Company.

(b) Construction. For purposes of this Agreement,

(i) References to the Company and any of its Subsidiaries shall include any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity or enterprise that before or after the date of this Agreement is party to a merger or consolidation with the Company or any such Subsidiary or that is a successor to the Company as contemplated by Section 8(e) (whether or not such successor has executed and delivered the written agreement contemplated by Section 8(e)).

(ii) References to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan.

(iii) References to a “witness” in connection with a Proceeding shall include any interviewee or person called upon to produce documents in connection with such Proceeding.

2. Agreement to Serve.

Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director of the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries and in such other capacities as Indemnitee may serve at the request of the Company from time to time, and by its execution of this Agreement the Company confirms its request that Indemnitee serve as a director and in such other capacities. Indemnitee shall be entitled to resign or otherwise terminate such service with immediate effect at any time, and neither such resignation or termination nor the length of such service shall affect Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. This Agreement shall not constitute an employment agreement, supersede any employment agreement to which Indemnitee is a party or create any right of Indemnitee to continued employment or appointment.

 

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3. Indemnification.

(a) General Indemnification. Subject to Section 3(e), the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in effect on the date hereof or as amended to increase the scope of permitted indemnification, against (i) Expenses, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement related thereto (including all interest, taxes, assessments and other charges in connection therewith) incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any Proceeding in any way connected with, resulting from or relating to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, or (ii) any claims (including Expenses, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement related thereto and professional advisory service fees and expenses incurred in respect thereof (including all interest, taxes, assessments and other charges in connection therewith)) arising due to the Company paying compensation in respect of such Corporate Status other than in accordance with the payment terms otherwise applicable thereto, in each case whether or not Indemnitee is a party to such Proceeding and whether or not Indemnitee is serving in such Indemnitee’s Corporate Status at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement. Indemnitee shall have the right to choose counsel of his or her own choice.

(b) Additional Indemnification Regarding Expenses. Without limiting the foregoing, in the event any Proceeding is initiated by Indemnitee, the Company, any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or any other person to enforce or interpret this Agreement or any rights of Indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of Expenses (or related obligations of Indemnitee) under the Company’s or any such Subsidiary’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational agreement or instrument, any other agreement to which Indemnitee and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is party, any vote of stockholders, unitholders, members, managers, partners or directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the DGCL, any other applicable law or any liability insurance policy, to the fullest extent allowable under applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against Expenses incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding in proportion to the success achieved by Indemnitee in such Proceeding and the efforts required to obtain such success, as determined by the court presiding over such Proceeding. Indemnitee shall be required to reimburse the Company in the event that a final judicial determination is made that such action brought by Indemnitee was frivolous or made in bad faith.

(c) Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for a portion of any Expenses, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement incurred by Indemnitee, but not for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for such portion.

(d) Nonexclusivity. The indemnification and advancement rights provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may now or in the future be entitled under the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational agreement or instrument of the Company or any of its

 

5


Subsidiaries, any other agreement, any vote of stockholders or directors, the DGCL, any other applicable law or any liability insurance policy. Every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational agreement or instrument of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change.

(e) Exceptions. Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to indemnify Indemnitee:

(i) For Expenses incurred in connection with Proceedings initiated or brought voluntarily by the Indemnitee and not by way of defense, application for declaratory relief, counterclaim or crossclaim, except (x) as contemplated by Section 3(b) and Section 3(a)(ii), (y) in specific cases if the Board has approved the initiation or bringing of such Proceeding and (z) if the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law or as may be required by law.

(ii) For an accounting of profits arising from the purchase or sale by the Indemnitee of securities of the Company in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute.

(iii) If and to the extent that it should ultimately be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision that Indemnitee acted in bad faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed not to be in or opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed not to be in or opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

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(f) Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee, who shall execute such documents and do such acts as the Company may reasonably request to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

(g) Contribution.

(i) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any claims of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company (other than Indemnitee) who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.

(ii) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, Employee Retirement Income Security Act excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement), in connection with any Proceeding, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (x) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding and (y) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) or transaction(s).

4. Advancement of Expenses.

The Company shall pay all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding in any way connected with, resulting from or relating to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, other than a Proceeding initiated by Indemnitee for which the Company would not be obligated to indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to Section 3(e)(i), in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding, without regard to whether (a) Indemnitee will ultimately be entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses, (b) an Adverse Determination has been made, except as contemplated by the last sentence of Section 5(f) or (c) Indemnitee is able to repay the Expenses. Indemnitee shall repay such amounts advanced only if and to the extent that it shall ultimately be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company for such Expenses. Such repayment obligation shall be unsecured and shall not bear interest. The Company shall not impose on Indemnitee

 

7


additional conditions to advancement or require from Indemnitee additional undertakings regarding repayment. The Company agrees that for purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such demand that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitee’s counsel as being reasonable shall be presumed conclusively to be reasonable.

5. Indemnification Procedure.

(a) Notice of Proceeding; Cooperation. Indemnitee shall give the Company notice in writing as soon as practicable of any Proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of Expenses will or could be sought under this Agreement; provided that any failure or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Company of its obligations under this Agreement unless and to the extent that (y) none of the Company and its Subsidiaries are party to or aware of such Proceeding and (z) the Company is materially and adversely prejudiced by such failure. The Company shall be entitled to participate in the defense of any Proceeding entitled to indemnification under this Agreement or to assume the defense thereof, with counsel chosen by the Company and reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee (not to be unreasonably withheld) upon delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of the Company’s election to do so; provided, however, that if Indemnitee believes, after consultation with counsel selected by Indemnitee, that (i) the use of counsel chosen by the Company to represent Indemnitee would present such counsel with an actual or potential conflict of interest, (ii) the named parties in such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Company and Indemnitee and the Indemnitee concludes that there may be one or more legal defense available to him that are different from or in addition to those available to the Company or (iii) any such representation by such counsel would be precluded under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, then Indemnitee shall be entitled to retain separate counsel that is selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably delayed, conditioned or withheld) (but not more than one law firm plus, if applicable, local counsel in respect of any particular Proceeding), and all Expenses related to such separate counsel shall be borne by the Company.

(b) Settlement. The Company will not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which may be provided or withheld in Indemnitee’s sole discretion, effect any settlement of any Proceeding against Indemnitee or which could have been brought against Indemnitee unless such settlement solely involves the payment of money by persons other than Indemnitee and includes an unconditional release of Indemnitee from all liability on any matters that are the subject of such Proceeding and an acknowledgment that Indemnitee denies all wrongdoing in connection with such matters. The Company shall not be obligated to indemnify Indemnitee against amounts paid in settlement of a Proceeding against Indemnitee if such settlement is effected by Indemnitee without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

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(c) Request for Payment; Timing of Payment. To obtain indemnification payments or advances under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor, together with such invoices or other supporting information as may be reasonably requested by the Company and reasonably available to Indemnitee. The Company shall make indemnification payments to Indemnitee no later than 30 days, and advances to Indemnitee no later than 10 days, after receipt of the written request (and such invoices or other supporting information) of Indemnitee.

(d) Determination. The Company intends that Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law as provided in Section 3 and that no Determination shall be required in connection with such indemnification. In no event shall a Determination be required in connection with advancement of Expenses pursuant to Section 4 or in connection with indemnification for Expenses incurred as a witness or incurred in connection with any Proceeding or portion thereof with respect to which Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise (including, without limitation, settlement of any Proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration or the termination of any issue or matter in such Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice). Any decision that a Determination is required by law in connection with any other indemnification of Indemnitee, and any such Determination, shall be made within 30 days after receipt of Indemnitee’s written request for indemnification, as follows:

(i) If no Change in Control has occurred, (w) by a majority vote of the directors of the Company who are not, and have never been, parties to such Proceeding, even though less than a quorum, with the advice of Independent Legal Counsel, or (x) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, with the advice of Independent Legal Counsel, or (y) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by Independent Legal Counsel in a written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee, or (z) by the stockholders of the Company.

(ii) If a Change in Control has occurred, by Independent Legal Counsel in a written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee.

The Company shall pay all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Determination. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any Adverse Determination, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification is denied. In the event of a Favorable Determination, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within 10 days after such determination. If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under this Section 5(d) to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within 60 days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement

 

9


to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional 30 days, if the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time to obtain or evaluate documentation and/or information relating thereto.

(e) Independent Legal Counsel. If there has not been a Change in Control, Independent Legal Counsel shall be selected by the Board and approved by Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). If there has been a Change in Control, Independent Legal Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). The Company shall pay the fees and expenses of Independent Legal Counsel and indemnify Independent Legal Counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to its engagement.

(f) Consequences of Determination; Remedies of Indemnitee. The Company shall be bound by and shall have no right to challenge a Favorable Determination. If an Adverse Determination is made, or if for any other reason the Company does not make timely indemnification payments or advances of Expenses, Indemnitee shall have the right to commence a Proceeding before a court of competent jurisdiction to challenge such Adverse Determination or to require the Company to make such payments or advances (and the Company shall have the right to defend its position in such Proceeding and to appeal any adverse judgment in such Proceeding). Indemnitee shall be entitled to be indemnified for all Expenses incurred in connection with such a Proceeding in accordance with Section 3(b) and to have such Expenses advanced by the Company in accordance with Section 4. If Indemnitee fails to challenge an Adverse Determination within 180 days after the Indemnitee has been notified of such Adverse Determination, or if Indemnitee challenges an Adverse Determination and such Adverse Determination has been upheld by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision, then, to the extent and only to the extent required by such Adverse Determination or final decision, the Company shall not be obligated to indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee under this Agreement.

(g) Presumptions; Burden and Standard of Proof. In connection with any Determination, or any review of any Determination, by any person, including a court:

(i) It shall be a presumption that a Determination is not required.

 

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(ii) It shall be a presumption that Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct and has acted in good faith and that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances.

(iii) The burden of proof shall be on the Company to overcome the presumptions set forth in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), and each such presumption shall only be overcome if the Company establishes that there is no reasonable basis to support it.

(iv) The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, finding (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that indemnification is not proper or that Indemnitee did not meet the applicable standard of conduct or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this Agreement or otherwise.

(v) Neither the failure of any person or persons to have made a Determination nor an Adverse Determination by any person or persons shall be a defense to Indemnitee’s claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the applicable standard of conduct, and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 5(f), other than one to enforce a Favorable Determination, shall be de novo with respect to all determinations of fact and law.

6. Directors and Officers Liability Insurance.

(a) Maintenance of Insurance. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts (taking into account the scope and amount of coverage available related to the cost thereof) to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its Subsidiaries from certain liabilities. So long as the Company or any of its Subsidiaries maintains liability insurance for any directors, officers, managers, employees or agents of any such person, the Company shall ensure that Indemnitee is covered by such insurance in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ then current directors and officers. If at any time (i) such insurance ceases to cover acts and omissions occurring during all or any part of the period of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status or (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries maintains any such insurance, the Company shall ensure that Indemnitee is covered, with respect to acts and omissions prior to such date, for at least six years (or such shorter period as is available on commercially reasonable terms) from such time, by other directors and officers liability insurance, in amounts and on terms (including the portion of the period of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status covered) no less favorable to Indemnitee than the amounts and terms of the liability insurance maintained by the Company on the date hereof. The Company shall notify Indemnitee of any negative change to coverage or policy terms prior to making any such planned change. Upon request by an Indemnitee, the Company shall provide, at least annually, a certification as to the insurance coverage maintained pursuant to this section. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Indemnitee shall not be obligated to seek recovery under any insurance policies of the Company.

 

11


(b) Notice to Insurers. Upon receipt of notice of a Proceeding pursuant to Section 5(a), the Company shall give or cause to be given prompt notice of such Proceeding to all insurers providing liability insurance in accordance with the procedures set forth in all applicable or potentially applicable policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary action to cause such insurers to pay all amounts payable in accordance with the terms of such policies, unless the Company shall have paid in full all indemnification, advancement and other obligations payable to Indemnitee under this Agreement.

7. Exculpation, etc.

(a) Limitation of Liability. Indemnitee shall not be personally liable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to the stockholders of the Company or any such Subsidiary for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director of the Company or any such Subsidiary; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not eliminate or limit the liability of the Indemnitee (i) for any breach of the Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or such Subsidiary or the stockholders thereof; (ii) for acts or omissions in bad faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL or any similar provision of other applicable corporations law; or (iv) for any transaction from which the Indemnitee derived an improper personal benefit as is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision. If the DGCL or such other applicable law shall be amended to permit further elimination or limitation of the personal liability of directors, then the liability of the Indemnitee shall, automatically, without any further action, be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or such other applicable law as so amended.

(b) Period of Limitations. No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries against Indemnitee or Indemnitee’s estate, spouses, heirs, executors, personal or legal representatives, administrators or assigns after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action, such shorter period shall govern.

 

12


8. Miscellaneous.

(a) Non-Circumvention. The Company shall not seek or agree to any order of any court or other governmental authority that would prohibit or otherwise interfere, and shall not take or fail to take any other action if such action or failure would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or otherwise interfering, with the performance of the Company’s indemnification, advancement or other obligations under this Agreement.

(b) Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (ii) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (iii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

(c) Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (i) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, or by facsimile, upon confirmation of receipt, (ii) on the first business day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next-day courier service or (iii) on the third business day following the date of mailing if delivered by domestic registered or certified mail, properly addressed, or on the fifth business day following the date of mailing if sent by airmail from a country outside of North America, to Indemnitee at the address shown on the signature page of this Agreement, to the Company at the address shown on the signature page of this Agreement, or in either case as subsequently modified by written notice.

(d) Amendment and Termination. No amendment, modification, termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing signed by all the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns, including without limitation any acquiror of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or business and any survivor of any merger or consolidation to which the Company is party, and shall inure to the benefit of

 

13


and be enforceable by Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s estate, spouses, heirs, executors, personal or legal representatives, administrators and assigns. The Company shall require and cause any such successor, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement as if it were named as the Company herein, and the Company shall not permit any such purchase of assets or business, acquisition of securities or merger or consolidation to occur until such written agreement has been executed and delivered. No such assumption and agreement shall relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder, and this Agreement shall not otherwise be assignable by the Company.

(f) Duration. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period that Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company (or is serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, member, trustee or agent of another company or other entity) as well as for any act performed or omitted to be performed by the Indemnitee in connection with or arising out of or relating to the business of the Company or by virtue of Indemnitee’s relationship to the Company and shall continue thereafter (i) so long as Indemnitee may be subject to any possible Proceeding relating to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status (including any rights of appeal thereto) and (ii) throughout the pendency of any Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto) commenced by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret his or her rights under this Agreement, even if, in either case, he or she may have ceased to serve in such capacity at the time of any such Proceeding.

(g) Choice of Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by and its provisions construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, as applied to contracts between Delaware residents entered into and to be performed entirely within Delaware, without regard to the conflict of law principles thereof. The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware for all purposes in connection with any Proceeding which arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted under this Agreement shall be brought only in the state courts of the State of Delaware.

(h) Integration and Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes and merges all previous written and oral negotiations, commitments, understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter hereof between the parties hereto, provided that the provisions hereof shall be cumulative of (and for the benefit of Indemnitee) and not supersede the provisions of the Company’s, or any of its Subsidiaries’, certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational agreement or instrument of the Company and its Subsidiaries, any employment or other agreement, any vote of stockholders, unitholders, members, managers, partners or directors, the DGCL or other applicable law. To the extent of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and any other corporate documents, the terms most favorable to Indemnitee shall apply at the election of Indemnitee.

 

14


(i) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including facsimile counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]

 

15


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of                              , 2021.

 

SYLVAMO CORPORATION
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Address:  

6400 Poplar Avenue

 

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

 

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED:
INDEMNITEE:
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Address:    
   

 

[Signature Page to Director Indemnification Agreement]

Exhibit 21.1

Subsidiaries of Sylvamo Corporation

 

Name

  

Jurisdiction

Sylvamo Europe Srl    Belgium
Sylvamo Agroflorestal Ltda.    Brazil
Sylvamo Comercial Ltda.    Brazil
Sylvamo do Brasil Ltda.    Brazil
Instituto International Paper    Brazil
Sylvamo Exports Ltda.    Brazil
Sylvamo North America, LLC    Delaware, USA
Global Holdings I, LLC    Delaware, USA
Global Holdings II, Inc.    Delaware, USA
Sylvamo Nordic Sales Company Oy    Finland
Sylvamo Investments France SAS    France
Sylvamo France SA    France
Comptoir des Bois de Brive SAS    France
Sylvamo Celimo SAS    France


Name

  

Jurisdiction

Sylvamo Foret Services    France
Sylvamo Deutschland GmbH    Germany
Sylvamo Investments Brazil S.à r.l.    Luxembourg
Sylvamo Papers Holding S.à r.l.    Luxembourg
Sylvamo Pulp and Paper Sales (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.    People’s Republic of China
Sylvamo Polska sp.z o.o.    Poland
NPAO Sylvamo Corporation Rus    Russia
ZAO Tikhvinsky Komplexny Lespromokhoz    Russia
Sylvamo UK Limited    Scotland
Sylvamo Ukraine SE    Ukraine

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Exhibit 99.1

 

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement on Form 10 relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Preliminary Information Statement

(Subject to Completion, dated August 9, 2021)

INFORMATION STATEMENT

SYLVAMO CORPORATION

LOGO

Common Stock, Par Value $1.00 Per Share

 

 

International Paper Company (“International Paper”) is making this information statement available to its shareholders in connection with the pro rata distribution to International Paper shareholders of approximately 80.1% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Sylvamo Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Sylvamo”).

In the distribution, holders of International Paper common stock will receive one share of Sylvamo common stock for every nine shares of International Paper common stock owned at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on                , 2021, the record date for the distribution (the “Record Date”). No fractional shares of Sylvamo common stock will be issued. If you would be entitled to a fractional share of Sylvamo common stock, then you will instead receive a cash payment with respect to the fractional share.

Sylvamo is currently a subsidiary of International Paper and will own and operate International Paper’s Printing Papers segment along with certain coated paperboard and pulp businesses in Latin America, Europe and North America following the distribution (the “Printing Papers business”). International Paper will continue to own and operate its Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers businesses following the distribution. Following the distribution, International Paper will own approximately 19.9% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Sylvamo, and Sylvamo will be a separate public company.

We expect the distribution of Sylvamo common stock to be completed at 12:01 a.m., Eastern Time, on                  , 2021. You do not have to vote or take any other action to receive your shares of Sylvamo common stock or cash in lieu of fractional shares. You will not be required to surrender your shares of International Paper common stock or pay any consideration in connection with the distribution. Your shares of Sylvamo common stock will be distributed by book-entry, which means that we will not issue physical stock certificates. The number of shares of International Paper common stock that you currently own will not change as a result of the distribution.

To implement the distribution, International Paper will distribute the shares of Sylvamo common stock on a pro rata basis to International Paper’s shareholders in a manner that is intended to be tax-free to International Paper’s shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except for cash that shareholders receive in lieu of fractional shares.

International Paper currently owns all of the outstanding shares of Sylvamo common stock. Accordingly, there is no current trading market for Sylvamo common stock, although we expect that a limited market, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, will develop on or shortly before the Record Date (as defined herein). We expect “regular-way” trading of Sylvamo common stock to begin on the date of the distribution. Sylvamo has applied to have its common stock authorized for listing on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “SLVM.” As discussed under “The Distribution—Listing and Trading of the Shares of Sylvamo Common Stock” and “The Distribution—Trading Prior to the Distribution Date,” if you sell your International Paper common stock after the Record Date and before the Distribution Date (as defined herein), you will still be entitled to receive shares of Sylvamo common stock in the distribution.

 

 

No vote of shareholders is required in connection with the distribution. We are not asking for a proxy and you are requested not to send a proxy.

Holding and disposing of shares of Sylvamo common stock involves risks. In reviewing this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” of this information statement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this information statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

This information statement is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

The date of this information statement is                , 2021.

International Paper first mailed a Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement Materials containing instructions on how to access this information statement to its shareholders on or about                , 2021.


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Index to Financial Statements

Market and Industry Data

The market and industry data contained in this information statement, including trends in our markets and our position within such markets, are based on a variety of sources, including our good faith estimates, which are derived from our review of internal surveys, information obtained from customers and suppliers and publicly available information, as well as from independent industry publications, reports by market research firms and other published independent sources, and are presented as of the date of this information statement. Third-party industry publications and forecasts generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources generally believed to be reliable.

Trademarks and Copyrights

We own or have rights to various trademarks, logos, service marks and trade names that we use in connection with the operation of our business, including Hammermill®, Chamex®, REY®, SvetoCopy® and Postmark®. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights referred to in this information statement are listed without the , ® and © symbols, but such references do not constitute a waiver of any rights that might be associated with the respective trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights included or referred to in this information statement. Products and brand designations appearing in italics are trademarks of the Company.

Certain Important Terms

“CAGR” means compound average growth rate.

“Lost Work Incident Rate” or “LWIR” measures the number of cases of recordable injuries with days away from work per 100 employees over a one-year period.

“Joint Marketing Agreement” means the Joint Marketing Agreement between JSC Ilim Group and ZAO International Paper related to the UFS production of JSC Ilim Group.

“Overall Equipment Effectiveness” is a measure of the overall machine efficiency with performance or speed included. It is calculated as (i) Overall Machine Efficiency multiplied by (ii) actual speed divided by standard speed.

“Overall Machine Efficiency” is a measure of actual tons produced compared to the optimal production level. It is calculated as acceptance percentage multiplied by availability percentage. For purposes of this definition, acceptance percentage equals weighed tons at the scale classified as good saleable (“A1”) production divided by tons produced off the reel that included both A1 production and paper loss, and availability percentage equals the hours a machine is run divided by the hours the machine is available.

“operating rates” are calculated as (i) expected demand less imports plus exports divided by (ii) capacity, in each case measured by geography.

“Printing Papers business” means International Paper’s Printing Papers segment along with certain coated paperboard and pulp businesses in Latin America, Europe and North America.

“Total Incident Rate” or “TIR” measures the number of work-related injuries per 100 employees over a one-year period.

 

 

  i  


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Index to Financial Statements

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

SUMMARY

     1  

RISK FACTORS

     34  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION

     59  

THE DISTRIBUTION

     62  

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

     79  

DIVIDEND POLICY

     80  

CAPITALIZATION

     81  

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     82  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     92  

BUSINESS

     113  

MANAGEMENT

     142  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     149  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     155  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

     158  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     159  

SHARES AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE SALE

     165  

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION

     166  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     170  

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1  

 

   


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Index to Financial Statements

SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this information statement. This summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To better understand the distribution and Sylvamo, you should carefully read this entire information statement, including the risks described in “Risk Factors” and the combined financial statements and the notes thereto.

We describe in this information statement the business to be transferred to Sylvamo in the distribution as if the transferred business was Sylvamo’s business for all historical periods described. References in this information statement to Sylvamo’s historical assets, liabilities, products, business or activities of its business are generally intended to refer to the historical assets, liabilities, products, business or activities of the transferred business as the business was conducted as part of International Paper and its subsidiaries prior to the distribution.

Unless otherwise indicated, all information herein gives effect to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws to be adopted prior to the completion of the distribution. As used herein, “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Sylvamo and its consolidated subsidiaries after giving effect to the distribution, unless the context otherwise requires.

Why International Paper Made This Document Available to You

International Paper made this document available to you because you were a holder of International Paper common stock on the Record Date for the distribution of shares of Sylvamo common stock. In the distribution, holders of International Paper common stock will receive one share of Sylvamo common stock for every nine shares of International Paper common stock owned on the Record Date for the distribution. No fractional shares of Sylvamo common stock will be issued in the distribution. If you would be entitled to a fractional share of Sylvamo common stock, then you will instead receive a cash payment with respect to the fractional share.

No action is required on your part to participate in the distribution, and you do not have to surrender or exchange your shares of International Paper common stock or pay cash or any other consideration to receive the shares of Sylvamo common stock. The number of shares of International Paper common stock that you currently own will not change as a result of the distribution.

This information statement describes the business of Sylvamo, Sylvamo’s relationship with International Paper and how this transaction affects International Paper and its shareholders, and provides other information to assist you in evaluating the benefits and risks of holding or disposing of the Sylvamo common stock that you will receive in the distribution.

Sylvamo’s Business

Our Company

Sylvamo is a global uncoated papers company with a broad portfolio of top-tier brands and low-cost, large-scale paper mills located in and serving the most attractive geographies, including Latin America, Europe and North America. We produce uncoated freesheet (“UFS”) for paper products such as cutsize and offset paper, as well as market pulp, aseptic and liquid packaging board (“LPB”) and coated unbleached kraft (“CUK”) papers. With roots going back to 1898, we have a long history of offering premium quality papers to meet the needs of our customers and end-users. Our mills predominantly rank in the lowest quartile on global and regional UFS cost curves, and our low-cost operations enable us to serve our customers with the highest quality products at attractive margins. Our industry-leading brands, known for their long-standing reputation in their respective markets for product quality and performance, allow us to maintain our long-term relationships with top-tier customers throughout economic cycles. Our international reach and strong positioning across retail, merchant and e-commerce channels optimally places us to meet the paper needs of our end-users around the world. This also provides geographical diversification of our revenue and profits. From 2018 to 2020, on average, we generated 51% of our revenues and 66% of our Business Segment Operating Profit in Latin America and Europe, which regions exhibit different demand drivers than North America and all three regions have strong profitability for the paper industry relative to other geographies.


 

1


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Index to Financial Statements

2020 Revenues by product type

 

LOGO

  

Product type

  

Product line

  

Examples of end uses

   Uncoated papers (UFS)    Cutsize    Printing, copy and writing paper
   Offset    Commercial printing, such as brochures and books
   Envelope    Statement mailers and direct mails
   Forms    Financial statements and other print applications
   Other    Tablets, receipts and construction applications
   Uncoated papers (Others)    Uncoated bristols    Index systems, file cards, case records, menus, direct mail, counter displays
   Market pulp    BHK/BSK/BEK/BCTMP    Used for producing tissue, printing and writing paper, specialty paper and board grades
   Coated paperboard / Other    Aseptic/LPB    Packaging for liquids, such as beverages
   CUK    Beverage containers (beer and soft drinks) and heavy-duty retail packaging (hardware and laundry detergent)

UFS, our primary product, has diverse end-use applications, including printing, copy and writing papers, and advertising and promotional materials such as brochures, pamphlets, greeting cards, books, annual reports and direct mail. Additionally, we produce a wide variety of uncoated paper grades that our customers convert into envelopes, writing tablets, business forms, packaging and file folders. As a vertically integrated operator, we produce hardwood pulp (including bleached hardwood kraft (“BHK”) and bleached eucalyptus kraft (“BEK”)), and we produce bleached softwood kraft (“BSK”). We also produce bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp (“BCTMP”) at our Svetogorsk mill, which we sell globally. Further, our Svetogorsk mill produces LPB and CUK papers that are sold across Russia and Eastern European countries.

Many of our UFS products, particularly cutsize, are branded with strong consumer recognition and top brand positioning in their respective markets. We believe our portfolio of trusted brands across our regions provides us with a meaningful competitive advantage. We own some of the industry’s most recognizable brands, including Chamex (Brazil), REY (France), SvetoCopy (Russia) and Hammermill (United States). Cutsize represents approximately 60% of our UFS tons sold, and our owned and licensed brands represent 58% of those cutsize sales. Further, we have a license from HP Inc. (“HP”) for the rights to produce and sell HP branded printer and copier paper in almost all geographies globally. HP Papers is a premium line of uncoated cutsize products that work seamlessly across all models of printer and copier equipment. The remaining 42% of cutsize tons sold are private label brands we produce for our major customers, including Staples.

We sell and market our products globally to over 600 customers. By leveraging our strong brand portfolio and our customized service, we have built deep relationships with top customers in each of the channels we serve. We distribute our products through a variety of channels, including merchants and distributors, office product suppliers, retailers and dealers. We also sell directly to converters that produce envelopes, forms and other similar products. With a long history of more than 120 years, we have forged long-term relationships with our top customers and their loyalty results in very little turnover. Accordingly, our top ten customers, representing approximately one-third of our net sales, have been buying our products for more than 50 years on average. Our sales, marketing, supply chain and production staff work collaboratively to provide tailored client support and valued-added services, addressing the distinct needs of customers across geographies and channels. We provide marketing support to our customers to help them develop their go-to-market strategies by leveraging our extensive end-user sales and preference data.

Our mills have an annual UFS paper production capacity of 2.8 million short tons, market pulp production capacity of 580,000 short tons, and total LPB and CUK capacity of 130,000 short tons. In addition, Sylvamo expects to distribute annually an incremental 520,000 short tons of UFS and 160,000 short tons of uncoated bristols through its offtake agreements with International Paper in North America. We have filed an application with the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation (“FAS”) to approve Sylvamo as the new controller of ZAO International Paper. ZAO International Paper will remain a party to the Joint Marketing Agreement with JSC Ilim Group, which would allow us to retain the exclusive rights to market and sell all of the JSC Ilim Group’s UFS


 

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Index to Financial Statements

production, which totals 275,000 short tons annually. Our mill portfolio includes seven low-cost mills, six of which are fully vertically integrated. Vertical integration reduces costs associated with key inputs for paper production, such as pulp and energy, and decreases our exposure to commodity price fluctuations. Our only non-vertically integrated mill is co-located with Suzano’s market pulp mill and has a market supply agreement with Suzano, ensuring a consistent supply of fiber, steam and energy contractually guaranteed on a long-term basis. This effectively replicates most of the key economic benefits of vertical integration without the associated capital costs. We have high quality, well-invested facilities with low operating costs. As of December 31, 2020, more than 70% of our capacity is in the lowest quartile of global and regional cost curves. We believe the competitive advantages of our mills, such as their location in sustainable low-cost fiber baskets, and significant scale and distribution efficiencies, afford us sustainable strategic benefits.

 

LOGO


 

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Index to Financial Statements

The demand for our paper products is positively correlated with global commercial printing and print advertising activity, white-collar employment levels and government spending, including education spending, and negatively affected by the adoption of electronic billing and statements. We believe our low-cost position allows us to thrive in all demand environments, including in countries facing secular demand decline, and we have demonstrated this historically by strengthening Sylvamo’s supply position even in light of the rise of electronic media substitution. From 2015 through 2020, we outperformed the UFS industry demand by 1.2% on average in the regions we serve, and, in the future, we intend to target outperforming the UFS industry demand by 1% to 2% on average in such regions. We expect global demand for UFS to increase at a 0.4% CAGR from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI forecasts. Approximately two-thirds of Business Segment Operating Profit on average from 2018 to 2020 comes from outside North America, and some of our key geographies, such as Latin America, have an increasing population of white-collar professionals, which supports the demand for our products.

We provide differentiated products and services in each geography we serve, underpinned by our low-cost facilities, premium brands and a talented workforce.

 

   

Latin America: Our Latin American business is engaged in the production and sale of cutsize, commercial printing and specialty papers, as well as converting papers and market pulp. We are the largest UFS producer in Latin America, with about 34% of the supply position as of December 2020 according to Fisher International. We sell approximately 70% of our Brazilian UFS production in 26 countries in Latin America, and export the balance to other regions around the globe. Our system of paper production consists of three mills in Brazil: two in the state of São Paulo and one in Mato Grosso do Sul. Together, our three mills have seven paper machines with an annual production capacity of 1.27 million short tons. Our integrated mill in Luiz Antônio is the lowest cost mill in Sylvamo’s portfolio, as measured by roll manufacturing cost per ton, and produces cutsize and offset UFS and market pulp. The mill has an annual production capacity of 385,000 short tons of UFS on two paper machines and also produces an additional 130,000 short tons of market pulp annually. Our mill in Mogi Guaçu is also fully integrated, and operates four paper machines that produce 460,000 short tons of UFS, primarily cutsize and offset paper. Três Lagoas, located in Mato Grosso do Sul, operates one paper machine and produces 260,000 short tons of UFS annually.

We also own approximately 250,000 acres of strategic forest plantations in close proximity to our two mills in São Paulo state. This land provides us with a sustainable source of high quality and low-cost hardwood fiber from eucalyptus. Eucalyptus and its fiber have several benefits, including:

 

   

Fastest growing and highest yielding species grown in timber plantations;

 

   

Shortened harvest cycles of 6 to 7 years, helping to keep plantation costs low; and

 

   

Homogenous fiber quality, which permits premium grade quality at lower costs by requiring less wood to manufacture a ton of pulp.

Our portfolio of brands includes two lines of printing and writing paper, Chamex and Chamequinho, and one graphic paper line, Chambril, all 100% produced from sustainably managed forests, holding Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (“PEFC”) certification. We expect existing Forest Stewardship Council (“FSC®”) and PEFC certifications to transfer to Sylvamo from International Paper prior to the distribution. Our Chamex brand has enjoyed unparalleled brand recognition in Brazil for the last 50 years.

 

   

Europe: Our European business primarily produces and sells cutsize, commercial printing and specialty papers, in addition to LPB, CUK, BCTMP (Russia), BHK and BSK (France). We own two mills in the region with a total annual production capacity of 1.1 million short tons: Svetogorsk in Russia near the Finnish border and Saillat in France. Both mills produce pulp and paper and are fully vertically integrated. Our paper and pulp mill in Svetogorsk covers approximately 494 acres on the


 

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Karelian Isthmus between the Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga in northwestern Russia, and comprises three pulp mills and two paper machines with an annual production capacity of 720,000 short tons. The mill produces cutsize and offset paper and is the only producer of LPB in Russia with a supply position greater than 50% based on Russian customs data. Svetogorsk produces BCTMP, which is manufactured from aspen or spruce with innovative technology and allows Sylvamo to maintain an advantaged cost position relative to most other European and Russian mills making similar products. We are able to capture demand in both UFS and BCTMP in other countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia out of our Svetogorsk mill. We have also filed an application with FAS to approve Sylvamo as the new controller of ZAO International Paper. ZAO International Paper will remain a party to the Joint Marketing Agreement with JSC Ilim Group, which would allow us to retain the exclusive rights to market and sell all of JSC Ilim Group’s UFS production totaling 275,000 short tons annually. The JSC Ilim Group is the largest pulp and paper company in Russia and operates the largest pulp and paper mills located in the European and Siberian regions of Russia, with a total pulp and paper production capacity of 4 million short tons annually. It is controlled by Ilim SA, a 50/50 joint venture between International Paper and its partners. Our paper and pulp mill in Saillat is a European leader in the production of premium grade paper with an annual production capacity of 265,000 short tons and opportunities to grow sales outside of Europe. The mill also produces an additional 130,000 short tons annually of BHK and BSK market pulp that is sold to customers in Western Europe. In Russia, we have long-term harvesting rights on 860,000 acres of government-owned forestland, where we also plant seedlings to maintain the health and productivity of forest ecosystems for future generations.

We own a portfolio of premium brands in Europe. Our REY brand is distributed primarily in France and is focused on sustainability. Our brands in Russia include Ballet and SvetoCopy, which was the first office paper brand to be produced in Russia, and together are the leading brands in the country with an estimated 45% supply position, including JSC Ilim Group’s expected cutsize capacity under the Joint Marketing Agreement based on internal estimates.

 

   

North America: Our North American business is engaged primarily in the production and sale of cutsize, commercial printing, converting and specialty papers. We are the second largest UFS producer in North America with a 28% supply position as of December 2020, according to Fisher International, including UFS we will purchase from International Paper’s Riverdale and Georgetown mills pursuant to offtake agreements. We own two of the industry’s most competitive mills, Eastover and Ticonderoga, with 1.1 million short tons of combined annual production capacity. The Eastover mill, located in South Carolina, operates two paper machines producing 700,000 short tons of UFS, and a chemical pulping system producing fiber for UFS and an additional 115,000 short tons of market pulp annually. Eastover’s highly advantaged cost position in North America stems from its strategic location in an attractive fiber basket and world-class production capabilities. Sylvamo also operates a premium-grade paper mill in Ticonderoga with a well-invested asset base and proven capabilities to service the North American specialty segment. Its two paper machines and chemical pulp system produces 275,000 short tons of UFS annually, focusing on specialty paper grades. Our offtake agreements with International Paper give us the right to market and sell the UFS paper and uncoated bristols production at the Riverdale and Georgetown mills, representing an incremental 680,000 short tons of annual production capacity. Our North American mills are positioned near sustainably-managed forests that provide long-term access to competitively priced fiber.

In North America, we own a portfolio of premium brands, including Hammermill, Springhill, Williamsburg, Postmark and Accent. According to a third-party market study conducted by TRC Advisory in 2019, the quality and product breadth associated with the Hammermill brand resulted in strong end-user customer willingness to pay. Its unparalleled brand recognition helped us secure our strategic partnership with the largest e-commerce supplier in North America.


 

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7 owned mills with total production capacity of approximately 3.5 million short tons

 

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2020 Revenues by Segment    2020 Business Segment Operating Profit
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Sylvamo recognizes that a sustainably managed forest is one that maintains and enhances economic, social, and environmental values for the benefit of present and future generations. We are deeply committed to long-term environmental sustainability by ensuring sustainable sourcing of fiber and investing in and utilizing renewable energy resources. The majority of our mills are located in attractive and sustainable fiber baskets that provide access to high quality, low-cost fiber. Our practice of sourcing fiber from well-managed forests promotes the long-term health and productivity of forests. A majority of our fiber supply in the United States and France comes from privately owned forests. We work with landowners and wood suppliers to advance credible third-party forest certifications to improve our percentage of certified fiber. We follow a Fiber Certification Policy that accepts globally recognized forest management standards. These include the PEFC and standards recognized by PEFC, including the American Tree Farm System® (“ATFS®”) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (“SFI®”) in the United States and the Brazilian National Forest Certification Program, Certificacão Florestal (“CERFLOR”) in Brazil. We expect existing FSC® certification to be transferred to Sylvamo from International Paper prior to the distribution.

We own 250,000 acres of strategic forest plantations in close proximity to our mills in Brazil, which provides a sustainable source of high quality hardwood fiber from fast-growth eucalyptus. We reserve 75,000 acres towards our conservation efforts, through which we plant native tree species to help preserve biodiversity. In Russia, we have long-term harvesting rights on 860,000 acres of government-owned forestland, where we also plant seedlings to maintain the health and productivity of forest ecosystems for future generations. Sylvamo’s forestlands in Brazil and Russia are a significant source of value for our business and are strategic assets in profitable geographies. All the forestland we own in Brazil is certified under CERFLOR, and we expect existing FSC® certification to be transferred to Sylvamo from International Paper prior to the distribution. Our forestland


 

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for which we have harvesting rights in Russia also has the FSC® certification, which we expect to be transferred from Sylvamo from International Paper prior to the distribution.

All of our integrated mills use renewable biomass residuals to create energy and decrease our dependence on third-party energy sources. On average, we produce 78% of our energy needs for our integrated mills through bio-energy, which is a carbon neutral energy source generated from renewable biomass residuals. We also believe in the responsible consumption of our products, and invest in recyclable, sustainable and renewable products. We have invested in product lines, such as the Hammermill Great White products, which are made from recycled materials. All of our products are recyclable, and we encourage our customers to utilize recycling services and custom recycling programs that support their business needs. In 2019, approximately 66% of all paper products in the United States were recycled to make new fiber-based products, according to the American Forest and Paper Association.

Sylvamo’s capabilities and potential are delivered through our dedicated and talented workforce, which we believe is the best in the industry. We employ more than seven thousand people globally, with 43%, 35% and 22% of our workforce located in Latin America, Europe and North America, respectively. We have a favorable employee engagement score of 86%, compared to the manufacturing industry average of 75%, according to a 2019 third-party employee engagement survey. The above-average employee engagement score at Sylvamo is driven by our employees’ perception of their career goals, employee safety, diversity in the workforce, understanding of the company’s goals, work life balance and other indicators. Specifically, employees rated safety at Sylvamo with a 91% favorability rate.

The safety of our employees is paramount. We strive to design and operate injury-free workplaces for our employees and everyone who enters our facilities. As responsible stewards of people and their communities, we have maintained record safety standards at our mills, strictly complying with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) regulations. We are an industry-leading company in employee safety. Across all our mills, our TIR averaged 0.42 and our LWIR averaged 0.14 for 2020, well below the 2019 U.S. paper manufacturing industry averages of 2.5 and 0.8, respectively, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Our Competitive Strengths

We distinguish ourselves through the following competitive strengths:

A global producer of uncoated freesheet, positioned in the most profitable geographies: Latin America, Europe and North America.

Our mills, and consequently the key regions that we serve, are located in some of the world’s most attractive geographies for UFS. Given the access to low cost fiber and historical pricing levels, the regions we serve are some of the most profitable over the past three years based on average import pricing data from IHS Markit.

In Latin America, we are a major producer of UFS with a 34% supply position as of December 2020, according to Fisher International. Latin America is a particularly attractive region given its rising levels of education, growth in white-collar employment and increasing income per capita, all of which drive UFS demand. From 2014 to 2019, UFS demand in Latin America decreased at a 3.1% CAGR, and we expect it to increase at a CAGR of 2.2% from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI data and forecasts. Industry capacity in Latin America declined at a 0.3% CAGR from 2014 to 2019, and we expect it to continue to decline at a 1.6% CAGR from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI data and forecasts. Moreover, the key raw material input we use in our Brazil mills is eucalyptus, which is a world-class, low-cost fiber for the production of UFS. The use of low-cost fiber combined with our highly efficient operations, as measured by our Overall Machine Efficiency metrics of 93% in Latin America, and export logistics advantage allow us to serve the domestic market and the export markets at attractive margins.

We rank third in supply position in Europe, including our mill in Russia and JSC Ilim Group’s expected cutsize capacity under the Joint Marketing Agreement as of December 2020, according to Fisher International. We have consistently outperformed relative to industry demand in Europe. From 2011 to 2019, while the overall


 

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UFS demand in Europe fell by 3%, the demand for our products remained stable. Demand for UFS in Western Europe declined at a 2.7% CAGR for 2014 to 2019, and we expect demand for UFS in Western Europe to continue to decrease by a 2.7% CAGR from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI data and forecasts. In Eastern Europe, demand for UFS declined at a 0.6% CAGR from 2014 to 2019, and we expect demand in Eastern Europe to increase by a 0.2% CAGR from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI data and forecasts. Industry capacity in Eastern Europe increased at a 0.7% CAGR from 2014 to 2019, while Western Europe decreased at a 2.4% CAGR over the same time period, according to RISI data and forecasts. We expect that industry capacity will decline by a 2.6% CAGR and a 5.7% CAGR in Eastern Europe and Western Europe, respectively, from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI data and forecasts. We have a niche positioning in Europe, with our Saillat mill focusing its production on specialty UFS. In Russia, we have the number one supply position and the leading brand, SvetoCopy. We also have a strong position in other growing markets, such as the Commonwealth of Independent States. We have filed an application with FAS to approve Sylvamo as the new controller of ZAO International Paper. ZAO International Paper will remain a party to the Joint Marketing Agreement with JSC Ilim Group, which would allow us to retain the exclusive rights to market and sell all of JSC Ilim Group’s UFS production totaling 275,000 short tons annually.

In North America, we are the second largest producer of UFS with a 28% supply position as of December 2020, according to Fisher International, including UFS we have agreed to purchase from International Paper’s Riverdale and Georgetown mills pursuant to offtake agreements. We believe that we are well-positioned to benefit from improving fundamentals in the paper industry, which are inherently linked to the balance of supply and demand. In North America, a number of competitors have announced conversion of paper mills to primarily containerboard and fluff pulp capacity, leading to favorable operating rates. North American producers have announced the shutdown of approximately 1.5 million short tons of UFS capacity, or approximately 24% of the industry capacity, since 2019, according to RISI. As a result of these actions, we expect North American UFS operating rates to increase significantly from low operating rates in 2020 after a mid-2021 industry recovery according to RISI. We believe that higher operating rates will enable us to continue to benefit from improving supply and demand dynamics through our superior cost position. Demand for UFS in North America fell at a 3.5% CAGR from 2014 to 2019, and we expect it to continue to fall at a 2.6% CAGR from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI data and forecasts. Industry capacity in North America decreased at a 3.1% CAGR from 2014 to 2019, and we expect it to continue to decrease at a 1.7% CAGR from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI data and forecasts.

UFS supply position per region according to Fisher International, as of December 2020

 

Latin America    North America    Europe (incl. Russia)
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Vertically integrated mills that are predominantly in the lowest quartile on the cost curve both in their regions and globally.

Our attractive, low cost positions are particularly important given that we have exposure to geographies that are either in secular decline or are experiencing limited to no growth. Historically we have seen that as volumes decline, competitors close higher cost mills or convert mills to other uses. We expect this trend to continue and therefore, we expect to be able to improve operating rates for our assets. As a result, we expect to be able to generate improved margins and substantial cash flow over the long-term despite stable or declining demand in our industry.

Our low production costs are driven by the scale of our production capacity, our mills’ proximity to fiber, self-produced energy, and the integration of our pulp and paper production process. In particular, our vertical integration into pulp helps minimize our exposure to commodity pulp price fluctuations. In Brazil, we own eucalyptus plantations in close proximity to our two São Paulo state mills, giving us access to high-quality, low-cost eucalyptus fiber. These two mills produce their own pulp that is directly used for paper production. Our third Brazilian mill, Três Lagoas, is co-located with Suzano’s market pulp mill and has a market supply agreement with Suzano, ensuring a consistent supply of fiber, steam and energy contractually guaranteed on a long-term basis. Consequently, Três Lagoas has all the benefits of integration without the associated capital costs, and therefore generates a high cash yield per ton of capacity. In fact, after accounting for the Brazilian government tax benefit and the benefits of integration and co-location with Suzano’s market pulp mill, we estimate that Três Lagoas would have production costs comparable to Mogi Guaçu, which is in the first quartile of the cost curve. Furthermore, our own produced market pulp sales from the integrated mills in Brazil work as a natural hedge for the Três Lagoas purchased pulp contract. Accordingly, from 2018 to 2020, Três Lagoas’ return on invested capital was on average approximately 350 basis points higher than Mogi Guaçu’s return on invested capital.

Our European mills produce their own pulp that is directly used for the production of paper. Our Saillat mill is the largest fully integrated UFS mill in France and the only vertically integrated mill producing value-added grades in Europe that covers the entire production process from wood harvesting to paper. Its modern pulp mill produces pulp for 100% of its UFS production as well as an additional 130,000 short tons of market pulp that is sold in France and Western Europe. In Russia, our Svetogorsk mill is fully integrated with three pulp mills and two paper machines. We also have long-term harvesting rights on 860,000 acres of forestland in Russia for excellent access to wood fiber. Likewise, all of our North American mills produce their own pulp. The Eastover mill enjoys the lowest manufacturing cost in North America according to Fisher International, and operates one of the highest-quality cutsize paper machines in North America. The mill generates its own electricity to run its two paper machines and one pulp dryer. It produces sufficient pulp to meet its needs for paper production and an additional 115,000 short tons of market pulp sold in the open market each year. Ticonderoga is a premium-grade, vertically integrated paper mill with a competitive low-cost positioning against other specialty mills, according to Fisher International. Overall, our mills have an average pulp integration of approximately 95%, requiring that we buy only 5% of our pulp inputs in the open market.

Our integrated Brazilian, Russian and U.S. Eastover mills have historically occupied first quartile positions in the global cost curve, and our Saillat and U.S. Ticonderoga mills have historically occupied first quartile positions on the regional specialty cost curves. Our low-cost operations enable us to serve our local customers with the highest quality products at competitive margins. Our Russian and Brazilian paper operations have provided strong and steady margins for more than 10 years. Most importantly, these global low-cost operations help us to remain competitive in the export markets. Our ability to participate in the export markets allows us to meet demand in other regions with a steady and reliant supply of paper, allowing us to maintain consistent operating rates in almost all demand environments.

 

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Global UFS rolls cost curve according to Fisher International as of December 31, 2020

 

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Três Lagoas position excludes tax benefits and benefits of integration and co-location with a Suzano pulp mill, which significantly improves the mill’s net cost position.

Note: Sylvamo’s mill capacity figures based on internal estimates.


 

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Premier brands in Latin America, Europe and North America with strong brand recognition.

Our portfolio of iconic, regional brands is widely recognized for its quality and reliability. We own premier brands across the globe, including Chamex, Chamequinho, Chambril, SvetoCopy, REY, Pro-Design, Ballet, Hammermill, Springhill, Williamsburg, Postmark and Accent. These brands have a long-standing reputation in their respective markets for product quality and performance. Our strong brands have allowed us to outperform industry volumes and have supported the business through economic cycles by providing improved profitability. Over the last six years, we have outperformed the industry in terms of UFS shipments by 1.2% annually in the geographies we operate. Through the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our brands demonstrated higher brand loyalty relative to private label offerings, as evidenced by a lower decrease in our owned brand sales in 2020 as compared to the overall industry. In addition, in 2020 we outperformed the industry UFS shipments in the geographies in which we operate by 2.1%.

 

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Chamex has one of the
strongest brand recognitions in Latin America
 

SvetoCopy maintains the highest frequency of repeat purchasing and the highest level of consumption

in Russia

  Hammermill is one of the most- purchased paper brands in North America for businesses of all sizes    Global supplier of HP Papers, one of the most recognized brands in the world, in partnership with HP Inc.

Our Chamex brand enjoys unparalleled brand recognition in Brazil and elsewhere in Latin America. Chamex has been part of the Brazilian culture for more than 50 years. Entire generations have grown up using Chamex in school and in the workplace. To leverage this recognition, we introduced the Chamequinho brand to target younger populations and keep the Chamex loyalty for generations to come. Chamex is the leading brand in terms of supply position in Bolivia, Brazil, Central America and Paraguay according to third-party global trade data.

Our SvetoCopy brand is the leading brand in Russia in terms of supply position and brand loyalty, according to market research and consulting firm IPSOS. SvetoCopy was the first office paper brand to be produced in Russia beginning in 1996, prior to which all office paper in Russia was imported. During our more than 20 years in Russia, we have delivered on SvetoCopy’s quality and brand reputation and have become a reliable partner for businesses.

In France, our REY brand offers a very broad range of innovative products, including commodity and value-added grades that promote sustainability. The REY brand continues to grow its recognition in France and is gaining popularity across Western Europe. Positioned as the conscientious paper choice, REY wants to represent sustainability in the office paper segment, with products ranging from white papers to tints (colors). Pro-Design is our flagship brand for professional high speed printing in Europe. Over the past decade, Pro-Design has established itself as a top-shelf product for full color, high quality laser print applications. All brands made at our Saillat mill are certified by either FSC® or PEFC and the EU Ecolabel. We expect existing FSC® and PEFC certifications to be transferred to Sylvamo from International Paper prior to the distribution.

The Hammermill brand has a deep heritage in the United States with over 120 years of existence, and we believe it is a leading copy paper brand in the United States. We continue to invest to make the brand relevant


 

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throughout generations, and have adapted our products to the digital age. In 2003, we introduced our JAM-FREE® technology, which guarantees less than one jam in 10,000 printed sheets on high-speed digital equipment. The Hammermill Great White product was developed within the cutsize paper product line and is made from recycled materials. We recently developed and launched our Paper Shop, which provides our customers with 24/7 access to place orders, check inventory, and monitor order status from their computer, tablet or smart phone. Our Paper Shop makes doing business with us more efficient and simpler for our customers, helping us capture a greater share of their business.

In 1996, we launched the HP Papers office paper products under license from HP Inc., allowing us to exclusively manufacture and market HP Papers in over 75 countries. HP Papers is a global paper brand and is manufactured in all our regions. It is a premium line of uncoated cutsize products, scientifically engineered to work seamlessly across all makes and models of printer and copier equipment. HP Papers, HP inks and toners and HP printers are engineered to work together. In the early 2000s, we again partnered with HP to develop and introduce ColorLok Technology to improve inkjet printing quality in offices and homes around the world. Taking advantage of developments in high-speed inkjet technology, our ColorLok Technology optimization gives excellent results with both laser and high-speed inkjet sheet-fed printers.

Our brands represent 58% of our cutsize sales, and private labels represent the remaining 42%. Our private label strategy focuses primarily on North America, where we produce paper for companies such as Staples. Our top three private label customers represent approximately 280,000 short tons annually of private label sales.

Long-term, committed relationships with key customers and partners in the UFS value chain and a growing position in e-commerce.

We serve over 600 customers across every region of the world through diverse sales channels, including office product suppliers, retailers, e-commerce, converters, dealers and merchants. Our global scale and local focus help us stay committed to key customers and partners across the UFS supply chain. Over the years, we have built long-term relationships with customers thanks to our commitment to their business. We are aligned with the premier participants in all the main channels in Latin America, Europe and North America.

Our sales teams are coordinated to efficiently bring a competitive and complete product offering to our diverse customer base. We bring together our sales, marketing, supply chain and production staff to provide service and support to merchants, converters, end-users, stationers, printers and retailers alike. We further support our customers with our breadth of end-user applications, such as printing paper, brochures, pamphlets, greeting cards, books, packaging and envelopes. This mitigates our exposure to any one channel or end-use and creates value for our customers, and we excel at managing the complexity this adds to our operations. As a result, we have fostered long-term relationships with our customers with minimal customer turnover. On average, our top 10 customers have been our business partners for 50 years, and today they represent approximately 33% of our supply position, with no one customer making up more than 10% of our supply position.


 

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Leading customers with long-standing relationships per region(1)

 

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Includes predecessor companies.

We have the ability to adapt as our end-users change their channel preferences. We are well positioned to compete in the e-commerce channel, which relies more heavily on high-grade brands than traditional retail channels. We have been able to rapidly grow our e-commerce presence through close partnerships with online retailers such as Amazon in North America and Kalunga in Brazil. We have increased our sales through Amazon in North America by more than six times over the past five years. Overall, we have increased our North America e-commerce sales by approximately 85% over the past five years. Today, e-commerce makes up approximately 10% of North American sales, and we believe Sylvamo sales represent greater than 50% of the channel overall in 2020, according to internal marketing intelligence. We are seeing similar trends in e-commerce developing in Latin America and Europe.

Well-invested facilities running highly efficient operations.

We believe our mills are well-invested, and we have made significant capital investments over time. Our capital spending includes maintenance, regulatory and reforestation capital expenditures, cost reduction capital expenditures, and strategic capital expenditures, which include capital for rebuilds, productivity enhancements and de-bottlenecking. We believe that the investments in our well-maintained and efficient facilities increase equipment uptime and improve reliability. The only major capital expenditure across our portfolio of mills anticipated in the next few years is the rebuilding of the two recovery boilers at our Svetogorsk mill or, alternatively, replacing the boilers with one new recovery boiler. Our mills are technically advanced, and Sylvamo operates the two most recently built UFS assets in Latin America – Luís Antônio and Três Lagoas in Brazil. Our history of allocating capital towards high-return projects demonstrates our financial discipline and ability to identify projects that create sustainable value. Our Svetogorsk mill is one of the top pulp and paper mills in Russia with industry-leading technology and equipment. Since 1998, we have invested over $780 million in the upgrade and modernization of the mill to ensure its long-term competitiveness. For example, we constructed the BCTMP plant in 2008, which provides higher yields than other processes and lowers the total cost of production. We also installed a coater at one of the paper machines, allowing us to produce CUK and LPB to meet market demand. Our Eastover mill is one of the most technologically advanced pulp and paper mills in the world and, as a result, it is the lowest cost producer of UFS in North America according to Fisher International. It has a history of continued investment, with over $140 million in capital deployed since 2015. Our Ticonderoga mill is a premium-grade, vertically integrated pulp and paper mill, with a well-invested asset base and proven capabilities to service the North American specialty segment. We have likewise deployed $100 million of capital spending into the Ticonderoga mill since 2015.


 

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Strong and stable cash flow generation.

We have a track record of strong cash flow generation across cycles due to our low-cost asset base, disciplined capital investment, customer and geographic diversification, operational flexibility and strong brand recognition. We have been able to generate strong Adjusted EBITDA Conversion, defined as Adjusted EBITDA less maintenance, regulatory and reforestation capital expenditures divided by Adjusted EBITDA. For the years ended 2018, 2019 and 2020, our Adjusted EBITDA Conversion was 83.0%, 83.8% and 80.0% respectively. On a GAAP basis, our Cash Provided by Operating Activities Conversion, calculated as Cash Provided by Operating Activities minus maintenance, regulatory and reforestation capital expenditures divided by Cash Provided by Operating Activities, was 77.2%, 78.1% and 79.4% for 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we were able to generate strong cash flow and achieve an Adjusted EBITDA Conversion level of 80%. Our ability to reduce capital spending in times of economic downturns allows us to continue generating strong and stable cash flow. For example, we reduced our total capital expenditures in 2020 to $75 million from $150 million in 2018 by delaying capital expenditures. Accordingly, we anticipate increasing capital spending to ensure that our mills stay well-invested and well-maintained. This increase may negatively impact operating cash flow, but we anticipate Adjusted EBITDA Conversion staying above 70%. Adjusted EBITDA Conversion excludes strategic and cost reduction capital expenditures and the anticipated Svetogorsk recovery boiler investment. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA Conversion, see “Summary Historical Financial Data.”


 

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Adjusted EBITDA Conversion

 

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Cash Provided by Operating Activities Conversion

 

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Our portfolio of low-cost mills enables us to achieve healthy margins. Our vertically integrated mills help minimize our exposure to the volatility of raw material prices and generate a consistent stream of cash flows. Further, we have positioned ourselves in the most attractive local markets, where we leverage our low manufacturing costs to maximize earnings. Our management’s experience in managing costs and leveraging lean processes fosters a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Our geographic, product and channel diversity gives us the flexibility to adjust to end-market demand fluctuations and maintain margins. Specifically, our global platform allows us to offset the effects of volatile movements of major currencies by tactically positioning ourselves in the export and import market to our advantage. Our broad product categories allow us to meet end-user demand for a wide variety of paper products. Additionally, our channel diversity helps us better adapt to our end-users’ channel preference with a wide breadth of end-user applications. This customer-focused strategy coupled with our decades of investments in our strong brands has allowed us to weather down-cycles.

Best-in-class management team with extensive industry experience and operating expertise to lead Sylvamo as a stand-alone company.

We have assembled a senior management team that is highly focused on delivering value to our stockholders by leveraging our low-cost assets, highly recognized brands, geographic positioning and unparalleled customer relationships. Together, our senior management team averages over 26 years of experience in the paper industry and brings deep global industry expertise to our company. Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jean-Michel Ribiéras, served in various senior leadership positions at International Paper, including most recently as Senior Vice President of the Industrial Packaging business in the Americas. During his 28 years at International Paper, Jean-Michel has run the North American, Latin American and European


 

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segments of Sylvamo. He also served on the board of directors for JSC Ilim Group, a Russian operating subsidiary of Ilim SA, a 50/50 joint venture between International Paper and its partners, and led the integration of Weyerhaeuser Company’s cellulose fibers business with International Paper’s pulp business. Our Chief Financial Officer, John Sims, most recently served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at International Paper. He joined International Paper in 1994 and has been an officer of the company since 2008. During John’s 27 years at International Paper, 18 years have been in the paper business where he ran the North American and European businesses of Sylvamo. He has held various senior leadership positions, including Vice President of Finance & Strategy for the North American Industrial Packaging business and Senior Vice President and President of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Russia. Together, Jean-Michel and John will lead an experienced and highly capable senior management team at Sylvamo.

Strategic Overview

Our commitment to responsible environmental, social and governance principles is embedded throughout our three-pronged strategy, which focuses on creating value for our stockholders through:

 

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Commercial Excellence: Remain the supplier of choice by exceeding customers’ expectations for quality and service.

 

  2.

Operational Excellence: Operate as a low-cost, focused, cash-generating company.

 

  3.

Financial Discipline: Be the investment of choice by consistently delivering on a compelling investment thesis.

Specific initiatives we are focused on include:

Be commercially excellent to drive top-line growth and profitability.

 

   

Our diversified product offering and leading supply position allow us to better serve our customers. Sylvamo’s product portfolio covers a broad range of products that our customers use and sell for a wide breadth of end-user applications. This diversified offering of paper products not only creates value for our customers, but also mitigates our exposure to any one channel or end-use. Furthermore, our advantaged supply position gives us the significant global scale to serve customers close to their operations while leveraging distribution efficiencies to benefit our customers.

 

   

Our global portfolio of premium-margin branded and private label offerings differentiates our products in local markets. We intend to focus on maintaining and improving the success of our existing brands to further drive profitable growth. We have become the partner of choice for many businesses and households around the world, and we plan to continue to deliver on our brands’ reputations for quality. We believe that we can drive top-line growth and profitability by further enhancing our brand positioning across geographies, growing our loyal customer base and tapping into growing pockets of demand in select channels and geographies. For example, in 2019 we expanded SvetoCopy’s brand range to include a new product, SvetoCopy Premium, to better serve the premium market. We also utilize our marketing expertise and promotional support to help our customers market and sell our products more effectively. For example, in Brazil, we have a dedicated team of more than 20 promoters spread across the country visiting stores and developing campaigns to increase Chamex sales through promotional activity.

 

   

We will continue to invest in and focus on our strong, long-term customer relationships around the globe. We will support our customers through the quality and reliability of our products, customer service and our customer-centric innovation. We believe research and development (“R&D”) and innovation are core competencies of Sylvamo, and plan to leverage these capabilities to further


 

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strengthen our market positioning. We already supply to most of the top participants across all major channels, and we see potential to further expand our supply position. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic we helped our customers navigate stay-at-home orders by quickly introducing new packaging sizes that allowed for safe home delivery of UFS products. In Latin America, we created a group of preferred corporate distributors aimed at improving the go-to-market strategies for our top customers. In Europe, we are launching a plastic free wrapper used as packaging for our brands, as our end-users increasingly demand sustainable products. Our service and sales teams are trained to enhance our positioning with key customers. We believe developing customer loyalty through market-based value creation will help us differentiate our offerings and position us for steady cash generation from our core customer base as well as allow us to expand our customer base and defend our advantaged supply position.

 

   

We adapt and innovate as our end-customers change their channel preferences. We have successfully entered the e-commerce channel by innovating around pallet and box sizes to better service the needs of our e-retailer customers. In Latin America, we introduced an innovative package with fewer sheets per ream and a lower basis weight with fewer reams per box, which facilitates last mile delivery via motorcycle, a common transportation method in the region. Our brands represent approximately 56% of sales in the e-commerce channel in North America. In Europe, Sylvamo is one of the largest cutsize suppliers to the e-commerce channel, providing owned and licensed brands, as well as private brands. By further aligning ourselves with key e-commerce customers, we believe we will continue to lead the industry in performance. We believe we can increase customer penetration and drive top-line growth as we upgrade our warehousing systems, leverage new packaging techniques and increase our utilization of e-commerce channels.

Operational excellence and low-cost operations to drive stockholder value.

 

   

We have a history of profitability and offsetting inflation through our low-cost operations. From 2018 to 2020, we have averaged operating margins of 11.0%. Moreover, in Latin America and Europe, which represented approximately two-thirds of our Business Segment Operating Profit on average over that period, our operating margins have averaged 17.6% and 11.6%, respectively, over that same time frame. We averaged Adjusted EBITDA margins (defined as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales) of 16.4% from 2018 to 2020, and we intend to target Adjusted EBITDA margins of between 15% and 18% over the business cycle. We successfully implement price increases and maintain a strategy of constantly finding ways to offset input cost inflation. Our low-cost assets allow us the operational flexibility to produce a diverse product mix and serve multiple attractive channels, which mitigates our exposure to any one channel or end-use.

 

   

We have identified future cost reduction initiatives to help us maintain and improve our cost position in local and export markets. We expect to invest in upgrading our facilities not only to maintain our quality and low cost, but also to improve our operational flexibility. We also continuously identify opportunities to further reduce our operating costs, as evidenced by our track record of investing over $28 million on cost reduction projects per annum on average from 2010 to 2020, helping us maintain our competitive margins. We produce diverse product lines that maximize margin and value creation. For example, Eastover is able to efficiently produce different UFS product lines on its two paper machines. Additionally, when UFS demand is high we can divert more pulp to the paper machines from the market pulp machine to increase UFS production and similarly, when UFS demand is soft, we can divert more pulp to the market pulp machine. We have a similar flexible operating model across all of our geographies. Investments in technologies such as data analytics in mills to reduce costs, enhance flexibility and improve decision-making are key initiatives for Sylvamo. We expect these investments to be modest, and provide the company meaningful commercial, operational and financial benefits.


 

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We utilize lean six sigma and other management tools to drive further cost reductions and operating improvements in our manufacturing system. Our manufacturing system focuses on six key areas, including environmental, health and safety and efficiency improvement. We track our operations against Overall Equipment Effectiveness and other key metrics to drive increasingly lean operations and ensure full visibility across our operations. Recently, we have used data analytics at our mills to further accelerate the improvement progress. Going forward we expect disruptive technology to become a significant lever for future improvement. We plan to continue utilizing our lean tools and principles and implement targeted programs in order to optimize raw materials sourcing and usage, eliminate process waste, reduce repair costs and control overhead, driving cost reductions and operating improvements across our manufacturing system.

Pursue a disciplined approach to capital allocation that rewards stockholders and drives value organically through selective investment to further our advantaged positions.

 

   

We expect to deliver strong and sustainable free cash flow by continuing to leverage our low-cost assets, premier brands, and deep customer relationships with leading companies in each of our sales channels. Our annual maintenance, regulatory and reforestation capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of approximately $130 to $150 million per year for the next several years, which we believe will be sufficient to maintain our operations and productivity. In addition, spending to replace the recovery boilers at our Svetogorsk mill is expected to begin in 2022, with approximately 80% of the estimated $220 million to be spent in 2023 and 2024. If Sylvamo chooses to rebuild the recovery boilers, the anticipated total spend may be reduced. We will pursue a disciplined approach to capital investment to complement the strategic and cost reduction investments made in the last 5 years. Any planned future strategic capital expenditures will be pursued where there is the expectation of significant return on invested capital.

 

   

We intend to use a portion of the excess cash flow generated by our business to reduce outstanding indebtedness in a disciplined manner. A healthy balance sheet will support our operations and provide the financial flexibility to maximize value creation for our stockholders. Our near-term priority is debt reduction, and we intend to target a financial leverage ratio (defined as total indebtedness to Adjusted EBITDA) of less than 2.5:1 by the end of 2022. In the future, as we achieve our targeted financial leverage ratio, we anticipate that we will be in a position to return a portion of the cash flow generated by our business to our stockholders through a combination of dividends and stock repurchases, depending on market conditions and subject to approval by our board of directors.

 

   

As an independent company, we expect to allocate capital more efficiently towards a larger number of projects that have a high return on invested capital. We remain committed to investing in our low-cost, highly competitive asset base, which underpins our operations. We believe in continually optimizing our existing core asset base to drive higher incremental returns above our cost of capital. As an independent company, we plan to focus on further enhancing our operational flexibility by undertaking projects with a high expected return on capital. Sylvamo has preliminarily identified over $100 million of investment projects with potential internal rates of returns (“IRR”) in excess of 25%. We will evaluate investing in these high return projects in the future, while continuing to maintain financial discipline focused on delivering value to our stockholders.

 

   

We will strive to create intrinsic value by achieving returns above our cost of capital. As we move forward, investment excellence is essential to growing earnings and cash generation. Strategic investments will be grounded on clear strategic and financial objectives that allow us to turn Sylvamo’s advantages into profitable growth, with a meaningful return above our cost of capital. We have a strong pipeline of projects that will reduce costs and increase efficiency over the medium- to long-term.

Lastly, we intend to follow a disciplined approach in evaluating any potential strategic transactions. We view our capital allocation framework as a foundational lever to accelerate value creation for our stockholders.


 

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Our commitment to environmental, social and governance matters is embedded throughout our three-pronged strategy.

We incorporate environmental, social and governance considerations into our strategies and everyday processes as we seek to adequately address risks, operate sustainably and responsibly and create long-term value. Our commitment to sustainability includes our entire value chain, from the responsible sourcing of raw materials, to the safety of our employees, to using renewable energy and ensuring the recyclability of our products.

 

   

Environmental stewardship and responsible manufacturing practices are fundamental to how we operate, and we seek supply chain partners that share our commitment. Sylvamo recognizes that a sustainably managed forest is one that maintains and enhances economic, social and environmental values for the benefit of present and future generations. We are committed to producing the products our customers need, while ensuring responsible stewardship of the world’s natural resources. To meet the expectations of our employees, customers and other stakeholders, we will continue to lead forest stewardship efforts globally to build a better future for people, the planet and our company. We work with landowners to advance responsible forest management practices and increase the availability of certified fiber. We also work with conservation organizations to support healthy forest ecosystems, enhance ecologically significant areas, and conserve and restore forests worldwide. Most importantly, our fiber sourcing policies and practices support our commitment to protecting forests and their ecosystems for generations to come.

 

   

We will continue to generate more than 75% of our mill energy needs using renewable biomass residuals rather than fossil fuels. We have made significant investments to promote energy self- sufficiency and replace fossil fuels. For example, in 2012, we completed the construction of a biomass boiler in Mogi Guaçu, Brazil. This high-return cost savings project reduced fossil fuel use by 75% and increased earnings by $30 million in its first year of operation. Saillat, one of the most environmentally efficient mills in the world, is the first French mill to obtain Eco-label certification for copy and graphic papers. PEFC-certified since 2006, Saillat implements rigorous sustainable practices. All of its wood comes from controlled sources, it is 85% energy self-sufficient and it produces 53% fewer carbon emissions from fossil fuels than the average of the European graphic papers sector. Additionally, Saillat and its partner Dalkia, a French energy company, were selected by the French Ministry of Ecological Transition to promote renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emission. Under this program, Saillat and Dalkia will produce 25 mega-watts of biomass energy for a 20-year fixed price thereby reducing Saillat’s energy costs and consumption of fossil fuels.

 

   

We are committed to attracting and developing a diverse talented and global workforce, ensuring safety at our facilities and contributing to the resiliency of our local communities. Our international presence allows us to attract the best talent across the globe. Accordingly, our senior management team is internationally diverse with global experience, hailing from all of the geographies in which we operate—Latin America, Europe and North America. Further, we will continue to invest a portion of our earnings to address critical community needs in the communities where our employees live and work. For example, Sylvamo Brazil partners with and supports the AIPI Institute, an educational organization serving the Brazilian community.

We believe that by leveraging our strengths and executing on our strategies, we will create long-term value for our stockholders.

The Distribution

Internal Reorganization

The separation and distribution agreement between International Paper and Sylvamo will provide for the transfers of entities and related assets and liabilities so that as of the distribution, International Paper will retain the


 

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entities and assets associated with International Paper’s Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers businesses and Sylvamo will hold certain of the entities and assets associated with the Printing Papers business. Sylvamo is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of International Paper. In connection with the distribution, International Paper will undertake a series of internal reorganization transactions to facilitate the transfers of entities and the related assets and liabilities. See “The Distribution—Internal Reorganization” for further discussion.

Reasons for the Distribution

The board of directors of International Paper determined that separating Sylvamo’s Printing Papers business from International Paper’s Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers businesses is in the best interests of International Paper and its shareholders (the “separation”). Following the separation, International Paper and Sylvamo would each have greater financial, management and operational focus, the ability to tailor its capital structure to its specific business needs, a management team dedicated to seizing strategic growth opportunities with maximum flexibility, including by providing an opportunity for improved equity currency for use in connection with acquisitions and employee compensation and an investor base aligned with the respective businesses. The separation is designed to maximize shareholder value through the spin-off of International Paper’s Printing Papers business to an independent company, in a manner that is intended to be tax-free to its shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except for cash that shareholders receive in lieu of fractional shares.

The board of directors of International Paper considered the following potential benefits in determining to effect the distribution:

 

   

allowing each of International Paper and Sylvamo to focus on their respective businesses;

 

   

allowing for the more efficient use of capital expenditures by both International Paper and Sylvamo to invest in their respective businesses;

 

   

enhancing the effectiveness of International Paper’s and Sylvamo’s equity-linked compensation to more closely align the interests of management and employees of each of International Paper and Sylvamo with their respective stockholders;

 

   

a management team dedicated to seizing strategic growth opportunities with maximum flexibility, including by providing an opportunity for improved equity currency for use in connection with acquisitions;

 

   

optimizing the capital structure and leverage level for the distinctive business profile of each of International Paper and Sylvamo;

 

   

the Special Payment to International Paper;

 

   

International Paper’s retention of approximately a 19.9% stake in Sylvamo, which International Paper intends to subsequently dispose; and

 

   

increased value to International Paper’s stockholders, in particular Sylvamo’s anticipated value on a stand-alone basis.

Conditions to the Distribution

The distribution is subject to a number of conditions, including:

 

   

the SEC having declared effective the Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part, and the Form 10 shall not be the subject of any stop order or any legal, administrative, arbitral or other action, suit, investigation, proceeding, complaint, indictment or litigation by the SEC seeking a stop order;


 

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this information statement shall have been sent or otherwise made available to International Paper stockholders;

 

   

International Paper shall have received an opinion from a nationally recognized accounting firm or tax counsel satisfactory to it or a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, regarding the qualification of the distribution as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”);

 

   

the completion of the internal reorganization, the contribution by International Paper to Sylvamo of certain of the entities and the related assets and liabilities associated with International Paper’s Printing Papers business as described herein;

 

   

the receipt by International Paper’s board of directors of customary solvency and surplus opinions of a nationally recognized investment banking or appraisal firm;

 

   

the actions and filings necessary or appropriate under applicable U.S. federal, U.S. state or other securities laws or blue sky laws and the rules and regulations thereunder shall have been taken or made, and, where applicable, have become effective or been accepted;

 

   

International Paper’s and Sylvamo’s execution of the separation and distribution agreement, the tax matters agreement, the transition services agreement, the employee matters agreement, the registration rights agreement and all ancillary agreements relating to the distribution;

 

   

the absence of any order issued by any governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or other legal impediment preventing or making illegal the consummation of the separation, the distribution or any of the transactions related thereto;

 

   

Sylvamo’s common stock having been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;

 

   

Sylvamo’s entry into the financing arrangements and incurrence of at least $         aggregate principal amount of new indebtedness pursuant thereto;

 

   

the receipt by International Paper of the proceeds from the Special Payment; and

 

   

no other events or developments shall exist or shall have occurred that, in the judgment of the board of directors of International Paper, in its sole and absolute discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the separation, the distribution or the transactions contemplated by the separation and distribution agreement or any ancillary agreement.

We cannot assure you that any or all of the conditions will be satisfied or waived. See “The Distribution—Conditions to the Distribution” for additional details and additional conditions related to the distribution.

Regulatory Approval

Apart from the registration under U.S. federal securities laws of the shares of Sylvamo common stock that will be distributed in the distribution and related stock exchange listing requirements, we do not believe that other material governmental or regulatory filings or approvals will be necessary to consummate the distribution.

No Appraisal Rights

International Paper stockholders will not have appraisal rights in connection with the distribution.


 

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Summary Risk Factors

Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those described in “Risk Factors” below. You should carefully consider these risks and uncertainties when investing in our common stock. The principal risks and uncertainties affecting our business include the following:

 

   

the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures implemented to contain it;

 

   

general business or economic conditions which might effect demand for our products and our business;

 

   

industry-wide decline in demand for paper and related products;

 

   

the cyclical nature of the paper industry, which may result in fluctuations in the prices of, and demand for, our paper products;

 

   

competition from other businesses and consolidation within the paper industry;

 

   

changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, energy and transportation;

 

   

reduced truck, rail and ocean freight availability which could result in higher costs or poor service;

 

   

climate change and the physical and financial risks associated with fluctuating regional and global weather conditions or patterns;

 

   

material disruptions at one or more of our manufacturing facilities;

 

   

information technology risks related to potential breaches of security which may result in the distribution of company, customer, employee and vendor information;

 

   

extensive U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. environmental and other laws and regulations, which could result in substantial costs to the company as a result of compliance with, violations of or liabilities under these laws and regulations;

 

   

our reliance on a small number of significant customers;

 

   

adverse results from legal, regulatory and governmental proceedings or other loss contingencies;

 

   

failure to achieve expected investment returns on pension plan assets, as well as changes in interest rates or plan demographics;

 

   

a disruption in operations and increased labor costs due to labor disputes;

 

   

our inability to operate profitably as a stand-alone company or provide benefits and services or receive access to equivalent financial strength and resources as International Paper;

 

   

the loss of commercial agreements with International Paper;

 

   

our inability to achieve some or all of the benefits we expect to achieve from the distribution and the separation from International Paper and the cost of achieving such benefits may be higher than anticipated;

 

   

the fulfillment of our obligations as a public company, including with respect to the requirements of, and related to, rules under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

   

our failure to qualify for non-recognition treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which case, International Paper, Sylvamo and International Paper’s stockholders may be subject to significant U.S. federal income taxes;

 

   

our inability to take certain actions after the distribution that could jeopardize the tax-free status of the distribution;


 

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the combined post-distribution value of International Paper and Sylvamo shares may not equal or exceed the pre-distribution value of International Paper shares;

 

   

significant one-time and ongoing costs associated with the separation that could affect our period-to-period operating results following the completion of the distribution;

 

   

the satisfaction of indemnification obligations following the distribution;

 

   

federal and state fraudulent transfer laws and New York and Delaware corporate law which may permit a court to void the distribution and related transactions;

 

   

substantial indebtedness, which could prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under anticipated agreements governing our indebtedness;

 

   

our inability to generate sufficient cash to service our indebtedness, which may force us to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful;

 

   

the failure of an active trading market to develop or be sustained following the distribution;

 

   

the market price for our common stock may be volatile, and you may not be able to sell your common stock at the initial trading price; and

 

   

the actual, or perception of, a sale of substantial amounts of common stock following the distribution, which could depress the market price for our common stock.

Corporate Information

Sylvamo was incorporated on March 11, 2021. Our principal executive offices will initially be located at 6400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38197, and beginning in the second quarter of 2022 will be at 6077 Primacy Parkway, Memphis, Tennessee 38119, and our telephone number is         . Our corporate website is located at www.sylvamo.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this information statement. Upon our separation from International Paper, we expect to trade under the ticker symbol “SLVM” on the NYSE.


 

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Questions and Answers About Sylvamo and the Distribution

 

What will I receive as a result of the distribution?    Holders of International Paper common stock will receive one share of Sylvamo common stock for every nine shares of International Paper common stock owned at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on             , 2021, the Record Date for the distribution. No fractional shares of Sylvamo common stock will be issued. If you would be entitled to a fractional share of Sylvamo common stock, then you will instead receive a cash payment with respect to the fractional share.
What will happen in the distribution?    International Paper will transfer to Sylvamo certain of the entities and the related assets and liabilities associated with International Paper’s Printing Papers business (which we refer to collectively as the “contribution”). In exchange for the contribution, Sylvamo will:
  

•  issue to International Paper shares of Sylvamo’s common stock to be distributed to International Paper’s shareholders on a pro rata basis as described below, which we refer to as the “distribution”; and

  

•  transfer to International Paper the cash from the net proceeds of debt financing Sylvamo anticipates arranging prior to the distribution, together with cash on hand, which we refer to as the “Special Payment.” See “Financing Arrangements.”

   After the contribution, International Paper will spin off Sylvamo to the shareholders of International Paper by distributing approximately 80.1% of the shares of Sylvamo common stock to holders of International Paper common stock on a pro rata basis.
  

As a result of the distribution, Sylvamo will become an independent public company, although Sylvamo will continue to have a number of significant commercial arrangements with International Paper. See “The Distribution—Relationships Between International Paper and Sylvamo Following the Distribution.” Following the distribution, International Paper will continue to hold an approximately 19.9% stake in Sylvamo. International Paper intends to dispose of such shares of our common stock that it owns after the distribution in either a registered offering or pursuant to an exemption from registration, which is expected to occur within 12 months of the Distribution Date and will occur no later than five years after the distribution.

 

We have applied to list Sylvamo common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “SLVM”.

When will the distribution occur?    International Paper currently anticipates completing the distribution at 12:01 a.m., Eastern Time, on             , 2021 (the “Distribution Date”).
What is the Record Date for the distribution?    The Record Date for the distribution is             , 2021, and ownership of International Paper common stock will be

 

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   determined as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on that date. When we refer to the “Record Date” in this information statement, we are referring to that date and time.
Is shareholder approval required for the distribution?    Shareholder approval is not required for the distribution. The distribution of Sylvamo will be accomplished by distributing the shares of Sylvamo common stock to holders of International Paper common stock as a dividend. Accordingly, the dividend of the shares of Sylvamo common stock will be approved by the board of directors of International Paper pursuant to its statutory authority under New York law to declare and pay dividends.
What do I have to do to receive my shares of Sylvamo common stock?    Nothing. Your shares of Sylvamo common stock will be either reflected in an account statement that our transfer agent, Computershare Inc., will send to you shortly after the Distribution Date or credited to your account with your broker or other nominee on or about the Distribution Date. It is expected that it will take the transfer agent up to three business days to electronically issue Sylvamo shares to you or your bank or brokerage firm on your behalf by way of direct registration in book-entry form. You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your International Paper common stock or take any other action to receive your Sylvamo common stock.
When will I receive my shares of Sylvamo common stock?    If you hold your International Paper shares in your own name, then your account statement reflecting the Sylvamo shares will be mailed to you on or about the Distribution Date. You should allow several days for the mail to reach you.
   If you hold your International Paper shares through your broker or other nominee, your receipt of Sylvamo shares depends on your arrangements with the nominee that holds your International Paper shares for you. We anticipate that brokers and other nominees generally will credit their customers’ accounts with Sylvamo shares on or about the Distribution Date, but you should check with your broker or other nominee. See “The Distribution—When and How You Will Receive Sylvamo Common Stock.”
How will shares of Sylvamo common stock be distributed to me?    International Paper will distribute the shares of Sylvamo common stock by book-entry. If you are a record holder of International Paper common stock on the Record Date, then you will receive from our transfer agent shortly after the Distribution Date a statement of your book-entry account for the shares of Sylvamo common stock that are distributed to you. If you are not a record holder of International Paper common stock on the Record Date because your shares are held on your behalf by your broker or other nominee, then your shares of Sylvamo common stock should be credited to your account with your broker or other nominee on or about the Distribution Date, but you should check with your broker or other nominee. The transfer agent will distribute only whole shares of Sylvamo common stock. See “—Will International Paper distribute fractional shares?” for

 

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more information about the treatment of fractional shares you would otherwise have been entitled to receive in the distribution.

 

We will not issue any physical stock certificates to any stockholders, even if requested.

Will International Paper distribute fractional shares?    Fractional shares of Sylvamo common stock will not be issued in the distribution. If you would be entitled to receive a fractional share of Sylvamo common stock in the distribution, then you will instead receive a cash payment in lieu of the fractional share. See “The Distribution—Treatment of Fractional Shares.”
Will the distribution affect the market price of my shares of International Paper common stock?    Following the distribution, we expect that International Paper common stock will continue to be traded on the NYSE. As a result of the distribution, the trading price of International Paper common stock immediately following the distribution may be lower than immediately prior to the distribution. Until the market has fully evaluated the operations of International Paper without Sylvamo’s business and potentially thereafter, the price of International Paper common stock may fluctuate significantly. In addition, it is anticipated that shortly before the Record Date and continuing through the close of trading on the date prior to the Distribution Date, there will be two markets in International Paper common stock: a “regular way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. International Paper common stock that will trade on the regular way market will trade with an entitlement to Sylvamo common stock distributed in the distribution. Stock that trades on the ex-distribution market will trade without an entitlement to Sylvamo common stock distributed in the distribution. There can be no assurance that, following the distribution, the combined trading prices of International Paper common stock and Sylvamo common stock will equal or exceed what the trading price of International Paper common stock would have been in the absence of the separation and the distribution. For a discussion of the trading in International Paper common stock prior to and following the distribution, see “The Distribution—Trading Prior to the Distribution Date” and “The Distribution—Listing and Trading of the Shares of Sylvamo Common Stock.”
Where will my shares of Sylvamo common stock be traded?    We have applied to list the shares of Sylvamo common stock on the NYSE under the trading symbol “SLVM” following completion of the distribution. See “The Distribution—Listing and Trading of the Shares of Sylvamo Common Stock.”
When will I be able to trade shares of Sylvamo common stock?    There is no current trading market for Sylvamo common stock, although we expect that a limited market, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, will develop on or shortly before the Record Date. When-issued trading in the context of a spin-off refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally on or before the Record Date because the securities of the spun-off entity have not yet been distributed. When-issued trades generally settle within three trading days after the Distribution Date. We expect

 

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   “regular-way” trading of Sylvamo common stock to begin on the Distribution Date. For a discussion of the trading in Sylvamo common stock prior to and following the distribution, see “The Distribution—Trading Prior to the Distribution Date” and “The Distribution—Listing and Trading of the Shares of Sylvamo Common Stock.”
What is Sylvamo’s dividend policy?    We do not expect to declare or pay dividends on our common stock or repurchase our common stock following the distribution, as we intend to use excess cash to reduce outstanding indebtedness. In the future, as we achieve our targeted financial leverage ratio, we anticipate that we will be in a position to return a portion of the cash flow generated by our business to our stockholders through a combination of dividends and stock repurchases, depending on market conditions and subject to approval by our board of directors. Any declaration of cash dividends or stock repurchases will be at the discretion of Sylvamo’s board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, earnings, liquidity, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to paying cash dividends or repurchasing stock, restrictions imposed by Delaware law and any other factors our board of directors deems relevant in making such a determination. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will pay any cash dividends to holders of our common stock or approve any stock repurchase program, or as to the amount of any such cash dividends or stock repurchase. See “Dividend Policy.”
Can International Paper decide to cancel the distribution even if all of the conditions have been satisfied?    Yes. Until the distribution has occurred, International Paper has the right to terminate the distribution, even if all the conditions have been satisfied, if the board of directors of International Paper determines that the distribution is not in the best interest of International Paper and its shareholders or that market conditions or other circumstances are such that the separation of Sylvamo and International Paper is no longer advisable at that time.
Will there be any payments by Sylvamo to International Paper in connection with the Distribution?    Yes, pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement, Sylvamo is required to make a payment to International Paper of approximately $1.6 billion, which we refer to as the “Special Payment.” See “The Distribution—Separation and Distribution Agreement.”
What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution to me as an International Paper shareholder?    To implement the distribution, International Paper will distribute the shares of Sylvamo common stock on a pro rata basis to holders of International Paper common stock in a manner that is intended to be tax-free to its shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except for cash that shareholders receive in lieu of fractional shares. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution.”
What kind of relationship will Sylvamo have with International Paper after the distribution?    Prior to the distribution, Sylvamo and International Paper will enter into agreements for International Paper to transfer to Sylvamo certain of the entities and the related assets and

 

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liabilities associated with International Paper’s Printing Papers business, to arrange for the continued provision of certain services by each company to the other company for a period of time, to make arrangements for the distribution and to define the ongoing relationships between International Paper and Sylvamo, including with respect to employee and tax matters. Sylvamo and International Paper will also enter into certain commercial agreements prior to the distribution. See “The Distribution— Relationships Between International Paper and Sylvamo Following the Distribution.”

 

For so long as International Paper continues to hold retained outstanding shares of common stock of Sylvamo, International Paper will vote such retained shares in proportion to the votes cast by the other holders of Sylvamo’s common stock and will grant Sylvamo a proxy for such retained shares requiring this manner of voting.

What are Sylvamo’s financing arrangements?    We expect to incur up to $             million in new debt in connection with the distribution, consisting of $             million of senior notes and $             million of term loans, and enter into a $             million cash flow-based revolving credit facility. We intend to use the net proceeds from our new financing arrangements, together with cash on hand, to make the Special Payment to International Paper immediately prior to the distribution. See “Financing Arrangements.”
Will any anti-takeover protections exist following the distribution?    Certain provisions of Sylvamo’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws may have the effect of making the acquisition of control of Sylvamo in a transaction not approved by Sylvamo’s board of directors more difficult. See “Description of Capital Stock—Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended and Restated By-Laws and Applicable Law.”
Do I have appraisal rights in connection with the distribution?    No. Holders of International Paper common stock have no appraisal rights in connection with the distribution.
Who is the transfer agent and registrar for Sylvamo common stock?    The transfer agent and registrar for Sylvamo common stock is Computershare Inc. You can contact the transfer agent and registrar with any questions about the distribution at the following address and telephone number:
  

Computershare Inc.

250 Royall Street

Canton, MA 02021

Tel: 1-877-581-5548


 

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Summary Historical Financial Data

The following summary historical financial data reflects the combined operations of Sylvamo. The summary combined operating data for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 and the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, and summary combined balance sheet data as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and 2019, as set forth below, have been derived from the unaudited condensed combined financial statements and audited combined financial statements of Sylvamo included elsewhere in this information statement.

You should read the following summary historical financial data together with “Capitalization,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” unaudited condensed combined financial statements and the audited combined financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement. Sylvamo’s historical results do not necessarily indicate the results expected for any future period.

 

     As of and for the
six months ended
June 30,
    As of and for the years ended
December 31,
 
     2021     2020     2020     2019     2018  
                 (in millions)  

Combined Statement of Operations Data:

          

Net Sales

   $ 1,622     $ 1,475     $ 3,009     $ 4,017     $ 4,119  

Costs of Products Sold

     1,050       1,062       2,101       2,638       2,620  

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

     240       67       198       502       573  

Net Income (Loss)

     177       54       170       377       419  

Combined Balance Sheet Data (at period end):

          

Total Current Assets

   $ 1,314       $ 1,119     $ 1,393    

Plants, Properties and Equipment, net

     944         974       1,174    

Total Assets

     3,109         2,911       3,470    

Long-Term Debt

     20         22       25    

Total Parent Company Equity

     2,284         2,112       2,517    

Combined Statement of Cash Flow Data:

          

Cash Provided By Operating Activities

   $ 222     $ 152     $ 359     $ 524     $ 589  

Cash Used For Investment Activities

   $ (38   $ (25   $ (79   $ (160   $ (171

Cash Used For Financing Activities

   $ (3   $ (187   $ (350   $ (387   $ (510

Other Financial Measures:

          

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

   $ 247     $ 157     $ 373     $ 709     $ 788  

Total Operating Profit (2)

   $ 169     $ 71     $ 204     $ 498     $ 571  

Operating Margin (3)

     10.4     4.8     6.8     12.4     13.9

Operating Margin for Latin America (4)

     24.4     10.2     13.3     16.3     23.2

Operating Margin for Europe (4)

     8.7     9.9     8.3     12.5     13.9

Operating Margin for North America (4)

     4.9     —         2.9     10.0     9.0

Cash Provided By Operating Activities Conversion (5)

     85.6     73.0     79.4     78.1     77.2

Adjusted EBITDA Conversion (6)

     87.0     73.9     80.0     83.8     83.0

 

(1)

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a description of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to Net income (loss). See footnote (6) below for a reconciliation to Cash Provided by Operating Activities.

(2)

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Overview” for a description of Total Operating Profit and a reconciliation to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure.

(3)

Operating Margin is calculated as Total Operating Profit divided by Net Sales. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Overview” for a description of Total Operating Profit and a reconciliation to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure.


 

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(4)

Operating Margin for each business segment is calculated as Business Segment Operating Profit for the applicable segment divided by Net Sales for that segment. See Note 14 to our unaudited condensed combined financial statements and Note 13 to our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement for further information.

(5)

Represents Cash Provided by Operating Activities less Maintenance, Regulatory and Reforestation Capital Expenditures divided by Cash Provided by Operating Activities.

(6)

Adjusted EBITDA Conversion is defined as Adjusted EBITDA less maintenance, regulatory and reforestation capital expenditures divided by Adjusted EBITDA. Our definition of Adjusted EBITDA Conversion excludes strategic and cost reduction capital expenditures and the anticipated Svetogorsk recovery boiler investment. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA Conversion provides investors and analysts meaningful insights into our operating performance and cash flow generation. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a description of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA Conversion may be determined or calculated differently by other companies and therefore may not be comparable among companies. Below is a reconciliation of Cash Provided By Operating Activities to Adjusted EBITDA:

 

    For the six months
ended June 30,
    For the year ended December 31,  
    2021     2020     2020     2019     2018  

Cash Provided By Operating Activities

  $ 222     $ 152     $ 359     $ 524     $ 589  

Deferred income tax (provision) benefit, net

    2       22       49       7       5  

Special items (a)

    (42     5       10       5       5  

Interest income, net

    (29     (1     (4 )      (9     (7

Income tax provision (benefit)

    63       13       28       125       154  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

    31       (34)       (69 )      57       42  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

    247       157       373       709       788  

Maintenance, Regulatory and Reforestation Capital Expenditures

  $ 32     $ 41     $ 74     $ 115     $ 134  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA less Maintenance, Regulatory and Reforestation Capital Expenditures

  $ 215     $ 116     $ 299       594       654  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA Conversion

    87.0     73.9     80.0     83.8     83.0

Cash Provided By Operating Activities less Maintenance, Regulatory and Reforestation Capital Expenditures

  $ 190     $ 111     $ 285     $ 409     $ 455  

Cash Provided By Operating Activities Conversion(b)

    85.6     73.0     79.4     78.1     77.2

 

(a)

Special items include Restructuring and other charges, net and Other special items. Items included within Restructuring and other charges during the periods presented principally relate to overhead cost reduction initiatives, including severance costs. Other special items in the period presented primarily include abandoned property removal costs and foreign VAT refunds.

(b)

Represents Cash Provided by Operating Activities less Maintenance, Regulatory and Reforestation Capital Expenditures divided by Cash Provided by Operating Activities.


 

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Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data

The following summary unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet of Sylvamo as of June 30, 2021 has been prepared to give effect to the Pro Forma Transactions (as defined in “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements”) as though the Pro Forma Transactions had occurred as of June 30, 2021. The unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020 have been prepared to give effect to the Pro Forma Transactions as if the Pro Forma Transactions had occurred or became effective as of January 1, 2020, the beginning of our most recently completed fiscal year.

The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements presented below have been derived from our unaudited condensed combined financial statements and audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement and do not purport to represent what our financial position and results of operations would have been had the separation occurred on the dates indicated and are not necessarily indicative of our future financial position and future results of operations. In addition, the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements are provided for illustrative and informational purposes only. The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and assumptions we believe are reasonable; however, such adjustments are subject to change.

You should read the following summary unaudited pro forma combined financial data of Sylvamo together with “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements,” “Capitalization,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” unaudited condensed combined financial statements and the audited combined financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

     Six months ended
June 30, 2021

(In millions)
     Year ended
December 31, 2020

(In millions)
 
    

(unaudited)

 

Combined Statement of Operations Data:

     

Net sales

   $ 1,622      $ 3,009  

Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested)

     1,029        2,078  

Income (loss) before income taxes

     213        61  

Net income (loss)

     157        66  

Other Data:

     

Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA(1)

   $ 256      $ 378  

 

     As of
June 30, 2021

(In millions)
 
    

(unaudited)

 

Combined Balance Sheet Data (at period end):

  

Total Current Assets

   $ 957  

Plants, Properties and Equipment, net

     944  

Total Assets

     2,781  

Long-Term Debt

     1,522  

Total Equity

     461  

 

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(1)

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a description of Adjusted EBITDA. See below for a reconciliation of pro forma net income to Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2021

(In millions)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2020

(In millions)
 

Pro forma net income(a)

   $ 157      $ 66  

Income tax provision (benefit)

     56        (5

Interest (income) expense, net

     (2      50  

Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested

     71        154  

Stock-based compensation(b)

     7        15  

Other special items(c)

     (42      10  

Other one-time costs(d)

            55  

Non-recurring TSA costs(e)

            33  

Dis-synergies(f)

     9         
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 256      $ 378  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Pro forma net income for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020 reflects the removal of $17 million and $20 million, respectively, of allocated fixed costs related to facility charges that will not be incurred by Sylvamo following the separation in accordance with the Supply and Offtake agreements, as discussed in note (l) to the “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements.” The facility cost charges totaled $29 million for the twelve months ended June 30, 2021.

(b)

Stock-based compensation is a non-cash item incurred during the periods presented related to the Company’s stock-based compensation expense attributable to direct Company employees and an allocation of International Paper’s corporate and shared employees.

(c)

Other special items primarily include abandoned property removal costs and foreign VAT refunds.

(d)

Other one-time costs reflect one-time expenses of approximately $55 million that are expected to be incurred within 12 months following the completion of the separation, including $8 million of one-time transaction costs directly attributable to the separation.

(e)

Non-recurring TSA costs reflects services to be provided by International Paper under the transition services agreement which are not expected to continue following expiration of the transition services agreements.

(f)

Dis-synergies reflect incremental costs related to information technology, supply chain, corporate affairs, legal, finance, human resources and other corporate functions previously shared with International Paper, offset by royalty expenses related to licensing agreements with International Paper that we do not expect to incur following the separation. Annual dis-synergies have been estimated to be $15 million, which are reflected in pro forma net income for the year ended December 31, 2020. Pro forma net income for the six months ended June 30, 2021 includes $17 million of additional costs, as discussed in note (k) to the “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements.” Therefore, an adjustment of $9 million is reflected to approximate half of the annual estimated dis-synergies in the six-month period.


 

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RISK FACTORS

You should consider and read carefully all of the risks and uncertainties described below, as well as the other information contained in this information statement, including our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement. The risks described below are not the only ones we face. The occurrence of any of the following risks or additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial could cause a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In any such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline. In addition, many of these risks are interrelated and could occur under similar business and economic conditions, and the occurrence of certain of them could in turn cause the emergence or exacerbate the effect of others. This information statement also contains forward-looking statements and estimates that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of specific factors, including the risks and uncertainties described below. See “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements and Information.”

Risks Relating to Our Business

Risks Relating to Economic Conditions

The COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, particularly if negative economic conditions associated with the pandemic persist or deteriorate.

The COVID-19 pandemic and measures implemented to contain its spread have caused a significant global economic downturn, disrupting supply chains, significantly increasing unemployment and underemployment levels, and adversely impacting consumer confidence and spending. We face various risks related to the pandemic, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Demand-related risks:

 

   

Our business is dependent in part on demand for paper from schools, offices and other workplaces. COVID-19 has had a significant negative impact on demand for our printing papers products, in particular UFS, as a result of remote learning and remote working and many schools, offices and other workplaces being temporarily closed. Demand for our products may never return to pre-pandemic levels, even when schools, offices and other workplaces eventually reopen, as people may become accustomed to using less paper.

 

   

Cost reductions implemented across our business, including in response to decreased consumer demand for our products as a result of the pandemic and deferral of planned capital expenditures, could hinder execution of our business strategy.

Supply-related risks:

 

   

Although governments of countries in which we operate have generally considered forest products and our supply chain to be “essential industries” that should remain operational during the pandemic, any significant disruption in operations at one or more of our mills, plants or other facilities, including due to employee illness, quarantines, government actions, or other restrictions or measures responsive to the pandemic, could adversely affect our ability to produce our products at historical levels and costs.

 

   

A significant number of our employees as well as employees of customers, vendors and others with whom we do business may continue to work remotely for extended periods of time. Our business operations may be disrupted as a result of these remote working arrangements, including, for example, due to cyber risks or other disruption to our technology infrastructure to which we may be more vulnerable in a remote work environment. These disruptions could adversely affect the productivity of our workforce.

 

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Capital markets-related risks:

 

   

If the pandemic continues and current government support of markets is withdrawn, this could result in disruptions or turmoil in the credit or financial markets, which could adversely affect our ability to access capital on favorable terms and continue to meet our liquidity needs.

We expect the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to have an adverse impact on our business in the near term. The extent of any future impact is uncertain and outside of our control and will depend on various factors, including the severity of additional outbreaks and strains of the virus and the development, availability and effectiveness of treatments and vaccines, the extent and duration of the pandemic’s adverse effect on economic and social activity, consumer confidence, discretionary spending and preferences, labor and healthcare costs, and unemployment rates, any of which may reduce demand for our products, any temporary reduction in our workforce, closures of our offices and facilities, and difficulties in adequately staffing and maintaining our operations, and the ability of our customers and suppliers to continue their operations. If current conditions persist for a prolonged period, or worsen, the COVID-19 pandemic, including any of the above factors and others that are currently unknown, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

General business and economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on the demand for our products and our business, financial condition and results of operations.

General business and economic conditions, both in the United States and elsewhere around the world, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, high unemployment levels, inflation, availability and cost of credit, geopolitical issues and trade disputes have contributed in the past, and may contribute in the future, to volatility in worldwide financial markets and disruptions to, and diminished expectations for, the economy and markets. These conditions could adversely affect industrial non-durable goods production, consumer spending, commercial printing and advertising activity, white-collar employment levels and consumer confidence, all of which impact demand for our products. In addition, volatility in the capital and credit markets, which impacts interest rates, currency exchange rates and the availability of credit, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in international conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business, business prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected by risks related to the countries outside the United States in which we have manufacturing facilities or sell our products. Five of the seven mills we operate are located outside the United States: three in Brazil, one in Russia and one in France. These countries are exposed to economic, and in some cases political, instability in their respective regions of the world. Fluctuations in the value of local currency versus the U.S. dollar, downturns in economic activity, adverse tax consequences or rulings, nationalization or any change in social, political or labor conditions in any of these countries or regions impacting matters such as sustainability, environmental regulations, and trade policies and agreements, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, a future outbreak of a widespread health epidemic, such as COVID-19 or another coronavirus, influenza and other highly communicable disease or virus, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including if operations of our customers are adversely impacted.

Trade protection measures in favor of local producers of competing products, including governmental subsidies, tax benefits and other measures giving local producers a competitive advantage over our company, could also have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and business prospects in these countries. For example, our mills in Brazil have historically benefited from policies favoring domestic producers. We cannot guarantee that any such policies will continue or that we will continue to benefit from existing or future policies. Likewise, disruption in existing trade agreements or increased trade friction between countries, which

 

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can result in tariffs, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations by restricting the free flow of goods and services across borders. In addition, our international operations are subject to regulation under U.S. law and other laws related to operations in foreign jurisdictions, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the policies of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control. We may also be subject to anti-dumping and countervailing duties in the United States, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Failure to comply with domestic or foreign laws could result in various adverse consequences, including the imposition of civil or criminal sanctions and the prosecution of executives overseeing our international operations.

Risks Relating to Our Industry, the Products We Offer and Product Distribution

The industry-wide decline in demand for paper and related products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We rely heavily on the sale of paper products, an industry that has experienced, and is expected to continue experiencing, a secular decline in demand, which could put pressure on our future revenue, profit margin and growth opportunities. The global demand for UFS decreased at a 0.4% CAGR from 2014 to 2019, based on RISI data. This secular decline in demand is due in large part to competing technologies and materials, including the increased use of e-mail and other electronic forms of communication, increased and permanent product substitution, including less print advertising, more electronic billing, more e-commerce, fewer catalogs and a reduced volume of mail. The secular decline in demand has had a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. As the use of these alternatives grows, demand for paper products is likely to decline further, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The paper industry is cyclical. Fluctuations in the prices of, and the demand for, our paper products could result in lower sales volumes and smaller profit margins.

The paper industry is cyclical. Historically, economic and market shifts, fluctuations in capacity and changes in foreign currency exchange rates have created cyclical changes in prices, sales volume and margins for our paper products. The length and magnitude of industry cycles have varied over time and by product, but generally reflect changes in macroeconomic conditions and levels of industry capacity. Most of our paper products are commodities that are available from other producers. While brand recognition impacts the demand for products, because commodity products have few other distinguishing qualities from producer to producer, competition for these products is based primarily on price, which is determined by supply relative to demand.

The overall levels of demand for the paper products that we manufacture, and consequently our sales and profitability, reflect fluctuations in levels of end-user demand, which depend in part on general macroeconomic conditions, the continuation of the current level of service and cost of postal services, as well as competition from electronic substitution. Generally, our products are produced and sold regionally due to their heavy weight, which makes export costs high relative to selling price, which makes us dependent on demand in the regions in which we operate. See “—The industry-wide decline in demand for paper and related products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

Industry supply of paper products is also subject to fluctuation, as changing industry conditions have and will continue to influence producers to idle or permanently close individual machines or entire mills or retool them for different products to offset a decline in demand. Any such closures by us would result in significant cash and non-cash charges. In addition, to avoid substantial cash costs in connection with idling or closing a mill, some producers will choose to continue to operate at a loss, sometimes even a cash loss, which could prolong weak pricing environments due to oversupply.

As a result, prices for our paper products are driven by many factors outside of our control, and we have little influence over the timing and extent of price changes, which are often volatile. Our profitability with respect to our products depends on managing our cost structure, particularly wood fiber, chemicals,

 

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transportation and energy costs, which represent the largest components of our operating costs and can fluctuate based upon factors beyond our control. If the prices or demand for our paper products decline, or if wood fiber, chemicals, transportation or energy costs increase, or both, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. See “—Changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, energy and transportation could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

Competition from other businesses and consolidation within the paper industry could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, financial condition and results of operations.

We operate in a competitive environment, both in the United States and internationally. Product innovations, manufacturing and operating efficiencies, and marketing, distribution and pricing strategies pursued or achieved by competitors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, there has been a trend toward consolidation in the paper industry. Consolidation could result in the emergence of competitors with greater resources and scale than ours, which could adversely impact our competitive position, financial conditions and results of operations. In addition, actual or speculated consolidation among competitors, or the acquisition by, or of, our third party service providers and business partners by competitors could increase the competitive pressures faced by us as customers could delay spending decisions or not purchase our products at all.

Changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, energy and transportation could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We rely heavily on the use of certain raw materials (principally virgin wood fiber, caustic soda and starch), energy sources (principally biomass, natural gas, electricity and fuel oil) and third-party companies that transport our goods. The market price of virgin wood fiber varies based upon availability, source, and the costs of fuels used in the harvesting and transportation of the fiber. The cost and availability of wood fiber can also be impacted by weather, climate variations, natural disasters, general logging conditions, geography and regulatory activity. The global supply and demand for recycled fiber may be affected by trade policies between countries, legislation and regulations, as well as changes in the global economy. The availability and cost of recycled fiber depends heavily on recycling rates and the domestic and global demand for recycled products. The increase in demand for products manufactured, in whole or in part, from recycled fiber, on a global basis, may cause significant fluctuations in recycled fiber prices. Energy prices, in particular prices for oil and natural gas, have fluctuated dramatically in the past and may continue to fluctuate in the future. The availability of labor and the market price for fuel may affect our costs for third-party transportation. In addition, inflationary cost pressures may make our raw materials more expensive. Our profitability has been, and will continue to be, affected by changes in the cost and availability of the raw materials, energy sources and transportation sources we use.

Due to the commodity nature of our products, the supply and demand for our products determines our ability to increase prices. Consequently, we may be unable to pass on increases in our operating costs to our customers. Any sustained increase in raw material or energy prices without any corresponding increase in product pricing would reduce our operating margins and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Reduced truck, rail and ocean freight availability could lead to higher costs or poor service, resulting in lower earnings, and could affect our ability to deliver the products we manufacture in a timely manner.

We rely on third parties for transportation and delivery of raw materials and the products we manufacture. In particular, the goods we manufacture and raw materials we use are transported by railroad, trucks and ships, which are highly regulated. If any of our transportation providers were to fail to deliver the goods that we manufacture in a timely manner, this could result in additional costs in order to remedy the untimely delivery.

 

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Similarly, if any of these providers were to fail to deliver raw materials to us in a timely manner, we may be unable to manufacture our products in response to customer demand. In addition, if any of these providers were to cease operations or cease doing business with us, we may be unable to replace them at reasonable cost. Any failure of a transportation provider to deliver raw materials to us or finished products to our customers in a timely manner could harm our reputation, negatively impact our customer relationships and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to physical and financial risks associated with climate change and global, regional and local weather conditions.

Our operations and the operations of our suppliers are subject to climate variations, which impact the productivity of forests, the frequency and severity of wildfires, the distribution and abundance of species, and the spread of disease or insect epidemics, which in turn may adversely affect timber production and availability of virgin fiber. Over the past several years, changing weather patterns and climatic conditions due to natural and man-made causes have added to the unpredictability and frequency of natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, hailstorms, snow and ice storms. Any of these natural disasters could also affect timber supply or cause variations in the cost of raw materials, such as virgin fiber. The effects of climate change and global, regional and local weather conditions could also have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Risks Relating to Our Operations

Material disruptions at one of our manufacturing facilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We operate our facilities in compliance with applicable rules and regulations and take measures to minimize the risk of disruption at our facilities. A material disruption at our corporate headquarters or one of our manufacturing facilities, or involving any of our machines within such facilities, could prevent us from meeting customer demand and reduce our sales, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Any of our manufacturing facilities, or any of our machines within an otherwise operational facility, could cease operations unexpectedly due to a number of events, including:

 

   

fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes or other catastrophes;

 

   

the effect of a drought or reduced rainfall on its water supply;

 

   

the effect of severe weather conditions on equipment and facilities;

 

   

disruption in the supply of raw materials or other manufacturing inputs;

 

   

information system disruptions or failures due to any number of causes, including cyber-attacks;

 

   

domestic and international laws and regulations applicable to our business and our business partners around the world;

 

   

unscheduled maintenance outages;

 

   

prolonged power failures;

 

   

an equipment failure or damage to any of our paper-making machines;

 

   

a chemical spill or release of pollutants or hazardous substances;

 

   

explosion of a boiler or other equipment;

 

   

damage or disruptions caused by third parties operating on or adjacent to one of our manufacturing facilities;

 

   

disruptions in the transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, railroad tracks and tunnels;

 

   

a widespread outbreak of an illness or any other communicable disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or any other public health crisis;

 

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failure of our third-party service providers and business partners to satisfactorily fulfill their commitments and responsibilities in a timely manner and in accordance with agreed upon terms;

 

   

labor difficulties; and

 

   

other operational problems.

Our operations require substantial capital, and any significant capital investments could increase fixed costs, which could negatively affect our profitability.

We frequently make capital investments to improve our operations. These capital expenditures could result in increased fixed costs or large one-time capital expenditures, which could negatively affect our profitability. Capital expenditures for expansion or replacement of existing facilities or equipment or to comply with future changes in environmental laws and regulations may be substantial. For example, in the next few years, we expect to replace the two recovery boilers at our Svetogorsk mill with one new recovery boiler, which we estimate will cost $220 million over that period, beginning in 2022, with approximately 80% of the estimated amount to be spent in 2023 and 2024. If we were to rebuild the two recovery boilers instead, the anticipated total spend would be reduced, but would result in greater downtime, which would have a significant adverse effect on production at the Svetogorsk mill as well as a corresponding adverse effect on our sales and earnings. We cannot guarantee that key pieces of equipment in our various manufacturing facilities will not need to be repaired or replaced or that we will not incur significant additional costs associated with environmental compliance. The costs of repairing or replacing such equipment and the associated downtime of the affected production line could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If for any reason we are unable to provide for our operating needs, capital expenditures, and other cash requirements on economically favorable terms, we could experience a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to information technology risks related to breaches of security pertaining to sensitive company, customer, employee and vendor information as well as breaches in the technology used to manage operations and other business processes.

Our business operations rely upon secure information technology systems for data capture, processing, storage and reporting. Despite careful security and controls design, implementation, updating and independent third-party verification, our information technology systems, and those of our third-party providers or partners, could become subject to employee error or malfeasance, cyber attacks, geopolitical events, natural disasters, failures or impairments of telecommunications networks or other catastrophic events. Network, system, application and data breaches could result in operational disruptions or information misappropriation including, but not limited to, interruption to systems availability, and denial of access to and misuse of applications required by our customers to conduct business with us. Access to applications required to plan our operations, source materials, manufacture and ship finished goods and account for orders could be denied or misused. Theft of intellectual property or trade secrets, and inappropriate disclosure of confidential company, employee, customer or vendor information, could stem from such incidents. Any of these operational disruptions or misappropriation of information could result in lost sales, business delays and negative publicity, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to extensive U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. environmental laws and regulations, and could incur substantial costs as a result of compliance with, violations of or liabilities under these laws and regulations.

We are subject to extensive U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. environmental laws and regulations. Environmental laws and regulations continue to evolve, and we may become subject to increasingly stringent environmental standards in the future, particularly under air quality and water quality laws and standards related to climate change issues, such as reporting of greenhouse gas emissions. Increased regulatory activity at the state, federal and international level is possible regarding climate change as well as other emerging environmental

 

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issues associated with our manufacturing sites. Compliance with regulations that implement new public policy in these areas could require significant expenditures on our part or even the curtailment of certain of our manufacturing operations.

We have incurred, and expect that we will continue to incur, significant capital and operating expenditures complying with applicable environmental laws and regulations. Our environmental expenditures include, among other areas, those related to air and water quality, waste disposal and the cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater, including situations where we have been identified as a potentially responsible party. For example, we have reserved $12.7 million for remediation work to be performed at our mill in Svetogorsk, Russia, following identification in 2018 of mercury contamination in sediment in a river tributary that traverses the site of the mill. Moreover, we may be directly impacted by, and are working to manage, the risks and costs to us, our customers and our vendors of the effects of climate change, greenhouse gases, and the availability of energy and water resources. These risks include the potentially adverse impact on forestlands, which are a key resource in the production of our products, increased product costs and a change in the types of products that customers purchase. We also face risks arising from the increased public focus, including by governmental and nongovernmental organizations, on these and other environmental sustainability matters, such as packaging and waste, deforestation and land use.

We also face increased pressure to make commitments, set targets or establish additional goals and take actions to meet them. These commitments, targets and goals could expose us to market, operational and execution risks as well as higher costs. There can be no assurance that future remediation requirements and compliance with existing and new laws and requirements will not require significant expenditures, or that existing reserves for specific matters will be adequate to cover future costs. We could also incur substantial fines or sanctions, enforcement actions (including orders limiting our operations or requiring corrective measures), natural resource damages claims, investigation, cleanup and closure costs, and third-party claims for property damage and personal injury as a result of violations of, or liabilities under, environmental laws, regulations, codes and common law. The amount and timing of environmental expenditures is difficult to predict, and, in some cases, liability may be imposed without regard to contribution or to whether we knew of, or caused, the release of hazardous substances.

Further, we are required to comply with environmental laws and the terms and conditions of multiple environmental permits. In particular, the paper industry in the United States is subject to several performance-based rules associated with effluent and air emissions. Federal, state and local laws and regulations require us to routinely obtain authorizations from and comply with the evolving standards of the appropriate governmental authorities, which have considerable discretion over the terms of permits. Failure to comply with environmental laws and permit requirements could result in civil or criminal fines or penalties or enforcement actions, including regulatory or judicial orders enjoining or curtailing our operations or requiring us to take corrective measures, install pollution control equipment, or take other remedial actions, such as product recalls or labeling changes. There can be no assurance that future environmental permits will be granted or that we will be able to maintain and renew existing permits, and the failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, as the owner and operator of real property, we may be liable under environmental laws for investigation, cleanup, closure and other damages resulting from the presence and release of hazardous substances on or from our properties or operations, including properties that we no longer own or operate. The amount and timing of environmental expenditures is difficult to predict, and, in some cases, our liability may be imposed without regard to contribution or to whether we knew of, or caused, the release of hazardous substances and may exceed forecasted amounts or the value of the property itself. The discovery of additional contamination or the imposition of additional cleanup obligations at our or third-party sites may result in significant additional costs. Any material liability we incur could preclude us from making capital expenditures that would otherwise benefit our business and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Our business is subject to a wide variety of laws, regulations and other government requirements that may change in significant ways, and the cost of compliance with such requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition to environmental laws and regulations (see “—We are subject to extensive U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. environmental laws and regulations, and could incur substantial costs as a result of compliance with, violations of or liabilities under these laws and regulations”), our operations are subject to regulation under a wide variety of other U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. laws, regulations and other government requirements, including those relating to health and safety, labor and employment, data privacy, tax, trade and health care. There can be no assurance that laws, regulations and government requirements will not be changed, applied or interpreted in ways that will require us to modify our operations and objectives or affect our returns on investments by restricting existing activities and products, subjecting them to escalating costs.

For example, we are subject to complex and evolving U.S. and international privacy laws and regulations, including those pertaining to the handling of personal data, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), Brazil’s Lei General de Proteção de Dados (“LGPD”) and the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”). The GDPR, which became effective on May 25, 2018, with respect to all member states of the European Union, includes operational requirements for companies receiving or processing personal data of EU residents that are partially different from those that had previously been in place and imposes significant penalties for noncompliance. The recently enacted LGPD establishes rules for the collection, use, processing, storage and transfer of personal data. The LGPD gives Brazilian data subjects expanded rights to control their personal data, including the right to access, correct and delete that personal data. In addition, the LGPD imposes obligations on companies processing personal data of individuals in Brazil, including with respect to maintaining the security of personal data, limiting the processing of personal data, reporting data breaches and cross-border data transfers. Failure to comply with the LGPD could result in potentially severe financial penalties. Application of penalties under the LGPD will begin on August 1, 2021. The LGPD may require additional compliance investment as well as additional changes to policies, procedures and operations. The CCPA, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, affords California residents and households expanded privacy protections. Moreover, governmental authorities around the world are considering, or are in the process of implementing, new data protection regulations.

Many of these laws and regulations are subject to uncertain application, interpretation or enforcement standards that could result in claims, changes to our business practices, data processing and security systems, penalties, increased operating costs or other impacts on our business. The recently enacted laws often provide for civil penalties for violations, as well as private rights of action for data breaches that may increase data breach litigation. Regulatory authorities could determine that our data handling practices fail to address all the requirements of certain new laws, which could subject us to penalties and litigation. In addition, there is no assurance that our security controls over personal data, the training of employees and vendors on data privacy and data security, and the policies, procedures and practices we implement will prevent the improper disclosure of personal data. Improper disclosure of personal data in violation of the GDPR, the CCPA or of other personal data protection laws could harm our reputation, cause loss of consumer confidence, subject us to government enforcement actions (including fines), or result in private litigation against us, which could result in loss of revenue, increased costs, liability for monetary damages, fines or criminal prosecution, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The application of tax law is subject to interpretation and is subject to audit by taxing authorities. Additionally, administrative guidance can be incomplete or vary from legislative intent, and therefore the application of the tax law is uncertain. While we believe the positions reported by Sylvamo comply with relevant tax laws and regulations, taxing authorities could interpret our application of certain laws and regulations differently. We are currently subject to tax audits in the United States, Brazil and other taxing jurisdictions around the world. In some cases, International Paper has appealed, and, following the distribution, we may continue to appeal, assessments by taxing authorities in the court system. As such, tax controversy matters may result in previously unrecorded tax expenses, higher future tax expenses or the assessment of interest and penalties.

 

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For example, the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service has challenged the deductibility of goodwill amortization generated in a 2007 acquisition by International Paper do Brasil Ltda. (“IP Brasil”), which will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sylvamo following the distribution (the “Brazil Tax Dispute”). IP Brasil received assessments for the tax years 2007-2015 totaling approximately $116 million in tax and $376 million in interest, penalties and fees as of June 30, 2021 (adjusted for variation in currency exchange rates). We expect that IP Brasil will receive assessments for additional tax years that is expected to increase the total assessment to approximately $585 million (at June 30, 2021 currency exchange rates). After a previous favorable ruling challenging the basis for these assessments, IP Brasil received other subsequent unfavorable decisions from the Brazilian Administrative Council of Tax Appeals. International Paper is appealing this tax litigation in the Brazilian federal courts. The Brazilian government may enact a tax amnesty program that would allow IP Brasil to resolve the Brazil Tax Dispute for less than the assessed amount. If a tax amnesty program is enacted prior to the distribution date and International Paper decides to participate in the amnesty program prior to the distribution date, International Paper would pay 100% of the liability up to $180 million, Sylvamo would pay up to the next $60 million of the liability and International Paper would pay 100% of any liability over $240 million. We cannot assure you that any such amnesty program will be enacted or that International Paper will decide to participate. Any such payment by Sylvamo may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operation and cash flows.

Sylvamo has agreed to pay 40% of any liability resulting from the resolution (including under any tax amnesty program) of the Brazil Tax Dispute following the distribution, with International Paper responsible for paying the remaining 60% of any such liability. After the distribution, all decisions concerning the conduct of the litigation related to the Brazil Tax Dispute, including as to strategy, settlement, pursuit and abandonment, will continue to be made by International Paper. Sylvamo will thus have no control over any decision related to the ongoing litigation. As legally required by the Brazilian federal court, IP Brasil has provided surety bonds in connection with the Brazil Tax Dispute, which were indemnified by International Paper. International Paper has agreed that after the distribution it will continue to indemnify the provider of the surety bonds during the pendency of the appeal in the Brazilian federal court. If IP Brasil were unable to renew the surety bonds upon their expiration, for example, as a result of a downgrade in International Paper’s credit ratings below investment grade by Moody’s, or if IP Brasil were unable to provide additional surety bonds as and when required by the Brazilian federal court, IP Brasil could be required to post acceptable collateral in order to continue the litigation which additional collateral International Paper has agreed to provide on behalf of IP Brasil. For further details about the Tax Matters Agreement, see “The Distribution—Relationships Between Sylvamo and International Paper Following the Distribution—Tax Matters Agreement.” If the indemnity provided by International Paper does not allow IP Brasil to secure a surety bond or International Paper is unable to provide acceptable collateral and we are not able to continue our appeals, or if the Brazil Tax Dispute is resolved unfavorably, we could incur significant tax and related costs, which costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Any resolution of the Brazil Tax Dispute through the Brazilian courts could take six to nine years. In addition, the leverage ratio maintenance covenant under the credit agreement will step down after two years if the Brazil Tax Dispute has not been resolved by such time and for so long as it has not been resolved, and there will be greater limitations under our credit agreement on the amount of dividends, share repurchases and other restricted payments we are permitted to make from the time we enter into the credit agreement until the Brazil Tax Dispute is resolved, which could have an adverse impact on our stock price.

We are subject to tax in the United States and a number of jurisdictions throughout the world, and increases to U.S. federal income tax rates and tax rates in other jurisdictions in which we operate could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Tax laws, regulations and administrative practices in various jurisdictions may be subject to significant change, with or without advance notice, due to economic, political and other conditions, and significant judgment is required in evaluating and estimating our provision and accruals for these taxes. There are many transactions that occur during the ordinary course of business for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Our effective tax rates could be affected by numerous factors, such as changes in tax laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles and interpretations, the mix and level of earnings in a given taxing jurisdiction or our ownership or capital structures. The Biden Administration has proposed changes to the tax rules that apply to corporations, including an increase in the corporate income tax rate, a minimum tax on book income and changes that generally would increase the tax rates applicable to a U.S. corporation’s international income, which could materially affect our tax

 

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obligations and effective tax rate. It is difficult to predict whether and when tax law changes will be enacted that would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not achieve the expected benefits from strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, capital investments and other corporate transactions that we may pursue.

We may pursue strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, capital investments and other corporate transactions. We may not achieve the expected benefits, which could require us to record an impairment charge for goodwill or other intangible assets. Among the benefits we would expect from potential acquisitions and joint ventures are synergies, cost savings, growth opportunities and access to new markets (or a combination thereof), and in the case of divestitures, the realization of proceeds from the sale of assets to purchasers who place higher strategic value on such assets than we do.

Corporate transactions of this nature which we may pursue involve a number of special risks, including our inability to realize our business goals with respect to such transactions as noted above, the focus of our management’s attention on these transactions and the integration of acquired businesses into our operations, the demands on our financial, operational and information technology systems resulting from acquired businesses, and the possibility that we may become responsible for substantial contingent or unanticipated legal liabilities as the result of acquisitions or other corporate transactions.

In addition, if any portion of the Brazil eucalyptus forest plantations owned by Sylvamo as of the Distribution Date are directly or indirectly transferred, subject to certain exceptions for immaterial transfers, a subsidiary of Sylvamo will be required to make a payment of $100 million to a subsidiary of International Paper. For these purposes, a transfer includes any sale, pledge or transfer of any legal or beneficial interest in the Brazil lands, including any grant of an option or other right or interest or entry into any contract that would result in a reduction or diminution of Sylvamo’s economic ownership in the Brazil lands. A change of control of Sylvamo would also result in the payment becoming due and payable. As a result, we will not realize the full value of any transfer of the Brazil eucalyptus forest plantations, which may make any such transaction less attractive to us.

We rely heavily on a small number of significant customers and are exposed to risks associated with the financial viability of our customers and consolidation among our customers.

We rely heavily on a small number of significant customers, and if we were to lose one or more of such customers, it could have a material adverse effect on our sales and profitability. For example, our top ten customers represent approximately one-third of our net sales. In particular, because our business operates in a highly competitive industry, we regularly bid for new business or for renewal of existing business. Generally, our customers are not contractually required to purchase any minimum amount of products. Should our customers purchase products in significantly lower quantities than they have in the past, such decreased purchases could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We are also exposed to risks associated with the ability of our customers to meet their financial obligations to us. The financial viability of our customers is key to maintaining our sales to those customers and their ability to pay for those sales. Any threat to the financial viability of our customers could result in the reduction, delay or cancellation of customer orders, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, consolidation among our customers could result in changes to the purchasing habits and volumes among our customers and could affect our relationship with our customers. If one of our competitors’ customers acquires any of our customers, we could lose that business. Additionally, as our customers become larger and more concentrated, they could exert pricing pressure on all suppliers, including us. As a result, we could be forced to reduce the prices of our products. The loss or reduction of business from our larger customers, or the renewal of business on less favorable terms, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Our business and business prospects could be materially adversely affected if we fail to attract and retain our senior management team and other key employees.

We are led by a strong senior management team that has extensive experience in the paper industry. Our success and future growth will depend, to a significant degree, on the leadership, knowledge, skills and continuing contributions of these senior management members. There is no guarantee that these individuals will not leave our company. The loss of the services of any members of our senior management team or other key employees or the failure to attract qualified persons to serve in these positions could have a material adverse effect on our business and business prospects.

Adverse results from legal, regulatory and governmental proceedings or other loss contingencies could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have been, and from time to time, we could become, party to various legal, regulatory and governmental proceedings and other related matters, including with respect to environmental matters, workers compensation, wage and hour disputes and other employment-related cases. In addition, we could become subject to other loss contingencies, which may relate to past, present and future facts, events, circumstances and occurrences. An unfavorable outcome in connection with any legal, regulatory or governmental proceedings or other loss contingencies could result in significant monetary damages or injunctive relief that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

A significant write-down of goodwill or other intangible assets could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We review our goodwill balance for impairment at least once a year using the qualitative assessment and quantitative goodwill impairment test allowed in accordance with current accounting standards. Future changes in the cost of capital, expected cash flows, or other factors could cause our goodwill and other intangible assets to be impaired, resulting in a non-cash charge against results of operations to write down these assets for the amount of the impairment. In addition, if we make changes in our business strategy or if external conditions adversely affect our business operations, we may be required to record an impairment charge for goodwill or intangibles, which would lead to decreased assets and reduced net operating results. If a significant write down is required, the charge could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to achieve expected investment returns on pension plan assets, as well as changes in interest rates or plan demographics, could adversely impact our cash flows, business, financial condition and results of operations.

We sponsor various defined benefit pension plans. The assets of the pension plans are diversified in an attempt to mitigate the risk of a large loss. Required funding for our domestic defined benefit pension plan is determined in accordance with guidelines set forth in the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) and foreign defined benefit pension plans are funded in accordance with local statutes or practice. Additional contributions to enhance the funded status of the pension plans can be made at our discretion. We expect the Sylvamo domestic pension plan to be slightly underfunded at the time of the separation and distribution. We may need to make future contributions to reduce any such underfunding. There can be no assurance that the value of the pension plan assets, or the investment returns on those plan assets, will be sufficient to meet the future benefit obligations of such plans. In addition, during periods of adverse market conditions and declining interest rates, the company may be required to make additional cash contributions to the pension plans that could reduce our financial flexibility. Changes in plan demographics, including an increase in the number of retirements or changes in life expectancy assumptions, may also increase the costs and funding requirements of the obligations related to the company’s pension plans. An increase in costs or funding requirements could adversely impact our cash flows, business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We could experience disruptions in operations and increased labor costs due to labor disputes.

A portion of our hourly workforce is unionized and operates under various collective bargaining agreements. We must negotiate to renew or extend any union contracts that have recently expired or are expiring in the near future. While we believe that we have satisfactory labor relations, we may not be able to successfully negotiate new agreements without work stoppages or labor difficulties in the future or renegotiate them on favorable terms. If we are unable to successfully or favorably renegotiate the terms of any of these agreements, or if we experience any extended interruption of operations at any of our facilities as a result of strikes or other work stoppages, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights that are material to our business, or to defend successfully against intellectual property infringement claims by third parties.

We rely on a combination of contractual rights with third parties and copyright, trademark, patent and trade secret laws to establish and protect our intellectual property. Although we endeavor to protect our rights, third parties may infringe or misappropriate our intellectual property. We may have to litigate to enforce and protect our copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets and know-how or to determine their scope, validity or enforceability. This would represent a diversion of resources that may be significant and our efforts may not prove successful. The inability to secure or protect our intellectual property assets could harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business and our ability to compete with other companies in our industry. In addition, we have a license from HP Inc. for the right to produce and sell HP branded copy paper in almost all geographies globally. If we were to lose such license, our production volumes could decline and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

In addition, we may be subject to claims by third parties for (i) patent, trademark or copyright infringement, (ii) breach of patent, trademark or copyright license usage rights or (iii) misappropriation of trade secrets. Any such claims or resulting litigation could result in significant expense and liability for damages. If we were found to have infringed or misappropriated a third-party patent or other intellectual property right, we could in some circumstances be enjoined from providing certain products or services to our customers or from utilizing and benefiting from certain patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets or licenses. Alternatively, we could be required to enter into costly licensing arrangements with third parties or implement a costly alternative. Any of these scenarios could harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Risks Relating to the Separation and Distribution

We may be unable to operate profitably as a stand-alone company or provide benefits and services or have the advantage of equivalent financial strength and resources as International Paper.

We have no operating history as a separate, stand-alone public company and cannot assure you that we will be able to operate profitably as such. Historically, because the printing papers, industrial packaging and global cellulose fibers businesses of International Paper have been under one ultimate parent, they have been able to rely, to some degree, on the earnings, assets, and cash flows of each other for capital requirements. After the distribution, we will be able to rely only on the Printing Papers business for such requirements. We cannot assure you that, as a separate, public company, operating results will continue at historical levels, or that we will be profitable. Further, we will have a different credit profile than International Paper following the separation. Our failure to obtain or maintain a satisfactory credit rating could adversely affect our liquidity, capital position, borrowing costs under our indebtedness and access to capital markets. Additionally, we have relied on International Paper for various financial, administrative and managerial services in conducting our operations. Following the distribution, we will maintain our own credit and banking relationships and will perform our own financial and investor relations functions. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully put in place, or thereafter maintain, the financial functions, administration and management necessary to operate as a separate company or that we will not incur additional costs operating as a separate, public company. For example, prior to

 

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the distribution, we, as a segment of International Paper’s business, were able to use International Paper’s size to procure raw materials, products and services on favorable terms. We could experience some increased costs after the distribution as a result of the absence of such economies of scale. Any such additional or increased costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Further, after the distribution, we will no longer benefit from International Paper’s resources, other than pursuant to the transition services agreement and the other commercial agreements we anticipate entering into prior to the separation. We cannot assure you that we will be able to adequately replace all of the resources provided by International Paper or replace them at the same cost. If we are not able to replace the resources provided by International Paper, are unable to replace them at the same cost or are delayed in replacing the resources provided by International Paper, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

We and International Paper will enter into certain commercial agreements prior to the separation, the loss of which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.

In connection with the separation, we and International Paper will enter into agreements that will govern certain commercial relationships following the separation, including related to the supply and purchase of certain raw materials and finished products. See “The Distribution—Relationships Between Sylvamo and International Paper Following the Distribution.” The expiration or termination of one or more of these agreements could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation if we are unable to acquire or sell the raw materials or finished products to third parties on similar terms or at all. For example, the offtake agreement related to the Georgetown mill may be terminated by International Paper as of January 1, 2023 and the offtake agreement related to the Riverdale mill may be terminated by International Paper as of January 1, 2024, in each case on six months notice, which could significantly reduce our UFS production capacity in the United States. Moreover, we are required to pay certain fixed costs under the offtake agreements regardless of the level of orders received, and we will not be able to terminate the offtake agreements for Georgetown and Riverdale until January 1, 2025 and January 1, 2026, respectively, even if demand has decreased such that we are no longer able to sell the UFS and other products produced at those facilities. As a result, until the early termination dates, we will not be able to reduce or eliminate the costs associated with the offtake agreements, which may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Our historical and pro forma financial information may not be indicative of our future results as a separate, public company.

The historical and pro forma financial information we have included in this information statement may not reflect what our results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been had we been a separate, public company during the periods presented or be indicative of what our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows may be in the future when we are a separate, public company. Our historical financial information reflects allocations for services historically provided by International Paper, and we expect these allocated costs to be different from the actual costs we will incur for these services in the future as a separate, public company. In some instances, the costs incurred for these services as a separate, public company may be higher than the share of total International Paper expenses allocated to our business historically.

The historical financial information does not reflect the increased costs associated with being a separate, public company, including changes that we expect in our cost structure, personnel needs, financing and operations of our business as a result of the distribution. In addition, the pro forma financial information we have included in this information statement is based in part upon a number of estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions, which reflect the reasonable and good faith views of management, may prove not to be accurate, and accordingly, our pro forma financial information should not be assumed to be indicative of what our financial condition or results of operations actually would have been as a separate company and may not be a reliable indicator of what our financial condition or results of operations actually may be in the future. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information” and our audited combined financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere this information statement.

 

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We may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve from the distribution and the separation from International Paper, and the cost of achieving such benefits may be more than we estimated.

We believe that, as a separate, public company, we will be able to, among other matters, allow for the more efficient use of capital expenditures by Sylvamo to invest in our business, reduce costs, and optimize the capital structure and leverage level for the distinctive business profile of Sylvamo. However, we may be unable to achieve some or all of these benefits. These actions may not provide the benefits we currently expect, may cost more to achieve than we have estimated, and could lead to disruption of our operations, and loss of, or inability to recruit, key personnel needed to operate and grow our business following the distribution. As a result, these actions could cause a weakening of our internal standards, controls or procedures and impairment of our key customer and supplier relationships. Further, even if our strategic initiatives are successful, we may nonetheless still experience increased costs as a result of becoming a stand-alone, public company. See “—Fulfilling our obligations incident to being a public company, including with respect to the requirements of and related rules under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, will be expensive and time-consuming, and our accounting, management and financial reporting systems may not be adequately prepared to comply with public company reporting, disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting requirements.”

The realization of the anticipated benefits of the distribution and the separation from International Paper is subject to a number of factors, including Sylvamo’s ability to access capital markets, obtain credit ratings, maintain or improve initial credit ratings and demonstrate financial resilience as a separate company. There are also many factors that are outside the control of Sylvamo and International Paper, including the performance of financial markets, consumer behavior, and regulatory, legislative and tax changes. There can be no guarantee that the anticipated benefits of the distribution and the separation from International Paper will be realized in full or in part, or as to the timing of when any such benefits may be realized.

In addition, completion of the distribution will require a significant amount of management’s time and effort, which may divert management’s attention from operating our business. If we fail to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve as a separate company, or do not achieve them in the time we expect, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Fulfilling our obligations incident to being a public company, including with respect to the requirements of and related rules under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, will be expensive and time-consuming, and our accounting, management and financial reporting systems may not be adequately prepared to comply with public company reporting, disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting requirements.

Following the distribution, we will be required to prepare and file annual and quarterly financial statements and other reports with the SEC. We will also be subject to other reporting and corporate governance requirements under the listing standards of the NYSE and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), which will impose significant compliance costs and obligations. The requirements of becoming a public company will necessitate a significant commitment of additional resources and management oversight which will increase our operating costs. These requirements will also place significant additional demands on our finance and accounting staff and on our financial accounting and information systems and may require us to upgrade our systems, implement additional financial and management controls, reporting systems, IT systems and procedures, and hire additional accounting, legal and finance staff in the future or as services terminate under the transition services agreement. Other expenses associated with being a public company include increases in auditing, accounting and legal fees and expenses, investor relations expenses, increased directors’ fees and director and officer liability insurance costs, registrar and transfer agent fees and listing fees, as well as other expenses. We estimate that our incremental recurring expenses relating to operating as a separate, publicly traded company will be approximately $15 million per year.

As a public company, we will be required, among other things, to:

 

   

prepare and file periodic and current reports, and distribute other stockholder communications, in compliance with U.S. federal securities laws and NYSE rules;

 

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define and expand the roles and the duties of our board of directors and its committees;

 

   

institute comprehensive compliance, investor relations and internal audit functions; and

 

   

evaluate and maintain our system of internal control over financial reporting, and report on management’s assessment thereof, in compliance with rules and regulations of the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

In particular, beginning with the year ending December 31, 2022, we will be required to perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Likewise, our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In addition, following the distribution, we will be required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), to maintain disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. If we are unable to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to provide us with an unqualified report regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting (at such time as it is required to do so), investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements. This could result in a decrease in the value of our common stock. Failure to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could potentially subject us to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities. If we are unable to upgrade our systems, implement additional financial and management controls, reporting systems, IT systems and procedures, and hire additional accounting, legal and finance staff in a timely and effective fashion, our ability to comply with our financial reporting requirements and other rules that apply to reporting companies under the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could be impaired.

If the distribution were to fail to qualify for non-recognition treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then International Paper, Sylvamo and International Paper’s shareholders may be subject to significant U.S. federal income taxes.

International Paper intends to receive an opinion of a nationally recognized accounting firm or tax counsel or a private letter ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding the qualification of the distribution and certain related transactions as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes to International Paper, Sylvamo and International Paper shareholders. A tax opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position. If any of the representations or covenants relied upon for a tax opinion or a private letter ruling becomes inaccurate, incomplete or not complied with by International Paper, Sylvamo or any of their respective subsidiaries, the private letter ruling or tax opinion, if applicable, may be invalid and the conclusions reached therein could be jeopardized.

If the IRS ultimately determines that the distribution is taxable, then the distribution could be treated as a taxable dividend or capital gain to International Paper shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and International Paper could incur significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities. Sylvamo may be required to indemnify International Paper for such tax liability pursuant to a tax matters agreement; however, there can be no assurance that Sylvamo would have the resources or liquidity required to indemnify International Paper for any such tax liability.

Even if the distribution otherwise qualifies for non-recognition of gain or loss under Section 355 of the Code, the distribution may be taxable to International Paper (but not International Paper shareholders) pursuant to Section 355(e) of the Code if there is a 50% or more (by vote or value) change in ownership of either International Paper or Sylvamo, directly or indirectly, as part of a plan or series of related transactions that include the distribution. For this purpose, any acquisitions of International Paper’s or Sylvamo’s common stock

 

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within two years before or after the distribution are presumed to be part of such a plan, although International Paper or Sylvamo may be able to rebut that presumption based on either applicable facts and circumstances or a “safe harbor” described in the U.S. tax regulations.

We will be unable to take certain actions after the distribution because such actions could jeopardize the tax-free status of the distribution, and such restrictions could be significant.

The tax matters agreement will prohibit us from taking actions that could reasonably be expected to cause the distribution to be taxable or to jeopardize the conclusions of the tax opinion or the IRS ruling received by us or International Paper. In particular, we expect the tax matters agreement will provide that for two years after the distribution, we must refrain from engaging in certain transactions, including:

 

   

entering into any agreement, understanding or arrangement or engaging in any substantial negotiations with respect to any transaction involving the acquisition, issuance, repurchase or change of ownership of our capital stock, or options or other rights in respect of our capital stock, subject to certain exceptions relating to open market stock repurchases;

 

   

issuing equity securities beyond certain thresholds;

 

   

ceasing the active conduct of our business; or

 

   

dissolving, liquidating, merging or consolidating with any other person.

The tax matters agreement will provide that, nevertheless, we are permitted to take any of the actions described above if we obtain International Paper’s consent, or if we obtain an IRS private letter ruling or a tax opinion that is reasonably acceptable to International Paper to the effect that the action will not affect the tax-free status of the distribution. However, the receipt by us of any such consent, opinion or ruling will not relieve us of any obligation we have to indemnify International Paper for an action we take that causes the distribution to be taxable to International Paper.

The tax matters agreement will also prohibit us from taking or failing to take any other action, including restrictions on the repurchase of shares, that would prevent the distribution and certain related transactions from qualifying as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Because of these restrictions, for two years after the distribution we may be limited in the amount of capital stock that we can issue to make acquisitions or to raise additional capital. Also, our expected indemnity obligation to International Paper may discourage, delay or prevent a third party from acquiring control of us during this two-year period in a transaction that our stockholders might consider favorable. See “The Distribution—Relationships between International Paper and Sylvamo Following the Distribution— Tax Matters Agreement” and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution.”

The combined post-distribution value of International Paper and Sylvamo shares may not equal or exceed the pre-distribution value of International Paper shares.

We intend to apply to list the shares of our common stock on the NYSE. We cannot assure you that the combined trading prices of International Paper common stock and our common stock after the distribution will be equal to or greater than the trading price of International Paper common stock prior to the distribution. Until the market has fully evaluated the business of International Paper without our business and potentially thereafter, the price at which International Paper common stock trades may fluctuate significantly. Similarly, until the market has fully evaluated our business and potentially thereafter, the price at which our common stock trades may fluctuate significantly.

 

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We expect that we will incur significant one-time and ongoing costs associated with the separation that could affect our period-to-period operating results following the completion of the distribution.

We anticipate that we will incur one-time costs of approximately $55 million through the end of 2022 as result of costs associated with the separation, including initial IT set-up costs and restructuring costs, of which approximately $23 million are expected to be incurred in 2021 (all of which are expected to be incurred in the fourth quarter of 2021) and approximately $32 million in 2022. We will not be able to quantify the exact amount of these charges or the period in which they will be incurred until after the distribution is completed. The amount and timing of these charges could adversely affect our period-to-period operating results, which could result in a reduction in the market price of our common stock.

In connection with the separation, we will enter into a transition services agreement with International Paper, pursuant to which International Paper will provide us with certain specified services on a transitional basis, including in areas such as IT, payroll, sourcing and other areas where we may need assistance and support following the distribution. Depending on the particular service being provided, the services may be extended for up to six months after the initial one-year term, but may be terminated earlier under certain circumstances, including a default. If one or more of these services are terminated, we may be required to obtain such services from a third party. This may be more expensive than the fees that we will be required to pay under the agreements with International Paper. We expect to make payments to International Paper under the transition services agreement of approximately $8 million and $25 million in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

In addition, following the expiration of the transition services agreement, we will need to replicate certain services and systems to which we will no longer have access from International Paper. We may misjudge our requirements for these services and systems on a stand-alone basis, and may incur greater than expected capital and other costs associated with developing and implementing our own support functions. These costs may exceed the costs we will pay to International Paper during the transition period. There may be an adverse operational effect on our business as a result of the significant time our management and other employees and internal resources will need to dedicate to building these capabilities during the first few years following the distribution that otherwise would be available for other business initiatives and opportunities. When we begin to operate these functions independently, if we have not developed adequate systems and business functions, or obtained them from other providers, we may not be able to operate our company effectively and our profitability may decline. See “—We may be unable to operate profitably as a stand-alone company or provide benefits and services or receive access to equivalent financial strength and resources as International Paper.”

After the distribution, certain of our directors and officers may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their International Paper equity ownership or their former International Paper positions.

Certain of the persons who we expect to become our executive officers have been, and will be until the distribution, International Paper officers, or employees, and thus will have professional relationships with International Paper’s executive officers, directors or employees. In addition, because of their former International Paper positions, following the distribution, certain of our executive officers may own International Paper common stock or restricted stock, and, for some of these individuals, their individual holdings may be significant compared to their total assets. These relationships and financial interests may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when these directors and officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for International Paper and us. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute between International Paper and us regarding the terms of the agreements governing the distribution and the separation, and the relationship thereafter between the companies. These agreements include the separation and distribution agreement, the tax matters agreement, the employee matters agreement, the transition services agreement, the registration rights agreement, the offtake agreements and any other commercial agreements between the parties or their affiliates.

 

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No vote of International Paper shareholders is required in connection with the distribution.

No vote of International Paper shareholders is required in connection with the distribution. Accordingly, if the distribution occurs and you do not want to receive Sylvamo common stock in the distribution, your only recourse will be to divest your International Paper common stock prior to the record date for the distribution.

The distribution is subject to certain conditions, and therefore, the distribution may not be consummated on the terms or timeline currently contemplated, or at all.

The distribution is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by International Paper in its sole and absolute discretion of a number of conditions, including: (i) the Form 10, of which this information statement is a part, being declared effective by the SEC and not subject to any stop order or other proceeding by the SEC seeking a stop order; (ii) International Paper’s receipt of an opinion from a nationally recognized accounting firm or tax counsel satisfactory to it or a private letter ruling from the IRS regarding the qualification of the distribution as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Code; (iii) International Paper’s receipt of one or more opinions from nationally recognized valuation or accounting firms or investment banks as to the adequacy of surplus under applicable state law of Sylvamo and International Paper to effect the Special Payment and the distribution, respectively; (iv) International Paper’s and Sylvamo’s execution of the separation and distribution agreement, the tax matters agreement, the transition services agreement, the employee matters agreement, the registration rights agreement and other ancillary agreements relating to the distribution; (v) Sylvamo’s consummation of the Financing Arrangements with aggregate proceeds of at least $                ; (vi) the receipt by International Paper of the Special Payment; (vii) no event or development existing or occurring that in the judgment of the board of directors of International Paper makes it inadvisable to effect the separation and distribution; and (viii) Sylvamo’s common stock having been approved for listing on NYSE, subject to official notice of the distribution. See “The Distribution—Conditions to the Distribution.” We cannot assure you that the distribution will be consummated on the terms or timeline currently contemplated.

Further, until the distribution occurs, the International Paper will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine and change the terms of the distribution, including the Record Date and the Distribution Date. These changes may be unfavorable to us. In addition, the International Paper may decide at any time not to proceed with the distribution in its sole discretion.

The transfer to us of certain contracts, permits and other assets and rights may require the consents or approvals of, or provide other rights to, third parties and governmental authorities. If such consents or approvals are not obtained, we may not be entitled to the benefit of such contracts, permits and other assets and rights, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The separation and distribution agreement will provide that certain contracts, permits and other assets and rights are to be transferred from International Paper to Sylvamo in connection with the separation. The transfer of certain of these contracts, permits and other assets and rights may require consents or approvals of third parties or governmental authorities or provide other rights to third parties. Some parties may use consent requirements or other rights to seek to terminate contracts or obtain more favorable contractual terms from us, which, for example, could take the form of price increases, require us to expend additional resources in order to obtain the services or assets previously provided under the contract, or require us to seek arrangements with new third parties or obtain letters of credit or other forms of credit support. If we are unable to obtain required consents or approvals, we may be unable to obtain all of the benefits, permits, assets and contractual commitments that are intended to be allocated to us as part of our separation from International Paper, and we may be required to seek alternative arrangements to obtain services and assets which may be more costly or of lower quality. The termination or modification of these contracts or permits or the failure to timely complete the transfer of these contracts or permits could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Satisfaction of indemnification obligations following the distribution could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement and certain other agreements we expect to enter into with International Paper in connection with the distribution, International Paper will agree to indemnify us for certain liabilities, and we will agree to indemnify International Paper for certain liabilities, in each case for uncapped amounts, as discussed further in “The Distribution— Relationships Between International Paper and Sylvamo Following the Distribution.” Indemnities that we may be required to provide International Paper are not subject to any cap, may be significant and could negatively impact our business, particularly with respect to indemnities provided in the tax matters agreement.

We may also incur significant costs related to environmental liabilities that we assume from International Paper in connection with the distribution arising at our mills and other sites that were not owned by International Paper at the time of distribution but were primarily operated or used by International Paper’s Printing Papers business. For example, we have reserved $12.7 million for remediation work to be performed at our mill in Svetogorsk, Russia, following identification in 2018 of mercury contamination in sediment in a river tributary that traverses the site of the mill.

Third parties could also seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that International Paper has agreed to retain. The indemnity from International Paper may not be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of such liabilities if, for example, International Paper is not able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from International Paper any amounts for which it is held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses ourselves, requiring us to divert cash that would otherwise have been used in furtherance of our operating business. Each of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Federal and state fraudulent transfer laws and New York and Delaware corporate law may permit a court to void the distribution and related transactions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In connection with the distribution, International Paper intends to undertake a series of internal corporate reorganization transactions which, along with the contribution of certain of the entities and assets associated with International Paper’s Printing Papers business to Sylvamo, the distribution of shares of Sylvamo common stock to International Paper’s shareholders, and the Special Payment by Sylvamo to International Paper, may be subject to challenge under federal and state fraudulent conveyance and transfer laws as well as under New York or Delaware corporate law. Under applicable laws, any transaction, contribution or distribution contemplated as part of the distribution could be voided as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance if, among other things, the transferor received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration in return and the transferor was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the transfer.

We cannot be certain as to the standards a court would use to determine whether or not any entity involved in the distribution was insolvent at the relevant time. In general, however, a court would look at various facts and circumstances related to the entity in question, including evaluation of whether or not:

 

   

the sum of its debts, including contingent and unliquidated liabilities, was greater than the fair saleable value of all of its assets;

 

   

the present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature; or

 

   

it could pay its debts as they become due.

If a court were to find that any transaction, contribution or distribution involved in the distribution was a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, the court could void the transaction, contribution or distribution. In addition,

 

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the distribution could also be voided if a court were to find that it is not a legal distribution or dividend under New York corporate law. The resulting complications, costs and expenses of either finding could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness

In connection with the distribution, we expect to incur substantial indebtedness, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under anticipated agreements governing our indebtedness.

In connection with the distribution, we expect to enter into a $                 million cash flow-based revolving credit facility and $                 million term loan facility and to issue $                 million of senior notes, for total new indebtedness of $                 million, with the net proceeds, together with cash on hand, to be used to fund the Special Payment to International Paper immediately prior to the distribution. Our level of debt could have important consequences to our stockholders, including:

 

   

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, product development, acquisitions or other general corporate requirements;

 

   

requiring a substantial portion of our cash flows to be dedicated to debt service payments instead of other purposes, thereby reducing the amount of cash flows available for working capital, capital expenditures, product development, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;

 

   

increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

   

increasing our effective tax rate;

 

   

exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates to the extent that our borrowings are at variable rates of interest;

 

   

limiting our ability to deduct the full amount of the interest payments on any debt we incur in connection with the separation or any other borrowings from our taxable income;

 

   

limiting our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in the industry in which we compete;

 

   

placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to other, less leveraged competitors or competitors with comparable debt and more favorable terms; and

 

   

increasing our cost of borrowing.

We and our subsidiaries may incur significant additional indebtedness in the future. If new indebtedness is added to our anticipated indebtedness levels after the distribution, the related risks that we face would increase.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or refinance our anticipated debt obligations will depend on our financial condition and operating performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to financial, business, legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond our control, including those discussed under “—Risks Relating to Our Business.” We might not be able to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we could face substantial liquidity problems and could be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures or to dispose of material assets or operations, seek additional debt or equity capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We may not be able to effect any such alternative measures on commercially reasonable terms or at all and, even if successful, those alternative actions may not allow us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations.

 

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We expect that the agreements governing our indebtedness will contain a number of restrictive covenants that will limit our ability to conduct our business, including our ability to dispose of assets and the use of the proceeds from those dispositions, require that we use the proceeds from any future incurrence of debt or issuance of equity to repay existing indebtedness and limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain proceeds in an amount sufficient to meet any debt service obligations then due. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flows to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and our ability to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness.

A failure to make scheduled payments on our debt, or a breach of any of the covenants under the agreements governing our indebtedness, if not waived by lenders or noteholders, as applicable, or to the extent applicable, cured within specified periods, would result in an event of default under those agreements. Lenders or noteholders under the agreements governing our indebtedness could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable, and lenders could further terminate their commitments to loan money under our expected revolving credit facility or foreclose against the assets securing their borrowings, which could force us to file for bankruptcy protection and either restructure or liquidate. Any of these events could result in you losing some or all of the value of your investment. Further, an event of default may result in the acceleration of any other debt to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. In the event the lenders or noteholders accelerate the repayment of our borrowings, we and our subsidiaries may not have sufficient assets to repay that indebtedness.

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock

No market for our common stock currently exists and an active trading market may not develop or be sustained after the distribution.

There is currently no public market for our common stock. We have applied to list our common stock on the NYSE. We anticipate that trading of shares of our common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis as early as two trading days prior to the record date for the distribution and that trading will continue through the close of trading on the day prior to the Distribution Date. However, an active trading market for our common stock may not develop as a result of the distribution or, if one does develop, may not be sustained. The lack of an active market may make it more difficult for you to sell our shares at an attractive price, or at all, and could lead to our share price being depressed or volatile.

The market price for our common stock may be volatile, and you may not be able to sell your common stock at the initial trading price.

We cannot predict the prices at which our common stock may trade after the distribution. The price of our common stock in any market that develops may be higher or lower than the initial trading price. Many factors could cause the trading price of our common stock to rise and fall, including the following:

 

   

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results due to factors related to our business;

 

   

success or failure of our business strategies;

 

   

our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry;

 

   

our ability to obtain financing as needed;

 

   

our announcements or our competitors’ announcements regarding new products, enhancements, significant contracts, acquisitions or strategic investments;

 

   

the failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock after the distribution;

 

   

changes in the estimates of our operating performance or changes in recommendations by any securities analysts that elect to follow our stock;

 

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our business profile, dividend policy or market capitalization may not fit the investment objectives of International Paper’s current shareholders;

 

   

actions by institutional stockholders and other large stockholders (including International Paper), including future sales of our common stock;

 

   

overall market fluctuations;

 

   

changes in laws, rules and regulations affecting our business;

 

   

the gain or loss of significant customers or changes in our customers’ preferences;

 

   

developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic or another epidemic; and

 

   

general economic conditions and other external factors.

In particular, we cannot assure you that you will be able to resell your common stock after the distribution. Stock markets have experienced extreme volatility in recent years that has been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These broad market fluctuations could also adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, class action litigation has often been instituted against the affected company. Any litigation of this type brought against us could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Substantial sales of our common stock following the distribution, or the perception that such sales might occur, could depress the market price of our common stock.

Following the distribution, all of the shares of our common stock will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), unless the shares are owned by our “affiliates” as that term is defined in the rules under the Securities Act. Shares of our common stock held by “affiliates” may be sold in the public market if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144 under the Securities Act and satisfy the volume, manner of sale and holding period limitations under Rule 144.

The Sylvamo common stock that International Paper distributes to its shareholders in the distribution may be sold immediately in the public market, if a market for our common stock exists at such time. It is likely that some International Paper shareholders, including some large shareholders, may sell our common stock received in the distribution for various reasons, including our business profile or market capitalization as a stand-alone company following the distribution not fitting their investment objectives. In particular, International Paper is a member of the S&P 500 stock market index and other indices, while Sylvamo will not initially be and may not be in the future. Accordingly, certain International Paper shareholders may elect or be required to sell our shares following the distribution due to investment guidelines or other reasons. The sales of significant amounts of our common stock or the perception in the market that this will occur could have a negative impact on the market price of our common stock.

A fund associated with International Paper’s 401(k) plans will receive shares of Sylvamo common stock in the distribution as a result of its ownership of International Paper common stock, representing approximately                 % of Sylvamo’s common stock as of the Distribution Date. We anticipate that the 401(k) plans will sell all of these shares, to the extent not sold by individual 401(k) plan participants by April 8, 2022.

In addition, after completion of the distribution, International Paper will retain no more than 19.9% of our total shares outstanding. International Paper intends to dispose of such shares of our common stock that it owns after the distribution in either a registered offering or pursuant to an exemption from registration, which is expected to occur within 12 months of the Distribution Date and will occur no later than five years after the distribution. We will agree that, upon the request of International Paper and pursuant to the terms of the

 

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registration rights agreement, we will use our reasonable best efforts to effect a registration under applicable federal and state securities laws of any shares of our common stock retained by International Paper to the extent that International Paper wishes to sell the shares of our common stock it retains in a registered offering. These shares will be restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and will also be eligible for resale by International Paper in the public market without registration subject to volume, manner of sale and holding period limitations under Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish misleading or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not currently have, and may never obtain, research coverage for our common stock. If there is no research coverage of our common stock, the trading price for our stock could be negatively impacted. In the event we obtain research coverage for our common stock or if one or more of securities or industry analysts downgrades our stock or publishes misleading or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of the analysts ceases coverage of our common stock or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our stock could decrease, which could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

Future offerings of debt or equity securities ranking senior to our common stock could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

In the future, we may decide to issue senior or subordinated debt securities or preferred stock or other equity securities that rank senior to our common stock. Indentures or other instruments governing such securities may include covenants restricting our operating flexibility and ability to pay dividends and make other distributions to our stockholders. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future could have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our common stock and could result in dilution to owners of our common stock. We and, indirectly, our stockholders, will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of our common stock will bear the risk of our future offerings, reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting the value of their common stock holdings in us.

We do not expect to declare or pay dividends on our common stock or repurchase our common stock and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.

We do not expect to declare or pay dividends on our common stock or repurchase our common stock. Therefore, the success of an investment in shares of our common stock will depend upon any future appreciation in their value and any future dividends we may declare. There is no guarantee that shares of our common stock will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which our stockholders have received their shares in the distribution. Any future declaration and payment of dividends, stock repurchases or other distributions of capital will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on many factors, including our earnings, financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, covenants contained within agreements governing our indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends and the repurchase of shares, our ability to obtain cash or other assets from our subsidiaries, restrictions imposed by applicable law, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. See “Dividend Policy.” There can be no assurance that we will establish a dividend policy, pay dividends in the future or continue to pay any dividend if we do commence paying dividends or repurchase our common stock.

 

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Your percentage ownership in Sylvamo may be diluted in the future.

Your percentage ownership in Sylvamo may be diluted in the future because of equity awards that we expect to grant to our directors, officers and other employees. Prior to completion of the distribution, we expect to approve an incentive plan that will provide for the grant of common stock-based equity awards to our directors, officers and other employees. In addition, we may issue equity as all or part of the consideration paid for acquisitions and strategic investments that we may make in the future or as necessary to finance our ongoing operations.

Anti-takeover provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws could discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company and could affect the trading price of our common stock.

We expect that our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws will contain certain provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a change in our management or change of control. For example, we expect our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws to, collectively:

 

   

authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that could be issued by our board of directors to thwart a takeover attempt;

 

   

provide that vacancies on our board of directors, including vacancies resulting from an enlargement of our board of directors, may be filled only by a majority vote of directors then in office;

 

   

prohibit stockholder action by written consent, thereby requiring all actions to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders; and

 

   

establish advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before an annual meeting of our stockholders.

These provisions could prevent our stockholders from receiving the benefit from any premium to the market price of our common stock offered by a bidder in a takeover context. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock if the provisions are viewed as discouraging takeover attempts in the future. See “Description of Capital Stock—Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended and Restated By-Laws and Applicable Law.”

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws could also make it difficult for stockholders to replace or remove our management. Furthermore, the existence of the foregoing provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. These provisions could facilitate management entrenchment that could delay, deter, render more difficult or prevent a change in our control, which may not be in the best interests of our stockholders.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain litigation that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our current or former directors, officers or stockholders.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed to us or our stockholders by any of our directors, officers, employees or agents, (iii) action asserting a claim arising out of or pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws, or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or (iv) action asserting a claim governed

 

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by the internal affairs doctrine. Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder. Neither this provision nor the exclusive forum provision will mean that stockholders have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. By becoming a stockholder of our company, you will be deemed to have notice of and have consented to the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation related to choice of forum. The choice of forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may limit our stockholders’ ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that they find favorable for disputes with us or any of our current or former directors, officers or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Additionally, a court could determine that the exclusive forum provision is unenforceable. If a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more specified types of actions and proceedings, we could incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will include provisions limiting the personal liability of our directors for breaches of fiduciary duty under the DGCL.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will contain provisions permitted under the DGCL relating to the liability of directors. These provisions will eliminate a director’s personal liability to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL for monetary damages resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty, except in circumstances involving:

 

   

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty;

 

   

acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law;

 

   

under Section 174 of the DGCL (unlawful dividends); or

 

   

any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.

The principal effect of the limitation on liability provision is that a stockholder will be unable to prosecute an action for monetary damages against a director unless the stockholder is able to demonstrate a basis for liability for which indemnification is not available under the DGCL. These provisions, however, should not limit or eliminate our rights or any stockholder’s rights to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a director’s fiduciary duty. These provisions will not alter a director’s liability under federal securities laws. The inclusion of this provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation could discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for a breach of their fiduciary duties, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us and our stockholders.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION

This information statement contains information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “should,” “will” and other words and terms of similar meaning, or are tied to future periods, in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to the formation of Sylvamo, the separation, the contribution and the distribution, including the timing and expected benefits thereof, the amount of the Special Payment and any future use of our free cash flow, our ability to outperform the UFS industry demand, our ability to achieve our targeted Adjusted EBITDA margins and targeted financial leverage ratio and our ability to return cash to stockholders in the form of dividends or stock repurchases.

Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be incorrect. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will be important in determining the actual future results of Sylvamo, its subsidiaries and affiliates. These statements are based on current expectations and the current economic environment. They involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Although it is not possible to identify all of these risks and factors, they include, among others:

 

   

the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures implemented to contain it;

 

   

general business or economic conditions which might affect demand for our products and our business;

 

   

changes in international conditions;

 

   

industry-wide decline in demand for paper and related products;

 

   

the cyclical nature of the paper industry, which may result in fluctuations in the prices of, and demand for, our paper products;

 

   

competition from other businesses and consolidation within the paper industry;

 

   

changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, energy and transportation;

 

   

reduced truck, rail and ocean freight availability which could result in higher costs or poor service;

 

   

climate change and the physical and financial risks associated with fluctuating regional and global weather conditions or patterns;

 

   

material disruptions at one or more of our manufacturing facilities;

 

   

information technology risks related to potential breaches of security which may result in the distribution of company, customer, employee and vendor information;

 

   

extensive U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. environmental laws and regulations, which could result in substantial costs to the company as a result of compliance with, violations of or liabilities under these laws and regulations;

 

   

numerous laws, regulations and other government requirements that may change in significant ways;

 

   

our inability to achieve the expected benefits from strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, capital investments and other corporate transactions;

 

   

our reliance on a small number of significant customers;

 

   

failure to attract and retain senior management and other key employees;

 

   

adverse results from legal, regulatory and governmental proceedings or other loss contingencies;

 

   

a significant write-down of goodwill or other intangible assets;

 

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failure to achieve expected investment returns on pension plan assets, as well as changes in interest rates or plan demographics;

 

   

a disruption in operations and increased labor costs due to labor disputes;

 

   

our failure to adequately protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights, or to defend successfully against intellectual property infringement claims by third parties;

 

   

our inability to operate profitably as a stand-alone company or provide benefits and services or receive access to equivalent financial strength and resources as International Paper;

 

   

the loss of commercial agreements with International Paper;

 

   

our historical pro forma financial information may not be indicative of our future results as a separate public company;

 

   

our inability to achieve some or all of the benefits we expect to achieve from the distribution and the separation from International Paper and the cost of achieving such benefits possibly being higher than anticipated;

 

   

the fulfillment of our obligations as a public company, including with respect to the requirements of, and related to, rules under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

   

our failure to qualify for non-recognition treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which case, International Paper, Sylvamo and International Paper’s shareholders may be subject to significant U.S. federal income taxes;

 

   

our inability to take certain actions after the distribution given such actions could jeopardize the tax-free status of the distribution;

 

   

the combined post-distribution value of International Paper and Sylvamo shares may not equal or exceed the pre-distribution value of International Paper shares;

 

   

significant one-time and ongoing costs associated with the separation that could affect our period-to-period operating results following the completion of the distribution;

 

   

potential conflicts of interest with certain of our directors or officers following the distribution because of International Paper equity ownership or their former International Paper positions;

 

   

the failure of the distribution to be consummated on the terms or timeline currently contemplated, or at all;

 

   

the transfer to us of certain contracts, permits and other assets and rights which may require the consents or approvals of, or provide other rights to, third parties and governmental authorities. If such consents or approvals are not obtained, we may not be entitled to the benefit of such contracts, permits and other assets and rights;

 

   

the satisfaction of indemnification obligations following the distribution;

 

   

federal and state fraudulent transfer laws and New York and Delaware corporate law, which may permit a court to void the distribution and related transactions;

 

   

substantial indebtedness, in connection with the distribution, which could prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under anticipated agreements governing our indebtedness;

 

   

our inability to generate sufficient cash to service our indebtedness, which may force us to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful;

 

   

the failure of an active trading market to develop or be sustained following the distribution;

 

   

the market price for our common stock may be volatile, and you may not be able to sell your common stock at the initial trading price;

 

   

the actual sale, or perception of a sale, of substantial amounts of common stock following the distribution, which could depress the market price for our common stock;

 

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the future offerings of debt or equity securities ranking senior to our common stock could adversely affect the market price of our common stock;

 

   

the inability to achieve a return on your investment due to a lack of appreciation in the price of our common stock;

 

   

the dilution of your ownership percentage in Sylvamo;

 

   

the discouragement or delay in preventing change of control of our company;

 

   

the designation of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for litigation may limit stockholders ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes;

 

   

the limitation of personal liability of our directors for breaches of fiduciary duty; and

 

   

other factors described under “Risk Factors” in this information statement.

For the reasons described above, we caution you against relying on any forward-looking statements, which should also be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements included and the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified elsewhere in this information statement, including in the section entitled “Risk Factors.” Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as otherwise may be required by law.

 

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THE DISTRIBUTION

Introduction

International Paper intends to transfer certain of the entities and the related assets and liabilities associated with the Printing Papers business of International Paper to Sylvamo and then distribute approximately 80.1% of the outstanding shares of Sylvamo common stock to holders of International Paper common stock. Immediately following the distribution, International Paper will own approximately 19.9% of the outstanding shares of Sylvamo common stock and Sylvamo will be a separate public company.

Holders of International Paper common stock will receive one share of Sylvamo common stock for every nine shares of International Paper common stock owned on the Record Date for the distribution. The shares of Sylvamo common stock will be distributed by book-entry. We will not issue any physical stock certificates to any stockholders, even if requested. If you hold your International Paper shares in your own name, then your account statement reflecting the Sylvamo shares will be mailed to you on or about the Distribution Date. You should allow several days for the mail to reach you. If you hold your International Paper shares through your broker or other nominee, your receipt of Sylvamo shares depends on your arrangements with the nominee that holds your International Paper shares for you. We anticipate that brokers and other nominees generally will credit their customers’ accounts with Sylvamo shares on or about the Distribution Date, but you should check with your broker or other nominee. See “—When and How You Will Receive Sylvamo Common Stock.”

Background of the Distribution

International Paper’s board of directors and management team evaluated a variety of strategic options intended to maximize shareholder value and position the company for long-term growth. These options included whether to continue to operate the Printing Papers business and whether to sell or otherwise dispose of the Printing Papers business. As a result of this process, the board of directors of International Paper determined that the interests of International Paper and its shareholders would be best served by separating International Paper’s Printing Papers segment into a distinct company, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions and the board of directors’ ongoing consideration of the transaction and its final approval. See “—Conditions to the Distribution” for further discussion.

In connection with the distribution, International Paper will undertake the internal reorganization described below under “—Internal Reorganization.” Following the internal reorganization, International Paper will distribute approximately 80.1% of the shares of Sylvamo common stock to its shareholders on a pro rata basis and retain approximately 19.9% ownership interest in Sylvamo. Following the distribution, Sylvamo will operate independently from International Paper. International Paper’s shareholders will not be required to vote to effectuate the distribution. International Paper’s shareholders will not have appraisal rights with regards to the distribution.

The internal reorganization and, in turn, the distribution, are subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by International Paper, of a number of conditions. Additionally, International Paper may determine not to complete the internal reorganization or the distribution if, at any time, the board of directors of International Paper determines, in its sole discretion, that the distribution is not in the best interest of International Paper or its shareholders or is otherwise not advisable.

Reasons for the Distribution

The board of directors and management of International Paper believe that the distribution is in the best interests of International Paper and its shareholders. Following the separation, International Paper and Sylvamo would each have greater financial, management and operational focus, the ability to tailor its capital structure to its specific business needs, a management team dedicated to seizing strategic growth opportunities with maximum flexibility, including by providing an opportunity for improved equity currency for use in connection with acquisitions and employee compensation and an investor base aligned with the respective businesses. The

 

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board of directors of International Paper considered the following potential benefits in making its determination to effect the distribution:

 

   

allowing each of International Paper and Sylvamo to focus on their respective businesses;

 

   

allowing for the more efficient use of capital expenditures by both International Paper and Sylvamo to invest in their respective businesses;

 

   

enhancing the effectiveness of International Paper’s and Sylvamo’s equity-linked compensation to more closely align the interests of management and employees of each of International Paper and Sylvamo with their respective stockholders;

 

   

a management team dedicated to seizing strategic growth opportunities with maximum flexibility, including by providing an opportunity for improved equity currency for use in connection with acquisitions;

 

   

optimizing the capital structure and leverage level for the distinctive business profile of each of International Paper and Sylvamo;

 

   

the Special Payment to International Paper

 

   

International Paper’s retention of approximately a 19.9% stake in Sylvamo, which International Paper intends to subsequently dispose; and

 

   

increased value to International Paper’s shareholders, in particular Sylvamo’s anticipated value on a stand-alone basis.

In determining whether to pursue the distribution, International Paper’s board of directors considered the costs and risks associated with the transaction, including the cost associated with preparing Sylvamo to become an independent public company (including the dedication of sufficient resources to replicate certain technology applications and hardware, infrastructure and personnel), the time and effort required by this transaction from International Paper’s and Sylvamo’s management and the potential diversion of their attention away from their respective businesses and the loss of scale from operating as a single company. Notwithstanding these costs and risks, and taking into account the factors discussed above, International Paper’s board of directors determined that the separation and the distribution was the most attractive alternative to enhance shareholder value.

International Paper’s board of directors considered the incurrence of indebtedness to fund the Special Payment to International Paper as neither a positive or negative factor in making its determination to pursue the distribution. However, as International Paper currently has a level of debt which is supported in part by the operations of Sylvamo, the board of directors and management of International Paper determined that the incurrence of debt at Sylvamo and cash payment to International Paper with a portion of the proceeds thereof was prudent as a way to set the post-distribution capitalization structure of both companies in a way that the board of directors of International Paper felt was in the best interests of International Paper’s shareholders.

Internal Reorganization

The separation and distribution agreement between International Paper and Sylvamo will provide for the transfers of entities, assets and liabilities so that, as of the distribution, International Paper will retain the entities, assets and liabilities associated with International Paper’s Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers businesses and Sylvamo will hold certain of the entities and related assets and liabilities associated with the Printing Papers business.

The internal reorganization is expected to include various restructuring transactions pursuant to which (1) most of the operations, assets and liabilities of International Paper used to conduct the Printing Papers business will be separated from the operations, assets and liabilities of International Paper used to conduct the Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers segments’ operations, (2) such separated Printing Papers operations, assets and liabilities will be contributed, transferred or otherwise allocated to Sylvamo or one of its

 

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direct or indirect subsidiaries. These restructuring transactions may take the form of asset or equity transfers, mergers, demergers, distributions, contributions and similar transactions, and will involve the formation of new U.S. and foreign subsidiaries to own and operate International Paper’s Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers businesses and Sylvamo’s Printing Papers business in such jurisdictions.

Following the distribution, International Paper will continue to own its Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers businesses. Sylvamo may experience increased costs following the distribution or be unable to operate profitability after becoming a stand-alone company. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Separation and the Distribution.”

Manner of Effecting the Distribution

The general terms and conditions relating to the distribution will be set forth in an agreement between Sylvamo and International Paper, which we refer to as the “separation and distribution agreement.” See “The Distribution—Relationships Between International Paper and Sylvamo Following the Distribution—Separation and Distribution Agreement.”

International Paper will transfer to Sylvamo certain of the entities and the related assets and liabilities associated with International Paper’s Printing Papers business (which we refer to collectively as the “contribution”). In exchange for the contribution, Sylvamo will:

 

   

issue to International Paper approximately                 shares of Sylvamo common stock, of which approximately                 shares will be distributed to International Paper’s shareholders on a pro rata basis as described below; and

 

   

transfer to International Paper a portion of the cash from the proceeds of debt financing Sylvamo anticipates arranging prior to the distribution.

After the contribution, International Paper will spin off Sylvamo to the shareholders of International Paper by distributing approximately 80.1% of the shares of Sylvamo common stock to holders of International Paper common stock on a pro rata basis.

As a result of the distribution, Sylvamo will become an independent public company, although Sylvamo will continue to have a number of significant commercial and operational arrangements with International Paper and International Paper will continue to hold approximately a 19.9% stake in Sylvamo following the distribution. International Paper intends to dispose of the shares of Sylvamo common stock it retains within five years of the distribution. We have applied to list Sylvamo common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “SLVM”.

Holders of International Paper common stock will receive one share of Sylvamo common stock for every nine shares of International Paper common stock owned on the Record Date for the distribution.

Based on the number of shares of International Paper common stock outstanding on                , 2021 and the distribution ratio, approximately                 shares of Sylvamo common stock will be distributed to International Paper shareholders. The actual number of shares distributed will be based upon the number of International Paper shares outstanding on the Record Date. The shares of Sylvamo common stock to be distributed will constitute approximately 80.1% of the outstanding shares of Sylvamo common stock.

When and How You Will Receive Sylvamo Common Stock

International Paper will use a book-entry system to distribute shares of Sylvamo common stock. No stock certificates will be issued for Sylvamo shares. Following the distribution, each record holder of International Paper common stock on the Record Date will receive from the transfer agent a statement of the amount of shares of Sylvamo common stock credited to his or her account. If you are not a record holder of International Paper common stock on the Record Date because your shares are held on your behalf by your broker or other nominee, your shares of Sylvamo common stock should be credited to your account with your broker or other nominee on or about the Distribution Date, but you should check with your broker or other nominee.

 

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No International Paper shareholder will be required to pay any cash or other consideration for shares of Sylvamo common stock received in the distribution, or to surrender or exchange shares of International Paper common stock in order to receive shares of Sylvamo common stock. No vote of International Paper shareholders is required or sought in connection with the distribution, and International Paper shareholders will have no appraisal rights in connection with the distribution.

In order to receive shares of Sylvamo common stock in the distribution, International Paper shareholders must have been shareholders as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the Record Date.

Treatment of Fractional Shares

The transfer agent will not deliver any fractional shares of Sylvamo common stock in connection with the distribution. Instead, the transfer agent will aggregate all fractional shares and sell them on behalf of those holders who otherwise would be entitled to receive a fractional share. The transfer agent will determine in its sole discretion when, how and through which broker-dealers and at which price to sell aggregated fractional shares. We anticipate that these sales will occur as soon as practicable after the Distribution Date. Those holders will then receive a cash payment, in the form of a check, in an amount equal to their pro rata share of the total proceeds of those sales, which proceeds will not be reduced by any fees or expenses. It is expected that all fractional shares held in street name will be aggregated and sold by brokers or other nominees according to their standard procedures. You should contact your broker or other nominee for additional details.

None of International Paper, Sylvamo, or the transfer agent will guarantee any minimum sale price for the fractional shares of Sylvamo common stock. Neither Sylvamo nor International Paper will pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of fractional shares. The receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares will generally be taxable to the recipient shareholders. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution.”

Results of the Distribution

After the distribution, Sylvamo will be a separate public company operating the existing Printing Papers business of International Paper. Immediately after the distribution, Sylvamo expects to have approximately                  shares of common stock outstanding, approximately                 shares of which will be held by International Paper, based on the number of shares of International Paper common stock outstanding on                 , 2021 and the distribution ratio of one share of Sylvamo common stock for every nine shares of International Paper common stock. The actual number of shares distributed (and held by International Paper following the distribution) will be based upon the number of International Paper shares outstanding on the Record Date. The distribution will not affect the number of shares of International Paper common stock outstanding or any rights of International Paper shareholders.

Relationships Between Sylvamo and International Paper Following the Distribution

For purposes of governing the separation of Sylvamo from International Paper as well as certain of the ongoing relationships between International Paper and Sylvamo after the distribution, Sylvamo will enter into the agreements with International Paper described in this section. The forms of agreements summarized in this section will be included as exhibits to the registration statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC to which this information statement is attached. The following summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the agreements as filed. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” International Paper and Sylvamo intend to execute the separation and distribution agreement and the other agreements described below on or before the Distribution Date.

Separation and Distribution Agreement

Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities

The separation and distribution agreement will identify the entities and related assets to be transferred to, and the liabilities to be assumed by, Sylvamo or International Paper, as applicable, in the internal reorganization.

 

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In particular, the separation and distribution agreement will provide that, among other things, subject to the terms and conditions and any exceptions contained therein:

 

   

certain assets related to International Paper’s Printing Papers business, which we refer to as the “Sylvamo Assets,” will be transferred to Sylvamo or one of its subsidiaries, including:

 

   

equity interests in certain International Paper subsidiaries that hold assets relating to the Printing Papers business;

 

   

certain registered trade names and trademarks, patents and other intellectual property exclusively used in the Printing Papers business;

 

   

Sylvamo’s paper mills and other facilities related to the Printing Papers business;

 

   

contracts (or portions thereof) that relate to the Printing Papers business;

 

   

rights and assets expressly allocated to Sylvamo pursuant to the terms of the separation and distribution agreement or certain other agreements entered into in connection with the distribution;

 

   

permits that are exclusively used in the Printing Papers business; and

 

   

other assets that are included in Sylvamo’s pro forma balance sheet, included in Sylvamo’s Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements, which appear in the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements”;

 

   

certain liabilities related to the Printing Papers business or the Sylvamo Assets, which we refer to as the “Sylvamo Liabilities,” will be retained by or transferred to Sylvamo, including liabilities that have not otherwise been expressly allocated to International Paper:

 

   

certain liabilities associated with previously consummated divestitures by various legal entities that will be subsidiaries of Sylvamo following the distribution or associated with divestitures primarily related to the Printing Papers business and not related to any asset retained by International Paper;

 

   

certain liabilities associated with discontinued businesses primarily related to the Printing Papers business and not related to any asset retained by International Paper;

 

   

certain latent injury liabilities associated with the Printing Papers business, Sylvamo Assets or divested or discontinued operations primarily related to the Printing Papers business and not related to any asset retained by International Paper;

 

   

certain environmental liabilities relating to Sylvamo Assets, the Printing Papers business or divested or discontinued operations primarily related to the Printing Papers business and not related to any asset retained by International Paper, in each case that will not be retained by International Paper;

 

   

liabilities arising from businesses and operations in Brazil and the United Kingdom;

 

   

liabilities that are expressly allocated to Sylvamo pursuant to the terms of the separation and distribution agreement or certain other agreements entered into in connection with the distribution; and

 

   

other liabilities that are included in Sylvamo’s pro forma balance sheet, included in Sylvamo’s Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements, which appear in the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements”;

 

   

all of the assets and liabilities (including whether accrued, contingent or otherwise) other than the Sylvamo Assets and Sylvamo Liabilities will be retained by or transferred to International Paper (such assets and liabilities, we refer to as the “International Paper Assets” and “International Paper Liabilities,” respectively).

 

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Except as expressly set forth in the separation and distribution agreement or any ancillary agreement, neither International Paper nor Sylvamo will make any representation or warranty as to the assets, business or liabilities transferred or assumed as part of the internal reorganization, as to any approvals or notifications required in connection with the transfers, as to the value of or the freedom from any security interests of any of the assets transferred, as to the absence or presence of any defenses or right of setoff or freedom from counterclaim with respect to any claim or other asset of either International Paper or Sylvamo, or as to the legal sufficiency of any document or instrument delivered to convey title to any asset or thing of value to be transferred in connection with the separation. Except as expressly set forth in the separation and distribution agreement or any ancillary agreement, all assets will be transferred on an “as is,” “where is” basis, and the respective transferees will bear the economic and legal risks that any conveyance will prove to be insufficient to vest in the transferee good and marketable title, free and clear of all security interests, that any necessary consents or governmental approvals are not obtained, or that any requirements of law, agreements, security interests or judgments are not complied with.

Information in this information statement with respect to the assets and liabilities of the parties following the distribution is presented based on the allocation of such assets and liabilities pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement, unless the context otherwise requires. The separation and distribution agreement will provide that in the event that the transfer of certain assets and liabilities to International Paper or Sylvamo, as applicable, does not occur prior to the distribution, then until such assets or liabilities are able to be transferred, International Paper or Sylvamo, as applicable, will hold such assets on behalf and for the benefit of the other party and will pay, perform and discharge such liabilities, for which the other party will reimburse International Paper or Sylvamo, as applicable, for all commercially reasonable payments made in connection with the performance and discharge of such liabilities.

The Distribution

The separation and distribution agreement will govern the rights and obligations of the parties regarding the distribution following the completion of the separation. On the distribution date, International Paper will distribute to its shareholders that hold International Paper common stock as of the Record Date approximately 80.1% of the issued and outstanding shares of Sylvamo common stock on a pro rata basis, using a distribution ratio of one share of Sylvamo common stock for every nine shares of International Paper common stock held by a shareholder. Shareholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares. Following the distribution, International Paper shareholders will own directly approximately 80.1% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Sylvamo, and Sylvamo will be a separate company from International Paper. International Paper will retain no more than 19.9% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Sylvamo following the distribution.

Conditions to the Distribution

The separation and distribution agreement will provide that the distribution is subject to satisfaction or waiver by International Paper of certain conditions. These conditions are described under “The Distribution—Conditions to the Distribution.” International Paper, in its sole and absolute discretion, will determine the terms of, and to determine whether to proceed with, the distribution and, to the extent that it determines to proceed, to determine the Record Date, the Distribution Date and the distribution ratio.

Eastover and Other Restrictions

In the separation and distribution agreement, for ten years from the distribution date, Sylvamo will agree not to convert the production capabilities of the Eastover mill to produce any products other than printing papers and those products the mill was capable of producing on the distribution date. The prohibition will survive a change of control of Sylvamo and a transfer of the Eastover mill. Sylvamo will also grant International Paper a perpetual, one-time right of first refusal over a transfer of the Eastover mill if Sylvamo proposes to sell the mill to a third party, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the separation and distribution agreement. If International Paper waives its right to exercise the right of first refusal and ten years have not elapsed from the distribution

 

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date, the prohibition on conversion would survive the transfer. Sylvamo also agrees to comply with restrictive covenants applicable to the Printing Papers business prior to the spin in connection with prior transactions by International Paper, including the sale of the Kwidzyn mill in Poland.

Releases

The separation and distribution agreement will provide that Sylvamo and its subsidiaries will release and discharge International Paper and its subsidiaries from all liabilities assumed by Sylvamo as part of the separation, from all acts and events occurring and all conditions existing prior to the distribution relating to Sylvamo’s business, and from all liabilities arising in connection with the implementation of the separation and distribution, except as expressly set forth in the separation and distribution agreement. International Paper and its subsidiaries will release and discharge Sylvamo and its subsidiaries from all liabilities retained by International Paper and its subsidiaries as part of the separation, from all acts and events occurring and all conditions existing prior to the distribution relating to International Paper’s business, and from all liabilities arising in connection with the implementation of the separation, except as expressly set forth in the separation and distribution agreement.

These releases will not extend to third parties or obligations or liabilities under any agreements between the parties that remain in effect following the distribution, which agreements include the separation and distribution agreement and the other agreements described under “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions.”

Indemnification

In the separation and distribution agreement, Sylvamo will agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless International Paper, each of International Paper’s subsidiaries and each of International Paper and its subsidiaries’ respective directors, officers and employees and agents, from and against all liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from:

 

   

Sylvamo Liabilities;

 

   

the failure of Sylvamo or any of its subsidiaries to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any of the Sylvamo Liabilities, in accordance with their respective terms, whether prior to, at or after the distribution;

 

   

any breach by Sylvamo or its subsidiaries of the separation and distribution agreement or any of the ancillary agreements;

 

   

except to the extent relating to a International Paper Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation, surety bond or other credit support agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding for the benefit of Sylvamo or any of its subsidiaries by International Paper or any of its subsidiaries that survives the distribution; and

 

   

any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission of material fact in the Form 10 or in this information statement (as amended or supplemented), except for any such statements or omissions made explicitly in International Paper’s name.

International Paper will agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Sylvamo, each of Sylvamo’s subsidiaries and each of Sylvamo and Sylvamo’s subsidiaries’ respective directors, officers and employees and agents from and against all liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from:

 

   

the International Paper Liabilities;

 

   

the failure of International Paper or any of its subsidiaries to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any of the International Paper Liabilities, in accordance with their respective terms whether prior to, at or after the distribution;

 

   

any breach by International Paper of the separation and distribution agreement or any of the ancillary agreements;

 

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except to the extent relating to a Sylvamo Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation, surety bond or other credit support agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding for the benefit of Parent or any of its subsidiaries by Sylvamo or any of its subsidiaries that survives the distribution; and

 

   

any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission of a material fact made explicitly in International Paper’s name in the Form 10 or in this information statement (as amended or supplemented).

The separation and distribution agreement will also establish procedures with respect to claims subject to indemnification and related matters, including the defense and settlement of third-party claims. Certain ancillary agreements have indemnification provisions and procedures that will govern with respect to the matters addressed in those ancillary agreements.

Insurance

The separation and distribution agreement will provide for the allocation between the parties of rights and obligations under existing International Paper insurance policies with respect to occurrences prior to the distribution and set forth procedures for the administration of insured claims and related matters.

Further Assurances

In addition to the actions specifically provided for in the separation and distribution agreement, except as otherwise set forth therein or in any ancillary agreement, both International Paper and Sylvamo will agree in the separation and distribution agreement to use reasonable best efforts, prior to, on and after the distribution, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws, regulations and agreements to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by the separation and distribution agreement and the ancillary agreements.

Dispute Resolution

The separation and distribution agreement will contain provisions that govern, except as otherwise provided in any ancillary agreement, the resolution of disputes, controversies or claims that may arise between International Paper and Sylvamo related to the separation or distribution and that are unable to be resolved through good faith discussions between International Paper and Sylvamo. These provisions will contemplate that efforts will be made to resolve disputes, controversies and claims by escalation of the matter to executives of International Paper and Sylvamo, and that, if such efforts are not successful, either International Paper or Sylvamo may submit the dispute, controversy or claim to binding alternative dispute resolution, subject to the provisions of the separation and distribution agreement.

Expenses

Except as expressly set forth in the separation and distribution agreement or in any ancillary agreement, International Paper will be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the separation and distribution incurred prior to the distribution, including costs and expenses relating to legal and tax counsel, financial advisors and accounting advisory work related to the separation and distribution. Except as expressly set forth in the separation and distribution agreement or in any ancillary agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the separation and distribution after the distribution will be paid by the party incurring such cost and expense.

Other Matters

Other matters governed by the separation and distribution agreement will include access to financial and other information, public filing of financial statements, confidentiality, access to and provision of records, ownership of privileged materials, domain name use, and treatment of outstanding guarantees and similar credit support.

 

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Termination

The separation and distribution agreement will provide that it may be terminated, and the separation and distribution may be modified or abandoned, at any time prior to the distribution date in the sole and absolute discretion of International Paper without the approval of any other person, including Sylvamo. In the event of a termination of the separation and distribution agreement, no party, nor any of its directors, officers or employees, will have any liability of any kind to the other party or any other person. After the distribution, the separation and distribution agreement may not be terminated, except by an agreement in writing signed by both International Paper and Sylvamo.

Transition Services Agreement

In connection with the distribution, International Paper and Sylvamo will enter into a transition services agreement, pursuant to which International Paper and Sylvamo will provide to each other certain specified services on an interim, transitional basis, where Sylvamo and International Paper may need assistance and support following the distribution. Services to be provided by International Paper to Sylvamo include, but are not limited to: (i) information technology; (ii) finance; (iii) operations support and planning; (iv) facility access and services comparable to such access and services currently provided in certain locations; (v) legal consultation resources; (vi) knowledge transfer and other services with respect to sourcing; and (vii) supply chain services. Services to be provided by Sylvamo to International Paper include tax and accounting services for the French packaging business and environmental process management services.

The charges for the transition services are expected to allow the providing company to fully recover the allocated direct costs of providing the services, plus all out-of-pocket costs and expenses, generally without profit during the initial 12-month term of the services.

The services provided under the transition services agreement will generally commence on the Distribution Date and expire at various times to be specified in the agreement, but not exceeding 12 months following the Distribution Date. The receiving party may terminate certain specified services by giving prior written notice to the provider of such services. The receiving party may also extend any service for a maximum period of three months following the end of the term to the extent such service is required beyond the initial term. We anticipate that we will generally be in a position to complete transition of more services within 12 months following the Distribution Date. Services under the transition services agreement cannot be extended beyond 15 months following the Distribution Date.

The liabilities of each party providing services under the transition services agreement will generally be limited to the aggregate fees actually paid to International Paper by Sylvamo during the term pursuant to the transition services agreement.

Tax Matters Agreement

In connection with the separation and distribution, International Paper and Sylvamo will enter into a tax matters agreement that will govern the parties’ respective rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to taxes (including responsibility for taxes, entitlement to refunds, allocation of tax attributes, preparation of tax returns, control of tax contests, and other tax matters).

Under the tax matters agreement, International Paper generally will be responsible for all U.S. federal, state or foreign taxes imposed on, measured by or calculated with respect to income or net worth and any other franchise or similar taxes imposed on or payable by International Paper or any member of its Group (including any such taxes due and owing on any consolidated, combined or unitary tax return that is required to be filed by International Paper or any member of its Group), and Sylvamo generally will be responsible for all U.S. federal, state or foreign taxes imposed on, measured by or calculated with respect to income or net worth and any other franchise or similar taxes imposed on or payable by Sylvamo or one or more members of its Group (other than taxes due and owing on any consolidated, combined or unitary return for which International Paper is responsible), except (1) special rules will

 

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apply with respect to certain taxes imposed in connection with the separation and distribution, (2) Sylvamo will be responsible for certain taxes specifically allocated to Sylvamo under the tax matters agreement, (3) Sylvamo will be responsible for taxes resulting from any breach of certain representations or covenants made by Sylvamo, as applicable, in the tax matters agreement or other separation-related agreements, (4) International Paper will be responsible for certain taxes specifically allocated to International Paper under the tax matters agreement and (5) International Paper will be responsible for taxes resulting from any breach of covenant made by International Paper, as applicable, in the tax matters agreement or other separation-related agreements.

The tax matters agreement will provide special rules that allocate tax liabilities in the event either (1) the distribution, together with certain related transactions, fails to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code or (2) certain internal separation transactions that are intended to qualify as transactions that are generally tax-free fail to so qualify. Under the tax matters agreement, each party generally will be responsible for any taxes and related amounts imposed on International Paper or Sylvamo as a result of the failure to so qualify, to the extent that the failure to so qualify is attributable to actions, events or transactions relating to such party’s respective stock, assets or business, or a breach of the relevant covenants made by that party in the tax matters agreement.

In addition, the tax matters agreement will impose certain restrictions on Sylvamo and its subsidiaries during the two-year period following the distribution that will be intended to prevent either of the distributions, together with certain related transactions, from failing to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. Specifically, during such period, except in specific circumstances, Sylvamo and its subsidiaries will generally be prohibited from (1) ceasing to conduct certain businesses, (2) entering into certain transactions or series of transactions pursuant to which all or a portion of the shares of Sylvamo common stock would be acquired or all or a portion of certain assets of Sylvamo and its subsidiaries would be acquired, (3) liquidating or merging or consolidating with any other person, (4) issuing equity securities beyond certain thresholds, (5) repurchasing Sylvamo stock other than in certain open-market transactions or (6) taking or failing to take any other action that would cause the distribution, together with certain related transactions, to fail to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code or for other applicable non-U.S. income tax purposes. Further, the tax matters agreement will impose similar restrictions on Sylvamo’s subsidiaries during the two-year period following the distribution that are intended to prevent certain transactions undertaken as part of the internal reorganization from failing to qualify as transactions that are generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code or for applicable non-U.S. income tax purposes.

The tax matters agreement also allocates liability for any and all taxes, interest, penalties or legal charges imposed by any Brazilian governmental authority resulting from the Brazil Tax Dispute (the “Brazil Income Tax Liabilities”). If a tax amnesty program is enacted prior to the distribution date and International Paper decides to participate in the amnesty program prior to the distribution date, International Paper would pay 100% of the liability up to $180 million, Sylvamo would pay up to the next $60 million of the liability and International Paper would pay 100% of any liability over $240 million. Unless International Paper decides to resolve the Brazil Tax Dispute prior to the date of the distribution (including by becoming party to an applicable amnesty program), Sylvamo will pay 40% of the Brazil Income Tax Liabilities. International Paper will be responsible for paying the remaining 60% of the Brazil Income Tax Liabilities. If any of the surety bonds provided by IP Brasil are drawn to pay any Brazil Income Tax Liabilities in connection with the Brazil Tax Dispute and International Paper has indemnified the provider of such surety bonds and reimburses the surety bond providers for such amounts, Sylvamo will be required to pay International Paper an amount equal to 40% of the amounts so reimbursed by International Paper. After the distribution, all decisions concerning the conduct of the litigation related to the Brazil Tax Dispute, including as to strategy, settlement, pursuit and abandonment, will continue to be made by International Paper. International Paper’s right to be reimbursed will be junior (but not subordinated) to Sylvamo’s existing and future senior secured indebtedness, including the credit agreements expected to be entered into prior to the distribution. International Paper has agreed that after the distribution it will continue to indemnify the provider of the surety bonds during the pendency of the appeal in the Brazilian federal court, for which Sylvamo will pay International Paper an annual guarantee fee calculated at an annual rate of 1.5% based

 

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on 40% of the face amount of the surety bond, which face amount was $351 million as of June 30, 2021. International Paper has agreed to reimburse Sylvamo for 60% of the premium paid to the surety bond providers. In the event that International Paper is required to post collateral to secure its obligations under the surety bonds, the guarantee fee will terminate, and Sylvamo will pay International Paper a collateral fee calculated at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 3% based on 40% of the fair market value of the collateral unless Sylvamo elects to post collateral in satisfaction of 40% of the liability, in which case the collateral fee shall be zero. From and after the date on which 40% of the amount of the maximum potential exposure for Brazil Income Tax Liabilities (the “Exposure Amount”) exceeds $275 million, International Paper may request that Sylvamo and its restricted subsidiaries maintain liquidity (consisting of cash and cash equivalents and unused commitments under Sylvamo’s revolving credit facility) of not less than the Exposure Amount.

Employee Matters Agreement

In connection with the distribution, we will enter into an employee matters agreement with International Paper that addresses the treatment of employees and former employees of the Printing Papers business with respect to their participation in employee benefit plans that currently exist or that Sylvamo intends to establish in connection with the separation and distribution. The employee matters agreement also allocates responsibility for employment-related liabilities associated with persons who have performed services for the Printing Papers business and addresses certain other employment and compensation matters, including the treatment of the collective bargaining agreements pertaining to persons who will become our employees.

Transfer of Employment and Assumption of Liabilities; Collective Bargaining Agreements

Prior to the distribution, Sylvamo will either offer employment to each employee working in the Printing Papers business, or otherwise cause the employment of each such Printing Papers employee to transfer to Sylvamo (including pursuant to automatic employment transfers under applicable non-U.S. law), except those specifically designated to remain with International Paper. In general, Sylvamo will assume all employment-related liabilities related to such transferred Printing Papers employees, and International Paper will assume or retain all employment-related liabilities related to its retained employees or former employees of the Printing Papers business. However, International Paper will reimburse Sylvamo for payments made under certain U.S. non-qualified retirement plans, as set forth below, and an International Paper affiliate will continue to provide coverage for certain U.S. worker’s compensation claims of Printing Papers employees. At or prior to the distribution, Sylvamo will assume obligations and contractual commitments under existing collective bargaining agreements covering employees of the Printing Papers business. The employee matters agreement provides that, for the 18-month period following the initial transfer of U.S.-based Printing Papers employees to Sylvamo (which is anticipated to occur one month prior to the distribution), neither Sylvamo nor International Paper may solicit or hire the other’s employees, subject to specified customary exceptions and any limitations imposed by applicable law.

Continuation of Compensation and Benefits

Upon the transfer of employment, transferring Printing Papers employees will generally cease active participation in International Paper’s employee benefit plans and commence participation in Sylvamo employee benefit plans. For a period of one year following the distribution, Sylvamo shall provide each transferred employee of the Printing Papers business with, at a minimum, the same rate of base salary and the same target annual bonus opportunity that were provided prior to the transfer and employee benefits under employee benefit plans of Sylvamo that include health insurance, a tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plan and paid time off. Any new plans established by Sylvamo will generally provide each transferred employee with credit for all service, compensation and any other factors affecting benefit determinations that were recognized under the corresponding International Paper benefit plan to the same extent as such International Paper plan. Sylvamo must establish a U.S. qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plan and a U.S. qualified and non-qualified defined contribution savings plan, each of which will provide benefits to transferred employees in the U.S. that are substantially identical to the corresponding International Paper benefit plan in effect prior to the initial transfer of employment of Printing Papers employees to Sylvamo. Compensation and benefits for non-U.S. Printing Papers employees will also be provided in accordance with the requirements of applicable law.

 

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Retirement Plans

Sylvamo’s qualified U.S. defined benefit pension plan will accept all liabilities relating to transferred Printing Papers employees under the corresponding International Paper pension plan. As soon as administratively practical following the distribution, the International Paper pension plan will transfer cash to Sylvamo’s pension plan in an amount equal to the present value of the accrued benefit liabilities the Sylvamo pension plan assumed on the date such Printing Papers employees transfer to Sylvamo. Sylvamo shall also assume, under its non-qualified U.S. defined benefit pension plan, all liabilities relating to transferred Printing Papers business employees under the corresponding International Paper pension plan. International Paper shall be responsible for reimbursing Sylvamo, on a net-after tax basis, for payments made under such plan to the extent of each such transferred employee’s entitlements under the corresponding International Paper plan as of the date the employee transfers to Sylvamo. Outside of the United States, Sylvamo shall assume all International Paper plans providing pension or retirement benefits to Printing Papers employees, except for certain non-transferring Printing Papers employees working in Italy and Spain, where International Paper shall retain responsibility for all such plans. Any assets or liabilities transferred or assumed in connection with U.S. defined benefit pension plans shall be calculated and certified in accordance with the employee matters agreement, and asset and liabilities transfers outside the United States shall be effected in accordance with applicable local law.

From and after the date that transferred Printing Papers employees transfer to Sylvamo, Sylvamo will have established a qualified defined contribution savings plan that will accept a transfer of all account balances of transferred Printing Papers employees in the United States from the corresponding International Paper savings plans, including the transfer of any participant loans outstanding under such plans. Sylvamo shall also establish and maintain a non-qualified defined contribution savings plan for such transferring employees who participated in the corresponding International Paper non-qualified defined contribution savings plan and shall assume under such Sylvamo plan all liabilities for such transferring employees under such corresponding International Paper plan. International Paper shall be responsible for reimbursing Sylvamo, on a net-after tax basis, for payments made under Sylvamo’s non-qualified savings plan to the extent of each such transferred employee’s entitlements under the corresponding International Paper plan as of the date the employee transfers to Sylvamo.

Cash and Equity Incentive Compensation Plans

In connection with the distribution, equity-based awards granted by International Paper prior to the separation will be treated as described below.

PSP Awards. Effective as of the distribution, the number of shares of International Paper common stock subject to each outstanding performance share plan (“PSP”) award, including reinvested dividends, held by a transferring Printing Papers employee will be adjusted to cover a number of shares of International Paper common stock equal to (i) the number of shares covered by such award prior to the distribution multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months of the applicable performance period that have been completed as of the distribution, and the denominator of which is the total number of months in the performance period applicable to such award. Any remaining shares subject to such PSP award shall be cancelled and forfeited as of the date of the distribution. The adjusted PSP award shall remain outstanding and eligible to vest and be paid based on the applicable performance criteria at the same time and on the same terms as if such Printing Papers employee had remained employed by International Paper through the end of the applicable performance period.

Restricted Share Unit and Restricted Stock Awards. Effective as of the distribution, each outstanding award of restricted shares or restricted stock units of International Paper common stock held by a transferring employee of the Printing Papers business will be cancelled and forfeited.

Replacement Awards. Effective as of the distribution, Sylvamo shall grant to each transferred employee of the Printing Papers business who forfeits awards as described above with replacement awards in Sylvamo. For each forfeited PSP award, the holder will be granted a replacement award in Sylvamo shares of equivalent value

 

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(as of the distribution) to the shares forfeited under the PSP award, which will be eligible to vest and become payable in three equal installments on each of the three payment dates applicable to the forfeited PSP awards, based solely on the employee’s continued service with Sylvamo through such dates. For each forfeited restricted stock unit or restricted share award that is not settled by International Paper prior to the distribution, the holder will be granted a replacement award in Sylvamo shares of equivalent value (as of the distribution) to the shares forfeited under the International Paper restricted share award with terms substantially identical to those of the forfeited award, except that Sylvamo shall replace International Paper for all purposes of such award, including any continued service requirement.

Short Term Incentive Compensation. Within 30 days following the distribution, International Paper shall pay any transferred Printing Papers employee with a title below senior vice president, a cash bonus under International Paper’s Management Incentive Plan, equal to a pro-rated portion of such employee’s target annual incentive opportunity under such plan, based on the number of months prior to the distribution date in the calendar year in which the distribution occurs in which the employee worked 15 days or more. For any transferred Printing Papers employee with a title of senior vice president or higher, International Paper will pay to such employee, at the same time that bonuses are paid to other officers of International Paper, an amount under the Management Incentive Plan that such employee would have been eligible to receive, but pro-rated based on the number of months worked prior to the distribution in the same manner as described in the immediately preceding sentence. Sylvamo is required to maintain the hourly incentive plans and sales incentive plans of International Paper for Printing Papers employees until the first anniversary of the distribution, subject to adjustment, to performance metrics or otherwise, as may be necessary to reflect the distribution.

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the distribution, we will enter into a registration rights agreement with International Paper to provide International Paper with registration rights relating to shares of Sylvamo common stock held by International Paper following the distribution. International Paper and its permitted transferees may require us to register under the Securities Act, all or any portion of these shares, a so-called “demand request,” subject to certain limitations and requirements.

International Paper and its permitted transferees will also have “piggyback” registration rights, such that International Paper and its permitted transferees may include their respective shares in any future registrations of Sylvamo equity securities, whether or not that registration relates to a primary offering by Sylvamo or a secondary offering by or on behalf of any of Sylvamo’s stockholders. The demand registration rights and piggyback registration rights will be each subject to market cut-back exceptions.

The registration rights agreement will set forth customary registration procedures. Sylvamo will also agree to indemnify International Paper and its permitted transferees with respect to liabilities resulting from untrue statements or omissions in any registration statement used in any such registration, other than untrue statements or omissions resulting from information furnished to us for use in a registration statement by International Paper or any permitted transferee.

Supply and Offtake Agreements

In connection with the separation, International Paper and Sylvamo will enter into two supply and offtake agreements (the “offtake agreements”), pursuant to which International Paper will continue to produce uncoated freesheet and, in the case of Georgetown, wallboard tape, uncoated bristols and specialty papers at its mills in Selma, Alabama and Georgetown, South Carolina for Sylvamo following the distribution. Sylvamo will purchase these products from International Paper at the total cash costs of the mill for producing each ton of product. Sylvamo will use reasonable best efforts to keep the paper machines at the mills operating at full budgeted capacity and will bear financial responsibility for lack of orders under the offtake agreements.

The term of each offtake agreement will commence on or around the Distribution Date and expire after 10 years. The Riverdale offtake agreement may be terminated early by International Paper effective as early as

 

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January 1, 2024 and by Sylvamo effective as early as January 1, 2026, in each case with six months notice. The Georgetown offtake agreement may be terminated early by International Paper effective as early as January 1, 2023 and by Sylvamo effective as early as January 1, 2025, in each case with six months notice. International Paper may also terminate the offtake agreements if orders are less than 80% of budgeted capacity for a period of 60 days.

Corrugated Packaging Purchase Agreement

In connection with the separation, International Paper through its French subsidiary Papeteries d’Espaly SAS, and Sylvamo, through its French subsidiary, will continue their contractual relationship pursuant to an agreement entered into on May 1, 2020 pursuant to which Sylvamo will purchase corrugated boxes produced by International Paper. The agreement contains pricing and minimum order quantity, including the revision formula applicable quarterly. The agreement has an initial term of three years, with renewal by mutual agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2020, Sylvamo paid International Paper €3.9 million.

Corrugated Packaging Supply Agreement

In connection with the separation, International Paper and Sylvamo will enter into a Supply Agreement pursuant to which Sylvamo will agree to purchase 100% of its requirements for certain corrugated packaging products, primarily corrugated boxes, from International Paper. The Supply Agreement contains pricing and minimum order quantities, with pricing being subject to quarterly price adjustments based on certain industry pricing indices. The Supply Agreement will have an initial term of three years, with automatic one year renewals that either party may decline with at least 90 days’ notice.

Fiber Purchase Agreement

In connection with the separation, International Paper and Sylvamo will enter into a Fiber Purchase Agreement (the “Fiber Agreement”) whereby International Paper will facilitate the sale and delivery of to Sylvamo 100% of Sylvamo’s requirements for hardwood, softwood, roundwood and chips, and fiber fuel at Sylvamo’s mills located in Ticonderoga, New York and Eastover, South Carolina. Sylvamo will pay International Paper a monthly procurement fee for its procurement services. The Fiber Agreement has an initial term of ten years, which may be extended for additional ten years periods upon mutual written agreement of the parties.

Recyclable Material Master Purchase Agreement

In connection with the separation, International Paper and Sylvamo will enter into a Recyclable Material Master Purchase Agreement (“RMMPA”) pursuant to which International Paper will agree to purchase 100% of certain recyclable commodities that are not consumed in Sylvamo’s own operations, primarily hard white envelope, old corrugated containers, cores and mixed paper. Pricing is primarily based on corresponding regional Fastmarkets RISI indices. The RMMPA will have an initial term of three years, with automatic one year renewals that either party may decline with notice.

Tax-Exempt Bond Agreement (Eastover)

In connection with the separation, International Paper and Sylvamo will enter into a Tax-Exempt Bond Agreement (the “Eastover TEBA”) pursuant to which Sylvamo will agree to use certain assets at the Eastover mill that were financed with proceeds of tax-exempt bonds (the “Eastover Bonds”) in a qualifying manner and to assist International Paper in connection with any audit of the Eastover Bonds. The Eastover TEBA will remain in effect while the Eastover Bonds are outstanding.

Tax-Exempt Bond Agreement (Ticonderoga)

In connection with the separation, International Paper and Sylvamo will enter into a Tax-Exempt Bond Agreement (the “Ticonderoga TEBA”) pursuant to which Sylvamo will agree to use certain assets at the

 

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Ticonderoga Mill that were financed with proceeds of tax-exempt bonds (the “Ticonderoga Bonds”) in a qualifying manner and to assist International Paper in connection with any audit of the Ticonderoga Bonds. The Ticonderoga TEBA will remain in effect while the Ticonderoga Bonds are outstanding.

Temporary Occupancy Agreement

In connection with the separation, Sylvamo will enter into a short-term temporary occupancy agreement with International Paper for approximately 40,493 square feet of office space at the current International Paper headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. The agreement will begin September 1, 2021, and Sylvamo will pay rent in the amount of $180,666.67 per month, and the agreement term will be approximately seven months, or until the new Sylvamo headquarters is ready for occupancy.

La Mirada, California Lease

In connection with the separation, Sylvamo will enter into a three-year lease agreement with International Paper with respect to an approximately 236,069 square foot warehouse in La Mirada, California.

Intellectual Property Licenses

In connection with the separation, International Paper and Sylvamo will enter into a number of license agreements that will provide to each other ongoing rights to use, under specified conditions, certain intellectual property following the separation.

We will enter into a Retained Intellectual Property License Agreement, Retained Copyright License Agreement and Retained Know-How and Technology License Agreement that will grant Sylvamo a perpetual and non-exclusive license to use certain patents (and the know-how associated therewith), copyrights and general know-how and technology, respectively, owned by or licensed to International Paper.

In addition, we will enter into a Transferred Intellectual Property License Agreement that will grant International Paper a perpetual and non-exclusive license to use certain patents (and the know-how associated therewith) owned by Sylvamo to make, have made, sell, offer to sell, import and export products and services.

Under a Transitional Trademark License Agreement, Sylvamo will receive a non-exclusive license, to use the “International Paper” name, subject to certain quality control provisions, (i) on finished product inventory or packaging materials, existing as of the separation or manufactured by Sylvamo thereafter, for a period of either six (6) or twelve (12) months depending on the products, and (ii) to otherwise transition off of the use of such name, for a period of six (6) months.

Brazil Payment Agreement

In connection with the separation, a subsidiary of International Paper and a subsidiary of Sylvamo will enter into a letter agreement, pursuant to which the Sylvamo subsidiary will make a payment of $100 million to the International Paper subsidiary if any portion of the Brazil eucalyptus forest plantations owned by Sylvamo as of the Distribution Date are directly or indirectly transferred, subject to certain exceptions for immaterial transfers. A transfer includes any sale, pledge or transfer of any legal or beneficial interest in the Brazil lands, including any grant of an option or other right or interest or entry into any contract that would result in a reduction or diminution of Sylvamo’s economic ownership in the Brazil lands. A change of control of Sylvamo would also result in the payment becoming due and payable. A U.S. subsidiary of Sylvamo will guarantee this payment obligation to the subsidiary of International Paper.

Trading Prior to the Distribution Date

We expect a “when-issued” market in our common stock to develop as early as two trading days prior to the Record Date for the distribution and continue through the close of trading on the day prior to the Distribution Date. When-issued trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally before the Distribution Date because

 

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the securities of the spun-off entity have not yet been distributed. If you own shares of International Paper common stock on the Record Date, you will be entitled to receive shares of our common stock in the distribution. You may trade this entitlement to receive shares of our common stock, without the shares of International Paper common stock you own, on the when-issued market. We expect when-issued trades of our common stock to settle within three trading days after the Distribution Date. On the Distribution Date, we expect that when-issued trading of our common stock will end and “regular-way” trading will begin.

We also anticipate that, as early as two trading days prior to the Record Date and continuing through the close of trading on the day prior to the Distribution Date, there will be two markets in International Paper common stock: a “regular-way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. Shares of International Paper common stock that trade on the regular-way market will trade with an entitlement to receive shares of our common stock in the distribution. Shares that trade on the ex-distribution market will trade without an entitlement to receive shares of our common stock in the distribution. Therefore, if you sell shares of International Paper common stock in the regular-way market up to and continuing through the close of trading on the day prior to the Distribution Date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of our common stock in the distribution. However, if you own shares of International Paper common stock on the Record Date and sell those shares in the ex-distribution market up to and continuing through the close of trading on the day prior to the Distribution Date, you will still receive the shares of our common stock that you would otherwise be entitled to receive in the distribution.

Following the Distribution Date, we expect shares of our common stock to be listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol “SLVM”. If when-issued trading occurs, the listing for our common stock is expected to be under a trading symbol different from our regular-way trading symbol. We will announce our when-issued trading symbol when and if it becomes available. If the distribution does not occur, all when-issued trading will be null and void.

Listing and Trading of the Shares of Sylvamo Common Stock

As of the date of this information statement, we are a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Paper and, accordingly, there is currently no public market for our common stock, although a “when-issued” market in our common stock may develop on or shortly before the Record Date. See “—Trading Prior to the Distribution Date” above for an explanation of a “when-issued” market. We have applied to list our shares of common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “SLVM”.

We cannot assure you as to the price at which our common stock will trade before, on or after the Distribution Date, and the price at which such stock trades may fluctuate significantly. In addition, the combined trading prices of International Paper common stock and Sylvamo common stock following the distribution may be less than, equal to or greater than the current trading price of International Paper common stock. There can be no assurance that, following the distribution, the combined trading prices of International Paper common stock and Sylvamo common stock will equal or exceed what the trading price of International Paper common stock would have been in the absence of the distribution. See “Risk Factors— Risks Relating to Our Common Stock.”

Shares of Sylvamo common stock distributed to International Paper’s shareholders will be freely transferable, except for such shares that are distributed to persons who are considered our affiliates. Individuals or entities may be deemed to be affiliates of Sylvamo if they control, are controlled by, or are under common control with, Sylvamo, as those terms generally are interpreted for U.S. federal securities law purposes. These persons may include certain or all of our directors, officers and significant shareholders. In addition, individuals who are affiliates of International Paper on the Distribution Date may be deemed to be affiliates of Sylvamo. Individuals who are our affiliates, or are deemed our affiliates, will be permitted to sell their shares of Sylvamo common stock only pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, such as those afforded by Section 4(a)(1) of the Securities Act or Rule 144 thereunder.

 

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Conditions to the Distribution

We expect that the distribution will be effective on the Distribution Date, provided that the conditions described below have been satisfied or waived by International Paper:

 

   

the SEC having declared effective the Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part, and the Form 10 shall not be the subject of any stop order or any legal, administrative, arbitral or other action, suit, investigation, proceeding, complaint, indictment or litigation by the SEC seeking a stop order;

 

   

this information statement shall have been sent or otherwise made available to International Paper shareholders;

 

   

International Paper shall have received an opinion from a nationally recognized accounting firm or tax counsel satisfactory to it or a private letter ruling from the IRS, regarding the qualification of the Distribution as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Code;

 

   

the completion of the internal reorganization, the contribution by International Paper to Sylvamo of certain of the entities and the related assets and liabilities associated with International Paper’s Printing Papers business as described herein;

 

   

the receipt by International Paper’s board of directors of customary solvency and surplus opinions of a nationally recognized investment banking or appraisal firm;

 

   

the actions and filings necessary or appropriate under applicable U.S. federal, U.S. state or other securities laws or blue sky laws and the rules and regulations thereunder shall have been taken or made, and, where applicable, have become effective or been accepted;

 

   

International Paper’s and Sylvamo’s execution of the separation and distribution agreement, the tax matters agreement, the transition services agreement, the employee matters agreement, the registration rights agreement and all ancillary agreements relating to the distribution;

 

   

the absence of any order issued by any governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or other legal impediment preventing or making illegal the consummation of the Separation, the Distribution or any of the transactions related thereto;

 

   

Sylvamo’s common stock having been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;

 

   

Sylvamo’s entry into the financing arrangements and incurrence of at least $                 aggregate principal amount of new indebtedness pursuant thereto;

 

   

the receipt by International Paper of the proceeds from the Special Payment; and

 

   

no other events or developments shall exist or shall have occurred that, in the judgment of the board of directors of International Paper, in its sole and absolute discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the separation, the distribution or the transactions contemplated by the separation and distribution agreement or any ancillary agreement.

The fulfillment of the above conditions will not create any obligation on International Paper’s part to effect the distribution. International Paper, in its sole and absolute discretion, will determine the terms of, and whether to proceed with, the distribution and, to the extent it determines to proceed, determine the Record Date and Distribution Date.

Regulatory Approval

Apart from the registration under U.S. federal securities laws of the Sylvamo common stock to be distributed in the distribution and related stock exchange listing requirements, we do not believe that any other material governmental or regulatory filings or approvals will be necessary to consummate the distribution.

No Appraisal Rights

International Paper shareholders will not have appraisal rights in connection with the distribution.

 

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FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

We intend to enter into new financing arrangements in connection with the distribution. We expect to incur up to $                 million in new debt, consisting of $                 million of senior notes and $                 million of term loans, and enter into a $                 million cash flow-based revolving credit facility. We intend to use the net proceeds from our new financing arrangements, together with cash on hand, to make the Special Payment to International Paper of approximately $1.6 billion immediately prior to the distribution. We expect that our revolving credit facility will be available for our immediate working capital needs and for general corporate purposes.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We do not expect to declare or pay dividends on our common stock or repurchase our common stock following the distribution, as we intend to use excess cash to reduce outstanding indebtedness. In the future, as we achieve our targeted financial leverage ratio, we anticipate that we will be in a position to return a portion of the cash flow generated by our business to our stockholders through a combination of dividends and stock repurchases, depending on market conditions and subject to approval by our board of directors. Any payment of dividends or stock repurchase will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon various factors then existing, including earnings, financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, covenants contained within agreements governing our indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends or repurchasing stock, our ability to obtain cash or other assets from our subsidiaries, restrictions imposed by applicable law, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and temporary investments and our capitalization as of June 30, 2021 on an historical and pro forma basis to give effect to the separation, the incurrence of debt, the Special Payment and other matters, as discussed in “The Distribution.”

The pro forma adjustments are based upon available information and assumptions that management believes are reasonable; however, such adjustments are subject to change based on the finalization of the terms of the separation and the agreements which define our relationship with International Paper after the completion of the separation. In addition, such adjustments are estimates and may not prove to be accurate.

You should read the information in the following table together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements,” and our unaudited condensed combined financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this information statement.

We are providing the capitalization table for information purposes only. The capitalization table below may not reflect the capitalization or financial condition that would have resulted had we been operating as an independent, publicly-traded company on June 30, 2021 and is not necessarily indicative of our future capitalization or financial condition.

 

     As of June 30, 2021  

In millions, except per-share amounts

   Actual      Pro Forma
(Unaudited)
 

Cash and temporary investments(1)

   $ 226      $ 121  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Indebtedness(1):

     

Short-term:

     

Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt

     2        2  

Long-term:

     

Long-term debt

     20        1,522  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total indebtedness

     22        1,524  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity:

     

Common stock, $1.00 par value, 200.0 shares authorized and 43.4 shares outstanding, pro forma(2)

     —          43  

Additional paid-in-capital

     —          1,911  

Parent company investment

     3,777        —    

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (1,493      (1,493
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     2,284        461  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 2,306      $ 1,985  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

We currently estimate that we will have $121 million in cash and temporary investments at separation. Sylvamo expects to enter into new financing arrangements in connection with the distribution consisting of $1.02 billion of term loans and $500 million of senior unsecured notes. Sylvamo intends to use substantially all of the proceeds from the financing arrangements to make the Special Payment to International Paper immediately prior to the distribution. Sylvamo also expects to enter into a $450 million cash flow-based revolving credit facility that will be available for immediate working capital needs and for general corporate purposes, but is not expected to be drawn upon at separation.

(2)

We have estimated the number of outstanding shares of our common stock based on the number of shares of International Paper common stock outstanding on June 30, 2021 and a distribution ratio of one share of our common stock for every nine shares of International Paper common stock.

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements consist of an unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2021 and unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020. The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed combined financial statements and our audited combined financial statements and the notes thereto, along with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” included elsewhere in this information statement. The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet has been prepared to give effect to the Pro Forma Transactions (as defined below) as though the Pro Forma Transactions had occurred as of June 30, 2021. The unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020 have been prepared to give effect to the Pro Forma Transactions as if the Pro Forma Transactions had occurred or became effective as of January 1, 2020, the beginning of our most recently completed fiscal year. The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements constitute forward-looking information and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. See “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements and Information.”

The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements presented below have been derived from our unaudited condensed combined financial statements and audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement and do not purport to represent what our financial position and results of operations would have been had the separation occurred on the dates indicated and are not necessarily indicative of our future financial position and future results of operations. In addition, the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements are provided for illustrative and informational purposes only. The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and assumptions we believe are reasonable; however, such adjustments are subject to change.

International Paper did not account for us as, and we were not operated as, an independent, publicly-traded company for the periods presented. Our unaudited pro forma combined financial statements have been prepared to reflect adjustments to our historical financial information for the following autonomous entity adjustments and transaction accounting adjustments (the “Pro Forma Transactions”):

 

   

The contribution by International Paper to us of all the assets and liabilities that comprise our business and the retention by International Paper of certain specified assets and liabilities reflected in our historical combined financial statements, in each case, pursuant to the separation;

 

   

The anticipated post-separation capital structure, including: (i) the incurrence of third-party debt and the funding of the Special Payment to International Paper; (ii) the distribution of our common stock to holders of International Paper common stock; and (iii) the resulting elimination of International Paper’s net investment in us; and

 

   

The impact of, and transactions contemplated by, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Tax Matters Agreement, Transition Services Agreement, Employee Matters Agreement, Intellectual Property License Agreements, Supply and Offtake Agreements, Corrugated Packaging and Supply Agreement, Global Sourcing Agreement, Recyclable Material Master Purchase Agreement, Fiber Supply Agreement and other agreements related to the separation between us and International Paper and the provisions contained therein. See “The Distribution—Relationships between Sylvamo and International Paper Following the Distribution.”

Subject to the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, International Paper will pay all nonrecurring third-party costs and expenses related to the separation and incurred prior to the completion of the separation. Such nonrecurring amounts are expected to include costs to separate and duplicate information technology systems, investment banking, third-party legal and accounting fees and similar costs. After the completion of the separation, subject to the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, all costs and expenses related to the separation incurred by either International Paper or us will be borne by the party incurring the costs and expenses.

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2021

 

In millions at June 30, except per-share amounts

   Historical     Autonomous
Entity
Adjustments
     Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
         Pro Forma  

ASSETS

       

Current Assets

       

Cash and temporary investments

   $ 226     $ —      $ (105   (a)    $ 121  

Accounts and notes receivable (less allowance)

     417       —          —            417  

Related-party receivable

     223       —          (223   (b)      —    

Inventories

     340       —          (28   (c)      312  

Other current assets

     108       —          (1   (c)      107  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     1,314       —          (357        957  

Plants, Properties and Equipment, net

     944       —          —            944  

Forestlands

     309       —          —            309  

Goodwill

     147       —          —            147  

Right of Use Assets

     42       —          —            42  

Deferred Charges and Other Assets

     353       —          29     (d)(h)(i)      382  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 3,109     $ —        $ (328      $ 2,781  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

            

Current Liabilities:

            

Accounts payable

   $ 289     $ —        $ (28   (c)    $ 261  

Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt

     2       —          —            2  

Accrued payroll and benefits

     65       —          (14   (c)(e)      51  

Related party payable

     43       —          (9   (b)      34  

Other current liabilities

     142       —          (6   (c)(f)      136  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

     541       —          (57        484  

Long-Term Debt

     20       —          1,502     (d)      1,522  

Deferred Income Taxes

     166       —          (6   (i)      160  

Other Liabilities

     98       —          56     (f)(g)(h)      154  

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

            

Equity

            

Common stock, $1.00 par value, 200.0 shares authorized and 43.4 shares outstanding, pro forma

     —         —          43     (j)      43  

Additional paid-in-capital

     —         —          1,911     (j)      1,911  

Parent company investment

     3,777       —          (3,777   (j)      —    

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (1,493     —          —            (1,493
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Equity

     2,284       —          (1,823        461  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 3,109     $ —        $ (328      $ 2,781  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

 

In millions for the six months ended June 30, except per-share
amounts

   Historical     Autonomous
Entity
Adjustments
         Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
         Pro Forma  

Net sales

   $ 1,622     $ —          $ —          $ 1,622  

Costs and expenses

              

Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested)

     1,050       (21   (k)(l)      —            1,029  

Selling and administrative expenses

     99       21     (k)      —            120  

Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested

     71       —            —            71  

Distribution expenses

     178       —            —            178  

Taxes other than payroll and income taxes

     13       —            —            13  

Interest (income) expense, net

     (29     —            27     (d)      (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     240       —            (27        213  

Income tax provision (benefit)

     63      

—  

—  

 

 

  (m)      (7   (m)      56  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 177     $ —          $ (20 )       $ 157  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Pro forma earnings per share of common stock:

              

Basic

               $ 3.59  

Diluted

               $ 3.59  

Pro forma weighted-average shares outstanding:

              

Basic

                 43.6  

Diluted

                 43.6  

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

In millions for the year ended December 31, except per-share amounts

   Historical     Autonomous
Entity
Adjustments
        Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
        Pro Forma  

Net sales

   $ 3,009     $ —         $ —         $ 3,009  

Costs and expenses

            

Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation,
amortization and cost of timber harvested)

     2,101       (23   (k)(l)     —           2,078  

Selling and administrative expenses

     209       98     (k)     8     (k)     315  

Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested

     154       —           —           154  

Distribution expenses

     321       —           —           321  

Taxes other than payroll and income taxes

     30       —           —           30  

Interest (income) expense, net

     (4     —           54     (d)     50  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     198       (75       (62       61  

Income tax provision (benefit)

     28       (18   (m)     (15   (m)     (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 170     $ (57     $ (47 )      $ 66  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Pro forma earnings per share of common stock:

            

Basic

             $ 1.53  

Diluted

             $ 1.53  

Pro forma weighted-average shares outstanding:

            

Basic

               43.7  

Diluted

               43.7  

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements

 

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Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements

 

(a)

Reflects adjustments to present an expected cash and temporary investments balance of $121 million at separation, including $21 million to offset the total net unfunded pension liability related to transferred pension plans:

 

     As of
June 30, 2021
(In millions)
 

Cash received from borrowings

   $ 1,520  

Special Payment to International Paper

     (1,605

Cash paid for debt issuance costs

     (20
  

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to cash and temporary investments

   $ (105
  

 

 

 

 

(b)

Reflects a reclassification adjustment to extinguish the related party receivable and related party payable balances with International Paper in connection with the separation, except for a reclassification to accounts payable of $16 million related to inventory purchases from JSC Ilim Group that will be paid in cash on an ongoing basis following the separation, and the establishment of a $34 million related party payable to International Paper related to existing inventory produced by mills owned by International Paper that will be paid in cash after the separation.

The following represents adjustments to related party payable:

 

     As of
June 30, 2021
(In millions)
 

Reclassification to additional paid-in-capital

   $ (27

Reclassification to accounts payable

     (16

Establishment of related party payable to International Paper

     34  
  

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to related party payable

   $ (9
  

 

 

 

 

(c)

Reflects the removal of certain current assets and current liabilities that will be retained by International Paper, along with the reclassification of select related party payable balances.

The following represents adjustments to current assets:

 

     As of
June 30, 2021
(In millions)
 

Inventories

   $ (28

Other current assets

     (1
  

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to current assets

   $ (29
  

 

 

 

We expect to purchase this inventory from International Paper beginning in January 2022 for inventory at International Paper’s Riverdale mill and April 2022 for inventory at International Paper’s Georgetown mill, which will be paid for, in each case, in three equal installments.

 

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The following represents adjustments to current liabilities:

 

     As of
June 30, 2021
(In millions)
 

Accounts payable, net of reclassification of related party payable

   $ (28

Accrued payroll and benefits

     (8

Other current liabilities

     (3
  

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to current liabilities

   $ (39
  

 

 

 

 

(d)

Reflects $1.5 billion of borrowings expected to be incurred in connection with the separation, offset by debt issuance costs of $18 million for these borrowings, along with debt issuance costs of $2 million related to a cash flow-based revolving credit facility upon which we do not expect to draw at separation. We will use substantially all of the borrowings to make the Special Payment to International Paper immediately prior to the distribution. The pro forma combined statements of operations reflect estimated interest expense of $54 million expected to be incurred within the first 12 months following the separation and $27 million expected to be incurred within the subsequent six month period related to the $1.5 billion of long-term debt, amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and an annual fee assessed on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. We currently estimate the weighted average interest rate to be approximately 3.2%. Interest expense was calculated assuming constant debt levels throughout the period. Interest expense may be higher or lower if the actual interest rate changes or if we prepay debt with excess cash. A 1/8% change to the annual interest rate would change annual interest expense by approximately $1.9 million.

The following represents adjustments to long-term debt:

 

     As of
June 30, 2021
(In millions)
 

Cash received from borrowings

   $ 1,520  

Cash paid for debt issuance costs on long-term debt

     (18
  

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to long-term debt

   $ 1,502  
  

 

 

 

The following represents adjustments to deferred charges and other assets:

 

     As of
June 30, 2021
(In millions)
 

Cash paid for debt issuance costs on revolving credit facility

   $ 2  
  

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to deferred charges and other assets

   $ 2  
  

 

 

 

 

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The following represents adjustments to interest (income) expense, net:

 

     Six months ended
June 30, 2021

(In millions)
     Year ended
December 31, 2020
(In millions)
 

Interest expense related to long-term debt

   $ 25      $ 50  

Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs

     1        3  

Annual fee assessed on unused portion of revolving credit facility

     1        1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to interest (income) expense, net

   $ 27      $ 54  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(e)

Reflects an adjustment to remove $6 million in employee-related accrued liabilities for incentive and sales commission programs that are expected to be retained by International Paper.

 

(f)

Reflects an adjustment to remove $6 million related to a deferred liability of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax related to our employees permitted by the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which is expected to be retained by International Paper.

The following accounts were adjusted for the removal of this liability:

 

     As of
June 30, 2021
(In millions)
 

Other current liabilities

   $ (3

Other liabilities

     (3
  

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments

   $ (6
  

 

 

 

 

(g)

Reflects the addition of accrued liabilities of $1 million related to the Brazilian Industrial Packaging business divested by International Paper in October 2020, which are expected to be transferred to us in accordance with the separation.

 

(h)

Reflects the addition of the $10 million net unfunded pension plan liability related to the U.S. Qualified Pension Plan and a $13 million net unfunded pension plan liability related to international pension plans for our active employees participating in these plans, as the net unfunded liabilities will transfer to us in connection with the separation. This adjustment also reflects the addition of $19 million and $16 million of accrued liabilities related to the non-qualified Deferred Compensation Savings Plan and non-qualified Pension Restoration Plan, respectively, as these liabilities will transfer to us in connection with the separation and the addition of $19 million and $16 million of other assets related to the non-qualified Deferred Compensation Savings Plan and non-qualified Pension Restoration Plan, respectively, as International Paper will reimburse us for payments to employees to the extent of the accrued liability as of the separation date. Our participation in these plans was accounted for as multi-employer plans in the unaudited condensed combined financial statements. Accordingly, the related assets and liabilities were not reflected.

 

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The following represents adjustments to other liabilities:

 

     As of
June 30, 2021
(In millions)
 

Deferred Compensation Savings Plan

   $ 19  

Pension Restoration Plan

     16  

International pension plans

     13  

U.S. Qualified Pension Plan

     10  
  

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to other liabilities

   $ 58  
  

 

 

 

The following represents adjustments to deferred charges and other assets:

 

     As of
June 30, 2021
(In millions)
 

Deferred Compensation Savings Plan

   $ 19  

Pension Restoration Plan

     16  
  

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to deferred charges and other assets

   $ 35  
  

 

 

 

 

(i)

Reflects adjustments to remove a deferred tax asset of $13 million resulting from a historical net operating loss expected to be retained by International Paper and the reclassification of a deferred tax liability of $4 million related to operations in France and add deferred tax assets resulting from the pro forma adjustments herein. Deferred income taxes adjustments reflect an addition of $7 million tax basis in goodwill related to the Brazilian Industrial Packaging business that will be transferred to us in accordance with the separation, the $4 million reclassification and deferred income tax adjustments related to the pro forma adjustments herein. Certain U.S. state tax credits, which have a full valuation allowance, are also expected to be retained by International Paper.

The following represents adjustments to deferred charges and other assets:

 

     As of
June 30, 2021
(In millions)
 

Net operating loss deferred tax asset

   $ (13

Reclassification of deferred tax liability

     4  

Deferred tax assets related to international pension plans

     1  
  

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to deferred charges and other assets

   $ (8
  

 

 

 

The following represents adjustments to deferred income taxes:

 

     As of
June 30, 2021
(In millions)
 

Industrial Packaging goodwill tax basis

   $ (7

Reclassification of deferred tax liability

     4  

Deferred income tax adjustments, net

     (3
  

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to deferred income taxes

   $ (6
  

 

 

 

 

(j)

Reflects the reclassification of International Paper’s investment in us, the issuance of common stock, related party balances with International Paper, the estimated Special Payment to International Paper immediately prior to the distribution and the additional net liabilities expected to be transferred to us by International Paper into additional paid-in-capital.

 

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The following represents adjustments to additional paid-in-capital:

 

     As of
June 30, 2021
(In millions)
 

Reclassification of parent company investment

   $ 3,777  

Special Payment to International Paper

     (1,605

Reclassification of related party receivable

     (223

Reclassification of related party payable

     27  

Issuance of common stock

     (43

Net liabilities expected to be transferred to us

     (22
  

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to additional paid-in-capital

   $ 1,911  
  

 

 

 

We have assumed the number of outstanding shares of our common stock based on the number of shares of International Paper common stock outstanding on June 30, 2021 and a distribution ratio of one share of our common stock for every nine shares of International Paper common stock.

 

(k)

As an independent, publicly-traded company, we expect to incur certain additional costs, including costs resulting from:

 

   

separation and establishment of Sylvamo as a stand-alone company, including incremental costs related to information technology, supply chain, corporate affairs, legal, finance, human resources and other corporate functions previously shared with International Paper to be incurred on a recurring basis, offset by a decrease in royalty expense related to licensing agreements with International Paper that we do not expect to incur following the separation;

 

   

services to be provided by International Paper under the Transition Services Agreement primarily related to information technology, supply chain, operations and administrative support functions within 12 months following the completion of the separation;

 

   

occupancy agreements related to transitional use of certain International Paper corporate facilities within 12 months following the completion of the separation; and

 

   

one-time expenses primarily related to the separation and establishment of information technology capabilities, professional fees related to stand-alone transition, rebranding and legal fees within 12 months following the completion of the separation.

We expect to incur approximately $103 million of expenses within 12 months following the completion of the separation (including one-time expenses of approximately $55 million that are expected to be incurred within 12 months following the completion of the separation, including $8 million of one-time transaction costs directly attributable to the separation) and approximately $17 million of expenses within the subsequent six month period in addition to corporate and shared costs allocated by International Paper to us in the audited combined statement of operations and unaudited condensed combined statement of operations, respectively. Accordingly, the pro forma combined statements of operations have been adjusted to depict Sylvamo as an autonomous entity and reflect one-time transaction costs expected to be incurred in connection with the separation. The additional expenses have been estimated based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable. However, actual additional costs that will be incurred could be different from the estimates and would depend on several factors, including the economic environment and strategic decisions made in areas such as information technology, supply chain, sales and marketing, operations and infrastructure.

 

(l)

Reflects an adjustment to remove $17 million and $20 million of allocated fixed costs related to facility charges recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020, respectively, that will not be incurred following the separation in accordance with the Supply and Offtake Agreements.

 

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(m)

The pro forma income tax expense adjustments reflect a blended statutory tax rate of 24.3% based on statutory rates by jurisdiction. Management believes the blended statutory tax rate provides a reasonable basis for the pro forma adjustments.

The following summarizes the calculation of our pro forma income tax expense adjustments:

 

     Six months ended
June 30, 2021

(In millions)
    Year ended
December 31, 2020
(In millions)
 

Total autonomous entity adjustments to income (loss) before income taxes

   $ —       $ (75

Blended statutory tax rate

     24.3     24.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total autonomous entity pro forma adjustment to income taxes

   $ —       $ (18
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Six months ended
June 30, 2021

(In millions)
    Year ended
December 31, 2020
(In millions)
 

Total transaction accounting adjustments to income (loss) before income taxes

   $ (27   $ (62

Blended statutory tax rate

     24.3     24.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total transaction accounting pro forma adjustment to income taxes

   $ (7   $ (15
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As reflected in Note 9, Income Taxes, of our audited combined financial statements, there is an income tax provision of $28 million on $198 million of income before taxes, resulting in an effective tax rate of 14% for the year ended December 31, 2020. Our 2020 income tax provision includes a tax benefit of $10 million relating to tax audits and a tax benefit of $5 million relating to the impact of rate differentials on non-U.S. permanent differences and earnings. After including the income tax benefit of the pro forma adjustments above, the pro forma combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 reflects an income tax benefit of $(5) million on $61 million of income before taxes, resulting in an effective tax rate of (8)%. We have reflected an income tax benefit following recording of the pro forma autonomous entity adjustments and transaction accounting adjustments as we believe the benefit, including the carryforward (deferred tax asset) expected to be generated by the additional U.S. interest expense, will be realizable based on our forecasts of future taxable income. Going forward, our effective tax rate could be different depending on actual operating results by jurisdiction and the application of enacted tax law to those specific results.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 and the three years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, together with our unaudited condensed combined financial statements and our audited combined financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this information statement, as well as the information presented under “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements” and “Business.” This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry, business and future financial results. Our actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in the sections of this information statement entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements and Information.”

OVERVIEW

On December 3, 2020, International Paper Company (“International Paper“) announced that its Board of Directors had approved a plan to spin-off its Printing Papers segment along with certain coated paperboard and pulp businesses in North America, France and Russia (collectively referred to herein as the “Company,” “business,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) and separate into two distinct publicly-traded companies.

The Company is one of the world’s largest producers of printing and writing papers, manufacturing uncoated freesheet into a variety of papers for business and home use. The business produces papers for use in copiers, desktop and laser printers, and digital imaging. End-use applications include advertising and promotional materials such as brochures, pamphlets, greeting cards, books, annual reports and direct mail. The business also produces a variety of grades that are converted by customers into envelopes, tablets, business forms and file folders. The Company’s products are sold under private labels and Company-owned brand names that include Hammermill®, Springhill, Williamsburg, Postmark®, Accent®, Great White®, Chamex®, Ballet®, REY® and SvetoCopy®. The business also produces high-quality coated paperboard for a variety of packaging end uses along with paper-grade pulp and Bleached Chemical Thermo-Mechanical Pulp (“BCTMP”).

The Company is organized into three reportable business segments, consistent with the internal structure used to manage these businesses. Uncoated paper, pulp and coated paperboard capacity are presented in short tons.

 

   

North America. The primary product in this segment is uncoated papers, along with market pulp production. Our North American mills, located in the United States (New York and South Carolina), have annual uncoated paper and market pulp production capacity of 975,000 and 115,000 tons, respectively. Our historical operations have been further supported by paper production at International Paper’s North American Riverdale and Georgetown mills. As part of the separation, we expect to enter into offtake agreements with International Paper for 520,000 tons of uncoated freesheet and 160,000 tons of uncoated bristols, a heavier weight paper grade used in products such as file folders. The papers produced in this segment are for use in copiers, desktop and laser printers and digital imaging, which are sold under private labels and such Company brand names as Hammermill®, Springhill, Williamsburg, Accent®, DRM® and Postmark®.

 

   

Latin America. With a presence in Brazil for more than 50 years, our operations focus on uncoated papers through the ownership or management of approximately 250,000 acres of forestlands in Brazil. The system of printing and writing paper production in Brazil consists of three mills, two of which are integrated, with a total annual capacity of approximately 1.1 million tons and also produces an additional 165,000 tons of market pulp annually: two in the State of São Paulo and one in Mato Grosso do Sul. Our Brazilian brands Chamex®, Chamequinho and Chambril are produced exclusively from eucalyptus grown on Company-owned land that is independently certified for sustainable forestry

 

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under the Brazilian National Forest Certification Program (“CERFLOR”) and the Forest Stewardship Council (“FSC”). We expect existing FSC certifications to be transferred to Sylvamo from International Paper prior to the distribution.

 

   

Europe. Europe produces and offers a broad portfolio of uncoated papers for a multitude of uses and applications, along with coated paperboard and market pulp. We operate two mills in the region: Saillat, France and Svetogorsk, Russia. Located in the Limousin region of France, the Company’s Saillat mill produces both paper and market pulp. It is the only mill in France to cover the entire production process from harvesting to paper and is one of the leading cutsize producers in France. The Saillat mill produces entry-level to high value-added products such as tinted and colored laser printing paper under leading brands REY® Adagio and Pro-Design, as well as graphic and high-speed inkjet printing under the brands Preprint S and Jetstar. We have harvesting rights to approximately 860,000 acres of forestlands in Russia with our Svetogorsk facility being one of the leading paper and pulp mills. It covers some 494 acres on the Karelian Isthmus, and comprises three pulp mills, two papermaking machines, and A3 and A4 cutsize finishing. Our Svetogorsk mill produces high-quality printing paper and pulp products such as BCTMP and a variety of our Ballet® office papers, including Ballet Brilliant, Ballet Premier, Ballet Classic, Ballet Universal and SvetoCopy®. We also produce coated paperboard at our mill in Russia with an annual capacity of 130,000 tons. Our Europe paper and pulp mills have a total annual capacity of approximately 685,000 and 300,000 tons, respectively.

In addition, we present a “Corporate” category for purposes of reconciliation of net sales and operating profit, which is not considered a reportable operating segment.

Components of Results of Operations

Net Sales

Net sales represent gross sales of our printing paper, coated paperboard and pulp products, that are adjusted to reflect estimates for customer rebates, primarily volume rebates, early payment discounts and other customer refunds. Product prices are affected by general economic trends, inventory levels, currency exchange rate movements and worldwide capacity utilization. We expect recent positive pricing trends will benefit Sylvamo in the near term.

Cost of Products Sold

Cost of products sold includes all material, labor and overhead costs incurred in the production process for our products. These costs are impacted by various drivers, the most significant of which include changes in raw material costs, principally wood, pulp and chemical costs, energy costs, mill outage costs, salary and benefits costs and manufacturing conversion costs. Cost of products sold does not include the associated depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested for assets involved in the manufacturing process, as we separately report those expenses in our combined statement of operations. We estimate depreciation and amortization to be approximately $140 million in 2021 and 2022.

Cost of products sold includes allocations of costs for certain centralized functions and programs provided and administered by International Paper. See “Basis of Presentation and Separation from International Paper” below, Note 2 Basis of Combination to our unaudited condensed combined financial statements and Note 2 Significant Accounting Policies to our audited combined financial statements for further details on our methodology for allocating these costs. Allocations of expenses from International Paper are not necessarily indicative of future expenses and do not necessarily reflect results that we would have achieved as an independent, publicly-traded company for the periods presented. We estimate that our incremental recurring expenses relating to operating as a separate, publicly traded company will be approximately $15 million per year. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements” for more information.

 

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Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses include salary, benefit and travel expenses for selling and administrative employees, real estate and other office expenses for these employees, advertising and other administrative expenses. Selling and administrative expenses are primarily driven by headcount, which impacts related salary, benefit and travel costs.

Selling and administrative expenses include allocations of costs for certain centralized functions and programs provided and administered by International Paper. See “Basis of Presentation and Separation from International Paper” below, Note 2 Basis of Combination to our unaudited condensed combined financial statements and Note 2 Significant Accounting Policies to our audited combined financial statements for further details on our methodology for allocating these costs. Allocations of expenses from International Paper are not necessarily indicative of future expenses and do not necessarily reflect results that would have been achieved as an independent, publicly-traded company for the periods presented. We estimate that our incremental recurring expenses relating to operating as a separate, publicly traded company will be approximately $15 million per year. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements” for more information.

Distribution Expenses

Distribution expenses principally include outbound freight costs to customers’ destinations and warehouse rental costs. In addition to our sales volumes, distribution expenses are most significantly impacted by changes in transportation costs.

Taxes other than Payroll and Income Taxes

Taxes other than payroll and income taxes include real estate taxes, sales taxes and use taxes, along with excise taxes and duties paid related to energy produced and purchased.

Restructuring and other charges, Net

Restructuring and other charges represent periodic expenses incurred to realign operating capacity, including any related headcount actions.

Interest Income, Net

Interest income, net includes the interest earned on our cash and temporary investment balances and interest expense incurred on our debt obligations, along with interest income related to a Brazilian VAT refund that is explained further below. Our future capital structure will include the addition of third-party debt. This will result in a substantial increase in annual interest expense to approximately $49 million.

Significant Factors and Trends That May Affect Our Results of Operations

Macroeconomic Conditions

The Company’s operating results are typically closely tied to changes in the general economic conditions in North America, Europe and Latin America, as well as general global economic conditions. The Company’s profitability and operating results are dependent on the price of our products and the market price of raw materials (primarily virgin wood fiber, recycled fiber and caustic soda and starch), energy sources and third-party transport of our goods.

Consumer Behavior

Factors that impact the demand for our products include consumer preferences, consumer spending, commercial printing and advertising activity, adoption of electronic mediums, white-collar employment, including the shift to work-from-home during the COVID-19 pandemic, remote schooling and movements in currency exchange rates.

 

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COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared the novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. Many of these restrictive measures have been lifted or reduced as the number of COVID-19 cases has declined in the United States and various other countries in comparison to earlier levels at the height of the pandemic, and economic conditions have improved. In addition, most of our facilities have remained open and operational during the pandemic and at the current time our facilities are generally operational.

Demand for printing papers products, which account for the majority of our net sales, initially was significantly impacted by the pandemic, but has seen a steady increase over the first half of 2021. Our operations have experienced higher supply chain costs and constrained transportation due in part to the impacts of COVID-19. There continue to be significant uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including with respect to the various economic reopening plans and the resurgence of new variants of the virus in many areas globally; additional actions that may be taken by governmental authorities and private businesses to attempt to contain the COVID-19 outbreak or to mitigate its impact; the efficacy and, availability of various vaccines and associated levels of vaccination, as well as the possibility that strains of the virus may be resistant to current available vaccines; and the impact of COVID-19 on unemployment, economic activity and consumer confidence. COVID-19 has significantly adversely affected portions of our business, and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows if public health and/or global economic conditions deteriorate.

Basis of Presentation and Separation from International Paper

Under the plan, International Paper will retain approximately 19.9% of the shares of the Company and would execute a spin-off of the Company in a manner that is intended to be tax-free to International Paper’s shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except for cash that shareholders receive in lieu of fractional shares, by way of a pro rata distribution of the remaining approximately 80.1% of the common stock of the Company to International Paper’s shareholders of record whereby each holder of International Paper common stock will receive one share of Sylvamo common stock for every nine shares of International Paper stock held as of the spin-off transaction record date. For additional information, see “The Distribution.” International Paper will dispose of such shares of our common stock that it owns after the distribution in either a registered offering or pursuant to an exemption from registration, which is expected to occur within 12 months of the Distribution Date and will occur no later than five years after the distribution.

We have historically operated as part of International Paper and not as a stand-alone company. The accompanying audited combined financial statements included in this information statement were prepared on a “carve-out” basis in connection with the separation and were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of International Paper. These combined financial statements reflect the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented as the Company was historically managed within International Paper. The combined financial statements have been prepared in United States (“U.S.”) dollars and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The combined financial statements may not be indicative of the Company’s future performance and do not necessarily reflect what the results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been had it operated as an independent company during the periods presented.

The combined balance sheets include certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held at the International Paper corporate level but are specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to the Company. The combined statements of operations also include expense allocations for certain functions provided by International Paper, including, but not limited to general corporate expenses related to finance, legal, information technology, human resources, communications, insurance and stock-based compensation. These expenses have been allocated to the Company on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder principally

 

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allocated on the basis of percent of capital employed, headcount or other measures. During the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company was allocated $85 million, $78 million, $167 million, $209 million and $203 million, respectively, of such general corporate expenses, which were included within cost of products sold and selling and administrative expenses in the combined statements of operations. Management considers the basis on which the expenses have been allocated to reasonably reflect the utilization of services provided to or the benefit received by the Company during the periods presented. The allocations may not, however, reflect the expenses the Company would have incurred if the Company had been an independent company for the periods presented. Actual costs that may have been incurred if the Company had been an independent company would depend on several factors, including the organizational structure, whether functions were outsourced or performed by employees, and strategic decisions made in areas such as information technology and infrastructure. The Company is unable to determine what such costs would have been had the Company been independent. Following the separation, the Company may perform these functions using its own resources or purchased services. For an interim period following the separation, however, some of these functions will continue to be provided by International Paper under a transition services agreement. Additionally, we will provide some services to International Paper under a transition services agreement. We expect to make payments to International Paper under the transition services agreement of $8 million and $25 million in 2021 and 2022, respectively. We will also enter into certain commercial agreements with International Paper in connection with the separation. See “The Distribution—Relationships Between Sylvamo and International Paper Following the Distribution.”

Following completion of the separation, we expect to incur expenditures to establish certain stand-alone functions and information technology systems and other one-time costs. Recurring stand-alone costs include accounting, financial reporting, tax, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, treasury, legal, internal audit and investor relations functions, as well as the annual expenses associated with running an independent, publicly-traded company including listing fees, board of director fees and external audit costs. We estimate that our incremental recurring expenses relating to operating as a separate, publicly traded company will be approximately $15 million per year. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements” for more information.

The Company operates on a calendar year-end. All percentages shown in the tables below and the discussion that follows have been calculated using unrounded numbers.

 

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Results of Operations

The following summarizes our results of operations for the periods presented:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,     Years Ended December 31,     Percent Change  

In millions

   2021     2020     Percent
Change
    2020     2019     2018     2020     2019  

NET SALES (including sales to a related party of $23, $8 and $19 for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)

   $ 1,622     $ 1,475       10.0     $ 3,009     $ 4,017     $ 4,119       (25.1     (2.5

COSTS AND EXPENSES (including purchases from a related party of $372, $513 and $572 for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)

                

Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested shown separately below)

     1,050       1,062       (1.1     2,101       2,638       2,620       (20.3     0.7  

Selling and administrative expenses

     99       100       (1.0     209       262       288       (20.2     (9.1

Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested

     71       79       (9.9     154       192       198       (19.8     (2.6

Distribution expenses

     178       156       14.1       321       393       408       (18.3     (3.8

Taxes other than payroll and income taxes

     13       12       8.5       30       33       35       (10.1     (5.2

Restructuring and other charges, net

     —         —         —         —         6       4       (100.0     62.3  

Interest (income) expense, net

     (29     (1     2844.6       (4     (9     (7     (57.3     14.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     240       67       257.7       198       502       573       (60.5     (12.4

Income tax provision (benefit)

     63       13       384.6       28       125       154       (78.0     (18.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 177     $ 54       227.3     $ 170     $ 377     $ 419       (54.7     (10.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

Net Sales

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported net sales of $1.6 billion, compared with $1.5 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The net sales increase of 10% was driven by a 268,000 ton increase in sales volume of uncoated freesheet reflecting recovery from the negative demand impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. International net sales (based on the location of the seller and including U.S. exports) totaled $860 million, or 53% of total sales for the six months ended June 30, 2021. This compares with international net sales of $773 million, or 52% for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Additional details on net sales are provided in the section titled “Business Segment Results.”

Cost of Products Sold

Cost of products sold decreased by $12 million, or 1.1%, primarily due to the recognition of a Brazilian VAT refund, a portion of which ($42 million) is recorded in and reduced our cost of products sold. The decrease in cost of products sold was partially offset by an increase in raw materials ($20 million) and packaging costs ($11 million) due to the recovery from the negative demand impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional details regarding the Brazilian VAT refund are provided in “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and in Note 11 Commitments and Contingent Liabilities to our unaudited condensed combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement.

Depreciation, Amortization and Cost of Timber Harvested

The $8 million, or 9.9%, decrease in depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested was a direct result of the decline in our capital spending in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, noted in “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Investment Activities” below.

 

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Distribution Expenses

The $22 million, or 14.1%, increase in distribution expenses was the direct result of the increase in net sales activity. The cost increase was primarily driven by higher out-bound freight expense ($24 million), slightly offset by a decrease in warehousing expense ($2 million).

Interest (Income) Expense, net

The increase in net interest income was the result of the recognition of $28 million of interest income related to a Brazilian VAT refund recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2021. Additional details regarding the Brazilian VAT refund are provided in “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and in Note 11 Commitments and Contingent Liabilities to our unaudited condensed combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement.

Income Taxes

A net income tax provision of $63 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2021. A net income tax provision of $13 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The effective income tax rate was 26.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 19.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The income tax provision and effective income tax rate increased for the six months ended June 30, 2021 by approximately $50 million and 7.1%, respectively, primarily due to the change in the jurisdictional mix of earnings and the recognition of a VAT refund special item.

2020 Compared to 2019

Net Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company reported net sales of $3.0 billion, compared with $4.0 billion in 2019. The net sales decline of 25% was driven by unprecedented demand decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a 1 million ton, or 26%, decline in sales volume of freesheet in 2020 when compared to 2019. International net sales (based on the location of the seller and including U.S. exports) totaled $1.6 billion, or 53% of total sales in 2020. This compares with international net sales of $2.1 billion, or 54% in 2019.

Additional details on net sales are provided in the section titled “Business Segment Results.”

Cost of Products Sold

Cost of products sold decreased by $537 million, or 20%, due to decreased production, reducing our consumption of raw materials. The decrease was primarily driven by declines in roll-stock ($191 million), fiber ($142 million), purchased stock ($131 million) and chemicals ($46 million). The 20% decline in cost of products sold was less than the 25% decline in our net sales due to unabsorbed fixed costs.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses decreased by $53 million, or 20%, primarily due to a decline in administrative ($14 million) and selling ($4 million) salaries and benefits, travel and entertainment ($8 million), and professional fees ($4 million) due to cost reduction initiatives and stronger cost management necessitated by economic conditions. The remaining decline is due to a reduction in International Paper corporate expenses allocated to us due to our reduced direct usage and a reduction in expenses allocated to our business due to the outsized impact of COVID-19 on our business in comparison to other International Paper businesses.

 

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Depreciation, Amortization and Cost of Timber Harvested

The $38 million, or 20%, decline in depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested was a direct result of the decline in our capital spending in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, noted in “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Investment Activities” below. In addition, due to a decrease in demand for our products due to COVID-19, our cost of timber harvested decreased $12 million in 2020.

Distribution Expenses

The $72 million, or 18%, decrease in distribution expenses was the direct result of the decline in net sales activity. The cost reduction was primarily driven by a decline in out-bound freight ($67 million) and warehousing ($6 million) expenses. The decline in distribution expenses was less than the decline in our net sales primarily due to fixed warehouse costs.

Income Taxes

A net income tax provision of $28 million was recorded for 2020, including tax benefit of $5 million related to non-U.S. tax rate differentials, a $10 million tax benefit relating to tax audits and a $1 million expense related to taxes to non-U.S. earnings.

A net income tax provision of $125 million was recorded for 2019, including tax expense of $12 million related to non-U.S. tax rate differentials and a $4 million expense related to taxes on non-U.S. earnings. The effective income tax rate was 14% in 2020 compared to 25% in 2019. The income tax provision and effective income tax rate decreased in 2020 by approximately $97 million and 11%, respectively, primarily due to the change in mix of earnings in the United States and various income tax rates in non-U.S. jurisdictions and the $10 million tax benefit in 2020 relating to the tax audit settlement.

2019 Compared to 2018

Net Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company reported net sales of $4.0 billion, compared with $4.1 billion in 2018. Net sales decreased 2.5% primarily due to increased economic downtime in 2019, resulting in a 29,000 ton and 37,000 ton decline in sales volume of uncoated freesheet and market pulp, respectively. International net sales (based on the location of the seller and including U.S. exports) totaled $2.1 billion, or 54% of total sales in 2019. This compares with international net sales of $2.2 billion in 2018, or 54% of total sales in 2018.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses decreased by $26 million, or 9%, primarily due to a decline in administrative ($6 million) and selling ($3 million) salaries and benefits, office supplies and equipment ($8 million), advertising ($2 million) and travel and entertainment ($2 million) due to cost reduction initiatives.

Distribution Expenses

The $15 million, or 5%, decrease in distribution expenses was primarily driven by a reduction in freight expense ($22 million) associated with the reduction in net sales. The decrease in freight expense was offset by increased warehousing costs of $7 million.

 

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Income Taxes

A net income tax provision of $154 million was recorded for 2018, including $19 million of expense related to non-U.S. tax rate differentials and a $9 million expense related to taxes on non-U.S. earnings. The effective income tax rate was 25% in 2019 compared to 27% in 2018. The income tax provision and effective income tax rate decreased in 2019 by approximately $29 million and 2%, respectively, primarily due to the change in mix of earnings in the United States and various income tax rates in non-U.S. jurisdictions.

Business Segment Results

Overview

Management intends to provide Total Operating Profit, a non-GAAP financial measure, to supplement our GAAP financial information, and it should be considered in addition to, but not instead of, the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that Total Operating Profit provides investors and analysts useful insights into our operating performance. Total Operating Profit is reconciled to Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Total Operating Profit may be determined or calculated differently by other companies and therefore may not be comparable among companies.

The following table presents a reconciliation of income (loss) before taxes to Total Operating Profit:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
     Years Ended
December 31
 

In millions

   2021      2020      2020      2019      2018  

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

   $ 240      $ 67      $ 198      $ 502      $ 573  

Interest (income) expense, net

     (29      (1      (4      (9      (7

Restructuring and other charges, net(2)

     —          —          —          6        4  

Other special items, net(2)

     (42      5        10        (1      1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Operating Profit(1)

   $ 169      $ 71      $ 204      $ 498      $ 571  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

North America operating profit

     40        (4      43        200        185  

Latin America operating profit

     87        29        84        158        227  

Europe operating profit

     42        46        77        140        159  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Operating Profit(1)

   $ 169      $ 71      $ 204      $ 498      $ 571  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

We define Total Operating Profit as our income (loss) before income taxes calculated in accordance with GAAP, excluding interest (income) expense, net, restructuring and other charges, net and other special items, net, which includes corporate special items, net (there were no corporate special items in any of the periods presented). We believe that Total Operating Profit is an important indicator of operating performance as it is a measure reported to our management for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to our business segments and assessing the performance of our business segments and is presented in our financial statements footnotes in accordance with ASC 280.

(2)

Special items represent income or expenses that are incurred periodically, rather than on a regular basis. Items included within restructuring and other charges during the periods presented principally relate to overhead cost reduction initiatives, including severance costs. Other special items in the periods presented primarily include abandoned property removal costs and foreign VAT refunds.

 

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Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

Total Operating Profit for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $98 million higher than for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as higher input costs ($39 million) were more than offset by lower operating costs ($75 million), higher average sales volumes ($37 million) and higher average sales price and mix ($22 million).

Total Operating Profit (in millions)

 

LOGO

2020 Compared to 2019

Total Operating Profit in 2020 was $294 million lower than in 2019 as the benefits from lower input costs ($52 million) and lower maintenance outage costs ($13 million) were more than offset by lower average sales price and mix ($191 million) and lower sales volumes ($160 million).

Total Operating Profit (in million)

 

 

LOGO

 

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2019 Compared to 2018

Total Operating Profit in 2019 was $73 million lower than in 2018 as the benefits from higher average sales price and mix ($51 million) was more than offset by higher operating costs ($61 million), higher input costs ($54 million) and increased maintenance outage costs ($5 million).

Total Operating Profit (in millions)

 

 

LOGO

The following tables present net sales and operating profit (loss), which is the Company’s measure of segment profitability, for each of the Company’s segments. See Note 14 Financial Information by Business Segment and Geographic Data to our unaudited condensed combined financial statements and Note 13 Financial Information by Business Segment and Geographic Data to our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement for more information on the Company’s segments.

North America

 

North America

   Six Months Ended
June 30,
     Year Ended
December 31,
 

In millions

   2021      2020      2020      2019      2018  

Net Sales

   $  808        739      $ 1,490      $ 1,996      $ 2,037  

Operating Profit (Loss)

   $ 40      $ (4 )     $ 43      $ 200      $ 185  

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net sales increased $69 million, or 9%, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to the demand recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a 62,000 ton increase in sales volume of uncoated freesheet.

Operating profit for North America for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $44 million higher than the same period in 2020 as volumes were higher primarily due to less economic downtime ($52 million) and increased sales volume ($13 million) across all grades of uncoated freesheet reflecting demand recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher volumes were partially offset by increased input costs ($22 million) primarily for wood, energy and chemicals.

 

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Related party sales to International Paper included in North America net sales totaled $1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and $3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Related party purchases from International Paper totaled $104 million and $130 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

2020 Compared to 2019

The Company reported North America net sales of $1.5 billion, compared with $2.0 billion in 2019. The approximately $500 million, or 25%, decrease was driven by the unprecedented demand decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a 460,000 ton, or 26%, decline in sales volume of uncoated freesheet in 2020 when compared to 2019.

North America operating profit in 2020 was $157 million lower than 2019 as volumes for 2020 were significantly lower primarily driven by economic downtime ($104 million) and decreased sales volume ($97 million) across all grades of uncoated freesheet due to the adverse demand impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lower volumes were partially offset by decreased operating costs ($44 million) reflecting cost reduction initiatives and strong cost management.

Related party sales to International Paper included in North America net sales totaled $3 million in 2020 and $1 million in 2019. Related party purchases from International Paper totaled $210 million and $283 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

2019 Compared to 2018

For the year ended December 31, 2019, net sales decreased $41 million, or 2%, compared to the same period in 2018, primarily due to increased economic downtime in 2019, resulting in an 87,000 ton and 39,000 ton decline in sales volume of uncoated freesheet and market pulp, respectively.

North America operating profit in 2019 was $15 million higher than 2018 as average sales margins improved due to the realization of sales price increases for cutsize paper ($57 million). The increase in sales margins was substantially offset by lower volumes driven by economic downtime ($37 million) and increased operating costs due to an unfavorable manufacturing mix ($4 million).

Related party sales to International Paper included in North America net sales in 2018 totaled $3 million. Related party purchases from International Paper totaled $404 million in 2018.

Latin America

 

Latin America

   Six Months Ended
June 30,
     Years Ended
December 31,
 

In millions

   2021      2020      2020      2019      2018  

Net Sales

   $ 357      $ 284      $  632      $  969      $  979  

Operating Profit (Loss)

   $ 87      $ 29      $ 84      $ 158      $ 227  

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to 2020

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net sales increased $73 million, or 26%, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily reflecting recovery from the negative demand impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a 203,000 ton increase in sales volume of uncoated freesheet.

Operating profit for Latin America for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $58 million higher than the same period in 2020 as volumes were significantly higher primarily driven by increased sales price and volume ($44 million) and less economic downtime ($10 million) reflecting recovery from the negative demand impact of

 

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the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating costs were lower ($12 million) driven by a decrease in VAT taxes due to the mix of domestic sales at our Mato Grosso do Sul mill and reduced labor costs. Higher volumes were partially offset by increased input costs ($15 million) primarily for purchased pulp, chemicals, packaging, virgin fiber and energy.

There were no related party sales to International Paper included in Latin America net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

2020 Compared to 2019

The Company reported net sales of $632 million, compared with $969 million in 2019. The $337 million, or 35%, net sales decline was driven by the unprecedented demand decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a 262,000 ton decline in sales volume of uncoated freesheet in 2020 when compared to 2019.

Latin America operating profit in 2020 was $74 million lower than 2019 driven by decreased export and import sales volumes and margin ($83 million) and economic downtime ($21 million) attributable to the pandemic. Lower volumes and sales price were partially offset by decreased operating costs ($28 million) primarily due to decreased waste costs and labor.

Related party sales to International Paper included in Latin America net sales in 2020 and 2019 totaled $9 million and $1 million, respectively.

2019 Compared to 2018

For the year ended December 31, 2019, net sales decreased $10 million, or 1%, compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to the decrease in the market price of uncoated freesheet for export markets and a 12,000 ton decline in market pulp sales volumes.

Latin America operating profit in 2019 was $69 million lower than 2018 driven by an increase in input costs ($32 million), primarily for virgin fiber, chemicals and energy, an unfavorable geographic mix ($20 million) and higher operating costs ($17 million) consisting of increased waste costs, labor and bad debt.

Related party sales to International Paper included in Latin America net sales in 2018 totaled $3 million.

Europe

 

Europe

   Six Months Ended
June 30,
     Years Ended
December 31,
 

In millions

   2021      2020      2020      2019      2018  

Net Sales

   $  481      $  462      $  921      $  1,122      $  1,143  

Operating Profit (Loss)

   $ 42      $ 46      $ 77      $ 140      $ 159  

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to 2020

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net sales increased $19 million, or 4%, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to a recovery from the negative demand impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a 15,000 ton and 5,000 ton increase in sales volume of BCTMP pulp and coated paperboard, respectively.

Europe operating profit for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $4 million lower than the same period in 2020 as the benefit of higher sales prices ($5 million) and increased sales volumes in Europe ($1 million) were more than offset by lower sales volumes in Russia ($5 million) and higher planned maintenance outages in both Russia ($4 million) and France ($1 million).

 

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Related party sales to International Paper included in Europe net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 totaled $2 million and $6 million, respectively. Related party purchases from the Ilim Group totaled $91 million and $80 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

2020 Compared to 2019

The Company reported net sales of $921 million, compared with $1.1 billion in 2019. The approximate $200 million, or 18%, net sales decline was driven by the unprecedented demand decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a 111,000 ton decline in sales volume of uncoated freesheet in 2020 when compared to 2019.

Europe operating profit in 2020 was $63 million lower than 2019 as volumes for uncoated freesheet in 2020 were lower in both France ($6 million) and Russia ($15 million), as well as increased economic downtime ($22 million), all attributable to the pandemic. Average sales margins decreased for uncoated freesheet in both France ($27 million) and Russia ($22 million), reflecting lower average sale prices, which were partially offset by lower operating and planned maintenance costs ($28 million).

Related party sales to International Paper included in Europe net sales in 2020 and 2019 totaled $11 million and $6 million, respectively. Related party purchases from the Ilim Group totaled $162 million and $230 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

2019 Compared to 2018

For the year ended December 31, 2019, net sales decreased $21 million, or 2%, for the same period compared to 2018, primarily due to increased economic downtime and the decline in the market price for BCTMP pulp.

Europe operating profit in 2019 was $19 million lower than 2018 as the benefit of higher volumes in both France ($4 million) and Russia ($5 million) were more than offset by higher total operating costs ($23 million) and increased input costs for chemicals in France ($5 million).

Total related party sales to International Paper included in Europe in 2018 totaled $13 million. Related party purchases from the Ilim Group totaled $168 million in 2018.

 

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Management intends to provide Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to supplement our GAAP financial information, and it should be considered in addition to, but not instead of, the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides investors and analysts meaningful insights into our operating performance and is expected to be utilized in connection with the third-party debt we expect to incur related to the separation. Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled to Net Income (Loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted EBITDA may be determined or calculated differently by other companies and therefore may not be comparable among companies.

 

     Six Months
Ended June 30,
     Years Ended
December 31,
 

In millions

   2021      2020      2020      2019      2018  

NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 177      $ 54      $ 170      $ 377      $ 419  

Income tax provision (benefit)

     63        13        28        125        154  

Interest income, net

     (29      (1      (4      (9      (7

Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested

     71        79        154        192        198  

Non-Cash Items(2)

              

Stock-based compensation

     7        7        15        19        19  

Special Items(3)

              

Restructuring and other charges, net

     —          —          —          6        4  

Other special items

     (42      5        10        (1      1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

   $ 247      $ 157      $ 373      $ 709      $ 788  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

We define Adjusted EBITDA as our net income (loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP, excluding the sum of income taxes, interest income, net, depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested, and, if applicable for the periods reported, the effects of significant non-cash items and special items. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is an important indicator of operating performance for both management and investors because Adjusted EBITDA excludes the effects of income taxes, as well as the effects of financing and investing activities by eliminating the effects of interest and depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested and therefore provides an additional measure of our operational performance.

(2)

Non-cash items represent expenses recorded by the Company for which there was no associated cash outflow. The only significant non-cash item incurred during the periods presented related to our stock-based compensation expense attributable to direct Company employees and an allocation of International Paper’s corporate and shared employees.

(3)

Special items represent income or expenses that are incurred periodically, rather than on a regular basis. Items included within restructuring and other charges during the periods presented principally relate to overhead cost reduction initiatives, including severance costs. Other special items in the periods presented primarily include abandoned property removal costs and foreign VAT refunds.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Historically, we have generated strong annual cash flow from operating activities. However, we have operated within International Paper’s management structure. Following the completion of the separation, the Company’s capital structure and sources of liquidity will change significantly from our historical capital structure. We will no longer participate in cash management and funding arrangements with International Paper. Instead, our ability to fund the Company’s cash needs will depend on our ongoing ability to generate cash from operations and obtain debt financing on acceptable terms. Based upon our history of generating strong operating cash flow, we believe we will be able to meet our short-term liquidity needs. We believe we will meet known or reasonably likely future cash requirements through the combination of cash flows from operating activities, available cash balances and available borrowings through the issuance of third-party debt.

 

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A major factor in the Company’s liquidity and capital resource planning is its generation of operating cash flow, which is highly sensitive to changes in the pricing and demand for our products. While changes in key operating cash costs, such as raw materials, energy, mill outages and distribution expenses do have an effect on operating cash generation, we believe that our focus on commercial and operational excellence, as well as our ability to manage costs and working capital will provide sufficient cash flow generation.

In connection with the separation, we will incur new debt, which we intend to use primarily to, directly or indirectly, fund the Special Payment to International Paper, to pay related fees and expenses, and for other general corporate purposes. The terms of the agreements governing our debt will likely contain customary limitations for the anticipated financing. These provisions may also restrict our business and, in the event we cannot meet the terms of those provisions, may adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, our separation from International Paper’s other businesses and our anticipated capital structure on the Distribution Date may increase the overall cost of debt funding and decrease the overall debt capacity and commercial credit available to the Company.

During 2020, International Paper took various actions to further strengthen liquidity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which also benefited the Company. This included deferring the payment of approximately $6 million of our payroll taxes as allowed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). The CARES Act allows for the deferral of the payment of the employer portion of Social Security taxes accrued between March 27, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Under the CARES Act, 50% of the deferred payroll taxes will be paid by December 31, 2021 and the remainder will be paid by December 31, 2022.

Our cash flows for the periods below were as follows:

 

     Six Months
Ended June 30,
     Years Ended December 31,  

In millions

   2021      2020      2020      2019      2018  

Cash provided by operating activities

   $ 222      $ 152      $ 359      $ 524      $ 589  

Cash used for investing activities

   $ (38    $ (25    $ (79    $ (160    $ (171

Cash used for financing activities

   $ (3    $ (187    $ (350    $ (387    $ (510

Operating Activities

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $222 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared with cash provided by operating activities of $152 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in cash provided by operating activities in 2021 corresponds to the significant increase in our earnings reflecting recovery from the negative demand impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cash used by working capital components (accounts and notes receivable, related party receivable and inventories less accounts payable and accrued liabilities, related party payable and other) totaled $31 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared with cash provided by working capital components of $34 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The six months ended June 30, 2021 working capital reduction primarily reflects a $18 million and $4 million increase in our accounts and notes receivable and related-party receivable balances, respectively, driven by the 10% increase in net sales. The six months ended June 30, 2020 working capital increase primarily reflects a $121 million and $31 million decrease in our accounts and notes receivable and our inventories balances, respectively, partially offset by an $89 million decrease in our accounts payable and accrued liabilities balance.

2020 Compared to 2019 and 2018

Cash provided by operations totaled $359 million in 2020, compared with $524 million and $589 million for 2019 and 2018, respectively. The reduction in cash provided by operating activities in 2020 corresponds to the significant reduction in our earnings due to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations.

 

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Cash provided by working capital components (accounts and notes receivable, related party receivable and inventories less accounts payable and accrued liabilities, related party payable and other) totaled $69 million in 2020, compared with cash used by working capital components of $57 million in 2019 and used by working capital components of $42 million in 2018. The 2020 working capital improvement primarily reflects a $65 million and $71 million reduction in our accounts and notes receivable and inventories balances, respectively, driven by the 25% decline in net sales, offset by a $45 million reduction in accounts payable and accrued expenses. 2019 cash used by working capital components was principally driven by a $47 million increase in our inventories.

Investment Activities

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

The total cash outflow from investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased from six months ended June 30, 2020, primarily due to the impact of cash pooling arrangements with International Paper, which more than offset the decline in capital spending during the period.

2020 Compared to 2019 and 2018

Total cash outflow from investing activities in 2020 decreased substantially from 2019, as the Company made an effort to control capital spending in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Total cash outflow in 2019 declined compared to 2018 as the increase in cash pooling arrangements with International Paper was more than offset by declining capital spending as funds were designated for broader International Paper strategic initiatives.

The following table shows capital spending by business segment, which represents the most significant portion of our investment activities.

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30
     Years Ended
December 31,
 

In millions

   2021      2020      2020      2019      2018  

North America

   $ 9      $ 7      $ 15      $ 36      $ 37  

Latin America

     15        27        45        61        86  

Europe

     8        8        15        21        27  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital Spending

   $ 32      $ 42      $ 75      $ 118      $ 150  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital spending primarily consists of purchases of machinery and equipment related to our global mill operations. Capital spending was $32 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and $42 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Capital spending was $75 million in 2020, $118 million in 2019 and $150 million in 2018. As a percentage of depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested, capital spending totaled 45% for the six months ended June 30, 2021, 53% for the six months ended June 30, 2020, 49% in 2020, 61% in 2019, and 76% in 2018. Across our segments, capital spending as a percentage of depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested ranged from 30% to 68% in 2020 and 38% to 52% for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021, the six months ended June 30, 2020 and the three years ended December 31, 2020 primarily represented transactions between us and International Paper. These transactions are considered to be effectively settled for cash at the time the transaction is recorded. The components of these transactions (or transfers) include (i) constructive cash transfers from us to International Paper, (ii) cash transfers from International Paper to fund our requirements for working capital

 

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commitments and (iii) an allocation of International Paper’s corporate expenses. The decrease in cash used by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 corresponds to the decrease in net transfers to International Paper during the period. The decline in cash used for financing activities in 2020 corresponds to the decrease in net transfers to International Paper due to the decline in our operating cash flows during the period.

Contractual Obligations

Contractual obligations for future payments at December 31, 2020 primarily relate to lease commitments and raw material purchase obligations. Operating and financing leases represent minimum required lease payments during the noncancelable lease term. Most real estate leases also require payment of related operating expenses such as taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance, which are not included in our estimated capital lease obligation. Our total estimated capital lease obligations total $19 million in 2021, an average of $10 million from 2022 to 2025 and $17 million thereafter.

Purchase obligations for commercial commitments include inventory obligations to purchase raw materials, including starch, electricity, fuel oil, corrugated boxes, wood and Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (“PCC”). Our total estimated commercial commitments include $117 million in 2021, $73 million in 2022 and average $39 million annually from 2023 to 2025, with $42 million thereafter.

We consider the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020, to be permanently reinvested and, accordingly, no U.S. income taxes have been provided thereon (see Note 9 Income Taxes in the audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement for further discussion). We do not anticipate the need to repatriate funds to the United States to satisfy domestic liquidity needs arising in the ordinary course of business.

Capital Expenditures

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we have invested an average of 2.9% of net sales in total capital expenditures, or approximately $114 million on average each year. Over that period, we spent approximately $65 million annually, or 1.7% of net sales, in maintenance capital expenditures, and approximately $30 million annually, or 0.8% of net sales, in strategic capital expenditures and reforestation. In that same period, we invested the remainder in regulatory and cost reduction capital expenditures for rebuilds, productivity enhancements and de-bottlenecking. Our annual maintenance, regulatory and reforestation capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of approximately $130 to $150 million per year for the next several years, which we believe will be sufficient to maintain our operations and productivity, with approximately $160 million of maintenance, regulatory and reforestation capital expenditures expected in 2022, which includes $15 million related to engineering costs for the Svetogorsk recovery boiler and $6 million of one-time transition-related capital expenditures. The only major capital expenditure anticipated in the next few years is replacing the two recovery boilers at our Svetogorsk mill with one new recovery boiler, which we estimate will cost $220 million over that period, beginning in 2022, with approximately 80% of the estimated amount to be spent in 2023 and 2024. If Sylvamo chooses to rebuild the two existing recovery boilers, the anticipated total spend may be reduced.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to establish accounting policies and to make estimates that affect both the amounts and timing of the recording of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Some of these estimates require subjective judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain.

Accounting policies whose application may have a significant effect on the reported results of operations and financial position of the Company, and that can require judgments by management that affect their application, include the accounting for impairment or disposal of long-lived assets and goodwill and income taxes.

 

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The Company has not made any changes in these critical accounting policies for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill

An impairment of a long-lived asset exists when the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value and is recorded when the carrying amount is not recoverable through undiscounted cash flows from future operations or disposals. A goodwill impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value. Assessments of possible impairments of long-lived assets and goodwill are made when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable through future operations. Additionally, evaluation for possible impairment of goodwill is required annually. The amount and timing of any impairment charges based on these assessments may require the estimation of future cash flows or the fair market value of the related assets based on management’s best estimates of certain key factors, including future selling prices and volumes, operating, raw material, energy and freight costs, various other projected operating economic factors and other intended uses of the assets. As these key factors change in future periods, the Company will update its impairment analysis to reflect its latest estimates and projections.

ASU 2011-08, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other,” allows entities testing goodwill for impairment the option of performing a qualitative assessment before performing the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If a qualitative assessment is performed, an entity is not required to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test unless the entity determines that, based on that qualitative assessment, it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying value.

The Company performed its annual testing of its reporting units for possible goodwill impairments by performing the quantitative goodwill impairment test for each of its reporting units as of October 1, 2020. The Company elected to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test for its reporting units due to the current economic environment. The quantitative goodwill impairment test was performed by comparing the carrying amount of each respective reporting unit to its estimated fair value. The Company calculated the estimated fair value of each of the reporting units with goodwill using a weighted approach based on discounted future cash flows, market multiples and transaction multiples. The determination of fair value using the discounted cash flow approach requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to forecasts of future revenues, operating profit margins, and discount rates. The determination of fair value using market multiples and transaction multiples requires management to make significant assumptions related to revenue multiples and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) multiples. The results of our annual impairment test indicated that the carrying amount did not exceed the estimated fair value of any reporting units. While the reporting unit’s forecasted results support the fair value, significant changes in or inability to achieve the forecasts could result in the impairment of all or a portion of the reporting unit’s goodwill balance as of December 31, 2020. While our business segments experienced a significant decline in demand for its products during the year ended December 31, 2020, as a result of COVID-19, the Company has determined the fair values for those reporting units have not been materially impacted based on management’s cumulative long-term outlook and forecasts, which are inherently subjective given the uncertainty around the duration and magnitude of the economic impact of COVID-19. As of October 1, 2020, the annual testing date, the estimated fair value of our Brazilian reporting unit, which comprises substantially all of the Company’s recorded goodwill balance, exceeded its carrying value by approximately 109%.

In addition, the Company considered whether there were any events or circumstances outside of the annual evaluation that would reduce the fair value of its reporting units below their carrying amounts and necessitate a goodwill impairment evaluation. In consideration of all relevant factors, there were no indicators that would require goodwill impairment subsequent to October 1, 2020.

No goodwill impairment charges were recorded in 2020, 2019 or 2018.

 

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Income Taxes

The Company is included in the consolidated tax returns of International Paper. We calculate the provision for income taxes by using a separate-return method. Under this method, we are assumed to file a separate return with the tax authority, thereby reporting our taxable income or loss and paying the applicable tax to or receiving the appropriate refund from International Paper. Our current provision is the amount of tax payable or refundable on the basis of a hypothetical, current-year separate return. We provide deferred taxes on temporary differences and on any carryforwards that we could claim on our hypothetical return and assess the need for a valuation allowance on the basis of our projected separate-return results. The amounts recorded are not necessarily representative of the amounts that would have been reflected in the financial statements had we been an entity that operated independently of International Paper. It is possible that we will make different tax accounting elections and assertions. Consequently, our future results after our separation from International Paper may be materially different from our historical results.

Any difference between the tax provision (or benefit) allocated to us under the separate-return method and payments to be made to (or received from) International Paper for tax expense is treated as either dividends or capital contributions. Accordingly, the amount by which our tax liability under the separate-return method exceeds the amount of tax liability ultimately settled as a result of using incremental expenses of International Paper is periodically settled as a capital contribution from International Paper to us.

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, we determine deferred tax balances on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax balances is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. Significant judgment is required in evaluating the need for and magnitude of appropriate valuation allowances against deferred tax assets. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, carryback potential if permitted under the tax law and results of recent operations.

We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740. Significant judgment is required in evaluating the need for and magnitude of appropriate uncertain tax positions. We estimate uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

While we believe that these judgments and estimates area appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, actual resolution of these matters may differ from recorded estimates and amounts.

Recent Accounting Developments

See Note 3 Recent Accounting Developments in both the unaudited condensed combined financial statements and the audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

 

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Foreign Currency Effects

The Company has operations in a number of countries. Its operations in those countries also export to, and compete with, imports from other regions. As such, currency movements can have a number of direct and indirect impacts on the Company’s financial statements. Direct impacts include the translation of international operations’ local currency financial statements into U.S. dollars and the remeasurement impact associated with non-functional currency financial assets and liabilities. Indirect impacts include the change in competitiveness of imports into, and exports out of, the United States (and the impact on local currency pricing of products that are traded internationally). In general, a weaker U.S. dollar and stronger local currency is beneficial to the Company. The currencies that have the most impact are the Euro, the Brazilian real, and the Russian ruble.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We use financial instruments, including fixed and variable rate debt for capital spending programs. We do not use financial instruments for trading purposes. Additionally, various derivative contracts are used to hedge exposures to foreign currency risks.

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to capital leases that include a variable interest rate. Our interest rate risk exposure related to these investments was not material.

Foreign Currency Risk

The Company transacts business in many currencies and is also subject to currency exchange rate risk through investments and businesses owned and operated in foreign countries. Our objective in managing the associated foreign currency risks is to minimize the effect of adverse exchange rate fluctuations on our after-tax cash flows. We address these risks on a limited basis by entering into cross-currency interest rate swaps, or foreign exchange contracts. At December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the net fair value of financial instruments with exposure to foreign currency risk was approximately a $2 million asset, $1 million asset and $9 million liability, respectively. The potential loss in fair value for such financial instruments from a 10% adverse change in quoted foreign currency exchange rates would have been approximately $7 million, $13 million and $12 million at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

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BUSINESS

Our Company

Sylvamo is a global uncoated papers company with a broad portfolio of top-tier brands and low-cost, large-scale paper mills located in and serving the most attractive geographies, including Latin America, Europe and North America. We produce uncoated freesheet (“UFS”) for paper products such as cutsize and offset paper, as well as market pulp, aseptic and liquid packaging board (“LPB”) and coated unbleached kraft (“CUK”) papers. With roots going back to 1898, we have a long history of offering premium quality papers to meet the needs of our customers and end-users. Our mills predominantly rank in the lowest quartile on global and regional UFS cost curves, and our low-cost operations enable us to serve our customers with the highest quality products at attractive margins. Our industry-leading brands, known for their long-standing reputation in their respective markets for product quality and performance, allow us to maintain our long-term relationships with top-tier customers throughout economic cycles. Our international reach and strong positioning across retail, merchant and e-commerce channels optimally places us to meet the paper needs of our end-users around the world. This also provides geographical diversification of our revenue and profits. From 2018 to 2020, on average, we generated 51% of our revenues and 66% of our Business Segment Operating Profit in Latin America and Europe, which regions exhibit different demand drivers than North America and all three regions have strong profitability for the paper industry relative to other geographies.

 

2020 Revenues by product type

 

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Product type

  

Product line

  

Examples of end uses

   Uncoated papers (UFS)    Cutsize    Printing, copy and writing paper
   Offset    Commercial printing, such as brochures and books
   Envelope    Statement mailers and direct mails
   Forms    Financial statements and other print applications
   Other    Tablets, receipts and construction applications
   Uncoated papers (Others)    Uncoated bristols    Index systems, file cards, case records, menus, direct mail, counter displays
   Market pulp    BHK/BSK/BEK/BCTMP    Used for producing tissue, printing and writing paper, specialty paper and board grades
   Coated paperboard / Other    Aseptic/LPB    Packaging for liquids, such as beverages
   CUK    Beverage containers (beer and soft drinks) and heavy-duty retail packaging (hardware and laundry detergent)

UFS, our primary product, has diverse end-use applications, including printing, copy and writing papers, and advertising and promotional materials such as brochures, pamphlets, greeting cards, books, annual reports and direct mail. Additionally, we produce a wide variety of uncoated paper grades that our customers convert into envelopes, writing tablets, business forms, packaging and file folders. As a vertically integrated operator, we produce hardwood pulp (including bleached hardwood kraft (“BHK”) and bleached eucalyptus kraft (“BEK”)), and we produce bleached softwood kraft (“BSK”). We also produce bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp (“BCTMP”) at our Svetogorsk mill, which we sell globally. Further, our Svetogorsk mill produces LPB and CUK papers that are sold across Russia and Eastern European countries.

Many of our UFS products, particularly cutsize, are branded with strong consumer recognition and top brand positioning in their respective markets. We believe our portfolio of trusted brands across our regions provides us with a meaningful competitive advantage. We own some of the industry’s most recognizable brands, including Chamex (Brazil), REY (France), SvetoCopy (Russia) and Hammermill (United States). Cutsize represents approximately 60% of our tons sold, and our owned and licensed brands represent 58% of those cutsize sales. Further, we have a license from HP Inc. (“HP”) for the rights to produce and sell HP branded printer and copier paper in almost all geographies globally. HP Papers is a premium line of uncoated cutsize products that work seamlessly across all models of printer and copier equipment. The remaining 42% of cutsize tons sold are private label brands we produce for our major customers, including Staples.

 

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We sell and market our products globally to over 600 customers. By leveraging our strong brand portfolio and our customized service, we have built deep relationships with top customers in each of the channels we serve. We distribute our products through a variety of channels, including merchants and distributors, office product suppliers, retailers and dealers. We also sell directly to converters that produce envelopes, forms and other similar products. With a long history of more than 120 years, we have forged long-term relationships with our top customers and their loyalty results in very little turnover. Accordingly, our top ten customers, representing approximately one-third of our net sales, have been buying our products for more than 50 years on average. Our sales, marketing, supply chain and production staff work collaboratively to provide tailored client support and valued-added services, addressing the distinct needs of customers across geographies and channels. We provide marketing support to our customers to help them develop their go-to-market strategies by leveraging our extensive end-user sales and preference data.

Our mills have an annual UFS paper production capacity of 2.8 million short tons, market pulp production capacity of 580,000 short tons, and total LPB and CUK capacity of 130,000 short tons. In addition, Sylvamo expects to distribute annually an incremental 520,000 short tons of UFS and 160,000 short tons of uncoated bristols through its offtake agreements with International Paper in North America. We have filed an application with the Federal Antimonopoly Service (“FAS”) to approve Sylvamo as the new controller of ZAO International Paper. ZAO International Paper will remain a party to the Joint Marketing Agreement with JSC Ilim Group, which would allow us to retain the exclusive rights to market and sell all of the JSC Ilim Group’s UFS production, which totals 275,000 short tons annually. Our mill portfolio includes seven low-cost mills, six of which are fully vertically integrated. Vertical integration reduces costs associated with key inputs for paper production, such as pulp and energy, and decreases our exposure to commodity price fluctuations. Our only non-vertically integrated mill is co-located with Suzano’s market pulp mill and has a market supply agreement with Suzano, ensuring a consistent supply of fiber, steam and energy contractually guaranteed on a long-term basis. This effectively replicates most of the key economic benefits of vertical integration without the associated capital costs. We have high quality, well-invested facilities with low operating costs. As of December 31, 2020, more than 70% of our capacity is in the lowest quartile of global and regional cost curves. We believe the competitive advantages of our mills, such as their location in sustainable low-cost fiber baskets, and significant scale and distribution efficiencies, afford us sustainable strategic benefits.

 

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The demand for our paper products is positively correlated with global commercial printing and print advertising activity, white-collar employment levels and government spending, including education spending, and negatively affected by the adoption of electronic billing and statements. We believe our low-cost position allows us to thrive in all demand environments, including in countries facing secular demand decline, and we have demonstrated this historically by strengthening Sylvamo’s supply position even in light of the rise of electronic media substitution. From 2015 through 2020, we outperformed the UFS industry demand by 1.2% on average in the regions we serve, and, in the future, we intend to target outperforming the UFS industry demand by 1% to 2% on average in such regions. We expect global demand for UFS to increase at a 0.4% CAGR from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI forecasts. Approximately two-thirds of Business Segment Operating Profit on average from 2018 to 2020 comes from outside North America, and some of our key geographies, such as Latin America, have an increasing population of white-collar professionals, which supports the demand for our products.

 

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We provide differentiated products and services in each geography we serve, underpinned by our low-cost facilities, premium brands and a talented workforce.

 

   

Latin America: Our Latin American business is engaged in the production and sale of cutsize, commercial printing and specialty papers, as well as converting papers and market pulp. We are the largest UFS producer in Latin America, with about 34% of the supply position as of December 2020 according to Fisher International. We sell approximately 70% of our Brazilian UFS production in 26 countries in Latin America, and export the balance to other regions around the globe. Our system of paper production consists of three mills in Brazil: two in the state of São Paulo and one in Mato Grosso do Sul. Together, our three mills have seven paper machines with an annual production capacity of 1.27 million short tons. Our integrated mill in Luiz Antônio is the lowest cost mill in Sylvamo’s portfolio, as measured by roll manufacturing cost per ton, and produces cutsize and offset UFS and market pulp. The mill has an annual production capacity of 385,000 short tons of UFS on two paper machines and also produces an additional 130,000 short tons of market pulp annually. Our mill in Mogi Guaçu is also fully integrated, and operates four paper machines that produce 460,000 short tons of UFS, primarily cutsize and offset paper. Três Lagoas, located in Mato Grosso do Sul, operates one paper machine and produces 260,000 short tons of UFS annually.

We also own approximately 250,000 acres of strategic forest plantations in close proximity to our two mills in São Paulo state. This land provides us with a sustainable source of high quality and low-cost hardwood fiber from eucalyptus. Eucalyptus and its fiber have several benefits, including:

 

   

Fastest growing and highest yielding species grown in timber plantations;

 

   

Shortened harvest cycles of 6 to 7 years, helping to keep plantation costs low; and

 

   

Homogenous fiber quality, which permits premium grade quality at lower costs by requiring less wood to manufacture a ton of pulp.

Our portfolio of brands includes two lines of printing and writing paper, Chamex and Chamequinho, and one graphic paper line, Chambril, all 100% produced from sustainably managed forests, holding Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (“PEFC”) certification. We expect existing Forest Stewardship Council (“FSC®”) and PEFC certifications to transfer to Sylvamo from International Paper prior to the distribution. Our Chamex brand has enjoyed unparalleled brand recognition in Brazil for the last 50 years.

 

   

Europe: Our European business primarily produces and sells cutsize, commercial printing and specialty papers, in addition to LPB, CUK, BCTMP (Russia), BHK and BSK (France). We own two mills in the region with a total annual production capacity of 1.1 million short tons: Svetogorsk in Russia near the Finnish border and Saillat in France. Both mills produce pulp and paper and are fully vertically integrated. Our paper and pulp mill in Svetogorsk covers approximately 494 acres on the Karelian Isthmus between the Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga in northwestern Russia, and comprises three pulp mills and two paper machines with an annual production capacity of 720,000 short tons. The mill produces cutsize and offset paper and is the only producer of LPB in Russia with a supply position greater than 50% based on Russian customs data. Svetogorsk produces BCTMP, which is manufactured from aspen or spruce with innovative technology and allows Sylvamo to maintain an advantaged cost position relative to most other European and Russian mills making similar products. We are able to capture demand in both UFS and BCTMP in other countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia out of our Svetogorsk mill. We have also filed an application with FAS to approve Sylvamo as the new controller of ZAO International Paper. ZAO International Paper will remain a party to the Joint Marketing Agreement with JSC Ilim Group, which would allow us to retain the exclusive rights to market and sell all of JSC Ilim Group’s UFS production totaling 275,000 short tons annually. The JSC Ilim Group is the largest pulp and paper company in Russia and operates the largest pulp and paper mills located in the European and Siberian regions of Russia, with a total pulp and paper production capacity of 4 million short tons annually. It is controlled by Ilim SA, a 50/50 joint

 

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venture between International Paper and its partners. Our paper and pulp mill in Saillat is a European leader in the production of premium grade paper with an annual production capacity of 265,000 short tons and opportunities to grow sales outside of Europe. The mill also produces an additional 130,000 short tons annually of BHK and BSK market pulp that is sold to customers in Western Europe. In Russia, we have long-term harvesting rights on 860,000 acres of government-owned forestland, where we also plant seedlings to maintain the health and productivity of forest ecosystems for future generations.

We own a portfolio of premium brands in Europe. Our REY brand is distributed primarily in France and is focused on sustainability. Our brands in Russia include Ballet and SvetoCopy, which was the first office paper brand to be produced in Russia, and together are the leading brands in the country with an estimated 45% supply position, including JSC Ilim Group’s expected cutsize capacity under the Joint Marketing Agreement based on internal estimates.

 

   

North America: Our North American business is engaged primarily in the production and sale of cutsize, commercial printing, converting and specialty papers. We are the second largest UFS producer in North America with a 28% supply position as of December 2020, according to Fisher International, including UFS we will purchase from International Paper’s Riverdale and Georgetown mills pursuant to offtake agreements. We own two of the industry’s most competitive mills, Eastover and Ticonderoga, with 1.1 million short tons of combined annual production capacity. The Eastover mill, located in South Carolina, operates two paper machines producing 700,000 short tons of UFS, and a chemical pulping system producing fiber for UFS and an additional 115,000 short tons of market pulp annually. Eastover’s highly advantaged cost position in North America stems from its strategic location in an attractive fiber basket and world-class production capabilities. Sylvamo also operates a premium-grade paper mill in Ticonderoga with a well-invested asset base and proven capabilities to service the North American specialty segment. Its two paper machines and chemical pulp system produces 275,000 short tons of UFS annually, focusing on specialty paper grades. Our offtake agreements with International Paper give us the right to market and sell the UFS paper and uncoated bristols production at the Riverdale and Georgetown mills, representing an incremental 680,000 short tons of annual production capacity. Our North American mills are positioned near sustainably-managed forests that provide long-term access to competitively priced fiber.

In North America, we own a portfolio of premium brands, including Hammermill, Springhill, Williamsburg, Postmark and Accent. According to a third-party market study conducted by TRC Advisory in 2019, the quality and product breadth associated with the Hammermill brand resulted in strong end-user customer willingness to pay. Its unparalleled brand recognition helped us secure our strategic partnership with the largest e-commerce supplier in North America.

 

2020 Revenues by Segment    2020 Business Segment Operating Profit
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Sylvamo recognizes that a sustainably managed forest is one that maintains and enhances economic, social, and environmental values for the benefit of present and future generations. We are deeply committed to long-term environmental sustainability by ensuring sustainable sourcing of fiber and investing in and utilizing renewable energy resources. The majority of our mills are located in attractive and sustainable fiber baskets that provide access to high quality, low-cost fiber. Our practice of sourcing fiber from well-managed forests promotes the long-term health and productivity of forests. A majority of our fiber supply in the United States and France comes from privately owned forests. We work with landowners and wood suppliers to advance credible third-party forest certifications to improve our percentage of certified fiber. We follow a Fiber Certification Policy that accepts globally recognized forest management standards. These include the PEFC and standards recognized by PEFC, including the American Tree Farm System® (“ATFS®”) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (“SFI®”) in the United States and the Brazilian National Forest Certification Program, Certificacão Florestal (“CERFLOR”) in Brazil. We expect existing FSC® certification to be transferred to Sylvamo from International Paper prior to the distribution.

We own 250,000 acres of strategic forest plantations in close proximity to our mills in Brazil, which provides a sustainable source of high quality hardwood fiber from fast-growth eucalyptus. We reserve 75,000 acres towards our conservation efforts, through which we plant native tree species to help preserve biodiversity. In Russia, we have long-term harvesting rights on 860,000 acres of government-owned forestland, where we also plant seedlings to maintain the health and productivity of forest ecosystems for future generations. Sylvamo’s forestlands in Brazil and Russia are a significant source of value for our business and are strategic assets in profitable geographies. All the forestland we own in Brazil is certified under CERFLOR, and we expect existing FSC® certification to be transferred to Sylvamo from International Paper prior to the distribution. Our forestland for which we have harvesting rights in Russia also has the FSC® certification, which we expect to be transferred from Sylvamo from International Paper prior to the distribution.

All of our integrated mills use renewable biomass residuals to create energy and decrease our dependence on third-party energy sources. On average, we produce 78% of our energy needs for our integrated mills through bio-energy, which is a carbon neutral energy source generated from renewable biomass residuals. We also believe in the responsible consumption of our products, and invest in recyclable, sustainable and renewable products. We have invested in product lines, such as the Hammermill Great White products, which are made from recycled materials. All of our products are recyclable, and we encourage our customers to utilize recycling services and custom recycling programs that support their business needs. In 2019, approximately 66% of all paper products in the United States were recycled to make new fiber-based products, according to the American Forest and Paper Association.

Sylvamo’s capabilities and potential are delivered through our dedicated and talented workforce, which we believe is the best in the industry. We employ more than seven thousand people globally, with 43%, 35% and 22% of our workforce located in Latin America, Europe and North America, respectively. We have a favorable employee engagement score of 86%, compared to the manufacturing industry average of 75%, according to a 2019 third-party employee engagement survey. The above-average employee engagement score at Sylvamo is driven by our employees’ perception of their career goals, employee safety, diversity in the workforce, understanding of the company’s goals, work life balance and other indicators. Specifically, employees rated safety at Sylvamo with a 91% favorability rate.

The safety of our employees is paramount. We strive to design and operate injury-free workplaces for our employees and everyone who enters our facilities. As responsible stewards of people and their communities, we have maintained record safety standards at our mills, strictly complying with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) regulations. We are an industry-leading company in employee safety. Across all our mills, our TIR averaged 0.42 and our LWIR averaged 0.14 for 2020, well below the 2019 U.S. paper manufacturing industry averages of 2.5 and 0.8, respectively, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

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Our Competitive Strengths

We distinguish ourselves through the following competitive strengths:

A global producer of uncoated freesheet, positioned in the most profitable geographies: Latin America, Europe and North America.

Our mills, and consequently the key regions that we serve, are located in some of the world’s most attractive geographies for UFS. Given the access to low cost fiber and historical pricing levels, the regions we serve are some of the most profitable over the past three years based on average import pricing data from IHS Markit.

In Latin America, we are a major producer of UFS with a 34% supply position as of December 2020, according to Fisher International. Latin America is a particularly attractive region given its rising levels of education, growth in white-collar employment and increasing income per capita, all of which drive UFS demand. From 2014 to 2019, UFS demand in Latin America decreased at a 3.1% CAGR, and we expect it to increase at a CAGR of 2.2% from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI data and forecasts. Industry capacity in Latin America declined at a 0.3% CAGR from 2014 to 2019, and we expect it to continue to decline at a 1.6% CAGR from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI data and forecasts. Moreover, the key raw material input we use in our Brazil mills is eucalyptus, which is a world-class, low-cost fiber for the production of UFS. The use of low-cost fiber combined with our highly efficient operations, as measured by our Overall Machine Efficiency metrics of 93% in Latin America, and export logistics advantage allow us to serve the domestic market and the export markets at attractive margins.

We rank third in supply position in Europe, including our mill in Russia and JSC Ilim Group’s expected cutsize capacity under the Joint Marketing Agreement as of December 2020, according to Fisher International. We have consistently outperformed relative to industry demand in Europe. From 2011 to 2019, while the overall UFS demand in Europe fell by 3%, the demand for our products remained stable. Demand for UFS in Western Europe declined at a 2.8% CAGR from 2014 to 2019 and we expect demand for UFS in Western Europe to continue to decrease by a 2.7% CAGR from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI data and forecasts. In Eastern Europe, demand for UFS declined at a 0.6% CAGR from 2014 to 2019, and we expect demand in Eastern Europe to increase by a 0.2% CAGR from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI data and forecasts. Industry capacity in Eastern Europe increased at a 0.7% CAGR from 2014 to 2019, while Western Europe decreased at a 2.4% CAGR over the same time period, according to RISI data and forecasts. We expect that industry capacity will decline by a 2.6% CAGR and a 5.7% CAGR in Eastern Europe and Western Europe, respectively, from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI data and forecasts. We have a niche positioning in Europe, with our Saillat mill focusing its production on specialty UFS. In Russia, we have the number one supply position and the leading brand, SvetoCopy. We also have a strong position in other growing markets, such as the Commonwealth of Independent States. We have filed an application with FAS to approve Sylvamo as the new controller of ZAO International Paper. ZAO International Paper will remain a party to the Joint Marketing Agreement with JSC Ilim Group, which would allow us to retain the exclusive rights to market and sell all of JSC Ilim Group’s UFS production totaling 275,000 short tons annually.

In North America, we are the second largest producer of UFS with a 28% supply position as of December 2020, according to Fisher International, including UFS we have agreed to purchase from International Paper’s Riverdale and Georgetown mills pursuant to offtake agreements. We believe that we are well-positioned to benefit from improving fundamentals in the paper industry, which are inherently linked to the balance of supply and demand. In North America, a number of competitors have announced conversion of paper mills to primarily containerboard and fluff pulp capacity, leading to favorable operating rates. North American producers have announced the shutdown of approximately 1.5 million short tons of UFS capacity, or approximately 24% of the industry capacity, since 2019, according to RISI. As a result of these actions, we expect North American UFS operating rates to increase significantly from low operating rates in 2020 after a mid-2021 industry recovery according to RISI. We believe that higher operating rates will enable us to continue to benefit from improving

 

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supply and demand dynamics through our superior cost position. Demand for UFS in North America fell at a 3.5% CAGR from 2014 to 2019 and we expect it to continue to fall at a 2.6% CAGR from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI data and forecasts. Industry capacity in North America decreased at a 3.1% CAGR from 2014 to 2019, and we expect it to continue to decrease at a 1.7% CAGR from 2021 to 2025, based on RISI data and forecasts.

UFS supply position per region according to Fisher International, as of December 2020

 

Latin America   North America   Europe (incl. Russia)
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Vertically integrated mills that are predominantly in the lowest quartile on the cost curve both in their regions and globally.

Our attractive, low cost positions are particularly important given that we have exposure to geographies that are either in secular decline or are experiencing limited to no growth. Historically we have seen that as volumes decline, competitors close higher cost mills or convert mills to other uses. We expect this trend to continue and therefore, we expect to be able to improve operating rates for our assets. As a result, we expect to be able to generate improved margins and substantial cash flow over the long-term despite stable or declining demand in our industry.

Our low production costs are driven by the scale of our production capacity, our mills’ proximity to fiber, self-produced energy, and the integration of our pulp and paper production process. In particular, our vertical integration into pulp helps minimize our exposure to commodity pulp price fluctuations. In Brazil, we own eucalyptus plantations in close proximity to our two São Paulo state mills, giving us access to high-quality, low-cost eucalyptus fiber. These two mills produce their own pulp that is directly used for paper production. Our third Brazilian mill, Três Lagoas, is co-located with Suzano’s market pulp mill and has a market supply agreement with Suzano, ensuring a consistent supply of fiber, steam and energy contractually guaranteed on a long-term basis. Consequently, Três Lagoas has all the benefits of integration without the associated capital costs, and therefore generates a high cash yield per ton of capacity. In fact, after accounting for the Brazilian government tax benefit and the benefits of integration and co-location with Suzano’s market pulp mill, we estimate that Três Lagoas would have production costs comparable to Mogi Guaçu, which is in the first quartile of the cost curve. Furthermore, our own produced market pulp sales from the integrated mills in Brazil work as a natural hedge for the Três Lagoas purchased pulp contract. Accordingly, from 2018 to 2020, Três Lagoas’ return on invested capital was on average approximately 350 basis points higher than Mogi Guaçu’s return on invested capital.

Our European mills produce their own pulp that is directly used for the production of paper. Our Saillat mill is the largest fully integrated UFS mill in France and the only vertically integrated mill producing value-added grades in Europe that covers the entire production process from wood harvesting to paper. Its modern pulp mill

 

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produces pulp for 100% of its UFS production as well as an additional 130,000 short tons of market pulp that is sold in France and Western Europe. In Russia, our Svetogorsk mill is fully integrated with three pulp mills and two paper machines. We also have long-term harvesting rights on 860,000 acres of forestland in Russia for excellent access to wood fiber. Likewise, all of our North American mills produce their own pulp. The Eastover mill enjoys the lowest manufacturing cost in North America according to Fisher International, and operates one of the highest-quality cutsize paper machines in North America. The mill generates its own electricity to run its two paper machines and one pulp dryer. It produces sufficient pulp to meet its needs for paper production and an additional 115,000 short tons of market pulp sold in the open market each year. Ticonderoga is a premium-grade, vertically integrated paper mill with a competitive low-cost positioning against other specialty mills, according to Fisher International. Overall, our mills have an average pulp integration of approximately 95%, requiring that we buy only 5% of our pulp inputs in the open market.

Our integrated Brazilian, Russian and U.S. Eastover mills have historically occupied first quartile positions in the global cost curve, and our Saillat and U.S. Ticonderoga mills have historically occupied first quartile positions on the regional specialty cost curves. Our low-cost operations enable us to serve our local customers with the highest quality products at competitive margins. Our Russian and Brazilian paper operations have provided strong and steady margins for more than 10 years. Most importantly, these global low-cost operations help us to remain competitive in the export markets. Our ability to participate in the export markets allows us to meet demand in other regions with a steady and reliant supply of paper, allowing us to maintain consistent operating rates in almost all demand environments.

Global UFS rolls cost curve according to Fisher International as of December 31, 2020

 

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Três Lagoas position excludes tax benefits and benefits of integration and co-location with a Suzano pulp mill, which significantly improves the mill’s net cost position.

Note: Sylvamo’s mill capacity figures based on internal estimates.

 

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Premier brands in Latin America, Europe and North America with strong brand recognition.

Our portfolio of iconic, regional brands is widely recognized for its quality and reliability. We own premier brands across the globe, including Chamex, Chamequinho, Chambril, SvetoCopy, REY, Pro-Design, Ballet, Hammermill, Springhill, Williamsburg, Postmark and Accent. These brands have a long-standing reputation in their respective markets for product quality and performance. Our strong brands have allowed us to outperform industry volumes and have supported the business through economic cycles by providing improved profitability. Over the last six years, we have outperformed the industry in terms of UFS shipments by 120 basis points annually in the geographies we operate. Through the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our brands demonstrated higher brand loyalty relative to private label offerings, as evidenced by a lower decrease in our owned brand sales in 2020 as compared to the overall industry. In addition, in 2020 we outperformed the industry UFS shipments in the geographies in which we operate by 210 basis points.

 

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Chamex has one of the
strongest brand recognitions in Latin America
 

SvetoCopy maintains the highest frequency of repeat purchasing and the highest level of consumption

in Russia

  Hammermill is one of the most-purchased paper brands in North America for businesses of all sizes    Global supplier of HP Papers, one of the most recognized brands in the world, in partnership with HP Inc.

Our Chamex brand enjoys unparalleled brand recognition in Brazil and elsewhere in Latin America. Chamex has been part of the Brazilian culture for more than 50 years. Entire generations have grown up using Chamex in school and in the workplace. To leverage this recognition, we introduced the Chamequinho brand to target younger populations and keep the Chamex loyalty for generations to come. Chamex is the leading brand in terms of supply position in Bolivia, Brazil, Central America and Paraguay, with a 25% supply position in Latin America, according to third-party global trade data.

Our SvetoCopy brand is the leading brand in Russia in terms of supply position and brand loyalty, according to market research and consulting firm IPSOS. SvetoCopy was the first office paper brand to be produced in Russia beginning in 1996, prior to which all office paper in Russia was imported. During our more than 20 years in Russia, we have delivered on SvetoCopy’s quality and brand reputation and have become a reliable partner for businesses.

In France, our REY brand offers a very broad range of innovative products, including commodity and value-added grades that promote sustainability. The REY brand continues to grow its recognition in France and is gaining popularity across Western Europe. Positioned as the conscientious paper choice, REY wants to represent sustainability in the office paper segment, with products ranging from white papers to tints (colors). Pro-Design is our flagship brand for professional high speed printing in Europe. Over the past decade, Pro-Design has established itself as a top-shelf product for full color, high quality laser print applications. All brands made at our Saillat mill are certified by either FSC® or PEFC and the EU Ecolabel. We expect existing FSC® and PEFC certifications to be transferred to Sylvamo from International Paper prior to the distribution.

The Hammermill brand has a deep heritage in the United States with over 120 years of existence, and we believe it is a leading copy paper brand in the United States. We continue to invest to make the brand relevant

 

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throughout generations, and have adapted our products to the digital age. In 2003, we introduced our JAM-FREE® technology, which guarantees less than one jam in 10,000 printed sheets on high-speed digital equipment. The Hammermill Great White product was developed within the cutsize paper product line and is made from recycled materials. We recently developed and launched our Paper Shop, which provides our customers with 24/7 access to place orders, check inventory, and monitor order status from their computer, tablet or smart phone. Our Paper Shop makes doing business with us more efficient and simpler for our customers, helping us capture a greater share of their business.

In 1996, we launched the HP Papers office paper products under license from HP Inc., allowing us to exclusively manufacture and market HP Papers in over 75 countries. HP Papers is a global paper brand and is manufactured in all our regions. It is a premium line of uncoated cutsize products, scientifically engineered to work seamlessly across all makes and models of printer and copier equipment. HP Papers, HP inks and toners and HP printers are engineered to work together. In the early 2000s, we again partnered with HP to develop and introduce ColorLok Technology to improve inkjet printing quality in offices and homes around the world. Taking advantage of developments in high-speed inkjet technology, our ColorLok Technology optimization gives excellent results with both laser and high-speed inkjet sheet-fed printers.

Our brands represent 58% of our cutsize sales, and private labels represent the remaining 42%. Our private label strategy focuses primarily on North America, where we produce paper for companies such as Staples. Our top three private label customers represent approximately 280,000 short tons annually of private label sales.

Long-term, committed relationships with key customers and partners in the UFS value chain and a growing position in e-commerce.

We serve over 600 customers across every region of the world through diverse sales channels, including office product suppliers, retailers, e-commerce, converters, dealers and merchants. Our global scale and local focus help us stay committed to key customers and partners across the UFS supply chain. Over the years, we have built long-term relationships with customers thanks to our commitment to their business. We are aligned with the premier participants in all the main channels in Latin America, Europe and North America.

Our sales teams are coordinated to efficiently bring a competitive and complete product offering to our diverse customer base. We bring together our sales, marketing, supply chain and production staff to provide service and support to merchants, converters, end-users, stationers, printers and retailers alike. We further support our customers with our breadth of end-user applications, such as printing paper, brochures, pamphlets, greeting cards, books, packaging and envelopes. This mitigates our exposure to any one channel or end-use and creates value for our customers, and we excel at managing the complexity this adds to our operations. As a result, we have fostered long-term relationships with our customers with minimal customer turnover. On average, our top 10 customers have been our business partners for 50 years, and today they represent approximately 33% of our supply position, with no one customer making up more than 10% of our supply position.

 

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Leading customers with long-standing relationships per region(1)

 

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Includes predecessor companies.

We have the ability to adapt as our end-users change their channel preferences. We are well positioned to compete in the e-commerce channel, which relies more heavily on high-grade brands than traditional retail channels. We have been able to rapidly grow our e-commerce presence through close partnerships with online retailers such as Amazon in North America and Kalunga in Brazil. We have increased our sales through Amazon in North America by more than six times over the past five years. Overall, we have increased our North America e-commerce sales by approximately 85% over the past five years. Today, e-commerce makes up approximately 10% of North American sales, and we believe Sylvamo sales represent greater than 50% of the channel overall in 2020, according to internal marketing intelligence. We are seeing similar trends in e-commerce developing in Latin America and Europe.

Well-invested facilities running highly efficient operations.

We believe our mills are well-invested, and we have made significant capital investments over time. Our capital spending includes maintenance, regulatory and reforestation capital expenditures, cost reduction capital expenditures, and strategic capital expenditures, which include capital for rebuilds, productivity enhancements and de-bottlenecking. We believe that the investments in our well-maintained and efficient facilities increase equipment uptime and improve reliability. The only major capital expenditure across our portfolio of mills anticipated in the next few years is the rebuilding of the two recovery boilers at our Svetogorsk mill or, alternatively, replacing the boilers with one new recovery boiler. Our mills are technically advanced, and Sylvamo operates the two most recently built UFS assets in Latin America – Luís Antônio and Três Lagoas in Brazil. Our history of allocating capital towards high-return projects demonstrates our financial discipline and ability to identify projects that create sustainable value. Our Svetogorsk mill is one of the top pulp and paper mills in Russia with industry-leading technology and equipment. Since 1998, we have invested over $780 million in the upgrade and modernization of the mill to ensure its long-term competitiveness. For example, we constructed the BCTMP plant in 2008, which provides higher yields than other processes and lowers the total cost of production. We also installed a coater at one of the paper machines, allowing us to produce CUK and LPB to meet market demand. Our Eastover mill is one of the most technologically advanced pulp and paper mills in the world and, as a result, it is the lowest cost producer of UFS in North America according to Fisher International. It has a history of continued investment, with over $140 million in capital deployed since 2015. Our Ticonderoga mill is a premium-grade, vertically integrated pulp and paper mill, with a well-invested asset base and proven capabilities to service the North American specialty segment. We have likewise deployed $100 million of capital spending into the Ticonderoga mill since 2015.

 

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Strong and stable cash flow generation.

We have a track record of strong cash flow generation across cycles due to our low-cost asset base, disciplined capital investment, customer and geographic diversification, operational flexibility and strong brand recognition. We have been able to generate strong Adjusted EBITDA Conversion, defined as Adjusted EBITDA less maintenance, regulatory and reforestation capital expenditures divided by Adjusted EBITDA. For the years ended 2018, 2019 and 2020, our Adjusted EBITDA Conversion was 83.0%, 83.8% and 80.0% respectively. On a GAAP basis, our Cash Provided by Operating Activities Conversion, calculated as Cash Provided by Operating Activities minus maintenance, regulatory and reforestation capital expenditures divided by Cash Provided by Operating Activities, was 77.2%, 78.1% and 79.4% for 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we were able to generate strong cash flow and achieve an Adjusted EBITDA Conversion level of 80%. Our ability to reduce capital spending in times of economic downturns allows us to continue generating strong and stable cash flow. For example, we reduced our total capital expenditures in 2020 to $75 million from $150 million in 2018 by delaying capital expenditures. Accordingly, we anticipate increasing capital spending to ensure that our mills stay well-invested and well maintained. This increase may negatively impact operating cash flow, but we anticipate Adjusted EBITDA Conversion staying above 70%. Adjusted EBITDA Conversion excludes strategic and cost reduction capital expenditures and the anticipated Svetogorsk recovery boiler investment. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA Conversion, see “Summary Historical Financial Data.”

Adjusted EBITDA Conversion

 

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Cash Provided by Operating Activities Conversion

 

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Our portfolio of low-cost mills enables us to achieve healthy margins. Our vertically integrated mills help minimize our exposure to the volatility of raw material prices and generate a consistent stream of cash flows. Further, we have positioned ourselves in the most attractive local markets, where we leverage our low manufacturing costs to maximize earnings. Our management’s experience in managing costs and leveraging lean processes fosters a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Our geographic, product and channel diversity gives us the flexibility to adjust to end-market demand fluctuations and maintain margins. Specifically, our global platform allows us to offset the effects of volatile movements of major currencies by tactically positioning ourselves in the export and import market to our advantage. Our broad product categories allow us to meet end-user demand for a wide variety of paper products. Additionally, our channel diversity helps us better adapt to our end-users’ channel preference with a wide breadth of end-user applications. This customer-focused strategy coupled with our decades of investments in our strong brands has allowed us to weather down-cycles.

Best-in-class management team with extensive industry experience and operating expertise to lead Sylvamo as a stand-alone company.

We have assembled a senior management team that is highly focused on delivering value to our stockholders by leveraging our low-cost assets, highly recognized brands, geographic positioning and unparalleled customer relationships. Together, our senior management team averages over 26 years of experience in the paper industry and brings deep global industry expertise to our company. Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jean-Michel Ribiéras, served in various senior leadership positions at International Paper, including most recently as Senior Vice President of the Industrial Packaging business in the Americas. During his 28 years at International Paper, Jean-Michel has run the North American, Latin American and European segments of Sylvamo. He also served on the board of directors for JSC Ilim Group, a Russian operating subsidiary of Ilim SA, a 50/50 joint venture between International Paper and its partners, and led the integration of Weyerhaeuser Company’s cellulose fibers business with International Paper’s pulp business. Our Chief Financial Officer, John Sims, most recently served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at International Paper. He joined International Paper in 1994 and has been an officer of the company since 2008. During John’s 27 years at International Paper, 18 years have been in the paper business where he ran the North American and European businesses of Sylvamo. He has held various senior leadership positions, including Vice President of Finance & Strategy for the North American Industrial Packaging business and Senior Vice President and President of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Russia. Together, Jean-Michel and John will lead an experienced and highly capable senior management team at Sylvamo.

 

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Strategic Overview

Our commitment to responsible environmental, social and governance principles is embedded throughout our three-pronged strategy, which focuses on creating value for our stockholders through:

 

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Commercial Excellence: Remain the supplier of choice by exceeding customers’ expectations for quality and service.

 

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Operational Excellence: Operate as a low-cost, focused, cash-generating company.

 

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Financial Discipline: Be the investment of choice by consistently delivering on a compelling investment thesis.

Specific initiatives we are focused on include:

Be commercially excellent to drive top-line growth and profitability.

 

   

Our diversified product offering and leading supply position allow us to better serve our customers. Sylvamo’s product portfolio covers a broad range of products that our customers use and sell for a wide breadth of end-user applications. This diversified offering of paper products not only creates value for our customers, but also mitigates our exposure to any one channel or end-use. Furthermore, our advantaged supply position gives us the significant global scale to serve customers close to their operations while leveraging distribution efficiencies to benefit our customers.

 

   

Our global portfolio of premium-margin branded and private label offerings differentiates our products in local markets. We intend to focus on maintaining and improving the success of our existing brands to further drive profitable growth. We have become the partner of choice for many businesses and households around the world, and we plan to continue to deliver on our brands’ reputations for quality. We believe that we can drive top-line growth and profitability by further enhancing our brand positioning across geographies, growing our loyal customer base and tapping into growing pockets of demand in select channels and geographies. For example, in 2019 we expanded SvetoCopy’s brand range to include a new product, SvetoCopy Premium, to better serve the premium market. We also utilize our marketing expertise and promotional support to help our customers market and sell our products more effectively. For example, in Brazil, we have a dedicated team of more than 20 promoters spread across the country visiting stores and developing campaigns to increase Chamex sales through promotional activity.

 

   

We will continue to invest in and focus on our strong, long-term customer relationships around the globe. We will support our customers through the quality and reliability of our products, customer service and our customer-centric innovation. We believe research and development (“R&D”) and innovation are core competencies of Sylvamo, and plan to leverage these capabilities to further strengthen our market positioning. We already supply to most of the top participants across all major channels, and we see potential to further expand our supply position. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic we helped our customers navigate stay-at-home orders by quickly introducing new packaging sizes that allowed for safe home delivery of UFS products. In Latin America, we created a group of preferred corporate distributors aimed at improving the go-to-market strategies for our top customers. In Europe, we are launching a plastic free wrapper used as packaging for our brands, as our end-users increasingly demand sustainable products. Our service and sales teams are trained to enhance our positioning with key customers. We believe developing customer loyalty through market-based value creation will help us differentiate our offerings and position us for steady cash generation from our core customer base as well as allow us to expand our customer base and defend our advantaged supply position.

 

   

We adapt and innovate as our end-customers change their channel preferences. We have successfully entered the e-commerce channel by innovating around pallet and box sizes to better

 

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service the needs of our e-retailer customers. In Latin America, we introduced an innovative package with fewer sheets per ream and a lower basis weight with fewer reams per box, which facilitates last mile delivery via motorcycle, a common transportation method in the region. Our brands represent approximately 56% of sales in the e-commerce channel in North America. In Europe, Sylvamo is one of the largest cutsize suppliers to the e-commerce channel, providing owned and licensed brands, as well as private brands. By further aligning ourselves with key e-commerce customers, we believe we will continue to lead the industry in performance. We believe we can increase customer penetration and drive top-line growth as we upgrade our warehousing systems, leverage new packaging techniques and increase our utilization of e-commerce channels.

Operational excellence and low-cost operations to drive stockholder value.

 

   

We have a history of profitability and offsetting inflation through our low-cost operations. From 2018 to 2020, we have averaged operating margins of 11.0%. Moreover, in Latin America and Europe, which represented approximately two-thirds of our Business Segment Operating Profit on average over that period, our operating margins have averaged 17.6% and 11.6%, respectively, over that same time frame. We successfully implement price increases and maintain a strategy of constantly finding ways to offset input cost inflation. Our low-cost assets allow us the operational flexibility to produce a diverse product mix and serve multiple attractive channels, which mitigates our exposure to any one channel or end-use. In addition, we averaged Adjusted EBITDA margins (defined as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales) of 16.4% from 2018 to 2020, and we intend to target Adjusted EBITDA margins of between 15% and 18% over the business cycle.

 

   

We have identified future cost reduction initiatives to help us maintain and improve our cost position in local and export markets. We expect to invest in upgrading our facilities not only to maintain our quality and low cost, but also to improve our operational flexibility. We also continuously identify opportunities to further reduce our operating costs, as evidenced by our track record of investing over $28 million on cost reduction projects per annum on average from 2010 to 2020, helping us maintain our competitive margins. We produce diverse product lines that maximize margin and value creation. For example, Eastover is able to efficiently produce different UFS product lines on its two paper machines. Additionally, when UFS demand is high we can divert more pulp to the paper machines from the market pulp machine to increase UFS production and similarly, when UFS demand is soft, we can divert more pulp to the market pulp machine. We have a similar flexible operating model across all of our geographies. Investments in technologies such as data analytics in mills to reduce costs, enhance flexibility and improve decision-making are key initiatives for Sylvamo. We expect these investments to be modest, and provide the company meaningful commercial, operational and financial benefits.

 

   

We utilize lean six sigma and other management tools to drive further cost reductions and operating improvements in our manufacturing system. Our manufacturing system focuses on six key areas, including environmental, health and safety and efficiency improvement. We track our operations against Overall Equipment Effectiveness and other key metrics to drive increasingly lean operations and ensure full visibility across our operations. Recently, we have used data analytics at our mills to further accelerate the improvement progress. Going forward we expect disruptive technology to become a significant lever for future improvement. We plan to continue utilizing our lean tools and principles and implement targeted programs in order to optimize raw materials sourcing and usage, eliminate process waste, reduce repair costs and control overhead, driving cost reductions and operating improvements across our manufacturing system.

Pursue a disciplined approach to capital allocation that rewards stockholders and drives value organically through selective investment to further our advantaged positions.

 

   

We expect to deliver strong and sustainable free cash flow by continuing to leverage our low-cost assets, premier brands, and deep customer relationships with leading companies in each of our

 

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sales channels. Our annual maintenance, regulatory and reforestation capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of approximately $130 to $150 million per year for the next several years, which we believe will be sufficient to maintain our operations and productivity. In addition, spending to replace the recovery boilers at our Svetogorsk mill is expected to begin in 2022, with approximately 80% of the estimated $220 million to be spent in 2023 and 2024. If Sylvamo chooses to rebuild the recovery boilers, the anticipated total spend may be reduced. We will pursue a disciplined approach to capital investment to complement the strategic and cost reduction investments made in the last 5 years. Any planned future strategic capital expenditures will be pursued where there is the expectation of significant return on invested capital.

 

   

We intend to use a portion of the excess cash flow generated by our business to reduce outstanding indebtedness in a disciplined manner. A healthy balance sheet will support our operations and provide the financial flexibility to maximize value creation for our stockholders. Our near-term priority is debt reduction, and we intend to target a financial leverage ratio (defined as total indebtedness to Adjusted EBITDA) of less than 2.5:1 by the end of 2022. In the future, as we achieve our targeted financial leverage ratio, we anticipate that we will be in a position to return a portion of the cash flow generated by our business to our stockholders through a combination of dividends and stock repurchases, depending on market conditions and subject to approval by our board of directors.

 

   

As an independent company, we expect to allocate capital more efficiently towards a larger number of projects that have a high return on invested capital. We remain committed to investing in our low-cost, highly competitive asset base, which underpins our operations. We believe in continually optimizing our existing core asset base to drive higher incremental returns above our cost of capital. As an independent company, we plan to focus on further enhancing our operational flexibility by undertaking projects with a high expected return on capital. Sylvamo has preliminarily identified over $100 million of investment projects with potential internal rates of returns (“IRR”) in excess of 25%. We will evaluate investing in these high return projects in the future, while continuing to maintain financial discipline focused on delivering value to our stockholders.

 

   

We will strive to create intrinsic value by achieving returns above our cost of capital. As we move forward, investment excellence is essential to growing earnings and cash generation. Strategic investments will be grounded on clear strategic and financial objectives that allow us to turn Sylvamo’s advantages into profitable growth, with a meaningful return above our cost of capital. We have a strong pipeline of projects that will reduce costs and increase efficiency over the medium- to long-term.

Lastly, we intend to follow a disciplined approach in evaluating any potential strategic transactions. We view our capital allocation framework as a foundational lever to accelerate value creation for our stockholders.

Our commitment to environmental, social and governance matters is embedded throughout our three-pronged strategy.

We incorporate environmental, social and governance considerations into our strategies and everyday processes as we seek to adequately address risks, operate sustainably and responsibly and create long-term value. Our commitment to sustainability includes our entire value chain, from the responsible sourcing of raw materials, to the safety of our employees, to using renewable energy and ensuring the recyclability of our products.

 

   

Environmental stewardship and responsible manufacturing practices are fundamental to how we operate, and we seek supply chain partners that share our commitment. Sylvamo recognizes that a sustainably managed forest is one that maintains and enhances economic, social and environmental values for the benefit of present and future generations. We are committed to producing the products our customers need, while ensuring responsible stewardship of the world’s natural resources. To meet the expectations of our employees, customers and other stakeholders, we will continue to lead forest stewardship efforts globally to build a better future for people, the planet and our company. We work with landowners to advance responsible forest management practices and increase the availability of

 

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certified fiber. We also work with conservation organizations to support healthy forest ecosystems, enhance ecologically significant areas, and conserve and restore forests worldwide. Most importantly, our fiber sourcing policies and practices support our commitment to protecting forests and their ecosystems for generations to come.

 

   

We will continue to generate more than 75% of our mill energy needs using renewable biomass residuals rather than fossil fuels. We have made significant investments to promote energy self-sufficiency and replace fossil fuels. For example, in 2012, we completed the construction of a biomass boiler in Mogi Guaçu, Brazil. This high-return cost savings project reduced fossil fuel use by 75% and increased earnings by $30 million in its first year of operation. Saillat, one of the most environmentally efficient mills in the world, is the first French mill to obtain Eco-label certification for copy and graphic papers. PEFC-certified since 2006, Saillat implements rigorous sustainable practices. All of its wood comes from controlled sources, it is 85% energy self-sufficient and it produces 53% fewer carbon emissions from fossil fuels than the average of the European graphic papers sector. Additionally, Saillat and its partner Dalkia, a French energy company, were selected by the French Ministry of Ecological Transition to promote renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emission. Under this program, Saillat and Dalkia will produce 25 mega-watts of biomass energy for a 20-year fixed price thereby reducing Saillat’s energy costs and consumption of fossil fuels.

 

   

We are committed to attracting and developing a diverse talented and global workforce, ensuring safety at our facilities and contributing to the resiliency of our local communities. Our international presence allows us to attract the best talent across the globe. Accordingly, our senior management team is internationally diverse with global experience, hailing from all of the geographies in which we operate—Latin America, Europe and North America. Further, we will continue to invest a portion of our earnings to address critical community needs in the communities where our employees live and work. For example, Sylvamo Brazil partners with and supports the AIPI Institute, an educational organization serving the Brazilian community.

We believe that by leveraging our strengths and executing on our strategies, we will create long-term value for our stockholders.

Our Reportable Segments

We are organized into three reportable business segments based on geography—Latin America, Europe and North America. The following summary describes the products and services offered in each of the segments:

Latin America: Our Latin American operations focus on uncoated freesheet paper as well as market pulp through the ownership or management of approximately 250,000 acres of forestlands in Brazil. Our system of paper and pulp production in Brazil consists of three mills: two integrated mills in the State of São Paulo and one non-integrated mill in Mato Grosso do Sul. Our Brazilian uncoated freesheet brands include Chamex, Chamequinho and Chambril. We also produce the HP papers line in Brazil. All of our products are produced exclusively from planted and sustainable certified eucalyptus. We create papers for a variety of business and home use.

Europe: Our Europe segment produces a broad portfolio of uncoated freesheet papers for numerous uses and applications as well as liquid packaging board, coated unbleached kraft and market pulp. We operate two paper, pulp and board mills in the region: Saillat, France and Svetogorsk, Russia. Located in the Limousin region of France, the Company’s Saillat mill produces both paper and market pulp. It is the only mill in France to cover the entire production process from wood harvesting to paper, and is one of the leading cutsize producers in France and Western Europe. The Saillat mill produces UFS papers, such as copy paper, and value-added products such as tinted paper and colored laser printing paper under leading brands such as REY Adagio and Pro-Design. We also produce graphic and high-speed inkjet printing papers under the brand Jetstar. The Saillat mill has some of the highest environmental credentials for our products and mill in Europe. Our Svetogorsk mill is one of the

 

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premier pulp and paper mills in Russia, with industry-leading technology and equipment. It covers more than 434 acres on the Karelian Isthmus, and comprises three pulp mills, two papermaking machines, and A3 and A4 cutsize finishing. Our Svetogorsk mill is one of Russia’s leading producers of high-quality uncoated freesheet papers under brands Ballet Brilliant, Ballet Premier, Ballet Classic, Ballet Universal and SvetoCopy, and pulp products such as Bleached Chemical Thermo-Mechanical Pulp (“BCTMP”).

North America: The North American paper business manufactures uncoated freesheet papers at its mills in Eastover, South Carolina and Ticonderoga, New York and has offtake agreements to purchase the uncoated papers produced by International Paper’s Riverdale and Georgetown mills in Selma, Alabama and Georgetown, South Carolina. The North American papers business comprises three sub-segments, Imaging Papers, Commercial Printing Papers and Converting Papers. The imaging papers business, which comprises roughly half of the North American segment’s volume, produces copy paper for use in copiers, desktop and laser printers and digital imaging. These products are important for office use, home office use and in businesses such as education, healthcare and financial services. The commercial printing business comprises about 16.3% of the North American segment’s volume, and end-use applications in the commercial printing business include advertising and promotional materials such as brochures, pamphlets, greeting cards, books, annual reports and direct mail. The converting business manufactures a variety of grades that are converted by our customers into envelopes, tablets, business forms, file folders and several specialty grades. Uncoated papers are sold under private label and brand names that include Hammermill®, Springhill®, Williamsburg, Accent®, DRM® and Postmark®.

Our Products

Our primary product line is uncoated freesheet papers (“UFS”), which includes cutsize papers, offset papers, and specialty papers. We also produce liquid packaging board, coated unbleached kraft and market pulp.

Uncoated Freesheet Papers

UFS is the largest category of printing and writing papers. It is used in printed communications across products such as copy paper, book publishing, direct mail, envelopes and business form papers. UFS constitutes 79%, or 2.75 million short tons, of the paper, board and market pulp that we have the capability of producing annually.

Cutsize Papers

Cutsize papers are a subset of UFS, and refers to paper that has been trimmed to a specific size for printing, copying and other purposes. Cut-size papers can vary in quality from an everyday 20 lbs. 92 bright product up to a 32 lbs. 100 bright product with superior smoothness and brightness. Examples of cutsize paper include 8.5x11 paper, A3 paper, A4 paper and 11x17 paper for home and office printers.

Our cutsize papers comprise some of the most well-known paper brands in the world, including the following:

Hammermill

Hammermill is Sylvamo’s most-purchased brand of paper for businesses across North America. It is the #1 brand sold through e-commerce channels. The Hammermill brand has a deep heritage in the United States with over 120 years of existence and commands a price premium over private label brands.

HP Papers

We also produce the HP Papers office papers product line, through a partnership for brand use, with HP Inc. HP Papers is manufactured with ColorLok® technology to produce documents with brighter colors, more intense

 

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black and quicker drying, with less risk of smudges. It is suitable for home and office use and an ideal brand for high quality printing.

Chamex and Chamequinho

Chamex enjoys strong brand recognition as the leading printing paper in Brazil, being named #1 customer’s choice in Brazil according to internal studies by the Company. Part of Brazilian culture for over 50 years, entire generations have grown up using Chamequinho in school and later Chamex in the workplace. Outside of Brazil, Chamex is exported to more than 60 countries and is recognized for its high quality in Bolivia, Central America, Chile, Peru and Paraguay. For every three sheets of paper consumed in Latin America, one is from Sylvamo’s brands, according to Fisher International. We have leveraged this brand loyalty to introduce additional brands, including Chamequinho, which focuses on younger generations.

REY

Our premium REY brand is sold across Europe with a strong historical presence in France. Sylvamo’s REY brand maintains strong consumer awareness and is recognized as a top leading brand in its market. It is 100% sourced from sustainably managed forests. REY paper sold in Europe has internationally recognized certifications such as FSC®, PEFC and the EU Ecolabel.

SvetoCopy

Before 1996, all office paper in Russia was imported. SvetoCopy was the first office paper brand to be produced in Russia and is now one of two leading brands in the market. SvetoCopy also shows the highest frequency of repeat purchasing alongside the highest level of consumption in Russia according to IPSOS.

Offset Papers

Offset paper is a type of uncoated freesheet paper that is primarily used for printing books, magazines, manuals, catalogs, posters, calendars, flyers, letterheads, publication interior sheets, brochures and envelopes. Offset paper has a relatively coarse surface that enhances its ability to absorb printing inks and dampening solutions making it ideal for offset printing. The surface characteristics of offset paper make it easier to write on with ballpoint and fountain ink pens and to stamp clearly. Uncoated offset papers are commonly used for office stationery for this reason. For printing purposes, it is possible to print high quality, multicolored graphics and illustrations and texts on these papers for a variety of products and publications.

Specialty Papers

Specialty papers are papers with a specialized end use based on the application. These specialty papers products include bleached kraft, release liner and wallboard tape paper. Bleached kraft grades are used for animal feed bags, food packaging or high end shopping bags and are designed to perform through the complete bag making process, from printing and converting, to filling and sealing. Our uncoated release liner products are suitable for polycoating and are designed for good converting performance as well as poly adhesion. These products are used for release papers, label applications and graphic art applications. Wallboard tape paper becomes joint tape that reinforces wall and ceiling joints to prevent cracking. It works on all interior wall and corner joints and is suitable for outside corners and corner bead applications.

Liquid Packaging Board and Coated Unbleached Kraft

LPB and CUK grades are produced at our Svetogorsk mill. Liquid packaging board is primarily used in the beverage packaging industry while coated unbleached kraft is used to package beverages such as beer and soft drinks and for heavy duty packaging needs such as laundry detergent.

 

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Pulp

The Sylvamo pulp business produces softwood, hardwood and bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp (“BCTMP”). These pulp grades are used for our paper products, and the excess is sold globally and used in a variety of products such as tissues and towels, specialty and packaging papers and folding box board. BCTMP provides higher yields than other forms of pulp and is used in coated paperboard grades.

Our Raw Materials

The manufacturing of paper, board and pulp requires wood fiber, chemicals and energy. We discuss these three key raw materials used in our manufacturing operations below.

Wood Fiber

North American paper mills

The fiber used by our paper mills in the United States is softwood and hardwood, both readily available in the market from multiple third-party sources. These sources include a combination of supply contracts, wood lot management arrangements and advance stumpage and spot market purchases. Both the Ticonderoga and Eastover mills are located near sustainably managed forests in New York and South Carolina, respectively.

Latin American paper mills

The fiber used by our two integrated mills at Mogi Guaçu and Luís Antônio come from our owned strategic forestry plantations that cover approximately 250,000 acres, providing a sustainable source of high-quality and low-cost hardwood fiber from eucalyptus. We reserve approximately 75,000 acres of that property to plant native forests to protect the region’s natural biodiversity. Similarly, our non-integrated mill at Três Lagoas uses bleached eucalyptus fiber for paper production. Eucalyptus produces an ideal fiber for making paper, as it is one of the fastest growing and highest yielding species grown on timber plantations with a shortened harvest cycles of six to seven years, which helps to keep the planation costs low. Its homogenous fiber quality permits premium grade products with better porosity and opacity, which enhances print quality. Eucalyptus also requires less wood to manufacture a ton of pulp, making it an appropriate source for producing pulp and renewable energy, and it requires fewer chemicals during production, reducing the environmental impact of our products.

European paper mills

Our Saillat and Svetogorsk mills are self-sustainable and produce their own bleached pulp for use in paper production. In Saillat, our own wood-sourcing subsidiary provides access to more than 1.1 million tons of wood from private forests annually.

In Russia, in addition to our own harvesting rights to over 860,000 acres of forest land owned by Russia, we source both hardwood and softwood primarily from third party leaseholders. Together, we have reliable access to over 2.0 million cubic meters of wood fiber. Our harvesting rights are valid for terms ranging from 5-30 years. Our harvesting rights may be terminated in the event of certain breaches of contract, including non-payment of rental fees, failure to report on current activities and certain other violations of the agreement.

Chemicals

We use various chemical compounds in our paper, board and pulp manufacturing operations that we purchase through contracts of varying length to ensure product availability. Most of the contracts have pricing that fluctuates based on prevailing market conditions. For paper production, on our machines we also use several chemical products including starch, precipitated calcium carbonate, optical brighteners, dyes and aluminum sulfate. For bleached pulp production, we use numerous chemicals including caustic soda, sodium chlorate, sulfuric acid, lime and peroxide.

 

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Energy

Our operations produce and consume substantial amounts of energy. Our primary energy sources include: biomass residuals, fossil fuels and electricity. Approximately 78% of the total energy required to manufacture our products comes from renewable fuels such as bark and spent pulping liquor, generated as byproducts from our manufacturing processes. The remainder of the energy comes from smaller amounts of fossil fuels such as fuel oil and natural gas and purchased steam procured under supply contracts. Under most of these contracts, suppliers are committed to provide quantities within predetermined ranges that provide us with our needs for a particular type of fuel at a specific facility. Most of these contracts have pricing that may fluctuate based on prevailing market conditions. Biomass residuals and fossil fuels are consumed primarily to produce steam that is used in the manufacturing process and, to a lesser extent, to provide direct heat used in the chemical recovery process.

We have cogenerating assets at all six of our integrated mills. These generating assets produce approximately 64% of the electricity requirements of our manufacturing operations, with the balance supplied from local utilities. Electricity is primarily used to drive motors, pumps and other equipment and provide lighting.

Our Transportation

Transportation of raw materials, wood fiber, chemicals and pulp into our mills is mostly done by rail and trucks. We rely on third parties for the transportation of our pulp and paper products between our mills, distribution centers and customers. Our paper products are shipped mostly by truck, with logistics operations and procurement being managed centrally in collaboration with each location. Our pulp is either shipped by vessel, rail or truck depending on destination and customer preference. We work with major railroads, ocean carriers, and trucking and third-party transportation companies in North America, Latin America and Europe. Service agreements are typically negotiated on an annual basis. We pay diesel fuel surcharges, which vary depending on the mode of transportation used and the cost of diesel fuel.

Properties

Our portfolio of properties spans three continents and includes six fully-vertically integrated mills and one non-fully integrated mill with an aggregate annual paper and pulp production capacity of 3.5 million short tons. We have two mills in the United States (Ticonderoga, New York and Eastover, South Carolina), three mills in Brazil (Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Luís Antônio and Mogi Guaçu, Sao Paulo), two mills in Europe (Saillat, France and Svetogorsk, Russia). Our paper manufacturing operations are further supported by 10-year offtake agreements with International Paper (subject to their earlier termination) for paper production at the North American Riverdale and Georgetown mills for 520,000 short tons of uncoated freesheet and 160,000 short tons of uncoated bristols, a heavier weight paper grade used in products such as file folders.

 

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7 owned mills with total production capacity of approximately 3.5 million short tons

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

 

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LOGO

In addition to our mills, we own and lease a number of other properties, including warehouses, in the US, France, the United Kingdom and Brazil, and our headquarters in                .

Environmental, Social and Governance Responsibilities

Sylvamo has a responsibility to generate long-term value while protecting the planet and improving people’s lives. We incorporate environmental, social and governance considerations into our strategies and everyday processes to ensure that we adequately address risks, operate sustainably and responsibly, and create long-term value for all of our stakeholders—employees, customers, suppliers, communities, governments, non-governmental organizations and stockholders. We seek to improve people’s lives, the planet, and our company’s performance by transforming renewable resources into recyclable products that people depend on every day for education, communication and entertainment.

We do the right things, in the right ways, for the right reason, all of the time – this is The Sylvamo Way, which together with our core values serve as our guideposts as we carry out our mission:

SAFETY: Above all, we care about people. We look out for each other to ensure everyone returns home safely.

ETHICS: We act honestly and operate with integrity and respect. We promote a culture of openness and accountability.

STEWARDSHIP: We are responsible stewards of people and communities, natural resources and capital. We strive to leave everything in better shape for future generations.

We focus our sustainability strategy on the issues where we have the greatest impact. Our approach to sustainability includes our entire value chain, from sourcing raw materials responsibly to providing a market for recovered products, and from the safety of our employees to addressing critical needs in the communities where we live and operate.

From the way we manage natural resources to our manufacturing processes, energy use, transportation, recovery and recycling, Sylvamo is committed to sustainable, transparent practices.

We believe the sustainable management, conservation and restoration of forestland is an important lever for mitigating climate change through carbon storage in forests and is vital to the long-term prosperity of our company, our communities and our planet. Advancements in technology and emerging consumer trends continue to impact how people view and value forests around the globe.

We are well-positioned to address global challenges, including climate change, clean water, education and decent work and economic growth. Our goals and strategy support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”), which are driving cross-sector collaboration to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone around the world.

 

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Sylvamo’s goals reflect our commitment to be a more sustainable corporation—one that generates profits for its stockholders while protecting the planet and improving the lives of those with whom we interact. Our long-term goals demonstrate that we are thinking differently about how we use natural resources and our impact on the environment. Our three goals, Sustainable Planet, Healthy People and Communities, and Responsible Operations, are designed to demonstrate how we will drive sustainable outcomes for the environment, people and communities and our customers.

Our sustainable business practices recognize the interdependence between people, the planet, profit and our products. Sustainability is the foundation of how we operate. It starts with people—attracting and developing a talented workforce, ensuring everyone arrives home safely at the end of each day and helping our local communities thrive.

Customers and Contracts

We leverage our powerful brands and premium service to build relationships with top customers in each of the channels we serve. Sales are made through a variety of means ranging from multi-year supply contracts to transactional sales. We sell and market our products globally to over 600 customers around the world. We distribute our products through a variety of channels, including merchants and distributors, office product suppliers, retailers and dealers. We also sell directly to converters that produce envelopes, forms and other similar products. We have forged long-term relationships with our top customers, and their loyalty results in very little turnover. For example, our top 10 customers, representing approximately one-third of our business, have been buying our products for more than 50 years on average. Our sales, marketing, supply chain and production staff work collaboratively to provide tailored client support and valued-added services, which we believe helps address the distinct needs of customers across geographies and channels. We provide marketing support to our customers to help them develop their go-to-market strategies by leveraging our extensive end-user sales and preference data.

Well-known global brands and regional producers are part of our customer portfolio for pulp. Many customers are located in a number of countries with much of our product going into North and South America, Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, Japan and China. We sell directly to end customers as well as through agents and merchants depending on the geography and needs of the individual customer. In some cases, we provide consignment programs or maintain pulp inventories at strategically located warehouses to respond to variability in customer demand and order patterns.

Competition

The markets in which we operate are highly competitive with well-established domestic and foreign manufacturers. For instance, in North America, the four largest manufacturers of UFS, including Sylvamo, represent approximately 81% of the total annual production capacity. As the use of electronic mediums and alternative products increases, and because paper production does not generally rely on proprietary processes, except for highly specialized papers or products, the areas into which Sylvamo sells its principal products are increasingly competitive. Furthermore, the level of competitive pressure Sylvamo may face is dependent, in part, upon exchange rates, particularly the rate between the U.S. dollar and the Euro as well as the U.S. dollar and the Brazilian real.

Some of our competitors have converted mills or paper machines at their mills to linerboard, pulp and boxboard capacity, which reduces the supply of UFS and other printing papers.

The competitive landscape in each of our business segments is described below:

 

   

Latin America: Our Latin American business is engaged in the production and sale of cutsize, commercial printing and specialty papers, as well as converting papers and market pulp. In Latin America, we are the largest producer of UFS with a 34% supply position as of December 2020

 

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according to Fisher International. Our peer competitors include Suzano, BioPappel and Carvajal. Approximately 70% of our Brazilian UFS production is sold across Latin America, while the balance is exported to other regions around the globe. The use of low-cost eucalyptus fiber combined with our highly effective operations and export logistics advantage allow us to serve the domestic market and the export markets at competitive margins.

 

   

Europe: We rank third in supply position in Europe, according to Fisher International as of December 2020, and we have consistently outperformed relative to industry demand in Europe. From 2011 to 2019, while the overall UFS demand in Europe fell by 3%, the demand for our products remained stable. We have a niche positioning in Europe, with our Saillat mill focusing production on specialty UFS. We have the top brand in Russia, SvetoCopy, and we are one of the two leading suppliers of office papers in the market. We also have a strong position in other growing markets, such as the Commonwealth of Independent States. Our peer competitors include Navigator, Mondi, Stora Enso and UPM Communication Papers.

 

   

North America: Our North American business is engaged primarily in the production and sale of cutsize, commercial printing, converting and specialty papers. According to Fisher International, we are the second largest UFS player in North America with 28% supply position as of December 2020, including UFS we will purchase from International Paper’s Riverdale and Georgetown mills pursuant to offtake agreements. We own two of the industry’s most competitive mills, Eastover and Ticonderoga, with 1.1 million short tons of combined annual production capacity. The Eastover mill, located in South Carolina, operates two paper machines and a chemical pulping system producing 700,000 million short tons of UFS and 100,000 million short tons of market pulp annually. Our peer competitors include Domtar, Pixelle Specialty and Packaging Corporation of America.

Regulatory and Environmental Compliance

Sylvamo is subject to a wide range of general and industry-specific laws and regulations in the United States and every other location in which Sylvamo operates. In addition, new laws or regulations impacting our facilities around the world are routinely passed or proposed. Current or proposed laws or regulations may include those governing wood harvesting, air emissions, climate change, waste water discharges, storage, management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, contaminated sites, landfill operation and closure obligations and health and safety matters. Compliance with these laws and regulations, therefore, is a significant factor in the operation of our business and may result in capital expenditures as well as additional operating costs. For example, we have completed capital projects to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) maximum achievable control technology (“MACT”) and risk and technology review (“RTR”) regulations that require owners of specified pulp and paper process equipment and boilers to meet new air emissions standards for certain substances. As portions of these MACT and RTR regulations have been remanded to EPA for further consideration, it is not clear at this time what, if any, additional capital project expenditures might result from resolution of the open issues.

As such, Sylvamo may encounter situations in which our operations fail to maintain full compliance with applicable requirements possibly leading to civil or criminal fines, fees, penalties, or enforcement actions, including those that could result in governmental or judicial orders to stop or interrupt our operations or require us to take corrective measures at substantial costs, such as installation of additional pollution control equipment or other remedial actions. Nonetheless, Sylvamo remains committed to controlling emissions and discharges from our facilities to avoid adverse impacts on the environment, and maintaining compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

In 2018, International Paper discovered and voluntarily disclosed to regulators the presence of mercury contamination in sediment in a river tributary that traverses the Company’s mill property in Svetogorsk, Russia. The mercury contamination resulted from the operations of a former chlor-alkali manufacturing plant on the mill site. Remediation of the river tributary was completed in 2020. We are presently investigating the scope of

 

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remediating the soil and groundwater contamination associated with the old chlor-alkali plant. See Note 10 to our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement.

Human Capital

Sylvamo has more than 7,000 employees around the world, with approximately 1,600 in North America, 3,000 in Latin America and 2,400 in Europe. Of these employees, approximately 50% are unionized. We believe that our relationships with our unions are constructive.

The attraction, retention and development of our employees is critical to our success. We accomplish this, in part, by developing the capabilities of our team members through our continuous learning, development and performance management programs. One such program is our REACH (Recruit, Engage, Align College Hires) program through which the Company recruits and develops early career engineers and safety professionals for our U.S. mill system, preparing them to become future leaders. We invest in the growth and development of our employees by providing a multi-dimensional approach to learning that empowers, intellectually grows, and professionally develops our employees. We provide continuing education courses that are relevant to our industry and job function within the Company. In addition, we have created learning paths for specific positions that are designed to encourage an employee’s advancement and growth within our organization. We also offer a peer mentor program and leadership and customer service training to support and develop our employees. These resources provide employees with the skills they need to achieve their career goals, build management skills and become leaders within our Company.

The Company believes in an inclusive workforce, where diverse backgrounds are represented, engaged and empowered to inspire innovative ideas and decisions. Our goal is to create a working environment that is welcoming, inclusive and in which diversity is valued. We are committed to fostering holistic respect and full participation for all employees, to providing equal opportunities in employee experience with a focus on hiring and development of individuals with visible and invisible disabilities. We aim to have an inclusive, thriving and high performing culture where people come first, feel safe, respected, valued and supported, regardless of differences. We want to give everyone equal opportunity and celebrate the different perspectives and talents that each of us brings.

The Company is focused on promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion that leverages the talents of all employees, and implementing practices that attract, recruit and retain diverse top talent. To attain these goals, we plan to:

 

   

Build leadership capability through women in leadership initiatives (which could include mentoring, skills training, confidence building, on-the-job development and short-term stretch opportunities);

 

   

Increase overall female representation, including in senior leadership roles;

 

   

Build inclusive leadership capabilities;

 

   

Ensure all policies, practices and processes support the D&I strategy and our people;

 

   

Commit to diversity and inclusion in our people, customer, partner and community promises; and

 

   

Increase awareness of pay equity, ensuring that all employees are paid according to the same rules in accordance with pay principles developed for Sylvamo.

We rely on a global workforce, and we take measures to protect the health and safety of our employees, customers and others with whom we do business, while continuing to effectively manage our employees and maintain business operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken additional measures and incurred additional expenses to protect the health and safety of our employees and comply with applicable government requirements and safety guidance, such as social distancing, enhanced cleaning and disinfection, frequent

 

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handwashing and using close contact PPE. Our business operations may be additionally disrupted if a significant portion of our workforce is unable to work safely and effectively due to illness, quarantines, government actions, or other restrictions or measures responsive to the pandemic. Measures taken across our business operations to address health and safety may not be sufficient to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among our employee base, customers and others.

Safety

We are committed to the safety and well-being of our employees, and seek to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities at our mills. The pursuit of this vision involves:

 

   

Promoting accountability and responsibility for ourselves and our colleagues;

 

   

Embracing a positive safety culture through application of safety leading indicators;

 

   

Applying safety leadership skills;

 

   

Engaging employees in proactive initiatives;

 

   

Anticipating, recognizing and removing hazards;

 

   

Intervening when unsafe conditions are identified;

 

   

Integrating layers of protection into our work systems and processes;

 

   

Maintaining an active safety mindset at work and at home; and

 

   

Fostering a culture where we learn from events and near misses.

While we pursue reduction of all workplace incidents, our LIFE (Life-changing Injury and Fatality Elimination) initiative focuses on eliminating the most serious injuries and implementing sustainable systems to prevent all injuries and incidents. Project teams use our company’s manufacturing excellence tools, communications channels, LIFE investigations, equipment and workplace designs, standard operating procedures, employee engagement, training and general education to improve workplace safety. LIFE is designed to make everyone aware of serious injury risks.

The LIFE program has five focus areas:

 

   

Driver safety;

 

   

Machine safeguarding;

 

   

Exposure to harmful substances or environments;

 

   

Motorized equipment; and

 

   

Slips, trips and falls.

All manufacturing and non-manufacturing sites report on seven proactive safety leading indicators to help identify areas for improvement and where resources are needed to properly execute our programs.

These safety leading indicators work in conjunction with our LIFE program. For example, a key safety leading indicator promotes reporting near-miss events—called LIFE Potentials—that did not result in serious injury because the hazard was recognized before a potential injury occurred. The LIFE Potentials reported by our team each per month allow us to proactively identify performance trends and areas for continuous improvement, and to communicate this learning across the company.

Intellectual Property

We hold a number of foreign and domestic trademarks, trademark applications, trade names, patents, patent applications and licenses relating to our business, our products and our production processes. We have registered

 

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trademarks for many of our brand name products. Key brands include Accent®, Ballet®, Chambril®, Chamex®, Chamequinho®, DRM®, Great White®, Hammermill®, Jetstar®, Postmark®, Pro-Design ®, REY®, Springhill®, and Svetocopy®. Our brands are important to our business and are recognized for quality and reliability. We have multiple U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications. Our patent portfolio, consisting primarily of utility patents relating to our products and manufacturing operations, is important to our operations as a whole. Our intellectual property has various expiration dates.

Seasonality

Sylvamo’s sales exhibit some seasonality, with an increase in sales in the third and fourth quarter in connection with back-to-school purchases.

Legal Proceedings

Sylvamo may be involved in legal proceedings arising from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Sylvamo is not involved in any legal proceedings that we believe will result, individually or in the aggregate, in a material adverse effect upon its financial condition or results of operations. See Note 10 to our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and executive officers following the distribution. The respective age of each individual in the table below is as of August 1, 2021.

 

Name

   Age     

Principal Positions and Directorships

Jean-Michel Ribiéras

     59      Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Matthew Barron

     49      Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Thomas A. Cleves

     59      Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Rodrigo Davoli

     42      Senior Vice President & General Manager, Latin America

Greg Gibson

     60      Senior Vice President & General Manager, North America

Peggy Maes

     57      Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer

John V. Sims

     58      Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Oliver Taudien

     50      Senior Vice President & General Manager, Europe

Patrick Wilczynski

     52      Senior Vice President, Operational Excellence

Stan Askren

     60      Director

Christine S. Breves

     65      Director

Jeanmarie Desmond

     54      Director

Liz Gottung

     65      Director

Joia M. Johnson

     61      Director

David Petratis

     63      Director

J. Paul Rollinson

     59      Director

James P. Zallie

     60      Director

Set forth below is biographical information for each of the directors and executive officers named in the table above.

Executive Officers

Jean-Michel Ribiéras. Jean-Michel Ribiéras has been our President and a director since March 2021 and will be our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer as of the Distribution Date. Mr. Ribiéras has over 26 years of service with International Paper. He has served as Senior Vice President – Industrial Packaging the Americas of International Paper since June 2018. He previously served as Senior Vice President – Global Cellulose Fibers of International Paper from July 2016 through June 2018 and led the integration of Weyerhaeuser’s cellulose fibers business with International Paper’s pulp business. Prior to that role, he served as Senior Vice President & President, IP Europe, Middle East, Africa & Russia of International Paper from 2013 until June 2016, and Vice President & President – IP Latin America of International Paper from 2009 until 2013. He previously held a variety of roles of increasing responsibility at International Paper in Europe and in the United States, including Vice President of European Papers from 2002 to 2004 and Vice President of International Paper’s pulp and Converting Papers businesses from 2005 to 2009. Mr. Ribiéras has a bachelor’s degree in Management from École Supérieure des Dirigeants d’Entreprise (France) and a Master of Marketing from University of Hartford, and has completed INSEAD’s advanced management program (France).

Mr. Ribiéras brings to the board his extensive experience and leadership skills, developed from his nearly three decades of experience at the Company, including his experience running the North American, Latin American and European segments of Sylvamo.

Matthew Barron. Matthew Barron will be our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary as of the Distribution Date. Since 2018, Mr. Barron has served as International Paper’s associate

 

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general counsel with responsibility for corporate law, environmental, health and safety, information technology and intellectual property. In 2014, Mr. Barron was appointed associate general counsel supporting International Paper’s Papers, Pulp and Consumer Packaging businesses, and after the acquisition of Weyerhaeuser’s Cellulose Fibers business in 2016, he was dedicated to the Global Cellulose Fibers business. In 2011, he was named finance director, Consumer Packaging, and later served as general counsel for xpedx, International Paper’s former distribution business, where he assisted with the spin-off of that division. Mr. Barron spent his first five years at International Paper as an attorney in the company’s corporate law department, responsible for mergers, acquisitions and securities law. Mr. Barron joined International Paper in 2006, after working for the law firm of Sullivan & Worcester LLP in Boston, Mass. Mr. Barron served on the board of directors of the Mid-South Food Bank from 2016 to 2021 and previously served on the board of ASG Worldwide (AGI-Shorewood), a business of Atlas Holdings LLC. He has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Fairfield University and a JD from the University of Connecticut.

Thomas A. Cleves. Thomas A. Cleves will be our Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs as of the Distribution Date. Mr. Cleves has served as International Paper’s vice president, Global Citizenship, with responsibility for sustainability, community engagement, communications and corporate marketing, since 2015. In 2007, Mr. Cleves was named vice president, Investor Relations, and served as vice president and general manager, Containerboard and Recycling from 2011 to 2015. During his career, Mr. Cleves has worked in sales, marketing, strategic planning, general management and leadership roles in International Paper’s Fine Papers, Printing Papers and Industrial Packaging businesses. Mr. Cleves entered the paper and packaging industry in 1983 and joined International Paper in 1987 with the acquisition of Hammermill Paper Company. He serves on the board of trustees for the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission. Mr. Cleves has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Northern Kentucky University and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University.

Rodrigo Davoli. Rodrigo Davoli will be our Senior Vice President & General Manager, Latin America as of the Distribution Date. In 2017, Mr. Davoli was named vice president, Latin America Printing Papers and president of International Paper Brazil. From 2011 to 2017, Mr. Davoli served as marketing manager, European Papers. Mr. Davoli served as general sales manager of IPEX, International Paper’s export company, and as commercial director for Latin America Printing Papers from 2016 to 2017. He has also held a variety of leadership positions in finance, strategic planning, marketing and sales. Mr. Davoli entered the paper and packaging industry in 1993 and joined International Paper with the merger of Champion International in 2000. Mr. Davoli serves on the Brazilian Pulp and Paper Association Board. He has bachelor’s degree in Law from Unipinhal University (Brazil) and an International Executive Master of Business Administration from São Paulo University (Brazil).

Greg Gibson. Greg Gibson will be our Senior Vice President and General Manager, North America as of the Distribution Date. Since 2016, Mr. Gibson has served as Vice President & General Manager, North American Papers. He has served as vice president and general manager for multiple International Paper commercial divisions, including Commercial Printing and Imaging papers, European Papers, European Packaging, Coated Paperboard and North American Papers. Mr. Gibson joined International Paper in 2000 as part of the company’s merger with Champion International. During his career, Mr. Gibson has held a variety of sales, marketing and general management roles. Mr. Gibson entered the paper and packaging industry in 1982. Mr. Gibson has served on the boards of the American Forest & Paper Association, Confederation of European Paper Industries, United Way of the Mid South and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He also serves on the City of Hope Medical Center National Business Products Council. Mr. Gibson has a bachelor’s degree in Economics from DePauw University.

Peggy Maes. Peggy Maes will be our Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer as of the Distribution Date. Ms. Maes joined International Paper in 2014 as human resources director, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Ms. Maes has 37 years of human resources experience, including helping multi-national corporations with start-ups, turnarounds, acquisitions and spin-offs. She spent 15 years working in high-tech industries and then as

 

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a consultant for start-up companies. She also worked in global human resources and talent management roles for Ingersoll Rand and Stanley Black & Decker. Ms. Maes has a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Instituut FUNCK (Belgium) and a Master of General Management from Solvay Brussels School (Belgium).

John V. Sims. John Sims will be our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer as of the Distribution Date. Mr. Sims has served as senior vice president, Corporate Development of International Paper since December 2019. Mr. Sims served as senior vice president and president, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Russia of International Paper from 2016 until December 2019. He became vice president and general manager, European Papers of International Paper in March 2016 and prior to that served as the vice president & general manager for International Paper’s North American Papers business from 2014. Mr. Sims has been an officer of International Paper since 2008 when he was appointed as vice president Strategic Planning. He then served as vice president Finance & Strategy for International Paper’s North American Industrial Packaging business before assuming general management responsibility for the U.S. Imaging Papers business, and then for the North American Papers division. Mr. Sims holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and an MBA from the University of Michigan.

Oliver Taudien. Oliver Taudien will be our Senior Vice President and General Manager, Europe as of the Distribution Date. He has served as chief financial officer and strategy director for Europe, Middle East and Africa since 2016. During his career, he has held leadership roles across multiple geographic regions in finance and strategy, information technology and general management. He served in roles such as business analysis director at the company’s global headquarters, European Papers finance director, finance director for Europe, Middle East and Africa Packaging, Information Technology director and general manager for the Corrugated Packaging business in Italy. Mr. Taudien joined International Paper in 1998. Mr. Taudien has a Master of Business from the University of Cologne (Germany).

Patrick Wilczynski. Patrick Wilczynski will be our Senior Vice President, Operational Excellence as of the Distribution Date. Since 2019, he has served as International Paper’s vice president, Capital Effectiveness. From 2017 to 2019, he was vice president and general manager, Coated Paperboard. He served as vice president, Global Manufacturing Safety from 2015 to 2016, where he helped establish the company’s safety leading indicators program. In 2012, Mr. Wilczynski was named vice president, Manufacturing, for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Mr. Wilczynski has held a variety of leadership roles in operations, technical services, manufacturing, environmental, health and safety and finance. Mr. Wilczynski joined International Paper in 1992. He began his career working in engineering and operating roles in paper mills. Mr. Wilczynski has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Pennsylvania State University.

Non-Employee Directors

Stan Askren. Stan Askren will serve as a director following the distribution. Since 2018, Mr. Askren has served as Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Quiet Trail Advisors, a private, senior level strategy and lean business advisory practice. He also currently serves as an advisor and lean business consultant for Lean Focus, LLC, a position he has held since 2019. Prior to his current roles, Mr. Askren held various positions of increasing responsibility over 27 years at HNI Corporation (“HNI”) until his retirement in 2018. Mr. Askren served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HNI from 2014 to 2018, President of HNI from 2003 to 2018 and Executive Vice President of HNI from 2001 to 2003. Mr. Askren has served on the board of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. since 2008 and on the board of Allison Transmission Holdings since 2016. He previously served on the board of HNI from 2003 to 2018. Mr. Askren has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master of Business Administration from Washington University.

Mr. Askren brings beneficial experience and attributes to our board of directors, including expertise in lean operations and business practice and experience gained from his position as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of HNI as well as broad-based experience in human resources, operations, marketing and multi-channel sales.

 

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Christine S. Breves. Christine Breves will serve as a director following the distribution. Since 2019, Ms. Breves has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United States Steel Corporation, a producer of flat-rolled and tubular steel products with operations in the United States and Central Europe (“U.S. Steel”). As Chief Financial Officer, she leads all aspects of the company’s financial responsibilities including internal and external reporting, credit, tax, treasury services, investor relations, pension responsibilities, internal controls, and internal audit administrative oversight. She also continues to lead the company’s global procurement function, S&OP, and information technology. Prior to her current role at U.S. Steel, she was Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Support and Chief Supply Chain Officer from 2017 to 2019, Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer from 2015 to 2017, and Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer from 2013 to 2015. Prior to joining U.S. Steel, Ms. Breves held increasingly responsible leadership positions at Alcoa, culminating in her serving as Chief Procurement Officer. Ms. Breves holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from College of Charleston and a Master of Business Administration from The Citadel.

Ms. Breves brings executive experience in financial system management, risk management, procurement and global sourcing strategies, manufacturing operations, strategy, and business transformation.

Jeanmarie Desmond. Jeanmarie Desmond will serve as a director following the distribution. From 2019 to 2020, Ms. Desmond was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of DuPont de Nemours, Inc., a global multi-industry specialty solutions company formerly known as DowDuPont, Inc. (collectively “DuPont”). Ms. Desmond previously served as Vice President and Co-Controller for DuPont from 2017 to 2019 and as Vice President, Controller of EI DuPont De Nemours & Company, the predecessor to DuPont prior to its merger with the Dow Chemical Company in 2017, from 2015 to 2017. Since 2021, Ms. Desmond has served on the board of IPG Photonics Corporation and since 2020, she has served on the board of Trinseo S.A. Ms. Desmond has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Mt. St. Mary’s University and is a certified public accountant (inactive).

Ms. Desmond has substantial finance and accounting experience, including finance leadership and operations financial planning and analysis, tax, internal audit, accounting controls, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations and extensive experience in the manufacturing and chemicals industry.

Liz Gottung. Liz Gottung will serve as a director following the distribution. Since 2017, Ms. Gottung has served as Principal and Consultant for Liz Gottung, LLC. Prior to her current role, over the past 25 years Ms. Gottung held a variety of human resources, manufacturing and operational roles of increasing responsibility with Kimberly-Clark Corporation (“Kimberly-Clark”). Mostly recently, she served as Chief Human Resources Officer from 2002 to 2017. Since 2006, Ms. Gottung has served on the board of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation and currently serves as Chair of the Governance Committee and Vice-Chair of the Compensation Committee. Ms. Gottung has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the State University of New York at Albany.

Ms. Gottung brings experience in labor relations and human resources in a large publicly held corporation to our board of directors, with extensive experience in leading, designing and implementing human capital strategies including compensation and benefits, both domestically and globally, talent management, diversity and inclusion, organizational strategy and deployment.

Joia M. Johnson. Joia Johnson will serve as a director following the distribution. She retired in 2021 as Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE: HBI), a leading marketer and manufacturer of apparel (“Hanes”). Ms. Johnson served as Hanes’ Chief Administrative Officer from 2016 to 2021 and as its Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary from 2007 to 2021. She currently serves on the board of Global Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN), a leading Fortune 500 payments technology company. At Global Payments, Johnson is a member of the Compensation Committee and the Technology Committee. She also serves on the boards of Regions Financial Corp. (NYSE: RF) and its subsidiary, Regions Bank, and is a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Risk Committee of both boards.

 

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From February 2011 to May 2019, Ms. Johnson was a member of the board of Crawford & Company (NYSE: CRDA and CRDB), specializing in insurance claims administration. For four of those years she served as Chair of the Compensation Committee, and throughout she served as a member of the Audit Committee. From 2003 to 2019, Ms. Johnson was a member of the board of H.J. Russell & Company, a private real estate development, construction and property management business. Ms. Johnson serves on the board of Novant Health, having served as immediate past chair of the board of the Greater Winston-Salem Market, and she has chaired the boards of several other non-profit organizations in Winston-Salem.

Ms. Johnson earned her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania, her master of business administration degree from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and her bachelor’s degree from Duke University.

Ms. Johnson brings to our board of directors global leadership experience over several corporate functions for publicly traded companies, including legal, human resources, corporate social responsibility, government and trade relations, real estate, corporate security and her domestic and global mergers and acquisitions experience.

David Petratis. David Petratis will serve as a board member following the distribution. Since 2013, Mr. Petratis has served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Allegion plc, a global provider of mechanical and electronic security products and access solutions, and he led the spin-off of the company (NYSE: ALLE). Mr. Petratis previously served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quanex Building Products Corporation from 2008 to 2013, and held prior senior leadership roles at Schneider Electric, MGE UPS Systems Americas and Square D Company. He has extensive board experience, including eight years of service on the Gardner Denver corporate board and his present role on the University of Northern Iowa Business Executive Advisory Board. Mr. Petratis has a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University.

Mr. Petratis has extensive experience with operations and lean manufacturing, distribution and channel marketing and management, mergers and acquisitions, and strategy development and has won acclaim for manufacturing excellence and industry-leading safety performance.

J. Paul Rollinson. J. Paul Rollinson will serve as a board member following the distribution. Since 2012, Mr. Rollinson has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Kinross Gold Corporation, a gold mining company with a global portfolio of mines and projects (“Kinross”). Mr. Rollinson previously served as Executive Vice President, New Investments for Kinross from 2008 to 2012. Mr. Rollinson has a bachelor’s degree in geology from Laurentian University, Canada and a Master of Engineering in mining from McGill University, Canada.

Mr. Rollinson brings relevant leadership experience to our board of directors, including his current service as President and Chief Executive Officer of Kinross, his extensive experience in the forestry, mining, power and utilities, and industrial sectors and his experience in the Brazilian and Russian markets.

James P. Zallie. James Zallie will serve as a director following the distribution. Since 2018, Mr. Zallie has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ingredion Incorporated, a global ingredients solutions company (“Ingredion”). Prior to his current role, Mr. Zallie served Ingredion in various roles of increasing responsibility including as Executive Vice President, Global Specialties and President, Americas from 2016 to 2017, Executive Vice President, Global Specialties and President, North America and EMEA from 2014 to 2015, Executive Vice President, Global Specialties and President, EMEA and Asia Pacific from 2012 to 2014 and Executive Vice President and President, Global Ingredient Solutions from 2010 to 2012. Mr. Zallie previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Starch LLC (“National Starch”) from 2007 to 2010. National Starch was acquired by Ingredion in October 2010. Mr. Zallie previously served on the board of Innophos Holdings, Inc. from 2014 to 2018. Mr. Zallie has a bachelor’s degree in food science from Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree in food science from Rutgers University and a Master of Business Administration from Rutgers University.

 

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Mr. Zallie brings leadership, operating and manufacturing and general management experience to our board of directors, including his current service as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ingredion.

Corporate Governance

Board Composition and Director Independence

Following the completion of the separation and distribution, we expect that the size of our board of directors will be nine directors. Our directors will be elected annually to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

The number of members on our board of directors may be fixed by majority vote of the members of our board of directors. Any vacancy in the board of directors shall be filled by an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

Our board of directors has determined that                 and                  are independent in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the NYSE.

Committees of Our Board of Directors

Effective upon the listing of our common stock, our board of directors will have the following committees.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee, which following the distribution will consist of                 ,                  and                 , has the responsibility for, among other things, assisting the board of directors in reviewing our financial reporting

and other internal control processes, our financial statements, the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence, the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditors and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and our code of business conduct and ethics. The charter of our Audit Committee will be available without charge on the investor relations portion of our website upon the listing of our common stock.

                has been identified as an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC and each of the members has been determined to be “financially literate” under NYSE rules.

Management Development and Compensation Committee

The Management Development and Compensation Committee, which following the distribution will consist of                 ,                  and                 , has the responsibility for reviewing and approving the compensation and benefits of our employees, directors and consultants, administering our employee benefits plans, authorizing and ratifying stock option grants and other incentive arrangements and authorizing employment and related agreements. The charter of our Management Development and Compensation Committee will be available without charge on the investor relations portion of our website upon the listing of our common stock.

 

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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which following the distribution will consist of                 ,                  and                 , has the responsibility, among its other duties and responsibilities, for identifying and recommending candidates to the board of directors for election to our board of directors, reviewing the composition of the board of directors and its committees, developing and recommending to the board of directors corporate governance guidelines that are applicable to us, and overseeing board of directors evaluations. The charter of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will be available without charge on the investor relations portion of our website upon the listing of our common stock.

Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Prior to the listing of our common stock, our board of directors will adopt Corporate Governance Guidelines and a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for directors, officers, and employees. The Corporate Governance Guidelines will set forth our policies and procedures relating to corporate governance effective as of the completion of the distribution and will comply with the requirements of the NYSE. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines will be available on our website as of the time of our listing on the NYSE. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be applicable to our directors, officers and employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other senior officers effective as of the time of our listing on the NYSE, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the NYSE. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be available on our website as of the time of our listing on the NYSE.

Director Nomination Process

As discussed above, we intend to establish a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which will develop criteria for filling vacant board of director positions, taking into consideration such factors as it deems appropriate, including the candidate’s education and background, his or her general business experience and familiarity with our business and whether he or she possesses unique expertise or perspective that will be of value to us. After completing this evaluation, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will make recommendations to the full board of directors which in turn will make the final determination whether to nominate or appoint the new director after considering the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Sylvamo has not yet paid any compensation to the individuals who will become its executive officers or made any determinations with respect to the compensation of such executive officers following the distribution. We expect that Sylvamo’s board of directors or its Management Development and Compensation Committee will review all aspects of compensation of its executive officers and structure executive compensation arrangements as it believes appropriate. Information as to the historical compensation by International Paper of certain persons who will become executive officers of Sylvamo upon the completion of the distribution is not indicative of the expected compensation of those executives following the completion of the distribution. Accordingly, we have not included information regarding compensation and other benefits paid to those executives by International Paper prior to the date hereof.

Effective upon the listing of our common stock, our board of directors will have a Management Development and Compensation Committee. See “Management—Committees of Our Board of Directors—Management Development and Compensation Committee.” Following the distribution, the Management Development and Compensation Committee will commence to oversee and determine the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other executive officers of Sylvamo and evaluate and determine the appropriate executive compensation philosophy and objectives for Sylvamo’s business. The Management Development and Compensation Committee will evaluate and determine the appropriate design of Sylvamo’s executive compensation program and the appropriate process for establishing executive compensation. If determined to be necessary or appropriate by the Management Development and Compensation Committee, the Management Development and Compensation Committee will retain a compensation consultant to provide advice and support to the committee in the design and implementation of the executive compensation program for Sylvamo.

Compensation Arrangements Following the Distribution

International Paper’s Management Development and Compensation Committee (“MDCC”) has determined the general framework of Sylvamo’s initial executive compensation program, including, for the individuals we expect to be Sylvamo’s executive officers for 2021, base salary, short-term and long-term incentive compensation targets and severance arrangements. In connection with Sylvamo becoming an independent, publicly-traded company, two plans have been approved and adopted by the MDCC: the 2021 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Sylvamo ICP”) and the 2021 Executive Severance Plan (the “Sylvamo Severance Plan”), each described below. Following the distribution, our Management Development and Compensation Committee and board of directors will review and consider these plans and may make adjustments as it determines are necessary or appropriate.

General Executive Compensation Framework

The MDCC approved a compensation philosophy for Sylvamo that is described below. Following the distribution, our Management Development and Compensation Committee will review and consider this philosophy and may make adjustments as it determines are necessary or appropriate. The current compensation philosophy for Sylvamo aims to achieve the following for our executive officers:

 

   

Be market competitive and flexible to react to changing business and industry dynamics

 

   

Drive engagement through rewards programs that differentiate individual contributions and motivate employees to strive for superior performance

 

   

Reward achievement of specific goals that drive sustainable long-term profitability and shareholder value creation

 

   

Promote accountability by placing a significant emphasis on at-risk variable incentive compensation

 

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The MDCC also approved the following base salary and short-term and long-term incentive compensation targets for the following four individuals, each of whom we expect to be one of our named executive officers for 2021. Like our compensation philosophy, these targets will be subject to review and adjustment as our Management Development and Compensation Committee determines to be necessary or appropriate. Due to uncertainty in the expected post-distribution compensation for certain of our other executive officers, we are not able to determine our expected fifth named executive officer for 2021 at this time.

 

Name

   Annual Base
Salary
     Annual
Target Bonus
     Annual
Target
Long-Term
Incentive
 

Jean-Michel Ribiéras

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

   $ 1,000,000      $ 1,000,000      $ 3,300,000  

John V. Sims

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

   $ 575,000      $ 440,000      $ 1,050,000  

Greg C. Gibson

Senior Vice President & General Manager, North America

   $ 480,000      $ 280,000      $ 560,000  

Thomas A. Cleves

Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs

   $ 437,295      $ 196,700      $ 432,900  

None of our named executive officers are expected to have employment agreements with Sylvamo as of the distribution, but are expected to participate in the Sylvamo Severance Plan. The treatment of our executive officers’ short-term and long-term International Paper incentive awards outstanding as of the distribution will be as described under “The Distribution – Employee Matters Agreement – Cash and Equity Incentive Compensation Plans”.

2021 Incentive Compensation Plan

Purpose, Eligibility and Duration

The purpose of the Sylvamo ICP is to provide incentives for non-employee directors and designated employees of Sylvamo and its affiliates to improve the performance of Sylvamo on a long-term basis, and to attract and retain employees. Our employees and directors will be eligible to receive awards under the Sylvamo ICP.

Unless earlier terminated by action of our board of directors, the Sylvamo ICP will terminate on the date of Sylvamo’s 2031 annual shareholder meeting, and no further awards may be granted under the Sylvamo ICP after the end of the term.

Administration

The Sylvamo ICP Plan will be administered by our board of directors or a committee of the board of directors designated by the board to administer the plan (the “Administrator”). We expect that our Management Development and Compensation Committee will administer the Sylvamo ICP. Subject to certain limitations and applicable law, the Administrator may delegate its authority under the Sylvamo ICP to one or more members of the board of directors or our Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer. With respect to awards to officers or directors subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, the Administrator will mean two or more “non-employee directors” within the meaning of such rule.

The Administrator will select the employees and directors who receive awards under the Sylvamo ICP and determine the type of award to be granted, the number of shares subject to awards or the cash amount payable in

 

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connection with an award and the terms and conditions of these awards. Among other powers, the Administrator may, in its discretion, at any time accelerate or suspend the vesting of any award granted under the Sylvamo ICP. The Administrator will have full authority to interpret the Sylvamo ICP and to establish and prescribe rules for its administration.

Plan Limits

We expect that an aggregate of ten percent (10%) of the shares of Sylvamo common stock outstanding as of the distribution will be authorized to be issued under the Sylvamo ICP and that the plan will include additional provisions on how shares would be counted against the plan limit and when cancelled, forfeited, terminated or expired shares will be added back to the plan limit and again be made available for future grant.

Permissible Awards

The Sylvamo ICP authorizes the granting of awards in any of the following forms:

 

   

restricted stock, which is subject to restrictions on transferability and subject to forfeiture on terms set by the Administrator;

 

   

restricted or deferred stock units, which represent the right to receive shares of common stock (or an equivalent value in cash or other property, as specified in the award certificate) at a designated time in the future;

 

   

performance awards, which are awards payable in cash or stock upon the attainment of specified performance goals (any award that may be granted under the Sylvamo ICP may be granted in the form of a performance award);

 

   

dividend equivalents, which entitle the participant to payments (or an equivalent value payable in stock or other property) equal to any dividends paid on the shares of stock underlying such full-value award, which dividend equivalents may be paid only at the time the underlying award is paid;

 

   

market-priced options to purchase shares of our common stock, which may be designated under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) as non-qualified stock options (which may be granted to all participants) or incentive stock options (which may be granted to employees, but not to non-employee directors)

 

   

stock appreciation rights, which give the holder the right to receive the difference (payable in cash or stock, as specified in the award certificate) between the fair market value per share of our common stock on the date of exercise over the base price of the award (which cannot be less than the fair market value of the underlying stock as of the grant date);

 

   

other stock-based awards in the discretion of the Administrator, including unrestricted stock grants; and

 

   

cash-based awards, including performance-based annual incentive awards.

Limitations on Transfer; Beneficiaries 

A participant may not assign or transfer an award under the Sylvamo ICP, other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or except in the case of an incentive stock option, under a qualified domestic relations order. The Administrator may permit other transfers where it concludes that such transferability does not result in accelerated taxation, does not cause any option intended to be an incentive stock option to fail to qualify as such, and is otherwise appropriate and desirable, taking into account any factors deemed relevant, including without limitation, any state or federal tax or securities laws or regulations applicable to transferable awards; however, no award may be transferred for value. A participant may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any award upon the participant’s death.

 

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Conditions on Awards

As may be specified in an award agreement, awards may be forfeited if a participant voluntarily terminates employment prior to retirement eligibility or is terminated for cause; if a participant violates a non-competition, non-solicitation or confidentiality agreement; if an executive officer fails to provide one year’s advance notice of retirement (except in the event of death, disability or waiver by the Administrator); or, if a participant engages in conduct that is detrimental to the business interest or reputation of Sylvamo, or deemed to be a deliberate disregard of Sylvamo’s policies.

Awards under the Sylvamo ICP shall also be subject to any compensation recoupment policy that Sylvamo may adopt from time to time. Further, if any of Sylvamo’s financial statements are required to be restated, resulting from errors, omissions or fraud, the Administrator may direct that Sylvamo recover all or any portion of an award with respect to any fiscal year of Sylvamo the financial results of which are negatively affected by such restatement.

Acceleration Upon Certain Events

Unless otherwise provided in an award certificate, special plan document, or other agreement:

 

   

If a participant’s service terminates by reason of death or disability, (a) outstanding service-based awards will become fully vested, and (b) outstanding performance-based awards will be prorated based on the number of months the participant remained employed in the performance period and such prorated amount will be payable at the end of the performance period based on actual Sylvamo performance.

 

   

If a participant’s service terminates after he or she becomes retirement eligible under the Sylvamo ICP, (a) outstanding service-based awards will vest on a prorated basis based on the number of months the participant remained employed in the vesting period, and (b) outstanding performance-based awards will be prorated based on the number of months the participant remained employed in the performance period and such prorated amount will be payable at the end of the performance period based on actual Sylvamo performance.

 

   

Upon a change in control of Sylvamo, the following will occur with respect to outstanding awards (i) upon the change in control, if outstanding awards are not assumed by the surviving company in the change in control or (ii) upon a termination of employment without cause or a resignation for good reason within two years following a change in control, if outstanding awards are not assumed by the surviving company in the change in control (and the date of the change in control or employment termination is referred to below as the “relevant date”):

 

   

all time-based restrictions applicable to outstanding awards shall lapse as of the relevant date;

 

   

the level of performance achievement under a participant’s performance-based awards shall be calculated as follows for segmented awards:

 

   

the portion of the award that has been “banked” by the Administrator (i.e., have been earned due to achievement of performance conditions but require additional service in order to fully vest) shall be fully vested as of relevant date; and

 

   

the portion of the award that relates to any segment that has not been completed as of the relevant date shall vest based on target performance levels; and

 

   

the level of performance achievement under a participant’s performance-based awards shall be calculated as follows for non-segmented awards:

 

   

where less than a year has elapsed in the performance period as of relevant date, the award will fully vest based on target performance levels; and

 

   

where a year or more has elapsed in the performance period as of the relevant date, as applicable, the award will vest based on actual company performance through such date.

 

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In addition, the Administrator may, in its discretion, accelerate the vesting and/or payment of awards at any time. The Administrator may differentiate among participants or among awards in exercising such discretion. The Administrator may not accelerate payment of any award if such acceleration would violate Section 409A of the Code.

Adjustments

In the event of a transaction between Sylvamo and its stockholders that causes the per-share value of our common stock to change (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering, or large nonrecurring cash dividend), the share authorization limits under the Sylvamo ICP will be adjusted proportionately, and the Administrator will make such adjustments to the Sylvamo ICP and awards as it deems necessary, in its sole discretion, to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights immediately resulting from such transaction. In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend, or a combination or consolidation of the outstanding common stock into a lesser number of shares, the authorization limits under the Sylvamo ICP will automatically be adjusted proportionately, and the shares then subject to each award will automatically be adjusted proportionately without any change in the aggregate purchase price.

Termination and Amendment

The board of directors or the Administrator may, at any time and from time to time, terminate or amend the Sylvamo ICP; however, if an amendment would constitute a material amendment requiring shareowner approval under applicable listing requirements, laws, policies or regulations, then such amendment will be subject to stockholder approval. In addition, the board of directors or the Administrator may condition any amendment on the approval of stockholders for any other reason. No termination or amendment of the Sylvamo ICP may, without the written consent of the participant, reduce or diminish the value of an award determined as if the award had been exercised, vested, cashed in or otherwise settled on the date of such amendment or termination.

The Administrator may amend or terminate outstanding awards to one or more participants. However, such amendments may require the consent of the affected participants and, unless approved by stockholders, the exercise price of an outstanding option or base price of a stock appreciation right may not be reduced, directly or indirectly, and the original term of an option may not be extended.

Prohibition on Repricing

As indicated above under “—Termination and Amendment,” outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights cannot be repriced, directly or indirectly, without the prior consent of stockholders. The exchange of an “underwater” option (i.e., an option having an exercise price in excess of the current market value of the underlying stock) for another award would be considered an indirect repricing and would, therefore, require the prior consent of stockholders.

Expenses

All expenses of the Sylvamo ICP are paid for by Sylvamo.

2021 Executive Severance Plan

The Sylvamo Severance Plan is designed to provide consistent severance payments and benefits to Sylvamo’s U.S.-based executives, including its executive officers, in the event of a termination of employment (i) by Sylvamo for reasons other than death, disability or for “cause” (as defined in the Sylvamo Severance Plan) or (ii) by the executive for “good reason” (as defined in the Sylvamo Severance Plan) (each, a “Qualifying Termination”). In general, the Sylvamo Severance Plan will provide Sylvamo’s executive officers with severance following a Qualifying Termination equal to the executive’s annual base salary payable in a lump sum, a pro-rata

 

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bonus based on actual performance for the year of termination and certain outplacement benefits. Upon a Qualifying Termination that occurs within two years following a change in control of Sylvamo, the severance benefit for an executive officer would be equal to 1.5 times (or, in the case of the CEO, 2.5 times) the sum of his of her annual base salary and target bonus, payable in a lump sum, plus a pro rata bonus paid at target levels. Following a Qualifying Termination, the Sylvamo Severance Plan also provides for continuation of group health care coverage at active employee rates for a period of up to 18 months (or up to one year for an executive other than the CEO terminated not in connection with a change in control), plus certain outplacement benefits.

In addition to the Qualifying Termination benefits described above, the Sylvamo Severance Plan will provide for certain benefits under Sylvamo’s annual cash bonus plan upon a termination of employment due to death, permanent disability or retirement after age 55 with at least 10 years of service with Sylvamo (which shall include services with International Paper prior to the distribution) or at any point after age 65. Participants in the Sylvamo Severance Plan whose employment terminates due their death or permanent disability will receive a pro rated annual bonus for the year of termination assuming target levels of performance had been achieved. Participants in the Sylvamo Severance Plan whose employment terminates due their retirement will receive a pro rated annual bonus for the year of termination based on actual performance achieved.

As a condition to participation in the Sylvamo Severance Plan, eligible executives must agree to a one-year post-termination non-compete and employee and client/customer non-solicit covenant, a perpetual confidentiality covenant and a perpetual non-disparagement covenant, and must execute a customary release of claims in order to receive any severance payments or benefits.

Director Compensation

International Paper’s Governance Committee has determined that the individuals who will become Sylvamo’s non-employee directors will receive an annual cash retainer of $100,000 and an equity retainer of $125,000. The chairperson of each of the Audit Committee, Management Development and Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will receive an additional annual cash payment of $25,000, $20,000 and $15,000, respectively. The lead independent director will receive an additional annual cash payment of $25,000. Following the distribution, compensation of Sylvamo’s directors will be reviewed and recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and set by Sylvamo’s board of directors. It is anticipated that no additional remuneration will be paid to any of our directors who are also our executives. We expect the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will periodically review the compensation payable to our directors who are not our executives.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, Sylvamo was not an independent company, and did not have a compensation committee or any other committee serving a similar function. Decisions as to the compensation of those individuals who will serve as Sylvamo’s executive officers following the distribution will be made by Sylvamo’s Management Development and Compensation Committee.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

As of the date of this information statement and immediately prior to the distribution, all of the outstanding shares of Sylvamo’s common stock will be owned by Sylvamo’s parent, International Paper. Immediately following the distribution, International Paper will retain no more than approximately 19.9% of Sylvamo’s common stock.

The table below presents information with respect to the expected beneficial ownership of our common stock immediately after the distribution by: (i) each person known by us who will beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock, including International Paper; (ii) each of our directors and executive officers; and (iii) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise noted above or in the footnotes below, each person or entity identified below has sole voting and investment power with respect to such securities. To the extent our directors and executive officers own International Paper common stock as of the Record Date for the distribution, they will participate in the distribution on the same terms as other holders of International Paper common stock.

The share amounts and percentages listed below are based on each person’s beneficial ownership of International Paper common stock on                     , 2021, giving effect to a distribution ratio of one share of Sylvamo common stock for every nine shares of International Paper common stock held by such person.

Immediately following the distribution, we estimate that approximately                    shares of Sylvamo common stock will be issued and outstanding, based on                    shares of International Paper common stock outstanding as of                    , 2021. The actual number of shares of Sylvamo common stock outstanding following the distribution will be determined on the Record Date.

The amounts and percentages of shares beneficially owned are reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities and give effect to the distribution. Under SEC rules, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares voting power or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Securities that can be so acquired are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing such person’s ownership percentage, but not for purposes of computing any other person’s percentage. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest.

 

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Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each beneficial owner who is also a director or executive officer is c/o Sylvamo Corporation,                 .

 

     Common Stock Beneficially Owned After the Distribution  
Name of Beneficial Owner    Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
     Percentage of Common
Stock Outstanding
 

International Paper Company(1)

     

The Vanguard Group(2)

     

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(3)

     

BlackRock, Inc.(4)

     

State Street Corporation(5)

     

Jean-Michel Ribiéras

     

Matthew Barron

     

Thomas A. Cleves

     

Rodrigo Davoli

     

Greg Gibson

     

Peggy Maes

     

John V. Sims

     

Oliver Taudien

     

Patrick Wilczynski

     

Stan Askren

     

Christine S. Breves

     

Jeanmarie Desmond

     

Liz Gottung

     

Joia M. Johnson

     

David Petratis

     

J. Paul Rollinson

     

James P. Zallie

     

All directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons)

     

 

*

Less than 1%.

(1)

Immediately prior to the spin-off, International Paper will be the record holder of                    shares of common stock. International Paper’s principal place of business is 6400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38197.

(2)

The address of The Vanguard Group (“Vanguard”) is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355. We have relied upon information supplied by Vanguard in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC relating to International Paper on February 10, 2021. According to the Schedule 13G/A, Vanguard had shared voting power over 622,406 shares, sole dispositive power over 43,474,705 shares of International Paper and shared dispositive power over 1,717,351 shares of International Paper.

(3)

The address of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“T. Rowe Price”) is 100 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. We have relied upon information supplied by T. Rowe Price in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC relating to International Paper on February 16, 2021. According to the Schedule 13G/A, T. Rowe Price had sole voting power over 20,052,362 shares of International Paper and sole dispositive power over 40,043,391 shares of International Paper.

(4)

The address of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. We have relied upon information supplied by BlackRock in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC relating to International Paper on January 29, 2021. According to the Schedule 13G/A, BlackRock had sole voting power over 33,393,680 shares of International Paper and sole dispositive power over 36,804,762 shares of International Paper.

 

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(5)

The address of State Street Corporation (“State Street”) is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111. We have relied upon information supplied by State Street in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC relating to International Paper on February 12, 2021. According to the Schedule 13G, State Street had shared voting power over 22,843,806 shares of International Paper and shared dispositive power over 24,667,209 shares of International Paper. State Street held shares of common stock of International Paper as independent trustee in trust funds for employee savings, thrift and similar employee benefit plans of the Company and its subsidiaries (“IP Trust Funds”). In addition, State Street is trustee for various third-party trusts and employee benefit plans. The common stock held by the IP Trust Funds is allocated to participants’ accounts and such stock or the cash equivalent will be distributed to participants upon termination of employment or pursuant to withdrawal rights. For purposes of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, State Street is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such securities; however, State Street expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

Policies and Procedures for Related Person Transactions

In connection with the distribution, we expect that our board of directors will approve policies and procedures with respect to the review and approval of certain transactions between Sylvamo and a “Related Person” (a “Related Person Transaction”), which we refer to as our “Related Person Transaction Policy.” Pursuant to the terms of the Related Person Transaction Policy, any Related Person Transaction will be required to be reported to the legal department, which will then determine whether it should be submitted to our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for consideration. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee must then review and decide whether to approve any Related Person Transaction.

For the purposes of the Related Person Transaction Policy, we expect that a “Related Person Transaction” will be a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which Sylvamo (including any of its subsidiaries) was, is or will be a participant and in which any Related Person had, has or will have a direct or indirect interest.

We expect that a “Related Person,” as defined in the Related Person Transaction Policy, will mean any person who is, or at any time since the beginning of our last fiscal year was, a director or executive officer of Sylvamo or a nominee to become a director of Sylvamo; any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of Sylvamo common stock; any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, including any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law of the director, executive officer, nominee or more than five percent beneficial owner, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer, nominee or more than five percent beneficial owner; and any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is a general partner or, for other ownership interests, a limited partner or other owner in which such person has a beneficial ownership interest of ten percent or more.

Related Person Transactions

Agreements with International Paper

For a description of the agreements that we expect will exist between International Paper and Sylvamo following the distribution, see “The Distribution—Relationships Between International Paper and Sylvamo Following the Distribution.”

Director Indemnification Agreements

Prior to the completion of the distribution, we will enter into indemnification agreements with our directors. The indemnification agreements will provide the directors with contractual rights to indemnification and expense rights. See “Description of Capital Stock—Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

Following the distribution, our authorized capital stock will consist of                     shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, and                     shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share.

Based on the number of shares of International Paper common stock outstanding on                    , 2021, approximately                    shares of Sylvamo common stock will be issued to holders of International Paper common stock on the Distribution Date. In addition, International Paper will continue to hold                    shares of Sylvamo common stock following the Distribution Date. The actual number of shares distributed (and held by International Paper following the distribution) will be based on the number of International Paper shares outstanding on the Record Date. All of the shares of Sylvamo common stock to be distributed to International Paper shareholders in the distribution will be fully paid and non-assessable.

In connection with the distribution, we will amend and restate our certificate of incorporation and by-laws. The following summary describes certain provisions of Sylvamo’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws relating to its capital stock. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to Sylvamo’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws, the forms of which will be filed as exhibits to a subsequent amendment to the registration statement on Form 10 of which this information statement is a part.

Common Stock

Voting Rights

A holder of common stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held by such holder of record on the books of Sylvamo for all matters on which stockholders of Sylvamo are entitled to vote. There shall be no cumulative voting.

Our amended and restated by-laws will provide the voting requirements for the election of directors. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting and entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of stockholders will decide the election of any directors in a non-contested election. Pursuant to our amended and restated by-laws, any director nominee in a non-contested election who fails to receive the requisite majority of votes cast “for” his or her election must tender his or her resignation, and our board of directors, through its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (excluding the nominee in question), will determine whether or not to accept the resignation at its next regularly scheduled meeting. In case the resignation is not accepted, our board of directors will disclose the explanation of its decision through a Form 8-K. In a contested election, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of our common stock present, in person or by proxy, at the meting and entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of stockholders will decide the election of any directors. An election will be considered contested if, as of the record date, there are more nominees for election than positions on the board of directors to be filled by election at the meeting. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting and entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of stockholders will decide all other matters voted on by stockholders, unless the question is one upon which, by express provision of law, under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, or under our amended and restated by-laws, a different vote is required, in which case such provision will control.

For so long as International Paper continues to hold retained outstanding shares of common stock of Sylvamo, International Paper will vote such retained shares in proportion to the votes cast by the other holders of Sylvamo’s common stock and will grant Sylvamo a proxy for such retained shares requiring this manner of voting.

 

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Dividend Rights

Holders of Sylvamo common stock will be entitled to participate ratably in such dividends, whether in cash, property, stock or otherwise, as may be declared by the board of directors from time to time out of assets or funds of Sylvamo legally available therefor, subject to the prior rights and preferences, if any, that may be applicable to preferred stock then outstanding. See “Dividend Policy.”

Liquidation

Holders of Sylvamo common stock will be entitled, upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, to share equally and ratably in any assets remaining after the payment of all debt and other liabilities, subject to the prior rights, if any, of holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of all or substantially all of the assets or winding-up of Sylvamo, after all creditors of Sylvamo shall have been paid in full and after payment of all sums, if any, payable in respect of preferred stock, if any, the holders of our common stock shall be entitled to share ratably in all distributions of assets pursuant to such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of all or substantially all of the assets or winding-up of Sylvamo.

Others Rights

Holders of our common stock will have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that our board of directors may designate and issue in the future.

Preferred Stock

Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors will have the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to                    shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and the relative participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each series, including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series. Upon completion of the distribution, no shares of our authorized preferred stock will be outstanding.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended and Restated By-laws and Applicable Law

We expect that certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws, as well as certain provisions of Delaware law, may discourage or make more difficult a takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in his or her best interest. These provisions may also adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock. We believe that the benefits of increased protection give us the potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us and outweigh the disadvantage of discouraging those proposals because negotiation of the proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Authorized but Unissued Shares of Capital Stock

Common Stock. The remaining shares of authorized and unissued common stock will be available for future issuance without additional stockholder approval. While the additional shares are not designed to deter or prevent a change of control, under some circumstances we could use the additional shares to create voting impediments or to frustrate persons seeking to effect a takeover or otherwise gain control by, for example, issuing those shares in private placements to purchasers who might side with our board of directors in opposing a hostile takeover bid.

 

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Preferred Stock. The existence of authorized but unissued preferred stock could reduce our attractiveness as a target for an unsolicited takeover bid since we could, for example, issue shares of preferred stock to parties who might oppose such a takeover bid or shares that contain terms the potential acquiror may find unattractive. This may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control, may discourage bids for the common stock at a premium over the market price of the common stock, and may adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and other rights of the holders of, our common stock.

Removal of Directors; Vacancies

Our certificate of incorporation will provide that directors may be removed, with or without cause, at any time upon the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Any vacancy in the board of directors shall be filled by an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.

No Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that stockholder action may be taken only at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders and may not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting.

Special Meetings of Stockholders

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by or at the direction of the Chairperson of our board of directors or our chief executive officer or our board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of our board of directors or by the Secretary upon written request of one or more record holders representing ownership of 20% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote on the business to be brought before the proposed special meeting.

Requirements for Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals

Our amended and restated by-laws will establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders to make nominations of candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before an annual meeting of our stockholders. Our amended and restated by-laws will provide that any stockholder wishing to nominate persons for election as directors at, or bring other business before, an annual meeting must deliver to our corporate secretary a written notice of the stockholder’s intention to do so. These provisions may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed. We expect that these provisions may also discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company. To be timely, the stockholder’s notice must be delivered to our corporate secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days before the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or more than 70 days after the first anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to our corporate secretary (x) not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the meeting or (y) no later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which a public announcement of the date of the meeting is first made by us.

Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock then entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of stockholders.

 

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In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws will provide that our amended and restated by-laws may be amended, altered or repealed, or new by-laws may be adopted, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board of directors, or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock then entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of stockholders.

Section 203 of the DGCL

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we not will be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL until the first date on which International Paper ceases to own (directly or indirectly) 10% of the then-outstanding shares of our common stock. From and after such date, we will be governed by Section 203 for so long as Section 203 by its terms would apply to us.

Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination, such as a merger, with a person or group owning 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

   

prior to such time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

   

upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder, those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

   

at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Generally, a business combination includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is any entity or person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within the previous three years owned, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation. We expect the existence of this provision in the future to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions our board of directors does not approve in advance. We also anticipate that Section 203 may discourage attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.

Choice of Forum

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of Sylvamo, (ii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed to Sylvamo or Sylvamo’s stockholders by any of Sylvamo’s current or former directors, officers, employees, stockholders or agents, (iii) any action or proceedings asserting a claim arising under the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated by-laws, or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or (iv) any action asserting or proceeding a claim against Sylvamo that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. As permitted by Delaware law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America will, to the fullest extent permitted

 

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by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder. To the fullest extent permitted by law, by becoming a stockholder of Sylvamo, you will be deemed to have notice of and have consented to the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation related to choice of forum. Neither this provision nor the exclusive forum provision will mean that stockholders have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

We have included this exclusive forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation because such provision, in our view, is in the best interests of Sylvamo and our stockholders for the following reasons: (i) the exclusive forum provision provides that certain intra-corporate disputes will be litigated in Delaware, the state in which Sylvamo is incorporated and whose law governs such disputes; (ii) the Delaware Chancery Court has developed extensive expertise in dealing with corporate law issues, as well as a substantial and influential body of case law interpreting Delaware’s corporate law; (iii) the exclusive forum provision will help us avoid multiple lawsuits in numerous jurisdictions relating to the same dispute, thus preventing corporate resources from being unnecessarily diverted to address duplicative, costly and wasteful multi-forum litigation; (iv) the exclusive forum provision will provide value to Sylvamo and our stockholders by facilitating consistency and predictability in litigation outcomes and reducing the risk that the outcome of cases in multiple jurisdictions could be inconsistent, even though each jurisdiction purports to follow Delaware law; (v) the exclusive forum provision does not materially change the substantive legal claims or remedies available to our stockholders, but rather only regulates the forum in which stockholders may file claims relating to certain specified intra-corporate disputes; and (vi) our board of directors has the ability to consent to an alternative forum in appropriate circumstances where the board determines that the interests of Sylvamo and our stockholders are best served by permitting a particular dispute to proceed in a forum other than Delaware.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will contain provisions permitted under the DGCL relating to the liability of directors. These provisions will eliminate a director’s personal liability for monetary damages resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty, except in circumstances involving:

 

   

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty;

 

   

acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law;

 

   

Section 174 of the DGCL (unlawful dividends); or

 

   

any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.

The principal effect of the limitation on liability provision is that a stockholder will be unable to prosecute an action for monetary damages against a director unless the stockholder can demonstrate a basis for liability for which indemnification is not available under the DGCL. These provisions, however, should not limit or eliminate our rights or any stockholder’s rights to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of director’s fiduciary duty. These provisions will not alter a director’s liability under U.S. federal securities laws. The inclusion of this provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for a breach of their fiduciary duties, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us and our stockholders.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws will require us to indemnify and advance expenses to our directors and officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL and other applicable law. Our amended and restated by-laws will provide that we are required to indemnify our directors and executive officers, to the fullest extent permitted by law, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with pending or threatened legal proceedings because

 

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of the director’s or officer’s positions with us or another entity that the director or officer serves at our request, subject to various conditions, and to pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by our directors and officers in advance of the final disposition to enable them to defend against such proceedings.

Listing

We have applied to list our shares of common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “SLVM.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for Sylvamo common stock will be Computershare Inc. The contact information for the transfer agent and registrar is:

Computershare Inc.

250 Royall Street

Canton, MA 02021

Tel: 1-877-581-5548

 

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SHARES AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE SALE

There is currently no public trading market for our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price and our ability to raise equity capital in the future.

Upon completion of the distribution, approximately                     shares of common stock will be outstanding. All of the shares distributed in the distribution will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act, unless purchased by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Persons who can be considered our affiliates after distribution generally include individuals or entities that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by or are under common control with us, and may include certain of our officers and directors. In addition, individuals who are affiliates of International Paper on the Distribution Date may be deemed to be affiliates of ours. Our affiliates may sell shares of common stock received in the distribution only:

 

   

pursuant to a registration statement that the SEC has declared effective under the Securities Act; or

 

   

under an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, such as the exemption afforded by Rule 144.

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is not deemed to be or have been one of our affiliates for purposes of the Securities Act at any time during 90 days preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than an affiliate, is entitled to sell such shares without registration, subject to compliance with the public information requirements of Rule 144. If such a person has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least one year, including the holding period of a prior owner other than an affiliate, then such person is entitled to sell such shares without complying with any of the requirements of Rule 144.

In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, our affiliates or persons selling shares on behalf of our affiliates, who have met the six-month holding period for beneficial ownership of “restricted shares” of our common stock, are entitled to sell within any three-month period, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:

 

   

1% of the number of shares of common stock then outstanding, which will equal approximately                    shares immediately after the completion of the distribution; and

 

   

the average reported weekly trading volume of our common stock on the NYSE during the four calendar weeks preceding the date of filing a notice of the sale on Form 144.

Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates or persons selling shares on behalf of our affiliates are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us. The sale of these shares, or the perception that sales will be made, could adversely affect the price of our common stock after the completion of the distribution because a great supply of shares would be, or would be perceived to be, available for sale in the public market.

Registration Rights Agreement

International Paper will have the right to require us to register shares of common stock for resale in some circumstances. See “The Distribution—Relationships Between Sylvamo and International Paper Following the Distribution—Registration Rights Agreement.”

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION

The following summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution to “U.S. holders” (as defined below). This summary is based on the Code, the Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code, and interpretations of the Code and the Treasury regulations by the courts and the IRS, all as they exist as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary is based upon the assumption that the separation and the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will be consummated in accordance with the separation and distribution agreement and the other separation-related agreements and as described elsewhere in this information statement.

This summary is limited to U.S. holders of shares of International Paper common stock. This is not a complete summary of all of the tax consequences of the distribution and it does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to particular holders of International Paper common stock in light of their particular circumstances, nor does it address tax considerations applicable to holders of International Paper common stock that are or may be subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws (such as, without limitation, financial institutions, mutual funds, certain former U.S. citizens or long-term residents of the United States, dealers in securities, traders in securities who elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, partnerships (or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or other pass-through entities or owners thereof, holders who hold their International Paper common stock as part of a “hedge,” “straddle,” “conversion,” “synthetic security,” “integrated investment” or “constructive sale” transaction, or holders who acquired International Paper common stock upon the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation or holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar). In addition, this summary is limited to holders of International Paper common stock that hold such common stock as a capital asset. Finally, this summary does not address any tax consequences arising under the alternative minimum tax, the Medicare tax on net investment income, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (including the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and intergovernmental agreements entered into pursuant thereto or in connection therewith), estate, gift or other non-income tax consequences or any state, local or foreign tax consequences.

If an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds International Paper common stock, the U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from distribution will generally depend in part upon the status and activities of such entity and the particular partner. Holders of International Paper common stock that are partnerships and partners in such partnerships should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution.

A U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of International Paper common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or a resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (ii) it has a valid election in place under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS A SUMMARY OF MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION UNDER CURRENT LAW AND IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. ALL HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION TO THEM, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. AND OTHER TAX LAWS.

 

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The distribution is conditioned, among other things, on the receipt by International Paper of an opinion of a nationally recognized accounting firm or tax counsel or a private letter ruling from the IRS regarding the qualification of the Distribution and certain related transactions as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes to International Paper, Sylvamo and International Paper stockholders. A tax opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position. International Paper is also pursuing a private letter ruling from the IRS to the effect that the distribution and certain related transactions will qualify as tax-free to International Paper, Sylvamo and International Paper stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If any of the representations or covenants relied upon for a tax opinion or a private letter ruling becomes inaccurate, incomplete or not complied with by International Paper, Sylvamo or any of their respective subsidiaries, the private letter ruling or tax opinion, if applicable, may be invalid and the conclusions reached therein could be jeopardized.

If the IRS ultimately determines that the distribution is taxable, then International Paper, Sylvamo and holders of International Paper common stock could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability. Please refer to “—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences if the Distribution is Taxable” below.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences if the Distribution, Together with Certain Related Transactions, Qualifies as a Transaction That is Generally Tax-Free Under Section 355 and Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code.

If the distribution, together with certain related transactions, qualifies as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution to U.S. holders are as follows:

 

   

no gain or loss will be recognized by, and no amount will be includible in the income of International Paper as a result of the distribution and separation, other than (i) gain or income arising in connection with certain internal restructurings undertaken in connection with the separation and distribution (including with respect to any portion of the borrowing proceeds transferred to International Paper from Sylvamo that is not used for qualifying purposes), (ii) with respect to any “excess loss account” or “intercompany transaction” required to be taken into account by International Paper under Treasury Regulations relating to consolidated federal income tax returns and (iii) gain or income in connection with any subsequent sale of Sylvamo’s stock owned by International Paper following the distribution;

 

   

no gain or loss will be recognized by (and no amount will be included in the income of) U.S. holders of International Paper common stock upon the receipt of Sylvamo common stock in the distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares of Sylvamo common stock (as described below);

 

   

each U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis in its International Paper common stock and the Sylvamo common stock received in the distribution (including any fractional share interest in Sylvamo common stock for which cash is received) immediately after the distribution will equal the aggregate basis the U.S. holder had in the International Paper common stock immediately before the distribution, allocated between the International Paper common stock and the Sylvamo common stock (including any fractional share interest in Sylvamo common stock for which cash is received) in proportion to the relative fair market value of each on the date of the distribution; and

 

   

each U.S. holder’s holding period in the Sylvamo common stock received in the distribution (including any fractional share interest in Sylvamo common stock for which cash is received) will generally include the holding period at the time of the distribution for the International Paper common stock with respect to which the distribution is made, provided that the International Paper common stock is owned as a capital asset on the date of the distribution.

If a U.S. holder of International Paper common stock holds different blocks of International Paper common stock (generally shares of International Paper common stock purchased or acquired on different dates or at

 

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different prices), such U.S. holder should consult its tax advisor regarding the determination of the basis and holding period of shares of Sylvamo common stock received in the distribution in respect of particular blocks of International Paper common stock.

A U.S. holder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of Sylvamo common stock in the distribution will be treated as though it first received a distribution of the fractional share in the distribution and then sold such fractional share for the amount of cash such U.S. holder actually receives, and, provided the fractional share is considered to be held as a capital asset, will generally recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received for the fractional share and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such fractional share, determined as described above. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for its International Paper common stock with respect to which the U.S. holder received the fractional share exceeds one year at the time of the distribution.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences if the Distribution Is Taxable.

As discussed above, the IRS could assert that the distribution does not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the IRS were successful in taking this position, some or all of the consequences described above would not apply, and holders of International Paper and Sylvamo common stock could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability. In addition, certain events that may or may not be within the control of International Paper or Sylvamo could cause the distribution and certain related transactions to not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Depending on the circumstances, Sylvamo may be required to indemnify International Paper for taxes (and certain related losses) resulting from the distribution and certain related transactions not qualifying as tax-free.

If the distribution were to fail to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, in general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, International Paper would recognize taxable gain as if it had sold the Sylvamo common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value (unless International Paper and Sylvamo jointly make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code with respect to the distribution, in which case, in general, (1) the International Paper group would recognize taxable gain as if Sylvamo had sold all of its assets in a taxable sale in exchange for an amount equal to the fair market value of the Sylvamo common stock and the assumption of all Sylvamo’s liabilities and (2) Sylvamo would obtain a related step up in the basis of its assets), and U.S. holders of International Paper common stock who receive Sylvamo common stock in the distribution would be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of such shares (including any fractional shares received). Such distribution would generally result in:

 

   

a taxable dividend to the extent of the U.S. holder’s ratable share of International Paper’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, as increased to reflect the gain (if any) recognized by International Paper on a taxable distribution;

 

   

a reduction in the U.S. holder’s tax basis (but not below zero) in its International Paper common stock to the extent the amount received exceeds the U.S. holder’s share of International Paper’s earnings and profits; and

 

   

a taxable gain from the exchange of International Paper common stock to the extent that the amount the U.S. holder receives exceeds both the U.S. holder’s share of International Paper’s earnings and profits and the tax basis in the U.S. holder’s International Paper common stock.

Even if the distribution were to otherwise qualify as a tax-free transaction under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, it may result in taxable gain to International Paper (but not the holders of International Paper’s common stock) under Section 355(e) of the Code if the distribution were deemed to be part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, shares representing a 50 percent or greater interest (by vote or value) in International Paper or Sylvamo. For this

 

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purpose, any acquisitions of International Paper or Sylvamo shares within the period beginning two years before the distribution and ending two years after the distribution are presumed to be part of such a plan, although International Paper or Sylvamo may be able to rebut that presumption (including by qualifying for one or more safe harbors under applicable Treasury Regulations). However, if the IRS were to determine that other acquisitions of International Paper or Sylvamo stock, either before or after the distribution, were part of a plan or series of related transactions that included the distribution, such determination could result in significant tax liabilities to International Paper. If such an acquisition of International Paper’s or Sylvamo’s common stock triggers the application of Section 355(e) of the Code, International Paper would recognize a gain equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the Sylvamo common stock that it holds immediately before completion of the distribution over International Paper’s tax basis in that stock.

In connection with the distribution, International Paper and Sylvamo will enter into a tax matters agreement pursuant to which Sylvamo will be responsible for certain liabilities and obligations following the distribution. In general, under the terms of the tax matters agreement, if the distribution, together with certain related transactions, were to fail to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code (including as a result of Section 355(e) of the Code) or if certain related transactions were to fail to qualify as tax-free under applicable law, and if such failure were the result of actions taken after the distribution by International Paper or Sylvamo, then the party responsible for such failure will be responsible for all taxes imposed on International Paper or Sylvamo, as applicable, to the extent such taxes result from such actions. However, if such failure was the result of any acquisition of Sylvamo shares, or of certain of Sylvamo’s representations, statements or undertakings being incorrect, incomplete or breached, then Sylvamo generally will be responsible for all taxes imposed as a result of such acquisition or breach. For a discussion of the tax matters agreement, see “Relationships Between Sylvamo and International Paper Following the Distribution —Tax Matters Agreement.” Sylvamo’s indemnification obligations to International Paper under the tax matters agreement will not be limited in amount or subject to any cap. If Sylvamo is required to pay any taxes or indemnify International Paper or any its subsidiaries and officers and directors under the circumstances set forth in the tax matters agreement, Sylvamo may be subject to substantial liabilities.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting.

Payments of cash to U.S. holders of International Paper common stock in lieu of fractional shares of Sylvamo common stock may, under certain circumstances, be subject to information reporting and backup withholding (currently, at a rate of 24 percent), unless such U.S. holder delivers a properly completed IRS Form W-9 certifying such U.S. holder’s correct taxpayer identification number and certain other information, or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

U.S. Treasury Regulations require each U.S. holder that immediately before the distribution owned 5% or more (by vote or value) of the total outstanding stock of International Paper to attach to its U.S. federal income tax return for the year in which Sylvamo common stock is received a statement setting forth certain information related to the distribution.

THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION IS A SUMMARY OF MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION UNDER CURRENT LAW AND IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. ALL HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION TO THEM, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. AND OTHER TAX LAWS.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Sylvamo has filed a registration statement on Form 10 with the SEC with respect to the shares of its common stock being distributed as contemplated by this information statement. This information statement is a part of, and does not contain all of the information set forth in, the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to Sylvamo and its common stock, please refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits. Statements made in this information statement relating to any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract or document. You may review a copy of the registration statement, including its exhibits, on the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Information contained on any website referenced in this information statement is not incorporated by reference into this information statement or the registration statement of which this information statement is a part.

Upon the effectiveness of the Form 10 registration statement, Sylvamo will become subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our future filings will be available from the SEC as described above.

Sylvamo will make its SEC filings available free of charge through our website (www.sylvamo.com) as soon as practicable after they are electronically filed with the SEC. After the distribution, you may also request a copy of Sylvamo’s future SEC filings at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at:

Sylvamo Corporation

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tennessee 38197

Attn: Corporate Secretary

Telephone:                 

We intend to furnish holders of our common stock with annual reports containing financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and audited and reported on, with an opinion expressed, by an independent registered public accounting firm.

You should rely only on the information contained in this information statement. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information or to make any representation not contained in this information statement.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     PAGE  

Audited Annual Combined Financial Statements:

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2  

Combined Statements of Operations for the years ended December  31, 2020, 2019 and 2018

     F-6  

Combined Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018

     F-7  

Combined Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019

     F-8  

Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December  31, 2020, 2019 and 2018

     F-9  

Combined Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018

     F-10  

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

     F-11  

 

     PAGE  

Unaudited Condensed Combined Financial Statements:

  

Condensed Combined Statements of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

     F-39  

Condensed Combined Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

     F-40  

Condensed Combined Balance Sheets as of June  30, 2021 and December 31, 2020

     F-41  

Condensed Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

     F-42  

Condensed Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

     F-43  

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of International Paper Company

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of the Sylvamo Corporation (the “Company”), a business of International Paper Company, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related combined statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Emphasis of a Matter

As disclosed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the accompanying financial statements were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of International Paper Company. These financial statements reflect the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented as the Company was historically managed within International Paper Company. The financial statements may not be indicative of the Company’s future performance and do not necessarily reflect what the results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been had it operated as an independent company during the periods presented. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit and finance committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Goodwill — Brazil Reporting Unit — Refer to Notes 2 and 8 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company’s evaluation of goodwill associated with the Brazil reporting unit for impairment involves the comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. The Company determines the fair value of its reporting unit using the discounted cash flow model and the market approach. The determination of the fair value using the discounted cash flow model requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to forecasts of future revenues, operating profit margins, and discount rates. The determination of the fair value using the market approach requires management to make significant assumptions related to revenue multiples and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) multiples. In conjunction with the annual impairment assessment, the Company’s Brazil reporting unit was tested for impairment as of October 1, 2020. Because the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, no impairment was recorded. As of December 31, 2020, the Brazil reporting unit’s goodwill was $121 million.

We identified the Company’s impairment evaluation of goodwill for the Brazil reporting unit as a critical audit matter. Given reductions in cash flows caused by a substantial decline in demand for printing papers across all geographic regions and given the uncertainty regarding the duration and magnitude of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort was required when performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions related to the discount rate, forecasted future revenues and operating margins, and revenue and adjusted EBITDA multiples, including the need to involve our fair value specialists.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the forecasts of future revenues and operating profit margins (“forecasts”), revenue and adjusted EBITDA multiples, and selection of discount rates for the Brazil reporting unit, included the following, among others:

 

 

We tested the effectiveness of controls over goodwill, including those over the determination of fair value, such as controls related to management’s selection of the discount rate and forecasts of future revenue and operating margin.

 

 

We evaluated management’s ability to accurately forecast future revenues and operating margins by comparing actual results to management’s historical forecasts.

 

 

We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasts by comparing the forecasts to (1) historical results, (2) internal communications to management and the Board of Directors, and (3) forecasted information included in International Paper Company’s press releases as well as in relevant analyst and industry reports.

 

 

We considered the impact of changes in the operating environment on management’s forecasts, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the long-term demand for the Company’s products.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the discount rates, including testing the underlying source information and the mathematical accuracy of the calculations, and developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the discount rates selected by management.

 

 

With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the revenue and adjusted EBITDA multiples, including testing the underlying source information and mathematical accuracy of the calculations, and comparing the multiples selected by management to its guideline companies.

Income Taxes — Application of Hypothetical Separate Return Method – Refer to Notes 2 and 9 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company is included in the foreign and domestic tax filings of International Paper Company. The Company’s income tax provision is determined on a hypothetical separate return basis as if the Company was a stand-alone entity, based on management’s interpretation of the tax regulations and rulings in numerous taxing jurisdictions. When calculating the income tax provision management made certain estimates and assumptions when identifying and measuring book to tax differences, allocating and measuring applicable tax credits and carryforwards, and identifying and allocating uncertain tax positions. The Company’s income tax provision for 2020 was $28 million. In addition, as of December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $18 million, and an asset for tax credit and carryforwards of $26 million, net of valuation allowances of $35 million.

Given the number of taxing jurisdictions and the complex and subjective nature of the associated tax regulations and rulings, auditing management’s application of the hypothetical separate return method required a high degree of auditor judgment and increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our income tax specialists.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

With the assistance of our income tax specialists, our audit procedures related to management’s application of the hypothetical separate return method included the following, among others:

 

 

We evaluated the completeness of the Company’s identification and allocation of book to tax differences by:

 

   

Comparing the book to tax differences to those historically identified and accounted for by International Paper Company

 

   

Analyzing the book to tax differences attributed to allocations of assets, liabilities and expenses historically held at the International Paper Company corporate level

 

 

We selected a sample of book to tax differences and tested the accuracy, completeness, and classification of each selection.

 

 

We developed an expectation of the foreign income tax expense by jurisdiction and compared it to the recorded balances.

 

 

We evaluated management’s significant judgments regarding the identification and allocation of uncertain tax positions by analyzing all uncertain tax positions of International Paper Company and determining which positions were attributable to the separate operations of the Company.

 

 

We evaluated management’s significant judgments regarding the allocation and measurement of tax credits and carryforwards by:

 

   

Analyzing all tax credits and carryforwards generated by International Paper Company and determining the nature and amounts of such attributes that would have been generated through the separate operations of the Company on a hypothetical stand-alone basis.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

   

Evaluating whether the sources of management’s estimated taxable income were of the appropriate character and would be sufficient to utilize the deferred tax assets on a stand-alone basis under the relevant tax law.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Memphis, Tennessee

April 16, 2021

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

 

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Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

In millions for the years ended December 31

   2020     2019     2018  

NET SALES (including sales to a related party of $23, $8 and $19 for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)

   $ 3,009     $ 4,017     $ 4,119

COSTS AND EXPENSES (including purchases from a related party of $372, $513 and $572 for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)

      

Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested shown separately below)

     2,101       2,638       2,620  

Selling and administrative expenses

     209       262       288  

Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested

     154       192       198  

Distribution expenses

     321       393       408  

Taxes other than payroll and income taxes

     30       33       35  

Restructuring and other charges, net

     —         6       4  

Interest (income) expense, net

     (4     (9     (7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     198       502       573  

Income tax provision (benefit)

     28       125       154  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 170     $ 377     $ 419  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

In millions for the years ended December 31

   2020     2019     2018  

NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 170     $ 377     $ 419  

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX

      

Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Adjustments:

      

Amortization of pension and postretirement net loss

     1       1       1  

Pension and postretirement liability adjustments (less tax of $1, $3 and ($2))

     (5     (7     4  

Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment

     (246     (38     (226

Net gains/losses on cash flow hedging derivatives:

      

Net gains (losses) arising during the period (less tax of $13, ($1), and $4)

     (25     1       (8

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net earnings (less tax of ($12), ($2), and ($2))

     24       5       3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX

     (251     (38     (226
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

   $ (81   $ 339     $ 193  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS

 

In millions at December 31

   2020     2019  

ASSETS

    

Current Assets

    

Cash and temporary investments

   $ 95     $ 135  

Accounts and notes receivable (less allowances of $30 in 2020 and $34 in 2019)

     400       513  

Related party receivable

     221       198  

Inventories

     342       443  

Other current assets

     61       104  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     1,119       1,393  

Plants, Properties and Equipment, net

     974       1,174  

Forestlands

     293       372  

Goodwill

     143       179  

Right of Use Assets

     46       39  

Deferred Charges and Other Assets

     336       313  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 2,911     $ 3,470  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    

Current Liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 259     $ 311  

Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt

     4       9  

Accrued payroll and benefits

     68       74  

Related party payable

     25       23  

Other current liabilities

     134       163  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

     490       580  

Long-Term Debt

     22       25  

Deferred Income Taxes

     170       236  

Other Liabilities

     117       112  

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 10)

    

Parent Company Equity

    

Parent company investment

     3,592       3,746  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,480     (1,229
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Parent Company Equity

     2,112       2,517  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARENT COMPANY EQUITY

   $ 2,911     $ 3,470  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

In millions for the years ended December 31

   2020     2019     2018  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Net Income (Loss)

   $ 170     $ 377     $ 419  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

      

Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested

     154       192       198  

Deferred income tax provision (benefit), net

     (49     (7     (5

Stock-based compensation

     15       19       19  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

      

Accounts and notes receivable

     65       45       (59

Related party receivable

     (5     (27     (6

Inventories

     71       (47     (27

Related party payable

     (1     (4     —    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (45     (1     51  

Other

     (16     (23     (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     359       524       589  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

      

Invested in capital projects

     (75     (118     (150

Cash pool arrangements with Parent

     (5     (39     (21

Proceeds from sale of plants, properties and equipment

     —         3       —    

Other

     1       (6     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

     (79     (160     (171
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Net transfers (to) from Parent

     (340     (369     (496

Reduction of debt

     (10     (18     (14
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     (350     (387     (510
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

     30       (17     36  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in Cash and Temporary Investments

     (40     (40     (56

Cash and Temporary Investments

      

Beginning of the period

     135       175       231  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of the period

   $ 95     $ 135     $ 175  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

F-9


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

In millions

   Parent Company
Investment
    Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total Parent
Company Equity
 

Balance, January 1, 2018

   $ 3,774     $ (965 )    $ 2,809  

Adoption of ASC 606 revenue from contracts with customers

     3       —         3  

Net transfers (to) from Parent

     (477     —         (477
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

     419       (226     193  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2018

     3,719       (1,191     2,528  

Net transfers (to) from Parent

     (350     —         (350
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

     377       (38     339  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2019

     3,746       (1,229     2,517  

Adoption of ASU 2016-13 expected credit losses on trade receivables and contract assets

     1       —         1  

Net transfers (to) from Parent

     (325     —         (325
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

     170       (251     (81
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2020

   $ 3,592     $ (1,480   $ 2,112  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

NOTE 1 BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF BUSINESS

BACKGROUND

On December 3, 2020, International Paper Company (“International Paper“ or “Parent”) announced that its Board of Directors had approved a plan to spin-off its Printing Papers segment along with certain mixed-use coated paperboard and pulp businesses in North America, France and Russia (collectively referred to herein as the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), and separate into two distinct publicly-traded companies. The mixed-use operations were historically reported within International Paper’s European Coated Paperboard operating segment (formerly part of the Industrial Packaging Group reportable segment) and the Global Cellulose Fibers reportable segment. Under the plan, International Paper will retain approximately 19.9% of the shares of the Company and would execute a spin-off of the Company in a manner that is intended to be tax-free to International Paper’s stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except for cash that stockholders receive in lieu of fractional shares, by way of a pro rata distribution of the remaining approximately 80.1% of the common stock of the Company to International Paper’s shareholders of record as of the spin-off transaction record date. In connection with the spin-off transaction, International Paper is being treated as the accounting “spinnor,” consistent with the legal form of the transaction.

We expect the transaction to be completed during the second half of 2021. The completion of the spin-off is subject to certain customary conditions, including the Form 10 registration statement being declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and final approval by International Paper’s Board of Directors.

COVID-19

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared the novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. Since that time, all of our manufacturing facilities have remained open and operational during the pandemic. The health and safety of our employees and contractors is our most important responsibility as we manage through the COVID-19 pandemic. We have implemented work-systems across the Company, including hygiene, social distancing, site cleaning, contact tracing and other measures, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) and WHO. Our COVID-19 measures have proved to be effective to date, and we have not had any material disruptions to our operations.

We have seen a significant negative impact on demand for our printing papers products, which account for the majority of our net sales. There continue to be significant uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including with respect to the various economic reopening plans and the resurgence of the virus in many areas, additional actions that may be taken by governmental authorities and private businesses to attempt to contain the COVID-19 outbreak or to mitigate its impact, the extent and duration of social distancing and stay-at-home orders, the availability, efficacy of, ability to administer, and extent of adoption of any COVID-19 vaccines and the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on unemployment, economic activity and consumer confidence. Developments related to COVID-19 had a significant adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows in 2020, which could continue if negative global economic conditions persist for a significant period of time.

NATURE OF BUSINESS

The Company, headquartered in the United States, is primarily a global manufacturer of uncoated freesheet that produces a variety of papers for business and home use. The mills producing uncoated papers are located in the United States, Brazil, France and Russia. The business produces papers for use in copiers, desktop and laser printers and digital imaging. End-use applications include advertising and promotional materials such as brochures, pamphlets, greeting cards, books, annual reports and direct mail. The Company also produces a

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

variety of grades that are converted by customers into envelopes, tablets, business forms and file folders. The Company’s products are sold under private label and Company-owned brand names that include Accent®, Opaque, Ballet®, by George®, Hammermill®, Chamex®, REY®, PRO-DESIGN® and SvetoCopy®. The Company also produces high-quality coated paperboard for a variety of packaging end uses at our mill in Russia, along with market pulp, used for producing tissue, printing and writing paper, specialty paper and board grades, at our mills in the United States, Brazil, Russia and France.

NOTE 2 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF COMBINATION

We have historically operated as part of International Paper and not as a standalone company. The accompanying audited combined financial statements included in this information statement were prepared on a “carve-out” basis in connection with the Separation and were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of International Paper. These combined financial statements reflect the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented as the Company was historically managed within International Paper. The combined financial statements have been prepared in United States (“U.S.”) dollars and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (‘‘U.S. GAAP’’). The combined financial statements may not be indicative of the Company’s future performance and do not necessarily reflect what the results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been had it operated as an independent company during the periods presented.

The combined statements of operations also include expense allocations for certain functions provided by International Paper, including, but not limited to general corporate expenses related to finance, legal, information technology, human resources, communications, insurance and stock-based compensation. These expenses have been allocated to the Company on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder principally allocated on the basis of percent of capital employed, headcount or other measures. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company was allocated $167 million, $209 million and $203 million, respectively, of such general corporate expenses, which were included within cost of products sold and selling and administrative expenses in the combined statements of operations. Management considers the basis on which the expenses have been allocated to reasonably reflect the utilization of services provided to or the benefit received by the Company during the periods presented. The allocations may not, however, reflect the expenses the Company would have incurred if the Company had been an independent company for the periods presented. Actual costs that may have been incurred if the Company had been an independent company would depend on several factors, including the organizational structure, whether functions were outsourced or performed by employees, and strategic decisions made in areas such as information technology and infrastructure. The Company is unable to determine what such costs would have been had the Company been independent. Following the Separation from International Paper, the Company may perform these functions using its own resources or purchased services. For an interim period following the Separation, however, some of these functions will continue to be provided by International Paper under a transition services agreement. Additionally, we may provide some services to International Paper under a transition services agreement. We will also enter into certain commercial agreements with International Paper in connection with the Separation.

All intracompany transactions have been eliminated. Related-party transactions between the Company and International Paper relating to general operating activities have been included in these combined financial statements. These related-party transactions historically settled in cash between the Company and International Paper have been reflected in the combined balance sheets as “Related-party receivable” or “Related-party payable” with the aggregate net effect of these related-party transactions reflected in the combined statements of cash flows as either “Related party receivable” or “Related party payable” within operating activities.

 

F-12


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

The aggregate net effect of transactions with International Paper not settled in cash, including corporate allocations, has been reflected in the combined balance sheets as “Parent company investment” and in the combined statements of cash flows as “Net transfers (to) from Parent” within financing activities.

In addition, certain of the Company’s Europe locations participate in International Paper’s centralized cash pooling arrangement. Amounts due from the cash pool are generally settled on a daily basis and are reflected in the combined balance sheets as “Related-party receivable” with the aggregate net activity between the Company and International Paper reflected in the combined statements of cash flows as “Cash pool arrangements with Parent” within investing activities.

International Paper utilizes a centralized approach to cash management and financing its operations. This arrangement is not reflective of the manner in which the Company would have been able to finance its operations had it been independent from International Paper. The cash and temporary investments held by International Paper at the corporate level are not specifically identifiable to the Company and therefore have not been reflected in the Company’s combined balance sheets. Effective transfers between International Paper and the Company are recorded through the Parent company investment account. Cash and temporary investments in the combined balance sheets represent cash and temporary investments held locally by the Company.

The combined financial statements include certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held at the International Paper corporate level but are specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to the Company. International Paper’s third-party debt and the related interest expense have not been allocated to the Company for any of the periods presented as the Company is not the legal obligor of such debt.

The Company operates on a calendar year-end.

USE OF ESTIMATES

In preparing the combined financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the combined financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

The Company recognizes revenue on a point-in-time basis when the customer takes title to the goods and assumes the risks and rewards for the goods. For customized goods where the Company has a legally enforceable right to payment for the goods, the Company recognizes revenue over time, which generally is, as the goods are produced.

The Company’s revenue is primarily derived from fixed consideration; however, we do have contract terms that give rise to variable consideration, primarily volume rebates, early payment discounts and other customer refunds. The Company estimates its volume rebates at the individual customer level based upon the terms of the arrangement and expected volume purchases over the contract period, consistent with the most likely amount method outlined in ASC 606. The Company estimates early payment discounts and other customer refunds based on the historical experience across the Company’s portfolio of customers to record reductions in revenue which is consistent with the expected value method outlined in ASC 606. Management has concluded that these methods result in the best estimate of the consideration the Company will be entitled to from its customers.

The Company has elected to present all sales taxes on a net basis, account for shipping and handling activities as fulfillment activities, recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as expense when incurred if the

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

amortization period of the asset the Company would recognize is one year or less, and not record interest income or interest expense when the difference in timing of control or transfer and customer payment is one year or less. See Note 4 for further details.

TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS

Temporary investments with an original maturity of three months or less and money market funds with greater than three-month maturities but with the right to redeem without notice are treated as cash equivalents and are stated at cost, which approximates market value. See Note 6 for further details.

SHIPPING AND HANDLING COSTS

Shipping and handling costs, such as freight to customers’ destinations, are included in distribution expenses in the combined statements of operations.

INVENTORIES

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market value and include all costs directly associated with manufacturing products: materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. In the United States, costs of raw materials and finished paper and pulp products, are generally determined using the last-in, first-out method. Other inventories are valued using the first-in, first-out or average cost methods. See Note 6 for further details.

LEASED ASSETS

Operating lease right of use (“ROU”) assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the lease based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company’s leases may include options to extend the lease. These options to extend are included in the lease term when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Some leases have variable payments, however, because they are not based on an index or rate, they are not included in the ROU assets and liabilities. Variable payments for real estate leases primarily related to common area maintenance, insurance, taxes and utilities. Variable payments for equipment, vehicles and leases within supply agreements primarily related to usage, repairs and maintenance. As the implicit rate is not readily determinable for most of the Company’s leases, the Company applies a portfolio approach using an estimated incremental borrowing rate to determine the initial present value of lease payments over the lease terms on a collateralized basis over a similar term, which is based on market and company specific information. We use the unsecured borrowing rate and risk-adjust that rate to approximate a collateralized rate, and apply the rate based on the currency of the lease, which is updated on a quarterly basis for measurement of new lease liabilities. Leases having a lease term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet and the related lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. In addition, the Company has applied the practical expedient to account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component for all of the Company’s leases. See Note 7 for further details.

PLANTS, PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT

Plants, properties and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for betterments are capitalized, whereas normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. The units-of-production method of depreciation is used for paper and pulp mills, and the straight-line method is used for other plants and equipment. See Note 6 for further details.

GOODWILL

Annual evaluation for possible goodwill impairment is performed as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of each year, with additional interim evaluation performed when management believes that it is more likely than

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

not, that events or circumstances have occurred that would result in the impairment of a reporting unit’s goodwill.

The Company has the option to evaluate goodwill for impairment by first performing a qualitative assessment of events and circumstances to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amounts, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test is not required to be performed. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if the Company does not elect the option to perform an initial qualitative assessment, the Company is required to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. In performing this evaluation, the Company estimates the fair value of its reporting unit using a weighted approach based on discounted future cash flows, market multiples and transaction multiples. The determination of fair value using the discounted cash flow approach requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to forecasts of future revenues, operating profit margins and discount rates. The determination of fair value using market multiples and transaction multiples requires management to make significant assumptions related to revenue multiples and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) multiples. The results of our annual impairment test indicated that the carrying amount did not exceed the estimated fair value of any reporting units. For reporting units whose carrying amount is in excess of their estimated fair value, the reporting unit will record an impairment charge by the amount that the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. See Note 8 for further discussion.

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances that indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. A recoverability test is performed based on undiscounted cash flows, requiring judgments as to the weighting of operational alternatives being considered by management and estimates of the amount and timing of expected future cash flows from the use of the long-lived assets generated by their use. Impaired assets are written-down to their estimated fair value. See Note 8 for further discussion.

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Certain of the Company’s employees participate in defined benefit and other postretirement plans (the “Plans”) sponsored by International Paper and accounted for by International Paper in accordance with accounting guidance for defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The Company accounts for the participation of its employees in these Plans as a participant in a multiemployer plan sponsored by International Paper.

The Company also serves as the sponsor of certain direct defined benefit pension and postretirement plans in Brazil and the United Kingdom, which the Company accounts for using the single-employer method, with the net funded status of these plans recorded as an asset or liability in the combined balance sheets. See Note 11 for additional disclosures regarding retirement benefits.

INCOME TAXES

The Company is included in the foreign and domestic tax returns of International Paper. We calculate the provision for income taxes by using a separate-return method. Under this method, we are assumed to file a separate return with the tax authority in each jurisdiction in which we operate, thereby reporting our taxable income or loss and paying the applicable tax to or receiving the appropriate refund from International Paper. Our current provision is the amount of tax payable or refundable on the basis of a hypothetical, current-year separate return. We provide deferred taxes on temporary differences and on any carryforwards that we could claim on our hypothetical return and assess the need for a valuation allowance on the basis of our projected separate-return results.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

Any difference between the tax provision (or benefit) allocated to us under the separate-return method and payments to be made to (or received from) International Paper for tax expense is treated as either dividends or capital contributions.

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, we determine deferred tax balances on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax balances is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, carryback potential if permitted under the tax law, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

TRANSLATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Balance sheets of international operations are translated into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates, while statements of operations are translated at average rates. Adjustments resulting from financial statement translations are included as cumulative translation adjustments in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”).

PARENT COMPANY INVESTMENT

Parent company investment in the combined balance sheets represent International Paper’s historical investment in the Company, the Company’s accumulated net income, and the net effect of transactions with and allocations from International Paper.

NOTE 3 RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS – CREDIT LOSSES

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This guidance replaces the current incurred loss impairment method with a method that reflects expected credit losses. The Company adopted this guidance using the modified

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

retrospective approach on January 1, 2020. As a result of using this approach, the Company recognized a cumulative effect adjustment of $1 million to the opening balance of Parent company investment representing the adjustment to our opening allowance for doubtful accounts required to state our trade receivables and contract assets net of their expected credit losses, net of deferred taxes.

INTANGIBLES

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” This guidance eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2 of the previous goodwill impairment test approach to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value. This guidance should be applied prospectively. The Company early adopted the provision of this guidance in 2019 in conjunction with our annual evaluation for possible goodwill impairment, but it did not impact the combined financial statements.

LEASES

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842): Leases.” The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance effective January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective optional transition method. Therefore, the standard was applied beginning January 1, 2019, and prior periods were not restated. The adoption of the standard did not result in a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of Parent company investment. The Company elected the package of practical expedients and implemented internal controls and system functionality to enable the preparation of financial information upon adoption.

The adoption of the new standard resulted in the recognition of an ROU asset and short-term and long-term liabilities recorded on the Company’s combined balance sheets related to operating leases. Accounting for finance leases remained substantially unchanged. In addition, the adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows. See Note 7.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new revenue recognition standard ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts With Customers,” (new revenue standard) and all related amendments, using the modified retrospective method. We recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the operating balance of Parent company investment. The Company recorded a net increase to opening Parent company investment of $3 million as of January 1, 2018, due to the cumulative impact of adopting the new revenue standard, with the impact primarily related to our customized products.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED

REFERENCE RATE REFORM

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” This guidance provides companies with optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. This guidance is effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of this guidance.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

NOTE 4 REVENUE RECOGNITION

EXTERNAL NET SALES BY PRODUCT

External net sales by major products were as follows:

 

In millions

   2020      2019      2018  

North America

        

Uncoated Papers

   $ 1,428      $ 1,912      $ 1,944  

Market Pulp

     54        40        81  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

North America

     1.482        1,952        2,025  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Latin America

        

Uncoated Papers

     579        920        922  

Market Pulp

     53        49        57  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Latin America

     632        969        979  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Europe

        

Uncoated Papers

     666        850        844  

Coated Paperboard / Other

     98        97        95  

Market Pulp

     131        149        176  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Europe

     895        1,096        1,115  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,009      $ 4,017      $ 4,119  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

REVENUE CONTRACT BALANCES

The opening and closing balances of the Company’s contract assets and contract liabilities are as follows:

 

In millions

   Contract
Assets
(Short-Term)
     Contract
Liabilities
(Short-Term)
 

Beginning Balance - December 31, 2019

   $ 47      $ 10  

Ending Balance - December 31, 2020

     23        11  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Increase / (Decrease)

   $ (24    $ 1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

In millions

   Contract
Assets
(Short-Term)
     Contract
Liabilities
(Short-Term)
 

Beginning Balance - December 31, 2018

   $ 34      $ 5  

Ending Balance - December 31, 2019

     47        10  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Increase / (Decrease)

   $ 13      $ 5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

A contract asset is created when the Company recognizes revenue on its customized products prior to having an unconditional right to payment from the customer, which generally does not occur until title and risk of loss passes to the customer.

 

F-18


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

A contract liability is created when customers prepay for goods prior to the Company transferring control over those goods to the customer. The contract liability is reduced once control of the goods is transferred to the customer. The majority of our customer prepayments are received during the fourth quarter each year for goods that will be transferred to customers over the following twelve months. The difference between the opening and closing balances of the Company’s contract assets and contract liabilities primarily results from the difference between the price and quantity at comparable points in time for goods which we have an unconditional right to payment or receive pre-payment from the customer, respectively.

PERFORMANCE OBLIGATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT JUDGEMENTS

The Company’s principal business is to manufacture and sell uncoated freesheet papers, along with coated paperboard and pulp. As a general rule, none of our businesses provide equipment installation or other ancillary services outside of producing and shipping paper goods to customers.

The nature of the Company’s contracts can vary based on the business, customer type and region; however, in all instances it is the Company’s customary business practice to receive a valid purchase order from the customer, in which each parties’ rights and related payment terms are clearly identifiable.

Contracts or purchase orders with customers could include a single type of product or it could include multiple types/grades of products. Regardless, the contracted price with the customer is agreed to at the individual product level outlined in the customer contracts or purchase orders. The Company does not bundle prices; however, we do negotiate with customers on pricing and rebates for the same products based on a variety of factors (e.g. level of contractual volume, geographical location, etc.). Management has concluded that the prices negotiated with each individual customer are representative of the stand-alone selling price of the product.

NOTE 5 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The following table presents the changes in AOCI, net of tax, reported in the combined financial statements:

 

In millions

   2020     2019     2018  

Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Adjustments

      

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (44   $ (38   $ (43

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

     (5     (7     4  

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

     1       1       1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (48     (44     (38
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

      

Balance at beginning of period

     (1,187     (1,149     (923

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

     (246     (38     (226
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (1,433     (1,187     (1,149
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedging Derivatives

      

Balance at beginning of period

     2       (4     1  

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

     (1     6       (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     1       2       (4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at End of Period

   $ (1,480   $ (1,229   $ (1,191
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-19


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

NOTE 6 SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION

TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS

Temporary investments with an original maturity of three months or less and money market funds with greater than three months maturities but with the right to redeem without notices are treated as cash equivalents and are stated at cost. Temporary investments totaled $36 million and $104 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE

Accounts and notes receivable, net, by classification were:

 

In millions as of December 31

   2020      2019  

Accounts and notes receivable:

     

Trade

   $ 379      $ 493  

Notes

     2        4  

Other

     19        16  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 400      $ 513  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accounts and notes receivable are recognized net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for expected credit losses reflects the best estimate of losses inherent in the Company’s receivables portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts, expectations for future economic conditions through the use of macroeconomic data and other available evidence. Based on the Company’s accounting estimates and the facts and circumstances available as of the reporting date, we believe our allowance for expected credit losses is adequate. While we have taken into account certain impacts of COVID-19 in connection with our estimate of the allowance for expected credit losses, it is possible that additional expected credit losses in excess of such allowance could occur if additional containment and mitigation measures are required or negative economic conditions persist or deteriorate as a result of COVID-19.

The following provides changes in our expected credit losses:

 

In millions

   2020      2019      2018  

Beginning balance

   $ 34      $ 43      $ 33  

Adjustments to reserve

     (2      (2      19  

Write-offs

     (2      (7      (9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 30      $ 34      $ 43
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

INVENTORIES

 

In millions as of December 31

   2020      2019  

Raw materials

   $ 50      $ 57  

Finished paper and pulp products

     171        262  

Operating supplies

     102        117  

Other

     19        7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 342      $ 443  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The last-in, first-out inventory method is used to value most of the Company’s U.S. inventories. Approximately 63% of total raw materials and finished paper and pulp product inventories were valued using this method. The last-in, first-out inventory reserve was $108 million and $119 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

F-20


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

PLANTS, PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

In millions as of December 31

   2020      2019  

Land

   $ 9      $ 9  

Buildings

     408        425  

Machinery

     4,299        4,483  

Construction in progress

     23        38  

Capital leases

     43        41  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross cost

     4,782        4,996  

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     3,808        3,822  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plants, Properties and Equipment, net

   $ 974      $ 1,174  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-cash additions to plants, property and equipment included within accounts payable were $11 million, $13 million and $9 million as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Annual straight-line depreciable lives generally are, for buildings – 20 to 40 years, and for machinery and equipment – 3 to 20 years. Depreciation expense was $152 million, $190 million and $194 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Cost of products sold excludes depreciation and amortization expense.

NOTE 7 LEASES

The Company leases various real estate, including certain operating facilities, warehouses, office space and land. The Company also leases material handling equipment, vehicles and certain other equipment. The Company’s leases have remaining lease terms of one year to 79 years.

COMPONENTS OF LEASE EXPENSE

 

In millions

   2020      2019  

Operating lease costs

   $ 10      $ 10  

Variable lease costs

     16        20  

Short-term lease costs

     1        2  

Finance lease cost

     

Amortization of right-of-use assets

     4        2  

Interest on lease liabilities

     1        1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total lease cost, net

   $ 32      $ 35  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company recorded the following lease expense prior to the adoption of ASC 842:

 

In millions

   2018  

Total lease cost, net

   $ 20  
  

 

 

 

 

F-21


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION RELATED TO LEASES

 

In millions

  

Classification

   2020      2019  

Assets

        

Operating lease assets

   Right of use assets    $ 46      $ 39  

Finance lease assets

   Plants, properties, and equipment, net (a)      33        34  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total leased assets

      $ 79      $ 73  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

        

Current

        

Operating

   Other current liabilities    $ 14      $ 12  

Finance

   Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt      2        3  

Noncurrent

        

Operating

   Other Liabilities      32        28  

Finance

   Long-term debt      21        23  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total lease liabilities

      $ 69      $ 66  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Finance leases are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $10 million and $7 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

LEASE TERM AND DISCOUNT RATE

 

     2020     2019  

Weighted average remaining lease term (years)

    

Operating leases

     4.2 years       4.7 years  

Finance leases

     10.9 years       10.7 years  

Weighted average discount rate

    

Operating leases

     2.70     2.80

Finance leases

     4.81     5.17

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION RELATED TO LEASES

 

In millions

   2020      2019  

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities

     

Operating cash flows related to operating leases

   $ 11      $ 10  

Operating cash flows related to financing leases

   $ 1      $ 1  

Financing cash flows related to finance leases

   $ 3      $ 2  

Right of use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities

     

Operating leases

   $ 16      $ 10  

Finance leases

   $ 4      $ 5  

 

F-22


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

MATURITY OF LEASE LIABILITIES

 

In millions

   Operating Leases      Financing Leases      Total  

2021

   $ 15      $ 4      $ 19  

2022

     12        4        16  

2023

     9        3        12  

2024

     5        2        7  

2025

     4        2        6  

Thereafter

     3        14        17  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total lease payments

     48        29        77  

Less: imputed interest

     2        6        8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Present value of lease liabilities

   $ 46      $ 23      $ 69  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 8 GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES

GOODWILL

There were no impairment charges related to goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

The following table presents changes in the goodwill balance:

 

In millions

   North
America
     Latin
America
    EMEA     Total  

Balance as of December 31, 2018

         

Goodwill

   $ —        $ 161     $ 28     $ 189  

Accumulated impairment losses

     —          —         (5     (5
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     —          161       23       184  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Currency translation and other (a)

     —          (6     1       (5

Goodwill additions/reductions

     —          —         —         —    

Accumulated impairment loss additions/reductions

     —          —         —         —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2019

         

Goodwill

     —          155       29       184  

Accumulated impairment losses

     —          —         (5     (5
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     —          155       24       179  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Currency translation and other (a)

     —          (34     (2     (36

Goodwill additions/reductions

     —          —         —         —    

Accumulated impairment loss additions/reductions

     —          —         —         —    

Balance as of December 31, 2020

         

Goodwill

     —          121       27       148  

Accumulated impairment losses

     —          —         (5     (5
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ —        $ 121     $ 22     $ 143  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents the effects of foreign currency translations and reclassifications.

The Company performed its annual testing of its reporting units for possible goodwill impairments by applying the quantitative assessment to its France, Russia and Brazil reporting units as of October 1, 2020. The Company elected to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test due to the current economic environment. The quantitative goodwill impairment test was performed by comparing the carrying amount of each respective

 

F-23


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

reporting unit to its estimated fair value. The Company calculated the estimated fair value of each of its reporting units with goodwill using a weighted approach based on discounted future cash flows, market multiples and transaction multiples. The carrying amount did not exceed the estimated fair value of any reporting units.

In addition, the Company considered whether there were any events or circumstances outside of the annual evaluation that would reduce the fair value of its reporting units below their carrying amounts and necessitate a goodwill impairment evaluation. In consideration of all relevant factors, there were no indicators that would require goodwill impairment subsequent to October 1, 2020.

OTHER INTANGIBLES

Identifiable intangible assets comprised the following:

 

     2020      2019  

In millions as of December 31

   Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Intangible
Assets
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Intangible
Assets
 

Customer relationships and lists

   $ 60      $ (49   $ 11      $ 77      $ (61   $ 16  

Non-compete agreements

     —          —         —          5        (5     —    

Software

     3        (2     1        3        (3     —    

Other

     4        (4     —          4        (4     —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 67      $ (55   $ 12      $ 89      $ (73   $ 16  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company recognized the following amounts as amortization expense related to intangible assets:

 

In millions

   2020      2019      2018  

Amortization expense related to intangible assets

   $ 2      $ 3      $ 3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on current intangibles subject to amortization, estimated amortization expense for each of the succeeding years is as follows: 2021 – $2 million, 2022 – $2 million, 2023 – $2 million, 2024 – $2 million, 2025 - $2 million and cumulatively thereafter – $2 million.

NOTE 9 INCOME TAXES

The components of the Company’s income (loss) before income taxes by taxing jurisdiction were as follows.

 

In millions

   2020      2019      2018  

U.S.

   $ 10      $ 145      $ 137  

Non-U.S.

     188        357        436  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 198      $ 502      $ 573  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-24


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

Income tax provision (benefit) by taxing jurisdictions was as follows:

 

In millions

   2020      2019      2018  

Current tax provision (benefit)

        

U.S. federal

   $ (4    $ 36      $ 34  

U.S. state and local

     2        8        8  

Non-U.S.

     77        88        117  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 75      $ 132      $ 159  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax provision (benefit)

        

U.S. federal

   $ (4    $ (4    $ 1  

U.S. state and local

     (1      (2      1  

Non-U.S.

     (42      (1      (7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (47    $ (7    $ (5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax provision (benefit)

   $ 28      $ 125      $ 154  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

A reconciliation of income taxes using the statutory U.S. income tax rate of 21% compared to the reported income tax provision (benefit) is summarized as follows:

 

In millions

   2020     2019     2018  

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 198     $ 502     $ 573  

Statutory U.S. income tax rate

     21     21     21

Income taxes using the statutory U.S. income tax rate

     42       105       120  

State and local income taxes

     1       5       7  

Impact of rate differential on non-U.S. permanent differences and earnings

     (5     12       19  

Tax audits

     (10     —         —    

US tax on non-U.S. earnings (GILTI and Subpart F)

     1       4       9  

Other, net

     (1     (1     (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax provision (benefit)

   $ 28     $ 125     $ 154  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate

     14     25     27

On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (the “CARES Act”). The CARES Act provides various types of economic relief for individuals and businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including temporary corporate tax relief. The CARES Act did not have a material impact to the income tax provision.

 

F-25


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

In millions

   2020      2019  

Deferred income tax assets:

     

Net operating and capital loss carryforwards

   $ 27      $ 21  

Accrued payroll and benefits

     9        10  

Lease liabilities

     10        9  

Tax credits

     35        32  

Other

     64        46  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross deferred income tax assets

   $ 145      $ 118  

Less: valuation allowance (a)

     (35      (33
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred income tax asset

   $ 110      $ 85  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred income tax liabilities:

     

Intangibles

   $ (45    $ (59

Right of use assets

     (10      (9

Deferred foreign income

     (35      (41

Plants, properties and equipment

     (106      (121

Forestlands

     (49      (62
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross deferred income tax liabilities

   $ (245    $ (292
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred income tax liability

   $ (135    $ (207
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

The net change in the total valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was an increase of $2 million and an increase of $4 million respectively.

The Company recognizes deferred income tax assets for deductible temporary differences and carryforwards. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized based on estimates of future taxable income. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit use of the existing deferred tax assets. Based on this evaluation, as of December 31, 2020, a valuation allowance of $35 million has been recorded to recognize only the portion of the deferred tax asset that is more likely than not to be realized. The valuation allowance in both periods is primarily attributable to state tax credits that cannot be realized.

The Company provides for foreign withholding taxes on earnings intended to be repatriated from non-U.S. subsidiaries, which we believe will be limited in the future to each year’s current earnings. No provision for these taxes on approximately $0.8 billion of undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 has been made, as these earnings are considered indefinitely invested. Determination of the amount of taxes that might be paid on these undistributed earnings if eventually remitted in a taxable manner is not practicable.

 

F-26


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits were as follows:

 

In millions

   2020      2019      2018  

Balance at January 1

   $ (28    $ (29    $ (28

(Additions) reductions for tax positions related to current year

     (1      —          (2

(Additions) for tax positions related to prior years

     —          —          —    

Reductions for tax positions related to prior years

     11        —          1  

Settlements

     —          —          —    

Expiration of statutes of limitations

               1        —    

Currency translation adjustment

               —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31

   $ (18    $ (28    $ (29
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are $18 million, $28 million and $29 million, respectively, of tax benefits that if recognized would affect the effective tax rate.

The Company accrues interest on unrecognized tax benefits as a component of interest expense. Penalties, if incurred, are recognized as a component of income tax expense. During 2020, we did not accrue any interest, and as of December 31, 2020, recognized a liability related to the unrecognized tax benefits noted above for interest of $2 million. During 2019, we accrued interest of $0.2 million, and as of December 31, 2019, recognized a liability for interest of $2.7 million. During 2018, we accrued interest of $0.3 million, and as of December 31, 2018, recognized a liability for interest of $2.5 million.

The Brazilian Federal Revenue Service has challenged the deductibility of goodwill amortization generated in a 2007 acquisition by International Paper do Brasil Ltda. (“IP Brasil”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Brazil Tax Dispute”). The Company received assessments for the tax years 2007-2015 totaling approximately $114 million in tax and $367 million in interest, penalties and fees as of December 31, 2020 (adjusted for variation in currency exchange rates). After a previous favorable ruling challenging the basis for these assessments, we received other subsequent unfavorable decisions from the Brazilian Administrative Council of Tax Appeals. As legally required, International Paper provided a surety bond to the courts when appealing this matter. Sylvamo intends to further appeal these and any future unfavorable administrative judgments to the Brazilian federal courts and this tax litigation matter may take many years to resolve. Sylvamo may be required to replace International Paper’s existing guarantees of its Brazilian subsidiary’s surety bonds or reimburse International Paper for the costs of continuing to guarantee the existing surety bonds or provide other allowed collateral to continue to pursue these appeals. The Company is evaluating the availability and costs of these alternatives which could be material. The Company believes that it has appropriately evaluated the transaction underlying these assessments, and has concluded based on Brazilian tax law, that its tax position should be sustained. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position against the current assessments and any similar assessments that may be issued for tax years subsequent to 2015.

Refer to Note 15 for an update to this matter that occurred subsequent to the original issuance of the financial statements.

The major jurisdictions where the Company files income tax returns are the United States, Brazil, France and Russia. Generally, tax years 2006 through 2018 remain open and subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities. The Company frequently faces challenges regarding the amount of taxes due. These challenges include positions taken by the Company related to the timing, nature and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. We do not expect a reduction in the uncertain tax positions in the next twelve months.

 

F-27


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

The following details the scheduled expiration dates of the Company’s December 31, 2020 net operating loss and income tax credit carryforwards:

 

In millions

   2021
Through
2030
     2031
Through
2039
     Indefinite      Total  

U.S. federal and non-U.S. NOLs

   $ —        $ —        $ 24      $ 24  

State taxing jurisdiction NOLs (a)

     —          —          —          —    

U.S. deferral, non-U.S. and state tax credit carryforwards (a)

     27        4        3        34  

U.S. federal and state capital loss carryforwards (a)

     —          —          3        3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 27      $ 4      $ 30      $ 61  

Less: valuation allowance (a)

     (27      (4      (4      (35
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total, net

   $ —        $ —        $ 26      $ 26  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

State amounts are presented net of federal benefit

NOTE 10 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

GUARANTEES

In connection with sales of property, equipment, forestlands and other assets, the Company commonly makes representations and warranties relating to such assets.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is subject to environmental remediation laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate. Remediation costs are recorded in the combined financial statements when they become probable and reasonably estimable. The Company has estimated the probable liability associated with these environmental remediation matters, including the specific matter described below, to be approximately $16 million in the aggregate as of December 31, 2020.

In 2018, the Company discovered and voluntarily disclosed to regulators the presence of mercury contamination in sediment in a river tributary that traverses the Company’s mill property in Svetogorsk, Russia. The mercury contamination resulted from the operations of a former chlor-alkali manufacturing plant on the mill site. Remediation of the river tributary was completed in 2020. The Company is presently investigating the scope of and remediating soil and groundwater contamination associated with the old chlor-alkali plant. The Company has estimated the probable liability associated with the mercury remediation to be approximately $13 million as of December 31, 2020. Other than this Svetogorsk matter, completion of other required environmental remedial actions is not expected to have a material effect on our combined financial statements.

TAXES OTHER THAN PAYROLL TAXES

In 2017, the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court decided that the state value-added tax (“VAT”) should not be included in the basis of federal VAT calculations. In 2018 and 2019, the Brazilian tax authorities published both an internal consultation and a normative ruling with a narrow interpretation of the effects of the case. We have determined that any related federal VAT refunds should be recognized when they are both probable and reasonably estimable. Based upon the best information available to us, we have determined that the amount of refund that is probable of being realized is limited to that determined by the tax authorities’ narrow interpretation, for which we have recognized a receivable of $12 million as of December 31, 2020. It is possible that future court decisions and guidance from the tax authorities could expand the scope of the federal VAT refunds.

 

F-28


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

Refer to Note 15 for an update to this matter that occurred subsequent to the original issuance of the financial statements.

NOTE 11 RETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLANS

MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS

Certain of the Company’s employees participate in defined benefit pension plans (the “Plans”) sponsored by International Paper, which include participants of other International Paper operations, that are accounted for by International Paper in accordance with accounting guidance for defined benefit pension plans. Accordingly, net periodic pension expense for Company employees is allocated to the Company based upon a percent of salaries and reported in the combined statements of operations, and the Company does not record an asset or liability to recognize the funded or unfunded status of the Plans. The service and non-service cost components of net periodic pension expense for these employees is recorded within cost of products sold and selling and administrative expenses in the combined statements of operations. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, total service and non-service costs were $9 million, $11 million and $12 million, respectively.

International Paper’s net periodic pension expense and obligations are developed from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are key assumptions, including discount rates and long-term return on plan assets, retirement rates, mortality rates, and other factors. International Paper’s selection of assumptions is based on historical trends and known economic and market conditions at the time of valuation, as well as independent studies of trends performed by actuaries. However, actual results may differ substantially from the estimates that were based on the critical assumptions. Actual results that differ from International Paper’s assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect International Paper’s recognized expense in such future periods. While International Paper management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions would affect International Paper’s net periodic pension expense and obligations. Furthermore, the assumptions used by International Paper may not be indicative of assumptions which the Company would have made on a standalone basis.

DIRECT PLANS

The Company also has direct defined benefit pension plans in Brazil and the United Kingdom, which the Company accounts for using the single-employer method.

 

F-29


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

DIRECT PLANS - OBLIGATIONS AND FUNDED STATUS

The following table shows the changes in the benefit obligation and plan assets and the plans’ funded status:

 

In millions

   2020      2019  

Change in projected benefit obligation:

     

Benefit obligation, January 1

   $ 165      $
138
 

Service cost

     1        1  

Interest cost

     4        5  

Actuarial loss (gain)

     7        22  

Benefits paid

     (5      (5

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate movements

     (1      4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Benefit obligation, December 31

   $ 171      $ 165  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Change in plan assets:

     

Fair value of plan assets, January 1

   $ 163      $
138
 

Actual return on plan assets

     11        22  

Company contributions

     4        4  

Benefits paid

     (5      (5

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate movements

     (2      4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, December 31

   $ 171      $ 163  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Funded status, December 31

   $ —        $ (2 ) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets:

     

Non-current asset

   $ 5      $ 6  

Non-current liability

     (5      (8
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ —        $ (2
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income under ASC 715 (pre-tax)

     

Net actuarial loss

   $ 63      $ 58  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes obligation and asset information:

 

In millions as of December 31

   2020      2019  

Projected benefit obligation

   $ 171      $ 165  

Accumulated benefit obligation

     168        163  

Fair value of plan assets

     171      $ 163  

DIRECT PLANS - NET PERIODIC PENSION EXPENSE

Service cost is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the plans’ benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the year. Interest cost represents the increase in the projected benefit obligation, which is a discounted amount, due to the passage of time. The expected return on plan assets reflects the computed amount of current-year earnings from the investment of plan assets using an estimated long-term rate of return.

 

F-30


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

Non-service cost components of net periodic pension expense for the Company’s direct plans comprised the following:

 

In millions

   2020      2019      2018  

Interest cost

   $ 4      $ 5      $ 6  

Expected return on plan assets

     (8      (9      (10

Actuarial loss (gain)

     1        1        1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic pension expense (benefit)

   $ (3    $ (3    $ (3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For direct plans, service cost was not material in all periods. The components of net periodic pension expense other than the service cost component are included in cost of products sold in the combined statements of operations.

DIRECT PLANS - ASSUMPTIONS

The Company evaluates its actuarial assumptions annually as of December 31 (the measurement date) and considers changes in these long-term factors based upon market conditions and the requirements for employers’ accounting for pensions. These assumptions are used to calculate benefit obligations as of December 31 of the current year and pension expense to be recorded in the following year (i.e., the discount rate used to determine the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2020 is also the discount rate used to determine net pension expense for the 2021 year).

Major actuarial assumptions used in determining the benefit obligations and net periodic pension cost for our defined benefit plans are presented in the following table:

 

     2020     2019     2018  

Actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31:

      

Discount rate

     2.27     2.80     3.98

Rate of compensation increase

     3.54     3.39     3.81

Actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost for years ended December 31:

      

Discount rate

     2.76     4.23     3.82

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

     4.84     6.59     6.84

Rate of compensation increase

     3.42     3.63     3.66

DIRECT PLANS - PLAN ASSETS

The plans maintain a strategic asset allocation policy that designates target allocations by asset class. Investments are diversified across classes and within each class to minimize the risk of large losses. Derivatives, including swaps, forward and futures contracts, may be used as asset class substitutes or for hedging or other risk management purposes. Periodic reviews are made of investment policy objectives and investment manager performance.

 

F-31


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

The pension allocations by type of asset class as of December 31 were as follows:

 

Asset Class

   2020     2019  

Equity accounts

     9     10

Fixed income accounts

     18     23

Other

     73     67
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

U.S. QUALIFIED PLAN

As part of the Separation, International Paper intends to transfer a portion of its U.S. Qualified Pension Plan (“U.S. Qualified Plan”) to the Company for the Company’s U.S. active employees participating in the plan. The pension benefit obligation (“PBO”) and certain assets to fund the defined benefit plan will be carved out of the current plan under International Paper and transferred to the Company. The transferred defined benefit pension plan is estimated to be 97% funded, with a PBO and assets to be transferred of approximately $338 million and $327 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020. The Company’s participation in International Paper’s U.S. Qualified Plan has been accounted for as multi-employer plan in these combined financial statements. Accordingly, the plan obligations and assets expected to be transferred to the Company in connection with the separation have not been recorded in the combined balance sheets.

POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

International Paper also provides certain retiree health care and life insurance benefits covering certain U.S. salaried and hourly employees. These employees are generally eligible for benefits upon retirement and completion of a specified number of years of creditable service. International Paper does not fund these benefits prior to payment and has the right to modify or terminate certain of these plans in the future. Certain of the Company’s current and former employees are eligible for these benefits. We also account for our participation in these benefit programs as a multiemployer benefit plan. Total postretirement benefit expense recognized by the Company was immaterial in all periods.

In addition to the U.S. plan, certain of the Company’s Brazilian employees are eligible for retiree health care and life insurance benefits. The accumulated benefit obligation for this plan as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $17 million and $19 million, respectively, which is recorded within other liabilities in the combined balance sheets.

NOTE 12 INCENTIVE PLANS

International Paper currently has an Incentive Compensation Plan (“ICP”). The ICP authorizes grants of restricted stock, restricted or deferred stock units, performance awards payable in cash or stock upon the attainment of specified performance goals, dividend equivalents, stock options, stock appreciation rights, other stock-based awards and cash-based awards at the discretion of the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of International Paper (the “Committee”) that administers the ICP.

Certain Company employees participate in the ICP. The following disclosures of stock-based compensation expense recognized by the Company are based on grants related directly to Company employees, and an allocation of International Paper’s corporate and shared employee compensation expenses.

 

F-32


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

Total stock-based compensation cost and the associated income tax benefits recognized by the Company in the combined statements of operations were as follows:

 

In millions

   2020      2019      2018  

Total stock-based compensation expense (included in selling and administrative expense)

   $ 15      $ 19      $ 19  

Income tax benefit (expense) related to stock-based compensation

   $ 1      $ 1      $ (1

Of the total stock-based compensation cost recognized by the Company in the years ended 2020, 2019 and 2018, $2 million, $6 million and $6 million, respectively, related directly to Company employees and $13 million, $13 million and $13 million, respectively, is related to allocations of International Paper’s corporate and shared employee stock-based compensation expenses.

As of December 31, 2020, $4 million of compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to all stock-based compensation arrangements for Company employees had not yet been recognized. This amount will be recognized in expense over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years.

PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN

Under the Performance Share Plan (“PSP”), contingent awards of International Paper common stock are granted by the Committee. The PSP awards are earned over a three-year period. PSP awards are earned based on the achievement of defined performance of Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”) measured against International Paper’s internal benchmark and ranking of Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) compared to the TSR peer group of companies. The 2018-2020, 2019-2021 and 2020-2022 PSP Awards are weighted 50% for ROIC and 50% for TSR for all participants. The ROIC component of the PSP awards is valued at the closing stock price on the day prior to the grant date. As the ROIC component contains a performance condition, compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recorded over the requisite service period based on the most probable number of PSP awards expected to vest. The TSR component of the PSP awards is valued using a Monte Carlo simulation as the TSR component contains a market condition. The Monte Carlo simulation estimates the fair value of the TSR component based on the expected term of the PSP award, a risk-free rate, expected dividends and the expected volatility for the Company and its competitors. The expected term is estimated based on the vesting period of the awards, the risk-free rate is based on the yield on U.S. Treasury securities matching the vesting period, and the volatility is based on International Paper’s historical volatility over the expected term. PSP grants are made in performance-based restricted stock units.

The following table sets forth the assumptions International Paper used to determine compensation cost for the market condition component of the PSP plan for the three years ended December 31:

 

     2020     2019     2018  

Expected volatility

     22.81 - 24.60     22.81 - 24.60     22.75 - 22.99

Risk-free interest rate

     1.61 - 2.44     1.47 - 2.44     1.31 - 1.98

 

F-33


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

The following summarizes International Paper PSP activity for Company employees:

 

     Shares      Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2017

     348,367      $  47.01  

Granted

     99,946        57.94  

Shares issued

     (93,525      52.58  

Forfeited

     (6,886      51.54  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2018

     347,902        48.56  

Granted

     141,124        40.36  

Shares issued

     (142,998      38.79  

Forfeited

     (12,049      46.61  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2019

     333,979        49.34  

Granted

     136,869        46.05  

Shares issued

     (71,638      53.22  

Forfeited

     (59,766      49.96  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2020

     339,444      $ 47.09  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 13 FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY BUSINESS SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA

The Company’s business segments, North America, Latin America and Europe, are consistent with the internal structure used to manage these businesses. All segments are differentiated on a common product, common customer basis consistent with the business segmentation generally used in the Forest Products industry.

Business segment operating profits are used by the Company’s management to measure the earnings performance of its businesses. Management believes that this measure allows a better understanding of trends in costs, operating efficiencies, prices and volumes. Business segment operating profits are defined as income (loss) before income taxes, excluding corporate special items, net, interest (income) expense, net, restructuring and other charges, net, and other special items, net.

External sales by major product is determined by aggregating sales from each segment based on similar products or services. External sales are defined as those that are made to parties outside the Company’s combined group, whereas sales by segment in the Net Sales table are determined using a management approach and include intersegment sales.

INFORMATION BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

Net Sales

 

In millions    2020      2019      2018  

North America

   $  1,490      $  1,996      $  2,037  

Latin America

     632        969        979  

Europe

     921        1,122        1,143  

Corporate and Intersegment Sales

     (34      (70      (40
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Sales

   $ 3,009      $ 4,017      $ 4,119  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-34


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

Operating Profit

 

In millions

   2020      2019      2018  

North America

   $ 43      $ 200      $ 185  

Latin America

     84        158        227  

Europe

     77        140        159  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Business Segment Operating Profit

     204        498        571  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     198        502        573  

Corporate expenses, net

     —          —          —    

Interest (income) expense, net

     (4      (9      (7

Restructuring and other charges, net

     —          6        4  

Other special items, net

     10        (1      1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 204      $ 498      $ 571  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other special items, Net

 

In millions

   2020      2019      2018  

North America

   $ 1      $ 2      $ 1  

Latin America

     (2      (3      —    

Europe

     11        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other special items, Net

   $  10      $ (1    $ 1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Assets

 

In millions as of December 31

   2020      2019  

North America

   $ 833      $ 1,007  

Latin America

     1,091        1,388  

Europe

     987        1,075  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Assets

   $  2,911      $  3,470  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital Spending

 

In millions

   2020      2019      2018  

North America

   $ 15      $ 36      $ 37  

Latin America

     45        61        86  

Europe

     15        21        27  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital Spending

   $  75      $  118      $  150  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation, Amortization and Cost of Timber Harvested

 

In millions

   2020      2019      2018  

North America

   $ 50      $ 56      $ 55  

Latin America

     66        96        102  

Europe

     38        40        41  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization

   $  154      $  192      $  198  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-35


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

INFORMATION BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA

External Net Sales (a)

 

In millions

   2020      2019      2018  

United States

   $ 1,490      $ 1,996      $ 1,984  

Brazil

     576        886        936  

Russia

     502        603        604  

Europe, other than Russia

     419        519        539  

Americas, other than United States and Brazil

     56        83        96  

Corporate and Intersegment Sales

     (34      (70      (40
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Sales

   $ 3,009      $ 4,017      $ 4,119  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Net sales are attributed to countries based on the location of the seller.

Long-Lived Assets

 

In millions as of December 31

   2020      2019  

United States

   $ 436      $ 472  

Latin America

     601        804  

Europe

     230        270  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-lived Assets

   $ 1,267      $ 1,546  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 14 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The combined financial statements have been prepared on a carve-out basis and are derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of International Paper. The following discussion summarizes activity between the Company and International Paper.

ALLOCATION OF GENERAL CORPORATE EXPENSES

The combined statements of operations includes expenses for certain centralized functions and other programs provided and administered by International Paper that are charged directly to the Company. In addition, for purposes of preparing these combined financial statements on a carve-out basis, we have allocated a portion of International Paper’s total corporate expense to the Company. See Note 2 for a discussion of the methodology used to allocate corporate-related costs for purposes of preparing these financial statements on a carve-out basis.

RELATED PARTY SALES AND PURCHASES

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company sold products to other International Paper businesses in the amount of $23 million, $8 million and $19 million, respectively, which is included in net sales in the combined statements of operations.

The Company purchases certain of its products from International Paper which are produced in facilities that will remain with International Paper. The Company expects to continue to purchase uncoated freesheet and bristols pursuant to an offtake agreement between the Company and International Paper. International Paper’s services under the offtake agreements are expected to continue for a 10-year period following the effectuation of the Separation. The Company purchased and recognized in cost of products sold inventory associated with the

 

F-36


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

 

contemplated offtake agreements of $210 million, $283 million and $404 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

In addition, the Company is a party to the Joint Marketing Agreement with JSC Ilim Group, a subsidiary of International Paper’s equity method investee Ilim SA, under which the Company purchases, markets and sells paper produced by JSC Ilim Group. The Company purchased and recognized in cost of products sold inventory under this agreement of $162 million, $230 million and $168 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

RELATED PARTY RECEIVABLE

Related party receivable consists of the following:

 

In millions as of December 31

   2020      2019  

Due from Parent cash pool

   $ 202      $ 197  

Professional services provided to Parent / other

     19        1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 221      $ 198  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

RELATED PARTY PAYABLE

Related party payable consists of the following:

 

In millions as of December 31

   2020      2019  

Inventory purchases

   $ 16      $ 14  

Other

     9        9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 25      $ 23  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net transfers (to) from Parent are included within Parent company investment on the combined statements of equity. The components of the net transfers (to) from International Paper are as follows:

 

In millions

   2020      2019      2018  

General financing activities

   $ (494    $ (565    $ (686

Corporate allocations

     154        196        190  

Stock-based compensation

     15        19        19  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net transfers (to) from Parent

   $ (325    $ (350    $ (477
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 15 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company’s management evaluated subsequent events from December 31, 2020 to April 16, 2021 and July 12, 2021, the dates the financial statements were originally issued and reissued, respectively.

TAXES OTHER THAN PAYROLL TAXES (UNAUDITED)

Regarding the Brazilian VAT matter disclosed in Note 10, on May 13, 2021, the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court clarified aspects of its previous 2017 decision. Contrary to the Brazilian tax authorities narrow interpretation of the effects of the 2017 decision, the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court clarified that the state VAT amount disclosed in sales invoices should be used to calculate the amount of state VAT excluded from the federal VAT calculation base. As a result of this ruling, the Company recognized a receivable and pre-tax gain of approximately $70 million ($47 million after taxes) during the quarter ended June 30, 2021, representing the incremental federal VAT refund and interest expected to be recovered from the Brazilian tax authorities through the offset of future taxes payable.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

BRAZIL TAX DISPUTE AND TIMBER PAYMENT AGREEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Regarding the Brazil Tax Dispute matter disclosed in Note 9, as part of the tax matters agreement to be entered into between the Company and International Paper in connection with the Separation, the Company has agreed to pay 40% of any liability resulting from the resolution of the Brazil Tax Dispute following the distribution, with International Paper responsible for paying the remaining 60% of any such liability. After the distribution, all decisions concerning the conduct of the litigation related to the Brazil Tax Dispute, including as to strategy, settlement, pursuit and abandonment, will continue to be made by International Paper. The Company will thus have no control over any decision related to the ongoing litigation. As legally required by the Brazilian federal court, IP Brasil has provided surety bonds in connection with the Brazil Tax Dispute, which were indemnified by International Paper. International Paper has agreed that after the distribution it will continue to indemnify the provider of the surety bonds during the pendency of the appeal in the Brazilian federal court. If IP Brasil were unable to renew the surety bonds upon their expiration, for example, as a result of a downgrade in International Paper’s credit ratings below investment grade by Moody’s, or if IP Brasil were unable to provide additional surety bonds as and when required by the Brazilian federal court IP Brasil could be required to post acceptable collateral in order to continue the litigation which additional collateral International Paper has agreed to provide on behalf of IP Brasil.

In addition, in connection with the Separation, a subsidiary of International Paper and a subsidiary of Sylvamo will enter into a letter agreement, pursuant to which the Sylvamo subsidiary will make a payment of $100 million to the International Paper subsidiary if any portion of the Brazil eucalyptus forest plantations owned by Sylvamo as of the distribution date are directly or indirectly transferred, subject to certain exceptions for immaterial transfers. A transfer includes any sale, pledge or transfer of any legal or beneficial interest in the Brazil lands, including any grant of an option or other right or interest or entry into any contract that would result in a reduction or diminution of Sylvamo’s economic ownership in the Brazil lands (a “Qualifying Transfer”). A change of control of Sylvamo would also result in the payment becoming due and payable. Management has concluded that a Qualifying Transfer or change in control of the Brazil eucalyptus forest plantations is not considered probable at this time

 

F-38


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

In millions

   2021     2020  

NET SALES (including sales to a related party of $3 and $9 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively)

   $ 1,622     $ 1,475  

COSTS AND EXPENSES (including purchases from a related party of $195 and $210 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively)

    

Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested shown separately below)

     1,050       1,062  

Selling and administrative expenses

     99       100  

Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested

     71       79  

Distribution expenses

     178       156  

Taxes other than payroll and income taxes

     13       12  

Interest (income) expense, net

     (29     (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     240       67  

Income tax provision (benefit)

     63       13  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 177     $ 54  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed combined financial statements.

 

F-39


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

In millions

     2021         2020    

NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 177     $ 54  

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX

    

Amortization of pension and postretirement net loss

     —         —    

Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment

     (15     (316

Net gains/losses on cash flow hedging derivatives:

    

Net gains (losses) arising during the period

     4       (29

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net earnings

     (2     20  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX

     (13     (325
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 164     $ (271
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed combined financial statements.

 

F-40


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

 

In millions

   June 30,
2021
    December 31,
2020
 
     (unaudited)        

ASSETS

    

Current Assets

  

Cash and temporary investments

   $ 226     $ 95  

Accounts and notes receivable, net

     417       400  

Related party receivable

     223       221  

Inventories

     340       342  

Other current assets

     108       61  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     1,314       1,119  

Plants, Properties and Equipment, net

     944       974  

Forestlands

     309       293  

Goodwill

     147       143  

Right of Use Assets

     42       46  

Deferred Charges and Other Assets

     353       336  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 3,109     $ 2,911  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    

Current Liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 289     $ 259  

Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt

     2       4  

Accrued payroll and benefits

     65       68  

Related party payable

     43       25  

Other current liabilities

     142       134  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

     541       490  

Long-Term Debt

     20       22  

Deferred Income Taxes

     166       170  

Other Liabilities

     98       117  

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 11)

    

Parent Company Equity

    

Parent company investment

     3,777       3,592  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,493     (1,480
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Parent Company Equity

     2,284       2,112  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARENT COMPANY EQUITY

   $ 3,109     $ 2,911  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed combined financial statements.

 

F-41


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

In millions

     2021         2020    

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net Income (Loss)

   $ 177     $ 54  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

    

Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested

     71       79  

Deferred income tax provision (benefit), net

     (2     (22

Stock-based compensation

     7       7  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

    

Accounts and notes receivable

     (18     121  

Related party receivable

     (4     (2

Inventories

     5       31  

Related party payable

     17       17  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     33       (89

Other

     (64     (44
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     222       152  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

    

Invested in capital projects

     (32     (42

Cash pool arrangements with Parent

     (3     14  

Other

     (3     3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

     (38     (25
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Net transfers (to) from Parent

     1       (175

Reduction of debt

     (4     (12
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     (3     (187
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

     (50     49  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in Cash and Temporary Investments

     131       (11

Cash and Temporary Investments

    

Beginning of the period

     95       135  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of the period

   $ 226     $ 124  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed combined financial statements.

 

F-42


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF BUSINESS

BACKGROUND

On December 3, 2020, International Paper Company (“International Paper“ or “Parent”) announced that its Board of Directors had approved a plan to spin-off its Printing Papers segment along with certain mixed-use coated paperboard and pulp businesses in North America, France and Russia (collectively referred to herein as the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), and separate into two distinct publicly-traded companies. The mixed-use operations were historically reported within International Paper’s European Coated Paperboard operating segment (formerly part of the Industrial Packaging Group reportable segment) and the Global Cellulose Fibers reportable segment. Under the plan, International Paper will retain approximately 19.9% of the shares of the Company and would execute a spin-off of the Company in a manner that is intended to be tax-free to International Paper’s stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except for cash that stockholders receive in lieu of fractional shares, by way of a pro rata distribution of the remaining approximately 80.1% of the common stock of the Company to International Paper’s shareholders of record as of the spin-off transaction record date. In connection with the spin-off transaction, International Paper is being treated as the accounting “spinnor,” consistent with the legal form of the transaction.

We expect the transaction to be completed on October 1, 2021. The completion of the spin-off is subject to certain customary conditions, including the Form 10 registration statement being declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and final approval by International Paper’s Board of Directors.

COVID-19

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared the novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. Many of these restrictive measures have been lifted or reduced as the number of COVID-19 cases has declined in the United States and various other countries in comparison to earlier levels at the height of the pandemic, and economic conditions have improved. In addition, most of our facilities have remained open and operational during the pandemic and at the current time our facilities are generally operational.

Demand for printing papers products, which account for the majority of our net sales, initially was significantly impacted by the pandemic, but has seen a steady increase over the first half of 2021. Our operations have experienced higher supply chain costs and constrained transportation due in part to the impacts of COVID-19.

There continue to be significant uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including with respect to the various economic reopening plans and the resurgence of new variants of the virus in many areas globally; additional actions that may be taken by governmental authorities and private businesses to attempt to contain the COVID-19 outbreak or to mitigate its impact; the efficacy and, availability of various vaccines and associated levels of vaccination, as well as the possibility that strains of the virus may be resistant to current available vaccines; and the impact of COVID-19 on unemployment, economic activity and consumer confidence. COVID-19 has significantly adversely affected portions of our business, and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows if public health and/or global economic conditions deteriorate.

NOTE 2 BASIS OF COMBINATION

We have historically operated as part of International Paper and not as a standalone company. The accompanying condensed combined financial statements included in this information statement were prepared on a “carve-out”

 

F-43


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

basis in connection with the Separation and were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of International Paper. These condensed combined financial statements reflect the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented as the Company was historically managed within International Paper. The condensed combined financial statements have been prepared in United States (“U.S.”) dollars and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (‘‘U.S. GAAP’’). The condensed combined financial statements may not be indicative of the Company’s future performance and do not necessarily reflect what the results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been had it operated as an independent company during the periods presented.

The condensed combined statements of operations also include expense allocations for certain functions provided by International Paper, including, but not limited to general corporate expenses related to finance, legal, information technology, human resources, communications, insurance and stock-based compensation. These expenses have been allocated to the Company on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder principally allocated on the basis of percent of capital employed, headcount or other measures. During the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company was allocated $85 million and $78 million, respectively, of such general corporate expenses, which were included within cost of products sold and selling and administrative expenses in the condensed combined statements of operations. Management considers the basis on which the expenses have been allocated to reasonably reflect the utilization of services provided to or the benefit received by the Company during the periods presented. The allocations may not, however, reflect the expenses the Company would have incurred if the Company had been an independent company for the periods presented. Actual costs that may have been incurred if the Company had been an independent company would depend on several factors, including the organizational structure, whether functions were outsourced or performed by employees, and strategic decisions made in areas such as information technology and infrastructure. The Company is unable to determine what such costs would have been had the Company been independent. Following the Separation from International Paper, the Company may perform these functions using its own resources or purchased services. For an interim period following the Separation, however, some of these functions will continue to be provided by International Paper under a transition services agreement. Additionally, we may provide some services to International Paper under a transition services agreement. We will also enter into certain commercial agreements with International Paper in connection with the Separation.

All intracompany transactions have been eliminated. Related-party transactions between the Company and International Paper relating to general operating activities have been included in these condensed combined financial statements. These related-party transactions historically settled in cash between the Company and International Paper have been reflected in the condensed combined balance sheets as “Related-party receivable” or “Related-party payable” with the aggregate net effect of these related-party transactions reflected in the condensed combined statements of cash flows as either “Related party receivable” or “Related party payable” within operating activities.

The aggregate net effect of transactions with International Paper not settled in cash, including corporate allocations, has been reflected in the condensed combined balance sheets as “Parent company investment” and in the condensed combined statements of cash flows as “Net transfers (to) from Parent” within financing activities.

In addition, certain of the Company’s Europe locations participate in International Paper’s centralized cash pooling arrangement. Amounts due from the cash pool are generally settled on a daily basis and are reflected in the condensed combined balance sheets as “Related-party receivable” with the aggregate net activity between the Company and International Paper reflected in the condensed combined statements of cash flows as “Cash pool arrangements with Parent” within investing activities.

 

F-44


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

International Paper utilizes a centralized approach to cash management and financing its operations. This arrangement is not reflective of the manner in which the Company would have been able to finance its operations had it been independent from International Paper. The cash and temporary investments held by International Paper at the corporate level are not specifically identifiable to the Company and therefore have not been reflected in the Company’s condensed combined balance sheets. Effective transfers between International Paper and the Company are recorded through the Parent company investment account. Cash and temporary investments in the condensed combined balance sheets represent cash and temporary investments held locally by the Company.

The condensed combined financial statements include certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held at the International Paper corporate level but are specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to the Company. International Paper’s third-party debt and the related interest expense have not been allocated to the Company for any of the periods presented as the Company is not the legal obligor of such debt.

NOTE 3 RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED

REFERENCE RATE REFORM

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” This guidance provides companies with optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. This guidance is effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of this guidance.

NOTE 4 REVENUE RECOGNITION

EXTERNAL NET SALES BY PRODUCT

External net sales by major products were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

In millions

   2021      2020  

North America

     

Uncoated Papers

   $ 764      $ 711  

Market Pulp

     33        28  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

North America

     797        739  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Latin America

     

Uncoated Papers

     333        262  

Market Pulp

     24        22  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Latin America

     357        284  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Europe

     

Uncoated Papers

     336        338  

Coated Paperboard / Other

     49        46  

Market Pulp

     83        68  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Europe

     468        452  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,622      $ 1,475  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-45


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

REVENUE CONTRACT BALANCES

A contract asset is created when the Company recognizes revenue on its customized products prior to having an unconditional right to payment from the customer, which generally does not occur until title and risk of loss passes to the customer.

A contract liability is created when customers prepay for goods prior to the Company transferring those goods to the customer. The contract liability is reduced once control of the goods is transferred to the customer. The majority of our customer prepayments are received during the fourth quarter each year for goods that will be transferred to customers over the following twelve months. Contract liabilities of $8 million and $11 million are included in other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed combined balance sheets as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

The difference between the opening and closing balances of the Company’s contract assets and contract liabilities primarily results from the difference between the price and quantity at comparable points in time for goods for which we have an unconditional right to payment or receive pre-payment from the customer, respectively.

NOTE 5 EQUITY

A summary of the changes in equity for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 is provided below:

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

 

In millions

   Parent Company
Investment
     Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total Parent
Company Equity
 

Balance, January 1

   $ 3,592      $ (1,480   $ 2,112  

Net transfers (to) from Parent

     8        —         8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

     177        (13     164  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30

   $ 3,777      $ (1,493   $ 2.284  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

 

In millions

   Parent Company
Investment
    Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total Parent
Company Equity
 

Balance, January 1

   $ 3,746     $ (1,229   $ 2,517  

Adoption of ASU 2016-13 expected credit losses on trade receivables and contract assets

     1       —         1  

Net transfers (to) from Parent

     (168     —         (168
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

     54       (325     (271
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30

   $ 3,633     $ (1,554   $ 2,079  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-46


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 6 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The following table presents the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”), net of tax, reported in the condensed combined financial statements:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

In millions

   2021      2020  

Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Adjustments

     

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (48    $ (44

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (48      (44
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Change in Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

     

Balance at beginning of period

     (1,433      (1,187

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

     (15      (316
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (1,448      (1,503
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedging Derivatives

     

Balance at beginning of period

     1        2  

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

     2        (9
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     3        (7
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at End of Period

   $ (1,493    $ (1,554
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 7 SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION

TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS

Temporary investments with an original maturity of three months or less and money market funds with greater than three months maturities but with the right to redeem without notices are treated as cash equivalents and are stated at cost. Temporary investments totaled $192 million and $36 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE

Accounts and notes receivable, net, by classification were:

 

In millions

   June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Accounts and notes receivable:

     

Trade

   $ 392      $ 379  

Notes

     1        2  

Other

     24        19  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 417      $ 400  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The allowance for expected credit losses was $27 million and $30 million at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Based on the Company’s accounting estimates and the facts and circumstances available as of the reporting date, we believe our allowance for expected credit losses is adequate.

 

F-47


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

INVENTORIES

 

In millions

   June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Raw materials

   $ 48      $ 50  

Finished paper and pulp products

     186        171  

Operating supplies

     98        102  

Other

     8        19  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 340      $ 342  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

PLANTS, PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Accumulated depreciation was $3.9 billion and $3.8 billion at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Depreciation expense was $70 million and $78 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Non-cash additions to plants, property and equipment included within accounts payable were $7 million and $11 million at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

NOTE 8 LEASES

The Company leases various real estate, including certain operating facilities, warehouses, office space and land. The Company also leases material handling equipment, vehicles and certain other equipment. The Company’s leases have remaining lease terms of 1 to 17 years. Total lease cost was $19 million and $17 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION RELATED TO LEASES

 

In millions

 

Classification

   June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Assets

       

Operating lease assets

  Right of use assets    $ 41      $ 46  

Finance lease assets

  Plants, properties, and equipment, net (a)      31        33  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total leased assets

     $ 72      $ 79  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

       

Current

       

Operating

  Other current liabilities    $ 13      $ 14  

Finance

  Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt      2        2  

Noncurrent

       

Operating

  Other Liabilities      29        32  

Finance

  Long-term debt      19        21  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total lease liabilities

     $ 63      $ 69  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Finance leases are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $12 million and $10 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

F-48


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 9 GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES

GOODWILL

The following table presents changes in the goodwill balance as allocated to each business segment for the six months ended June 30, 2021:

 

In millions

   North
America
     Latin
America
     EMEA      Total  

Balance as of January 1, 2021

           

Goodwill

   $ —        $ 121      $ 27      $ 148  

Accumulated impairment losses

     —                 (5      (5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     —          121        22        143  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Currency translation and other (a)

     —          5        (1      4  

Goodwill additions/reductions

     —          —          —          —    

Accumulated impairment loss additions/reductions

     —          —          —          —    

Balance as of June 30, 2021

           

Goodwill

     —          126        26        152  

Accumulated impairment losses

     —          —          (5      (5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ —        $ 126      $ 21      $ 147  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents the effects of foreign currency translations and reclassifications.

OTHER INTANGIBLES

Identifiable intangible assets comprised the following:

 

     June 30, 2021      December 31, 2020  

In millions

   Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Intangible
Assets
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Intangible
Assets
 

Customer relationships and lists

   $ 62      $ (52   $ 10      $ 60      $ (49   $ 11  

Non-compete agreements

     —          —         —          —          —         —    

Software

     3        (2     1        3        (2     1  

Other

     4        (4     —          4        (4     —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 69      $ (58   $ 11      $ 67      $ (55   $ 12  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE 10 INCOME TAXES

An income tax provision of $63 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and the reported effective income tax rate was 26.3%. An income tax provision of $13 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and the reported effective income tax rate was 19.2%.

The Brazilian Federal Revenue Service has challenged the deductibility of goodwill amortization generated in a 2007 acquisition by International Paper do Brasil Ltda. (“IP Brasil”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Brazil Tax Dispute”). The Company received assessments for the tax years 2007-2015 totaling approximately $116 million in tax and $376 million in interest, penalties and fees as of June 30, 2021 (adjusted

 

F-49


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

for variation in currency exchange rates). After a previous favorable ruling challenging the basis for these assessments, we received other subsequent unfavorable decisions from the Brazilian Administrative Council of Tax Appeals. The Company has appealed and intends to further appeal these and any future unfavorable administrative judgments to the Brazilian federal courts; however, this tax litigation matter may take many years to resolve. The Company believes that it has appropriately evaluated the transaction underlying these assessments, and has concluded based on Brazilian tax law, that its tax position should be sustained. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position against the current assessments and any similar assessments that may be issued for tax years subsequent to 2015.

The Brazilian government may enact a tax amnesty program that would allow IP Brasil to resolve the Brazil Tax Dispute for less than the assessed amount. If a tax amnesty program is enacted prior to the distribution date and International Paper decides to participate in the amnesty program prior to the distribution date, International Paper would retain 100% of the liability up to $180 million, Sylvamo would retain up to the next $60 million of the liability and International Paper would retain 100% of the liability over $240 million. Unless International Paper decides to resolve the Brazil Tax Dispute prior to the date of the distribution (including by becoming party to an applicable amnesty program), Sylvamo will pay 40% of the Brazil Income Tax Liabilities. International Paper will be responsible for paying the remaining 60% of the Brazil Income Tax Liabilities. After the Separation, all decisions concerning the conduct of the litigation related to the Brazil Tax Dispute, including as to strategy, settlement, pursuit and abandonment, will continue to be made by International Paper. The Company will thus have no control over any decision related to the ongoing litigation.

As legally required by the Brazilian federal court, IP Brasil has provided surety bonds in connection with the Brazil Tax Dispute, which were indemnified by International Paper. International Paper has agreed that after the distribution it will continue to indemnify the provider of the surety bonds during the pendency of the appeal in the Brazilian federal court for which Sylvamo will pay International Paper an annual guarantee fee calculated at an annual rate of 1.5% based on 40% of the face amount of the surety bonds, which face amount was $351 million as of June 30, 2021. If IP Brasil were unable to renew the surety bonds upon their expiration, for example, as a result of a downgrade in International Paper’s credit ratings below investment grade by Moody’s, or if IP Brasil were unable to provide additional surety bonds as and when required by the Brazilian federal court IP Brasil could be required to post acceptable collateral in order to continue the litigation which additional collateral International Paper has agreed to provide on behalf of IP Brasil. In the event that International Paper is required to post collateral to secure its obligations under the surety bonds, the guarantee fee will terminate, and Sylvamo will pay International Paper a collateral fee calculated at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 3% based on 40% of the fair market value of the collateral unless Sylvamo elects to post collateral in satisfaction of 40% of the liability, in which case the collateral fee shall be zero. From and after the date on which 40% of the amount of the maximum potential exposure for Brazil Income Tax Liabilities (the “Exposure Amount”) exceeds $275 million, International Paper may request that Sylvamo and its restricted subsidiaries maintain liquidity (consisting of cash and cash equivalents and unused commitments under Sylvamo’s revolving credit facility) of not less than the Exposure Amount.

NOTE 11 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

ENVIRONMENTAL AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is subject to environmental remediation laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate. Remediation costs are recorded in the condensed combined financial statements when they become probable and reasonably estimable. The Company has estimated the probable liability associated with these environmental remediation matters, including the specific matter described below, to be approximately $18 million in the aggregate as of June 30, 2021.

 

F-50


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

In 2018, the Company discovered and voluntarily disclosed to regulators the presence of mercury contamination in sediment in a river tributary that traverses the Company’s mill property in Svetogorsk, Russia. The mercury contamination resulted from the operations of a former chlor-alkali manufacturing plant on the mill site. Remediation of the river tributary was completed in 2020. The Company is presently investigating the scope of and remediating soil and groundwater contamination associated with the old chlor-alkali plant. The Company has estimated the probable liability associated with the mercury remediation to be approximately $16 million as of June 30, 2021. Other than this Svetogorsk matter, completion of other required environmental remedial actions is not expected to have a material effect on our condensed combined financial statements.

TAXES OTHER THAN PAYROLL TAXES

In 2017, the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court decided that the state value-added tax (“VAT”) should not be included in the basis of federal VAT calculations. In 2018 and 2019, the Brazilian tax authorities published both an internal consultation and a normative ruling with a narrow interpretation of the effects of the case. Based upon the best information available to us at that time, we determined an estimated refund was probable of being realized. As of December 31, 2020, we had recognized a receivable of $11 million based upon the authorities narrow interpretation. On May 13, 2021, the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court ruled again on the case. The latest ruling provides a much broader definition of the state VAT, which increases the exclusion amount from the Federal VAT calculations. Therefore, we have recognized an additional receivable of $70 million, which brings the total receivable to $81 million as of June 30, 2021. The $70 million of income recognized during the second quarter of 2021 includes income of $42 million in cost of products sold and income of $28 million in Interest expense, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations. The issue is now considered fully resolved, and no further ruling by either the Brazilian Supreme Court nor the Brazilian tax authorities is expected.

NOTE 12 RETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLANS

MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS

Certain of the Company’s employees participate in defined benefit pension plans (the “Plans”) sponsored by International Paper, which include participants of other International Paper operations, that are accounted for by International Paper in accordance with accounting guidance for defined benefit pension plans. Accordingly, net periodic pension expense for Company employees is allocated to the Company based upon a percent of salaries and reported in the condensed combined statements of operations, and the Company does not record an asset or liability to recognize the funded or unfunded status of the Plans. The service and non-service cost components of net periodic pension expense for these employees is recorded within cost of products sold and selling and administrative expenses in the condensed combined statements of operations. During the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, total service and non-service costs were $3 million and $4 million, respectively.

International Paper’s net periodic pension expense and obligations are developed from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are key assumptions, including discount rates and long-term return on plan assets, retirement rates, mortality rates, and other factors. International Paper’s selection of assumptions is based on historical trends and known economic and market conditions at the time of valuation, as well as independent studies of trends performed by actuaries. However, actual results may differ substantially from the estimates that were based on the critical assumptions. Actual results that differ from International Paper’s assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect International Paper’s recognized expense in such future periods. While International Paper management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions would affect International Paper’s net periodic pension expense and obligations. Furthermore, the assumptions used by International Paper may not be indicative of assumptions which the Company would have made on a standalone basis.

 

F-51


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

DIRECT PLANS

The Company also has direct defined benefit pension plans in Brazil and the United Kingdom, which the Company accounts for using the single-employer method.

DIRECT PLANS—NET PERIODIC PENSION EXPENSE

Service cost is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the plans’ benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the year. Interest cost represents the increase in the projected benefit obligation, which is a discounted amount, due to the passage of time. The expected return on plan assets reflects the computed amount of current-year earnings from the investment of plan assets using an estimated long-term rate of return.

Non-service cost components of net periodic pension expense for the Company’s direct plans comprised the following:

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

In millions

   2021      2020  

Interest cost

   $ 2      $ 2  

Expected return on plan assets

     (4      (4

Actuarial loss (gain)

     1        1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic pension expense (benefit)

   $ (1    $ (1
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

For direct plans, service cost was not material in all periods. The components of net periodic pension expense other than the service cost component are included in cost of products sold in the condensed combined statements of operations.

U.S. QUALIFIED PLAN

As part of the separation, International Paper intends to transfer a portion of its U.S. Qualified Pension Plan (“U.S. Qualified Plan”) to the Company for the Company’s U.S. active employees participating in the plan. The pension benefit obligation (“PBO”) and certain assets to fund the defined benefit plan will be carved out of the current plan under International Paper and transferred to the Company. The transferred defined benefit pension plan is estimated to be 97% funded, with a PBO and assets to be transferred of approximately $292 million and $282 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020. The Company’s participation in International Paper’s U.S. Qualified Plan has been accounted for as a multi-employer plan in these condensed combined financial statements. Accordingly, the plan obligations and assets expected to be transferred to the Company in connection with the separation have not been recorded in the condensed combined balance sheets.

INTERNATIONAL PLANS

As part of the separation, International Paper also intends to transfer certain international pension plans in Belgium, France, and Poland (“international plans”) to the Company for the Company’s active employees participating in these plans. The net unfunded pension liability to be transferred related to the international plans was approximately $13 million as of December 31, 2020. The Company’s participation in the international plans have been accounted for as multi-employer plans in these condensed combined financial statements. Accordingly, the international plans’ obligations and assets expected to be transferred to the Company in connection with the separation have not been recorded in the condensed combined balance sheets.

 

F-52


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 13 INCENTIVE PLANS

International Paper currently has an Incentive Compensation Plan (“ICP”). The ICP authorizes grants of restricted stock, restricted or deferred stock units, performance awards payable in cash or stock upon the attainment of specified performance goals, dividend equivalents, stock options, stock appreciation rights, other stock-based awards and cash-based awards at the discretion of the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of International Paper (the “Committee”) that administers the ICP.

Certain Company employees participate in the ICP. The following disclosures of stock-based compensation expense recognized by the Company are based on grants related directly to Company employees, and an allocation of International Paper’s corporate and shared employee compensation expenses.

Total stock-based compensation cost and the associated income tax benefits recognized by the Company in the condensed combined statements of operations were as follows:

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

In millions

   2021     2020  

Total stock-based compensation expense (included in selling and administrative expense)

   $ 7     $ 7  

Income tax benefit (expense) related to stock-based compensation

   $ (1   $ (1

Of the total stock-based compensation cost recognized by the Company in the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, $2 million and $1 million, respectively, related directly to Company employees and $5 million and $6 million, respectively, is related to allocations of International Paper’s corporate and shared employee stock-based compensation expenses.

As of June 30, 2021, $6 million of compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to all stock-based compensation arrangements for Company employees had not yet been recognized. This amount will be recognized in expense over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.

NOTE 14 FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY BUSINESS SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA

The Company’s business segments, North America, Latin America and Europe, are consistent with the internal structure used to manage these businesses. All segments are differentiated on a common product, common customer basis consistent with the business segmentation generally used in the Forest Products industry.

Business segment operating profits are used by the Company’s management to measure the earnings performance of its businesses. Management believes that this measure allows a better understanding of trends in costs, operating efficiencies, prices and volumes. Business segment operating profits are defined as income (loss) before income taxes, excluding corporate special items, net, interest (income) expense, net, restructuring and other charges, net, and other special items, net.

External sales by major product is determined by aggregating sales from each segment based on similar products or services. External sales are defined as those that are made to parties outside the Company’s combined group, whereas sales by segment in the Net Sales table are determined using a management approach and include intersegment sales.

 

F-53


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

INFORMATION BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

Net Sales

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

In millions

   2021      2020  

North America

   $ 808      $ 739  

Latin America

     357        284  

Europe

     481        462  

Corporate and Intersegment Sales

     (24      (10
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Sales

   $ 1,622      $ 1,475  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating Profit

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

In millions

     2021          2020    

North America

   $ 40      $ (4

Latin America

     87        29  

Europe

     42        46  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Business Segment Operating Profit

     169        71  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     240        67  

Interest (income) expense, net

     (29      (1

Other special items, net

     (42      5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 169      $ 71  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 15 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The condensed combined financial statements have been prepared on a carve-out basis and are derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of International Paper. The following discussion summarizes activity between the Company and International Paper.

ALLOCATION OF GENERAL CORPORATE EXPENSES

The condensed combined statements of operations includes expenses for certain centralized functions and other programs provided and administered by International Paper that are charged directly to the Company. In addition, for purposes of preparing these condensed combined financial statements on a carve-out basis, we have allocated a portion of International Paper’s total corporate expense to the Company. See Note 2 for a discussion of the methodology used to allocate corporate-related costs for purposes of preparing these financial statements on a carve-out basis.

RELATED PARTY SALES AND PURCHASES

For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 the Company sold products to other International Paper businesses in the amount of $3 million and $9 million, respectively, which is included in net sales in the condensed combined statements of operations.

 

F-54


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The Company purchases certain of its products from International Paper which are produced in facilities that will remain with International Paper. The Company expects to continue to purchase uncoated freesheet and bristols pursuant to an offtake agreement between the Company and International Paper. The Company purchased and recognized in cost of products sold inventory associated with the contemplated offtake agreements of $104 million and $130 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

In addition, the Company is a party to the Joint Marketing Agreement with JSC Ilim Group, a subsidiary of International Paper’s equity method investee Ilim SA, under which the Company purchases, markets and sells paper produced by JSC Ilim Group. The Company purchased and recognized in cost of products sold inventory under this agreement of $91 million and $80 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

RELATED PARTY RECEIVABLE

Related party receivable consists of the following:

 

In millions

   June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Due from Parent cash pool

   $ 205      $ 202  

Professional services provided to Parent / other

     18        19  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 223      $ 221  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

RELATED PARTY PAYABLE

Related party payable consists of the following:

 

In millions

   June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Inventory purchases

   $ 16      $ 16  

Other

     27        9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 43      $ 25  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net transfers (to) from Parent are included within Parent company investment on the condensed combined balance sheets and with the summary of changes in equity included in Note 5. The components of the net transfers (to) from International Paper are as follows:

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

In millions

   2021      2020  

General financing activities

   $ (79    $ (247

Corporate allocations

     80        72  

Stock-based compensation

     7        7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net transfers (to) from Parent

   $ 8      $ (168
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-55


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Sylvamo Corporation of International Paper Company

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

TIMBER PAYMENT AGREEMENT

In connection with the Separation, a subsidiary of International Paper and a subsidiary of Sylvamo will enter into a letter agreement, pursuant to which the Sylvamo subsidiary will make a payment of $100 million to the

International Paper subsidiary if any portion of the Brazil eucalyptus forest plantations owned by Sylvamo as of

the distribution date are directly or indirectly transferred, subject to certain exceptions for immaterial transfers.

A transfer includes any sale, pledge or transfer of any legal or beneficial interest in the Brazil lands, including

any grant of an option or other right or interest or entry into any contract that would result in a reduction or

diminution of Sylvamo’s economic ownership in the Brazil lands (a “Qualifying Transfer”). A change of control of Sylvamo would also result in the payment becoming due and payable. Management has concluded that a Qualifying Transfer or change in control of the Brazil eucalyptus forest plantations is not considered probable at this time.

NOTE 16 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company’s management evaluated subsequent events from June 30, 2021 to August 9, 2021.

 

F-56

Exhibit 99.2

 

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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION STATEMENT MATERIALS. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RESPOND OR TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION. INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY International Paper Company is providing this notice to you because you hold shares of its common stock, $1.00 par value. International Paper Company has released materials for your information regarding the spin-off of its printing papers business into a stand-alone public company known as Sylvamo Corporation. International Paper Company will effect the spin-off through a pro rata distribution to International Paper Company shareholders of approximately 80.1% of the outstanding shares of Sylvamo Corporation. This notice provides instructions on how you can access International Paper Company’s Information Statement (the “Information Statement”). The Information Statement contains important information and we encourage you to review it. You may view the Information Statement online at www.materialnotice.com and easily request a paper or e-mail copy of it (see reverse side). See the reverse side of this Notice for instructions on how to access materials.     D58924-TBD


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Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE:ï§ How to View Online: Visit: www.materialnotice.com. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow above. How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy: If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these materials, you must request one. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request:    1) BY INTERNET: www.materialnotice.com    2) BY TELEPHONE: 1-800-579-1639    3) BY E-MAIL*: sendmaterial@materialnotice.com * If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow above in the subject line. Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor.    D58925-TBD


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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Materials INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY You are receiving this communication because you hold shares of common stock of International Paper Company. They have released informational materials that are now available for your review. This notice provides instructions on how to access INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY materials for informational purposes only. You may view the materials online at www.materialnotice.com and easily request a paper or e-mail copy (see reverse side). See the reverse side for instructions on how to access materials.     D58928-TBD    


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Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE:ï§ How to View Online: Visit: www.materialnotice.com. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow above. How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy: If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these materials, you must request one. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request:    1) BY INTERNET: www.materialnotice.com    2) BY TELEPHONE: 1-800-579-1639    3) BY E-MAIL*: sendmaterial@materialnotice.com * If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow above in the subject line. Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor.    D58929-TBD


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