Purchase and Sale Agreement dated July 16, 2024 by and between Kronos Louisiana, Inc., Kronos Worldwide, Inc., Venator Investments, Ltd. and Venator Materials PLC
Execution Version
PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
THIS PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of July 16, 2024 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Kronos Louisiana, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (“Kronos Partner”), Kronos Worldwide, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (“Kronos Parent” and together with Kronos Partner, “Kronos”), Venator Investments Ltd., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Venator Partner” and together with Kronos Partner, the “Partners”), Venator Materials PLC, a public limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales (“Venator Parent” and together with Venator Partner, “Venator”) and Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P., a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware (the “Joint Venture”). Kronos Partner, Kronos Parent, Venator Partner, Venator Parent and the Joint Venture may each be individually referred to as a “Party” and collectively referred to as the “Parties”. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Joint Venture Agreement (as defined below).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Kronos Partner and Venator Partner are parties to that certain Joint Venture Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1993 (as amended, the “Joint Venture Agreement”), pursuant to which the Kronos Partner and the predecessor to Venator Partner formed the Joint Venture, Kronos Partner is party to that certain Kronos Offtake Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1993 and Venator Partner is party to that certain Tioxide Americas Offtake Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1993 (the “Venator Offtake Agreement”);
WHEREAS, each of Kronos Partner and Venator Partner owns a 50% Percentage Interest (as defined in the Joint Venture Agreement) in the Joint Venture;
WHEREAS, Venator Partner desires to sell and transfer its 50% Percentage Interest in the Joint Venture (consisting of a 25% general partner interest and a 25% limited partner interest) (collectively, the “Venator Interest”) to Kronos Partner, and Kronos Partner wishes to purchase and acquire the Venator Interest; and
WHEREAS, Venator Partner and Kronos Partner have agreed that Venator Partner shall sell, and Kronos Partner shall purchase, the Venator Interest on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which the Parties hereby acknowledge, the Parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree to the foregoing and as follows:
PURCHASE AND SALE OF VENATOR INTEREST
1.1 | Purchase and Sale. At the Closing, Venator Partner shall sell and transfer the Venator Interest to Kronos Partner, free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than transfer restrictions arising under applicable securities laws or the governing documents of the Joint Venture (including the Joint Venture Agreement) and any Encumbrances created by Kronos Partner or Kronos Parent, and Kronos Partner shall purchase and acquire the Venator Interest from Venator Partner for US$185,000,000, minus the Pre-Closing Venator Receivable/Payable Net Balance Amount, (the “Closing Consideration”). |
US-DOCS\151952090.11
“Encumbrance” means any charge, claim, pledge, condition, equitable interest, lien (statutory or other), option, security interest, mortgage, or restriction of any kind, including any restriction on use, voting, transfer, receipt of income or exercise of any other attribute of ownership. “Pre-Closing Venator Receivable/Payable Net Balance Amount” means an amount equal to $5,531,000, as calculated in accordance with Schedule 1 (the “Venator Receivable/Payable Settlement Methodology”). |
1.2 | For the avoidance of doubt, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, as part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Venator Partner shall convey to Kronos Partner, and Kronos Partner shall receive from Venator Partner, (i) all rights, claims and credits arising under insurance policies and all guarantees, warranties, indemnities and similar rights in favor of Venator Partner in respect of the Venator Interest, the Joint Venture Agreement, or the Joint Venture; and (ii) all rights, claims, credits, causes of action, rights to indemnification and contribution or rights of setoff against third parties in favor of Venator Partner in respect of the Venator Interest, the Joint Venture Agreement, or the Joint Venture. |
1.3 | Payment of the Closing Consideration. No later than July 17, 2024, Kronos Partner shall pay the Closing Consideration to Venator Partner by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account or accounts identified by Venator Partner prior to the Closing. |
1.4 | Transfer of Venator Interest. The Parties hereby agree to execute and deliver at the Closing an assignment instrument, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Parties, sufficient to evidence that the transfer of the Venator Interest to Kronos Partner has occurred (the “Assignment Agreement”), although the failure to execute any such document evidencing the Closing will not affect the validity and effectiveness of the transfer and assignment of the Venator Interest at the Closing. |
CLOSING; POST-CLOSING ADJUSTMENT; EARNOUT
2.1 | Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place with an effective date of July 16, 2024 (the “Closing Date”) remotely by exchange of documents and signatures (or their electronic counterparts). For purposes of the Post-Closing Adjustment, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be deemed to occur at the Stoppage Time. |
2.2 | Pre-Closing Procedures and Closing Deliverables. |
2
US-DOCS\151952090.11
(i) | complete the actions set forth on Schedule 2 (the “Pre-Closing Procedures”); and |
(ii) | deliver to Venator Partner and Kronos Partner the statement set forth on Schedule 3, which shall include (A) a calculation of the Current Assets, minus Current Liabilities, determined as of June 30, 2024, and (B) its good faith estimate of Closing Working Capital. |
(i) | the Closing Consideration, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account or accounts identified by Venator Partner prior to the Closing; and |
(ii) | the Assignment Agreement, duly executed by Kronos Partner. |
2.3 | Working Capital Adjustment. |
(i) | Closing Working Capital, which statement shall contain financial statements of the Joint Venture as of the Closing Date (without giving effect to the transactions contemplated herein) in the form set forth in the template attached hereto as Schedule 4 (the “Blue Book Template”), with such financial statements prepared pursuant to Schedule 5 (the “Blue Book Principles”); |
(ii) | the Closing Venator Receivable/Payable Net Balance Amount; and |
(iii) | Final Consideration. |
3
US-DOCS\151952090.11
(i) | “Closing Working Capital” means (a) the Current Assets, minus (b) the Current Liabilities, determined as of the applicable times identified in Schedule 2 on the Closing Date. |
(ii) | “Current Assets” means the current assets of the Joint Venture, which shall only include the line items set forth under the heading “Total Current Assets” in the form balance sheet contained in the Blue Book Template, determined using the Blue Book Principles. Current Assets shall exclude any and all Destroyed Venator Packaging. |
(iii) | “Current Liabilities” means the current liabilities of the Joint Venture, which shall only include the line items set forth under the heading “Total Current Liabilities” in the form balance sheet contained in the Blue Book Template, determined using the Blue Book Principles. |
(iv) | “Target Working Capital Amount” means US$80,000,000.00. For explanatory purposes only, the foregoing amount is representative of 100% of the working capital of the Joint Venture, and corresponds to US$40,000,000 working capital estimate on a per partner basis. |
(v) | “Working Capital Adjustment Amount” means the amount (which may be positive or negative) equal to (i) the Closing Working Capital minus the Target Working Capital Amount, (ii) divided by two. |
(vi) | “Closing Venator Receivable/Payable Net Balance Amount” means the amount (which may be positive or negative) equal to the Joint Venture’s accounts payable to Venator Partner, minus its accounts receivable from Venator Partner, determined as of the Stoppage Time in accordance with the Pre-Closing Procedures. |
(vii) | “Final Consideration” means (i) $185,000,000, plus (ii) the Closing Venator Receivable/Payable Net Balance Amount, plus (iii) the Working Capital Adjustment Amount. |
(i) | Examination. After receipt of the Closing Working Capital Statement, Venator Partner shall have 30 days (the “Working Capital Review Period”) to review the Closing Working Capital Statement. |
(ii) | Objection. On or prior to the last day of the Working Capital Review Period, Venator Partner may object to the Closing Working Capital Statement by delivering to Kronos Partner a written statement setting forth Venator Partner’s objections in reasonable detail, indicating each disputed item or amount and the basis for Venator Partner’s disagreement therewith (the “Statement of Objections”). If Venator Partner fails to deliver the Statement of Objections before the expiration of the Working Capital Review Period, the Closing Working |
4
US-DOCS\151952090.11
Capital Statement and the Post-Closing Adjustment, as the case may be, reflected in the Closing Working Capital Statement shall be deemed to have been accepted by Venator Partner. If Venator Partner delivers the Statement of Objections before the expiration of the Working Capital Review Period, Kronos Partner and Venator Partner shall negotiate in good faith to resolve such objections within 30 days after the delivery of the Statement of Objections (the “Resolution Period”), and, if the same are so resolved within the Resolution Period, the Post-Closing Adjustment and the Closing Working Capital Statement with such changes as may have been previously agreed in writing by Kronos Partner and Venator Partner, shall be final and binding. |
(iii) | Resolution of Disputes. If Venator Partner and Kronos Partner fail to reach an agreement with respect to all of the matters set forth in the Statement of Objections before expiration of the Resolution Period, then any amounts remaining in dispute (“Disputed Amounts”) shall be submitted for resolution to the New York office of Grant Thornton or, if Grant Thornton is unable to serve, Kronos Partner and Venator Partner shall appoint by mutual agreement the office of an impartial nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants other than the accountants of the Parties (the “Independent Accountants”). The Independent Accountants shall be directed to render a written report, acting as experts and not as arbitrators, on Disputed Amounts and make any adjustments to the Post-Closing Adjustment, as the case may be, and the Closing Working Capital Statement. If Disputed Amounts are submitted to the Independent Accountant, Kronos Partner and Venator Partner shall each furnish to the Independent Accountant such work papers, schedules and other documents and information relating to the Disputed Amounts as the Independent Accountant may reasonably request. The parties hereto agree that all adjustments shall be made without regard to materiality. The Independent Accountants shall only decide the specific items under dispute by the parties and their decision for each Disputed Amount must be within the range of values assigned to each such item in the Closing Working Capital Statement and the Statement of Objections, respectively. |
(iv) | Fees of the Independent Accountants. The fees and expenses of the Independent Accountant shall be borne by Venator Partner and Kronos Partner in proportion to the amounts by which their respective calculations of the Post-Closing Adjustment differ from Post-Closing Adjustment as finally determined by the Independent Accountant. |
(v) | Determination by Independent Accountants. The Independent Accountants shall make a determination as soon as practicable within 30 days (or such other time as the parties hereto shall agree in writing) after their engagement, and their resolution of the Disputed Amounts |
5
US-DOCS\151952090.11
and their adjustments to the Post-Closing Adjustment shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties hereto. |
2.4 | Earn-Out. |
Threshold | Average Annual EBITDA Threshold: | Earn-Out Payment (prior to tax withholding): |
1 | Less than US$325,000,000 | $0 |
2 | Equal to or greater than US$325,000,000, but less than US$365,000,000 | US$5,000,000, plus an amount equal to: a) US$10,000,000; multiplied by b) Average Annual EBITDA minus US$325,000,000, divided by US$40,000,000. |
3 | Equal to or greater than US$365,000,000 | US$15,000,000 (the “Maximum Earn-Out Payment”) |
The Earn-Out Payments listed above are not cumulative, and Venator Partner shall be entitled only to the Earn-Out Payment corresponding to the applicable Average Annual EBITDA threshold achieved. For example, if the Average Annual EBITDA were US$350,000,000, the Earn-Out Payment (prior to tax withholding) to Venator Partner would be US$11,250,000.
6
US-DOCS\151952090.11
(i) | “EBITDA” means, for the applicable period of time, net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization of Kronos Parent applied and calculated in a manner consistent with the illustrative EBITDA calculation set forth on Schedule 6. |
(ii) | “Audited Financial Statements” means the Kronos Parent audited financial statements consisting of the balance sheet of Kronos Parent as of December 31 in each of the years 2025 and 2026 and the related statements of income and retained earnings, stockholders’ equity and cash flow for the fiscal years then ended, in each case, as included in Kronos Parent’s Form 10-K filings for such fiscal years. |
(iii) | “Average Annual EBITDA” means sum of EBITDA for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2026, divided by two. |
(iv) | “Earn-Out Period” means the period beginning on January 1, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2026. |
(i) | On or before the date which is 90 days after the last day of the Earn-Out Period, such date, the “Earn-Out Calculation Delivery Date”, Kronos Partner shall prepare and deliver to Venator Partner a written statement (the “Earn-Out Calculation Statement”) setting forth in reasonable detail its determination of EBITDA for each of the calendar years during the Earn-Out Period and its calculation of the resulting Earn-Out Payment (the “Earn-Out Calculation”). |
(ii) | Venator Partner shall have 30 days after receipt of the Earn-Out Calculation Statement (the “Earn-Out Review Period”) to review the Earn-Out Calculation Statement and the Earn-Out Calculation set forth therein. Prior to the expiration of the Earn-Out Review Period, Venator Partner may object to the Earn-Out Calculation set forth in the Earn-Out Calculation Statement by delivering a written notice of objection (an “Earn-Out Calculation Objection Notice”) to Kronos Partner; provided, that the only basis on which Venator Partner may dispute any matter in the Earn-Out Calculation is a formula error contained in the Earn-Out Calculation Statement. Venator Partner shall not be permitted to object to any numbers set forth in Kronos Parent’s Audited Financial Statements. Any Earn-Out Calculation Objection Notice shall specify the items in the applicable Earn-Out Calculation disputed by Venator Partner and shall describe in reasonable detail the basis for such objection, as well as the amount in dispute. If Venator Partner fails to deliver an Earn-Out Calculation Objection Notice to Kronos Partner prior to the expiration of the Earn-Out Review Period, then the Earn-Out Calculation set forth in the Earn-Out Calculation Statement shall |
7
US-DOCS\151952090.11
be final and binding on the parties hereto. If Venator Partner timely delivers an Earn-Out Calculation Objection Notice, Kronos Partner and Venator Partner shall negotiate in good faith to resolve the disputed items and agree upon the Earn-Out Payment. If Kronos Partner and Venator Partner are unable to reach agreement within thirty (30) days after such an Earn-Out Calculation Objection Notice has been given, all unresolved disputed items shall be referred to the office of Grant Thornton or, if Grant Thornton is unable to serve, Kronos Partner and Venator Partner shall appoint by mutual agreement the office of an impartial nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants other than Venator Partner’s accountants or Kronos Partner’s accountants, who, acting as experts and not arbitrators, shall resolve the unresolved disputed items. The Independent Accountant shall be directed to render a written report on the unresolved disputed items with respect to the Earn-Out Calculation as promptly as practicable, but in no event greater than forty-five (45) days (or such other time period as the parties may agree to in writing) after such submission to the Independent Accountant, and to resolve only those unresolved disputed items set forth in the Earn-Out Calculation Objection Notice. If unresolved disputed items are submitted to the Independent Accountant, Kronos Partner and Venator Partner shall each furnish to the Independent Accountant such work papers, schedules and other documents and information relating to the unresolved disputed items as the Independent Accountant may reasonably request. The Independent Accountant shall resolve the disputed items based solely on the applicable definitions and other terms in this Agreement and the presentations by Kronos Partner and Venator Partner, and not by independent review. The resolution of the dispute and the calculation of EBITDA for each of the calendar years during the Earn-Out Period that is the subject of the applicable Earn-Out Calculation Objection Notice by the Independent Accountant shall be final and binding on the parties hereto. The fees and expenses of the Independent Accountant shall be borne by Venator Partner and Kronos Partner in proportion to the amounts by which their respective calculations of the Earn-Out Payment differ from the Earn-Out Payment as finally determined by the Independent Accountant. |
8
US-DOCS\151952090.11
9
US-DOCS\151952090.11
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF VENATOR
Venator Partner and Venator Parent, as applicable, hereby represent and warrant to Kronos as of the Effective Date and Closing that:
3.1 | Organization. Venator Partner is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Venator Parent is a public limited company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of England and Wales. |
3.2 | Authorization. Each of Venator Partner and Venator Parent has the requisite power and authority and has taken all action necessary to execute and deliver this Agreement, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to perform their respective obligations hereunder, and no other proceedings on the part of Venator are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Venator and is the valid and binding obligation of Venator, enforceable against Venator in accordance with its terms. Each of Venator Partner and Venator Parent is in full possession, custody and control of its respective assets (including without limitation and with respect to Venator Partner, the Venator Interest), and Venator Partner has the power to convey the Venator Interest without the approval of any third party, court, or other tribunal. |
3.3 | No Conflict. The execution and delivery by each of Venator Partner and Venator Parent of this Agreement and all other instruments and documents required to be executed pursuant to this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not and will not: (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of the organizational documents of either Venator Partner or Venator Parent; (ii) result in a breach of any agreement to which either Venator Partner and Venator Parent is a party, respectively, that would impair the performance of each of their respective obligations hereunder (taking into account, for the avoidance of doubt, the effect of Section 6.5); or (iii) violate any Law applicable to either Venator Partner or Venator Parent. “Law” means any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, order, constitution, treaty, common law, judgment, decree, other requirement or rule of law of any Governmental Authority. “Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, local or foreign government or |
10
US-DOCS\151952090.11
political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of such government or political subdivision, or any arbitrator, court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction. |
3.4 | Venator Interest. The Venator Interest is beneficially owned by Venator Partner, free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than transfer restrictions arising under applicable securities laws or the governing documents of the Joint Venture (including the Joint Venture Agreement) and any Encumbrances created by Kronos Partner or Kronos Parent. Venator Partner is the record owner of and has good and valid title to the Venator Interest. |
3.5 | Sufficiency of Funds. Venator has sufficient funds to consummate the transactions, to perform its obligations hereunder (including all payments to be made by it in connection herewith) and to pay all of its expenses related to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereto, including the payment in cash of all fees and expenses payable by Venator in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Venator Transaction Payment Obligations”). Venator has not incurred any obligation, commitment, restriction or liability of any kind, and is not contemplating or aware of any obligation, commitment or restriction of any kind, in either case, which would reasonably be expected to impair or adversely affect its ability to make the Venator Transaction Payment Obligations. |
3.6 | Solvency. Assuming (a) compliance by Kronos with its obligations hereunder and (b) that the representations and warranties of Kronos contained in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects following the Closing, and after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Venator Partner and Venator Parent will each be solvent. Neither Venator Partner nor Venator Parent is making any transfer of property or incurring any liability in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future creditors of Venator Partner or Venator Parent. |
11
US-DOCS\151952090.11
3.10 | No Additional Representations and Warranties. Except for the express representations and warranties provided in this ARTICLE III, none of Venator Partner, any of its affiliates (including Venator Parent), or any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders, partners, members or other representatives has made, or is making, any representation or warranty of any kind or nature whatsoever, oral or written, express or implied, relating to Venator Partner or the Venator Interest to Kronos Partner, any of its affiliates (including Kronos Parent) or its or their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders, partners, members or other representatives, and Venator Partner, on behalf of itself and its affiliates (including Venator Parent) hereby disclaims any such other representations or warranties. Neither Venator Partner nor Venator Parent shall be liable in respect of the accuracy or completeness of any such information provided to Kronos Partner, any of its affiliates (including Kronos Parent) or their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders, partners, members or other representatives other than the express representations and warranties provided in this ARTICLE III. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF KRONOS
Kronos Partner and Kronos Parent, as applicable, hereby represent and warrant to Venator as of the Effective Date and Closing that:
4.1 | Organization. Kronos Partner is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Kronos Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. |
4.2 | Authorization. Each of Kronos Partner and Kronos Parent has the requisite power and authority and has taken all action necessary to execute and deliver this Agreement, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to perform their respective obligations hereunder, and no other proceedings on the part of Kronos are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Kronos and is the valid and binding obligation of Kronos, enforceable against Kronos in accordance with its terms. |
12
US-DOCS\151952090.11
4.3 | No Conflict. The execution and delivery by each of Kronos Partner and Kronos Parent of this Agreement and all other instruments and documents required to be executed pursuant to this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not and will not: (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of the organizational ![]() |
4.4 | Sufficiency of Funds. Kronos Partner has sufficient funds to consummate the transactions, to perform its obligations hereunder (including all payments to be made by it in connection herewith) and to pay all of its expenses related to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereto, including the payment in cash of all fees and expenses payable by Kronos Partner in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Kronos Transaction Payment Obligations”). Kronos Partner has not incurred any obligation, commitment, restriction or liability of any kind, and is not contemplating or aware of any obligation, commitment or restriction of any kind, in either case, which would reasonably be expected to impair or adversely affect its ability to make the Kronos Transaction Payment Obligations. Kronos Partner and Kronos Parent each acknowledges that receipt or availability of funds or financing by Kronos Partner or Kronos Parent shall not be a condition to Kronos Partner’s or Kronos Parent’s obligations hereunder. |
4.5 | Solvency. Assuming (a) compliance by Venator with its obligations hereunder and (b) that the representations and warranties of Venator contained in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects following the Closing, and after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each of Kronos Parent and Kronos Partner will be solvent. Neither Kronos Parent nor Kronos Partner is making any transfer of property or incurring any liability in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future creditors of Kronos Partner or Kronos Parent. |
13
US-DOCS\151952090.11
4.9 | No Additional Representations and Warranties. Except for the express representations and warranties provided in this ARTICLE III, none of Venator Partner, any of its affiliates (including Venator Parent), or any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders, partners, members or other representatives has made, or is making, any representation or warranty of any kind or nature whatsoever, oral or written, express or implied, relating to Venator Partner or the Venator Interest to Kronos Partner, any of its affiliates (including Kronos Parent) or its or their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders, partners, members or other representatives, and Venator Partner, on behalf of itself and its affiliates (including Venator Parent) hereby disclaims any such other representations or warranties. Neither Venator Partner nor Venator Parent shall be liable in respect of the accuracy or completeness of any such information provided to Kronos Partner, any of its affiliates (including Kronos Parent) or their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders, partners, members or other representatives other than the express representations and warranties provided in this ARTICLE III. |
POST-CLOSING COVENANTS
14
US-DOCS\151952090.11
MISCELLANEOUS
6.1 | Tax Considerations. |
15
US-DOCS\151952090.11
6.2 | Indemnification; Mutual Release. |
16
US-DOCS\151952090.11
17
US-DOCS\151952090.11
6.3 | Kronos Parent Guaranty. Kronos Parent hereby guarantees to Venator the due and punctual performance and discharge of all payment obligations of Kronos Partner with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
6.4 | Venator Parent Guaranty. Venator Parent hereby guarantees to Kronos the due and punctual performance of all obligations of Venator Partner with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
6.5 | Waiver of Joint Venture Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Joint Venture Agreement, including Section 4.03 thereof, the Parties hereby agree that the transfer of the Venator Interest between the Parties shall be governed solely by this Agreement, and each of the Parties hereby waives any and all rights it may have under the Joint Venture Agreement solely with respect to the transfer of the Venator Interest by Venator Partner to Kronos Partner. |
6.6 | Enforcement. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, each of the Parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, including an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, provided, that if jurisdiction is not then available in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, then in any state or federal court located in the State of Delaware, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such Party is entitled at law or in equity. Each of the Parties hereby further waives (a) any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and (b) any requirement under any law to post security as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief. |
6.7 | Assignment. Neither Party may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the other Party’s prior written consent; provided that each Party may assign its rights or obligations, in whole or in part, to their respective controlled affiliates or to an acquiror of such Party or one of their subsidiaries; provided, further, that no such assignment shall relieve such Party of any of its respective obligations hereunder. Any attempted assignment in contravention of the foregoing shall be null and void ab initio. |
18
US-DOCS\151952090.11
6.8 | Severability. Should one or more of the provisions of this Agreement become void or unenforceable as a matter of law, then such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement, and the Parties agree to substitute a valid and enforceable provision therefor that, as nearly as possible, achieves the desired economic effect and mutual understanding of the Parties under this Agreement. |
6.9 | Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws in effect in the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any conflicts of laws provision thereof or of any other jurisdiction that would produce a contrary result. |
6.10 | Waivers and Amendments. The failure of any Party to assert a right hereunder or to insist upon compliance with any term or condition of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of that right or excuse a similar subsequent failure to perform any such term or condition by the other Party. No waiver shall be effective unless it has been given in writing and signed by the Party giving such waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified other than by a written document signed by authorized representatives of each Party. |
6.11 | Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. |
6.12 | Venator JV Ancillary Agreements; Further Assurances. The Parties hereby covenant and agree, without the necessity of any further consideration, to execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all such other documents and instruments and take any such other action as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement. If reasonably requested by Kronos Partner, Venator Partner shall, or shall cause its applicable affiliate to, sign and execute a termination agreement for any agreement (other than this Agreement and any ancillary agreement necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement) with, pertaining to, or relating to, the Joint Venture to which Venator Partner (or its affiliate) is party, including any agreement granting Venator Partner (or its affiliate) any ownership, right, interest, option, security interest, mortgage, easement, encroachment, right of way, or right of first refusal in the Joint Venture or its assets or properties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Encumbrance, easement, encroachment, right of way, or right of first refusal in the Joint Venture or its assets or properties held by Venator Partner (or its affiliate) shall be automatically extinguished as of the Closing without need for further documentation. |
6.13 | No Third Party Beneficiary Rights. Except as expressly stated herein, this Agreement is not intended to and shall not be construed to give any third party any interest or rights (including, without limitation, any third party beneficiary rights) with respect to or in connection with any agreement or provision contained herein or contemplated hereby. |
6.14 | Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties as to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all proposals, oral or written, and all other prior communications between the Parties with respect to such subject matter. In the event of any conflict between a provision of this Agreement and any provision of the Joint Venture Agreement, this Agreement shall control. |
19
US-DOCS\151952090.11
6.15 | Announcements. Except as a Party may reasonably conclude may be required by applicable law; court process; with respect only to any employees of such Party or their representatives, as required by any collective bargaining agreement; or by obligations pursuant to the listing rules of, or any listing agreement with, any applicable national securities exchange or national securities quotation system each Party shall give the other Party the opportunity to review and comment upon any such press release or other public statement prior to its disclosure or distribution. |
6.16 | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed 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. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by electronic mail in portable document format (PDF) or by DocuSign (or other similar format) will be effective as delivery of a manually executed signature page of this Agreement. No party may raise the use of an electronic mail or electronically transmitted “.pdf” format, or the fact that any signature was transmitted through the use of an electronic mail or electronically transmitted “.pdf” format as a defense to the enforcement of this Agreement or any amendment or other document executed and delivered pursuant to this Agreement and each party hereby forever waives any such defense. |
6.17 | Interpretation. The headings of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not constitute a part of or affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used in this Agreement shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation.” Defined terms used in this Agreement shall have the same meaning whether defined or used herein in the singular or the plural, as the case may be. When a reference is made in this Agreement to sections, subsections, clauses or schedules, such reference shall be to a section, subsection, clause or schedule to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. |
6.18 | Notices. Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given by a Party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and received: (i) upon delivery, if delivered in person or by e-mail if no automated notice of delivery failure is received by the sender or (ii) one business day after having been deposited for overnight delivery with Federal Express or another comparable overnight courier service, addressed to the parties set forth below or such other address as a Party may request by notifying the other Party in writing: |
If to Kronos Partner, Kronos Parent or the Joint Venture:
Three Lincoln Centre
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700
Dallas, Texas ###-###-####
USA
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
Email: ***@***
With a copy to: General Counsel (at the same address)
Email: ***@***
20
US-DOCS\151952090.11
If to Venator Partner or Venator Parent:
Titanium House
Hanzard Drive
Wynyard Park
Stockton-on-Tees
TS22 5FD
UK
Attention: General Counsel
Email: ***@***
[Signature pages follow.]
21
US-DOCS\151952090.11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed and delivered this Agreement effective as of the Effective Date.
KRONOS LOUISIANA, INC.
By:/s/ Brian W. Christian
Name: Brian W. Christian
Title: Executive Vice President and COO
KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC.
By:/s/ Brian W. Christian
Name: Brian W. Christian
Title: Executive Vice President and COO
US-DOCS\151952090.11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed and delivered this Agreement effective as of the Effective Date.
VENATOR INVESTMENTS LTD.
By:/s/ Bertrand Maurice Andre Defoort
Name: Bertrand Maurice Andre Defoort
Title:Director
VENATOR MATERIALS PLC
By:/s/ Katherine Harper
Name: Katherine Harper
Title:Director
US-DOCS\151952090.11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed and delivered this Agreement effective as of the Effective Date.
LOUISIANA PIGMENT COMPANY, L.P.
KRONOS LOUISIANA, INC.,
its general partner
By:/s/Brian W. Christian
Name: Brian W. Christian
Title: Executive Vice President and COO
VENATOR INVESTMENTS LTD,
its general partner
By:/s/ Bertrand Maurice Andre Defoort
Name: Bertrand Maurice Andre Defoort
Title:Director
US-DOCS\151952090.11