THIRD AMENDMENT
TO
JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT
This THIRD AMENDMENT to JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT (this "Amendment")
is entered into and effective as of March 31, 2000, by and among Solutia
Inc. ("Solutia"), and FMC Corporation ("FMC").
RECITALS:
--------
A. FMC and Solutia are parties to that certain Joint Venture
Agreement dated as of April 29, 1999, as amended by the First
Amendment to Joint Venture Agreement dated as of December 30,
1999, and as amended by the Second Amendment to Joint Venture
Agreement dated as of February 10, 2000 (as amended, the "JVA").
B. FMC and Solutia desire to amend the JVA on the terms and
conditions contained herein.
AMENDMENT
---------
Therefore, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and other
sufficient consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged,
FMC and Solutia, intending to be legally bound, hereby amend the JVA as
follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined
herein have the meanings given them in the JVA.
2. EFFECTIVE DATE. For all purposes, FMC and Solutia hereby agree that
the "Effective Date" is and shall be April 1, 2000.
3. AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT.
3.1. APPENDIX 1.15 (FIELD OF AGREEMENT) TO THE JVA.
At the end of Section I of Appendix 1.15, after the phrase
"Phosphorus Chemicals", the phrase "and Non-Phosphorus Containing
Detergents" is hereby added.
In addition, a new Section VI is hereby added to Appendix 1.15 as
follows:
"VI. Non-Phosphorus Containing Detergents shall mean all patents
and patent applications listed in Attachment C to this Appendix;
trade secrets, technology and know-how directly related thereto,
and all rights related to the foregoing, and with respect to
Solutia, subject to that certain license agreement dated as of
December 16, 1998 by and between Solutia Inc. and Nippon Shokubai
Co. Ltd. (the "Builder U License") for detergent uses of Builder U
(polymeric acetal carboxylate or derivative thereof), and patent
rights and know-how and trade secrets related thereto; provided,
however the Builder U License shall be assigned to the Joint
Venture, but Solutia shall retain the right to receive all royalty
payments under the Builder U License and any such royalty payments
received by the Joint Venture shall be promptly remitted to
Solutia."
3.2. PARTIES IN INTEREST IN THE JOINT VENTURE.
The first sentence of Section 5.1 of the JVA is deleted and
replaced with the following:
"Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, the Parties shall
each have a direct or indirect fifty percent (50%) interest in the
Joint Venture, and control of the Joint Venture shall be shared
equally between the Parties."
3.3. APPENDIX 7.1. Appendix 7.1 is deleted and replaced with the
new Appendix 7.1 attached hereto.
3.4. SEVERANCE.
Section 13.4 of the JVA is deleted in its entirety and replaced
with the following:
"13.4. In any country, including the United States, costs of
redundancies of marketing, administrative, and technical personnel
resulting from the formation of the Joint Venture shall be for the
account of FMC or Solutia, as the case may be (collectively, "MAT
Severance Costs"), with each of Solutia and FMC paying its own MAT
Severance Costs. Each party shall indemnify the Joint Venture and
each other against any such MAT Severance Costs."
3.5. OPEB.
Section 13.6 of the JVA is deleted in its entirety and replaced
with the following:
"13.6. The Joint Venture will reimburse Solutia for all costs
incurred in connection with claims by the JV Retirees for coverage
or benefits under any Solutia Plan and will pay an equal amount to
FMC, provided that the Joint Venture shall not be required to
reimburse Solutia for any costs to the extent such costs result
from liabilities which exceed in the aggregate $30 million.
"Solutia Plan" shall mean any medical or life insurance plan for
the benefit of any JV Retiree sponsored by (i) Solutia; or (ii)
Monsanto Company ("Monsanto") but only to the extent Solutia is
responsible for benefits and costs thereunder pursuant to the
Employee Benefits and Compensation Allocation Agreement between
Monsanto and Solutia dated as of September 1, 1997. Solutia
agrees that it will not amend any Solutia Plan if such amendment
would increase the Joint Venture's cost under this section, except
that it may amend the plan if ordered to do so by a court with
jurisdiction to make such order, including without limitation, an
order issued by the court in Solutia x. Xxxxxxxx, et al. and
related cases pending in the Northern District of Florida
approving a class action settlement. "JV Retirees" shall mean (i)
individuals (and their eligible dependents) who, prior to the
Effective Date, were employees of Solutia or Monsanto's (or
Monsanto's predecessors) respective Phosphorus Chemicals business
and who, on the Effective Date, are no longer employed by Solutia
(including those individuals on long-term disability), (ii) the
active employees as of the Effective Date (and their eligible
dependents), including employees on short term and long term
disability, of Solutia's Phosphorus Chemicals business who do not
join the Joint Venture for any reason and who terminate employment
with Solutia for any reason within 6 months following the
Effective Date, (iii) the active employees (and their eligible
dependents) of Solutia's Phosphorus Chemicals business who on or
after the Effective Date become former employees of Solutia and
become employees of the Joint Venture and subsequently terminate
employment for any reason with the Joint Venture, and (iv) without
duplication of the foregoing, the active employees as of the
Effective Date (and their eligible dependents) at Solutia's
Augusta plant who subsequently terminate employment with Solutia,
the Joint Venture, or any purchaser of the Augusta plant for any
reason.
2
(The information below marked by * and [] has been omitted pursuant to a
request for confidential treatment. The omitted portion has been
separately filed with the Commission.)
Each year Solutia will cause the Solutia Plan actuary or other
appropriate person to prepare a statement of the liabilities as of
January 1 and the expected costs for the year associated with the
JV Retirees. Solutia will invoice the Joint Venture annually on
or about July 1 of each year for the estimated costs described in
this Section for such year and for any costs associated with
determining the liabilities and costs, providing appropriate
documentation. Such invoice shall also include a statement of the
actual costs for the preceding year (if any) and reflect an
appropriate adjustment for the amount by which the previous year's
estimated payment differed from the actual costs. The Joint
Venture will pay such invoice within 30 days of the date of the
invoice. Solutia will forward a copy of its invoice to FMC
simultaneously with forwarding a copy of the invoice to the Joint
Venture. FMC will invoice the Joint Venture for the same amount
as appears on the Solutia invoice and the Joint Venture will pay
such FMC invoice within 30 days of the date of such invoice.
At Solutia's option any time after the date which is six months
after the Effective Date, Solutia may cause coverage under any
Solutia Plan to be terminated for JV retirees and require the
Joint Venture to adopt a plan providing for identical coverage for
the JV retirees (the "JV Plan") and to maintain the JV Plan for so
long as Solutia maintains a plan providing such coverage for its
retirees, provided that Solutia may not require the Joint Venture
to adopt or maintain any JV Plan to the extent the liability for
such plan exceeds $30 million. The Joint Venture may require
Solutia to provide the administrative services necessary for the
JV Plan, provided it agrees to reimburse Solutia for the costs of
providing such services. To the extent Solutia exercises the
option in this Section, (i) the Joint Venture's obligation to
reimburse Solutia set forth above shall be eliminated from the
effective date of the adoption of the JV Plan, (ii) FMC shall have
the option of terminating coverage under its plans for a group of
retirees to the extent necessary to provide for transfer of an
equal liability to the JV as that which would result from the
adoption of the JV plan, and (iii) if FMC elects not to so
terminate such coverage, the Joint Venture shall be obligated to
pay FMC an amount equal to the costs incurred by the JV retirees
for coverage or benefits under the JV Plan and any related
administrative costs.
On the Effective Date, the Joint Venture will assume an equal
amount of liabilities from FMC and Solutia for: (i) incurred but
not reported employee and retiree medical and dental expenses, and
(ii) FAS 112 liability associated with each Group's Phosphorus
Chemicals business (and if necessary to equalize such amounts,
from other businesses of a party that such party no longer owns)."
3.6. SECTION 15.2.
The second sentence of Section 15.2(c)(i) is deleted and replaced
with the following:
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3
(The information below marked by * and [] has been omitted pursuant to a
request for confidential treatment. The omitted portion has been
separately filed with the Commission.)
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3.7. THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES.
Section 23.1 of the JVA is deleted in its entirety and replaced
with the following:
"23.1. THIRD PARTIES. Except as expressly stated herein with
respect to members of each Group, no person or entity not a party
to this Agreement (including, without limitation, any employee of
either Group or the Joint Venture) shall be a third-party
beneficiary of any provision of this Agreement, and nothing
contained herein shall be construed or deemed to confer any
benefit or right upon any third party. Each of FMC and Solutia
shall be a third party beneficiary of each document or agreement
between the Joint Venture and any member of the other party's
Group executed prior to the Effective Date, on the Effective Date
or after the Effective Date, whether or not any such document or
agreement specifically provides for such third party beneficiary
status for so long as such party (or it successors and assigns)
owns an interest in the Joint Venture."
3.8. ARTICLE 15.2 (c)(iv).
The reference in Article 15.2 (c)(iv) to "15.3 (c)(ii)" is deleted
and replaced with "15.2 (c)(ii)."
4. NEW SECTIONS TO THE JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT.
4.1. BRAZIL. A new paragraph is added to the end of Section 24
of the JVA as follows:
"Solutia shall vote its interest in Solutia Participacoes, Ltda.,
which will be the Joint Venture's Subsidiary and which will be
renamed following the Effective Date, in precisely the same manner
as the Joint Venture votes its interest in Solutia Participacoes,
Ltda. Solutia will not take any action with respect to its
interest in Solutia Participacoes, Ltda., such as exercising any
dissenter's rights, minority rights, or similar rights, that would
be contrary to the interests of the Joint Venture in Solutia
Participacoes, Ltda. In addition, if, solely due to Solutia's
restructuring of its Brazilian Phosphorus Chemicals operations as
described on Appendix 24, a sales tax or other transfer or ad
valorem tax (collectively, "Sales Tax") is owing that would not
otherwise be payable if Solutia transferred its Brazilian
Phosphorus Chemicals assets (including the Fosbrasil Interest)
into the Joint Venture without any such restructuring, Solutia
shall pay the entire amount of any such Sales Tax. In addition,
any liability for income tax owing as a result of the
restructuring of Solutia's Brazilian Phosphorus Chemicals
operations as described on Appendix 24 shall be allocated in
accordance with Section 20.2 hereof."
4.2. CARTERET. A new Section 15.11(c) is added as follows:
4
(The information below marked by * and [] has been omitted pursuant to a
request for confidential treatment. The omitted portion has been
separately filed with the Commission.)
"Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article
15.11(a), all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
closure, mothballing, dismantling, removal or demolition down to
foundation level of the machinery, equipment and structures
located at the Carteret, New Jersey location that has been
mothballed or idled or are obsolete as of the Effective Date shall
be paid as follows: (i) the first [**********] shall be paid
solely by the Joint Venture, and (ii) any and all amounts in
excess of [**********] shall be paid solely by FMC or FMC shall
reimburse the Joint Venture for all such amounts. The Board of
Managers of the Joint Venture must approve any expenditures
described in this Article 15.11(c)."
4.3. SECTION 25.3 DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
A new Section 25.3 is hereby added as follows:
"25.3. The Parties agree that in lieu of the procedures set
forth in Article 25.1, the dispute resolution procedure for
controversies, claims or disputes concerning matters related to
the operations of the Joint Venture that may affect compliance of
the Pocatello facility with the Pocatello Consent Decree as
contemplated under the terms of Article 15.2(c) (the "Consent
Decree Matters") shall be as set forth in this Article 25.3. At
the request of either party in a written notice to the other
party's appointees to the Board, the Parties agree to negotiate in
good faith to resolve expeditiously any Consent Decree Matters.
Each party shall name a single representative from among its
appointees to the Board to resolve the controversy. Unless
otherwise specified in writing, such representatives shall be
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx for the FMC Group and Xxxxxx Xxxxxx for the
Solutia Group. If, after a period of ten (10) business days from
the date of such notice, such representatives cannot resolve the
Consent Decree Matter under consideration, then any such matter
not so resolved shall be referred (by written notice by either
party to the other party's general counsel and the other party's
representatives to the Board) to the Group Heads, who shall have
an initial meeting with respect to such matters within ten (10)
business days after the date of such referral notice, and who
shall thereafter negotiate in good faith with each other for an
additional ten (10) business day period following the date of such
initial meeting in an attempt to resolve any open issues. If the
Group Heads are unable to resolve such issues within such ten-
business-day period, the Parties shall be free to exercise their
rights and remedies as contemplated in Articles 25.1 and 25.2
above; provided, however, the Parties agree that during the
period in which any Consent Decree Matters have not been resolved,
FMC shall have the right to give, and Joint Venture shall be
obligated to comply with, reasonable instructions to ensure that
the Pocatello facility complies with the Pocatello Consent Decree;
provided, however, the parties agree that during the period in
which any Consent Decree Matters have not been resolved, FMC shall
have the right to suggest recommendations to Joint Venture, which
Joint Venture shall, unless Joint Venture reasonably determines
such recommendations are unreasonable or unworkable, accept and
implement such recommendations."
4.4. MISCELLANEOUS SECTION.
A new Section "SECTION 27. MISCELLANEOUS" is hereby added to the
JVA.
4.5. BUILDER U.
A new Section 27.1 is hereby added to the JVA:
"27.1. BUILDER U. With respect to the Builder U License (as
defined in Appendix 1.15), the Joint Venture shall not receive any
royalty or other payments thereunder and any royalty payments
received by the Joint Venture shall be promptly remitted to
Solutia. Furthermore, with respect to the Builder U License,
Solutia shall indemnify and hold the Joint Venture harmless from
any
5
(The information below marked by * and [] has been omitted pursuant to a
request for confidential treatment. The omitted portion has been
separately filed with the Commission.)
losses, damages, expenses and claims arising under the Builder U
License. The Joint Venture shall fully cooperate with Solutia in
connection with the Builder U License, including, with respect to
assuring the licensee's performance thereunder, cooperating with
Solutia in connection with the foregoing indemnity given by
Solutia, the maintenance of the licensed patents, and the defense
of the licensee against patent infringement pursuant to the
Builder U License."
4.6. SALE OF AUGUSTA AND XXXXXXXX P2S5 UNIT.
A new Section 27.2 is hereby added to the JVA:
"27.2. SALE OF AUGUSTA AND XXXXXXXX P2S5 UNIT. Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, (i) with respect to the
sale of the Augusta, Georgia facility by the Joint Venture, to the
extent any representations and warranties contained in any sale
documents are broader than the representations and warranties made
by Solutia to the Joint Venture in the Asset Transfer Agreement
between Solutia and the Joint Venture, Solutia shall indemnify and
hold harmless the Joint Venture to the extent of any such broader
representations and warranties without regard to any deductible or
de minimis as set forth in Sections 14.1(a) and 14.1(b) hereof,
and (ii) with respect to the sale of the Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx X0X0
facility by the Joint Venture, to the extent any representations
and warranties contained in any sale documents are broader than
the representations and warranties made by FMC to the Joint
Venture in the Asset Transfer Agreement between FMC and the Joint
Venture, FMC shall indemnify and hold harmless the Joint Venture
to the extent of any such broader representations and warranties
without regard to any deductible or de minimis as set forth in
Sections 14.1(a) and 14.1(b) hereof."
4.7. [***** *****] AGREEMENTS.
A new Section 27.3 is hereby added to the JVA:
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4.8. P4 PENALTY.
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(The information below marked by * and [] has been omitted pursuant to a
request for confidential treatment. The omitted portion has been
separately filed with the Commission.)
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7
(The information below marked by * and [] has been omitted pursuant to a
request for confidential treatment. The omitted portion has been
separately filed with the Commission.)
4.9. P4 SALES.
A new Section 27.5 is hereby added to the JVA:
"27.5. P4 SALES BY SOLUTIA. In the event that the Solutia Group
sells, transfers or otherwise conveys any business of the Solutia
Group that consumes or is dependent upon elemental phosphorus
(P4), notwithstanding the terms of Section 8.3 hereof, if Solutia
does not partially assign its rights under the Supply Agreement or
the New Supply Agreements, as the case may be, Solutia shall be
permitted to sell or otherwise transfer elemental phosphorus (P4)
to any purchaser or transferee of any such business of the Solutia
Group that consumes or is dependent upon elemental phosphorus
(P4)."
4.10. CARTERET ISRA FILING.
A new Section 27.6 is hereby added to the JVA:
"27.6. ISRA. FMC and Solutia agree that the Joint Venture's
execution of a Remediation Agreement Application under ISRA with
respect to FMC's Carteret, New Jersey site, and the Joint
Venture's execution of any other documents in connection therewith
or in connection with any ISRA remediation plan prepared by or on
behalf of FMC, shall not modify or alter in any respect the terms
of Section 15 of the JVA, and Section 15 shall remain fully
applicable to Carteret. In addition, FMC shall hold Solutia and
the Joint Venture harmless against any liability that the Joint
Venture or Solutia may incur if any cost estimates prepared by FMC
in connection with any ISRA remediation plan prepared by or on
behalf of FMC are erroneous in any respect, but the foregoing
provisions of this sentence shall not modify or alter in any
respect the terms of Section 15 of the JVA, and Section 15 shall
remain fully applicable to Carteret."
4.11. COKE.
A new Section 27.7 is hereby added to the JVA:
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8
(The information below marked by * and [] has been omitted pursuant to a
request for confidential treatment. The omitted portion has been
separately filed with the Commission.)
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*********** *** ************** ** ********** *** *** **** ** ****
*** ******* ******** ************ ** *** ********* ** **********]
4.12. P2S5.
A new Section 27.8 is hereby added to the JVA:
"27.8. P2S5 OFF-SPEC INVENTORY. The Parties hereto acknowledge
that certain of the inventory located at the FMC Group's Xxxxxxxx
facility and located at the Solutia Group's Krummrich facility at
the Effective Date is Off-Spec Inventory. As used in this
paragraph "Off-Spec Inventory" shall mean any and all inventory of
P2S5 existing at the Effective Date, that either (i) was not
accepted by such facilities' customers upon delivery, or (ii) was
withheld from shipment due to the failure of such P2S5 inventory
to meet then-applicable specifications for finished product.
Each of the FMC Group and the Solutia Group shall transfer an
equal amount (in pounds) of Off-Spec Inventory to the Joint
Venture on the Effective Date, which such amounts shall be valued
at the raw material value and included on such party's Closing
Balance Sheet.
Any excess in Off-Spec Inventory above such equal amount shall be
retained by the party holding such excess on the Effective Date
(such party being, the "Retaining Party"). After the Effective
Date, the Joint Venture shall provide storage, at the Retaining
Party's expense, for the Off-Spec Inventory of the Retaining Party
until such time as such Off-Spec Inventory is either reworked or
disposed of as set forth in this Section. The Retaining Party
shall be responsible for insuring such Off-Spec Inventory and
shall have all risk of loss and liability associated therewith
until disposed of or sold as provided for in this Section.
After the Effective Date, the Parties hereto agree to cause the
Joint Venture to use its commercially reasonable efforts to assist
the Retaining Party to dispose of any Off-Spec Inventory by
reworking such Off-Spec Inventory at the Joint Venture's Krummrich
P2S5 facility. If such Off-Spec Inventory is successfully
reworked into a product saleable to the Joint Venture's customers,
the Joint Venture shall purchase such reworked Off-Spec Inventory
from the Retaining Party by paying to the Retaining Party an
amount equal to the Krummrich Facility's standard whole cost of
P2S5, less the Joint Venture's costs and out-of-pocket expenses
related to the reworking of such material, including any related
freight costs paid or incurred by the Joint Venture.
In the case of Off-Spec Inventory that either cannot be or has
not been successfully reworked, the Joint Venture shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to seek buyers for the remaining
Off-Spec Inventory held by the Retaining Party. If such sale is
in the best interests of both the Retaining Party and the Joint
Venture, the Joint Venture shall sell such salable Off-Spec
Inventory on behalf of the Retaining Party and pay the Retaining
Party an amount equal to the net revenue realized on such sale
less the Joint Venture's costs and out-of-pocket expenses related
to sale and/or delivery of such material including, without
limitation, any freight costs paid or incurred by the Joint
Venture.
The Joint Venture shall also use commercially reasonable efforts
to find alternative uses for Off-Spec Inventory that cannot be
reworked or resold as P2S5 as provided above, including without
limitation, converting such material into salable Phosphorus
Chemicals. If the Joint Venture is successful in converting such
Off-Spec Inventory into salable Phosphorus Chemicals, the Joint
Venture shall sell such products on behalf of the Retaining Party
and pay the Retaining Party an
9
(The information below marked by * and [] has been omitted pursuant to a
request for confidential treatment. The omitted portion has been
separately filed with the Commission.)
amount equal to the net revenue realized on such sale less the
Joint Venture's costs and out-of-pocket expenses, including,
without limitation, any tolling conversion fees paid to third
parties and freight costs paid or incurred by the Joint Venture.
If after exercising its commercially reasonable efforts to convert
the Off-Spec Inventory into salable product, the Joint Venture
reasonably determines that the remaining Off-Spec Inventory cannot
be reworked or converted into a salable product, the Retaining
Party shall be responsible for disposal of such material and shall
bear all costs, expenses and liabilities (including, without
limitation, environmental liabilities) related thereto. The
Retaining Party agrees to properly dispose of all such Off-Spec
Inventory in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations
and in accordance with prudent environmental and safety standards.
[*** ********* ***** ***** **** ** ***** ** **** *** ********
********** ****** ***** ** *** ***** **** *** ********* ***** **
**** ****** *********** **** *** ***** ******** *** ** **** *****
*** ******** *********** **** ******** **** ** *****]
4.13. POCATELLO CONSENT DECREE ASSETS.
A new Section 27.9 is hereby added to the JVA:
"27.9. POCATELLO CONSENT DECREE ASSETS. The Parties hereto
acknowledge that certain of the assets necessary for FMC to be in
compliance with the Consent Decree (the "PCDA") will not be
contributed to the Joint Venture, but instead will be contributed
to FMC Properties, LLC ("FMC Properties"), a special purpose
wholly-owned subsidiary of FMC. The PCDA will be leased by FMC
Properties to the Joint Venture (the "Master Lease"). In
connection with this structure, FMC and Solutia have agreed that
the Joint Venture will purchase an insurance policy or bond for
each year during the term of such lease (each such bond or
insurance policy being, the "Insurance Policy"), owned by the
Joint Venture, with the Joint Venture as the beneficiary. The
Joint Venture shall annually renew and prepay the premium for the
following 12-month period for the Insurance Policy no less than 75
days prior to the expiration of the existing Insurance Policy.
The Insurance Policy shall provide that if FMC does not fund the
full amount of the payments under the Lease within 10 days of
demand by the Joint Venture or if the Insurance Policy is not
renewed as provided above (in either case upon the election of
Solutia as a member of Astaris Idaho (as defined in Section 27.11)
to make demand on the Insurance Policy) or if at the election of
Solutia as a member of Astaris Idaho determines for reasonable
business reasons to make demand on the Insurance Policy or
exercise any other rights or remedies available to the Joint
Venture, then the Insurance Policy shall fund such amount, without
set-off or deduction and without regard to the solvency or
insolvency of FMC. FMC and Solutia agree that the Insurance
Policy shall be issued on or before the Effective Date. FMC shall
cause the Insurance Policy to be issued on or before the Effective
Date in a form reasonably acceptable to Solutia and FMC."
4.14. INVENTORY.
A new Section 27.10 is hereby added to the JVA:
"27.10. INVENTORY. The Parties hereto acknowledge that it is
their intention that their respective Group contribute to the
Joint Venture inventory that meets specification or is reworkable,
and if such inventory is not in such condition and cannot be
reworked (and the Parties agree that the Joint Venture will use
its commercially reasonably efforts to rework such material), that
it shall be the responsibility of such Group to reimburse the
Joint Venture for the appropriate standard cost of replenishing
said inventory. If in the 90 day period following the Effective
Date, the Joint Venture determines in its commercially reasonable
judgment that it has
10
received from a Group non-reworkable, out of specification, or
non-existent physical inventory, vis-a-vis such Group's Closing
Balance Sheet, then it will contact FMC (if it is inventory from
the FMC Group) or Solutia (if it is inventory from the Solutia
Group), and if FMC or Solutia, as the case may be, and the Joint
Venture cannot resolve such matters, then such disputes shall be
handled by the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Article
25 hereof. No amount may be claimed by the Joint Venture against
a Group unless such amount is in excess of $100,000 in the
aggregate with respect to a Group. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
this Section 27.10 does not apply to off-specification P2S5
inventory which is discussed above in Section 27.8."
4.15. STRUCTURE.
A new Section 27.11 is hereby added to the JVA:
"27.11. STRUCTURE.
27.11(A) The Parties hereto acknowledge that it is their
intention that the initial structure of the Joint Venture in the
United States shall be as shown on Appendix 27.11 attached hereto.
This is an initial domestic structure and may be changed or
modified at any time by the mutual written agreement of the
Parties.
27.11(B) All of the Solutia Group's Transferred Assets shall be
contributed to a parent company initially known as Astaris LLC.
Astaris LLC shall be owned 50% by Solutia and 50% by FMC.
27.11(C) Subject to Section 27.11(F), the FMC Group's
Transferred Assets that are exclusively dedicated or exclusively
used at the Pocatello Site, as well as its interest in the Master
Lease (as defined below), shall be contributed by the FMC Group to
an entity initially known Astaris Idaho LLC ("Astaris Idaho").
Astaris Idaho will initially be owned 99% by FMC and 1% by
Solutia. The transfers described in this Section will occur prior
to the contribution by FMC to Astaris LLC as described in Section
27.11(E).
27.11(D) The FMC Group's Transferred Assets that are
exclusively dedicated or exclusively used at the Xxxxxxxx Site, or
are mining properties, such as the Silica mine, the shale reserves
or the phosphates reserves, shall be contributed by the FMC Group
to an entity initially known Astaris Production LLC ("Astaris
Production"). Astaris Production will initially be owned 99% by
FMC and 1% by Solutia. In addition, a joint and undivided
interest in all of the PPA Technology will be transferred by the
FMC Group to Astaris Production. The transfers described in this
Section will occur prior to the contribution by FMC to Astaris LLC
as described in Section 27.11(E)
27.11(E) Subject to Section 27.11(F), the FMC Group will
contribute its remaining Transferred Assets, which will also
include, without limitation, a 98% interest in both Astaris Idaho
and Astaris Production, to Astaris LLC.
27.11(F) All PCDA (as defined in Section 27.9) shall be
contributed to FMC Properties (as defined in Section 27.9). FMC
Properties shall be owned 100% by FMC. On the Effective Date, FMC
Properties shall enter into a Master Lease Agreement with FMC
Properties for the lease of all then or thereafter existing PCDA
(the "Master Lease"). FMC will be obligated to fund all rentals
and the purchase option in the Master Lease. FMC's obligations
shall be secured by the Insurance Policy, as well as a pledge of
all of the membership interests in FMC Properties
11
in favor of Astaris Idaho and a security interest in favor of
Astaris Idaho in all of FMC Properties' assets.
27.11(G) Astaris Idaho and Astaris Properties will be member
managed limited liability companies. Astaris LLC and its
subsidiaries shall enter into such agreements as may be necessary
from time to time with regards to tax, operations and other
matters."
4.16. FMC PROPERTIES INDEMNITY.
A new Section 27.12 is hereby added to the JVA:
"27.12. FMC PROPERTIES INDEMNITY. FMC agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Joint Venture and the Solutia Group from any tax
liability arising in connection with the transactions contemplated
by the Operating Agreement for FMC Properties, the Master Lease
and the assignment of the Master Lease; provided, however, with
respect to transfer taxes, FMC shall only indemnify the Joint
Venture with respect to any transfer taxes in excess of the amount
of transfer taxes that the Joint Venture would have been liable
for under Section 20.2 of this Agreement had the PCDA been
transferred by FMC to the Joint Venture as a Transferred Asset on
the Effective Date.
4.17. BONDS.
A new Section 27.13 is hereby added to the JVA:
"27.13. BONDS.
27.13(A) FMC has entered into a Loan Agreement (as amended,
modified, supplemented or restated the, "Loan Agreement") with the
Industrial Development Authority of Power County, Idaho, dated as
of August 1, 1999 (the "Issuer"). In connection therewith, the
Issuer entered into an Indenture of Trust (as amended, modified,
supplemented or restated from time to time, the "Indenture") with
the Bank of New York, as trustee, dated as of August 1, 1999 (the
"Trustee"). The Issuer issued $50,000,000 in bonds (the "Bonds")
the proceeds of which were loaned to FMC pursuant to the Loan
Agreement to be used by FMC to purchase certain PCDA (as defined
in Section 27.9). In connection with the foregoing, FMC, the
Issuer and the Trustee executed a Tax Exemption Certificate and
Agreement, dated as of August 20, 1999 (as amended, modified,
supplemented or restated, the "Tax Agreement") and FMC executed a
Project Certificate, dated as of August 20, 1999 (the "Project
Certificate"). The Indenture, the Loan Agreement, the Tax
Agreement and the Project Certificate, together with the
documents, agreements and certificates executed in connection
therewith or delivered in connection therewith are collectively
referred to as the "Bond Documents."
Furthermore, FMC intends to finance certain additional PCDA by the
use of additional bonds which will be issued after the Effective
Date (the "Future Bonds"). Simultaneously with the issuance of
the Future Bonds, (i) the defined term "Bonds" above shall be
deemed to include the Future Bonds, and (ii) all documents,
instruments and agreements executed in connection with the Future
Bonds or delivered in connection with the Future Bonds (including,
without limitation, all indentures, loan agreements and tax
agreements) shall be deemed to be included in the definition of
"Bond Documents."
Finally, FMC has existing bonds relating to certain assets at the
Pocatello, Idaho facility (the "Old Bonds"). All documents,
instruments and agreements executed in connection with the Old
Bonds or delivered in connection with the Old Bonds (including,
without limitation, all
12
indentures, loan agreements and tax agreements) shall be deemed to
be included in the definition of "Bond Documents."
27.13(B) Neither the Joint Venture, the Solutia Group, nor their
respective employees, agents, officers and directors
(collectively, the "Released Group", and individually, each being
a "member of the Released Group"), shall be liable to FMC or any
other member of the FMC Group (or any of their respective
employees, agents, officers and directors) for, and FMC releases
and discharges and shall cause each member of the FMC Group to
release and discharge (and each officer, director, employee, and
agent thereof to so release and discharge), each member of the
Released Group from, any and all claims, damages, liabilities,
actions, suits, proceedings, judgments, orders, fines, penalties,
injuries, direct or liquidated damages, costs (including costs of
defense and investigation) and expenses, including special,
incidental consequential, exemplary, indirect or punitive damages
(collectively, "Losses"), to, or suffered by, or incurred by, FMC
or any other member of the FMC Group, or any officer, director,
employee or agent of FMC or any member of the FMC Group arising
out of or connected with in any manner the Old Bonds, the Bonds or
the Bond Documents, including, without limitation, any sale,
transfer or disposition of any asset purchased with proceeds of
the Old Bonds or the Bonds by any person or entity, any action at
the Pocatello facility (including the shutdown of such facility)
or any change in control of the Joint Venture. It is the express
intention of the Parties hereto that the release provided for in
this subsection is to include, but not be limited to, a release by
FMC and the FMC Group, and their respective officers, directors,
employees and agents of each member of the Released Group from the
consequences of any member of the Released Group's own negligence,
to the extent that such negligence is either the sole, concurring
or joint cause of the Losses. The foregoing Release does not
include, with respect to the Joint Venture, any intentional or
willful breach by the Joint Venture of Section 27.13(E) below.
27.13(C) FMC hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any
member of the Released Group, from any and all Losses incurred or
paid by any member of the Released Group, including, without
limitation, to any FMC or any other member of the FMC Group
(including an employee, contractor or agent of FMC or the FMC
Group, or any of their officers, directors, employees or agents),
or any third party (including an employee, contractor or agent of
any member of the Released Group, or any of their officers,
directors, employees or agents) arising out of or connected with
any act or omission, negligent or otherwise, of any member of the
Released Group with respect to the Old Bonds, the Bonds or the
Bond Documents. It is the express intention of the Parties
hereto that the indemnity provided for in this subsection is to
include, but not be limited to, the Released Group from the
consequences of each member of the Released Group's own
negligence, to the extent that such negligence is either the sole,
concurring or joint cause of the Losses. The foregoing indemnity
does not include, with respect to the Joint Venture, any
intentional or willful breach by the Joint Venture of Section
27.13(E) below. FMC and the FMC Group's obligations in this
Section and its representation and warranty below are without
regard to any deductible or de minimis as set forth in Sections
14.1(a) and 14.1(b) hereof
27.13(D) FMC agrees to promptly provide written notice to the
Joint Venture and to Solutia upon FMC receiving written notice of,
or having knowledge of, any default under the Bond Documents. The
failure of FMC to give any such notice shall not give rise to any
liability by FMC to the Joint Venture or Solutia unless such
failure is intentional or willful. FMC represents and warrants
that with respect to any assets purchased with proceeds of the Old
Bonds Astaris is not and will not be subject to any restrictions
on transfer or use, or any other type of restriction, and such
assets are not subject to any lien, encumbrance or security
interest of any kind or nature.
13
(The information below marked by * and [] has been omitted pursuant to a
request for confidential treatment. The omitted portion has been
separately filed with the Commission.)
27.13(E) The Joint Venture agrees to provide written notice to
FMC and to Solutia no less than 60 days prior to the Joint
Venture's change of the use from a solid waste disposal facility
of any material assets being leased under the Master Lease (as
defined in Section 27.9) which was purchased with the proceeds of
the Bonds or selling, transferring, conveying or leasing any of
the assets identified in the Master Lease (as defined in Section
27.9) as being purchased with the proceeds of the Bonds; provided,
however, the foregoing obligation of the Joint Venture shall not
apply to any the ordinary course replacement of any such
nonmaterial assets; and provided further, however, with respect to
an involuntary sale, transfer, lease or conveyance of such assets,
whether by the Joint Venture or any third party, including,
without limitation, any action taken by any creditor of the Joint
Venture, the Joint Venture shall not be obligated to give prior
notice of such involuntary sale, transfer, lease or conveyance of
such assets, but upon the Joint Venture receiving notice of such
involuntary sale, transfer, lease or conveyance, the Joint Venture
shall use its reasonable efforts to provide notice of such
involuntary sale, transfer, lease or conveyance of such assets to
FMC. The failure of the Joint Venture to give any such notice
shall not give rise to any liability by FMC to the Joint Venture
or Solutia unless such failure is intentional or willful.
27.13(F) The Joint Venture shall as promptly as reasonably
practical respond to FMC's reasonable inquiries made to the Joint
Venture by FMC from time to time regarding the use of the assets
purchased with the proceeds of the Bonds subject to the Master
Lease.
27.13(G) All references to the "Joint Venture" in this Section
27.13 shall refer to the Joint Venture and its successors and
assigns."
4.18. [****** ****]
A new Section 27.14 is hereby added to the JVA:
"27.14. [****** ****] SALES CONTRACT. [**** ******* ** ****
******* ********** ****** ******** ** *** ******* *** *** ******
***** ***** **** ** ***** ** ******* ** * ****** ********** *****
******** *** **** **** ******* ************ *** ******* ***** ****
*** **** ********** *** ***** ******* *** ******* ******* ** ***
********* ** *** ****** ********* ** *** **** **** ** *** *****
******* ** ***** ** ********** **** *** ********** ******* ***
**** ******* *** ***** ******** ***** ****** ******** ************
******** ** *** *********** ** *** ********** **********]
4.19. CARONDOLET PROJECT.
A new Section 27.15 is hereby added to the JVA:
"27.15. CARONDOLET ASSETS. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in any of the Limited Liability Company Agreements of the
Joint Venture, in the event that the Internal Revenue Service
succeeds in requiring the Joint Venture to capitalize (and
depreciate) installation of a cooling tower for the STP cooling
water at Carondolet to be funded by Solutia (the "Carondolet
Project"), then the parties agree that: (i) Solutia's funding of
the Carondolet Project shall (for purposes of the Limited
Liability Agreements and for income tax purposes) be treated as a
capital contribution to the Joint Venture; and, (ii) tax
depreciation allowed to the Joint Venture on the Carondolet
Project shall be specially allocated to Solutia."
5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each Party hereby represents and
warrants to the other Party as of the date hereof that (i) this
Amendment has been duly authorized by such Party's Board of Directors,
14
(ii) no consents are necessary from any third Person for such Party's
execution, delivery or performance of this Amendment which have not been
obtained, and (iii) this Amendment constitutes the legal, valid and
binding obligation of such Party enforceable against such Party in
accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws related to creditors
rights generally or by the application of equity principles.
6. EFFECT OF AMENDMENT; REAFFIRMATION. The execution, delivery and
effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a waiver of any
right, power or remedy of either Party under the JVA, nor constitute a
waiver of any provision of the JVA. Each reference in the JVA and in
this Amendment to "the JVA", "the Agreement", "hereunder", "hereof",
"herein", or words of like import, shall be read as referring to the JVA
as amended by this Amendment. Each Party hereby acknowledges and
confirms that except as expressly amended hereby, the JVA remains in
full force and effect.
7. GOVERNING LAW. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed
under the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to choice
or conflicts of law principles thereunder.
8. SECTION TITLES. The section titles in this Amendment are for
convenience of reference only and shall not be construed so as to modify
any provisions of this Amendment.
9. COUNTERPARTS; FACSIMILE TRANSMISSIONS. This Amendment may be
executed in one or more counterparts and on separate counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument. Signatures to this Amendment
may be given by facsimile or other electronic transmission, and such
signatures shall be fully binding on the party sending the same.
{REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK; SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS}
15
(The information below marked by * and [] has been omitted pursuant to a
request for confidential treatment. The omitted portion has been
separately filed with the Commission.)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been duly executed as of
the date first above written.
SOLUTIA INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
---------------------------------
Print Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
---------------------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------------------
FMC CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
---------------------------------
Print Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
---------------------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------------------
ATTACHMENTS TO THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT [OMITTED]
Attachment C to Appendix 1.15 to the JVA
New Appendix 7.1 to the JVA to replace the existing Appendix 7.1
New Appendix 15.2 to the JVA (Pocatello Consent Decree Asset Principles)
New Appendix 24 to the JVA (Brazilian Restructuring)
New Appendix 27.11 to the JVA (Joint Venture Structure)
Appendix 27.14 to the JVA ([******] example)
16
OMITTED ATTACHMENTS
A list briefly identifying the contents of all omitted attachments to this
Third Amendment to Joint Venture Agreement appears on page 16 of the Third
Amendment. Solutia will furnish supplementally to the Securities and
Exchange Commission upon request a copy of any omitted attachment.
