Contract
Execution
Copy
DATED
26 May 2008
KRONOS
TITAN GMBH
KRONOS
EUROPE S.A./N.V.
KRONOS
TITAN AS
KRONOS
NORGE AS
TITANIA
AS
AND
KRONOS
DENMARK APS
AS
BORROWERS
KRONOS
TITAN GMBH
KRONOS
EUROPE S.A./N.V.
KRONOS
NORGE AS
AND
KRONOS
DENMARK APS
AS
GUARANTORS
WITH
DEUTSCHE
BANK LUXEMBOURG S.A.
ACTING
AS AGENT
|
|
_________________________________________________________________
RELATING
TO A
FACILITY
AGREEMENT
DATED
25 JUNE 2002
(as
amended by an amendment agreement
dated
3 September 2004 and by an amendment agreement dated 14 June
2005)
__________________________________________________________________
|
Germany-#782333-v7 41-40364741
CONTENTS
CLAUSE
|
PAGE
|
|
1.
|
Defininitions
and Interpretation
|
2 |
2.
|
Amendment
|
3 |
3.
|
Representations
|
3 |
4.
|
Continuity
and further Assurance
|
3 |
5.
|
Fees,
Costs and Expenses
|
4 |
6.
|
Transfer
and Assignment
|
4 |
7.
|
Miscellaneous
|
6 |
8.
|
Conclusion
of this Agreement (Vertragsschluss)
|
6 |
SCHEDULE
1 Conditions Precedent
|
8 | |
SCHEDULE
2 Amended Facility Agreement
|
10 | |
SCHEDULE
3 Transfer of Available Commitments/Participations
|
11 |
Germany-#782333-v7 41-40364741
THIS THIRD AMENDMENT AGREEMENT
is dated ________May 2008 (the "Agreement") and is made
between:
(1)
|
Kronos Titan GmbH
(formerly known as Kronos Titan GmbH & Co. oHG), a limited liability
company (Gesellschaft
mit beschränkter Haftung) organised under the laws of the Federal
Republic of Germany, having its business address at Xxxxxxxxxxxx 0, 00000
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxxx, which is registered in the
commercial register (Handelsregister) of the
local court (Amtsgericht) of Köln
under HRB 52058 (the "German
Borrower");
|
(2)
|
Kronos Europe S.A./N.V.,
a Belgian company with its registered office at Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 00, 0000
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx, registered nationally under RPR 0449.103.862 (the "Belgian
Borrower");
|
(3)
|
Kronos Titan AS, a
Norwegian company with registered office at Titangt. 0, 0000 Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, registered under no. 948 616 491 (the "Norwegian Borrower
1");
|
(4)
|
Titania AS, a Norwegian
company with registered office at 0000 Xxxxx x Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, registered
under no. 916 769 318 (the "Norwegian Borrower
2");
|
(5)
|
Kronos Norge AS, a
Norwegian company with registered office at Titangt. 0, 0000 Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, registered under no. 816 769 132 (the "Norwegian Borrower 3"
and together with the Norwegian Borrower 1 and the Norwegian Borrower 2,
collectively the "Norwegian
Borrowers");
|
(6)
|
Kronos Denmark ApS, a
Danish company with registered office at c/o Gorrissen Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, X.X. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx 00, 0000 Xxxxxxxxx X, Xxxxxxx, with
registration number CVR. no. 24 24 27 81 (the "Danish
Borrower");
|
(7)
|
Deutsche Bank AG as
mandated lead arranger;
|
(8)
|
THE EXITING LENDERS as
specified on the signature page;
|
(9)
|
THE CONTINUING LENDERS
as specified on the signature page (the Exiting Lenders and the
Continuing Lenders are herein collectively referred to as the "Lenders"); and
|
(10)
|
Deutsche Bank Luxembourg
S.A. as agent for the Finance Parties (as defined in the Original
Facility Agreement) (the "Agent") and as security
agent for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Original Facility
Agreement).
|
Germany-#782333-v7 41-40364741
RECITALS:
(A)
|
The
Lenders made a facility available to the German Borrower, the Belgian
Borrower, the Norwegian Borrowers and the Danish Borrower pursuant to the
terms and conditions under the Original Facility Agreement (as defined
below).
|
(B)
|
The
parties hereto have agreed to amend the Original Facility Agreement
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
|
IT IS AGREED as
follows:
1.
|
DEFINITIONS
AND INTERPRETATION
|
1.1
|
Definitions
|
In this
Agreement:
"Amended Facility Agreement"
means the Original Facility Agreement, as amended by this
Agreement.
"Effective Date" means the date
on which the Agent confirms to the Lenders and the German Borrower in writing
that it has received each of the documents listed in Schedule 1 (Conditions Precedent) in a
form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
"Original Facility Agreement"
means the EUR 80,000,000 multicurrency revolving facility agreement dated
25 June 2002 (as amended by a first amendment agreement dated 3 September
2004 and by an amendment agreement dated 14 June 2005) between, inter alia, Kronos Titan GmbH
(formerly known as Kronos Titan GmbH & Co. oHG), Kronos Europe S.A./N.V. and
others as borrowers, Kronos Titan GmbH (formerly known as Kronos Titan GmbH
& Co. oHG), Kronos Europe S.A./N.V. and others as guarantors, Deutsche Bank
AG as mandated lead arranger, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. as agent and
security agent and others.
1.2
|
Unless
a contrary indication appears, terms used in the Original Facility
Agreement shall, when used in this Agreement have the same meaning as in
the Original Facility Agreement.
|
1.3
|
Any
reference in this Agreement to a "Clause" or a "sub-clause" shall, subject
to any contrary indication, be construed as a reference to a clause or a
sub-clause hereof.
|
2.
|
AMENDMENT
|
2.1
|
Amendment
of the Original Facility Agreement
|
As of the
Effective Date, the Original Facility Agreement shall be amended so that it
shall be read and construed for all purposes as set out in Schedule 2 (Amended Facility
Agreement).
2.2
|
Security
Confirmation
|
(a)
|
The
German Borrower hereby confirms that the Security Documents entered into
by it continue in full force and effect and also shall secure its
obligations and the obligations of any of the other Obligors under the
Amended Facility Agreement.
|
(b)
|
The
Belgian Borrower hereby confirms that the Security Documents entered into
by it continue in full force and effect and also shall secure its
obligations and the obligations of any of the other Obligors under the
Amended Facility Agreement.
|
(c)
|
Kronos
Denmark ApS hereby confirms that the Security Documents entered into by it
continue in full force and effect and also shall secure its obligations
and the obligations of any of the other Obligors under the Amended
Facility Agreement
|
(d)
|
Each
of the Norwegian Borrowers hereby confirms that the Security Documents
entered into by it continue in full force and effect and also shall secure
its obligations and the obligations of any of the other Norwegian
Borrowers under the Amended Facility Agreement, in each case to the extent
as permitted under the Norwegian Companies Act 1997 Section 8-7 and
8-10.
|
3.
|
REPRESENTATIONS
|
As of the
Effective Date, the Obligors make the representations set out in Clause 22
(Representations)
(other than Clause 22.10) of the Original Facility Agreement as if each
reference in those representations to "this Agreement" or "the Finance
Documents" includes a reference to (a) this Agreement and (b) the Amended
Facility Agreement.
4.
|
CONTINUITY
AND FURTHER ASSURANCE
|
4.1
|
Continuing
obligations
|
The
provisions of the Original Facility Agreement shall, save as amended in this
Agreement, continue in full force and effect.
4.2
|
Further
assurance
|
Each of
the Obligors shall, at the request of the Agent and at its own expense, do all
such acts and things necessary or desirable to give effect to the amendments
effected or to be effected pursuant to this Agreement.
5.
|
FEES,
COSTS AND EXPENSES
|
5.1
|
Transaction
expenses
|
Each of
the Borrowers shall within three Business Days of demand, pay the Agent the
amount of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable
legal fees of outside counsel) reasonably incurred by the Agent in connection
with the negotiation, preparation, printing and execution of this Agreement and
any other documents referred to in this Agreement.
5.2
|
Enforcement
costs
|
Each of
the Borrowers shall, within three Business Days of demand, pay to each Secured
Party and the Mandated Lead Arranger the amount of all reasonable out-of-pocket
costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by that Secured
Party or the Mandated Lead Arranger in connection with the enforcement of, or
the preservation of any rights, powers and remedies under this
Agreement.
5.3
|
Stamp
taxes
|
The
Borrowers shall pay and, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each
Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability that Finance Party incurs in
relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in
respect of this Agreement.
6.
|
TRANSFER
AND ASSIGNMENT
|
6.1
|
Each
Lender confirms that the details in Part I, Part II and Part III of
Schedule 3 (Transfer of
Available Commitment/Participations) accurately summarise its
participation in the Facility made available under the Original Facility
Agreement.
|
6.2
|
Each
Exiting Lender hereby assigns and transfers, with effect from 26 May 2008
(aufschiebende
Befristung), such part of its Available Commitment and its
participation in outstanding Loans and/or Letters of Credit (together with
all its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents relating
thereto) as is set out in Part IV, Part V and Part VI of Schedule 3 (Transfer of Available
Commitments/Participations) to such Continuing Lender as is set out
in Part IV, Part V and Part VI of Schedule 3 (Transfer of Available
Commitments/Participations) in accordance with paragraph (b) of
Clause 27.5 (Procedure
for Transfer) of the Original Facility Agreement so that each
Continuing Lender's Available Commitment is as referred to in Part IX of
Schedule 3 (Transfer of
Available Commitments/Participations) and each Continuing Xxxxxx's
participation in outstanding Letters of Credit is as referred to in Part
VII of Schedule 3 (Transfer of Available
Commitments/Participations) and each continuing Xxxxxx's
participation in Loans is as referred to in Part VIII of Schedule 3 (Transfer of Available
Commitments/Participations).
|
6.3
|
Each
of the Continuing Lenders hereby accepts such transfer and
assignment.
|
6.4
|
Each
Continuing Lender confirms that it has received such information as it has
required in connection with this transaction and that it has not relied
and will not hereafter rely on the respective Exiting Lender to check or
enquire on its behalf into the legality, validity, effectiveness,
adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any such information and further
agrees that it has not relied and will not rely on the respective Exiting
Lender to assess or keep under review on its behalf the financial
condition, creditworthiness, condition, affairs, status or nature of the
Obligors.
|
6.5
|
Each
Exiting Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no
responsibility with respect to the legality, validity, effectiveness,
adequacy or enforceability of the Finance Documents or, in any case, any
document relating thereto and assumes no responsibility for the financial
condition of the Obligors or for the performance and observance by the
Obligors of any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or, in any
case, any document relating thereto and any and all such conditions and
warranties, whether express or implied by law or, in any case, otherwise,
are hereby excluded.
|
6.6
|
Each
Exiting Lender hereby gives notice that nothing herein or in the other
Finance Documents (or, in any case, any document relating thereto) shall
oblige such Exiting Lender to (a) accept a re-transfer from the respective
Continuing Lender of the whole or any part of its rights, benefits and/or
obligations under the Finance Documents transferred pursuant hereto or (b)
support any losses directly or indirectly sustained or incurred by the
respective Continuing Lender for any reason whatsoever including the
non-performance by an Obligor or any other party to the Finance Documents
(or, in any case, any document relating thereto) of its obligations under
any such document. The respective Continuing Lender hereby acknowledges
the absence of any such obligation as is referred to in (a) or (b)
above.
|
6.7
|
Each
Exiting Lender and the respective Continuing Lender hereby agree that the
benefit of the guarantees and indemnities granted pursuant to Clause 21
(Guarantee and
Indemnity) of the Original Facility Agreement and the benefit of
each of the Security Documents shall be transferred to the respective
Continuing Lender on 26 May 2008 to the extent such guarantees and
indemnities relate to the portion of the Outstandings assigned and
transferred to the respective Continuing Lender pursuant
hereto.
|
7.
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
7.1
|
Incorporation
of terms
|
The
provisions of Clause 37 (Partial Invalidity), Clause
38 (Remedies and
waivers), Clause 40 (Governing Law) and Clause
41.1 (Jurisdiction of German
Courts) of the Original Facility Agreement shall be incorporated into
this Agreement as if set out in full in this Agreement and as if references in
those clauses to "this Agreement" or "the Finance Documents" are references to
this Agreement.
7.2
|
Designation
as Finance Document
|
The
German Borrower and the Agent designate this Agreement as a Finance Document by
execution of this Agreement for the purposes of the definition of Finance
Document in the Original Facility Agreement.
8.
|
CONCLUSION
OF THIS AGREEMENT (VERTRAGSSCHLUSS)
|
8.1
|
The
Parties to this Agreement may choose to conclude this Agreement by an
exchange of signed signature page(s), transmitted by means of
telecommunication (telekommunikative Übermittlung) by way of fax or
attached as an electronic photocopy (pdf., tif., etc.) to electronic
mail.
|
8.2
|
If
the Parties to this Agreement choose to conclude this Agreement in
accordance with sub-clause 8.1 above, they
will transmit the signed signature page(s) of this Agreement to Mrs.
Xxxxxxx Xxx / Xx. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx of Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Partnerschaftsgesellschaft (each a "Recipient"). The
Agreement will be considered concluded once a Recipient has actually
received the signed signature page(s) (Zugang der
Unterschriftsseite(n)) from all Parties to
this Agreement and at the time of the receipt of the last outstanding
signature page(s).
|
8.3
|
For
the purposes of this Clause 8 only, the
Parties to this Agreement appoint each Recipient individually as agent of
receipt (Empfangsvertreter) and
expressly allow (gestatten) the
Recipients to collect the signed signature page(s) from all and for all
Parties to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, no
Recipient will have any further duties connected with its position as
Recipient. In particular, each Recipient may assume the
conformity to the authentic original(s) of the signature page(s)
transmitted to it by means of telecommunication, the genuineness of all
signatures on the original signature page(s) and the signing authority of
the signatories.
|
THIS AGREEMENT has been
entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
Germany-#782333-v7 41-40364741
SCHEDULE
1
Conditions
Precedent
1.
|
Obligors
|
(a)
|
A
copy of the constitutional documents of each
Obligor.
|
(b)
|
A
copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the Belgian Borrower,
each Norwegian Borrower and the Danish
Borrower:
|
(i)
|
approving
the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and
resolving that it executes this
Agreement;
|
(ii)
|
authorising
a specified person or persons to execute this Agreement on its behalf;
and
|
(iii)
|
authorising
a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all
documents and notices to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in
connection with this Agreement.
|
(c)
|
A
copy of a resolution signed by all the holders of the issued shares in the
German Borrower, approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated
by, this Agreement.
|
(d)
|
A
specimen of the signature of each person authorised to sign this
Agreement.
|
(e)
|
A
certificate validly signed on behalf of the relevant Obligor confirming
that borrowing and/or guaranteeing the Total Commitments would not cause
any borrowing and/or guaranteeing limit binding on it to be
exceeded.
|
(f)
|
A
certificate of an authorised signatory of the relevant Obligor certifying
that each copy document relating to it specified in this Schedule 1 is
correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier
than the date of this Agreement.
|
(g)
|
Copies
of the Original Financial Statements (as defined in the Amended Facility
Agreement) of each Obligor.
|
2.
|
Legal
Opinions
|
(a)
|
A
legal opinion of Clifford Chance Partnerschaftsgesellschaft, legal
advisers to the Agent in Germany, substantially in the form distributed to
the Lenders prior to signing this
Agreement.
|
(b)
|
A
legal opinion of Clifford Chance, legal advisers to the Agent in Belgium,
substantially in the form distributed to the Lenders prior to signing this
Agreement.
|
(c)
|
A
legal opinion of Xxxxx, Xxxxxx-Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxxx, legal advisers to
the Agent in Norway, substantially in the form distributed to the Lenders
prior to signing this Agreement.
|
(d)
|
A
legal opinion of Gorissen Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx, legal advisers to the
Agent in Denmark, substantially in the form distributed to the Lenders
prior to signing this Agreement.
|
(e)
|
A
legal opinion of Clifford Chance LLP, legal advisers to the Agent in the
United States of America, substantially in the form distributed to the
Lenders prior to signing this
Agreement.
|
3.
|
Other
documents and evidence
|
(a)
|
A
copy of a confirmation agreement relating to the Subordination Agreement,
duly executed by the Parent and the German
Borrower.
|
(b)
|
A
copy of the Structure Chart as of recent
date.
|
(c)
|
A
copy of any other Authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance
which the Agent considers to be necessary or desirable in connection with
the entry into and performance of the transaction contemplated by this
Agreement or for the validity and enforceability of this
Agreement.
|
Germany-#782333-v7 41-40364741
SCHEDULE
2
Amended
Facility Agreement
See Below for Schedule 2
Germany-#782333-v7 41-40364741
SCHEDULE
3
Transfer
of Available Commitments/Participations
Part
I: Current participation in outstanding Letters of Credit (in EUR)
Name
of Lender
|
Participation
|
Currently
none
|
Part
II Current participation in outstanding Loans (in EUR), Interest
Period
Name
of Lender
|
Available
Commitment
|
Interest
Period
|
Deutsche
Bank Luxembourg S.A.
|
5,000,000
|
Until
26 May 2008
|
Commerzbank
AG Filiale Köln
|
5,000,000
|
Until
26 May 2008
|
DnBNOR
Bank ASA
|
5,000,000
|
Until
26 May 2008
|
KBC
Bank N.V.
|
5,000,000
|
Until
26 May 2008
|
Total
|
20,000,000
|
Part
III: Current Available Commitments (in EUR)
Name
of Lender
|
Available
Commitment
|
Deutsche
Bank Luxembourg S.A.
|
15,000,000
|
Commerzbank
AG Filiale Köln
|
15,000,000
|
DnBNOR
Bank ASA
|
15,000,000
|
KBC
Bank N.V.
|
15,000,000
|
Total
|
60,000,000
|
Germany-#782333-v7 41-40364741
Part
IV: Transfer of participation in outstanding Letters of Credit (in
EUR)
Name
of Exiting Lender
|
Name
of Continuing Lender
|
Participation
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Part
V: Transfer of Participation in Loans after repayment on 26 May 2008 (in
EUR).
Name
of Exiting Lender
|
Name
of Continuing Lender
|
Participation
|
Commerzbank
AG, Filiale Köln
|
Deutsche
Bank Luxembourg S.A.
|
None
|
DnBNOR
Bank ASA
|
None
|
|
KBC
Bank N.V.
|
None
|
Part
VI: Transfer of Available Commitments (in EUR) on 26 May 2008 after repayment of
Loans on 26 May 2008
Name
of Exiting Lender
|
Name
of Continuing Lender
|
Available
Commitment
|
Commerzbank
AG, Filiale Köln
|
Deutsche
Bank Luxembourg S.A.
|
6,666,666.68
|
DnBNOR
Bank ASA
|
6,666,666.66
|
|
KBC
Bank N.V.
|
6,666,666.66
|
Germany-#782333-v7 41-40364741
Part
VII: Participation in outstanding Letters of Credit after transferral (in
EUR)
Name
of Continuing Lender
|
Participation
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Part
VIII: Participation in proposed Utilisations to be made on 26 May 2008 (in
EUR)
Name
of Continuing Lender
|
Participation
|
Deutsche
Bank Luxembourg S.A.
|
7,000,000.00
|
DnBNOR
Bank ASA
|
7,000,000.00
|
KBC
Bank N.V.
|
7,000,000.00
|
Total
|
21,000,000
|
Part
IX: Available Commitments on 26 May 2008 after transferral (in EUR)
Name
of Continuing Lender
|
Available
Commitment
|
Deutsche
Bank Luxembourg S.A.
|
19,666,666.68
|
DnBNOR
Bank ASA
|
19,666,666.66
|
KBC
Bank N.V.
|
19,666,666.66
|
Total
|
59,000,000
|
Germany-#782333-v7 41-40364741
SIGNATURES
The
Borrowers
Kronos
Titan GmbH
By:
Kronos
Europe S.A./N.V.
By:
Kronos
Titan AS
By:
Titania
AS
By:
Kronos
Norge AS
By:
Kronos
Denmark ApS
By:
The
Guarantors
Kronos
Titan GmbH
By:
Kronos
Europe S.A./N.V.
By:
Kronos
Norge AS
By:
Kronos
Denmark ApS
By:
The
Mandated Lead Arranger
Deutsche
Bank AG
By:
The
Agent and Security Agent
Deutsche
Bank Luxembourg S.A.
By:
The
Exiting Lenders
Commerzbank
Aktiengesellschaft, Filiale Köln
By:
The
Continuing Lenders
Deutsche
Bank Luxembourg S.A.
By:
DnBNOR
Bank ASA
By:
KBC Bank
N.V.
By:
Germany-#782333-v7 41-40364741
Execution
Copy
|
Schedule
2
|
DATED
25 June 2002
as
amended by an amendment agreement dated 3 September 2004, a second
amendment agreement dated 14 June 2005 and a third amendment agreement
dated
26
May 2008
|
KRONOS
TITAN GMBH & CO. OHG
KRONOS
EUROPE S.A./N.V.
KRONOS
TITAN AS
and
TITANIA
AS
as
Borrowers
KRONOS
TITAN GMBH & CO. OHG
KRONOS
EUROPE S.A./N.V.
and
KRONOS
NORGE AS
as
Guarantors
KRONOS
DENMARK APS
as
Security Provider
DEUTSCHE
BANK AG
as
Mandated Lead Arranger
DEUTSCHE
BANK LUXEMBOURG S.A.
as
Agent and Security Agent
and
KBC
BANK NV
as
Fronting Bank
and
Others
|
______________________________________________________
EUR 80,000,000
FACILITY
AGREEMENT
_______________________________________________________
|
CONTENTS
CLAUSE PAGE
1.
|
Definitions And
Interpretation
|
3
|
2.
|
The
Facility
|
22
|
3.
|
Purpose
|
22
|
4.
|
Conditions Of
Utilisation
|
22
|
5.
|
Utilisation
|
24
|
6.
|
Optional
Currencies
|
25
|
7.
|
Letters of
Credit
|
26
|
8.
|
Repayment
|
28
|
9.
|
Xxxxxxxx's Liabilities
In Relation To Letters Of Credit
|
28
|
10.
|
Prepayment And
Cancellation
|
30
|
11.
|
Interest
|
33
|
12.
|
Default
Interest
|
33
|
13.
|
Interest Periods and
Terms
|
34
|
14.
|
Changes To The
Calculation Of Interest
|
35
|
15.
|
Fees
|
36
|
16.
|
Tax Gross Up And
Indemnities
|
38
|
17.
|
Increased
Costs
|
41
|
18.
|
Other
Indemnities
|
43
|
19.
|
Mitigation By The
Lenders
|
44
|
20.
|
Costs And
Expenses
|
45
|
21.
|
Guarantee And
Indemnity
|
47
|
22.
|
Representations
|
50
|
23.
|
Information
Undertakings
|
54
|
24.
|
Financial
Covenants
|
56
|
25.
|
General
Undertakings
|
58
|
26.
|
Events Of
Default
|
66
|
27.
|
Changes To The
Lenders
|
71
|
28.
|
Changes To The
Obligors
|
75
|
29.
|
Role Of The Agent, the
Security Agent And The Mandated Lead Arranger
|
76
|
30.
|
Conduct Of Business By
The Finance Parties
|
85
|
31.
|
Sharing Among The
Finance Parties
|
86
|
32.
|
The Lenders and the
Fronting Bank
|
87
|
33.
|
Payment
Mechanics
|
90
|
34.
|
Set-Off
|
|
93
|
35.
|
Notices
|
93
|
36.
|
Calculations And
Certificates
|
96
|
37.
|
Partial
Invalidity
|
96
|
38.
|
Remedies And
Waivers
|
96
|
39.
|
Amendments And
Waivers
|
96
|
40.
|
Governing
Law
|
98
|
41.
|
Enforcement
|
98
|
SCHEDULE
1
|
The Original
Lenders
|
99
|
SCHEDULE
2
|
Conditions
Precedent
|
100
|
SCHEDULE
3
|
Utilisation
Request
|
104
|
SCHEDULE
4
|
Mandatory Cost
Formulae
|
106
|
SCHEDULE
5
|
Form of Transfer
Certificate
|
110
|
SCHEDULE
6
|
Form of
Compliance Certificate
|
114
|
SCHEDULE
7
|
Existing
Security
|
116
|
SCHEDULE
8
|
Existing
Financial Indebtedness
|
117
|
SCHEDULE
9
|
Timetables
|
118
|
SCHEDULE
10
|
Form of Combining
Schedule
|
121
|
SCHEDULE
11
|
Form of
Confidentiality Undertaking
|
138
|
SCHEDULE
12
|
Form of Letter of
Credit
|
143
|
SCHEDULE
13
|
Form of Auditor's
Report
|
145
|
THIS AGREEMENT is dated 25
June 2002 and made between:
(1)
|
KRONOS TITAN GMBH & CO. OHG
(the "German
Borrower"), KRONOS
EUROPE S.A./N.V. (the "Belgian Borrower"),
KRONOS TITAN AS
(the "Norwegian
Borrower 1") and TITANIA AS (the "Norwegian Borrower 2")
as borrowers (each a "Borrower" and together
the "Borrowers");
|
(2)
|
KRONOS TITAN GMBH & CO.
OHG (the "German
Guarantor"),
KRONOS EUROPE S.A./N.V. (the "Belgian Guarantor") and
KRONOS NORGE AS
(the "Norwegian
Guarantor") as guarantors (each a "Guarantor" and together
the "Guarantors");
|
(3)
|
KRONOS DENMARK APS as
additional security provider ("Kronos
Denmark");
|
(4)
|
DEUTSCHE BANK AG as
mandated lead arranger (the "Mandated Lead
Arranger");
|
(5)
|
KBC BANK NV as fronting
bank (the "Fronting
Bank");
|
(6)
|
THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
listed in Schedule 1 as lenders (the "Original Lenders");
and
|
(7)
|
DEUTSCHE BANK LUXEMBOURG S.A.
as agent of the other Finance Parties (the "Agent") and as Security
Agent for the Secured Parties (the "Security
Agent").
|
IT IS AGREED as
follows:
SECTION
1
INTERPRETATION
1.
|
DEFINITIONS
AND INTERPRETATION
|
1.1
|
Definitions
|
In this
Agreement:
"Additional Cost Rate" has the
meaning given to it in Schedule 4 (Mandatory Cost
formulae).
"Affiliate" means, in relation
to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person
or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.
"Agent's Spot Rate of Exchange"
means the Agent's spot rate of exchange for the purchase of the relevant
currency with the Base Currency in the European foreign exchange market at or
about 11:00 a.m. on a particular day.
"Applicable GAAP"
means:
(b)
|
in
relation to any Obligor whose jurisdiction of incorporation is the Federal
Republic of Germany, generally accepted accounting principles in the
Federal Republic of Germany;
|
(c)
|
in
relation to any Obligor whose jurisdiction of incorporation is Belgium,
generally accepted accounting principles in
Belgium;
|
(d)
|
in
relation to any Obligor whose jurisdiction of incorporation is Norway,
generally accepted accounting principles in Norway;
and
|
(e)
|
in
relation to Kronos Denmark, generally accepted accounting principles in
Denmark; and
|
(f)
|
in
relation to the Parent, US GAAP.
|
"Authorisation" means an
authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing,
notarisation or registration.
"Availability Period" means the
period from and including the date of this Agreement to and including the
Business Day falling immediately before the Termination Date.
"Available Commitment" means a
Lender's Commitment minus:
(a)
|
the
Base Currency Amount of its participation in any outstanding Loans and
Letters of Credit; and
|
(b)
|
in
relation to any proposed Utilisation, the Base Currency Amount of its
participation in any Loans and Letters of Credit that are due to be made
on or before the proposed Utilisation
Date,
|
other
than that Xxxxxx's participation in any Loans and Letters of Credit that are due
to be repaid, prepaid or expire on or before the proposed Utilisation
Date.
"Available Facility" means the
aggregate for the time being of each Lender's Available Commitment.
"Base Currency" means
euros.
"Base Currency Amount" means,
in relation to a Loan or a Letter of Credit, the amount specified in the
Utilisation Request delivered by a Borrower for that Loan or a Letter of Credit
(or, in the case of a Loan only, if the amount requested is not denominated in
the Base Currency, that amount converted into the Base Currency at the Agent's
Spot Rate of Exchange on the date which is three Business Days before the
Utilisation Date adjusted to reflect any repayment or prepayment of the
Loan).
"Break Costs" means the amount
(if any) by which:
(a)
|
the
interest which a Lender should have received for the period from the date
of receipt of all or any part of its participation in a Loan or Unpaid Sum
to the last day of the current Interest Period in respect of that Loan or
Unpaid Sum, had the principal amount or Unpaid Sum received been paid on
the last day of that Interest
Period;
|
exceeds:
(b)
|
the
amount which that Xxxxxx would be able to obtain by placing an amount
equal to the principal amount or Unpaid Sum received by it on deposit with
a leading bank in the Relevant Interbank Market for a period starting on
the Business Day following receipt or recovery and ending on the last day
of the current Interest Period.
|
"Business Day"
means:
(a)
|
(in
relation to any day other than a date for the payment, purchase of, or
rate fixing relating to euro) a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on
which banks are open for general business in Luxembourg, (in relation to
the Letter of Credit) the principal financial centre of the country of the
Facility Office of the Fronting Bank and (in relation to any date for
payment or purchase of, or rate fixing relating to, a sum denominated in a
currency other than euro) the principal financial centre of the country of
that currency; or
|
(b)
|
(in
relation to any date for payment, purchase of, or rate fixing relating to
euro) any TARGET Day.
|
"Capital Lease" means any lease
or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with Applicable GAAP, be
treated as a finance or capital lease.
"Cash Collateral" means, in
relation to any Letter of Credit or L/C Proportion of a Letter of Credit, a
deposit in an interest-bearing account or accounts with the Fronting Bank as the
Agent (with the consent of the Fronting Bank) may specify, that deposit and
account to be secured in favour of, and on terms and conditions acceptable to,
the Agent and the Fronting Bank.
"Cash Collateral Documents"
means any documents as the Agent may specify, to be entered into in relation to
the Cash Collateral.
"Cash Equivalent Investments"
means:
(a)
|
marketable
debt securities for which a recognised trading market exists (including
money market funds that invest substantially all of their assets in debt
securities accessible within 30 days) maturing within one year after the
relevant date of calculation, denominated in euros, sterling or dollars or
kroner ("Accepted
Currency") issued by any member state of the European Union, Norway
and the United States of America which are not convertible into any other
form of security;
|
(b)
|
marketable
debt securities for which a recognised trading market exists (including
money market funds that invest substantially all of their assets in debt
securities accessible within 30 days) maturing within one year after the
relevant date of calculation, denominated in any Accepted Currency which
are not convertible into any other form of security, rated P-1 (Xxxxx'x
Investor Services Inc.) or A-1 (Standard & Poors'
Corporation);
|
(c)
|
certificates
of deposit and time deposits maturing within one year after the relevant
date of calculation, denominated in any Accepted Currency issued by, and
acceptances by, banking institutions authorised under applicable
legislation of any member state of the European Union, the United States
of America or Norway which at the time of making such issue or
acceptances, have outstanding debt securities rated as provided in
paragraph (b) above or which have minimum capital of EUR 250,000,000;
and
|
(d)
|
such
other securities (if any) as are approved in writing by the
Agent,
|
in each
case to which any member of the Group is beneficially entitled at that time and
which are not issued or guaranteed by any member of the Group.
"Charged Property" means all
the assets of the Borrowers or Kronos Denmark which from time to time are, or
are expressed to be, the subject of the Transaction Security.
"Combining Schedule" means a
schedule substantially in the form set out in part I of Schedule 10 (Form of Combining Schedule)
when delivered pursuant to Clause 23.3(a)(i) and part II of Schedule 10 (Form of Combining Schedule)
when delivered pursuant to Clause 23.3(a)(ii), in each case combining the
financial information of the Parent including each of the Obligors and its
Subsidiaries (on a legal entity basis) which is used to prepare and corresponds
with the Parent's (audited, in the case of a financial year) consolidated
balance sheet and statements of income and cash flows for the relevant financial
year or financial quarter (as the case may be), in each case prepared using US
GAAP.
"Commitment"
means:
(a)
|
in
relation to an Original Lender, the amount in the Base Currency set
opposite its name under the heading "Commitment" in Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders)
and the amount of any other Commitment transferred to it under this
Agreement; and
|
(b)
|
in
relation to any other Lender, the amount in the Base Currency of any
Commitment transferred to it under this
Agreement,
|
to the
extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this
Agreement.
"Compliance Certificate" means
a certificate substantially in the form set out in part I of Schedule 6
(Form of Compliance
Certificate).
"Confidentiality Undertaking"
means a confidentiality undertaking substantially as set out in Schedule 11
(Form of Confidentiality
Undertaking) or in any other form agreed between the German Borrower and
the Agent.
"Default" means an Event of
Default or any event or circumstance specified in Clause 26 (Events of Default) which
would (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of
any determination under the Finance Documents or any combination of any of the
foregoing) be an Event of Default.
"Environmental Claim" means any
claim, proceeding or investigation by any person in respect of any Environmental
Law.
"Environmental Law" means any
applicable law in any jurisdiction in which any member of the Group conducts
business which relates to the pollution or protection of the environment or harm
to or the protection of human health or the health of animals or
plants.
"Environmental Permits" means
any permit, licence, consent, approval and other authorisation and the filing of
any notification, report or assessment required under any Environmental Law for
the operation of the business of any member of the Group conducted on or from
the properties owned or used by the relevant member of the Group.
"EURIBOR" means, in relation to
any Loan in euro:
(a)
|
the
applicable Screen Rate; or
|
(b)
|
(if
no Screen Rate is available for the Interest Period of that Loan) the
arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded upwards to four decimal places) as
supplied to the Agent at its request quoted by the Reference Banks to
leading banks in the European interbank
market,
|
as of the
Specified Time on the Quotation Day for the offering of deposits in euro for a
period comparable to the Interest Period of the relevant Loan.
"Event of Default" means any
event or circumstance specified as such in Clause 26 (Events of
Default).
"Expiry Date" means, in
relation to any Letter of Credit, the date on which the maximum aggregate
liability under that Letter of Credit is to be reduced to zero provided that any such date
will end on or before the Termination Date.
"Facility" means the revolving
loan and letter of credit facility made available under this Agreement as
described in Clause 2 (The Facility).
"Facility Office" means the
office or offices notified by a Lender to the Agent in writing on or before the
date it becomes a Lender (or, following that date, by not less than five
Business Days' written notice) as the office or offices through which it will
perform its obligations under this Agreement.
"Fee Letter" means any letter
or letters dated on or about the date of this Agreement or on or about the date
of the Third Amendment Agreement between the Mandated Lead Arranger and the
German Borrower (or the Agent and the German Borrower or the Fronting Bank and
the relevant Borrower) setting out any of the fees referred to in Clause 15
(Fees).
"Finance Document" means this
Agreement, the First Amendment Agreement, the Second Amendment Agreement, the
Third Amendment Agreement, the Security Documents, the Subordination Agreement,
any Fee Letter and any other document designated as such by the Agent and the
German Borrower.
"Finance Party" means the
Agent, the Mandated Lead Arranger, the Fronting Bank, the Security Agent or a
Lender.
"Financial Indebtedness" means
any indebtedness for or in respect of:
(a)
|
moneys
borrowed;
|
(b)
|
any
amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit
facility;
|
(c)
|
any
amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of
bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar
instrument;
|
(d)
|
the
amount of any liability in respect of any Capital
Lease;
|
(e)
|
receivables
sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold
on a non-recourse basis);
|
(f)
|
any
amount under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase
agreement) having the commercial effect of a borrowing as defined in
paragraphs (a) or (c) above (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not
include deferred payment obligations which are standard within the
industry and in the ordinary course of
business);
|
(g)
|
any
derivative transaction and the resulting net liability as determined from
time to time, if any, entered into in connection with protection against
or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price (and, when calculating
the value of any derivative transaction, only the marked to market value
shall be taken into account);
|
(h)
|
any
counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond,
standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by
a bank or financial institution;
and
|
(i)
|
the
amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any
of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (h)
above.
|
"First Amendment Agreement" means the
amendment agreement dated 3 September 2004 relating to this
Agreement.
"Fronting Bank" means KBC Bank
NV.
"Group" means each of the
Obligors and their Subsidiaries.
"Holding Company" means, in
relation to a company or corporation, any other company or corporation in
respect of which it is a Subsidiary.
"Intellectual Property" means
all patents, trade marks, service marks, trade names, design rights, copyright
(including rights in computer software and moral rights and in published and
unpublished work), titles, rights to know-how and other intellectual property
rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including
applications for the grant of any of the foregoing and all rights or forms of
protection having equivalent or similar effect to any of the foregoing which may
subsist anywhere in the world.
"Interest Period" means, in
relation to a Loan, each period determined in accordance with Clause 13
(Interest Periods) and,
in relation to an Unpaid Sum, each period determined in accordance with
Clause 12.1 (Default
interest periods).
"Intra-group Loan" means a
borrowing of money as defined in paragraphs (a), (c) and (f) of the definition
of Financial Indebtedness from the Parent or any other member of the Kronos
Group by any member of the Group.
"Kronos Group" means Kronos
Worldwide, Inc. and its Subsidiaries (other than any such Subsidiaries which
form part of the Group).
"L/C Amount"
means:
(a)
|
each
sum paid or due and payable by the Fronting Bank to the beneficiary of a
Letter of Credit pursuant to the terms of that Letter of Credit;
and
|
(b)
|
all
liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, any costs incurred in
funding any amount which falls due from the Fronting Bank under a Letter
of Credit), claims, losses and out-of-pocket expenses which the Fronting
Bank incurs or sustains in connection with a Letter of
Credit,
|
in each
case which has not been reimbursed pursuant to Clause 9 (Xxxxxxxx's liabilities in relation
to Letters of Credit).
"L/C Commission Rate" means a
letter of credit commission rate of 1.75 per cent. per annum.
"L/C Proportion" means, in
relation to a Lender in respect of any Letter of Credit and save as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, the proportion (expressed as a percentage) borne by
that Xxxxxx's Available Commitment to the Available Facility immediately prior
to the issue of that Letter of Credit.
"Legal Opinions" means the
legal opinions delivered to the Agent pursuant to Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions
precedent).
"Legal Reservations"
means:
(a)
|
the
principle that equitable remedies may be granted or refused at the
discretion of a court, the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to
insolvency, reorganisation and other laws generally affecting the rights
of creditors; and
|
(b)
|
the
time bearing of claims, defences of set-off or counterclaim and similar
principles which are set out in the Legal Opinions as qualifications as to
matters of law.
|
"Lender" means:
(a)
|
any
Original Lender; and
|
(b)
|
any
bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity which has become
a Party in accordance with Clause 27 (Changes to the
Lenders),
|
which in
each case has not ceased to be a Party in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
"Letter of Credit" means a
letter of credit issued or to be issued by the Fronting Bank under the Facility
substantially in the form set out in Schedule 12 (Form of Letter of Credit) or
in such other form requested by the Borrower which is acceptable to the Agent
and the Fronting Bank.
"LIBOR" means:
(a)
|
in
relation to any Loan (other than a Loan denominated or to be denominated
in sterling), the applicable Screen Rate;
or
|
(b)
|
in
relation to (i) any Loan denominated in or to be denominated in sterling
or (ii) any other Loan if no Screen Rate is available for the currency or
Interest Period of that other Loan, the arithmetic mean of the rates
(rounded upwards to four decimal places) as supplied to the Agent at its
request quoted by the Reference Banks to leading banks in the London
interbank market,
|
as of the
Specified Time on the Quotation Day for the offering of deposits in the currency
of that Loan and for a period comparable to the Interest Period for that
Loan.
"Loan" means a loan made or to
be made under the Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time
being of that loan.
"LMA" means the Loan Market
Association.
"Majority Lenders"
means:
(a)
|
until
the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, a Lender or Lenders whose
Commitments aggregate more than 51% of the Total Commitments (or, if the
Total Commitments have been reduced to zero and there are no Loans or
Letters of Credit then outstanding, aggregated more than 51% of the Total
Commitments immediately prior to the reduction);
or
|
(b)
|
at
any other time, a Lender or Lenders whose participations in the
Outstandings aggregate more than 51% of all the
Outstanding.
|
"Mandatory Cost" means the
percentage rate per annum calculated by the Agent in accordance with Schedule 4
(Mandatory Cost
formulae).
"Margin" means 1.75 per cent.
per annum.
"Material Adverse Effect" means
a material adverse effect on the business, assets or financial condition of the
German Borrower, the Belgian Borrower or the Group taken as a
whole.
"Material Contracts" means any
agreements including licence agreements entered into by any member of the Group
which is reasonably likely to be material to the business or financial condition
of any Obligor or the Group taken as a whole.
"Material Subsidiary" means
Unterstützungskasse Kronos Titan GmbH and any other Subsidiary of any
Obligor:
(a)
|
whose
total assets represent 5 per cent. or more of the consolidated total
assets of the Group; or
|
(b)
|
whose
total operating income represents 5 per cent. or more of the consolidated
total operating income of the
Group,
|
all as
shown (in the case of any Subsidiary) in its most recent annual or half yearly
accounts (consolidated, as the case may be, if it has Subsidiaries) and (in the
case of the Group) the most recent annual or, as the case may be, half yearly
Combining Schedules of the Group, provided that:
(i)
|
if
any Material Subsidiary sells, transfers or otherwise disposes of the
majority of its undertaking or assets (whether by a single transaction or
a number of related transactions) to any other member of the
Group:
|
(1)
|
that
other member of the Group shall be deemed to become a Material Subsidiary
on the date of the relevant sale, transfer or disposal;
and
|
(2)
|
any
Material Subsidiary which sells, transfers or otherwise disposes of the
majority of its undertaking or assets (whether by a single transaction or
a number of related transactions) shall no longer be a Material Subsidiary
on the date of the relevant sale, transfer or
disposal,
|
until the
Material Subsidiaries are next determined from the annual or half yearly
accounts referred to above;
(ii)
|
if
any Material Subsidiary does not satisfy either of the tests set out in
paragraphs (a) and (b) above for reasons other than those referred to
under paragraph (i) above, then such Material Subsidiary shall cease to be
a Material Subsidiary from the point of time that the non-satisfaction of
such tests can be determined from the annual audited accounts or the half
yearly unaudited accounts referred to above;
and
|
(iii)
|
if
a Subsidiary has been acquired since the date as of which the latest
consolidated annual or half yearly accounts of the Group were prepared,
such accounts shall be adjusted in order to take into account the
acquisition of such Subsidiary.
|
"Month" means a period starting
on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day
in the next calendar month, except that:
(a)
|
if
the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall
end on the next Business Day in that calendar month in which that period
is to end if there is one, or if there is not, on the immediately
preceding Business Day; and
|
(b)
|
if
there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which
that period is to end, that period shall end on the last Business Day in
that calendar month.
|
The above
exceptions will only apply to the last Month of any period.
"Norwegian Borrowers" means the
Norwegian Borrower 1, the Norwegian Borrower 2 and Kronos Norge AS.
"Obligor" means a Borrower or a
Guarantor.
"Optional Currency" means a
currency (other than the Base Currency) which complies with the conditions set
out in Clause 4.3 (Conditions relating to Optional
Currencies).
"Original Financial Statements"
means:
(a)
|
in
relation to the Norwegian Guarantor, its audited consolidated financial
statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2007 prepared using
Applicable GAAP;
|
(b)
|
in
relation to each Obligor, its audited unconsolidated financial statements
for the financial year ended 31 December 2007 prepared using Applicable
GAAP; and
|
(c)
|
in
relation to the Group, a Combining Schedule for the financial year ended
31 December 2007 prepared using US
GAAP.
|
"Outstandings" means at any
time, the aggregate of the Base Currency Amounts of the outstanding Loans and
the amount of the maximum actual and contingent liabilities of the Lenders in
respect of each outstanding Letter of Credit.
"Parent" means Kronos
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
"Participating Member State"
means any member state of the European Communities that adopts or has adopted
the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European
Community relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
"Party" means a party to this
Agreement.
"Permitted Affiliate
Transactions" means any transaction entered into between any member of
the Group and the Parent or any other member of the Kronos Group either (i) in
the ordinary course of trading or business and in accordance with past practice
or (ii) which is necessary to accommodate legal or regulatory requirements of
such member of the Group.
"Permitted Financial
Indebtedness" means Financial Indebtedness, without
duplication:
(a)
|
arising
under or permitted pursuant to the Finance
Documents;
|
(b)
|
incurred
with the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders and any Refinancing
thereof;
|
(c)
|
existing
on the date of this Agreement and listed in Schedule 8 (Existing Financial
Indebtedness) and any Refinancing thereof, provided that the
Financial Indebtedness referred to in item 1 of Schedule 8 (Existing Financial
Indebtedness) (or any Refinancing thereof) is repaid upon the first
Utilisation Date and the Financial Indebtedness referred to in item 7 of
Schedule 8 (Existing
Financial Indebtedness) (or any Refinancing thereof) is repaid no
later than 120 days from the date of this Agreement and provided further that any Refinancing of
the Financial Indebtedness referred to in items 2 and 3 of Schedule 8
(Existing Financial
Indebtedness) is subject to a subordination agreement between the
debtor, the creditor and the Security Agent on substantially the same
terms as in the Subordination
Agreement;
|
(d)
|
arising
under any derivative transaction entered into by any member of the Group
in respect of Financial Indebtedness of such members of the Group and any
Refinancing thereof provided that such
derivative transactions are (i) entered into to protect members of the
Group from fluctuations in interest rates on outstanding Financial
Indebtedness to the extent the notional principal amount of such
derivative transactions does not, at the time of the incurrence thereof,
exceed the principal amount of the Financial Indebtedness to which such
derivative transaction relates and (ii) entered into in the ordinary
course of business of such members of the Group and not for investment or
speculative purposes;
|
(e)
|
arising
under any commodity agreements or currency agreements entered into by any
member of the Group provided that (i) in the
case of any such currency agreements which relate to Financial
Indebtedness or trade payables of any member of the Group, such currency
agreements do not increase the outstanding Financial Indebtedness or trade
payables of such member of the Group (other than as a result of
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or by reason of fees,
indemnities and compensation payable thereunder) and (ii) in the case of
any such commodity agreements or currency agreements, such agreements are
entered into in the ordinary course of business of such members of the
Group and not for investment or speculative
purposes;
|
(f)
|
owed
by any Obligor to any other
Obligor;
|
(g)
|
owed
by any member of the Group which is not an Obligor to any other member of
the Group which is not an Obligor or to an Obligor, unless incurred in
violation of this Agreement;
|
(h)
|
arising
under any Intra-group Loans provided that the
payment claims of the Parent or any other member of the Kronos Group in
respect of any such Intra-group Loans have been subordinated to the claims
of the Finance Parties pursuant to the Subordination Agreement;
and
|
(i)
|
arising
from the honouring by a Lender or other financial institution of a cheque,
draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight
overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of
business, provided
that such Financial Indebtedness is extinguished within two
Business Days of incurrence;
|
(j)
|
consisting
of guarantees, indemnities or obligations in respect of customary purchase
price adjustments in connection with the acquisition of or disposal over
assets up to an aggregate amount of EUR 2,000,000 (or its equivalent
in another currency or currencies);
|
(k)
|
incurred
by the Norwegian Borrower 2 in the ordinary course of business to finance
the purchase price for the acquisition of heavy earth moving equipment or
other similar equipment related to mining by it or any Refinancing thereof
up to an aggregate amount of EUR 10,000,000 (or its equivalent in
another currency or currencies);
|
(l)
|
incurred
by any member of the Group the principal amount of which (when aggregated
with the principal amount of all other Financial Indebtedness incurred by
the members of the Group other than any Financial Indebtedness permitted
under paragraphs (a) to (k) above) does not exceed EUR 5,000,000 (or its
equivalent in another currency or
currencies).
|
"Permitted Loans and
Guarantees" means:
(a)
|
any
guarantee or indemnity granted by any member of the Group or any
assumption of liability in respect of any obligation of any other person
made by any member of the Group in the ordinary course of its trading or
business and upon terms usual for such trading or
business;
|
(b)
|
any
guarantee or indemnity required under any of the Finance
Documents;
|
(c)
|
any
loan, grant of credit, guarantee or indemnity or assumption of any
liability in respect of any other person which is granted or made by any
member of the Group who is not an Obligor to or for the benefit of an
Obligor;
|
(d)
|
any
loan, grant of credit, guarantee or indemnity or assumption of any
liability in respect of any other person which is granted or made by any
Obligor to or for the benefit of any other Obligor;
and
|
(e)
|
any
loan granted by any Obligor to any wholly-owned subsidiary being a member
of the Group which is not an Obligor (including the sale or discounting of
receivables by any member of the Group to the German Borrower) up to an
aggregate amount of
EUR 5,000,000.
|
"Quotation Day" means, in
relation to any period for which an interest rate is to be
determined:
(a)
|
(if
the currency is euro) two TARGET Days before the first day of that period;
or
|
(b)
|
(for
any other currency) two Business Days before the first day of that
period,
|
unless
market practice differs in the Relevant Interbank Market for a currency, in
which case the Quotation Day for that currency will be determined by the Agent
in accordance with market practice in the Relevant Interbank Market (and if
quotations would normally be given by leading banks in the Relevant Interbank
Market on more than one day, the Quotation Day will be the last of those
days).
"Reference Banks" means
Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. and the principal offices of KBC Bank N.V. and
DnBNOR Bank ASA or such other bank or banks as may from time to time be agreed
between the German Borrower and the Agent acting on the instructions of the
Majority Lenders.
"Refinance" means, in respect
of any Financial Indebtedness, to refinance in whole or in part the amount of
such Financial Indebtedness on arms' length terms and in accordance with market
standards and the terms "Refinanced" and "Refinancing" shall be construed
accordingly.
"Relevant Interbank Market"
means in relation to euro, the European interbank market and, in relation to any
other currency, the London interbank market.
"Relevant Jurisdiction"
means:
(a)
|
the
jurisdiction of incorporation of each member of the Group;
and
|
(b)
|
the
jurisdiction where any asset subject to or intended to be subject to the
Transaction Security is situated.
|
"Repeating Representations"
means each of the representations set out in Clauses 22.1 (Status) to 22.6 (Governing law and
enforcement), Clause 22.9 (No default),
Clause 22.13 (No
proceedings pending or threatened), Clause 22.19 (Legal and beneficial owner)
and Clause 22.20 (No
winding up).
"Rollover Loan" means one or
more Loans:
(a)
|
made
or to be made on the same day that
a:
|
(i)
|
maturing
Loan is due to be repaid; or
|
(ii)
|
demand
in respect of a Letter of Credit is due to be
met;
|
(b)
|
the
aggregate amount of which is equal to or less than the maturing Loan or
Letter of Credit;
|
(c)
|
in
the same currency as the maturing Loan (unless it arose as a result of the
operation of Clause 6.2 (Unavailability of a
currency)) or Letter of Credit;
and
|
(d)
|
made
or to be made to the same Borrower for the purpose
of:
|
(i)
|
refinancing
a maturing Loan; or
|
(ii)
|
satisfying
any demand made by the Fronting Bank through the Agent pursuant to a
drawing under a Letter of Credit.
|
"Screen Rate"
means:
(a)
|
in
relation to any amount to be advanced or owing in euro, the percentage
rate per annum determined by the Banking Federation of the European Union
for the relevant period; and
|
(b)
|
in
all other respects, the British Bankers Association Interest Settlement
Rate for the relevant currency and
period,
|
displayed
on the appropriate page of the Reuters screen. If the agreed page is
replaced or service ceases to be available, the Agent may specify another page
or service displaying the appropriate rate in the Agent's reasonable discretion
with the approval of the German Borrower (which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed) and after consultation with the
Lenders.
"Second Amendment Agreement" means the
amendment agreement dated 14 June 2005 relating to this Agreement.
"Secured Parties" means the
Security Agent, the Agent, the Fronting Bank and each Lender from time to time
party to this Agreement.
"Security" means a mortgage,
charge, pledge, lien or other security interest securing any obligation of any
person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar
effect.
"Security Document" means each
of the documents delivered to the Agent listed in Section 4 of
Schedule 2 (Conditions
Precedent) together with any other document entered into by a Borrower or
Kronos Denmark creating or expressed to create Security over all or any part of
its assets in respect of the obligations of any of the Obligors under any of the
Finance Documents.
"Specified Time" means a time
determined in accordance with Schedule 9 (Timetables).
"Structure Chart" means a chart
showing the Parent and its Subsidiaries and any direct shareholders of any
member of the Group and the relationship between all such entities.
"Subordination Agreement" means
the subordination agreement entered into between the Security Agent, the Parent
and the German Borrower.
"Subsidiary" means in relation
to any company or corporation, a company or corporation:
(a)
|
which
is controlled, directly or indirectly, by the first mentioned company or
corporation;
|
(b)
|
more
than half the issued share capital of which is beneficially owned,
directly or indirectly by the first mentioned company or corporation;
or
|
(c)
|
which
is a Subsidiary of another Subsidiary of the first mentioned company or
corporation,
|
and for
this purpose, a company or corporation shall be treated as being controlled by
another if that other company or corporation is able to direct its affairs
and/or to control the composition of its board of directors or equivalent
body.
"TARGET" means Trans-European
Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment
system.
"TARGET2" means the
Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment
system which utilises a single shared platform and which was launched on 19
November 2007.
"TARGET Day"
means:
(a)
|
until
such time as TARGET is permanently closed down and ceases operations, any
day on which both TARGET and TARGET2 are;
and
|
(b)
|
following
such time as TARGET is permanently closed down and ceases operations, any
day on which TARGET2 is,
|
open for
the settlement of payments in euro.
"Tax" means any tax, levy,
impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any
penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay
in paying any of the same).
"Term" means, in relation to
any Letter of Credit, the period from its Utilisation Date until its Expiry
Date.
"Termination Date" means the
date falling 36 Months after the date of the Third Amendment
Agreement.
"Third Amendment Agreement" means the
amendment agreement dated [on or about 26 May] 2008 relating to this
Agreement.
"Total Commitments" means the
aggregate of the Commitments, being EUR 80,000,000 at the date of this
Agreement.
"Transaction Security" means
the Security created or expressed to be created in favour of the Security Agent
and/or the Secured Parties pursuant to the Security Documents or this
Agreement.
"Transfer Certificate" means a
certificate substantially in one of the forms set out in Schedule 5 (Form of Transfer Certificate)
or any other form agreed between the Agent and the German Borrower.
"Transfer Date" means, in
relation to a transfer, the later of:
(a)
|
the
proposed Transfer Date specified in the Transfer Certificate;
and
|
(b)
|
the
date on which the Agent executes the Transfer
Certificate.
|
"Unpaid Sum" means any sum due
and payable but unpaid by an Obligor under the Finance Documents.
"US GAAP" means generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States of America.
"Utilisation" means a
utilisation of the Facility, whether by way of Loan or Letter of
Credit.
"Utilisation Date" means the
date of a Utilisation, being the date on which a Loan is to be made or the
relevant Letter of Credit is to be issued.
"Utilisation Request" means a
notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 3 (Utilisation
Request).
1.2
|
Construction
|
(a)
|
Unless
a contrary indication appears, any reference in this Agreement
to:
|
(i)
|
the
"Agent", the
"Mandated Lead
Arranger", the "Security Agent", any
"Finance Party",
any "Lender", the
"Parent", any
"Obligor" or any
"Party" shall be
construed so as to include its successors in title, permitted assigns and
permitted transferees;
|
(ii)
|
"assets" includes present
and future properties, revenues and rights of every
description;
|
(iii)
|
the
"European interbank
market" means the interbank market for euro operating in
Participating Member States;
|
(iv)
|
a
"Finance Document"
or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Finance
Document or other agreement or instrument as amended or
novated;
|
(v)
|
"indebtedness" includes
any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the
payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or
contingent;
|
(vi)
|
a
Xxxxxx's "participation", in
relation to a Letter of Credit, shall be construed as a reference to the
rights and obligations of that Lender in relation to that Letter of Credit
as are expressly set out in this
Agreement;
|
(vii)
|
a
"person" includes
any individual, person, firm, company, corporation, unincorporated
organisation, government, state or agency of a state or any association,
trust, joint venture or partnership (whether or not having separate legal
personality) or two or more of the
foregoing;
|
(viii)
|
a
"regulation"
includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline
(whether or not having the force of law) of any governmental,
intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory,
self-regulatory or other authority or
organisation;
|
(ix)
|
a
provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or
re-enacted; and
|
(x)
|
a
time of day is a reference to Luxembourg
time.
|
(b)
|
Section,
Clause and Schedule headings are for ease of reference
only.
|
(c)
|
Unless
a contrary indication appears, a term used in any other Finance Document
or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document
has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this
Agreement.
|
(d)
|
A
Default (other than an Event of Default) is "continuing" if it has
not been remedied or waived and an Event of Default is "continuing" if it has
not been waived.
|
1.3
|
Currency
Symbols and Definitions
|
"$" and "dollars" denote lawful
currency of the United States of America, "£" and "sterling" denote lawful
currency of the United Kingdom, "NOK" and "kroner" denote lawful currency
of Norway and "EUR" and
"euro" means the single
currency unit of the Participating Member States.
SECTION
2
THE
FACILITY
2.
|
THE
FACILITY
|
2.1
|
The
Facility
|
Subject
to the terms of this Agreement, the Lenders make available to the Borrowers a
multicurrency revolving loan and letter of credit facility in an aggregate
amount equal to the Total Commitments.
2.2
|
Finance
Parties' rights and obligations
|
(a)
|
The
obligations of each Finance Party under the Finance Documents are
several. Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations
under the Finance Documents does not affect the obligations of any other
Party under the Finance Documents. No Finance Party is
responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party under the
Finance Documents.
|
(b)
|
The
rights of each Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance
Documents are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under
the Finance Documents to a Finance Party from an Obligor shall be a
separate and independent debt.
|
(c)
|
A
Finance Party may, except as otherwise stated in the Finance Documents,
separately enforce its rights under the Finance
Documents.
|
3.
|
PURPOSE
|
3.1
|
Purpose
|
Each
Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed by it under the Facility towards its
general corporate purposes, including its working capital requirements and
refinancing its existing indebtedness.
3.2
|
Monitoring
|
No
Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount
borrowed pursuant to this Agreement.
4.
|
CONDITIONS
OF UTILISATION
|
4.1
|
Initial
conditions precedent
|
No
Borrower may deliver a Utilisation Request unless the Agent has received all of
the documents and other evidence listed in Schedule 2 (Conditions precedent) in form
and substance satisfactory to the Agent, except for the evidence referred to in
paragraph 3 (a) of Schedule 2, provided that such evidence must be received by
the Agent no later than on the Utilisation Date and prior to the first
Utilisation. The Agent shall notify the German Borrower and the
Lenders promptly upon being so satisfied.
4.2
|
Further
conditions precedent
|
The
Lenders and the Fronting Bank will only be obliged to comply with
Clause 5.4 (Lenders' and
Fronting Bank participation) if on the date of the Utilisation Request
and on the proposed Utilisation Date:
(a)
|
no
Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Loan or Letter of
Credit, as the case may be; and
|
(b)
|
the
Repeating Representations to be made by each Obligor and Kronos Denmark
are true in all material respects.
|
4.3
|
Conditions
relating to Optional Currencies
|
(a)
|
A
currency will constitute an Optional Currency in relation to a Loan
if:
|
(i)
|
it
is readily available in the amount required and freely convertible into
the Base Currency in the Relevant Interbank Market on the Quotation Day
and the Utilisation Date for that Loan;
and
|
(ii)
|
it
is either (y) dollars or kroner or (z) some other currency that has been
approved by the Agent (acting on the instructions of all the Lenders) on
or prior to receipt by the Agent of the relevant Utilisation
Request for that Loan.
|
(b)
|
If
the Agent has received a written request from a Borrower for a currency to
be approved under paragraph (a)(ii) above, the Agent will confirm to that
Borrower by the Specified Time:
|
(i)
|
whether
or not the Lenders have granted their approval;
and
|
(ii)
|
if
approval has been granted, the minimum amount (and, if required, integral
multiples) for any subsequent Utilisation in that
currency.
|
4.4
|
Maximum
number of Loans
|
(a)
|
A
Borrower may not deliver a Utilisation Request if as a result of the
proposed Utilisation 8 or more Loans and/or 6 or more Letters of Credit
would be outstanding.
|
(b)
|
Any
Loan made by a single Lender under Clause 6.2 (Unavailability of a
currency) shall not be taken into account in this
Clause 4.
|
SECTION
3
UTILISATION
5.
|
UTILISATION
|
5.1
|
Delivery
of a Utilisation Request
|
A
Borrower may utilise the Facility by delivery to the Agent of a duly completed
Utilisation Request not later than the Specified Time.
5.2
|
Completion
of a Utilisation Request
|
(a)
|
Each
Utilisation Request is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been
duly completed unless:
|
(i)
|
the
proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day within the Availability
Period;
|
(ii)
|
the
currency and amount of the Utilisation comply with Clause 5.3 (Currency and amount);
and
|
(iii)
|
the
proposed Interest Period or Term, as the case may be, complies with
Clause 13 (Interest
Periods and Terms).
|
(b)
|
Only
one Loan or Letter of Credit may be requested in each Utilisation
Request.
|
5.3
|
Currency
and amount
|
(a)
|
The
currency specified in a Utilisation Request must be the Base Currency or,
in the case of Loans only, an Optional
Currency.
|
(b)
|
The
amount of the proposed Loan or Letter of Credit must
be:
|
(i)
|
(in
respect of a Loan) if the currency selected is the Base Currency, a
minimum of EUR 5,000,000 or, if less, the Available
Facility; or
|
(ii)
|
if
the currency selected is dollars, a minimum of $ 5,000,000 or, if
less, the Available Facility; or
|
(iii)
|
if
the currency selected is kroner, a minimum of NOK 50,000,000, or, if
less, the Available Facility; or
|
(iv)
|
if
the currency selected is an Optional Currency other than dollars or
kroner, the minimum amount (and, if required, integral multiple) specified
by the Agent pursuant to paragraph (b)(ii) of Clause 4.3 (Conditions relating to
Optional Currencies) or, if less, the Available Facility provided that the
minimum amount so specified by the Agent does not materially exceed the
minimum amount set out in sub-paragraphs (i) of paragraph (b)
above;
|
(v)
|
(in
respect of a Letter of Credit) an amount which, when aggregated with the
amount of Outstandings in respect of Letters of Credit at such time, does
not exceed EUR 5,000,000; and
|
(vi)
|
in
any event such that its Base Currency Amount is less than or equal to the
Available Facility.
|
5.4
|
Lenders'
and Fronting Bank participation
|
(a)
|
If
the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, (i) each Lender
shall make its participation in each Loan available by the Utilisation
Date through its Facility Office, and (ii) the Fronting Bank shall issue
each Letter of Credit through its Facility
Office.
|
(b)
|
The
amount of each Lender's participation in each Loan and each Letter of
Credit will be equal to the proportion borne by its Available Commitment
to the Available Facility immediately prior to making the Loan or issuing
the Letter of Credit.
|
(c)
|
The
Agent shall determine the Base Currency Amount of each Loan which is to be
made in an Optional Currency and shall notify each Lender of the amount,
currency and the Base Currency Amount of each Loan and the amount of its
participation in that Loan, in each case by the Specified
Time.
|
6.
|
OPTIONAL
CURRENCIES
|
6.1
|
Selection
of currency
|
A
Borrower shall select the currency of a Loan in a Utilisation
Request.
6.2
|
Unavailability
of a currency
|
If before
the Specified Time on any Quotation Day:
(a)
|
a
Lender notifies the Agent that the Optional Currency (other than an
Optional Currency which is dollars or kroner) requested is not readily
available to it in the amount required;
or
|
(b)
|
a
Lender notifies the Agent that compliance with its obligation to
participate in a Loan in the proposed Optional Currency would contravene a
law or regulation applicable to it,
|
the Agent
will give notice to the relevant Borrower to that effect by the Specified Time
on that day. In this event, any Lender that gives notice pursuant to
this Clause 6.2 will be required to participate in the Loan in the Base
Currency (in an amount equal to that Lender's proportion of the Base Currency
Amount or, in respect of a Rollover Loan, an amount equal to that Xxxxxx's
proportion of the Base Currency Amount of the maturing Loan that is due to be
made) and its participation will be treated as a separate Loan denominated in
the Base Currency during that Interest Period.
6.3
|
Participation
in a Loan
|
Each
Lender's participation in a Loan will be determined in accordance with paragraph
(b) of Clause 5.4 (Lenders' and Fronting Bank
participation).
7.
|
LETTERS
OF CREDIT
|
7.1
|
Completion
of Letters of Credit
|
The
Fronting Bank is authorised to issue any Letter of Credit pursuant to
Clause 5 (Utilisation) by:
(a)
|
completing
the issue date and the proposed Expiry Date of that Letter of Credit;
and
|
(b)
|
executing
and delivering that Letter of Credit to the relevant recipient on the
Utilisation Date.
|
7.2
|
Renewal
of a Letter of Credit
|
(a)
|
Not
less than three Business Days before the Expiry Date of a Letter of Credit
the Borrower may, by written notice to the Agent, request that the Term of
that Letter of Credit be extended.
|
(b)
|
The
Finance Parties shall treat the request in the same way as a Utilisation
Request for a Letter of Credit in the amount and maturity of the Letter of
Credit (as to be extended).
|
(c)
|
The
terms of each renewed Letter of Credit shall be the same as those of the
relevant Letter of Credit immediately prior to its renewal, save that its
Term shall commence on the date which was the Expiry Date of that Letter
of Credit immediately prior to its renewal and shall end on the proposed
Expiry Date specified in the
request.
|
(d)
|
The
Fronting Bank is authorised to amend any Letter of Credit pursuant to a
request if the conditions set out in this Agreement have been complied
with.
|
7.3
|
Restrictions
on participation in Letters of
Credit
|
If at any
time prior to the issue of a Letter of Credit any Lender is prohibited by law or
pursuant to any request from or requirement of any central bank or other fiscal,
monetary or other authority from having any right or obligation under this
Agreement in respect of a Letter of Credit, that Lender shall notify the Agent
on or before the Business Day prior to the proposed Utilisation Date
and:
(a)
|
the
maximum actual and contingent liabilities of the Fronting Bank under that
Letter of Credit shall be reduced by an amount equal to an amount which
would have been the amount of that Xxxxxx's L/C Proportion of that Letter
of Credit if the prohibition had not
occurred;
|
(b)
|
the
L/C Proportion of that Lender in relation to that Letter of Credit shall
be nil; and
|
(c)
|
that
Xxxxxx's Available Commitment shall be reduced by an amount equal to an
amount which would have been the amount of that Xxxxxx's L/C Proportion of
the Letter of Credit if the prohibition had not
occurred.
|
SECTION
4
REPAYMENT,
PREPAYMENT AND CANCELLATION
8.
|
REPAYMENT
|
8.1
|
Repayment
of Loans
|
Each
Borrower which has drawn a Loan shall repay that Loan on the last day of its
Interest Period.
9.
|
XXXXXXXX'S
LIABILITIES IN RELATION TO LETTERS OF
CREDIT
|
9.1
|
Demands
under Letters of Credit
|
If a
demand is made under a Letter of Credit or the Fronting Bank incurs in
connection with a Letter of Credit any other liability, cost, claim, loss or
expense which is to be reimbursed pursuant to this Agreement, the Fronting Bank
shall promptly notify the Agent of the amount of such demand or such liability,
cost, claim, loss or expense and the Letter of Credit to which it relates and
the Agent shall promptly make demand upon the relevant Borrower in accordance
with this Agreement and notify the Lenders.
9.2
|
Borrowers'
indemnity to Fronting Banks
|
The
relevant Borrower shall irrevocably and unconditionally as a primary obligation
indemnify (within three Business Days of demand of the Agent) the Fronting Bank
at its request against:
(a)
|
any
sum paid or due and payable by the Fronting Bank under the Letter of
Credit; and
|
(b)
|
all
liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, any costs incurred in
funding any amount which falls due from the Fronting Bank under any Letter
of Credit or in connection with any such Letter of Credit), claims, losses
and out-of-pocket expenses which the Fronting Bank may at any time incur
or sustain in connection with or arising out of any such Letter of
Credit.
|
9.3
|
Borrowers'
indemnity to Lenders
|
The
relevant Borrower shall irrevocably and unconditionally as a primary obligation
indemnify (within three Business Days of demand of the Agent) each Lender
against:
(a)
|
any
sum paid or due and payable by that Xxxxxx (whether under Clause 32.1
(Lenders'
Indemnity) or otherwise) in connection with that Letter of Credit;
and
|
(b)
|
all
liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, any costs incurred in
funding any amount which falls due from that Lender in connection with
that Letter of Credit), claims, losses and expenses which that Lender may
at any time incur or sustain in connection with any Letter of
Credit.
|
9.4
|
Preservation
of rights
|
Neither
the obligations of the relevant Borrower set out in this Clause 9 nor the
rights, powers and remedies conferred on the Fronting Bank or Lender by this
Agreement or by law shall be discharged, impaired or otherwise affected
by:
(a)
|
the
winding-up, dissolution, administration or re-organisation of the Fronting
Bank, any Lender or any other person or any change in its status,
function, control or ownership;
|
(b)
|
any
of the obligations of the Fronting Bank, any Lender or any other person
under this Agreement or under any Letter of Credit or under any other
security taken in respect of its obligations under this Agreement or
otherwise in connection with a Letter of Credit being or becoming illegal,
invalid, unenforceable or ineffective in any
respect;
|
(c)
|
time
or other indulgence being granted or agreed to be granted to the Fronting
Bank, any Lender or any other person in respect of its obligations under
this Agreement or under or in connection with a Letter of Credit or under
any other security;
|
(d)
|
any
amendment to, or any variation, waiver or release of, any obligation of
the Fronting Bank, any Lender or any other person under a Letter of Credit
or this Agreement;
|
(e)
|
any
other act, event or omission which, but for this Clause 9, might
operate to discharge, impair or otherwise affect any of the obligations of
the relevant Borrower set out in this Clause 9 or any of the rights,
powers or remedies conferred upon that Fronting Bank or any Lender by this
Agreement or by law.
|
The
obligations of the relevant Borrower set out in this Clause 9 shall be in
addition to and independent of every other security which the Fronting Bank or
any Lender may at any time hold in respect of the Borrower's obligations under
this Agreement.
9.5
|
Settlement
conditional
|
Any
settlement or discharge between the relevant Borrower and the Fronting Bank or a
Lender shall be conditional upon no security or payment to the Fronting Bank or
Lender by the Borrower, or any other person on behalf of the Borrower, being
avoided or reduced by virtue of any laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency,
liquidation or similar laws of general application and, if any such security or
payment is so avoided or reduced, the Fronting Bank or Lender shall be entitled
to recover the value or amount of such security or payment from the Borrower
subsequently as if such settlement or discharge had not occurred.
9.6
|
Right
to make payments under Letters of
Credit
|
The
Fronting Bank shall be entitled to make any payment in accordance with the terms
of the relevant Letter of Credit without any reference to or further authority
from the relevant Borrower or any other investigation or enquiry. The
relevant Borrower irrevocably authorises the Fronting Bank to comply with any
demand under a Letter of Credit which is valid on its face.
10.
|
PREPAYMENT
AND CANCELLATION
|
10.1
|
Illegality
|
If it
becomes unlawful after the date of this Agreement in any applicable jurisdiction
for a Lender or the Fronting Bank to perform any of its obligations as
contemplated by this Agreement or to fund, issue or participate in any Loan or
Letter of Credit and without prejudice to its rights and obligations under
Clause 19 (Mitigation by
the Lenders):
(a)
|
that
Lender or the Fronting Bank, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the
Agent upon becoming aware of that
event;
|
(b)
|
upon
the Agent notifying the German Borrower (on behalf of the Borrowers), the
Commitment of that Xxxxxx will be immediately cancelled;
and
|
(c)
|
upon
cancellation of such Xxxxxx's Commitment, each Borrower
shall:
|
(i)
|
repay
that Xxxxxx's participation in the Loans made to that Xxxxxxxx;
and
|
(ii)
|
ensure
that the liabilities of that Lender or the Fronting Bank under or in
respect of each Letter of Credit are reduced to zero or otherwise secured
by providing Cash Collateral in an amount equal to such Lender's L/C
Proportion of those Letters of Credit or the Fronting Bank's maximum
actual and contingent liabilities under that Letter of Credit in the
currency of those Letters of Credit
|
on the
last day of the Interest Period for each Loan or Term for each Letter of Credit,
as the case may be, outstanding as at the date upon which the Agent has so
notified the German Borrower or, if earlier, the date specified by the Lender in
the notice delivered to the Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any
applicable grace period permitted by law).
10.2
|
Voluntary
cancellation
|
(a)
|
The
German Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than ten (10) days'
(or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior written
notice, cancel the whole or any part (being a minimum amount of
EUR 10,000,000) of the Available Facility. Any
cancellation under this Clause 10.2 shall reduce the Commitments of
the Lenders rateably.
|
(b)
|
The
relevant Borrower may give the Agent not less than ten Business Days'
prior notice of its intention to procure that the Fronting Bank's
liability under a Letter of Credit is reduced to zero (whereupon it shall
do so)
|
10.3
|
Right
of repayment and cancellation in relation to a single
Lender
|
(a)
|
If:
|
(i)
|
any
sum payable to any Lender or the Fronting Bank by an Obligor is required
to be increased under Clause 16.2 (Tax gross-up);
or
|
(ii)
|
any
Lender or the Fronting Bank claims indemnification from the Borrowers
under Clause 16.3 (Tax indemnity) or
Clause 17.1 (Increased costs);
or
|
(iii)
|
any
Lender or Fronting Bank notifies the Agent of its Additional Cost Rate
under paragraph 3 of Schedule 4 (Mandatory Cost
formulae),
|
the
German Borrower may, whilst (in the case of paragraphs (i) and (ii) above) the
circumstance giving rise to the requirement or indemnification continues or (in
the case of paragraph (iii) above) that the Additional Cost Rate is greater than
zero, give the Agent notice:
(1)
|
of
cancellation of the Commitment of that Xxxxxx and its intention to procure
the repayment of that Xxxxxx's participation in the Loans;
or
|
(2)
|
(if
such circumstance relates to the Fronting Bank) of cancellation of the
Letters of Credit or of the Borrower's intention to provide Cash
Collateral in respect of the Fronting Bank's liability under such Letters
of Credit.
|
(b)
|
On
receipt of a notice from the German Borrower referred to in paragraph (a)
above, the Commitment of that Lender shall immediately be reduced to
zero.
|
(c)
|
On
the last day of each Interest Period or Term, as the case may be, which
ends after the German Borrower has given notice under paragraph (a) above
(or, if earlier, the date specified by the German Borrower in that
notice), each Borrower to which a Loan or Letter of Credit is outstanding
shall repay that Xxxxxx's participation in that Loan and shall procure
either that such Lender's L/C Proportion of each relevant Letter of Credit
be reduced to zero (by reduction of the amount of that Letter of Credit in
an amount equal to that Lender's L/C Proportion) or that Cash Collateral
be provided to the Agent in an amount equal to such Lender's L/C
Proportion of that Letter of Credit); and (if the circumstance relates to
the Fronting Bank) the Borrower shall procure that the Fronting Bank's
liability under any Letters of Credit issued by it shall either be reduced
to zero or otherwise secured by the Borrower providing Cash Collateral in
an amount equal to the Fronting Bank's maximum actual and contingent
liabilities under those Letters of
Credit.
|
10.4
|
Restrictions
|
(a)
|
Any
notice of cancellation or prepayment given by any Party under this
Clause 10 shall be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication
appears in this Agreement, shall specify the date or dates upon which the
relevant cancellation or prepayment is to be made and the amount of that
cancellation or prepayment.
|
(b)
|
Any
prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued
interest on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs, without
premium or penalty.
|
(c)
|
Unless
a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, any part of the Facility
which is prepaid may be reborrowed in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
|
(d)
|
The
Borrowers shall not repay or prepay all or any part of the Outstandings or
cancel all or any part of the Commitments except at the times and in the
manner expressly provided for in this
Agreement.
|
(e)
|
No
amount of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may be
subsequently reinstated.
|
(f)
|
If
the Agent receives a notice under this Clause 10 it shall promptly
forward a copy of that notice to either the German Borrower or the
affected Lender, as appropriate.
|
SECTION
5
COSTS
OF UTILISATIONS
11.
|
INTEREST
|
11.1
|
Calculation
of interest
|
The rate
of interest on each Loan for each Interest Period is the percentage rate per
annum which is the aggregate of the applicable:
(a)
|
Margin;
|
(b)
|
LIBOR
or, in relation to any Loan in euro, EURIBOR;
and
|
(c)
|
Mandatory
Cost, if any.
|
11.2
|
Payment
of interest
|
The
Borrower to which a Loan has been made shall pay accrued interest on that Loan
on the last day of each Interest Period (and, if the Interest Period is longer
than six Months, on the dates falling at six monthly intervals after the first
day of the Interest Period).
12.
|
DEFAULT
INTEREST
|
12.1
|
Default
interest periods
|
If any
sum due and payable by an Obligor hereunder is not paid on the due date therefor
in accordance with Clause 33.1 (Payments to the Agent) or if
any sum due and payable by an Obligor under any judgment of any court in
connection herewith is not paid on the date of such judgment, the period
beginning on such due date or, as the case may be, the date of such judgment and
ending on the date upon which the obligation of such Obligor to pay such sum is
discharged shall be divided into successive periods, each of which (other than
the first) shall start on the last day of the preceding such period and the
duration of each of which shall (except as otherwise provided in this
Clause 12) be selected by the Agent.
12.2
|
Default
interest
|
An Unpaid
Sum shall bear interest, or, insofar as it relates to unpaid interest, shall
give rise to a claim for lump sum damages, during each Interest Period in
respect thereof at the rate per annum which is one per cent. per annum above the
percentage rate which would apply if it had been a Loan in the amount and
currency of such Unpaid Sum and for the same Interest Period (provided that in the case of
lump sum damages, the Obligor shall be free to prove that no damage has arisen
or that damage has not arisen in the asserted amount, whereas in the case of
lump sum damages and default interest the Finance Party shall be entitled to
assert further damages), provided that if such Unpaid
Sum relates to a Loan which became due and payable on a day other than the last
day of an Interest Period relating thereto:
12.2.1
|
the
first Interest Period applicable to such Unpaid Sum shall be of a duration
equal to the unexpired portion of the current Interest Period relating to
that Loan; and
|
12.2.2
|
the
percentage rate of interest applicable thereto from time to time during
such period shall be that which exceeds by one per cent. the rate which
would have been applicable to it had it not so fallen
due.
|
12.3
|
Payment
of default interest
|
Any
interest which shall have accrued under Clause 12.2 (Default Interest) in respect
of an Unpaid Sum shall be due and payable and shall be paid by
the Obligor owing such Unpaid Sum on the last day of each Interest
Period in respect thereof or on such other dates as the Agent may specify by
notice to such Obligor.
12.4
|
Notification
of rates of interest
|
The Agent
shall promptly notify the Lenders and the relevant Borrower of the determination
of a rate of interest under this Agreement.
13.
|
INTEREST
PERIODS AND TERMS
|
13.1
|
Selection
of Interest Periods and Terms
|
(a)
|
A
Borrower may select an Interest Period for a Loan and a Term for a Letter
of Credit in the Utilisation Request for that Loan or Letter of Credit, as
the case may be.
|
(b)
|
Subject
to this Clause 13, a Borrower may select an Interest Period of one,
two, three or six Months or any other period not exceeding twelve Months
agreed between such Borrower and the Agent (acting on the instructions of
all the Lenders).
|
(c)
|
The
Borrower may select a Term for a Letter of Credit of a period not
exceeding twelve months, ending on or before the Termination
Date.
|
(d)
|
An
Interest Period for a Loan and a Term for a Letter of Credit shall not
extend beyond the Termination Date.
|
(e)
|
Each
Interest Period for a Loan and each Term for a Letter of Credit shall
start on the Utilisation Date.
|
(f)
|
A
Loan has one Interest Period only.
|
13.2
|
Non-Business
Days
|
If an
Interest Period or Term would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business
Day, that Interest Period or Term, as the case may be, will instead end on the
next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding
Business Day (if there is not).
14.
|
CHANGES
TO THE CALCULATION OF INTEREST
|
14.1
|
Absence
of quotations
|
Subject
to Clause 14.2 (Market
disruption), if LIBOR or, if applicable, EURIBOR is to be determined by
reference to the Reference Banks but a Reference Bank does not supply a
quotation by the Specified Time on the Quotation Day, the applicable LIBOR or
EURIBOR shall be determined on the basis of the quotations of the remaining
Reference Banks.
14.2
|
Market
disruption
|
(a)
|
If
a Market Disruption Event occurs in relation to a Loan for any Interest
Period, then the rate of interest on each Lender's share of that Loan for
the Interest Period shall be the rate per annum which is the sum
of:
|
(i)
|
the
Margin;
|
(ii)
|
the
rate notified to the Agent by that Xxxxxx as soon as practicable and in
any event before interest is due to be paid in respect of that Interest
Period, to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost
to that Lender of funding its participation in that Loan from whatever
source it may reasonably select;
and
|
(iii)
|
the
Mandatory Cost, if any, applicable to that Xxxxxx's participation in the
Loan.
|
(b)
|
In
this Agreement "Market
Disruption Event" means:
|
(i)
|
at
or about noon on the Quotation Day for the relevant Interest Period the
Screen Rate is not available and none or only one of the Reference Banks
supplies a rate to the Agent to determine LIBOR or, if applicable, EURIBOR
for the relevant currency and Interest Period;
or
|
(ii)
|
before
close of business in Luxembourg on the Quotation Day for the relevant
Interest Period, the Agent receives notifications from a Lender or Lenders
(whose participations in a Loan exceed 35 per cent. of that Loan) that the
cost to it of obtaining matching deposits in the Relevant Interbank Market
would be in excess of LIBOR or, if applicable,
EURIBOR.
|
14.3
|
Alternative
basis of interest or funding
|
(a)
|
If
a Market Disruption Event occurs and the Agent or the German Borrower so
requires, the Agent and the German Borrower shall enter into negotiations
(for a period of not more than thirty days) with a view to agreeing a
substitute basis for determining the rate of
interest.
|
(b)
|
Any
alternative basis agreed pursuant to paragraph (a) above shall, with the
prior consent of all the Lenders and the German Borrower, be binding on
all Parties.
|
14.4
|
Break
Costs
|
Each
Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand by a Finance Party (which
demand shall be accompanied by a certificate showing, in reasonable detail, the
calculation of the Break Costs incurred by such Finance Party in respect of the
relevant Interest Period), pay to that Finance Party its Break Costs
attributable to all or any part of a Loan or Unpaid Sum being paid by that
Borrower on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period for that Loan or
Unpaid Sum.
15.
|
FEES
|
15.1
|
Commitment
fee
|
(a)
|
Each
of the Borrowers shall jointly and severally pay to the Agent (for the
account of each Lender) a fee in the Base Currency computed at the rate of
0.70 per cent. per annum on that Xxxxxx's Available Commitment for the
Availability Period, provided that the
Norwegian Borrowers shall only be liable to the extent which is permitted
under the Norwegian Companies Act 1997 Section
8-7.
|
(b)
|
The
accrued commitment fee is payable on the last day of each successive
period of three Months which ends during the Availability Period, on the
last day of the Availability Period and, if cancelled in full, on the
cancelled amount of the relevant Xxxxxx's Commitment at the time the
cancellation is effective.
|
15.2
|
Utilisation
fee
|
(a)
|
If
at any time the total amount of the Loans exceeds 50 per cent. of the
Total Commitments then the Borrowers shall pay to the Agent (for the
account of each Lender) a utilisation fee in the Base Currency computed at
the rate of 0.15 per cent. per annum of the total amount of such
Loans calculated on a daily basis.
|
(b)
|
The
fee referred to in sub-clause (a) above shall be payable jointly and
severally by each of the Borrowers in the Base Currency on the last day of
each successive period of three Months and on the Termination Date, provided that the
Norwegian Borrowers shall only be liable to the extent which is permitted
under the Norwegian Companies Act 1997 Section
8-7.
|
15.3
|
Agency
and security handling fee
|
Each of
the Borrowers shall jointly and severally pay to Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A.
for its own account in its capacity as Agent and Security Agent an agency and
security handling fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter
provided that the
Norwegian Borrowers shall only be liable to the extent which is permitted under
the Norwegian Companies Act 1997 Section 8-7.
15.4
|
Letter
of Credit Commission
|
(a)
|
The
relevant Borrower shall, in respect of each Letter of Credit, pay to the
Agent (for the account of each Lender) (for distribution in proportion to
each Lender's L/C Proportion of that Letter of Credit) a letter of credit
commission at the L/C Commission Rate on the maximum actual and contingent
liabilities of the Fronting Bank under the relevant Letter of
Credit.
|
(b)
|
The
letter of credit commission shall be paid in advance in respect of each
successive period of three Months (or such shorter period as shall end on
the relevant Expiry Date) which begins during the Term of the relevant
Letter of Credit, the first payment to be made on the Utilisation Date for
that Letter of Credit and after that on the first day of each such
period.
|
15.5
|
Fronting
Bank Fee
|
The
relevant Borrower shall, in respect of each Letter of Credit, pay to the
Fronting Bank a fee in the amounts and at the times agreed between such Fronting
Bank and the Borrower.
15.6
|
Arrangement
and Participation Fee
|
Each of
the Borrowers shall jointly and severally pay to Deutsche Bank AG for its own
account in its capacity as Mandated Lead Arranger an arrangement and
participation fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter, provided that the Norwegian
Borrowers shall only be liable to the extent which is permitted under the
Norwegian Companies Act 1997 Section 8-7.
SECTION
6
ADDITIONAL
PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS
16.
|
TAX
GROSS UP AND INDEMNITIES
|
16.1
|
Definitions
|
In this
Agreement:
"Qualifying Lender" means any
Lender which is a bank or financial institution and which is incorporated or
resident or acting out of a Facility Office in a member state of the European
Union (but excluding the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland),
provided that with
regard to any Original Lender, Qualifying Lender means any Original Lender which
is a bank or financial institution and is a resident for tax purposes in either
Germany, Norway, Luxembourg or the Netherlands or is acting out of a Facility
Office, registered with the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission, in
Belgium.
16.2
|
Tax
gross-up
|
All
payments to be made by an Obligor to any Finance Party hereunder shall be made
free and clear of and without deduction for or on account of Tax unless such
Obligor is required to make such a payment subject to the deduction or
withholding of Tax, in which case the sum payable by such Obligor (in respect of
which such deduction or withholding is required to be made) shall be increased
to the extent necessary to ensure that such Finance Party receives a sum net of
any withholding or deduction equal to the sum which it would have received had
no such deduction or withholding been made or required to be made.
16.3
|
Tax
indemnity
|
Without
prejudice to Clause 16.2 (Tax Gross-up), if any Finance
Party is required to make any payment of or on account of Tax on or in relation
to any sum received or receivable hereunder (including any sum deemed for the
purposes of Tax to be received or receivable by such Finance Party whether or
not actually received or receivable) or if any liability in respect of any such
payment is asserted, imposed, levied or assessed against any Finance Party, the
Borrowers shall, upon demand of the Agent, promptly indemnify the Finance Party
which suffers a loss or liability as a result against such payment or liability
together with any interest, penalties, costs and expenses payable or incurred in
connection therewith, provided
that this Clause 16.3 shall not apply to:
(a)
|
any
Tax imposed on and calculated by reference to the net income actually
received or receivable by such Finance Party (but, for the avoidance of
doubt, not including any sum deemed for purposes of Tax to be received or
receivable by such Finance Party but not actually receivable) by the
jurisdiction in which such Finance Party is incorporated and any other
jurisdiction where such Finance Party is subject to such tax;
or
|
(b)
|
any
Tax imposed on and calculated by reference to the net income of the
Facility Office of such Finance Party actually received or receivable by
such Finance Party (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not including any sum
deemed for purposes of Tax to be received or receivable by such Finance
party but not actually receivable) by the jurisdiction in which its
Facility Office is located and any other jurisdiction where such Finance
Party is subject to such tax.
|
16.4
|
Claims
by Finance Parties
|
16.4.1
|
A
Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to Clause 16.3
(Tax indemnity)
shall notify the Agent of the event giving rise to the claim, whereupon
the Agent shall notify the Borrowers
thereof.
|
16.4.2
|
A
Lender and each Obligor which makes a payment or would be required to make
a payment under this Clause 16 (Tax Gross-Up and
Indemnities) shall co-operate in completing any procedural
formalities necessary for that Obligor to (i) obtain authorisation to make
that payment without a deduction or withholding, and (ii) provide any
relevant information which would be required by any relevant taxation
authority from the Obligor or the Lender in order to justify a payment
made without a deduction or
withholding.
|
16.5
|
Notification
of requirement to deduct Tax
|
If, at
any time, an Obligor is required by law to make any deduction or withholding
from any sum payable by it hereunder (or if thereafter there is any change in
the rates at which or the manner in which such deductions or withholdings are
calculated), such Obligor shall promptly notify the Agent.
16.6
|
Evidence
of payment of Tax
|
If an
Obligor makes any payment hereunder in respect of which it is required to make
any deduction or withholding, it shall pay the full amount required to be
deducted or withheld to the relevant taxation or other authority within the time
allowed for such payment under applicable law and shall deliver to the Agent for
each Lender, within sixty days after it has made such payment to the applicable
authority, an original receipt (or a certified copy thereof) issued by such
authority evidencing the payment to such authority of all amounts so required to
be deducted or withheld in respect of that Xxxxxx's share of such
payment.
16.7
|
Excluded
Claims
|
If any
Lender is not or ceases to be a Qualifying Lender, or if the circumstances set
out in Clause 27.2(g) apply or if any Lender fails to cooperate as required
under Clause 16.4.2, no Obligor shall be liable to pay to that Lender under
Clause 16.2 (Tax
gross-up) or Clause 16.3 (Tax indemnity) any amount in
respect of Taxes asserted, assessed, levied or imposed in excess of the amount
it would have been obliged to pay if that Lender had been or had not ceased to
be a Qualifying Lender or had cooperated provided that this
Clause 16.7 (Excluded
claims) shall not apply (and each Obligor shall be obliged to comply with
its obligations under Clause 16.2 (Tax gross-up) or
Clause 16.3 (Tax
indemnity)) if:
(a)
|
after
the date hereof and after the date when such Lender first becomes a Lender
for the purposes of this Agreement, there shall have been any introduction
of, change in, or change in the interpretation, administration or
application of, any law or regulation or order or governmental rule or
treaty or any published practice or published concession of any relevant
tax authority and it is as a result thereof that such Lender was not or
ceased to be a Qualifying Lender;
or
|
(b)
|
such
Lender is not or ceases to be a Qualifying Lender but would have been or
would not have ceased to be, a Qualifying Lender, had all representations,
confirmations and other documents and information provided by each Obligor
to any Finance Party been true and
accurate.
|
16.8
|
Tax
credit payment
|
If an
additional payment is made under Clause 16 (Tax gross-up and indemnities)
by an Obligor for the benefit of any Finance Party, including for the avoidance
of doubt any payment in respect of any deduction or withholding, and such
Finance Party, in its reasonable discretion, determines that it has obtained a
credit against, a relief or remission for, or repayment of, any tax, then, if
and to the extent that such Finance Party, in its sole opinion, determines
that:
16.8.1
|
such
credit, relief, remission or repayment is in respect of or calculated with
reference to the additional payment made pursuant to Clause 16 (Tax gross-up and
indemnities); and
|
16.8.2
|
its
tax affairs for its year in respect of which such credit, relief,
remission or repayment was obtained have been finally
settled,
|
such
Finance Party shall, to the extent that it can do so without prejudice to the
retention of the amount of such credit, relief, remission or repayment, pay to
such Obligor such amount as such Finance Party shall, in its
reasonable opinion, determine to be the amount which will leave such Finance
Party (after such payment) in no worse after-tax position than it would have
been in had the additional payment in question not been required to be made by
such Obligor.
16.9
|
Tax
credit clawback
|
If any
Finance Party makes any payment to an Obligor pursuant to Clause 16.8
(Tax credit payment)
and such Finance Party subsequently determines, in its reasonable opinion, that
the credit, relief, remission or repayment in respect of which such payment was
made was not available or has been withdrawn or that it was unable to use such
credit, relief, remission or repayment in full, such Obligor shall reimburse
such Finance Party such amount as such Finance Party determines, in its
reasonable opinion, is necessary to place it in the same after-tax position as
it would have been in if such credit, relief, remission or repayment had been
obtained and fully used and retained by such Finance Party.
16.10
|
Tax
and other affairs
|
Subject
to the provisions of Clause 19 (Mitigation by the Lenders) no
provision of this Agreement shall interfere with the right of any Finance Party
to arrange its tax or any other affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit, oblige
any Finance Party to claim any credit, relief, remission or repayment in respect
of any payment under Clause 16 (Tax gross-up and indemnities)
in priority to any other credit, relief, remission or repayment available to it
nor oblige any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its tax or
other affairs or any computations in respect thereof.
16.11
|
Stamp
taxes
|
The
Borrowers shall pay and, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each
Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability that Finance Party incurs in
relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in
respect of any Finance Document.
16.12
|
Value
added tax
|
(a)
|
All
consideration expressed to be payable under a Finance Document by any
Party to a Finance Party shall be deemed to be exclusive of any
VAT. If VAT is chargeable on any supply made by any Finance
Party to any Party in connection with a Finance Document, that Party shall
pay to the Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying
the consideration) an amount equal to the amount of the
VAT.
|
(b)
|
Where
a Finance Document requires any Party to reimburse a Finance Party for any
costs or expenses, that Party shall also at the same time pay and
indemnify the Finance Party against all VAT incurred by the Finance Party
in respect of the costs or expenses to the extent that the Finance Party
reasonably determines that it is not entitled to credit or repayment of
the VAT.
|
17.
|
INCREASED
COSTS
|
17.1
|
Increased
costs
|
(a)
|
Subject
to Clause 17.3 (Exceptions) the
Borrowers shall, within three Business Days of a demand by the Agent, pay
for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Costs
incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates as a result of (i)
the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation,
administration or application of) any law or regulation or (ii) compliance
with any law or regulation made after the date of this
Agreement.
|
(b)
|
In
this Agreement "Increased
Costs" means:
|
(i)
|
a
reduction in the rate of return from the Facility or on a Finance Party's
(or its Affiliate's) overall
capital;
|
(ii)
|
an
additional or increased cost; or
|
(iii)
|
a
reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance
Document,
|
which is
incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates to the extent
that it is attributable to that Finance Party having entered into its Commitment
or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document or Letter of
Credit.
17.2
|
Increased
cost claims
|
(a)
|
A
Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to Clause 17.1
(Increased costs)
shall notify the Agent of the event giving rise to the claim, following
which the Agent shall promptly notify the
Borrowers.
|
(b)
|
Each
Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable after a demand by the Agent,
provide a certificate confirming the amount of and basis for its Increased
Costs and showing in reasonable detail the calculation
thereof.
|
In
determining such Increased Costs, each Finance Party will act reasonably and in
good faith and on a non-discretionary basis.
17.3
|
Exceptions
|
(a)
|
Clause 17.1
(Increased costs)
does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost
is:
|
(i)
|
attributable
to a Tax Deduction required by law to be made by an
Obligor;
|
(ii)
|
compensated
for by Clause 16.3 (Tax indemnity) (or
would have been compensated for under Clause 16.3 (Tax indemnity) but was
not so compensated solely because the exclusion in paragraphs (a) and (b)
of Clause 16.3 (Tax
indemnity) applied);
|
(iii)
|
compensated
for by the payment of the Mandatory Cost;
or
|
(iv)
|
attributable
to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or its Affiliates of
any law or regulation.
|
(b)
|
In
this Clause 17.3, a reference to a "Tax Deduction" means any
deduction or withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a
Finance Document
|
18.
|
OTHER
INDEMNITIES
|
18.1
|
Currency
indemnity
|
(a)
|
If
any sum due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (a "Sum"), or any order,
judgment or award given or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted
from the currency (the "First Currency") in
which that Sum is payable into another currency (the "Second Currency") for
the purpose of:
|
(i)
|
making
or filing a claim or proof against that
Obligor;
|
(ii)
|
obtaining
or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or
arbitration proceedings,
|
that
Obligor shall as an independent obligation, within three Business Days of
demand, indemnify each Finance Party to whom that Sum is due against any cost,
loss or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any
discrepancy between (A) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the
First Currency into the Second Currency and (B) the rate or rates of exchange
available to that person at the time of its receipt of that Sum.
(b)
|
To
the extent permitted by applicable law, each Obligor waives any right it
may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents
in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to
be payable.
|
18.2
|
Other
indemnities
|
The
Borrowers shall, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance
Party against any cost, loss or liability incurred by that Finance Party as a
result of:
(a)
|
the
occurrence of any Event of Default;
|
(b)
|
a
failure by an Obligor to pay any amount due under a Finance Document on
its due date, including without limitation, any cost, loss or liability
arising as a result of Clause 31 (Sharing among the Finance
Parties);
|
(c)
|
funding,
or making arrangements to fund, its participation in a Loan requested by a
Borrower in a Utilisation Request but not made by reason of the operation
of any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement (other than by
reason of default or negligence by that Finance Party
alone);
|
(d)
|
issuing
or making arrangements to issue a Letter of Credit requested by the
Borrower in a Utilisation Request but not issued by reason of the
operation of any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement;
or
|
(e)
|
a
Loan (or part of a Loan) not being prepaid in accordance with a notice of
prepayment given by a Borrower.
|
18.3
|
Indemnity
to the Agent
|
The
Borrowers shall promptly indemnify the Agent against any cost, loss or liability
incurred by the Agent (acting reasonably) as a result of:
(a)
|
investigating
any event which it reasonably believes is a Default;
or
|
(b)
|
acting
or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably
believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately
authorised.
|
19.
|
MITIGATION
BY THE LENDERS
|
19.1
|
Mitigation
|
(a)
|
Each
Finance Party shall, in consultation with the relevant Borrower, take all
reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances which arise and which would
result in any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to, or cancelled
pursuant to, any of Clause 10.1 (Illegality),
Clause 16 (Tax gross-up and
indemnities), Clause 17 (Increased costs) or
paragraph 3 of Schedule 4 (Mandatory Cost
formulae) including (but not limited to) transferring its rights
and obligations under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or
Facility Office or to another Lender which is willing to accept such
transfer.
|
(b)
|
Paragraph
(a) above does not in any way limit the obligations of any Obligor under
the Finance Documents.
|
19.2
|
Limitation
of liability
|
(a)
|
Prior
to taking any of the steps referred to in Clause 19.1 (Mitigation) the
relevant Finance Party will consult with the relevant Borrower and
following a request from such Borrower will provide the relevant Borrower
with an estimate of any costs and expenses which are likely to be incurred
by it as a result of it taking such steps. The Borrower shall
then be entitled to request that the relevant Finance Party does not take
those steps.
|
(b)
|
The
relevant Borrower shall indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and
expenses reasonably incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps
taken by it under Clause 19.1 (Mitigation).
|
(c)
|
A
Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under Clause 19.1
(Mitigation) if,
in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might
be prejudicial to it. The incurring of minor costs and expenses
of an administrative nature will not be regarded as prejudicial to such
Finance Party.
|
20.
|
COSTS
AND EXPENSES
|
20.1
|
Transaction
expenses
|
Each of
the Borrowers shall promptly on demand pay the Agent, the Mandated Lead Arranger
and the Security Agent the amount of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses (including legal fees of outside counsel) reasonably incurred by any of
them in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing, execution and
syndication and perfection of:
(a)
|
this
Agreement, the Security Documents and any other documents referred to in
this Agreement and the Transaction Security;
and
|
(b)
|
any
other Finance Documents executed after the date of this
Agreement.
|
20.2
|
Amendment
costs
|
If (a) an
Obligor requests an amendment, waiver or consent or (b) an amendment is required
pursuant to Clause 33.9 (Change of currency), each of
the Borrowers shall, within three Business Days of demand, reimburse the Agent
for the amount of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including
reasonable legal fees of outside counsel) reasonably incurred by the Agent in
responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or
requirement.
20.3
|
Enforcement
costs
|
Each of
the Borrowers shall, within three Business Days of demand, pay to each Secured
Party and the Mandated Lead Arranger the amount of all reasonable out-of-pocket
costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by that Secured
Party or the Mandated Lead Arranger in connection with the enforcement of, or
the preservation of any rights, powers and remedies under any Finance Document
and the Transaction Security and any proceedings instituted by or against the
Security Agent as a consequence of taking or holding the Transaction Security or
enforcing those rights, powers and remedies.
20.4
|
Limitation
|
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in any Finance Document, the Borrower shall not be
obliged to pay any losses, costs or expenses under any Finance Document arising
from or relating to disputes solely among the Agent and the Lenders, or losses,
costs or expenses of the Agent or any Lender resulting from its gross negligence
or wilful misconduct.
SECTION
7
GUARANTEE
ON FIRST DEMAND (GARANTIE AUF ERSTES ANFORDERN)
21.
|
GUARANTEE
AND INDEMNITY
|
21.1
|
Guarantee
and indemnity
|
Each
Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally jointly and severally:
(a)
|
guarantees
(garantiert) to
each Finance Party punctual performance by each Borrower of all that
Borrower's obligations under the Finance
Documents;
|
(b)
|
undertakes
with each Finance Party that whenever a Borrower does not pay any amount
when due under or in connection with any Finance Document, that Guarantor
shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it was the principal
obligor (Garantie auf
erstes Anfordern); and
|
(c)
|
indemnifies
each Finance Party immediately on demand against any cost, loss or
liability suffered by that Finance Party if any obligation guaranteed by
it is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal. The amount
of the cost, loss or liability shall be equal to the amount which that
Finance Party would otherwise have been entitled to
recover.
|
21.2
|
Continuing
guarantee
|
This
guarantee is a continuing guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of
sums payable by any Obligor under the Finance Documents, regardless of any
intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.
21.3
|
Reinstatement
|
If any
payment by an Obligor or any discharge given by a Finance Party (whether in
respect of the obligations of any Obligor or any security for those obligations
or otherwise) is avoided or reduced as a result of insolvency or any similar
event:
(a)
|
the
liability of each Obligor shall continue as if the payment, discharge,
avoidance or reduction had not occurred;
and
|
(b)
|
each
Finance Party shall be entitled to recover the value or amount of that
security or payment from each Obligor, as if the payment, discharge,
avoidance or reduction had not
occurred.
|
21.4
|
Waiver
of defences
|
The
obligations of each Guarantor under this Clause 21 will not be affected by
an act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this Clause, would reduce,
release or prejudice any of its obligations under this Clause 21 (without
limitation and whether or not known to it or any Finance Party)
including:
(a)
|
any
time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Obligor or
other person;
|
(b)
|
the
release of any other Obligor or any other person under the terms of any
composition or arrangement with any creditor of any member of the
Group;
|
(c)
|
the
taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal
or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security
over assets of, any Obligor or other person or any non-presentation or
non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any
instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any
security;
|
(d)
|
any
incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or
dissolution or change in the members or status of an Obligor or any other
person;
|
(e)
|
any
amendment (however fundamental) or replacement of a Finance Document or
any other document or security;
|
(f)
|
any
unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person
under any Finance Document or any other document or security;
or
|
(g)
|
any
insolvency or similar proceedings.
|
21.5
|
Immediate
recourse
|
Each
Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance Party (or
any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other
rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from that
Guarantor under this Clause 21. This waiver applies irrespective
of any law or any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary.
21.6
|
Appropriations
|
Until all
amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection
with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Finance
Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may after the occurrence of a
Default:
(a)
|
refrain
from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or
received by that Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in
respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and
order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and no
Guarantor shall be entitled to the benefit of the same;
and
|
(b)
|
hold
in an interest-bearing suspense account any moneys received from any
Guarantor or on account of any Guarantor's liability under this
Clause 21.
|
21.7
|
Deferral
of Guarantors' rights
|
Until all
amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection
with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full and unless the
Agent otherwise directs, no Guarantor will exercise any rights which it may have
by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Finance
Documents:
(a)
|
to
be indemnified by an Obligor;
|
(b)
|
to
claim any contribution from any other guarantor of any Obligor's
obligations under the Finance Documents;
and/or
|
(c)
|
to
take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or
otherwise) of any rights of the Finance Parties under the Finance
Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in
connection with, the Finance Documents by any Finance
Party.
|
21.8
|
Additional
security
|
This
guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other
guarantee or security now or subsequently held by any Finance
Party.
21.9
|
Guarantee
Limitation Norway
|
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Clause 21, the obligation of the
Norwegian Guarantor under this Clause 21 in respect of the obligations of
any Borrower other than a Norwegian Borrower shall be deemed to be granted and
incurred by the Norwegian Guarantor only to the extent which is permitted under
the Norwegian Companies Act 1997 Section 8-7.
SECTION
8
REPRESENTATIONS,
UNDERTAKINGS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT
22.
|
REPRESENTATIONS
|
Each
Obligor makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 22
as to itself and its Subsidiaries (in each case to the extent applicable) to
each Finance Party on the date of this Agreement.
22.1
|
Status
|
(a)
|
It
is a corporation, duly incorporated and validly existing under the law of
its jurisdiction of incorporation.
|
(b)
|
It
and each of its Subsidiaries has the power to own its assets and carry on
its business as it is being
conducted.
|
22.2
|
Binding
obligations
|
The
obligations expressed to be assumed by it in each Finance Document to which it
is a party are, subject to any general principles of law limiting its
obligations which are specifically referred to in any legal opinion delivered
pursuant to Clause 4 (Conditions of Utilisation),
legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations.
22.3
|
Non-conflict
with other obligations
|
The entry
into and performance by it of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance
Documents to which it is a party and the granting of the Security under the
Security Documents to which it is a party do not and will not conflict
with:
(a)
|
any
law or regulation applicable to it;
|
(b)
|
its
and each of its Subsidiaries' constitutional documents;
or
|
(c)
|
any
agreement or instrument binding upon it or any of its Subsidiaries or any
of its or any of its Subsidiaries' assets the violation of which would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
|
22.4
|
Power
and authority
|
It has
the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action
to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, the Finance Documents
to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated by those Finance
Documents.
22.5
|
Validity
and admissibility in evidence
|
All
Authorisations required or desirable:
(a)
|
to
enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its
obligations in the Finance Documents to which it is a party;
and
|
(b)
|
to
make the Finance Documents to which it is a party admissible in evidence
in each Relevant Jurisdiction,
|
have been
obtained or effected and are in full force and effect.
22.6
|
Governing
law and enforcement
|
(a)
|
Subject
to any general principles of law affecting the choice of the governing law
which are specifically referred to in any legal opinion delivered pursuant
to Clause 4 (Conditions of
Utilisation), the choice of the governing law specified in each of
the Finance Documents to which it is a party will be recognised and
enforced in each Relevant
Jurisdiction.
|
(b)
|
Subject
to any general principles of law affecting the recognition and enforcement
of judgments which are specifically referred to in any legal opinion
delivered pursuant to Clause 4 (Conditions of
Utilisation), any judgment obtained in Germany in relation to a
Finance Document to which it is a party will be recognised and enforced in
each Relevant Jurisdiction.
|
22.7
|
Deduction
of Tax
|
Subject
to the Legal Reservations, it is not required under the law of each Relevant
Jurisdiction to make any deduction for or on account of Tax from any payment it
may make under any Finance Document.
22.8
|
No
filing or stamp taxes
|
Under the
law of each Relevant Jurisdiction it is not necessary that the Finance Documents
to which it is a party be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other
authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax be
paid on or in relation to the Finance Documents to which it is a party or the
transactions contemplated by such Finance Documents except for Belgian stamp
duties of EUR 0.15 payable on any original loan or credit agreement and any
original pledge agreement executed in Belgium, subject to the conditions of the
Belgian Stamp Duties Code (Wetboek Zegelrechten) of 26
June 1947 and Belgian registration, stamp and other duties payable in respect of
any Belgian law floating charge.
22.9
|
No
default
|
(a)
|
No
Default is continuing or would reasonably be expected to result from the
making of any Utilisation.
|
(b)
|
No
other event or circumstance is outstanding which constitutes a default
under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on it or any of
its Subsidiaries or to which its (or its Subsidiaries') assets are subject
which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
|
22.10
|
No
misleading information
|
Any
factual information heretofore or contemporaneously furnished by or on behalf of
the Parent or any member of the Group in writing to any Finance Party for
purposes of or in connection with the Finance Documents or any transaction
contemplated therein is true and accurate in all material respects on the date
as of which such information is dated or certified and not incomplete by
omitting to state any fact necessary to make such information not misleading in
any material respect at such time.
22.11
|
Financial
statements
|
(a)
|
Its
Original Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with Applicable
GAAP consistently applied.
|
(b)
|
Its
Original Financial Statements fairly represent its financial condition and
operations (consolidated in the case of the Norwegian Guarantor) during
the relevant financial year.
|
(c)
|
There
has been no material adverse change in the business, assets or financial
condition of the German Borrower, the Belgian Borrower or the Group taken
as a whole since the date of the Original Financial
Statements.
|
22.12
|
Pari
passu ranking
|
Save as
provided in Clause 22.17 (Ranking), its payment
obligations under the Finance Documents to which it is a party rank at least
pari passu with the
claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for
obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies
generally.
22.13
|
No
proceedings pending or threatened
|
No
litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings of or before any court,
arbitral body or agency which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect have been started or (to the best of
its knowledge and belief) threatened in writing against it or any of its
Subsidiaries.
22.14
|
Environmental
compliance
|
Each
member of the Group has performed and observed in all material respects all
Environmental Law, Environmental Permits and all other material covenants,
conditions, restrictions or agreements directly or indirectly concerned with any
contamination, pollution or waste or the release or discharge of any toxic or
hazardous substance in connection with any real property which is or was at any
time owned, leased or occupied by any member of the Group or on which any member
of the Group has conducted any activity where failure to do so would reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
22.15
|
Environmental
Claims
|
No
Environmental Claim has been commenced or (to the best of its knowledge and
belief) is threatened in writing against any member of the Group where that
claim would be reasonably likely, if determined against that member of the
Group, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
22.16
|
No
Security
|
No
Security exists over all or any of the present or future assets of any Obligor
other than any Security permitted under Clause 25.3 (Negative
pledge).
22.17
|
Ranking
|
Subject
to the Legal Reservations, each Security Document to which it is a party has or
will have first ranking priority and it is not subject to any prior ranking or
pari passu ranking
Security.
22.18
|
Transaction
Security
|
Subject
to the Legal Reservations, each Security Document to which it is a party validly
creates the Security which is expressed to be created by that Security Document
and evidences the Security it is expressed to evidence.
22.19
|
Legal
and beneficial owner
|
It is the
absolute legal and beneficial owner of the assets subject to the Transaction
Security created or expressed to be created pursuant to the Security Documents
to which it is a party.
22.20
|
No
winding-up
|
None of
the events described in Clause 26.6 (Insolvency) and
Clause 26.7 (Insolvency
proceedings) have occurred in relation to any Obligor.
22.21
|
Structure
Chart
|
The
Structure Chart dated about the date of the Third Amendment Agreement provided
by the Obligors prior to the date of the Third Amendment Agreement is true,
complete and accurate in all material respects as at the date hereof and nothing
has occurred or been omitted as at the date hereof that renders the information
contained in the Structure Chart untrue or misleading in any material
respect.
22.22
|
Repetition
|
The
Repeating Representations are to be made by each Obligor and Kronos Denmark by
reference to the facts and circumstances then existing on the date of each
Utilisation Request and the first day of each Interest Period by delivery of a
Certificate to that effect.
23.
|
INFORMATION
UNDERTAKINGS
|
The
undertakings in this Clause 23 remain in force from the date of this
Agreement for so long as any amount is outstanding under the Finance Documents
or any Commitment is in force.
23.1
|
Financial
statements of the Obligors
|
(a)
|
Each
Obligor shall supply to the Agent in sufficient copies for all the Lenders
as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 150 days
after the end of each of its financial years (i) its audited consolidated
financial statements for that financial year (if any) and (ii) its audited
unconsolidated financial statements for that financial
year.
|
(b)
|
Any
financial statements to be delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) above
shall (i) be prepared using Applicable GAAP, (ii) be certified by the
Chief Executive Officer and/or the Chief Financial Officer (or equivalent
position) of the relevant Obligor, together with one of its authorised
signatories, as fairly representing its financial condition as at the date
as at which those financial statements were drawn up and (iii) be
certified by the relevant Obligor's external
auditors.
|
23.2
|
Financial
statements of the Parent
|
(a)
|
The
Borrowers shall supply to the Agent in sufficient copies for all the
Lenders:
|
(i)
|
as
soon as the same become available, but in any event within 100 days after
the end of each financial year of the Parent the audited consolidated
financial statements of the Parent for that financial year;
and
|
(ii)
|
as
soon as the same become available, but in any event within 55 days after
the end of each quarter of each financial year of the Parent the unaudited
consolidated financial statements of the Parent for that
period.
|
(b)
|
Any
financial statements to be delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) above
shall be prepared using Applicable
GAAP.
|
23.3
|
Combining
financial information
|
(a)
|
The
Borrowers shall supply to the Agent in sufficient copies for all the
Lenders:
|
(i)
|
as
soon as they become available, but in any event within 120 days after the
end of each financial year of the Parent an unaudited Combining Schedule
for that financial year;
|
(ii)
|
as
soon as they become available, but in any event within 60 days after the
end of each quarter of each financial year of the Parent, an unaudited
Combining Schedule for the period as of the beginning of the financial
year and ending on such quarter.
|
(b)
|
Each
of the Obligors shall procure that each of the Combining Schedules
delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) above are prepared by the Parent
and the Obligors using US GAAP.
|
(c)
|
Any
Combining Schedule to be delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) above
shall (i) be prepared using US GAAP, (ii) be certified by the Chief
Executive Officer and/or Chief Financial Officer (or equivalent position)
of the Parent, together with one of its authorised signatories, as fairly
representing the financial condition of the Group as at the date as at
which those Combining Schedules were drawn up and (iii) in the case of the
Combining Schedule to be delivered pursuant to Clause 23.3(a)(i)
above, be accompanied by a report from the Parent's external auditors in
the form of Schedule 13 (Form of Auditor's
Report).
|
23.4
|
Compliance
Certificate
|
(a)
|
The
Borrowers shall supply to the Agent, with each Combining Schedule
delivered pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of Clause 23.3
(Combining financial
information), a Compliance Certificate setting out (in reasonable
detail) computations as to compliance with Clause 24 (Financial covenants) as
at the date as at which those Combining Schedules were
prepared.
|
(b)
|
Each
Compliance Certificate shall be signed by the Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Financial Officer or any other executive officer, together with one
authorised signatory of the German Borrower, who in each case will sign on
behalf of all Borrowers which hereby authorise the aforementioned persons
to do so, and, (in the case of a Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant
to Clause 23.3 (a) (i)), accompanied by a letter from the Parent's
external auditors in the form set out in part II of Schedule 6 (Form of Compliance
Certificate).
|
23.5
|
Information:
miscellaneous
|
The
Obligors shall (through the German Borrower) supply to the Agent (in sufficient
copies for all the Lenders, if the Agent so requests):
(a)
|
all
documents dispatched by any of the Obligors or the Parent to its creditors
generally at the same time as they are
dispatched;
|
(b)
|
promptly
upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or
administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending
against any member of the Group, and which, if adversely determined, would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
and
|
(c)
|
promptly,
such further information regarding the financial condition, business and
operations of any member of the Group as any Finance Party (through the
Agent) may reasonably request.
|
23.6
|
Notification
of default
|
(a)
|
Each
Obligor shall notify the Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any,
being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence
(unless that Obligor is aware that a notification has already been
provided by another Obligor).
|
(b)
|
Promptly
upon a request by the Agent, the Borrower shall supply to the Agent a
certificate signed by two of its directors or senior officers on its
behalf certifying that no Default is continuing (or if a Default is
continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any, being taken to
remedy it).
|
24.
|
FINANCIAL
COVENANTS
|
24.1
|
Financial
definitions
|
In this
Clause 24:
"EBITDA" means, for any
Relevant Period the income of the Group before Net Interest, before any
provision on account of taxation and before any amount attributable to the
amortisation of intangible assets and depreciation of tangible
assets.
"Equity" means at any time the
aggregate amount of the total assets of the Group less (i) the total liabilities
of the Group but excluding changes due to foreign currency translation or any
other item of other comprehensive income as defined by US GAAP after 31 December
2004 and (ii) any intangible assets of the Group as defined by US GAAP
(including for the avoidance of doubt any goodwill). Equity shall be
reduced by (x) the aggregate amount of all loans made by any member of the Group
(other than (a) loans to another member of the Group, (b) loans resulting from
transactions permitted by Clause 25.4 (Disposals) paragraph (b) sub-paragraph
(ii) and (ix) provided that such loan or the respective disposal is not
otherwise prohibited by this Agreement and the amount of such loan does not
exceed the fair market value of the respective assets disposed and (c) loans
resulting from any conversion of accounts receivables into notes up to an
aggregate amount of EUR 5,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or
currencies)) that are outstanding as of such time to the extent such loans have
been included in the total assets of the Group as of such time, and (y) the
aggregate nominal amount of any indebtedness in respect of which any guarantee
or indemnity has been granted by any member of the Group (other than a guarantee
or indemnity permitted pursuant to the definition of Permitted Loans and
Guarantees).
"Financial Quarter" means the
period commencing on the day after one Quarter Date and ending on the next
Quarter Date.
"Net Financial Debt" means at
any time, without duplication, the aggregate amount of all obligations of the
Group for or in respect of Financial Indebtedness less any cash or Cash
Equivalent Investments of the Group (except for any such Cash Equivalent
Investments that are subject to any Security securing Financial Indebtedness
other than Financial Indebtedness outstanding with respect to the Finance
Documents).
"Net Interest" means in respect
of any Relevant Period, the aggregate amount of the interest (including the
interest element of leasing and hire purchase payments and capitalised
interest), commission, fees, discounts and other finance payments payable by any
member of the Group on a Combining Schedule (including any commission, fees,
discounts and other finance payments payable by any member of the Group under
any interest rate hedging arrangement but deducting any commission, fees,
discounts and other finance payments receivable by any member of the Group under
any interest rate hedging instrument) but deducting any other interest
receivable by any member of the Group on any deposit or bank
account.
"Net Secured Debt" means at any
time the aggregate amount of all obligations of the Group for or in respect of
Net Financial Debt which is secured by any Security (and so that no amount shall
be included more than once).
"Quarter Date" means each of 31
March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December.
"Relevant Period" means each
period of twelve months ending on the last day of the Group's financial year and
each period of twelve months ending on the last day of each of the first, second
and third Financial Quarter of the Group's financial year.
"Rolling Basis" means the
calculation of a ratio or an amount made at the end of a Financial Quarter in
respect of that Financial Quarter and each of the preceding three Financial
Quarters.
24.2
|
Financial
condition
|
Each
Borrower shall ensure that:
(a)
|
The
ratio of (i) Net Secured Debt of the Group at the end of the applicable
Relevant Period to (ii) EBITDA of the Group, calculated on a Rolling
Basis, shall not in respect of any Relevant Period be more than
0.70:1.
|
(b)
|
The
ratio of (i) Net Financial Debt of the Group at the end of the applicable
Relevant Period to (ii) the consolidated Equity of the Group at the end of
the applicable Relevant Period shall not in respect of any Relevant Period
be more than 0.5:1.
|
24.3
|
Financial
testing
|
The
financial covenants set out in Clause 24.2 (Financial condition) shall be
tested quarterly in accordance with US GAAP by reference to each of the
Combining Schedules as evidenced by each Compliance Certificate delivered
pursuant to Clause 23.4 (Compliance
certificate).
25.
|
GENERAL
UNDERTAKINGS
|
The
undertakings in this Clause 25 remain in force from the date of this
Agreement for so long as any amount is outstanding under the Finance Documents
or any Commitment is in force.
25.1
|
Authorisations
|
Each
Obligor shall promptly:
(a)
|
obtain,
comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and
effect; and
|
(b)
|
supply
certified copies to the Agent of,
|
any
Authorisation required under any law or regulation of the Relevant Jurisdictions
to enable it to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents to which it
is a party and to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility
in evidence in each Relevant Jurisdiction of incorporation of any Finance
Document.
25.2
|
Compliance
with laws
|
Each
Obligor shall comply in all material respects with all laws to which it may be
subject, if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform
its obligations under the Finance Documents.
25.3
|
Negative
pledge
|
(a)
|
No
Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that none of its Subsidiaries
will) create or permit to subsist any Security over any of its
assets.
|
(b)
|
No
Obligor shall (and each Obligors shall ensure that no of its Subsidiaries
will):
|
(i)
|
sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets on terms whereby they
are or may be leased to or re-acquired by an Obligor or any other member
of the Group;
|
(ii)
|
sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms
other than to the German Borrower and where such transaction is not
otherwise prohibited by this
Agreement;
|
(iii)
|
enter
into any arrangement under which money or the benefit of a bank or other
account may be applied, set-off or made subject to a combination of
accounts; or
|
(iv)
|
enter
into any other preferential arrangement having a similar
effect,
|
in
circumstances where the arrangement or transaction is entered into primarily as
a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an
asset.
(c)
|
Paragraphs
(a) and (b) above do not apply to:
|
(i)
|
any
Security listed in Schedule 7 (Existing Security)
(including any Security which has been Refinanced provided that the assets
subject to such Security have not materially changed in any way) except to
the extent the principal amount secured by that Security exceeds the
amount stated in that Schedule;
|
(ii)
|
any
netting or set-off arrangement entered into by any member of the Group in
the ordinary course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting
debit and credit balances;
|
(iii)
|
any
Security entered into in the ordinary course of business under customary
general business conditions;
|
(iv)
|
any
lien arising by operation of law or regulatory requirement and in the
ordinary course of business and not as a result of a default howsoever
described;
|
(v)
|
any
Security arising by operation of law in favour of any government, state or
local authority in respect of Taxes which are either (a) not yet due and
unpaid or (b) being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and
for which adequate reserves have been
made;
|
(vi)
|
any
Security over or affecting any asset acquired by a member of the Group
after the date of this Agreement
if:
|
(1)
|
the
Security was not created in contemplation of the acquisition of that asset
by a member of the Group; and
|
(2)
|
the
principal amount secured has not been increased in contemplation of, or
since the acquisition of that asset by a member of the
Group;
|
(vii)
|
any
Security over or affecting any asset of any company which becomes a member
of the Group after the date of this Agreement, where the Security is
created prior to the date on which that company becomes a member of the
Group, if:
|
(1)
|
the
Security was not created in contemplation of the acquisition of that
company; and
|
(2)
|
the
principal amount secured has not increased in contemplation of or since
the acquisition of that company;
|
(viii)
|
the
Transaction Security;
|
(ix)
|
any
Security which has been approved in writing by the Majority
Xxxxxxx;
|
(x)
|
any
Security incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in
connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other
types of social security, including any Security securing letters of
credit issued in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past
practice;
|
(xi)
|
any
Security over assets of the Norwegian Borrower 2 acquired with Financial
Indebtedness permitted under paragraph (k) of the definition of Permitted
Financial Indebtedness provided that such Security is removed upon the
full discharge of the relevant Permitted Financial Indebtedness incurred
to finance the payment of the purchase price for such asset;
or
|
(xii)
|
any
Security securing indebtedness the principal amount of which (when
aggregated with the principal amount of any other indebtedness which has
the benefit of Security given by any member of the Group other than any
permitted under paragraphs (i) to (ix) above) does not exceed EUR
5,000,000 its equivalent in another currency or
currencies).
|
25.4
|
Disposals
|
(a)
|
No
Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that none of its Subsidiaries
will), enter into a single transaction or a series of transactions
(whether related or not) and whether voluntary or involuntary to sell,
lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
asset.
|
(b)
|
Paragraph
(a) above does not apply to any sale, lease, transfer or other
disposal:
|
(i)
|
which
is made on arm's length terms and for fair market value in the ordinary
course of trading or business of the disposing
entity;
|
(ii)
|
of
assets which are obsolete;
|
(iii)
|
which
is made from any Obligor to another
Obligor;
|
(iv)
|
which
is made from any Obligor to a wholly-owned subsidiary being a member of
the Group which is not an Obligor, provided that the fair
market value of the assets to be disposed of does not, when aggregated
with the fair market value of all other assets disposed of pursuant to
this paragraph (b)(iv) exceed EUR 5,000,000 (or its equivalent in any
other currency or currencies);
|
(v)
|
of
assets in exchange for other assets comparable or superior as to type,
value and quality;
|
(vi)
|
which
is a Permitted Affiliate
Transaction;
|
(vii)
|
made
in connection with the granting of a non-exclusive licence to use any
Intellectual Property owned by members of the Group provided that any such
licences do not prohibit any of the member of the Group from using any
Intellectual Property which is material to its
business;
|
(viii)
|
made
with the prior written consent of the Majority
Xxxxxxx;
|
(ix)
|
of
non-core assets which is made on arm's length terms and for fair market
value provided
that the consideration receivable (when aggregated with the
consideration receivable for any other sale, lease, transfer or other
disposal, other than any permitted under paragraphs (i) to (viii) above)
does not exceed EUR 5,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or
currencies) in any financial year;
|
(x)
|
of
cash other than by way of a payment to any member of the Group which is
not an Obligor as equity payment, it being understood, however, that
payments to Unterstützungskasse Kronos Titan GmbH up to an aggregate
amount of EUR 1,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or
currencies) shall be permitted, and provided that such disposal is not
otherwise prohibited by this Agreement;
or
|
(xi)
|
of
Cash Equivalent Investments on arms' length
terms.
|
25.5
|
Disposals
of Plant
|
No
Obligor shall sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of its respective
manufacturing plant at Langerbrugge, Leverkusen, Nordenham and Frederikstad to
any other Obligor unless it has received the prior written consent of the
Majority Lenders.
25.6
|
Indebtedness
|
Each
Obligor shall ensure that neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries shall incur or
permit to subsist any Financial Indebtedness other than Permitted Financial
Indebtedness.
25.7
|
Merger
|
No
Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that none of its Subsidiaries will)
enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction other
than (a) a solvent reorganisation between members of the Group (other than any
Obligor) and (b) a solvent reorganisation between members of the Group and a
Borrower provided that the Borrower is the surviving entity.
25.8
|
Change
of business
|
The
Obligors shall procure that no substantial change is made to the general nature
of the business of any of the Borrowers or the Group from that carried on at the
date of this Agreement and that there shall be no cessation of any substantial
part of such business.
25.9
|
Insurance
|
Each
Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that each of its Subsidiaries will)
maintain insurances on and in relation to its business and assets with reputable
underwriters or insurance companies against those risks and to the extent as is
usual for companies carrying on the same or substantially similar
business.
25.10
|
Environmental
compliance
|
Each
Obligor (and each Obligor shall ensure that each of its Subsidiaries will)
comply in all material respects with all Environmental Laws and obtain and
maintain any Environmental Permits and take all reasonable steps in anticipation
of known or expected future changes to or obligations under the same where
failure to do so would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
25.11
|
Environmental
Claims
|
The
Obligors shall inform the Agent in writing as soon as reasonably practicable
upon becoming aware of the same:
(a)
|
if
any Environmental Claim has been commenced or is threatened in writing
against any member of the Group; or
|
(b)
|
of
any facts or circumstances which will or are reasonably likely to result
in any Environmental Claim being commenced or threatened against any
member of the Group,
|
where the
claim would be reasonably likely, if determined against that member of the
Group, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
25.12
|
Acquisition
|
No
Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that none of its Subsidiaries
will):
(a)
|
purchase,
subscribe for or otherwise acquire any shares (or other securities (but
excluding Cash Equivalent Investments) or interests) in, or incorporate,
any other company, including any additional shares or other interests in
any member of the Group who is not an Obligor but excluding
Unterstützungskasse Kronos Titan GmbH or agree to do any of the foregoing;
or
|
(b)
|
purchase
or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the assets of a company
or a business unit or agree to do so;
or
|
(c)
|
form,
or enter into, any partnership, consortium, joint venture or other like
arrangement or agree to do so,
|
in each
case other than: (i) any such investment made between two or more Obligors, or
(ii) if the aggregate amount of any such investments made by members of the
Group would not exceed EUR 5,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency
or currencies, as measured at the time of such investment).
This
Clause 25.12 does not apply to any acquisitions resulting from settlements
or compromises of accounts receivable or trade payables, acquisitions in
securities of trade creditors or customers received pursuant to any plan of
reorganisation or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such
trade creditors or customers or in good faith settlements of delinquent
obligations of such trade creditors or customers, in each case in the ordinary
course of business and provided
that the aggregate face value of accounts receivables and/or trade
payables and/or delinquent obligations shall in aggregate not exceed
EUR 5,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or
currencies).
25.13
|
Pari
passu
|
Each
Obligor shall ensure that at all times the claims of the Finance Parties against
it under this Agreement rank at least pari passu with the claims of
all of its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors save those whose claims
are preferred solely by any bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or other similar
laws of general application.
25.14
|
Loans
and Guarantees
|
No
Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that none of its Subsidiaries will)
make any loans or grant any credit (in each case of the type described in
paragraphs (a), (c) and (f) of the definition of Financial Indebtedness) or give
any guarantee or indemnity to or for the benefit of any person or otherwise
voluntarily assume any liability, whether actual or contingent, in respect of
any obligation of any person other than (i) Permitted Loans and Guarantees or
(ii) any loan, credit, guarantee, indemnity or assumption of such liability in
respect of any member of the Kronos Group.
25.15
|
Transactions
with members of the Kronos Group
|
No
Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that none of its Subsidiaries will)
enter into any transaction with a member of the Kronos Group unless (i) such
transaction is a Permitted Affiliate Transaction, (ii) such transaction is
concluded on arm's length terms and for fair market value or (iii) such
transaction is expressly permitted by Clause 25.6 (Indebtedness) as it
constitutes Permitted Financial Indebtedness under paragraphs (c) and (h) of the
definition of Permitted Financial Indebtedness under Clause 1.1 (Definitions) or by Clause
25.14 (Loans and
Guarantees) of this Agreement, provided that in each case and with
respect to the payment of cash, such payment will, not whether directly or
indirectly, result in the occurrence of a Default.
25.16
|
Profit
and loss transfer agreements
|
No
Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that none of its Subsidiaries will)
enter into a profit and loss transfer agreement (Ergebnis abführungsvertrag),
any partnership agreements (stille Beteiligungen), any
other intercompany agreement (Unternehmensvertrag) or any
other similar arrangement resulting in any person not being a member of the
Group being entitled to share in the profits of any member of the Group or being
entitled to exercise control over any member of the Group provided that the German
Borrower shall be permitted to enter into a profit and loss transfer agreement
with the Parent for the purpose of sharing Taxes.
25.17
|
Intellectual
Property
|
Each
Obligor shall (and the Obligors shall ensure that each of its Subsidiaries
will):
(a)
|
observe
and comply with all material obligations and laws to which it in its
capacity as registered proprietor, beneficial owner, user, licensor or
licensee of the Intellectual Property required to conduct its business or
any part of it is subject where failure to do so would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect;
|
(b)
|
do
all acts as are necessary to maintain, protect and safeguard such
Intellectual Property where failure to do so would reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect and not discontinue the use of any of
such Intellectual Property nor allow it to be used in such a way that it
is put at risk by becoming generic or by being identified as disreputable
if in each case to do so would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect; and
|
(c)
|
(save
where a licence is granted to terminate or prevent litigation) not after
the date of this Agreement grant any licence to any person to use the
Intellectual Property required to conduct the business of any member of
the Group if to do so would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
|
25.18
|
Compliance
with Material Contracts
|
|
Each
Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that each of its Subsidiaries
will):
|
(a)
|
comply
in all material respects with its obligations under each Material Contract
to which it is party and take all action necessary to ensure the continued
validity and enforceability of its rights
thereunder;
|
(b)
|
not
amend, vary, novate or supplement any such Material Contract in any
material respect;
|
(c)
|
not
terminate, revoke, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of its rights and
obligations under any such Material Contract during the term of this
Agreement,
|
if such
non-compliance, failure to take action, amendment, variation, novation,
supplement, termination, revocation, transfer, assignment or other disposal, as
the case may be, would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
26.
|
EVENTS
OF DEFAULT
|
Each of
the events or circumstances set out in Clause 26 is an Event of
Default.
26.1
|
Non-payment
|
An
Obligor or Kronos Denmark does not pay on the due date any amount due and
payable pursuant to a Finance Document to which it is a party at the place at
and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable unless:
(a)
|
in
the case of principal or interest due under a Finance Document, its
failure to pay is caused by administrative or technical error and payment
is made within 3 Business Days of its due date;
and
|
(b)
|
in
the case of any amount due under a Finance Document other than principal
or interest, payment is made within 3 Business Days after written notice
of such non-payment has been given to the German
Borrower.
|
26.2
|
Financial
covenants
|
Any
requirement of Clause 24 (Financial covenants) is not
satisfied.
26.3
|
Other
obligations
|
(a)
|
An
Obligor or Kronos Denmark does not comply with any provision of the
Finance Documents to which it is a party (other than those referred to in
Clause 26.1 (Non-payment) and
Clause 26.2 (Financial
covenants)).
|
(b)
|
No
Event of Default under paragraph (a) above will occur if such breach
is capable of remedy and is remedied within thirty (30)
days.
|
26.4
|
Misrepresentation
|
(a)
|
Any
representation or statement made by an Obligor or Kronos Denmark in the
Finance Documents or any other document delivered by or on behalf of any
Obligor or Kronos Denmark under or in connection with any Finance Document
is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect
when made.
|
(b)
|
No
Event of Default under paragraph (a) above will occur if such
misrepresentation is capable of remedy and is remedied within 15 Business
Days.
|
26.5
|
Cross
default
|
(a)
|
Any
Financial Indebtedness of the Parent or any member of the Group is not
paid at maturity, whether by acceleration or
otherwise.
|
(b)
|
Any
Financial Indebtedness of the Parent or any member of the Group is
declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified
maturity as a result of an event of default (however
described).
|
(c)
|
Any
commitment for any Financial Indebtedness of the Parent or any member of
the Group is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of the Parent or any
member of the Group as a result of an event of default (however
described).
|
(d)
|
Any
creditor of the Parent or any member of the Group becomes entitled to
declare any Financial Indebtedness of the Parent or any member of the
Group due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an
event of default (however
described).
|
(e)
|
No
Event of Default will occur under this Clause 26.5 if the aggregate
amount of Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness
falling within paragraphs (a) to (d) above is less than EUR 5,000,000 (or
its equivalent in any other currency or
currencies).
|
26.6
|
Insolvency
|
(a)
|
Any
Obligor, Material Subsidiary or the Parent is unable or admits inability
to pay its debts which have fallen due or its debts which will fall due in
the future, suspends making payments on any of its debts or, in the case
of the German Borrower or any Material Subsidiary whose jurisdiction of
incorporation is Germany, is overindebted (Überschuldung).
|
(b)
|
A
moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of any Obligor,
Material Subsidiary or the Parent in excess of
EUR 5,000,000.
|
26.7
|
Insolvency
proceedings
|
Any
corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken in
relation to:
(a)
|
the
suspension of payments, the opening of insolvency proceedings, winding-up,
dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary
arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of any Obligor, Material
Subsidiary or the Parent other than a solvent liquidation or
reorganisation of any member of the Group which is not an
Obligor;
|
(b)
|
a
composition, assignment or arrangement with any creditor involving
indebtedness in excess of EUR 5,000,000 of any Obligor, Material
Subsidiary or the Parent;
|
(c)
|
the
appointment of a liquidator (other than in respect of a solvent
liquidation of a member of the Group which is not an Obligor permitted
under this Agreement), receiver, administrator including an insolvency
administrator, administrative receiver, compulsory manager or other
similar officer in respect of any Obligor, Material Subsidiary or the
Parent or any of its assets where such asset have an aggregated fair
market value in excess of EUR 5,000,000;
or
|
(d)
|
enforcement
of any Security over any assets of any Obligor, Material Subsidiary or the
Parent where such assets have an aggregated fair market value in excess of
EUR 5,000,000,
|
or any
analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction.
26.8
|
Creditors'
process
|
Any
expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress, enforcement or execution
affects any asset or assets of the Parent, any Obligor or any Material
Subsidiary having an aggregate value of EUR 5,000,000 and is not discharged
within 45 days.
26.9
|
Ownership
of the Obligors
|
An
Obligor is not or ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Parent.
26.10
|
Unlawfulness
|
It is or
becomes unlawful for an Obligor or Kronos Denmark to perform any of its
obligations under the Finance Documents if the effect thereof would reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
26.11
|
Transaction
Security
|
(a)
|
Any
Obligor or Kronos Denmark fails duly to perform or comply with any of the
obligations assumed by it in the Security Documents, provided that no Event
of Default under this paragraph (a) will occur if such breach is
capable of remedy and is remedied within fifteen (15) Business Days after
written notice of such breach has been given to the German Borrower by the
Agent or the relevant Obligor or Kronos Denmark, as the case may be, has
obtained actual knowledge of such breach, whichever is the
earlier.
|
(b)
|
At
any time of the Transaction Security is or becomes unlawful or is not, or
ceases to be legal, valid, binding or enforceable or otherwise ceases to
be effective if the effect thereof would reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
|
26.12
|
Repudiation
|
An
Obligor or Kronos Denmark repudiates a Finance Document or any of the
Transaction Security or evidences an intention to repudiate a Finance Document
or any of the Transaction Security.
26.13
|
Material
Contracts
|
Any
Material Contract is not or ceases to be in full force and effect if this would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
26.14
|
Material
adverse change
|
There
occurs a material adverse change in the business, assets or financial condition
of any of the German Borrower, the Belgian Borrower or of the Group taken as a
whole.
26.15
|
Acceleration
|
On and at
any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing the
Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the
Borrowers:
(a)
|
cancel
the Total Commitments whereupon they shall immediately be
cancelled;
|
(b)
|
declare
that all or part of the Loans, together with accrued interest, and all
other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents be
immediately due and payable, whereupon they shall become immediately due
and payable;
|
(c)
|
declare
that all or part of the Loans be payable on demand, whereupon they shall
immediately become payable on demand by the Agent on the instructions of
the Majority Lenders; and/or
|
(d)
|
require
the relevant Borrower to procure that the liabilities of each of the
Lenders and the Fronting Bank under each Letter of Credit are promptly
reduced to zero; and/or
|
(e)
|
require
the relevant Borrower to provide Cash Collateral for each Letter of Credit
in an amount specified by the Agent and in the currency of that Letter of
Credit;
|
(f)
|
exercise,
or direct the Security Agent to exercise, any or all of its rights,
remedies, powers or discretions under any of the Finance
Documents.
|
SECTION
9
CHANGES
TO PARTIES
27.
|
CHANGES
TO THE LENDERS
|
27.1
|
Assignments
and transfers by the Lenders
|
(a)
|
Subject
to this Clause 27, a Lender (the "Existing Lender")
may:
|
(i)
|
assign
(Abtretung) any
of its rights; or
|
(ii)
|
transfer
by way of assignment and assumption of debt (Vertragsübernahme) any of its rights
and obligations,
|
to
another bank or financial institution or to a trust, fund or other entity which
is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or
investing in loans, securities or other financial assets (the "New Lender").
27.2
|
Conditions
of assignment or transfer
|
(a)
|
Any
such assignment or transfer shall be in a minimum amount of
EUR 4,000,000 except in the case of an assignment or transfer which
has the effect of reducing the participation of the relevant Lender to
zero.
|
(b)
|
The
consent of the German Borrower is required for an assignment or transfer
by a Lender, unless the assignment or transfer is to another Lender or an
Affiliate of a Lender or unless a Default has occurred which is
continuing.
|
(c)
|
The
consent of the German Borrower to an assignment or transfer must not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed. The German Borrower will be
deemed to have given its consent five Business Days after the Lender has
requested it unless consent is expressly refused by the German Borrower
within that time.
|
(d)
|
The
consent of the Fronting Bank is required for an assignment or transfer by
a Lender in relation to a Letter of
Credit.
|
(e)
|
An
assignment will only be effective on receipt by the Agent of written
confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to
the Agent) that the New Lender will assume the same obligations to the
other Finance Parties and the other Secured Parties as it would have been
under if it was an Original Lender.
|
(f)
|
A
transfer will only be effective if the procedure set out in
Clause 27.5 (Procedure for transfer)
is complied with.
|
(g)
|
If:
|
(i)
|
a
Lender assigns or transfers any of its rights or obligations under the
Finance Documents or changes its Facility Office;
and
|
(ii)
|
as
a result of circumstances existing at the date the assignment, transfer or
change occurs, an Obligor would be obliged to make a payment to the New
Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office under
Clause 16 (Tax
gross-up and indemnities) or Clause 17 (Increased
Costs),
|
then the
New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office is only entitled to
receive payment under those Clauses to the same extent as the Existing Lender or
Lender acting through its previous Facility Office would have been if the
assignment, transfer or change had not occurred.
27.3
|
Assignment
or transfer fee
|
The New
Lender shall, on the date upon which an assignment or transfer takes effect, pay
to the Agent (for its own account) a fee of EUR 3,500.
27.4
|
Limitation
of responsibility of Existing
Lenders
|
(a)
|
Unless
expressly agreed to the contrary, an Existing Lender makes no
representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility to a New Lender
for:
|
(i)
|
the
legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the
Finance Documents, the Transaction Security or any other
documents;
|
(ii)
|
the
financial condition of any Obligor;
|
(iii)
|
the
performance and observance by any Obligor or Kronos Denmark of its
obligations under the Finance Documents or any other documents;
or
|
(iv)
|
the
accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in
connection with any Finance Document or any other
document,
|
and any
representations or warranties implied by law are excluded.
(b)
|
Each
New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties
that it:
|
(i)
|
has
made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and
assessment of the financial condition and affairs of each Obligor and its
related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement
and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the
Existing Lender in connection with any Finance Document;
and
|
(ii)
|
will
continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of
each Obligor and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be
outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in
force.
|
(c)
|
Nothing
in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender
to:
|
(i)
|
accept
a re-transfer from a New Lender of any of the rights and obligations
assigned or transferred under this Clause 27;
or
|
(ii)
|
support
any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of
the non-performance by any Obligor or Kronos Denmark of its obligations
under the Finance Documents or
otherwise.
|
27.5
|
Procedure
for transfer
|
(a)
|
Subject
to the conditions set out in Clause 27.2 (Conditions of assignment or
transfer) a transfer is effected in accordance with paragraph (b)
below when the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Transfer
Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New
Lender. The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable
after receipt by it of a duly completed Transfer Certificate appearing on
its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Transfer
Certificate.
|
(b)
|
On
the Transfer Date:
|
(i)
|
to
the extent that in the Transfer Certificate the Existing Lender seeks to
transfer by assignment and assumption its rights (the "Transferred
Rights") and obligations
(the "Transferred
Obligations") under the Finance Documents and in respect of the
Transaction Security each of the Obligors and Kronos Denmark and the
Existing Lender shall be released from further obligations towards one
another under the Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction
Security;
|
(ii)
|
the
Transferred Rights of the Existing Lender shall be transferred to the New
Lender and the Transferred Obligations of the Existing Lender shall be
assumed by the New Lender so that each of the Obligors and Kronos Denmark
and the New Lender shall have those obligations and/ or rights towards one
another;
|
(iii)
|
the
Agent, the Mandated Lead Arranger, the Security Agent, the New Lender, the
other Lenders and the Fronting Bank shall have the same rights and the
same obligations between themselves and in respect of the Transaction
Security as they would have had, had the New Lender been an Original
Lender with the rights and/or obligations transferred to or assumed by it
as a result of the transfer and to that extent the Agent, the Mandated
Lead Arranger, the Existing Lender and the Fronting Bank shall each be
released from further obligations to each other under this Agreement;
and
|
(iv)
|
the
New Lender shall become a Party as a "Lender".
|
For the
avoidance of doubt it is hereby agreed that the benefit of the guarantees and
indemnities granted pursuant to Clause 21 (Guarantee and Indemnity) and
the benefit of each of the Security Documents shall be transferred to the New
Lender following a transfer pursuant to this Clause 27.
27.6
|
Disclosure
of information
|
Any
Lender may disclose to any of its Affiliates and any other person:
(a)
|
to
(or through) whom that Lender assigns or transfers (or may potentially
assign or transfer) all or any of its rights and obligations under this
Agreement;
|
(b)
|
with
(or through) whom that Xxxxxx enters into (or may potentially enter into)
any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which
payments are to be made by reference to, this Agreement or any Obligor;
or
|
(c)
|
to
whom, and to the extent that, information is required to be disclosed by
any applicable law or regulation,
|
any
information about any Obligor, the Group and the Finance Documents as that
Lender shall consider appropriate if, in relation to paragraphs (a) and (b)
above, the person to whom the information is to be given has entered into a
Confidentiality Undertaking.
28.
|
CHANGES
TO THE OBLIGORS
|
No
Obligor may assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or
obligations under the Finance Documents.
SECTION
10
THE
FINANCE PARTIES
29.
|
ROLE
OF THE AGENT, THE SECURITY AGENT AND THE MANDATED LEAD
ARRANGER
|
29.1
|
Appointment
of the Agent and the Security Agent
|
(a)
|
Each
other Finance Party appoints the Agent to act as its agent and the
Security Agent to act as its trustee and administrator under and in
connection with the Finance Documents (provided that, in the
case of any Transaction Security which is accessory in nature and which is
granted pursuant to any Security Document which is governed by German law,
the Security Agent shall act as administrator
only).
|
(b)
|
Each
other Finance Party authorises the Agent and the Security Agent to
exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically
given to the Agent and the Security Agent under or in connection with the
Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers,
authorities and discretions. The Agent and the Security Agent shall be
released from the restrictions set out in section 181 of the German Civil
Code. The Agent and the Security Agent can grant substitute power of
attorney and release any sub-agents from the restrictions set out in
section 181 of the German Civil Code and revoke such power of
attorney.
|
29.2
|
Definitions: For the
purposes of Section 10 (The Finance
Parties):
|
"Agent's and Security Agent's
Liabilities" means all liabilities (including any liability in respect of
tax), to which the Agent, the Security Agent or any person appointed by any of
them under any Finance Document becomes subject by reason of it acting as agent
or holding the Transaction Security under the Finance Document;
"German Security" means any
security assumed and accepted by or through the Security Agent or the Finance
Parties, as the case may be, pursuant to any Security Document governed by
German law and held or administered by the Security Agent on behalf of or in
trust for the Finance Parties hereunder and any addition or replacement or
substitution thereof.
29.3
|
Administering of Transaction
Security:
|
The
Security Agent shall hold and administer the Transaction
Security. Each Lender hereby authorises the Security Agent to accept
as its representative (Stellvertreter) any security
created in favour of such Xxxxxx.
29.4
|
Administration
of German Security
|
The
Security Agent shall in relation to the German Security
(a)
|
hold
and administer any German Security which is security assigned (Sicherungseigentum/Sicherungsabtretung)
or otherwise transferred under a non-accessory security right (nicht akzessorische
Sicherheit) to it as trustee (Treuhänder) for the
benefit of the Secured Parties;
|
(b)
|
administer
any German Security which is pledged (Verpfändung) or
otherwise transferred to a Secured Party under an accessory security right
(akzessorische
Sicherheit) as agent.
|
29.5
|
Acts of Agent and Security
Agent:
|
In
additional to Clause 29.3 (Administering of Transaction
Security):
(a)
|
each
of the Security Agent and the Agent shall be at liberty to place any
Finance Document and any other documents delivered to it in connection
therewith in any safe or receptacle or with any bank, any company whose
business includes undertaking the safe custody of documents or any firm of
lawyers of good repute and shall not be responsible for any loss thereby
incurred;
|
(b)
|
the
Security Agent, whenever it thinks fit, may delegate by power of attorney
or otherwise to any person or persons all or any of the rights, trusts,
powers, authorities and discretions vested in it by a Finance Document and
such delegation may be made upon such terms and subject to such conditions
and subject to such regulations as the Security Agent may think
fit;
|
(c)
|
each
of the Security Agent and the Agent may refrain from doing or do anything
which would or might in its opinion be contrary to or necessary to comply
with any relevant law of any
jurisdiction;
|
(d)
|
each
of the Security Agent and the Agent and every attorney, agent or other
person appointed by it under any Finance Document may indemnify itself or
himself out of the Charged Property against all the Agent's and Security
Agent's Liabilities, subject to the provisions of the Security Document;
and
|
(e)
|
the
Security Agent shall have the rights to, but shall not be under any
obligation to, insure any of the Charged Property and shall not be
responsible for any loss which may be suffered by any person as a result
of the lack of or inadequacy or insufficiency of any such
insurance.
|
29.6
|
Parallel
Debt
|
29.6.1
|
Each
of the Obligors hereby agrees and covenants with the Security Agent by way
of an abstract acknowledgement of debt (abstraktes
Schuldanerkenntnis) that each of them shall pay to the Security
Agent sums equal to, and in the currency of, any sums owing by it to a
Secured Party (other than the Security Agent) under any Finance Document
(the "Principal
Obligations") as and when the same fall due for payment under the
relevant Finance Document (the "Parallel
Obligations").
|
29.6.2
|
The
Security Agent shall have its own independent right to demand payment of
the Parallel Obligations by the Obligors. The rights of the Secured
Parties to receive payment of the Principal Obligations are several from
the rights of the Security Agent to receive the Parallel
Obligations.
|
29.6.3
|
The
payment by an Obligor of its Parallel Obligations to the Security Agent in
accordance with this Clause 29.6 shall be a good discharge of the
corresponding Principal Obligations and the payment by an Obligor of its
corresponding Principal Obligations in accordance with the provisions of
the Finance Documents shall be a good discharge of the relevant Parallel
Obligations.
|
29.6.4
|
Despite
the foregoing, any such payment shall be made to the Agent, unless the
Agent directs such payment to be made to the Security
Agent.
|
29.7
|
Duties
of the Agent and the Security Agent
|
(a)
|
The
Agent and the Security Agent shall promptly forward to a Party the
original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Agent or the
Security Agent for that Party by any other
Party.
|
(b)
|
Except
where a Finance Document specifically provides otherwise, the Agent is not
obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any
document it forwards to another
Party.
|
(c)
|
If
the Agent or the Security Agent receives notice from a Party referring to
this Agreement, describing a Default and stating that the circumstance
described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the Finance
Parties.
|
(d)
|
If
the Agent or the Security Agent is aware of the non-payment of any
principal, interest, commitment fee or other fee payable to a Finance
Party (other than the Agent, the Mandated Lead Arranger or the Security
Agent) under this Agreement it shall promptly notify the other Finance
Parties.
|
(e)
|
The
Agent's and the Security Agent's duties under the Finance Documents are
solely mechanical and administrative in
nature.
|
29.8
|
Role
of the Mandated Lead Arranger
|
Except as
specifically provided in the Finance Documents, the Mandated Lead Arranger has
no obligations of any kind to any other Party under or in connection with any
Finance Document.
29.9
|
No
fiduciary duties
|
(a)
|
Except
where a Finance Document specifically provides otherwise, nothing in this
Agreement constitutes the Agent, the Security Agent or the Mandated Lead
Arranger as a trustee or fiduciary of any other
person.
|
(b)
|
Neither
the Agent, the Security Agent nor the Mandated Lead Arranger shall be
bound to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any
sum received by it for its own
account.
|
29.10
|
Business
with the Group
|
The
Agent, the Security Agent and the Mandated Lead Arranger may accept deposits
from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other
business with any member of the Group.
29.11
|
Rights
and discretions of the Agent and the Security
Agent
|
(a)
|
The
Agent and the Security Agent may rely
on:
|
(i)
|
any
representation, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct
and appropriately authorised; and
|
(ii)
|
any
statement made by a director, authorised signatory or employee of any
person regarding any matters which may reasonably be assumed to be within
his knowledge or within his power to
verify.
|
(b)
|
The
Agent and the Security Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to
the contrary in its capacity as agent for the Lenders)
that:
|
(i)
|
no
Default has occurred (unless it has actual knowledge of a Default arising
under Clause 26.1 (Non-payment));
|
(ii)
|
any
right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or the Majority
Lenders has not been exercised; and
|
(iii)
|
any
notice or request made by the German Borrower (other than a Utilisation
Request) is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of all
the Obligors.
|
(c)
|
The
Agent and the Security Agent may engage, pay for and rely on the advice or
services of any lawyers, accountants, surveyors or other
experts.
|
(d)
|
The
Agent and the Security Agent may act in relation to the Finance Documents
through its personnel and agents.
|
(e)
|
The
Agent may disclose to any other Party any information it reasonably
believes it has received as agent under this
Agreement.
|
(f)
|
The
Security Agent may, upon a disposal of any property the subject of the
Security Document by any receiver, or by any of the Obligors or Kronos
Denmark where the Security Agent has consented to the disposal, to any
third party, release such property from the Security
Document.
|
(g)
|
Notwithstanding
any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, neither the
Agent nor the Mandated Lead Arranger is obliged to do or omit to do
anything if it would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a
breach of any law or a breach of a fiduciary duty or duty of
confidentiality.
|
29.12
|
Majority
Lenders' instructions
|
(a)
|
Unless
a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, the Agent and the
Security Agent shall (i) exercise any right, power, authority or
discretion vested in it as Agent or Security Agent in accordance with any
instructions given to it by the Majority Lenders (or, if so instructed by
the Majority Lenders, refrain from exercising any right, power, authority
or discretion vested in it as Agent or Security Agent) and (ii) not be
liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from taking any
action) in accordance with an instruction of the Majority
Lenders.
|
(b)
|
Unless
a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, any instructions
given by the Majority Lenders will be binding on all the Finance
Parties.
|
(c)
|
The
Agent and the Security Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with
the instructions of the Majority Lenders (or, if appropriate, the Lenders)
(i) if in the reasonable opinion of the Agent or the Security Agent, as
the case may be, such instructions are contrary to applicable law or (ii)
until it has received such security as it may require for any cost, loss
or liability (together with any associated VAT) which it may incur in
complying with the instructions.
|
(d)
|
In
the absence of instructions from the Majority Lenders, (or, if
appropriate, the Lenders) the Agent and the Security Agent may act (or
refrain from taking action) as it considers to be in the best interest of
the Lenders.
|
(e)
|
The
Agent and the Security Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a
Lender (without first obtaining that Xxxxxx's consent) in any legal or
arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance
Document.
|
29.13
|
Responsibility
for documentation
|
None of
the Agent, the Mandated Lead Arranger and the Security Agent:
(a)
|
is
responsible for the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness of any
information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Agent, the Mandated
Lead Arranger, the Security Agent, an Obligor, Kronos Denmark or any other
person given in or in connection with any Finance Document or the
transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents;
or
|
(b)
|
is
responsible for the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or
enforceability of any Finance Document or the Transaction Security or any
other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in
anticipation of or in connection with any Finance Document or the
Transaction Security.
|
29.14
|
Exclusion
of liability
|
(a)
|
Without
limiting paragraph (b) below, neither the Agent nor the Security Agent
will be liable for any action taken by it under or in connection with any
Finance Document or the Transaction Security, unless directly caused by
its gross negligence or wilful
misconduct.
|
(b)
|
No
Party may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of
the Agent or the Security Agent in respect of any claim it might have
against the Agent or the Security Agent in respect of any act or omission
of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Finance
Document and any officer, employee or agent of the Agent or the Security
Agent may rely on this Clause.
|
(c)
|
Neither
the Agent nor the Security Agent will be liable for any delay (or any
related consequences) in crediting an account with an amount required
under the Finance Documents to be paid by the Agent or the Security Agent
if the Agent or the Security Agent has taken all necessary steps as soon
as reasonably practicable to comply with the regulations or operating
procedures of any recognised clearing or settlement system used by the
Agent or the Security Agent for that
purpose.
|
29.15
|
Xxxxxxx'
indemnity to the Agent and the Security
Agent
|
Each
Lender shall (in proportion to its share of the Total Commitments or, if the
Total Commitments are then zero, to its share of the Total Commitments
immediately prior to their reduction to zero) indemnify each of the Agent and
the Security Agent, within three Business Days of demand, against any cost, loss
or liability incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent (otherwise than by
reason of the Agent's or the Security Agent's gross negligence or wilful
misconduct) in acting as Agent or as Security Agent under the Finance Documents
(unless the Agent or the Security Agent has been reimbursed by an Obligor
pursuant to a Finance Document).
29.16
|
Resignation
of the Agent and the Security Agent
|
(a)
|
The
Agent and the Security Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates
acting through an office in one of the Participating Member States as
successor by giving notice to the other Finance Parties and the
Borrowers.
|
(b)
|
Alternatively
the Agent and the Security Agent may resign by giving notice to the other
Finance Parties and the Borrowers, in which case the Majority Lenders
(after consultation with the German Borrower) may appoint a successor
Agent or Security Agent.
|
(c)
|
If
the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Agent or Security
Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) above within 30 days after notice
of resignation was given, the Agent or the Security Agent (after
consultation with the German Borrower) may appoint a successor Agent or
Security Agent (acting through an office in one of the Participating
Member States).
|
(d)
|
The
retiring Agent or Security Agent shall, at its own cost, make available to
the successor Agent or Security Agent such documents and records and
provide such assistance as the successor Agent or the Security Agent may
reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent
under the Finance Documents.
|
(e)
|
The
Agent's or the Security Agent's resignation notice shall only take effect
upon the appointment of a
successor.
|
(f)
|
Upon
the appointment of a successor, the retiring Agent or the Security Agent
shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance
Documents but shall remain entitled to the benefit of this
Clause 29. Its successor and each of the other Parties
shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they
would have had if such successor had been an original
Party.
|
(g)
|
After
consultation with the German Borrower, the Majority Lenders may, by notice
to the Agent or the Security Agent, require it to resign in accordance
with paragraph (b) above. In this event, the Agent or the
Security Agent shall resign in accordance with paragraph (b)
above.
|
29.17
|
Confidentiality
|
(a)
|
In
acting as agent for the Finance Parties or as security agent for the
Secured Parties, as the case may be, the Agent and the Security Agent
shall be regarded as acting through its agency division which shall be
treated as a separate entity from any other of its divisions or
departments.
|
(b)
|
If
information is received by another division or department of the Agent or
the Security Agent, it may be treated as confidential to that division or
department and neither the Agent nor the Security Agent shall not be
deemed to have notice of it.
|
29.18
|
Relationship
with the Lenders
|
(a)
|
The
Agent and the Security Agent may treat each Lender as a Lender, entitled
to payments under this Agreement and acting through its Facility Office
unless it has received not less than five Business Days prior notice from
that Lender to the contrary in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
|
(b)
|
Each
Lender shall supply the Agent with any information required by the Agent
in order to calculate the Mandatory Cost in accordance with Schedule 4
(Mandatory Cost
formulae).
|
(c)
|
Each
Secured Party shall supply the Agent with any information that the
Security Agent may reasonably specify (through the Agent) as being
necessary or desirable to enable the Security Agent to perform its
functions as security agent. Each Lender shall deal with the
Security Agent exclusively through the Agent and shall not deal directly
with the Security Agent
|
29.19
|
Credit
appraisal by the Secured Parties
|
Without
affecting the responsibility of any Obligor for information supplied by it or on
its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each Secured Party confirms
to the Agent, the Mandated Lead Arranger and the Security Agent that it has
been, and will continue to be, solely responsible for making its own independent
appraisal and investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any
Finance Document including but not limited to:
(a)
|
the
financial condition, status and nature of each member of the
Group;
|
(b)
|
the
legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any
Finance Document and the Transaction Security and any other agreement,
arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of,
under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Transaction
Security;
|
(c)
|
whether
that Secured Party has recourse, and the nature and extent of that
recourse, against any Party or any of its respective assets under or in
connection with any Finance Document, the Transaction Security, the
transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement,
arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of,
under or in connection with any Finance
Document;
|
(d)
|
the
adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness of any information provided by the
Agent, the Security Agent, any Party or by any other person under or in
connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by the
Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered
into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any
Finance Document; and
|
(e)
|
the
right or title of any person in or to, or the value or sufficiency of any
part of the Charged Property, the priority of any of the Transaction
Security or the existence of any Security affecting the Charged
Property.
|
29.20
|
Application
of proceeds
|
To the
extent that the Agent or the Security Agent receives monies pursuant to or as a
result of any breach of any Finance Document to be applied in discharging any
obligation (whether actual or contingent, present or future) of any Obligor
under any Finance Document, such monies shall be applied in the order set out in
Clause 33.5 (Partial
Payments).
29.21
|
Release
of Transaction Security
|
If the
Security Agent, with the approval of the Majority Lenders, shall determine that
all obligations the discharge of which is secured by the Security Documents have
been full and finally discharged and none of the Lenders is under any
commitment, obligation or liability (whether actual or contingent) to make
advances or provide other financial accommodation to the Borrowers under this
Agreement the Security Agent shall release all of the security then held by it,
whereupon each of the Security Agent, the Agent, the Mandated Lead Arranger, the
Lenders and the Obligors shall be released from its obligations hereunder or
under the other Finance Documents (save for those which arose prior to such
winding-up) and Kronos Denmark shall be released from its obligations under the
Finance Documents.
29.22
|
Reference
Banks
|
If a
Reference Bank (or, if a Reference Bank is not a Lender, the Lender of which it
is an Affiliate) ceases to be a Lender, the Agent shall (with the approval of
the German Borrower which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed) appoint another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender to replace that
Reference Bank.
29.23
|
Deduction
from amounts payable by the Agent
|
If any
Party owes an amount to the Agent under the Finance Documents the Agent may,
after giving notice to that Party, deduct an amount not exceeding that amount
from any payment to that Party which the Agent would otherwise be obliged to
make under the Finance Documents and apply the amount deducted in or towards
satisfaction of the amount owed. For the purposes of the Finance
Documents that Party shall be regarded as having received any amount so
deducted.
30.
|
CONDUCT
OF BUSINESS BY THE FINANCE PARTIES
|
Subject
to the provisions of Clause 19 (Mitigation by the Lenders) no
provision of this Agreement will:
(a)
|
interfere
with the right of any Finance Party to arrange its affairs (tax or
otherwise) in whatever manner it thinks
fit;
|
(b)
|
oblige
any Finance Party to investigate or claim any credit, relief, remission or
repayment available to it or the extent, order and manner of any claim;
or
|
(c)
|
oblige
any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax
or otherwise) or any computations in respect of
Tax.
|
31.
|
SHARING
AMONG THE FINANCE PARTIES
|
31.1
|
Payments
to Finance Parties
|
If a
Finance Party (a "Recovering
Finance Party") receives or recovers any amount from an Obligor other
than in accordance with Clause 33 (Payment mechanics) or
Clause 29.20 (Application
of proceeds) and applies that amount to a payment due under the Finance
Documents then:
(a)
|
the
Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days, notify details
of the receipt or recovery, to the
Agent;
|
(b)
|
the
Agent shall determine whether the receipt or recovery is in excess of the
amount the Recovering Finance Party would have been paid had the receipt
or recovery been received or made by the Agent and distributed in
accordance with Clause 33 (Payment mechanics),
without taking account of any Tax which would be imposed on the Agent in
relation to the receipt, recovery or distribution;
and
|
(c)
|
the
Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days of demand by
the Agent, pay to the Agent an amount (the "Sharing Payment") equal
to such receipt or recovery less any amount which the Agent determines may
be retained by the Recovering Finance Party as its share of any payment to
be made, in accordance with Clause 33.5 (Partial
payments).
|
31.2
|
Redistribution
of payments
|
The Agent
shall treat the Sharing Payment as if it had been paid by the relevant Obligor
and distribute it between the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance
Party) in accordance with Clause 33.5 (Partial
payments).
31.3
|
Recovering
Finance Party's rights
|
The
Recovering Finance Party will be assigned the claims (or the part thereof) to
which the Sharing Payment is allocated (and the relevant Obligor shall be liable
to the Recovering Finance Party in an amount equal to the Sharing
Payment).
31.4
|
Reversal
of redistribution
|
If any
part of the Sharing Payment received or recovered by a Recovering Finance Party
becomes repayable and is repaid by that Recovering Finance Party,
then:
(a)
|
each
Finance Party which has received a share of the relevant Sharing Payment
pursuant to Clause 31.2 (Redistribution of
payments) shall, upon request of the Agent, pay to the Agent for
account of that Recovering Finance Party an amount equal to the
appropriate part of its share of the Sharing Payment (together
with an amount as is necessary to reimburse that Recovering Finance Party
for its proportion of any interest on the Sharing Payment which that
Recovering Finance Party is required to pay);
and
|
(b)
|
such
Recovering Finance Party's rights to an assignment in respect of any
reimbursement shall be cancelled and the relevant Obligor will be liable
to the reimbursing party for the amount so reimbursed and such Recovering
Finance Party shall re-assign to the relevant Finance Party any amount
assigned to it by such Finance Party pursuant to
Clause 31.3.
|
31.5
|
Exceptions
|
(a)
|
This
Clause 31 shall not apply to the extent that the Recovering Finance
Party would not, after making any payment pursuant to this Clause, have a
valid and enforceable claim against the relevant
Obligor.
|
(b)
|
A
Recovering Finance Party is not obliged to share with any other Finance
Party any amount which the Recovering Finance Party has received or
recovered as a result of taking legal or arbitration proceedings,
if:
|
(i)
|
it
notified that other Finance Party of the legal or arbitration proceedings;
and
|
(ii)
|
that
other Finance Party had an opportunity to participate in those legal or
arbitration proceedings but did not do so as soon as reasonably
practicable having received notice and did not take separate legal or
arbitration proceedings.
|
32.
|
THE
LENDERS AND THE FRONTING BANK
|
32.1
|
Lenders'
Indemnity
|
If any
Borrower fails to comply with its obligations under Clause 9.2 (Borrowers' Indemnity to Fronting
Banks) the Agent shall make demand on each Lender for its share of that
L/C Amount and, subject to Clause 32.2 (Direct Participation), each
Lender shall indemnify the Fronting Bank for that Xxxxxx's L/C Proportion of the
L/C Amount.
32.2
|
Direct
Participation
|
If any
Lender is not permitted (by its constitutional documents or any applicable law)
to comply with Clause 32.1 (Lenders' Indemnity) then that
Lender will not be obliged to comply with Clause 32.1 (Lenders' Indemnity) and shall
instead be deemed to have taken, on the date the Letter of Credit is issued (or
if later, on the date that L/C Proportion is transferred or assigned to such
Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement), an undivided interest
and participation in that Letter of Credit in an amount equal to that Xxxxxx's
L/C Proportion of that Letter of Credit. On receipt of demand by the
Agent in accordance with Clause 32.1 (Lenders' Indemnity), each
such Lender shall pay to the Agent (for the account of the Fronting Bank) its
L/C Proportion of any L/C Amount.
32.3
|
Obligations
not Discharged
|
Neither
the obligations of each Lender in this Clause 32 nor the rights, powers and
remedies conferred upon the Fronting Bank by this Agreement or by law shall be
discharged, impaired or otherwise affected by:
(a)
|
the
winding-up, dissolution, administration or re-organisation of the Fronting
Bank, the Borrower or any other person or any change in its status,
function, control or ownership;
|
(b)
|
any
of the obligations of the Fronting Bank, the Borrower or any other person
under this Agreement, under a Letter of Credit or under any other security
taken in respect of its obligations under this Agreement or under a Letter
of Credit being or becoming illegal, invalid, unenforceable or ineffective
in any respect;
|
(c)
|
time
or other indulgence being granted or agreed to be granted to the Fronting
Bank, the Borrower or any other person in respect of its obligations under
this Agreement, under a Letter of Credit or under any other
security;
|
(d)
|
any
amendment to, or any variation, waiver or release of, any obligation of
the Fronting Bank, the Borrower or any other person under this Agreement,
under a Letter of Credit or under any other security;
and
|
(e)
|
any
other act, event or omission which, but for this Clause 32.3, might
operate to discharge, impair or otherwise affect any of the obligations of
each Lender in this Agreement contained or any of the rights, powers or
remedies conferred upon any Fronting Bank by this Agreement or by
law.
|
The
obligations of each Lender in this Agreement contained shall be in addition to
and independent of every other security which the Fronting Bank may at any time
hold in respect of any Letter of Credit.
32.4
|
Settlement
Conditional
|
Any
settlement or discharge between a Lender and the Fronting Bank shall be
conditional upon no security or payment to the Fronting Bank by a Lender or any
other person on behalf of a Lender being avoided or reduced by virtue of any
laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or similar laws of general
application and, if any such security or payment is so avoided or reduced, the
Fronting Bank shall be entitled to recover the value or amount of such security
or payment from such Lender subsequently as if such settlement or discharge had
not occurred.
32.5
|
Exercise
of Rights
|
The
Fronting Bank shall not be obliged before exercising any of the rights, powers
or remedies conferred upon them in respect of any Lender by this Agreement or by
law:
(a)
|
to
take any action or obtain judgment in any court against the
Borrower;
|
(b)
|
to
make or file any claim or proof in a winding-up or dissolution of the
Borrower; or
|
(c)
|
to
enforce or seek to enforce any other security taken in respect of any of
the obligations of the Borrower under this
Agreement.
|
SECTION
11
ADMINISTRATION
33.
|
PAYMENT
MECHANICS
|
33.1
|
Payments
to the Agent
|
(a)
|
On
each date on which an Obligor or a Lender is required to make a payment
under a Finance Document, that Obligor or Lender shall make the same
available to the Agent (unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance
Document) for value on the due date at the time and in such funds
specified by the Agent as being customary at the time for settlement of
transactions in the relevant currency in the place of
payment.
|
(b)
|
Payment
shall be made to such account in the principal financial centre of the
country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in a principal
financial centre in a Participating Member State or London) with such bank
as the Agent specifies.
|
33.2
|
Distributions
by the Agent
|
Each
payment received by the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party
shall, subject to Clause 33.3 (Distributions to an Obligor)
and Clause 33.4 (Clawback) and
Clause 29.23 (Deduction
from amounts payable by the Agent) be made available by the Agent as soon
as practicable after receipt to the Party entitled to receive payment in
accordance with this Agreement (in the case of a Lender, for the account of its
Facility Office), to such account as that Party may notify to the Agent by not
less than five Business Days' notice with a bank in the principal financial
centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in the
principal financial centre of a Participating Member State or
London).
33.3
|
Distributions
to an Obligor
|
The Agent
may (with the consent of the Obligor or in accordance with Clause 34 (Set-off)) apply any amount
received by it for that Obligor in or towards payment (on the date and in the
currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from that Obligor under the
Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of any amount of any currency to be
so applied.
33.4
|
Clawback
|
(a)
|
Where
a sum is to be paid to the Agent under the Finance Documents for another
Party, the Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to that other Party (or to
enter into or perform any related exchange contract) until it has been
able to establish to its satisfaction that it has actually received that
sum.
|
(b)
|
If
the Agent pays an amount to another Party and it proves to be the case
that the Agent had not actually received that amount, then the Party to
whom that amount (or the proceeds of any related exchange contract) was
paid by the Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Agent together
with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of
receipt by the Agent, calculated by the Agent to reflect its cost of
funds.
|
33.5
|
Partial
payments
|
(a)
|
If
the Agent receives a payment that is insufficient to discharge all the
amounts then due and payable by an Obligor under the Finance Documents,
the Agent shall apply that payment towards the obligations of that Obligor
under the Finance Documents in the following
order:
|
(i)
|
first, in or towards
payment pro rata
of any unpaid fees, costs and expenses of the Agent and the Security Agent
under the Finance Documents;
|
(ii)
|
secondly, in or towards
payment of any demand made by the Fronting Bank in respect of a payment
made or to be made by it under a Letter of
Credit;
|
(iii)
|
thirdly, in or towards
payment pro rata
of any accrued interest, commission or Fronting Bank Fee due but unpaid
under this Agreement;
|
(iv)
|
fourthly, in or towards
payment pro rata
of any Outstandings due but unpaid under this Agreement;
and
|
(v)
|
fifthly, in or towards
payment pro rata
of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance
Documents.
|
(b)
|
The
Agent shall, if so directed by the Majority Lenders, vary the order set
out in paragraphs (a)(ii) to (v)
above.
|
(c)
|
Paragraphs
(a) and (b) above will override any appropriation made by an
Obligor.
|
33.6
|
No
set-off by Obligors
|
All
payments to be made by an Obligor under the Finance Documents shall be
calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off
or counterclaim.
33.7
|
Business
Days
|
(a)
|
Any
payment which is due to be made on a day that is not a Business Day shall
be made on the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is
one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is
not).
|
(b)
|
During
any extension of the due date for payment of any principal or Unpaid Sum
under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal or Unpaid Sum at
the rate payable on the original due
date.
|
33.8
|
Currency
of account
|
(a)
|
Subject
to paragraphs (b) to (f) below, the Base Currency is the currency of
account and payment for any sum due from an Obligor under any Finance
Document.
|
(b)
|
A
repayment of a Loan or Unpaid Sum or a part of a Loan or Unpaid Sum shall
be made in the currency in which that Loan or Unpaid Sum is denominated on
its due date.
|
(c)
|
Each
payment in respect of a Letter of Credit (including any Cash Collateral in
respect of a Letter of Credit) shall be made in the Base
Currency.
|
(d)
|
Each
payment of interest shall be made in the currency in which the sum in
respect of which the interest is payable was denominated when that
interest accrued.
|
(e)
|
Each
payment in respect of costs, expenses or Taxes shall be made in the
currency in which the costs, expenses or Taxes are
incurred.
|
(f)
|
Any
amount expressed to be payable in a currency other than the Base Currency
shall be paid in that other
currency.
|
33.9
|
Change
of currency
|
(a)
|
Unless
otherwise prohibited by law, if more than one currency or currency unit
are at the same time recognised by the central bank of any country as the
lawful currency of that country,
then:
|
(i)
|
any
reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under
the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country shall be translated
into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of that country designated
by the Agent (after consultation with the German Borrower);
and
|
(ii)
|
any
translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the
official rate of exchange recognised by the central bank for the
conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other, rounded up or
down by the Agent (acting
reasonably).
|
(b)
|
If
a change in any currency of a country occurs, this Agreement will, to the
extent the Agent (acting reasonably and after consultation with the German
Borrower) specifies to be necessary, be amended to comply with any
generally accepted conventions and market practice in the Relevant
Interbank Market and otherwise to reflect the change in
currency.
|
34.
|
SET-OFF
|
A Finance
Party may set off any matured obligation due from an Obligor under the Finance
Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any
matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to that Obligor, regardless of the
place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If
the obligations are in different currencies, the Finance Party may convert
either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business
for the purpose of the set-off.
35.
|
NOTICES
|
35.1
|
Communications
in writing
|
(a)
|
Any
communication to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents
shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by fax,
letter or telex.
|
(b)
|
Any
document to be delivered pursuant to Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions
precedent) shall be delivered in original form or a certified copy,
certified as a true and up-to-date copy by an authorised
signatory.
|
(c)
|
Any
Utilisation Request shall be confirmed by letter, although failure to do
so shall not invalidate the original
request.
|
35.2
|
Addresses
|
The
address, fax number and telex number (and the department or officer, if any, for
whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Party for any
communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with
the Finance Documents is:
(a)
|
in
the case of each Obligor, that identified with its name
below;
|
(b)
|
in
the case of each Lender and the Fronting Bank, that notified in writing to
the Agent on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Party;
and
|
(c)
|
in
the case of the Agent and the Security Agent, that identified with its
name below,
|
or any
substitute address, fax number, telex number or department or officer as the
Party may notify to the Agent (or the Agent may notify to the other Parties, if
a change is made by the Agent) by not less than five Business Days'
notice.
35.3
|
Delivery
|
(a)
|
Any
communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under
or in connection with the Finance Documents will only be
effective:
|
(i)
|
if
by way of fax, when received in legible form;
or
|
(ii)
|
if
by way of letter, when it has been left at the relevant address or five
Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an
envelope addressed to it at that address;
or
|
(iii)
|
if
by way of telex, when despatched, but only if, at the time of
transmission, the correct answerback appears at the start and at the end
of the sender's copy of the notice;
|
and, if a
particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details
provided under Clause 35.2 (Addresses), if addressed to
that department or officer.
(b)
|
Any
communication or document to be made or delivered to the Agent or the
Security Agent will be effective only when actually received by the Agent
or the Security Agent and then only if it is expressly marked for the
attention of the department or officer identified with the Agent's or the
Security Agent's signature below (or any substitute department or officer
as the Agent shall specify in writing for this
purpose).
|
(c)
|
All
notices from or to an Obligor shall be sent through the
Agent.
|
(d)
|
Any
communication or document made or delivered to the German Borrower in
accordance with this Clause will be deemed to have been made or
delivered to each of the Obligors.
|
(e)
|
All
notices to a Lender or the Fronting Bank from the Security Agent shall be
sent through the Agent.
|
35.4
|
Notification
of address, fax number and telex
number
|
Promptly
upon receipt of notification of an address, fax number and telex number or
change of address, fax number or telex number pursuant to Clause 35.2
(Addresses) or changing
its own address, fax number or telex number, the Agent shall notify the other
Parties.
35.5
|
Electronic
communication
|
(a)
|
Any
communication to be made between the Agent or the Security Agent and a
Lender under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by
electronic mail or other electronic means, if the Agent, the Security
Agent, the Fronting Bank and the relevant
Lender:
|
(i)
|
agree
that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted
form of communication;
|
(ii)
|
notify
each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other
information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by
that means; and
|
(iii)
|
notify
each other of any change to their address or any other such information
supplied by them.
|
(b)
|
Any
electronic communication made between the Agent or the Security Agent and
a Lender and/or the Fronting Bank will be effective only when actually
received in readable form and in the case of any electronic communication
made by a Lender or the Fronting Bank to the Agent or the Security Agent
only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Agent or the Security
Agent shall specify for this
purpose.
|
35.6
|
English
language
|
(a)
|
Any
notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in
English.
|
(b)
|
All
other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document
must be:
|
(i)
|
in
English; or
|
(ii)
|
if
not in English, and if so required by the Agent, accompanied by a
certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation
will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other
official document.
|
36.
|
CALCULATIONS
AND CERTIFICATES
|
36.1
|
Accounts
|
In any
litigation or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with a
Finance Document, the entries made in the accounts maintained by a Finance Party
are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate.
36.2
|
Certificates
and Determinations
|
Any
certification or determination by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under any
Finance Document shall contain reasonable details of the relevant calculation
and is, in the absence of manifest error, prima facie evidence of the matters to
which it relates.
36.3
|
Day
count convention
|
Any
interest, commission or fee accruing under a Finance Document will accrue from
day to day and is calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed
and a year of 360 days or, in any case where the practice in the Relevant
Interbank Market differs, in accordance with that market practice.
37.
|
PARTIAL
INVALIDITY
|
If, at
any time, any provision of the Finance Documents is or becomes illegal, invalid
or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the
legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the
legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any
other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.
38.
|
REMEDIES
AND WAIVERS
|
No
failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Secured
Party or the Mandated Lead Arranger, any right or remedy under the Finance
Documents shall operate as a waiver, nor shall any single or partial exercise of
any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any
other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in this
Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by
law.
39.
|
AMENDMENTS
AND WAIVERS
|
39.1
|
Required
consents
|
(a)
|
Subject
to Clause 39.2 (Exceptions) and
Clause 29.21 (Release of Transaction
Security) any term of the Finance Documents may be amended or
waived only with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Obligors and
any such amendment or waiver will be binding on all
Parties.
|
(b)
|
The
Agent, or in respect of the Security Documents the Security Agent may
effect, on behalf of any Finance Party, any amendment or waiver permitted
by this Clause.
|
39.2
|
Exceptions
|
(a)
|
An
amendment or waiver that has the effect of changing or which relates
to:
|
(i)
|
the
definition of "Majority Lenders" in Clause 1.1 (Definitions);
|
(ii)
|
the
definition of "Availability
Period";
|
(iii)
|
an
extension to the date of payment of any amount of principal, interest,
fees or commission under the Finance
Documents;
|
(iv)
|
a
reduction in the Margin, the L/C Commission Rate or a reduction in the
amount of any payment of principal, interest, fees or commission
payable;
|
(v)
|
an
increase in or an extension of any
Commitment;
|
(vi)
|
a
change to the Borrowers or
Guarantors;
|
(vii)
|
any
provision which expressly requires the consent of all the
Lenders;
|
(viii)
|
Clause 2.2
(Finance Parties' rights
and obligations), Clause 21 (Guarantee and
indemnity), Clause 27 (Changes to the Lenders)
or this Clause 39;
|
(ix)
|
the
nature or scope of the Charged Property or the manner in which the
proceeds of enforcement of the Transaction Security are
distributed,
|
shall not
be made without the prior consent of all the Lenders.
(b)
|
An
amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of the
Agent, the Security Agent, the Mandated Lead Arranger or the Fronting Bank
may not be effected without the consent of the Agent, the Security Agent,
the Mandated Lead Arranger or the Fronting
Bank.
|
SECTION
12
GOVERNING
LAW AND ENFORCEMENT
40.
|
GOVERNING
LAW
|
This
Agreement is governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of
Germany.
41.
|
ENFORCEMENT
|
41.1
|
Jurisdiction
of German courts
|
(a)
|
The
courts of Frankfurt am Main have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any
dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a
dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this
Agreement) (a "Dispute").
|
(b)
|
The
Parties agree that the courts of Frankfurt am Main are the most
appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and
accordingly no Party will argue to the
contrary.
|
(c)
|
This
Clause 41.1 is for the benefit of the Finance Parties only. As a result,
no Finance Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a
Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent
allowed by law, the Finance Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any
number of jurisdictions.
|
41.2
|
Service
of process
|
Without
prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each
Obligor:
(a)
|
irrevocably
appoints the German Borrower as its agent for service of process in
relation to any proceedings before the German courts in connection with
any Finance Document; and
|
(b)
|
agrees
that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Obligor of the
process will not invalidate the proceedings
concerned.
|
This
Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this
Agreement.
SCHEDULE
1
The
Original Lenders
Name
of Original Lender
|
Commitment
|
Deutsche
Bank Luxembourg S.A.
|
EUR
14,000,000.00
|
Commerzbank
Aktiengesellschaft, Filiale Köln
|
EUR
14,000,000.00
|
Den
norske Bank ASA, Filiale Deutschland
|
EUR
14,000,000.00
|
Dexia
Bank Belgium NV/SA
|
EUR
14,000,000.00
|
KBC
Bank NV
|
EUR
14,000,000.00
|
Dresdner
Bank AG in Köln
|
EUR 10,000,000.00
EUR
80,000,000.00
|
SCHEDULE
2
Conditions
Precedent
1.
|
Corporate
documents
|
(a)
|
A
copy of the constitutional documents of each Obligor and Kronos
Denmark.
|
(b)
|
A
copy of a resolution of the board of directors or the shareholders of each
Obligor and Kronos Denmark (as
applicable):
|
(iii)
|
approving
the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents
to which it is a party and resolving that it execute the Finance Documents
to which it is a party;
|
(iv)
|
authorising
a specified person or persons to execute the Finance Documents to which it
is a party on its behalf; and
|
(v)
|
authorising
a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all
documents and notices (including, if relevant, any Utilisation Request) to
be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with the Finance
Documents to which it is a party.
|
(c)
|
A
specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution
referred to in paragraph (b) above.
|
(d)
|
A
copy of a resolution signed by all the holders of the issued shares in
each Guarantor, approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated
by, the Finance Documents to which the Guarantor is a party provided that the
resolution signed by all the holders of the issued shares in the Belgian
Guarantor shall be limited to the provisions to be approved pursuant to
article 556 of the Belgian Companies
Code.
|
(e)
|
A
certificate of each Obligor (signed by a director) confirming that
borrowing or guaranteeing, as appropriate, the Total Commitments would not
cause any borrowing, guaranteeing or similar limit binding on such Obligor
to be exceeded.
|
(f)
|
A
certificate of an authorised signatory of the relevant Obligor and Kronos
Denmark certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in
this Schedule 2 is correct, complete and in full force and effect as
at a date no earlier than the date of this
Agreement.
|
2.
|
Accounts
and Reports
|
(a)
|
The
Original Financial Statements of each
Obligor.
|
(b)
|
The
Structure Chart
|
3.
|
Other
financing documents
|
(a)
|
Evidence
that the Senior Notes have been issued and that provision has been made
for the net proceeds of such notes to be used, inter alia, for the
redemption by an Affiliate of the Parent of its outstanding 11.75 per
cent. notes with the effect that, following such redemption, the
second-tier mirror note of the Parent will be deemed repaid in
full.
|
(b)
|
Evidence
that all existing Financial Indebtedness of the Group (other than
Permitted Financial Indebtedness) has been or will be repaid prior to or
upon the first Utilisation Date.
|
(c)
|
Evidence
that all cash management systems which were provided by or through the
Parent on behalf of the members of Group have been terminated and that any
new cash management systems which are required in respect of the members
of the Group are now provided by or through the German
Borrower.
|
4.
|
Security
and priority documents
|
(a)
|
The
duly executed Security Documents granting, evidencing or pursuant to which
the Transaction Security will be granted,
including:
|
(i)
|
global
assignment agreements or the equivalent thereto relating to trade and
intra-group receivables by the German Borrower, the Belgian Borrower and
the Norwegian Borrowers which assignment agreements shall in the case of
the German Borrower and the Belgian Borrower secure the obligations of
each of the Obligors and shall in the case of the Norwegian Borrowers
secure (i) the obligations of the two Norwegian Borrowers and (ii) the
obligations of those Obligors other than the Norwegian Borrowers but only
to the extent which is permitted under the Companies Act 1997 Section
8-7;
|
(ii)
|
security
transfer agreements or the equivalent thereto relating to stock in trade
by the German Borrower, the Belgian Borrower and the Norwegian Borrowers
which security transfer agreements shall in the case of the German
Borrower and the Belgian Borrower secure the obligations of each of the
Obligors and shall in the case of the Norwegian Borrower secure (i) the
obligations of the two Norwegian Borrowers and (ii) the obligations of
those Obligors other than the Norwegian Borrowers but only to the extent
which is permitted under the Companies Act 1997 Section
8-7;
|
(iii)
|
a
pledge agreement or the equivalent thereto in respect of all of the shares
in the Norwegian Guarantor held by Kronos Denmark from time to time;
and
|
(b)
|
A
duly executed copy of the Subordination Agreement in respect of the
liabilities of the German Borrower to the Parent under a promissory note
and any other Intra-Group Loan.
|
5.
|
Legal
opinions
|
(a)
|
A
legal opinion of Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, legal advisers to the Mandated
Lead Arranger and the Agent in Germany, substantially in the form
distributed to the Original Lenders prior to signing this
Agreement.
|
(b)
|
A
legal opinion of Xxxxx, Xxxxxx-Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxxx, advisers to the
Mandated Lead Arranger and the Agent in Norway, substantially in the form
distributed to the Original Lenders prior to signing this
Agreement.
|
(c)
|
A
legal opinion of Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, advisers to the Mandated Lead
Arranger and the Agent in Belgium, substantially in the form distributed
to the Original Lenders prior to signing this
Agreement.
|
(d)
|
A
legal opinion of Gorrissen Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx, advisers to the
Mandated Lead Arranger and the Agent in Denmark, substantially in the form
distributed to the Original Lenders prior to signing this
Agreement.
|
(e)
|
A
legal opinion of Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Partner, advisers to the Obligors
in Germany, substantially in the form distributed to the Original Lenders
prior to signing this Agreement.
|
6.
|
Other
documents and evidence
|
(a)
|
A
copy of any other Authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance
which the Agent considers to be necessary or desirable (if it has notified
the German Borrower accordingly) in connection with the entry into and
performance of the transactions contemplated by any Finance Document or
for the validity and enforceability in the Relevant Jurisdiction of any
Finance Document.
|
(b)
|
Evidence
that the Belgian Borrower has provided Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, advisers to
the Mandated Lead Arranger and the Agent in Belgium, with the funds
necessary to pay the registration costs in respect of the floating charge
to be executed by the Belgian
Borrower.
|
SCHEDULE
3
Utilisation
Request
From: [Borrower]
To: [Agent]
Dated:
Dear
Sirs
[Borrowers]
–
[ ]
Facility Agreement
dated
[ ]
(the "Agreement")
1.
|
We
refer to the Agreement. This is a Utilisation
Request. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning
in this Utilisation Request unless given a different meaning in this
Utilisation Request.
|
2.
|
We
wish [to borrow a Loan/the Fronting Bank to issue a Letter of Credit] on
the following terms:
|
|
Proposed
Utilisation Date:
|
[·] (or, if that
is not a Business Day, the next Business Day)
|
Currency
of Loan:
|
[·]
|
[Currency
of Letter of Credit: Euro]
|
|
Amount:
|
[·] or, if less,
the Available Facility
|
Interest
Period:
|
[·]
|
[Expiry
Date]:
|
[·]
|
3.
|
We
confirm that each condition specified in Clause 4.2 (Further conditions
precedent) is satisfied on the date of this Utilisation
Request.
|
4.
|
[The
proceeds of this Loan should be credited to [account]./The Letter of
Credit should be issued in favour of [name of recipient] in
the form attached and delivered to the recipient at [address of
recipient]. The purpose of its issue is [·].]
|
5.
|
We
confirm that the Repeating Representations are
true.
|
6.
|
This
Utilisation Request is irrevocable.
|
Yours
faithfully
…………………………………
authorised
signatory for
[name of relevant
Borrower]
SCHEDULE
4
Mandatory
Cost Formulae
1.
|
The
Mandatory Cost is an addition to the interest rate to compensate Lenders
for the cost of compliance with (a) the requirements of the Bank of
England and/or the Financial Services Authority (or, in either case, any
other authority which replaces all or any of its functions) or (b) the
requirements of the European Central
Bank.
|
2.
|
On
the first day of each Interest Period (or as soon as possible thereafter)
the Agent shall calculate, as a percentage rate, a rate (the "Additional Cost Rate")
for each Lender, in accordance with the paragraphs set out
below. The Mandatory Cost will be calculated by the Agent as a
weighted average of the Lenders' Additional Cost Rates (weighted in
proportion to the percentage participation of each Lender in the relevant
Loan) and will be expressed as a percentage rate per
annum.
|
3.
|
The
Additional Cost Rate for any Lender lending from a Facility Office in a
Participating Member State will be the percentage notified by that Lender
to the Agent. This percentage will be certified by that Lender
in its notice to the Agent to be its reasonable determination of the cost
(expressed as a percentage of that Xxxxxx's participation in all Loans
made from that Facility Office) of complying with the minimum reserve
requirements of the European Central Bank in respect of loans made from
that Facility Office.
|
4.
|
The
Additional Cost Rate for any Lender lending from a Facility Office in the
United Kingdom will be calculated by the Agent as
follows:
|
(c)
|
in
relation to a sterling Loan:
|
AB + C(B - D) + E x 0.01 per cent. per
annum
100 - (A+ C)
(d)
|
in
relation to a Loan in any currency other than
sterling:
|
E x 0.01 per cent. per
annum.
300
Where:
|
A
|
is
the percentage of Eligible Liabilities (assuming these to be in excess of
any stated minimum) which that Lender is from time to time required to
maintain as an interest free cash ratio deposit with the Bank of England
to comply with cash ratio
requirements.
|
|
B
|
is
the percentage rate of interest (excluding the Margin and the Mandatory
Cost and, if the Loan is an Unpaid Sum, the additional rate of interest
specified in sub-clause 12.2.1 of Clause 12.2 (Default interest))
payable for the relevant Interest Period on the
Loan.
|
|
C
|
is
the percentage (if any) of Eligible Liabilities which that Lender is
required from time to time to maintain as interest bearing Special
Deposits with the Bank of England.
|
|
D
|
is
the percentage rate per annum payable by the Bank of England to the Agent
on interest bearing Special
Deposits.
|
|
E
|
is
designed to compensate Lenders for amounts payable under the Fees Rules
and is calculated by the Agent as being the average of the most recent
rates of charge supplied by the Reference Banks to the Agent pursuant to
paragraph 7 below and expressed in pounds per
£1,000,000.
|
5.
|
For
the purposes of this Schedule:
|
(a)
|
"Eligible Liabilities"
and "Special
Deposits" have the meanings given to them from time to time under
or pursuant to the Bank of England Act 1998 or (as may be appropriate) by
the Bank of England;
|
(b)
|
"Fees Rules" means the
rules on periodic fees contained in the FSA Supervision Manual or such
other law or regulation as may be in force from time to time in respect of
the payment of fees for the acceptance of
deposits;
|
(c)
|
"Fee Tariffs" means the
fee tariffs specified in the Fees Rules under the activity group A.1
Deposit acceptors (ignoring any minimum fee or zero rated fee required
pursuant to the Fees Rules but taking into account any applicable discount
rate); and
|
(d)
|
"Tariff Base" has the
meaning given to it in, and will be calculated in accordance with, the
Fees Rules.
|
6.
|
In
application of the above formulae, A, B, C and D will be included in the
formulae as percentages (i.e. 5 per cent. will be included in the formula
as 5 and not as 0.05). A negative result obtained by
subtracting D from B shall be taken as zero. The resulting
figures shall be rounded to four decimal
places.
|
7.
|
If
requested by the Agent, each Reference Bank shall, as soon as practicable
after publication by the Financial Services Authority, supply to the
Agent, the rate of charge payable by that Reference Bank to the Financial
Services Authority pursuant to the Fees Rules in respect of the relevant
financial year of the Financial Services Authority (calculated for this
purpose by that Reference Bank as being the average of the Fee Tariffs
applicable to that Reference Bank for that financial year) and expressed
in pounds per £1,000,000 of the Tariff Base of that Reference
Bank.
|
8.
|
Each
Lender shall supply any information required by the Agent for the purpose
of calculating its Additional Cost Rate. In particular, but
without limitation, each Lender shall supply the following information on
or prior to the date on which it becomes a
Lender:
|
(a)
|
the
jurisdiction of its Facility Office;
and
|
(b)
|
any
other information that the Agent may reasonably require for such
purpose.
|
Each
Lender shall promptly notify the Agent of any change to the information provided
by it pursuant to this paragraph.
9.
|
The
percentages of each Lender for the purpose of A and C above and the rates
of charge of each Reference Bank for the purpose of E above shall be
determined by the Agent based upon the information supplied to it pursuant
to paragraphs 7 and 8 above and on the assumption that, unless a Lender
notifies the Agent to the contrary, each Lender's obligations in relation
to cash ratio deposits and Special Deposits are the same as those of a
typical bank from its jurisdiction of incorporation with a Facility Office
in the same jurisdiction as its Facility
Office.
|
10.
|
The
Agent shall have no liability to any person if such determination results
in an Additional Cost Rate which over or under compensates any Lender and
shall be entitled to assume that the information provided by any Lender or
Reference Bank pursuant to paragraphs 3, 7 and 8 above is true and correct
in all respects.
|
11.
|
The
Agent shall distribute the additional amounts received as a result of the
Mandatory Cost to the Lenders on the basis of the Additional Cost Rate for
each Lender based on the information provided by each Lender and each
Reference Bank pursuant to paragraphs 3, 7 and 8
above.
|
12.
|
Any
determination by the Agent pursuant to this Schedule in relation to a
formula, the Mandatory Cost, an Additional Cost Rate or any amount payable
to a Lender shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and
binding on all Parties.
|
13.
|
The
Agent may from time to time, after consultation with the German Borrower
and the Lenders, determine and notify to all Parties any amendments which
are required to be made to this Schedule in order to comply with any
change in law, regulation or any requirements from time to time imposed by
the Bank of England, the Financial Services Authority or the European
Central Bank (or, in any case, any other authority which replaces all or
any of its functions) and any such determination shall, in the absence of
manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all
Parties.
|
SCHEDULE
5
Form
of Transfer Certificate
To: [Agent] and [Security
Trustee]
From:
|
[Existing Lender] (the
"Existing Lender")
and [New Lender]
(the "New
Lender")
|
Date: [ ]
[Borrowers]
– [●] Facility Agreement
dated
[●] (the "Agreement")
1.
|
We
refer to the Agreement. This is a Transfer Certificate. Terms
defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Transfer
Certificate unless given another meaning in this Transfer
Certificate.
|
2.
|
The
Existing Lender (i) confirms that the details in the schedule hereto under
the heading "Existing
Lender's Participation in the Facility" and
"Loans" accurately
summarises its participation in the Agreement and the Interest Period of
any existing Loans and (ii) requests the New Lender to accept and procure
the transfer by assignment and assumption to the New Lender of the Portion
Transferred (specified in the schedule hereto) of its Commitment and/or
its participation in such Loan(s) by counter-signing and delivering this
Transfer Certificate to the Agent at its address for the service of
notices specified in the Agreement.
|
3.
|
The
New Lender hereby requests the Agent to accept this Transfer Certificate
as being delivered to the Agent pursuant to and for the purposes of
Clause 27 (Changes
to the Lenders) of the Agreement so as to take effect in accordance
with the terms thereof on the Transfer Date or on such later date as may
be determined in accordance with the terms
thereof.
|
4.
|
The
New Lender confirms that it has received a copy of the Agreement together
with such other information as it has required in connection with this
transaction and that it has not relied and will not hereafter rely on the
Existing Lender to check or enquire on its behalf into the legality,
validity, effectiveness, adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any such
information and further agrees that it has not relied and will not rely on
the Existing Lender to assess or keep under review on its behalf the
financial condition, creditworthiness, condition, affairs, status or
nature of the Obligors or Kronos
Denmark.
|
5.
|
The
New Lender hereby undertakes with the Existing Lender and each of the
other parties to the Agreement that it will perform in accordance with
their terms all those obligations which by the terms of the Agreement will
be assumed by it after delivery of this Transfer Certificate to the Agent
and satisfaction of the conditions (if any) subject to which this Transfer
Certificate is expressed to take effect. The New Lender further undertakes
to promptly and duly execute an accession document to any Finance Document
if so contemplated by such Finance
Document.
|
6.
|
The
Existing Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no
responsibility with respect to the legality, validity, effectiveness,
adequacy or enforceability of the Agreement, the other Finance Documents
or, in any case, any document relating thereto and assumes no
responsibility for the financial condition of the Obligors or Kronos
Denmark or for the performance and observance by the Obligors or Kronos
Denmark of any of its obligations under the Agreement, the other Finance
Documents or, in any case, any document relating thereto and any and all
such conditions and warranties, whether express or implied by law or, in
any case, otherwise, are hereby
excluded.
|
7.
|
The
Existing Lender hereby gives notice that nothing herein or in the
Agreement or the other Finance Documents (or, in any case, any document
relating thereto) shall oblige the Existing Lender to (a) accept a
re-transfer from the New Lender of the whole or any part of its rights,
benefits and/or obligations under the Facilities Agreement or the other
Finance Documents transferred pursuant hereto or (b) support any
losses directly or indirectly sustained or incurred by the New Lender for
any reason whatsoever including the non-performance by an Obligor or
Kronos Denmark or any other party to the Agreement or the other Finance
Documents (or, in any case, any document relating thereto) of its
obligations under any such document. The New Lender hereby acknowledges
the absence of any such obligation as is referred to in (a) or (b)
above.
|
8.
|
The
Existing Lender and the New Lender hereby agree that the benefit of the
guarantees and indemnities granted pursuant to Clause 21 (Guarantee and
Indemnity) of the Agreement and the benefit of each of the Security
Documents shall be transferred to the New Lender following a transfer
pursuant to this Transfer
Certificate.
|
9.
|
The
New Lender hereby expressly consents to the declarations of the Security
Agent made on behalf and in the name of the New Lender as Future Pledgee
(as such term is defined in the Security Documents, being pledges which
are governed by German law) in such Security Documents. The New
Lender confirms that it is aware of the content of such Security
Documents.
|
10.
|
This
Transfer Certificate and the rights, benefits and obligations of the
parties hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
German law.
|
THE
SCHEDULE
1.
Existing Lender:
|
||
2.
New Lender:
|
||
3.
Transfer Date:
|
||
4.
New Lender’s Participation in the Facility:
|
||
Existing
Xxxxxx’s Commitment
|
Portion
Transferred
|
|
5.
Loans:
|
||
Amount
of Existing Xxxxxx’s Participation
|
Interest
Period
|
Portion
Transferred
|
[Existing
Lender]
|
[New
Lender]
|
|
By:
|
By:
|
|
Date:
|
Date:
|
Administrative
Details of New Lender
Address:
Contact
Name:
Account
for Payments:
Fax:
Telephone:
e-mail
address:
______________________________________________________________________
SCHEDULE
6
Form
of Compliance Certificate
Part
I
To: [·] as
Agent
From: [Parent/Obligor]
Dated:
Dear
Sirs
[Borrowers]
– [·] Facility
Agreement
dated
[·] (the
"Agreement")
1.
|
We
refer to the Agreement. This is a Compliance
Certificate. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same
meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different
meaning in this Compliance
Certificate.
|
2.
|
The
German Borrower, also on behalf of the other Borrowers, confirms that the
financial conditions as set out in Clause 24.2 have been complied
with.
|
3.
|
The
German Borrower, also on behalf of the other Borrowers, confirms that no
Default is continuing. *
|
Signed: …............ …............
Chief
Executive Director
Officer/Chief
Financial of
Officer German
Borrower
|
*
If this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any
Default this is continuing and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy
it.
|
Part
II of Schedule 6
Illustrative
Report on Compliance with Contractual Provisions Based Solely on Audit - No
Knowledge of Default
|
[PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP Office Letterhead]
|
Report
of Independent Accountants
To
Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. as Agent on its own behalf and on behalf of the
Finance Parties.
We have
audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United
States of America, the consolidated balance sheet of Kronos International, Inc.
and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 200_ and the related consolidated statements
of income, comprehensive income, redeemable preferred stock, profit
participation certificates, common stockholder’s equity and cash flows for the
year then ended, and have issued our report thereon dated ______.
In
connection with our audit, nothing came to our attention that caused us to
believe that the terms, covenants, provisions, or conditions of Section 24.2 of
the Facility Agreement dated [ ] between, inter alios, Kronos Titan
GmbH & Co. OHG as borrower and Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. as Agent and
Security Agent (“the Agreement”), insofar as they relate to accounting matters,
have not been complied with. However, our audit was not directed primarily
toward obtaining knowledge of such noncompliance.
This
report is intended solely for the information and use of the board of directors
and management of the Company and Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. as Agent on its
own behalf and on behalf of the Finance Parties (as defined in the Agreement)
and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these
specified parties.
[PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP (signed)]
[Date of
Report on Audited Financial Statements]
SCHEDULE
7
Existing
Security
Name
of Obligor
|
Security
|
Total
Principal Amount of Indebtedness Secured
|
Kronos
Europe S.A./N.V.
|
Cash
deposit
|
Fortis
Bank €2,060,787 Line of Credit with €1,569,582.66 outstanding under
letters of guaranty
|
Titania
A/S
|
Front-end
wheel loader Le Tourneau L 1100
|
Capital
lease agreement dated November 7, 2000 with Elcon. Current balance
is NOK9,731,000
|
Titania
A/S
|
Caterpillar
Truck 789C
|
Capital
lease agreement dated April 17, 2001 with Elcon. Current
balance is NOK8,932,000
|
SCHEDULE
8
Existing
Financial Indebtedness
1.
|
Note
payable by Kronos Norge A/S to Den norske Bank in the amount of
NOK200,000,000. Current balance
is NOK200,000,000.
|
2.
|
Note
payable by Kronos Titan GmbH & Co. OHG to Kronos International, Inc.
dated December 30, 1998 in the amount of
DEM350,000,000. Current balance
is €59,112,425
|
3.
|
Note
payable by Kronos Titan GmbH & Co. OHG to Kronos International, Inc.
dated December 29, 1999 in the amount of DEM50,222,500. Current balance
is €25,678,357
|
4.
|
Non-current
payable by Kronos Titan GmbH & Co. OHG to Kronos Titan
Unterstützungskasse GmbH (Support Fund). Current balance is
€1,073,713.
|
5.
|
Titania
A/S capital lease agreement dated November 7, 2000 with Elcon
for front-end wheel loader Le Tourneau L 1100. Current balance
is NOK9,731,000.
|
6.
|
Titania
A/S capital lease agreement dated April 17, 2001 with Elcon for
Caterpillar Truck 789C. Current balance
is NOK8,932,000.
|
7.
|
€2,060,787
line of credit from Fortis Bank extended to Kronos Europe S.A./N.V.
secured by a proxy for a floating charge agreement. Two letters of
guaranty are issued and outstanding under the line of credit to OVAM
(Openbare Afvalstoffenmaatschappij voor het Vlaamse Gewest) in the amount
of €804,288.65 and €765,294.01.
|
8.
|
NOK10,000,000
overdraft line of credit from Den norske Bank for the benefit of Kronos
Norge A/S, Xxxxxxx A/S and Kronos Titan
A/S.
|
SCHEDULE
9
Timetables
Part
I
Loans
Loans
in euro
|
Loans
in sterling
|
Loans
in other currencies
|
|
Agent
notifies the relevant Borrower if a currency is approved as an Optional
Currency in accordance with Clause 4.3 (Conditions relating to
Optional Currencies)
|
-
|
U –
4
|
U –
4
|
Delivery
of a duly completed Utilisation Request (Clause 5.1 (Delivery of a Utilisation
Request)
|
10.00
am
|
U –
4
10.00
am
|
U –
4
10.00
am
|
Agent
determines (in relation to a Utilisation) the Base Currency Amount of the
Loan, if required under Clause 5.4 (Lenders' and Fronting Bank
participation) and notifies the Lenders of the Loan in accordance
with Clause 5.4 (Xxxxxx's
participation)
|
-
|
U –
3
11.00
am
|
U –
3
11.00
am
|
Agent
receives a notification from a Lender under Clause 6.2 (Unavailability of a
currency)
|
-
|
U –
2
10.00
am
|
U –
2
10.00
am
|
Agent
gives notice in accordance with Clause 6.2 (Unavailability of a
currency)
|
-
|
U -
2
11.00
am
|
U -
2
11.00
am
|
LIBOR
or EURIBOR is fixed
|
Quotation
Day as of 11:00 a.m. London time in respect of LIBOR and as of 11.00 a.m.
Brussels time in respect of EURIBOR
|
Quotation
Day as of 11:00 a.m. London time
|
Quotation
Day as of 11:00 a.m. London time
|
Part
II
Letters
of Credit
Letters
of Credit
|
|
Delivery
of a duly completed Utilisation Request (Clause 5.1 (Delivery of a Utilisation
Request)
|
U-3
9.30am
|
Agent
notifies the Lenders of the Letter of Credit in accordance with
Clause 5.4 (Lenders' and Fronting Bank
participation).
|
U-2
noon
|
"U" =
date of utilisation
"U - X" =
X Business Days prior to date of utilisation
SCHEDULE
10
Form
of Combining Schedule
Schedule
10 outlines the form in which the combining financial information of the Parent
is to be presented.
SCHEDULE
11
Form
of Confidentiality Undertaking
[Letterhead
of Potential Purchaser/Purchaser's agent/broker]
To:
|
[insert
name of Potential Seller/Xxxxxx's
agent/broker]
|
Re: The Agreement
Borrowers:
Date:
Amount:
Agent:
|
Dear
Sirs
We are
considering [acquiring]1
/[arranging the acquisition of]2
an interest in the Agreement (the "Acquisition"). In
consideration of you agreeing to make available to us certain information, by
our signature of this letter we agree as follows (acknowledged and agreed by you
by your signature of a copy of this letter):
1.
|
Confidentiality
Undertaking We undertake (a) to keep the Confidential
Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone except as
provided for by paragraph 2 below and to ensure that the Confidential
Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that
would apply to our own confidential information, (b) to use the
Confidential Information only for the Permitted Purpose, (c) to use all
reasonable endeavours to ensure that any person to whom we pass any
Confidential Information (unless disclosed under paragraph 2[(c)/(d)]3
below) acknowledges and complies with the provisions of this letter as if
that person were also a party to it, and (d) not to make enquiries of any
member of the Group or any of their officers, directors, employees or
professional advisers relating directly or indirectly to the
Acquisition.
|
2.
|
Permitted
Disclosure You agree that we may disclose Confidential
Information:
|
(a)
|
to
members of the Purchaser Group and their officers, directors, employees
and professional advisers to the extent necessary for the Permitted
Purpose and to any auditors of members of the Purchaser
Group;
|
|
[(b)
|
subject
to the requirements of the Agreement, in accordance with the Permitted
Purpose so long as any prospective purchaser has delivered a letter to us
in equivalent form to this letter;] 2
|
|
[(b/c)] 3subject
to the requirements of the Agreement, to any person to (or through) whom
we assign or transfer (or may potentially assign or transfer) all or any
of the rights, benefits and obligations which we may acquire under the
Agreement or with (or through) whom we enter into (or may potentially
enter into) any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction
under which payments are to be made by reference to, the Agreement or any
Borrower or any member of the Group so long as that person has delivered a
letter to us in equivalent form to this letter;
and
|
|
[(c/d)] 3(i)
where requested or required by any court of competent jurisdiction or any
competent judicial, governmental, supervisory or regulatory body, (ii)
where required by the rules of any stock exchange on which the shares or
other securities of any member of the Purchaser Group are listed or (iii)
where required by the laws or regulations of any country with jurisdiction
over the affairs of any member of the Purchaser
Group.
|
3.
|
Notification of Required or
Unauthorised Disclosure We agree (to the extent permitted by law)
to inform you of the full circumstances of any disclosure under paragraph
2[(c)/(d)]3
or upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in
breach of this letter.
|
4.
|
Return of
Copies If you so request in writing, we shall return all
Confidential Information supplied by you to us and destroy or permanently
erase all copies of Confidential Information made by us and use all
reasonable endeavours to ensure that anyone to whom we have supplied any
Confidential Information destroys or permanently erases such Confidential
Information and any copies made by them, in each case save to the extent
that we or the recipients are required to retain any such Confidential
Information by any applicable law, rule or regulation or by any competent
judicial, governmental, supervisory or regulatory body or in accordance
with internal policy, or where the Confidential Information has been
disclosed under paragraph 2[(c)/(d)] 3
above.
|
5.
|
Continuing
Obligations The obligations in this letter are
continuing and, in particular, shall survive the termination of any
discussions or negotiations between you and us. Notwithstanding
the previous sentence, the obligations in this letter shall cease (a) if
we become a party to or otherwise acquire (by assignment or
sub-participation) an interest, direct or indirect, in the Agreement or
(b) twelve months after we have returned all Confidential Information
supplied to us by you and destroyed or permanently erased all copies of
Confidential Information made by us (other than any such Confidential
Information or copies which have been disclosed under paragraph 2 above
(other than sub-paragraph 2(a)) or which, pursuant to paragraph 4 above,
are not required to be returned or
destroyed).
|
6.
|
No Representation;
Consequences of Breach, etc We acknowledge and agree
that:
|
(a)
|
neither
you, [nor your principal]4
nor any member of the Group nor any of your or their respective officers,
employees or advisers (each a "Relevant Person") (i)
make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to, or assume
any responsibility for, the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any
of the Confidential Information or any other information supplied by you
or the assumptions on which it is based or (ii) shall be under any
obligation to update or correct any inaccuracy in the Confidential
Information or any other information supplied by you or be otherwise
liable to us or any other person in respect to the Confidential
Information or any such
information;
|
(c)
|
you
[or your principal]4 or
members of the Group may be irreparably harmed by the breach of the terms
hereof and damages may not be an adequate remedy; each Relevant Person may
be granted an injunction or specific performance for any threatened or
actual breach of the provisions of this letter by
us;
|
(d)
|
you
or members of the Group shall be entitled to exercise any rights at law or
in equity in respect of any breach of the terms
hereof;and
|
(e)
|
the
members of the Group are expressly made third party beneficiaries of this
letter, may enforce its terms and recover damages for any
breach.
|
7.
|
No Waiver; Amendments,
etc This letter sets out the full extent of our
obligations of confidentiality owed to you in relation to the information
the subject of this letter. No failure or delay in exercising
any right, power or privilege hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof
nor will any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege
preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right,
power or privileges hereunder. The terms of this letter and our
obligations hereunder may only be amended or modified by written agreement
between us.
|
8.
|
Inside
Information We acknowledge that some or all of the
Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that
the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable
legislation relating to insider dealing and we undertake not to use any
Confidential Information for any unlawful
purpose.
|
9.
|
Nature of
Undertakings The undertakings given by us under this
letter are given to you and (without implying any fiduciary obligations on
your part) are also given for the benefit of [your principal,]1 any Borrower and each other member of
the Group.
|
10.
|
Governing Law and
Jurisdiction This letter (including the agreement
constituted by your acknowledgment of its terms) shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany
and the parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of
Frankfurt am Main.
|
11.
|
Definitions In
this letter (including the acknowledgement set out below) terms defined in
the Agreement shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the same
meaning and:
|
"Confidential Information"
means any information relating to any Borrower, the Group, the Agreement and/or
the Acquisition provided to us by you or any of our affiliates or advisers, in
whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document,
electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which
contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes information
that (a) is or becomes public knowledge other than as a direct or indirect
result of any breach of this letter or (b) is known by us before the date the
information is disclosed to us by you or any of your affiliates or advisers or
is lawfully obtained by us thereafter, other than from a source which is
connected with the Group and which, in either case, as far as we are aware, has
not been obtained in violation of, and is not otherwise subject to, any
obligation of confidentiality;
"Group" means any Borrower and
each of its holding companies and subsidiaries and each subsidiary of each of
its holding companies;
"Permitted Purpose" means
[subject to the terms of this letter, passing on information to a prospective
purchaser for the purpose of]2
considering and evaluating whether to enter into the Acquisition;
and
"Purchaser Group" means us,
each of our holding companies and subsidiaries and each subsidiary of each of
our holding companies.
Please
acknowledge your agreement to the above by signing and returning the enclosed
copy.
Yours
faithfully
.................................
For and
on behalf of
[Potential
Purchaser/Purchaser's agent/broker]
To: [Potential
Purchaser/Purchaser's agent/broker]
We
acknowledge and agree to the above:
...................................
For and
on behalf of
[Seller/Seller's
agent/broker]
1
|
delete
if purchaser is acting as broker or
agent.
|
2
|
delete
if potential purchaser is acting as
principal.
|
3
|
delete
as applicable
|
4
|
delete
if letter is addressed to the Seller rather than the Seller's broker or
agent.
|
SCHEDULE
12
Form
of Letter of Credit
From: [insert name of Fronting
Bank]
Beneficiary: [insert name of
beneficiary]
Letter of
Credit No.:
Gentlemen:
By order
and for the account of our client, [insert name of applicant]
(hereinafter referred to as the "Client"), we hereby open our
irrevocable Letter of Credit No. [·], (the "Letter of Credit") in favour
of [insert name of
beneficiary] (the "Beneficiary") for an amount
not to exceed the amount set out below:
EUR
[·]*
effective
immediately and expiring at the counters of [insert name and address of Fronting
Bank] or such other office as may we advise you from time to time (the
"Office"), on [·], but not later
than [insert date and
time] (the "Expiration
Date").
Funds
under this Letter of Credit are available to you [two] Business Days after
presentation of a sight draft, drawn on us, accompanied by written and dated
statement, purportedly signed by the authorised officer of the Beneficiary,
stating:
"We are
drawing the amount of [EUR] [·]*
because (i) such amount is due and payable under [·] dated [·] from the Client to
the Beneficiary and (ii) the Client has failed to pay such amount when
due."
We agree
to honour any drawing demand, which, on the face of the documents submitted to
us, complies with the requirements contained herein and agree that we shall not
be entitled or required to independently determine or investigate the accuracy
or existence of any of the facts or circumstances set forth in the Beneficiary’s
drawing demand as submitted to us.
This
letter of credit shall not be transferable.
Only one
drawing is allowed under this Letter of Credit.
*
|
[insert amount in
Euros]
|
The
available amount under this Letter of Credit will be automatically reduced,
without amendment, upon our receipt of written instructions, jointly signed by
both the Beneficiary and the applicant of this Letter of Credit, indicating the
approved amount of reduction.
We hereby
agree to honour the drawing demand under and in compliance with the terms and
conditions of this Letter of Credit if presented, as specified, at our Office on
or before the Expiration Date.
Should
you have occasion to communicate with us regarding this Letter of Credit, please
direct your correspondence to [insert name and address of Fronting
Bank], making specific mention of the Letter of Credit number indicated
above.
Except as
far as otherwise expressly stated herein, this Letter of Credit is subject to
[the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision) (the
"UCP"), International
Chamber of Commerce, Publication No. 500, and as to matters not governed by the
UCP, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [·]].
[insert name of Fronting
Bank]
_________________________
Authorised
Signatory
_________________________
Authorised
Signatory
SCHEDULE
13
Form
of Auditor's Report
ILLUSTRATIVE
REPORT ON CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION ACCOMPANYING
the
Consolidated Financial Statements
Separate
Report Accompanying Standard Audit Report
|
[PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP Office Letterhead]
|
Report
of Independent Accountants
on
Accompanying Consolidating Information
To Board
of Directors and Common Stockholder of Kronos International, Inc.:
The
report on our audit of the consolidated financial statements of Kronos
International, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 200_ and for the year
then ended appears on page __ of this document. That audit was
conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the consolidated financial
statements taken as a whole. The consolidating information as set out
in the attached schedule is presented for purposes of additional analysis of the
consolidated financial statements rather than to present the financial position,
results of operations and cash flows of the individual companies. Accordingly,
we do not express an opinion on the financial position, results of operations
and cash flows of the individual companies. However, the consolidating
information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit
of the consolidated financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated
in all material respects in relation to the consolidated financial statements
taken as a whole.
[PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP (signed)]
[Date]
EXECUTION
PAGE
The
Borrowers
KRONOS
TITAN GMBH & CO. OHG
By: Xx.
Xxxxxx
Fiand Xxxxxx
Xxxx
Address: Xxxxxxxxxxx
0
51373 Leverkusen
Germany
Tel: x00
000 0000000
Fax: x00
000 00000
E-mail: xxxxxx.xxxx@xxx-xxx.xxx
Attention
of: xxxxxx Xxxx - Financial
Controller
KRONOS
EUROPE S.A./N.V.
By: Xxxx
xxx xxx Xxxxxx
Address: Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
00
B
9000 Gent
Belgium
Tel: x00
000 00000
Fax: x00
000 00000
E-mail: Xxxx.XxxxxxXxxxxx@xxx-xxx.xxx
Attention
of: Xxxx Xxx Xxx Xxxxxx
KRONOS
TITAN AS
By: Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Address: Xxxxxxxxxx
0
Fredrikstad Ostfold
Norway
Tel:
x00 00 00 0000
Fax:
x00 00 00 0000
E-mail: Xxxxx.Xxxxxxx@xxx-xxx.xxx,
Xxxxx.Xxxxxxx@xxx-xxx.xxx
Attention
of: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx -
Financial Controller / Xxxxx Xxxxxxx - Manager
TITANIA
AS
By: Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Address: Xxxxxxxxxx
0
Fredrikstad Ostfold
Norway
Tel:
x00 00 00 0000
Fax:
x00 00 00 0000
E-mail: Xxxxx.Xxxxxxx@xxx-xxx.xxx,
Xxxxx.Xxxxxxx@xxx-xxx.xxx
Attention
of: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx -
Financial Controller / Xxxxx Xxxxxxx - Manager
The
Guarantors
KRONOS
TITAN GMBH & CO. OHG
By: Xx.
Xxxxxx
Fiand Xxxxxx
Xxxx
Address: Xxxxxxxxxxx
0
51373 Leverkusen
Germany
Tel:
x00 000 0000000
Fax:
x00 000 00000
E-mail: xxxxxx.xxxx@xxx-xxx.xxx
Attention
of: Xxxxxx Xxxx -
Financial Controller
KRONOS
EUROPE S.A./N.V.
By: Xxxx
xxx xxx Xxxxxx
Address: Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
00
B 9000 Gent
Belgium
Tel:
x00 000 00000
Fax: x00
000 00000
E-mail: Xxxx.XxxxxxXxxxxx@xxx-xxx.xxx
Attention
of: Xxxx Xxx Xxx
Xxxxxx
KRONOS
NORGE AS
By: Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Address: Xxxxxxxxxx
0
Fredrikstad Ostfold
Norway
Tel:
x00 00 00 0000
Fax:
x00 00 00 0000
E-mail: Xxxxx.Xxxxxxx@xxx-xxx.xxx,
Xxxxx.Xxxxxxx@xxx-xxx.xxx
Attention
of: Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx - Financial Controller / Xxxxx Xxxxxxx - Manager
Kronos
Denmark
KRONOS
DENMARK APS
By:
Xxxxxx Xxxx
Address: Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxx 00
2840 Holte
Denmark
Tel:
x00 00 000 000 0000
Fax:
x00 000 00 000
E-mail: xxxxxx.xxxx@xxx-xxx.xxx
Attention
of: Xxxxxx
Xxxx
The
Mandated Lead Arranger
DEUTSCHE
BANK AG
By:
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
van den Xxxxx
Address: Taunusanlage
12
60325 Frankfurt
Tel:
x00 00 000 00000/32423
Fax:
x00 00 000 00000/32427
E-mail: xxxx-xxx-xxx.xxxxx@xx.xxx;
xxxxx-xxxxxx.xxxxx@xx.xxx
Attention
of: Xxxx van
den Xxxxx; Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Xxxxx
The
Agent
DEUTSCHE
BANK LUXEMBOURG S.A.
By:
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Address: 0,
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
L-1115 Luxembourg
Tel:
x000 000 00000/329
Fax: x000
000 00000
E-mail: xxxxxxxxx.xxxx@xx.xxx;
xxxx.xxxxxx@xx.xxx
Attention
of: Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx;
Xxxx Xxxxxx
The
Security Agent
DEUTSCHE
BANK LUXEMBOURG S.A.
By:
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Address: 0,
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
L-1115 Luxembourg
Tel:
x000 000 00 000/329
Fax:
x000 000 00 000
E-mail: xxxxxxxxx.xxxx@xx.xxx;
xxxx.xxxxxx@xx.xxx
Attention
of: Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxx/Xxxx Xxxxxx
The
Lenders
DEUTSCHE
BANK LUXEMBOURG S.A.
By:
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Address: 0,
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
L-1115 Luxembourg
Tel:
x000 000 00 000/329
Fax:
x000 000 00 000
E-mail: xxxxxxxxx.xxxx@xx.xxx;
xxxx.xxxxxx@xx.xxx
Attention
of: Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxx/Xxxx Xxxxxx
COMMERZBANK
AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, FILIALE KÖLN
By:
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Address: Unter
Sachsenhausen 21-27
D-50667 Köln
Tel:
x00 000 000 0000/2444
Fax: x00
000 000 0000
E-mail: xxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx;
xxxxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Attention
of: Xxxxx
Xxxxxx/Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Abteilung für Firmenkunden (AFK)
DEN
NORSKE BANK ASA, FILIALE DEUTSCHLAND
By:
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Address: Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
00
D-20354 Hamburg
Tel:
x00 00 00 00 0000
Fax:
x00 00 00 00 00 00
E-mail: xxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxx.xx
Attention
of: Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
DEXIA
BANK BELGIUM NV/SA
By:
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Address: Xxxxxxxxxxx
00
B-1000 Brussels
Tel:
x00 0 000 0000
Fax: x00
0 000 0000
E-mail: xxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxxx.xx
Attention
of: Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
KBC
BANK NV
By:
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Address: Xxxxxxxxx
0
B-1080 Brussels
Tel:
x00 0 000 00 00
Fax:
x00 0 000 00 00
E-mail: xxxxxxx.xxxx@xxx.xx
Attention
of: KBC Corporate
Branch Gent; Xxxxxxx Xxxx
DRESDNER
BANK AG IN KÖLN
By:
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Address: Unter
Sachsenhausen 5-17
D-50450 Köln
Tel:
x00 000 000 0000
Fax: x00
000 000 0000
E-mail: Xxxxxx.Xxxxx@Xxxxxxxx-Xxxx.xxx
Attention
of: Unternehmenskunden
Köln Ost, Xx Xxxxx
THE
FRONTING BANK
KBC
BANK NV
By:
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Address: Xxxxxxxxx
0
B-1080 Brussels
Tel:
x00 0 000 00 00
Fax: x00
0 000 00 00
E-mail: xxxxxxx.xxxx@xxx.xx
Attention
of: KBC Corporate
Branch Gent; Xxxxxxx Xxxx