SHAREHOLDERS JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TIANJIN ZERUST ANTI-CORROSION TECHNOLOGIES LTD. BY AND BETWEEN TIANJIN CHINA MARCH GROUP LTD. AND NTI ASEAN, LLC. DATED AS OF 1 SEPTEMBER, 1999

SHAREHOLDERS JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT

FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TIANJIN ZERUST ANTI-CORROSION
TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

BY AND BETWEEN

TIANJIN CHINA MARCH GROUP LTD.

AND

NTI ASEAN, LLC.

DATED AS OF 1 SEPTEMBER, 1999

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS			5
	1.1	Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement or Agreement.	5
	1.2	Ancillary Agreements.	5
	1.3	Parties.	6
	1.4	PARTY A.	6
	1.5	NTI.	6
	1.6	Taiyo.	6
	1.7	PARTY B.	6
	1.8	NTI and/or PARTY B Affiliates.	6
	1.9	Corporation or TIANJIN ZERUST.	7
	1.10	Corporation’s Business.	7
	1.11	Territory.	7
	1.12	Effective Date.	7
	1.13	NTI Intellectual Property Rights.	7
	1.14	Knowhow.	7
	1.15	Materials.	8
	1.16	Process.	8
	1.17	Product.	8
	1.18	Masterbatch.	8
	1.19	Trademark.	8
	1.20	NTI and/or Party B Trade Secrets.	8
	1.21	Other Agreed Upon Technologies.	9
	1.22	Net Sales.	9
	1.23	At Cost.	9
	1.24	Shareholder/Holder of Equity Interests.	9
	1.25	Equity Interests.	9
	1.26	Transfer of Equity Interests.	10
	1.27	Transferor of Equity Interests.	10
	1.28	Transfer Price for Equity Interests.	10
	1.29	Transferee.	10
	1.30	Change of Control.	10
ARTICLE 2 MUTUAL REPRESENTATIONS			10
	2.1	Representations of PARTY A.	10
	2.2	Representations of PARTY B	11
ARTICLE 3 PURPOSES OF THE JOINT VENTURE			11
	3.1	Purposes of the Joint Venture.	11
ARTICLE 4 FORMATION OF JOINT VENTURE CORPORATION			12
	4.1	Formation of Corporation.	12
	4.2	Articles of Incorporation.	13
	4.3	Capitalization.	13
	4.4	Payment for Equity Interest by the Parties.	13
	4.5	Parallel Rights to Subscribe for Additional Equity Interest.	13
ARTICLE 5 PURPOSE. EXECUTION AND INCORPORATION OF ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS HEREIN			13
	5.1	Execution of Ancillary Agreements.	13
	5.2	Ancillary Agreements Incorporated Herein and Made Part Hereof.	14

ARTICLE 6 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND DESIGNATION OF THE CEO OF THE CORPORATION			14
	6.1	Election of Directors.	14
	6.2	Substitute Directors.	14
	6.3	Designation of Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.	14
ARTICLE 7 RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES			15
	7.1	Responsibilities of the Parties.	15
	7.2	Specific Responsibilities and Duties of Individual Parties.	15
	7.3	Actions Requiring Consent of All Parties.	15
	7.4	Special Resolutions.	17
ARTICLE 8 DEVELOPMENT OF THE CORPORATION’S STAFF			17
	8.1	Development of Corporation’s Staff.	17
	8.2	Implementation of Corporate Governance Policies Appropriate to the Territory.	17
ARTICLE 9 PAYMENTS TO RELATED PARTIES			17
	9.1	Payment to Related Parties in the Ordinary Course of Business.	17
	9.2	Payments to Related Parties for Services Performed with Respect to Other Agreed Upon Technologies in the Ordinary Course of Business.	18
	9.3	Payments to Related Parties for Services Related to Special Programs for Promotion and Development.	18
	9.4	Limitation of Compensation to Related Parties.	18
ARTICLE 10 COVERAGE OF FINANCIAL SHORTFALLS BY THE PARTIES			19
	10.1	Coverage of Financial Shortfalls by the Parties.	19
ARTICLE 11 FINANCIAL BOOKS AND RECORDS -- BANKING			19
	11.1	Fiscal Year.	19
	11.2	Access to Books and Records.	19
	11.3	Bank Accounts.	19
ARTICLE 12 INSURANCE			20
	12.1	Independent Insurance Coverage.	20
	12.2	Inclusion of the Corporation as a Named Insured Under the Insurance Coverage of a Party.	20
ARTICLE 13 PROTECTION OF NTI AND/OR PARTY B TRADE SECRETS			20
	13.1	Recognition of NT I and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets.	20
	13.2	Protection of NT I and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets.	21
	13.3	Protection of NT I and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets by Agents of PARTY A.	21
	13.4	Remedies in the Event of a Violation of Article 13 Hereof.	22
ARTICLE 14 PROTECTION OF PARTY A TRADE SECRETS			22
	14.1	Identification of P ARTY A Trade Secrets.	22
	14.2	Protection of PARTY A Trade Secrets.	22
	14.3	Protection of PARTY A Trade Secrets by Agents of PARTY B.	23
	14.4	Remedies in the Event of a Violation of Article 14 Hereof.	23
ARTICLE 15 COVENANT TO OBSERVE THE DOCTRINE OF “CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY”			24
	15.1	Doctrine of Corporate Opportunity and Observance Thereof.	24
	15.2	Agreement Not to Divert Resources.	24
	15.3	Remedies for Breach of Agreement Not to Divert Resources.	24

ARTICLE 16 GRANT OF RIGHT AND LICENSE BY PARTNER TO NTI CONCERNING IMPROVEMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO NTI INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS			25
	16.1	Disclosure to NTI of Improvements to NTI Intellectual Property Rights by PARTY A.	25
	16.2	Grant of Right and License to NTI.	25
	16.3	Obligations of PARTY A Concerning the Filing of New Patents.	25
	16.4	Review of Potentially Infringing Technology.	26
	16.5	Disclosure to PARTY A of Improvements to NTI Intellectual Property Rights by NTI/PARTY B.	26
	16.6	Grant of Right and License to the Corporation	26
ARTICLE 17 TERM OF AGREEMENT			26
	17.1	Term of Cooperation.	26
	17.2	Termination.	27
	17.3	Termination Upon Change of Control of a Party.	27
	17.4	Termination Upon Bankruptcy or Insolvency.	27
	17.5	Payment of Amounts Due.	28
	17.6	Cooperation Upon Termination.	28
	17.7	Non-Release of Obligations.	28
	17.8	Cessation of Rights Upon Termination.	28
	17.9	Liquidation of the Corporation and Winding-up of the Corporation’s Business Upon Termination.	28
ARTICLE 18 DEFAULT			29
	18.1	Event of Default.	29
	18.2	Remedies Upon Default or Breach.	29
	18.3	Non-Waiver of Rights.	30
ARTICLE 19 DISPUTE RESOLUTION			30
	19.1	Dispute Resolution by Arbitration.	30
	19.2	Disputes Not Subject to Arbitration.	31
	19.3	Conduct of Arbitration Proceedings.	31
	19.4	Designation of the “Prevailing Party”.	31
	19.5	Punitive Damages Excluded.	31
ARTICLE 20 PROSCRIPTION OF AUTHORITY OF THE PARTIES TO BIND EACH OTHER			32
ARTICLE 21 RECIPROCAL INDEMNIFICATION			32
ARTICLE 22 TRANSFER OF EQUITY INTEREST			32
	22.1	Restrictions on Transfer of Equity Interests.	32
	22.2	Right of First Refusal to Acquire Equity Interests.	33
	22.3	Exercise of Right to Acquire Equity Interests.	33
	22.4	Sale of Equity Interests to a Third Party.	33
	22.5	Equity Interests Transferred to a Third Party Subject to Restrictions.	34
	22.6	Attempted Transfer of Equity Interests in Violation of this Agreement.	34
	22.7	Permitted Transfer of Equity Interests.	34
	22.8	Pledge of Equity Interests Subject to this Agreement.	34

iii

ARTICLE 23 GENERAL PROVISIONS			35
	23.1	Benefit of Parties.	35
	23.2	Counterparts.	35
	23.3	Cooperation.	35
	23.4	Index, Captions, Definitions and Defined Terms.	35
	23.5	Waiver of Compliance.	35
	23.6	Force Majeure.	36
	23.7	Notices.	36
	23.8	Entire Agreement.	37
	23.9	Validity of Provisions.	38
	23.10	Governmental Filings.	38
	23.11	Payments.	38
	23.12	Derivative Enforcement by PARTY B.	38
	23.13	Derivative Enforcement by PARTY A.	38
	23.14	Publicity.	39
	23.15	Ratification by the Corporation of the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.	39
	23.16	Brokers.	39
ARTICLE 24 LANGUAGE AND COPIES			39
	24.1	Language used in the Agreement and Appendixes	39
	24.2	Copies	39

ANNEXES

ANNEX I		NTI Affiliates as of the Date Hereof

ANNEX II		PARTY B Affiliates as of the Date Hereof

ANNEX III		Proposed Articles of Incorporation for TIANJIN ZERUST TECHNOLOGY LIMITED LIABIALITY CORPORATION

ANNEX IV		Summary of NTI Product Liability and Other Insurance as it May be Extended to the Corporation

ANNEX V		Summary OF PARTY A Product Liability and Other Insurance as it May be Extended to the Corporation

ANNEX VI		NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrecy Agreement to be Executed by Agents and Submanufacturers of PARTY A

ANNEX VII		Form of PARTY A Trade Secrecy Agreement to be Executed by Agents OF NTI

SHAREHOLDERS JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT

This Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement (“Agreement”), is entered into as of this 1^st day of September, 1999, by and between Tianjin China March Group, Ltd.(“CMG”), a company organized under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (Party A), the principal place of business of which is Huoju Building Huayuan Industry Zone, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China and Party B, NTI ASEAN LLC a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Nevada, U.S.A. (“Party B), whose registered office is in Reno, Nevada, U.S.A.

WHEREAS, Party A and Party B desire to form a Joint Venture in the form of a new entity organized under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (the “Corporation”, as hereinafter defined) to engage in the Corporation’s Business (as hereinafter provided);

WHEREAS, this Joint Venture shall be called TIANJIN ZERUST ANTI-CORROSION TECHNOLOGIES LTD. (“TIANJIN ZERUST” or the “Corporation”);

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual agreements, representations, warranties, covenants and provisions herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Agreement, the following Definitions of terms shall apply:

1.1 Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement or Agreement.

That certain Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement by and between Tianjin China March Group, Ltd. (“PARTY A” as hereinafter defined), and NTI ASEAN (“PARTY B” as hereinafter defined), for the formation and governance of a new entity under the laws of the People’s Republic of China in the form of a limited liability company which shall be known as TIANJIN ZERUST Technology Limited Liability Company (“TIANJIN ZERUST” or the “Corporation”).

1.2 Ancillary Agreements.

The following are the Ancillary Agreements and the Parties thereto:

	1.2.1	Consulting Services Agreement between P ARTY A and TIANJIN ZERUST (“Consulting Services Agreement”);

	1.2.2	License Agreement between PARTY Band TIANJIN ZERUST (“License Agreement”); and

	1.2.3	Technical Assistance and Marketing Support Agreement between PARTY B and TIANJIN ZERUST (“Technical Assistance Agreement”).

1.3 Parties.

The Parties to the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and/or the Ancillary Agreements, their successors and permitted assigns.

1.4 PARTY A.

Tianjin China March Group, Ltd.(“CMG”), a limited liability company organized under the laws of the People’s Republic of China, the principal place of business of which is Tianjin HUA YUAN Industrial Zone, Huoju Building, People’s Republic of China, and the owner of a 50% interest in the Corporation pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. The ownership of CMG is as follows: Container (Beijing) Industrial Company, 20%; Tianjin CNCC Xxx Xxx Trading Ltd., 5%; Ping Shan CNCC Si Qiang Group Company, 66% and CNCC 9%.

1.5 NTI.

Northern Technologies International Corporation, a company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, U.S.A. the principal place of business of which is Xxxx Lakes, Minnesota, U.S.A. NTI is the owner of the NTI Intellectual Property Rights (as hereinafter defined), and of a 50% interest in Party B (as hereinafter defined).

1.6 Taiyo.

Taiyo Petroleum Gas Co Ltd. A Kabushiki Kaisha organized under the laws of Japan and the owner of a 50% interest in Party B (as hereinafter defined).

1.7 PARTY B.

NTI ASEAN, a Limited Liability Company organized under the laws of the State of Nevada, U.S.A. whose registered office is in Reno, Nevada, U.S.A., to which NTI has assigned all of its right, title and interest in the NTI Intellectual Property Rights (as hereinafter defined) for the Territory (as hereinafter defined), and the owner of a 50% interest in the Corporation pursuant to the Agreement.

1.8 NTI and/or PARTY B Affiliates.

All entities and/or individuals with which NTI and/or PARTY B has a joint venture relationship, similar in character and style but not necessarily identical to the relationship created by the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, or another form of alliance, for the development, manufacture, promotion, marketing, sales and applications engineering of Knowhow, Materials, Process, Product and/or Masterbatch anywhere in the world.

1.8.1 NTI Affiliates.

Annex I hereof sets forth a list of the NTI Affiliates as of the date hereof.

1.8.2 Party B Affiliates.

Annex II hereof sets forth a list of the Party B Affiliates as of the date hereof.

1.9 Corporation or TIANJIN ZERUST.

TIANJIN ZERUST ANTI-CORROSION TECHNOLOGIES LTD., that entity created in the Territory by the Parties pursuant to the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement to conduct the Corporation’s Business.

1.10 Corporation’s Business.

The Corporation’s Business shall be the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of Product, pursuant to NTI Intellectual Property Rights, and any other technologies as shall be determined by the Parties in writing and made a part hereof pursuant to Article 1.21 of this Agreement, in the Territory.

1.11 Territory.

The People’s Republic of China.

1.12 Effective Date.

The date upon which all necessary formal approvals from the appropriate authorities of the People’s Republic of China for the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement have been obtained and the Corporation has been duly registered pursuant to the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements as appropriate in the Territory.

1.13 NTI Intellectual Property Rights.

The Knowhow, Materials, Process, Product, Masterbatch, Trademark, and NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets, (all as hereinafter defined), collectively, as such currently exist and shall hereafter be modified, developed and/or acquired by NTI and or Party B

1.14 Knowhow.

The technology, formulae, methods and procedures developed by NTI at considerable expense over a period of many years, which are unique in nature and essential or useful in the proper application of the Process, together with all improvements and modifications by NTI/Party B with respect thereto.

1.15 Materials.

The constituent materials and chemicals of one or more formulations developed by NTI under strict quality controls which are required for utilization of the Process.

1.16 Process.

The procedure utilizing the Knowhow for the manufacture of polyethylene substances with corrosion inhibiting properties derived from the Materials as developed and specified by NTI, together with any improvements and modifications of the corrosion inhibiting technology as it relates directly to the manufacture of corrosion inhibiting polyethylene substances, together with future technology, knowledge and product development which is useful in the manufacture of the Product under NTI/PARTY B Knowhow.

1.17 Product.

Corrosion inhibiting polyethylene film and solid substances of polyethylene in the form of boxes, tubes and other containers, which may include other volatile corrosion inhibiting host packaging substances such as paper, manufactured by means of the Process, incorporating the Materials and utilizing the Trademark, all of which have been developed and are owned by NTI.

1.18 Masterbatch.

Any formulation of the Materials which shall be designated by NTI, as appropriate, to be applied to the specific requirements for corrosion protection, as afforded by the Product, of a known customer desirous of protecting an identified object (or objects) which are to be subjected to an anticipated certain range of corrosive influences. In addition to Materials, Masterbatch shall generally also contain other substances for the purpose of facilitating the manufacture of Product utilizing the Process.

1.19 Trademark.

The name and style “Zerust”, which includes trade literature, technical specifications and application instructions, and promotional material pertaining thereto, together with any ancillary trademark registrations, which may differ between various jurisdictions.

1.20 NTI and/or Party B Trade Secrets.

All information deemed and designated confidential, both in the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and in the Ancillary Agreements and hereafter, including but not limited to information regarding the Product, Knowhow, Process, Materials, Masterbatch, technology, customers, research, techniques, processes, applications, formulae, cost data, customer lists, suppliers, competition, marketing strategy, supply relationships, costs and cost accounting, memoranda, diagrams, pictures, computer software and programs and records contained therein, sales information, financial information, costs, pricing data and profits, relating to the Intellectual Property Rights of NTI, PARTY B, the Corporation and NTI and/or Party B Affiliates both in the Territory and elsewhere.

1.21 Other Agreed Upon Technologies.

In conformity with the objectives of the Parties hereto to expand the Corporation’s Business over time, the Parties shall endeavor to identify products, materials and/or technologies, which are both compatible with the Corporation’s Business, and susceptible of being profitably marketed through and/or by the Corporation in the Territory. Upon joint agreement of the Parties, in writing, to adopt such new products, materials and/or technologies within the scope of the Corporation’s Business, and successful negotiation of requisite commercial rights to commercialize such new products, materials and/or technologies in the Territory, such new products, materials and/or technologies shall be deemed to be incorporated within the Corporation’s Business as “Other Agreed Upon Technologies” to be treated as set forth in this Agreement.

1.22 Net Sales.

The total proceeds from the sale of Product and Other Agreed Upon Technologies sold by the Corporation in normal, bona fide commercial transactions on an arm’s length basis to, by, with, or through an entity which is not affiliated with any Party of this Agreement, less the following items: (i) sales discounts (including sales rebates); (ii) sales returns; (iii) shipping and transaction costs, such as Value Added Tax, CIF charges and packaging expenses; and (iv) sales commissions to third parties. Sales made to an entity which is not affiliated with any Party of this Agreement, through an Affiliated Entity, in accordance with article 4.3 of the Management and Sales Representation Agreement shall be included in total proceeds for the purpose of this definition of Net Sales.

1.23 At Cost.

Without profit component of any kind, direct or indirect, to the particular Party in the given case (although nothing herein shall preclude such Party from recovering all costs - direct and indirect - arising out of any transaction with the proscription “At Cost”).

1.24 Shareholder/Holder of Equity Interests.

Any holder, from time to time, of Equity Interests of the Corporation and who presently is a Party to the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement or who may become a Party to the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement in the future.

1.25 Equity Interests.

Any validly issued Equity Interests of the Corporation owned by any Shareholder pursuant to the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement.

1.26 Transfer of Equity Interests.

Any sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or disposition of Equity Interests of the Corporation in any way, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by gift, legal procedure, operation of law, or any other means.

1.27 Transferor of Equity Interests.

A Shareholder who declares an intention to Transfer Equity Interests of the Corporation and/or initiates the Transfer of Equity Interests.

1.28 Transfer Price for Equity Interests.

The price for the Equity Interests of the Corporation offered on an arm’s-length basis by an outside party to the Transferor in a bona fide written offer.

1.29 Transferee.

Any new Shareholder, who has heretofore not been a party to the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement, who acquires his Equity Interests pursuant to the provisions of the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement, and who thereafter signs and becomes a Party to the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement.

1.30 Change of Control.

Any change in ownership, management, control or scope of business activities of a Party which could affect the performance of the duties and/or obligations of such Party under the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements.

ARTICLE 2
MUTUAL REPRESENTATIONS

2.1 Representations of PARTY A.

PARTY A hereby represents and warrants to PARTY B as follows:

	2.1.1	Organization and Standing. PARTY A is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of the People’s Republic of China, where it has its principal place of business. Party A’s registration certificate is attached hereto.

	2.1.2	Due Authorization. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to be executed pursuant to this Agreement have been duly authorized by appropriate corporate action and the same are binding upon PARTY A in accordance with their respective terms.

	2.1.3	No Violation of Other Agreements. By entering into this Agreement, PARTY A will not violate or cause a default to occur under any other agreements to which it is a party.

	2.1.4	Absence of Litigation. There are no lawsuits or legal actions pending or, to the knowledge of PARTY A, threatened against PARTY A which would have a material effect upon PARTY A’s ability to perform under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

2.2 Representations of PARTY B

PARTY B hereby represents and warrants to PARTY A as follows:

	2.2.1	Organization and Standing. PARTY B is a Limited Liability Company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Nevada, U.S.A. A certificate of good standing for Party B’s parent company, Northern Technologies International Corporation, is attached hereto:

	2.2.2	Due Authorization. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to be executed pursuant to this Agreement have been duly authorized by appropriate corporate action and the same are binding upon PARTY B in accordance with their respective terms.

	2.2.3	No Violation of Other Agreements. By entering into this Agreement, PARTY B will not violate or cause a default to occur under any other agreements to which it is a party.

	2.2.4	Absence of Litigation. There are no lawsuits or legal actions pending or, to the knowledge of PARTY B, threatened against PARTY B which would have a material effect upon PARTY B’s ability to perform under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

	2.2.5	Right to License. PARTY B has the right to license the NTI Intellectual Property Rights together with NTI/and or Party B Trade Secrets to TIANJIN ZERUST for use in the Territory.

ARTICLE 3
PURPOSES OF THE JOINT VENTURE

3.1 Purposes of the Joint Venture.

The purposes of the Joint Venture are as follows:

	3.1.1	For the purpose of improving economic and technological cooperation, importing NTI developed know-how for producing Volatile Corrosion Inhibiting polyethylene substances and other new techniques, NTI providing Masterbatch, producing Volatile Corrosion Inhibiting polyethylene substances in the Territory, increasing the quality of products, developing new products, raising economic efficiency, and to conduct the Corporation’s Business for the benefit of the Parties;

	3.1.2	Assisting in the export of high quality technical products from China by providing improved protective packaging technology from NTI;

	3.1.3	To protect and preserve NTI Intellectual Property Rights together with NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets in the Territory under the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements;

	3.1.4	To manufacture, promote and sell Product in the Territory under the terms hereof and of the Ancillary Agreements;

	3.1.5	To provide for the implementation of the Ancillary Agreements for the benefit of the respective Parties; and

	3.1.6	To manufacture, promote and sell Other Agreed Upon Technologies in the Territory.

	3.1.7	Ergo the Business Scope of the Corporation as defined in Article 1.10 hereof is:

		Producing Volatile Corrosion Inhibiting polyethylene products;

		After-sales service thereof;

		Research and development of new products in China as related to the Corporation’s Business; and

		Importing other advanced new techniques as related to the Knowhow, Product and Other Agreed Upon Technologies.

ARTICLE 4
FORMATION OF JOINT VENTURE CORPORATION

4.1 Formation of Corporation.

As soon as practicable following the signing of this Agreement, the Parties shall form a new Corporation as a limited liability company under the laws of the People’s Republic of China. Implementation of the formalities for incorporating the Corporation shall be the responsibility of PARTY A. The Corporation’s name shall be TIANJIN ZERUST ANTI-CORROSION TECHNOLOGIES LTD. (“TIANJIN ZERUST”). The Corporation’s place of business shall be Xx. 000 Xxxxx 0 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Tianjin People’s Republic of China or at such other place as may be determined by the Parties.

4.2 Articles of Incorporation.

A copy of the proposed Articles of Incorporation for TIANJIN ZERUST is attached hereto as Annex III. In case of any inconsistency between this Agreement and the Articles of Incorporation, different settlement should be taken according to the situation: when inconsistency is concerning the rights and liabilities between the Corporation and a third party, the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation shall be authoritative; when the inconsistency is only relating to the rights and liabilities among Shareholders, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern.

4.3 Capitalization.

Initially, the Registered Capital of TIANJIN ZERUST shall be divided between the Parties as follows:

PARTY A	-	50% equity interest

PARTY B	-	50% equity interest

Initial capitalization will be

	US$50,000 - PARTY A

	US$50,000 - PARTY B

4.4 Payment for Equity Interest by the Parties.

The Parties shall pay for their Equity Interests, in full, upon issuance of the certificate of approval for the Corporation by COFTEC, in accordance with the laws of the People’s Republic of China and shall cause the Corporation to issue evidence of their Equity Interest to Party A and Party B paid for in accordance with the terms hereunder forthwith.

4.5 Parallel Rights to Subscribe for Additional Equity Interest.

If additional Equity Interests are thereafter to be issued by the Corporation, the Holders of Equity Interests shall have the right to purchase such additional Equity Interests in the same proportion as their holdings of Equity Interests at the time of the issuance thereof.

ARTICLE 5
PURPOSE. EXECUTION AND INCORPORATION OF ANCILLARY
AGREEMENTS HEREIN

5.1 Execution of Ancillary Agreements.

In furtherance of the Corporation’s Business, the Parties and the Corporation shall enter into various Agreements (herein “Ancillary Agreements”) which shall also be effective as of the Effective Date. Such Ancillary Agreements and the designated Parties thereto are as follows:

	5.1.1	Consulting Services Agreement For Management and Sales Representation between PARTY A and the Corporation;

	5.1.2	License Agreement between PARTY B and the Corporation; and

	5.1.3	Technical Assistance and Marketing Support Agreement between PARTY B and the Corporation.

5.2 Ancillary Agreements Incorporated Herein and Made Part Hereof.

The Ancillary Agreements shall be incorporated herein and made a part hereof.

ARTICLE 6
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND DESIGNATION OF
THE CEO OF THE CORPORATION

6.1 Election of Directors.

The Corporation shall have a Board of Directors consisting of six Directors. PARTY A and PARTY B shall each have the right to designate an equal number of Directors. PARTY A and PARTY B, as Holders of Equity Interests in the Corporation, agree that at meetings of Holders of Equity Interests they shall cast their entire vote in favor of any person(s) designated by the other Party as Directors or Substitute Directors (as hereinafter defined) to fill their pro rata share of Director positions in accordance with the provisions hereof. The three directors proposed by Party A are Zhang Bing Hua, Meng Tao and Sun Guan Fu. The three directors proposed by Party B are Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 1. Xxxxxxxx and Haruhiko Rikuta.

6.2 Substitute Directors.

A Party shall have the right to designate a Substitute Director (“Substitute Director”) in the event that a Director previously designated by it shall resign, retire, die, or otherwise be unable or unavailable to serve.

6.3 Designation of Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.

One of the Directors designated by PARTY A shall be the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Corporation, whose responsibility and authority shall be to implement this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Articles of Incorporation, and such Resolutions as may be passed from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Designation of the Chief Executive Officer by PARTY A shall, however, be subject to the approval of PARTY B, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

ARTICLE 7
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES

7.1 Responsibilities of the Parties.

It shall be the responsibility of all Parties to effect the Purposes of the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement pursuant to Article 3 hereof.

7.2 Specific Responsibilities and Duties of Individual Parties.

Specific responsibilities and duties which are to be fulfilled by individual Parties to the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement are set forth in the Ancillary Agreements.

7.3 Actions Requiring Consent of All Parties.

In addition to other provisions of the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and/or the Ancillary Agreements requiring the consent or approval of all the Parties, the unanimous specific written consent of each Party hereto shall be required before the Corporation may take any of the following actions:

	7.3.1	Establish annual operating budgets for the Corporation which the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation shall prepare and submit no later than October 31st of each year for the following fiscal year;

	7.3.2	Determine the amount of funds to be allocated to the purchase of Masterbatch, Product, and Other Agreed Upon Technologies;

	7.3.3	Sell, assign, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of any assets of the Corporation, other than in the ordinary course of business;

	7.3.4	Mortgage, pledge, encumber or hypothecate any of the assets of the Corporation;

	7.3.5	Change the Corporation’s independent chartered or certified public accountants after the same have been appointed by the mutual consent of the parties;

	7.3.6	Change or allow a change in the accounting procedures employed in maintaining the Corporation’s books of account or in preparing financial statements with respect to the operations of the Corporation or the Corporation’s Business;

	7.3.7	Obligate the Corporation as a surety, guarantor or accommodation party to any obligation, lend funds belonging to the Corporation to any third party, or extend credit to any person, firm or entity, on behalf of the Corporation, other than in the ordinary course of business;

	7.3.8	File material litigation against third parties on behalf of the Corporation or confess judgment on behalf of the Corporation;

	7.3.9	Amend the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation;

	7.3.10	Cause the Corporation to issue any common shares or any debt securities or to increase its capitalization;

	7.3.11	Borrow any money on behalf of the Corporation requiring a mortgage or other form of security in favor of the lender, except that a security interest in inventory and receivables authorized by the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation in the ordinary course of business shall be permissible;

	7.3.12	Cause the Corporation to merge or consolidate with or into any other legal entity or acquire any other legal entity;

	7.3.13	Cause the Corporation to dissolve or to liquidate;

	7.3.14	Cause the Corporation to engage in any business activity which is outside the scope of the Corporation’s Business;

	7.3.15	Form any subsidiary or other legal entity;

	7.3.16	Cause the Corporation to enter into a transaction or business relationship with any of the Parties hereto, other than as may be expressly provided for by this Agreement and/or the Ancillary Agreements, other than on an arm’s-length basis, and on prices and terms no more favorable to the Party than could have been obtained from an independent third party;

	7.3.17	Establish pricing, discount structures, and terms of trade for Product or Other Agreed Upon Technologies in the Territory;

	7.3.18	Sell, license or otherwise convey NTI Intellectual Property Rights or NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets, or PARTY A Trade Secrets (as hereinafter defined), or any right thereto deriving from the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, to any third party;

	7.3.19	Engage or dismiss the Chief Executive Officer and other key employees of the Corporation and/or fix compensation for such personnel, including bonuses and perquisites; and

	7.3.20	Acquire fixed assets for and on behalf of the Corporation.

7.4 Special Resolutions.

Upon reaching unanimous agreement as to the actions set forth in Article 7.3, hereof, the Parties shall vote their Equity Interests to adopt any special resolutions to implement same as may be required by the laws of the People’s Republic of China.

ARTICLE 8
DEVELOPMENT OF THE CORPORATION’S STAFF

8.1 Development of Corporation’s Staff.

Depending on the development of business and within the judgment of the Board of Directors, the Corporation may engage its own personnel, as appropriate, to assist the Chief Executive Officer in the performance of his duties and responsibilities, and to implement actions taken by the Parties in performance of their duties and responsibilities hereunder and as set forth in the Ancillary Agreements.

8.2 Implementation of Corporate Governance Policies Appropriate to the Territory.

PARTY A shall be responsible to ensure that Corporate Governance Policies appropriate to the Territory, including but not limited to Human Relations, Compensation, Terms of Employment, Taxation and Employee Benefits, are implemented and maintained by the Corporation with respect to all Agents (as hereinafter defined), third party providers to the Corporation, and other individuals and entities which now have or which come to have a commercial or financial relationship of any nature with the Corporation.

ARTICLE 9
PAYMENTS TO RELATED PARTIES

9.1 Payment to Related Parties in the Ordinary Course of Business.

Payments shall be made to the Parties for services performed or transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business as the result of cash generated from Net Sales of Product in accordance with this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. Amounts shall be paid to PARTY A and PARTY B as detailed in 9.1.1 to 9.1.4.

	9.1.1	Party A or a company assigned by Party A shall receive 5% of Net Sales of Product as its total compensation for consulting services to be rendered to the Corporation pursuant to the Consulting Services Agreement referred to in Article 5 hereof;

	9.1.2	Party A may, if appropriate, receive a sales commission of 10% of Net Sales of Product pursuant to the Consulting Services Agreement For Management and Sales Representation referred to in Article 5 hereof;

	9.1.3	Party B shall receive 7.5% of Net sales of Product as its total compensation pursuant to the License Agreement referred to in Article 5 hereof; and

	9.1.4	Party B shall receive payment for services rendered under the Technical Assistance Agreement referred to in Article 5 hereof. Such payment for services shall under no circumstances exceed 7.5% of Net Sales of Product.

9.2	Payments to Related Parties for Services Performed with Respect to Other Agreed Upon Technologies in the Ordinary Course of Business.

Compensation to the Parties with respect to Other Agreed Upon Technologies shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, as specific opportunities to add Other Agreed Upon Technologies to the scope of the Corporation’s Business may arise. It is the intent of the Parties, however, to share joint responsibility for the proper commercial and technical development of Other Agreed Upon Technologies in the Territory; and in general, each Party to this Agreement shall be responsible to perform substantially the same set of functions with respect to Other Agreed Upon Technologies that it does with respect to Product. It shall therefore be a general precept of this Agreement that compensation, except the compensation and payment stated in 16.2 and 16.3 of this Agreement, to the Parties for services rendered with respect to Other Agreed Upon Technologies shall be equal, reflecting the even contributions of each, and shall be allocated within the format of the Ancillary Agreements.

9.3	Payments to Related Parties for Services Related to Special Programs for Promotion and Development.

After the payments and distributions referred to in Articles 9.1 and 9.2 have been made to the Parties, the Parties may determine that additional Special Programs for Promotion and Development (“Special Programs”) may be necessary, desirable or appropriate in any given fiscal year to accelerate the pace or redirect the progression and evolvement of the Corporation. In such event, upon prior unanimous approval by the Parties, additional funds may be allocated by the Corporation for Special Programs to be conducted by the Parties, which shall comport joint responsibility in accordance with the percentage allocations set forth in Article 9.1 and 9.2 hereof.

9.4 Limitation of Compensation to Related Parties.

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, all financial transactions between the Corporation and the Parties other than as set forth in Article 9 hereof shall be At Cost.

ARTICLE 10
COVERAGE OF FINANCIAL
SHORTFALLS BY THE PARTIES

10.1 Coverage of Financial Shortfalls by the Parties.

In the event that there shall be a shortfall in any given fiscal year, then this shortfall shall be borne by PARTY A and PARTY B in proportion to their respective fees and other income received pursuant to Article 9 hereof, to be reimbursed in the first instance out of the compensation set forth in Articles 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 and 9.4 hereof for that year, and thereafter out of the equity of the Corporation until the same shall be exhausted; but neither Party shall have any obligation to cover shortfalls beyond that point. The Parties may, however, in the sole discretion of each, elect to provide financial support over and above their equity in the Corporation.

ARTICLE 11
FINANCIAL BOOKS AND RECORDS -- BANKING

11.1 Fiscal Year.

The first fiscal year of the Corporation shall commence on the date the Corporation is incorporated and end on December 31. Thereafter, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall commence every year on January 1 and end on December 31. The books of accounts shall be closed at the end of each fiscal year, and audited statements shall be prepared by an internationally recognized firm of chartered or certified public accountants showing the financial condition of the Corporation and the results of its operations for the fiscal year. Copies of the audited annual statements and unaudited monthly and quarterly statement shall be provided to each of the Parties.

11.2 Access to Books and Records.

The Corporation’s financial books, records and statements of account shall be kept at the principal place of business of the Corporation, and each Party shall have the right at all reasonable times to inspect and copy same.

11.3 Bank Accounts.

All of the Corporation’s funds shall be deposited in its name in such bank account or accounts as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Withdrawals from such account or accounts shall be made by checks or other appropriate instruments signed by the Chief Executive Officer and such other officers or persons as the Board of Directors shall from time to time duly designate.

ARTICLE 12
INSURANCE

12.1 Independent Insurance Coverage.

The Parties shall cause the Corporation to obtain and to maintain property damage, product liability, public liability and other liability, casualty, and general insurance for the Corporation’s Business, as deemed adequate for the proper conduct of the Corporation’s Business in the Territory. In the event that insurance is provided by means of an amendment or rider to existing insurance maintained by any of the Parties, then the cost thereof, to the extent that the basic insurance cost of such party is thereby increased, shall be borne by and paid for by the Corporation.

12.2 Inclusion of the Corporation as a Named Insured Under the Insurance Coverage of a Party.

To the extent possible, each Party shall include the Corporation as a named insured under its own insurance coverage:

	12.2.1	PARTY B shall notify NTI’s product liability insurance carrier that the Corporation will be importing Materials and Masterbatch from PARTY B to manufacture and sell Product under the Trademark utilizing NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets and NTI Intellectual Property Rights in the Territory. A summary of NTI product liability and other insurance coverage as it may be extended is attached hereto Annex IV; and any material change thereto shall be reported forthwith to PARTY A; and

	12.2.2	PARTY A shall notify its insurer of the scope of activities and responsibilities it shall carry out for the Corporation, both under the Joint Venture Agreement, and under the applicable Ancillary Agreements, including the Management Agreement. A summary of PARTY A product liability and other insurance coverage as it may be extended is attached hereto as Annex V; and any material change thereto shall be reported forthwith to PARTY B.

ARTICLE 13
PROTECTION OF NTI AND/OR PARTY B TRADE SECRETS

13.1 Recognition of NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets.

PARTY A acknowledges and agrees that (i) NTI Intellectual Property Rights; (ii) NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets; (iii) the Knowhow, Materials, Process, Product and Masterbatch and (iv) other information deemed confidential by NTI and PARTY Band designated herein and hereafter relating to the business of NTI and/or PARTY B, of the Corporation, and of NT I and/or PARTY B Affiliates, both in the Territory and elsewhere, including but not limited to applications of NTI Intellectual Property Rights, cost and cost accounting data, customer lists, competition, marketing strategy, supply relationships, memoranda, diagrams, pictures, computer software and programs as well as records contained therein, sales information, financial information, pricing data and margins, are also included within the definition of NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets set forth in Article 1.20 hereof and constitute valuable property rights of NTI, PARTY Band NTI and/or PARTY B Affiliates.

13.2 Protection of NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets.

PARTY A agrees that during the term of this Agreement, as well as following its termination and for all times thereafter, it shall keep secret and confidential all NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets which it now knows or may hereafter come to know as a result of the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets shall not be disclosed by PARTY A to third parties and shall be kept secret and confidential, except (i) to the extent that the same have entered into the public domain by means other than the improper actions of PARTY A, or (ii) to the extent that the disclosure thereof may be required pursuant to the order of any court or other governmental body. If an NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secret shall be in the public domain as the result of an act by PARTY A or any Agent thereof (as hereinafter defined), then PARTY A shall nevertheless continue to keep such NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secret secret and inviolate.

13.3 Protection of NT I and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets by Agents of PARTY A.

Neither PARTY A, nor its Agents (as hereinafter defined), shall at any time copy, remove from their proper location - be it within the Corporation or elsewhere - or retain without NTI or PARTY B’s prior written consent, the originals or copies of any NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets or of any of the unpublished records, books of account, documents, letters, diagrams, computer disks, papers or memoranda of NTI and/or PARTY B or the Corporation. It is understood that from time to time it may be necessary that certain of the foregoing items be copied or removed from their location; however, this shall be done subject to the requirement of this Article that the original material be returned to its proper location as soon as possible and that the confidential nature and integrity of the foregoing as NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets be strictly maintained both as to original documents and copies thereof.

13.3.1

Insofar as the officers, employees and consultants of PARTY A and/or the Corporation, (herein collectively “Agents”) who come in contact with NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets are concerned, PARTY A shall cause such Agents to enter into NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrecy Agreements substantially in the form of Annex VI to this Agreement. PARTY A shall exert its best efforts to cause its Agents to adhere to and to abide by the provisions, restrictions and limitations of the NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrecy Agreements, which efforts shall include the institution and prosecution of appropriate litigation if such be necessary and desirable.

13.3.2

The Parties hereby agree and acknowledge that both NTI and PARTY B are intended third party beneficiaries of the NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrecy Agreements, and that NTI and/or PARTY B may each, in its sole discretion, on its own behalf or derivatively and/or on behalf of the Corporation, directly enforce the provisions of the NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrecy Agreements and/or any breach thereof against any and all Agents (as defined in Article 13.3.1. hereof) and/or Sub-manufacturers (as defined in Article 7.3.1(i) of the License Agreement and in Article 7.3.1 (i) of the Technical Assistance Agreement) who have executed same.

13.4 Remedies in the Event of a Violation of Article 13 Hereof.

It is understood and recognized by PARTY A that in the event of any violation by PARTY A and/or its Agents of the provisions of Article 13 hereof, NTI and/or PARTY B’s remedy at law will be inadequate and NTI and PARTY B will suffer irreparable injury. Accordingly, PARTY A consents to injunctive and other appropriate equitable relief upon the institution of legal proceedings therefor by NTI and/or PARTY B and in any court of competent jurisdiction to protect NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets. Such relief shall be in addition to any other relief to which NTI and/or PARTY B may be entitled at law or in equity, which shall include but not be limited to the right of immediate termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 14
PROTECTION OF PARTY A TRADE SECRETS

14.1 Identification of PARTY A Trade Secrets.

The Parties acknowledge that it is not intended that PARTY A impart its technology or trade secrets to the Corporation or, through the Corporation, to PARTY B. The Parties recognize, however, that PARTY A may impart information to the Corporation to further the Corporation’s Business, which PARTY A considers to be proprietary in nature and thus wishes to be kept confidential, and that such Party A Trade Secrets may come to be imparted to PARTY B through the Corporation. In order for such information to be considered under the category of PARTY A Trade Secrets, PARTY A must alert the Corporation and PARTY B to the fact that it intends to impart information it considers proprietary to the Corporation, in writing, in advance of imparting such information, and clearly identify such information as a PARTY A Trade Secret (“PARTY A Trade Secrets”).

14.2 Protection of PARTY A Trade Secrets.

PARTY B agrees that during the term of this Agreement, as well as following its termination and for all times thereafter, it shall keep secret and confidential all P ARTY A Trade Secrets which it now knows or may hereafter come to know as a result of this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. PARTY A Trade Secrets shall not be disclosed by PARTY B to third parties and shall be kept secret and confidential except, (i) to the extent that the same have entered into the public domain by means other than the improper actions of PARTY B, or (ii) to the extent that the disclosure thereof may be required pursuant to the order of any court or other governmental body. If a PARTY A Trade Secret shall be in the public domain as the result of an act by PARTY B or any Agent thereof, then PARTY B shall nevertheless continue to keep such PARTY A Trade Secret secret and inviolate.

14.3 Protection of PARTY A Trade Secrets by Agents of PARTY B.

Neither PARTY B, nor its Agents (as hereinafter defined), shall at any time copy, remove from their proper location - be it within the Corporation or elsewhere - or retain without PARTY A’s prior written consent, the originals or copies of any PARTY A Trade Secrets. It is understood that from time to time it may be necessary that certain of the foregoing items be copied or removed from their location; however, this shall be done subject to the requirement of this Article that the original material be returned to its proper location as soon as possible and that the confidential nature and integrity of the foregoing as PARTY A Trade Secrets be strictly maintained both as to original documents and copies thereof.

	14.3.1	Insofar as the officers, employees and consultants of PARTY B (herein collectively “Agents”) who come in contact with PARTY A Trade Secrets are concerned, PARTY B shall cause such Agents to enter into PARTY A Trade Secrecy Agreements substantially in the form of Annex VII to this Agreement. PARTY B shall exert its best efforts to cause its Agents to adhere to and to abide by the provisions, restrictions and limitations of the PARTY A Trade Secrecy Agreements, which efforts shall include the institution and prosecution of appropriate litigation if such be necessary and desirable.

	14.3.2	The Parties hereby agree and acknowledge that PARTY A is an intended third party beneficiary of the PARTY A Trade Secrecy Agreements, and that PARTY A may in its sole discretion, on its own behalf or derivatively and/or on behalf of the Corporation directly enforce the provisions of the PARTY A Trade Secrecy Agreements and/or any breach thereof against any and all Agents of PARTY B (as defined in Article 14.3.1 hereof) who have executed same.

14.4 Remedies in the Event of a Violation of Article 14 Hereof.

It is understood and recognized by PARTY B that in the event of any violation by PARTY B and/or its Agents of the provisions of Article 14 hereof, PARTY A’s remedy at law will be inadequate and PARTY A will suffer irreparable injury. Accordingly, PARTY B consents to injunctive and other appropriate equitable relief upon the institution of legal proceedings therefor by PARTY A and in any court of competent jurisdiction to protect PARTY A Trade Secrets. Such relief shall be in addition to any other relief to which PARTY A may be entitled at law or in equity, which shall include but not be limited to the right of immediate termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 15
COVENANT TO OBSERVE
THE DOCTRINE OF “CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY”

15.1 Doctrine of Corporate Opportunity and Observance Thereof.

It is the intent of the Parties to this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and to the Ancillary Agreements to deal solely with each other with respect to the commercial, technical and strategic development of the Corporation’s Business in the Territory. Consequently, the Parties to each agreement cited above hereby renounce and covenant not to engage in any activity which would either (a) negatively impact the performance of their duties under this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements in the Territory, or (b) have the effect of displacing or substituting Net Sales of Product and/or Other Agreed Upon Technologies and/or the application of NTI Intellectual Property Rights in the Territory; except as specifically agreed to by the Parties in furtherance of the Corporation’s Business (“Corporate Opportunity”).

15.2 Agreement Not to Divert Resources.

PARTY A and PARTY B agree that during the term of this Agreement they shall not, directly or indirectly, in any capacity whatsoever, engage in, own, manage, operate, control, act as a consultant to, have a financial interest in, or otherwise participate in the ownership, licensing, management, operation or control of, a business which would impede, substitute, displace or divert Net Sales of Product and/or of Other Agreed Upon Technologies from the Corporation within the Territory except through the Corporation in furtherance of the Corporation’s Business. During said term neither of such Parties shall in any way, directly or indirectly, divert, take away or interfere with or attempt to divert, take away or interfere with, any of the customers, accounts, suppliers, employees, representatives or patronage of the Corporation. In the event that this Agreement is terminated: (i) because of a material Breach of this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement by a Party; (ii) because of a material Breach of any Ancillary Agreement by a Party; (iii) upon the bankruptcy or other adverse condition of a Party as described in Article 17 hereof; (iv) pursuant to Article 18 hereof; or (v) upon a Breach of Articles 13, 14 or 15 hereof, then the Party in Breach or subject to such adverse condition shall continue to be bound by the provisions of Article 15 of this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement for a period of three years following the date of termination, but shall at no time be permitted to use NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets or PARTY A Trade Secrets, as the case may be, for any activity outside the Corporation.

15.3 Remedies for Breach of Agreement Not to Divert Resources.

It is understood and recognized by the Parties that in the event of a violation of the provisions of Article 15 hereof by a Party, the remedy at law will be inadequate and that the other Party to this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement shall suffer irreparable injury. Accordingly, each Party to this Agreement consents to injunctive or other appropriate equitable relief upon the institution of legal proceedings therefor by the non-violating Party. Such relief shall be in addition to any other relief to which a Party may be entitled at law or in equity, which shall include but not be limited to the right of immediate termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 16
GRANT OF RIGHT AND LICENSE BY PARTNER TO NTI
CONCERNING IMPROVEMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO NTI
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

16.1 Disclosure to NTI of Improvements to NTI Intellectual Property Rights by PARTY A.

PARTY A agrees to disclose promptly to PARTY B any improvements or modifications to NTI Intellectual Property Rights of whatever nature or description, which come to be learned by PARTY A or which are made by or through its efforts, without any obligation by NTI or PARTY B to make payment therefor during the effective time of the Agreement.

16.2 Grant of Right and License to NTI.

PARTY A hereby grants to NTI a sole, worldwide and fully paid-up right and license under any intellectual property rights, trade secrets and know-how owned, controlled, acquired or which may otherwise be transferred or granted to PARTY A during the term of this Agreement to make, have made, use, sell or otherwise dispose of products incorporating any or all improvements in and modifications to NTI Intellectual Property Rights together with the Know-how, Materials, Process, Product and/or Masterbatch and/or to sublicense third parties to do the same during the effective time of the Agreement. But NTI/PARTY B should fully reimburse all the expenses incurred PARTY A spent for the development of such improvements in and/or modifications to the Know-how, NTI and/or Party B Trade Secrets and NTI Intellectual Property Rights provided that NTI/Party B are informed of and agree to any research program to be conducted by Party A, in writing, in advance of incurring any expenses therefrom. The reimbursement is not included in the compensation and payment stated in 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 and 9.4.

16.3 Obligations of PARTY A Concerning the Filing of New Patents.

PARTY A agrees that at NTI’s request and at NTI’s cost it will promptly file and diligently prosecute applications for letters patent in NTI’s name on any and all patentable improvements to NTI Intellectual Property Rights coming into its purview in the Territory. PARTY A further agrees, upon NTI’s request and at NTI’s cost, that it will promptly file and diligently prosecute corresponding patent applications in NTI’s name in such other countries outside the Territory as are designated by NTI and/or PARTY B. But when PARTY A apply for patents in NTI/PARTY B’s name on the invention made or grant by PARTY A, PARTY A have the right to state in the letters of patent that PARTY A is the inventor, and shall get paid by NTI/PARTY B. This payment is on a Case-by-Case basis, and shall be a negotiable decision by and between PARTY A and NTI/PARTY B. The payment is not included in the compensation and payment stated in 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3.

16.4 Review of Potentially Infringing Technology.

In the event that PARTY A shall learn of any technology, processes or patents developed or owned by third parties which may infringe or otherwise be in conflict with NTI Intellectual Property Rights, then PARTY A will forthwith provide NTI with whatever information it may have with respect thereto. NTI and/or PARTY B and PARTY A will then consult with one another as to:

	16.4.1	Taking appropriate legal action against such third party for infringement of NTI Intellectual Property Rights together with NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets; and/or

	16.4.2	Purchasing, licensing or otherwise acquiring rights to such technology, processes or patents of such third parties, in which event such rights as are acquired shall be extended to NTI pursuant to Article 16.2 hereof. Based upon their joint decision, PARTY A shall exert its best efforts to carry out whatever the Parties have determined to be in their mutual best interest.

16.5 Disclosure to PARTY A of Improvements to NTI Intellectual Property Rights by NTI/PARTY B.

NTI/PARTY B agrees to disclose to PARTY A any improvements or modifications to NTI Intellectual Property Rights, which come to be learned by NTI/PARTY B or which are made by or through its efforts during the effective time of the Agreement. The disclosure is still included in the NTI/PARTY B compensation stipulated in 9.1.3 and 9.1.4 hereof., without any obligation by PARTY A or the Corporation to make additional payment therefor.

16.6 Grant of Right and License to the Corporation

NTI/PARTY B further agrees to grant a sole license in the Territory under the disclosure of the improvements or modifications to the Corporation. The Corporation shall use the improvements or modifications to NTI Intellectual Property Rights to make, use and sell Product for the purpose of the profit in the Territory. The Corporation is not obligated to make any additional payment therefor.

ARTICLE 17
TERM OF AGREEMENT

17.1 Term of Cooperation.

This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date and shall, unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the provisions hereof, continue in effect for a term of 40 years.

17.2 Termination.

This Agreement, having become effective as of the Effective Date hereof, shall continue in effect unless:

	17.2.1	Terminated by either Party in accordance with the provisions of Articles 13, 14 and/or 15 hereof;

	17.2.2	Terminated in accordance with Article 17.3 and/or Article 17.4 hereof;

	17.2.3	Terminated by either Party by reason of a material Breach or Default of this Agreement by the other Party which has not been cured or remedied in accordance with Article 18 hereof; or

	17.2.4	Terminated automatically, in conjunction with the termination of any of the Ancillary Agreements by a Party thereto by reason of a material Breach (as therein defined) or Default (as therein defined) of any such Ancillary Agreement by a Party thereto, which Breach or Default has not been cured or remedied in accordance with the curative provisions thereof. In such event this Agreement shall likewise terminate on the same date, without any further act or notice given by a Party hereto.

17.3 Termination Upon Change of Control of a Party.

In the event that a Change of Control of a Party hereto shall occur, then the other Party may, upon six (6) months prior written notice given to such Party, terminate this Agreement, unless the Change of Control of such Party shall have been effected upon prior notification and with the written understanding of the other Party.

17.4 Termination Upon Bankruptcy or Insolvency.

If a Party hereto shall become bankrupt or insolvent or shall file any debtor relief proceedings, or if there shall be filed in Court against a Party legal proceedings or bankruptcy or insolvency or reorganization or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee of all or a portion of such Party’s property, or if a Party makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or petitions for or enters into an arrangement for debtor relief and such proceedings as are described aforesaid are not dismissed within a period of ninety (90) days after the institution thereof, then, at the option of the other Party, this Agreement shall forthwith terminate by written notice given to the Party who has filed, instituted or against whom any of the proceedings aforesaid have been brought; provided that if a stay has been granted by a Trustee or Judge in Bankruptcy by virtue of which this Agreement is to be deemed an executory contract, then the other Party shall continue to perform under the terms of this Agreement if:

17.4.1

Payments due under this Agreement for past obligations are rendered in full;

	17.4.2	Payments due under this Agreement for present obligations are rendered pursuant to a payment schedule acceptable to the other Party; and

	17.4.3	All other provisions of this Agreement are complied with fully.

17.5 Payment of Amounts Due.

In the event of termination of this Agreement, each Party shall pay to each other Party all amounts due and owing pursuant to this Agreement prior to the effective date of termination.

17.6 Cooperation Upon Termination.

Upon termination of this Shareholder Joint Venture Agreement, the Corporation shall cooperate with PARTY A in transferring PARTY A Trade Secrets to PARTY A or its designated assignee; and PARTY A and Corporation shall cooperate with NTI and Party B in transferring NTI Intellectual Property Rights, and NTI and/or Party B Trade Secrets to NTI, Party B or their designated assignee.

17.7 Non-Release of Obligations.

The termination of this Agreement shall not release the Parties from their obligations to settle all financial accounts between themselves in cash forthwith. Notwithstanding the termination hereof, each Party shall be responsible for the performance of all of its obligations and responsibilities hereunder up to the effective date of termination. As provided in Articles 13 and 14, upon termination of this Agreement, NTI Intellectual Property Rights, together with NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets and PARTY A Trade Secrets shall continue to be kept secret and confidential.

17.8 Cessation of Rights Upon Termination.

Upon the termination of this Agreement for reason of Default or Breach of this Agreement or of an Ancillary Agreement, all rights which the Defaulting Party may have had under or pursuant to this Agreement shall forthwith cease and terminate. If a dispute as to whether a Default or Breach exists is submitted to Arbitration under Article 19 hereof, the Parties shall jointly appoint a trustee or agent to oversee the execution of the duties hereunder and the protection of the rights hereunder of the Party allegedly in Default and/or Breach. If the Parties cannot agree on a trustee or agent for such purposes, the Arbitration Panel shall forthwith appoint same.

17.9 Liquidation of the Corporation and Winding-up of the Corporation’s Business Upon Termination.

Upon termination of this Agreement:

	17.9.1	The Corporation shall be liquidated forthwith; and, following payment of all known just obligations of the Corporation, and establishment of a reasonable reserve to pay such just obligations of the Corporation as are unknown at the time of liquidation of the Corporation, the remaining assets shall be divided equally between the Parties pursuant to an independent valuation thereof by the outside auditors of the Corporation or, in the event Arbitration has been invoked in accordance with Article 19 hereof, by the arbitration panel. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

		(i) PARTY A Trade Secrets, as defined in Article 14 hereof, shall not constitute an asset of the Corporation upon termination of this Agreement, but rather shall revert to PARTY A in accordance with Article 17.6. hereof; and

		(ii) NTI Intellectual Property Rights, together with NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets, as defined in Article 13 hereof, shall not constitute an asset of the Corporation upon termination of this Agreement, but rather shall revert to NTI and/or PARTY B in accordance with Article 17.6. hereof.

	17.9.2	The Corporation’s Business shall be wound up forthwith; and no further orders shall be accepted by the Corporation for Product or for Other Agreed Upon Technologies, provided that orders for Product and/or Other Agreed Upon Technologies which were received by the Corporation prior to termination of this Agreement shall be filled by the Corporation either out of its own existing inventory and/or its own manufacturing capabilities, or through imports from NTI or a PARTY B Affiliate, as appropriate.

ARTICLE 18
DEFAULT

18.1 Event of Default.

A Default (“Default”) hereunder shall exist in the event of:

	18.1.1	Non-payment of funds by one Party to another Party when due and owing; and/or

	18.1.2	A material Breach (“Breach”) of any provision of this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement other than Articles 13, 14 or 15 hereof, or any of the Ancillary Agreements; and/or

	18.1.3	A Breach of Articles 13, 14 and/or 15 hereof.

18.2 Remedies Upon Default or Breach.

The remedies available to each Party in an instance of Default or Breach by the other Party shall be as follows:

	18.2.1	If a Party shall fail to make any payments required hereunder after the same are due, (other than due to governmental delays) or if it shall commit a Default or Breach in the performance of, or by failure to observe and comply with, any other material term or provision of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements to be performed, observed or complied with by it, then the other Party shall have the right to declare a Default and terminate this Agreement unless the Party in Default or Breach shall cure such failure to pay, and/or Breach or Default, or cause the same to be cured, within thirty (30) days (fifteen (15) days in case of monetary default) after receipt of written notice from the other Party; provided. however, that if the Party in Breach or Default commences to cure same within the curative period specified herein, then the right of termination shall be held in abeyance for a reasonable period of time so long as the Party in Default or Breach proceeds to cure such Default or Breach with due diligence. A Party’s right of termination shall be in addition to and not in limitation of any of its other rights at law or in equity based upon the other Party’s Default or Breach. Any notice of termination shall stipulate the effective date of termination which shall be not less than three (3) months nor more than six (6) months following the date that such notice is given.

	18.2.2	Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a violation of Articles 13, 14 and/or 15 hereof by a Party hereto, the other Party may at its sole discretion terminate this Agreement with immediate effect upon giving notice to the Party in Breach of Article 13, 14 and/or 15 hereof as provided herein.

18.3 Non-Waiver of Rights.

A Party’s failure to terminate this Agreement on account of any Breach or Default by the other Party as provided in Article 18.1 or 18.2 hereof shall in no event constitute or be deemed to constitute a waiver by such Party of its right to terminate this Agreement at any time while any such Breach or Default continues (subject to the provisions of Article 18.2 hereof), or on account of any subsequent Breach or Default by a Party.

ARTICLE 19
DISPUTE RESOLUTION

19.1 Dispute Resolution by Arbitration.

Any and all disputes; except as excluded under Article 19.2 hereof, which may arise between the Parties during the term of this Agreement, after the termination thereof, or following the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, upon failure by the Parties to amicably resolve same after mutual good faith negotiations, shall be exclusively settled by arbitration, including, but not limited to, the following:

	19.1.1	A dispute as to whether a Default exists;

	19.1.2	A dispute as to whether a Default entitles the non-defaulting Party to terminate this Agreement;

	19.1.3	A dispute as to the validity of this Article 19;

	19.1.4	A dispute relating to the construction, meaning, interpretation, application or effect of this Agreement or anything contained herein;

	19.1.5	A dispute as to the rights, obligations or liabilities of the Parties hereunder.

19.2 Disputes Not Subject to Arbitration.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement:

	19.2.1	Arbitration may not be invoked regarding matters expressed in this Agreement to be agreed upon by or determined with the consent or approval of both Parties.

	19.2.2	Arbitration may not be invoked if a Party violates the provisions of this Agreement relating to NTI Intellectual Property Rights, NTI and/or PARTY B Trade Secrets, PARTY A Trade Secrets or Corporate Opportunity. In such event, the remedies set forth in Articles 13, 14, 15 and/or 18 hereof shall apply.

19.3 Conduct of Arbitration Proceedings.

All disputes concerning this Agreement or arising out of the exercise hereof shall be settled by friendly agreement of the Parties; where no agreement can be reached such disputes shall be submitted for arbitration. Such Arbitration shall be conducted in English and shall be carried out by the Arbitration Commission of the International Chamber of Commerce of Singapore under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. The laws of the People’s Republic of China shall apply. The decision of this Arbitration Panel is final and binding upon both Parties. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator, including an award concerning the payment of costs, attorneys’ fees, and expenses of the Arbitration proceedings, may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction and assets may be attached in any country in the world pursuant to such judgment.

19.4 Designation of the “Prevailing Party”.

In each case in which arbitration is invoked under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, the arbitration panel shall be required to designate one or the other Party as the Prevailing Party (“Prevailing Party”).

19.5 Punitive Damages Excluded.

The Prevailing Party in an arbitration proceeding convened hereunder shall be entitled to recover all reasonable damages plus documented costs incurred in pursuing its arbitration claim, including but not limited to legal fees and travel expenses, but shall not be entitled to exemplary or punitive damages.

ARTICLE 20
PROSCRIPTION OF AUTHORITY
OF THE PARTIES TO BIND EACH OTHER

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to constitute the Parties as agents for one another or to render any Party liable for any debts, liabilities or obligations of the other (“Indebtedness”). It is understood that such Indebtedness, if incurred, is outside the scope of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. No Party shall have the authority to extend or to utilize the credit of the other, to extend credit in the other Party’s name, or to represent that it is authorized to do so without the express written consent of the other. In the event that a creditor of a Party shall assert a claim against that Party based on such Indebtedness, then the Party who in fact is obligated thereon shall indemnify and hold the other Party harmless from and against any losses, claims or liabilities by reason thereof.

ARTICLE 21
RECIPROCAL INDEMNIFICATION

Each Party shall indemnify and hold the other and the Corporation harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, rights of action, damages, costs and expenses which shall or may arise by virtue of anything done or omitted to be done by the indemnifying Party (or through or by its Agents) in breach of the terms of this Agreement. The indemnifying Party shall be notified promptly of the existence of the claims, demands, actions or rights of action and shall be given reasonable opportunity to defend same in which defense the Party to be indemnified shall cooperate. If the indemnifying Party fails forthwith upon notice to assume such defense, then the Party to be indemnified may proceed with the defense thereof including settlement, in which case the indemnifying Party shall bear the costs of defense including attorneys’ fees and shall pay the amount of any judgment or settlement.

ARTICLE 22
TRANSFER OF EQUITY INTEREST

22.1 Restrictions on Transfer of Equity Interests.

Following the initial issuance of Equity Interests of the Corporation pursuant to Article 4 hereof, no Holder of Equity Interests shall Transfer any Equity Interests or any right, title or interest herein owned or held by it except and only in strict accordance with the terms and subject to the restrictions, rights, obligations and options hereinafter set forth. The Corporation, PARTY A and PARTY B shall be under no obligation to recognize as holder of Equity Interests, or Transferee of any of a Shareholder’s Equity Interests which were transferred to such Transferee, other than in strict compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and, unless so complied with, any such Transferee of such Equity Interests shall have no rights as a Holder of Equity Interests of the Corporation with respect of such Equity Interests.

22.2 Right of First Refusal to Acquire Equity Interests.

Any Holder of Equity Interests receiving a bona fide offer (“Offer”) for the purchase of its Equity Interests, and who wishes to Transfer such Equity Interests to a proposed Transferee in accordance with such Offer shall, prior to making any Transfer of Equity Interests, give written notice (hereinafter called “Notice”) thereof to the Corporation and to the other Holders of Equity Interests. Such Notice shall enclose a copy of the offer and shall set forth the name and address of the proposed Transferee, the selling price, the terms of payment, and all other significant terms and conditions relating thereto. The proposed Transferor of Equity Interests shall furnish to the Corporation and to the other Holders of Equity Interests such additional information concerning the prospective Transfer of Equity Interests and/or Transferee as any of them may reasonably request. In order that the other Holders of Equity Interests may be better able to determine the compatibility of the proposed Transferee as a Shareholder of the Corporation, the proposed Transferor of Equity Interests shall arrange for the other Holders of Equity Interests, if so requested, to be introduced to the proposed Transferee and to have discussions with same. For a period of forty-five (45) days following the receipt of said Notice of Offer, the other Holders of Equity Interests shall have the right of first refusal to purchase any or all of the Equity Interests specified in the Notice at the terms set forth therein.

22.3 Exercise of Right to Acquire Equity Interests.

The foregoing right of first refusal shall be exercisable by written notice to the prospective Transferor of Equity Interests within the forty five (45) day period aforesaid and the exercise of said right shall be effective upon receipt of the written notice by said Transferor of Equity Interests. If the right of first refusal is exercised, the purchase and sale shall be closed at the offices of the Corporation or at such other place as agreed within ten (10) days after the expiration of the period for exercise thereof on the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice of Offer. The Transferor of Equity Interests at the time of sale shall represent and warrant that upon any Transfer of Equity Interests, whether to the proposed Transferee or to an existing Shareholder, such Transferee or existing Shareholder shall be the sole owner of such Equity Interests free and clear of any and all liens, encumbrances, equities or restrictions of any nature whatsoever, except that any future Shareholder shall also become subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

22.4 Sale of Equity Interests to a Third Party.

If the other Shareholder does not accept the offer of the Equity Interests made as hereinabove required within the time period hereinabove provided, in writing, the Transferor of Equity Interests may then for a period of sixty (60) days following the expiration of such time period transfer all of the Equity Interests specified in the Notice in accordance with the terms and conditions therein set forth; provided that the Transferee shall have joined in this Agreement by instrument in form and substance satisfactory to the remaining Shareholder and shall thereupon be bound as a Shareholder. The Parties agree that if Equity Interests are to be sold to a third party in accordance with the provisions of this Article 22.4, they shall call a meeting of the Holders of Equity Interests of the Corporation and at such meeting shall approve the sale to such third party upon the terms herein provided.

22.5 Equity Interests Transferred to a Third Party Subject to Restrictions.

Equity Interests transferred to a third party and Equity Interests not so transferred within the sixty (60) day period referred to in Article 22.4 hereof shall again be subject to all of the terms, conditions and restrictions of this Agreement. Unless the other Shareholder shall so agree in writing, Equity Interests may not be transferred to the third party if the terms and conditions under which the Transferor of Equity Interests intends to consummate the Transfer of Equity Interests differ in any material way from the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice.

22.6 Attempted Transfer of Equity Interests in Violation of this Agreement.

In the event of any act of Transfer of Equity Interests in violation of the terms of this Agreement, the Corporation shall continue to recognize only the Shareholder of record as the bona fide owner of such Equity Interests and as having any rights therein and the purported Transferee of such Equity Interests shall not be entitled to vote such Equity Interests, receive any dividends or other distribution in respect thereof or exercise any other rights in relation thereto. Moreover, the non-transferring Shareholder shall have the right to vote the Equity Interests of the purported Transferor of Equity Interests until such time as the purported Transfer of Equity Interests has been rescinded. This Article 22.6 shall not be construed as limiting any remedy which any Shareholder may have under law upon any Transfer of Equity Interests subject to this Agreement which is attempted in violation of this Agreement.

22.7 Permitted Transfer of Equity Interests.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any Shareholder shall have the right, without regard to or compliance with any of the provisions of Article 22 hereof, to transfer any Equity Interests owned by it to any corporation or entity which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Shareholder without first obtaining the consent to such Transfer of Equity Interests by the other Shareholder. Upon such Transfer of Equity Interests the Transferee shall join in this Agreement and be bound as a Shareholder to all of the provisions hereof. Any Transfer of Equity Interests permitted by this Article 22.7 shall also be subject to the provisions of Article 23.1 hereof, and shall only be made in accordance with the laws of the People’s Republic of China.

22.8 Pledge of Equity Interests Subject to this Agreement.

Any pledge of Equity Interests by a Shareholder for any of its obligations shall be subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 23
GENERAL PROVISIONS

23.1 Benefit of Parties.

All of the terms and provisions of this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and of the Ancillary Agreements shall be binding upon the Parties executing same and their respective permitted successors and assigns. Except as expressly provided herein, a Party may not assign its rights and obligations to a third party without the written consent of the other Party; provided, however, that a Party may assign this Agreement and all of its rights hereunder (or a portion of this Agreement and the rights hereunder relating thereto) to, or provide for the performance of all or part of its obligations hereunder by, a Party which controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Party. In such event, (I) the assignor shall unconditionally guarantee the performance and obligations of the assignee and shall not be released of its liabilities, obligations and responsibilities hereunder and (ii) the assignee shall expressly assume in writing and agree to perform such obligations, liabilities and responsibilities of the assignor.

23.2 Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

23.3 Cooperation.

During the term of this Agreement, each Party shall cooperate with and assist each Party in taking such acts as may be appropriate to enable all Parties to effect compliance with the terms of the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and of the Ancillary Agreements, and to carry out the true intent and purposes thereof.

23.4 Index, Captions, Definitions and Defined Terms.

The captions of the Articles of this Agreement and subsections thereof are solely for convenient reference and shall not be deemed to affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Definitions set forth in Article 1 hereof, together with any other defined terms in this Agreement, as identified by their insertion in parentheses and quotation marks, (“Defined Terms”) shall be incorporated herein as written, made a part hereof, and govern the interpretation of the text of this Agreement, irrespective of whether such Definitions or Defined Terms appear in the text of this Agreement before or after they are defined.

23.5 Waiver of Compliance.

The Party for whose benefit a warranty, representation, covenant or condition is intended may in writing waive any inaccuracies in the warranties and representations contained in this Agreement or waive compliance with any of the covenants or conditions contained herein and so waive performance of any of the obligations of the other Party hereto, and any Breach or Defaults hereunder; provided, however, that such waiver shall not affect or impair the waiving Party’s rights in respect to any other covenants, condition, Breach or Default hereunder.

23.6 Force Majeure.

In the event that a Party is prevented or delayed from performing, fulfilling or completing an obligation provided for in this Agreement as a result of delays caused by strikes, lock-outs, unavailability of materials, acts of God, acts of any national, state or local governmental agency or authority of a foreign government, war, insurrection, rebellion, riot, civil disorder, fire, explosion or the elements, then the time for performance, fulfillment or completion shall be extended for a period not exceeding the number of days by which the same was so delayed. If a force majeure event shall be in existence for one year or more, then either Party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time thereafter by giving at least thirty (30) days written notice of termination to the other Party, provided that the force majeure event continues to be in effect as of the date that such notice is given.

23.7 Notices.

All notices, requests, demands or other communications which are required or may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and delivery shall be effective in all respects if delivered (i) by telefax promptly confirmed by letter, (ii) personally, (iii) by registered or certified air mail, postage prepaid, or (iv) by neutral commercial courier service, such as Federal Express, DHL, UPS or equivalent, as follows:

If to PARTY A, to:	Tianjin China March Group, Ltd.
	Attention: Xx. Xxxxx Xxxx Xxx
	Tianjin HUA YUAN Industrial Zone, Huoju Building
	Tianjin
	People’s Republic of China
	Telefax: 011 862223670120

Copy to:	TIANJIN ZERUST
	C/o Tianjin China March Group, Ltd. Company
	Attention: Xx. Xxxx Tao
	Tianjin HUA YUAN Industrial Zone,
	Huoju Building, Tower 1, No. 127
	Tianjin
	People’s Republic of China Telefax: 011 862223670120

If to PARTY B, to:	NTI ASEAN LLC
	c/o Northern Technologies International Corporation
	Attention: President
	0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx 00
	Xxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
	Telefax: 0-000-000-0000

Copy to:	Mr. Yoshiharu Rikuta
	Mr. Haruhiko Rikuta
	Taiyo Petroleum Gas Co., LTD.
	0-0 Xxxxxxxxxx-xxxxxx x-xxxxx
	Xxxx-xx Xxxxx 000
	Xxxxx
	Telefax: 81 33 0000000

Copy to:	Northern Technologies International Corporation
	Attention: Chairman
	One Commerce Park Square
	00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx., Xxxxx 000
	Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
	Telefax: 0-000-000-0000

or to such other address as may be specified in writing by any of the above.

23.8 Entire Agreement.

This Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, contain the entire understanding of the Parties as of the date of execution of each such agreement. There are no representations, promises, warranties, covenants, agreements or undertakings other than those expressly set forth or provided for in this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, and the same supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the Parties with respect to the relationships and transactions contemplated by this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement. It is the intent of the Parties to develop the relationship established hereunder, however, and to amend and supplement this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement so as to provide for expansion both of Net Sales of Product and of the scope of the Corporation’s Business with Other Agreed Upon Technologies. Any amendment or supplement to this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements must, however, be clearly identified as such and set forth in writing (“Supplemental Documents”). Supplemental Documents may include Corporate Resolutions and/or other written exchanges between Parties, but must be manually signed, in the original, by duly authorized representatives of the Parties to constitute valid Supplemental Documents for purposes hereof.

23.9 Validity of Provisions.

Should any part of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements be declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion, which remaining portion shall continue in full force and effect as if such instrument had been executed with the invalid portion thereof eliminated therefrom, it being the intent of the Parties that they would have executed the remaining portion without including any such part or portion which may for any reason be declared invalid. In the event that a provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall be declared to be invalid, then the Parties agree that they shall, in good faith, negotiate with one another to replace such invalid provision with a valid provision as similar as possible to that which had been held to be invalid, giving due recognition to the reason for which such provision had been held invalid.

23.10 Governmental Filings.

PARTY A shall be responsible for the preparation and filing of all necessary reports relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby with each appropriate government agency in the Territory, and shall maintain all required governmental filings and permits current. PARTY B shall provide whatever information and documentation reasonably required of and available to it in connection with the preparation and filing of such reports.

23.11 Payments.

Any payment to be made to PARTY B or PARTY A pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be made by means of a wire transfer or by means of a deposit to a bona fide bank account as designated by PARTY A or PARTY B, as the case may be. PARTY A and PARTY B shall each have the right to specify in writing any bank account to which payments due them (respectively) shall be made.

23.12 Derivative Enforcement by PARTY B.

In the event of a Material Breach or Default of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements by PARTY A and/or its Agents, NTI PARTY B may, derivatively for and on behalf of the Corporation enforce the terms thereof against PARTY A and/or its Agents. In the event of derivative enforcement hereunder, the matter shall be adjudicated in accordance with the provisions of Article 19 hereof.

23.13 Derivative Enforcement by PARTY A.

In the event of a Material Breach or Default of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements by PARTY B and/or its Agents, PARTY A may, derivatively for and on behalf of the Corporation, enforce the terms of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements against PARTY B and/or its Agents. In the event of derivative enforcement hereunder, the matter shall be adjudicated in accordance with the provisions of Article 19 hereof.

23.14 Publicity.

Any publicity with respect to this Agreement prior to the formation of the Corporation shall be under the joint control of both Parties. After the formation of the Corporation, publicity shall be under the control of the Corporation as determined by the Board of Directors of TIANJIN ZERUST.

23.15 Ratification by the Corporation of the Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

The Parties shall cause the Corporation to expressly ratify, assume, approve, and adopt this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and to enter into the Ancillary Agreements as of the Effective Date so that the same, to the extent applicable to the Corporation, shall be binding upon it.

23.16 Brokers.

The Parties acknowledge that all negotiations relative to this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereunder have been carried on by them directly, without intervention of any other person retained by either of them so as to give rise to any valid claim against any of the Parties hereto or the Corporation for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or any similar payment.

ARTICLE 24
LANGUAGE AND COPIES

24.1 Language used in the Agreement and Appendixes

There are two versions of the Agreements made respectively in Chinese and English, both of which are of the same legal effect.

24.2 Copies

The original Chinese and English versions of the Agreement shall have six copies. Both PARTY A and NTI/PARTY B get two copies respectively, copies in English or Chinese or both will be provided to pursuant Chinese approval offices and for files in Chinese Industrial and Commercial Administration offices.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Shareholders Joint Venture Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

NTI ASEAN, LLC			TIANJIN CHINA MARCH GROUP LTD.


By: /s/			By: /s/

Document Metadata

Table of Contents

SHAREHOLDERS JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TIANJIN ZERUST ANTI-CORROSION TECHNOLOGIES LTD. BY AND BETWEEN TIANJIN CHINA MARCH GROUP LTD. AND NTI ASEAN, LLC. DATED AS OF 1 SEPTEMBER, 1999

Document Metadata