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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d)

of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 9, 2024

 

 

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Province of Ontario, Canada   001-40733   Not Applicable

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

207 Queens Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, ON M5J IA7, Canada

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(877) 542-9253

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable.

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common shares, without par value   LICY   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

As previously disclosed on the Current Reports on Form 8-K of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (the “Company”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 12, 2024 and March 25, 2024 (the “Initial 8-Ks”), the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with Glencore Ltd. (“Glencore Intermediate”), and Glencore Canada Corporation (“Glencore”), dated March 11, 2024 and amended and restated on March 25, 2024, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to Glencore a senior secured convertible note (the “Senior Secured Convertible Note”) in an aggregate principal amount of $75,000,000, on March 25, 2024, in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Transaction”).

In connection with the Transaction, on March 25, 2024, the Company also issued certain amended and restated unsecured convertible notes to Glencore, in two tranches (being the “First A&R Glencore Convertible Note”, having an original principal amount of $116,551,170.40, and the “Second A&R Glencore Convertible Note”, having an original principal amount of $114,615,632, and together, the “A&R Glencore Convertible Notes”), which notes amended, restated, consolidated and superseded in their entirety the convertible note originally issued by the Company to Glencore Intermediate on May 31, 2022 and the additional unsecured convertible notes issued in satisfaction of interest due and paid in kind thereunder (the “Existing Glencore Convertible Note”). Each A&R Glencore Convertible Note includes an event-driven modification applicable to it, with the modification to the First A&R Glencore Convertible Note occurring on the date (the “First Modification Date”) that is the earlier of (a) the date that is one month after the effectiveness and initial funding, if any, of a project loan financing for the Company’s Rochester Hub project (or the next business day, if such date does not occur on a business day) (the “Loan Financing Condition”), and (b) December 31, 2024.

On November 7, 2024, Li-Cycle U.S. Inc., Li-Cycle North America Hub, Inc. and Li-Cycle Inc. (each a subsidiary of the Company) entered into a Loan Arrangement and Reimbursement Agreement with the United States Department of Energy, as previously disclosed in the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company filed with the SEC on the same date, satisfying the Loan Financing Condition.

As a result, the First Modification Date occurred on December 9, 2024 and the First A&R Glencore Convertible Note was automatically amended pursuant to its terms. On the First Modification Date, a Note Guaranty was entered into by and among Li-Cycle Corp., Li-Cycle Americas Corp., Li-Cycle Europe AG and Li-Cycle Germany GmbH (collectively, the “Note Guarantors”) and Glencore as Noteholder, pursuant to which the Note Guarantors guaranty all obligations of the Company with respect to the First A&R Glencore Convertible Note on terms consistent with the guaranty provided by the Note Guarantors with respect to the Senior Secured Convertible Note. The Company and the Note Guarantors granted perfected, first priority security interests (subject to customary exceptions and permitted liens) to the Noteholder in their respective assets, including intellectual property and a pledge of the equity interests of each other of the Note Guarantors. Additionally, Glencore, in its capacity as Collateral Agent with respect to the Senior Secured Convertible Note and Initial Additional Authorized Secured Party with respect to the First A&R Glencore Convertible Note, entered into a pari passu intercreditor agreement (the “Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement”) which is acknowledged and agreed by the Company and the Note Guarantors. Additionally, pursuant to the Note Guaranty, Glencore acknowledged and agreed that (i) the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries, Li-Cycle U.S. Inc., Li-Cycle Inc. and Li-Cycle North America Hub, Inc. (the “U.S. Subsidiaries”), are not required to provide any security or guarantees to secure the obligations of the Company pursuant to the First A&R Glencore Convertible Note and (ii) no subsidiary of the Company is required to grant any liens on the equity interests of the U.S. Subsidiaries, in each case, until January 15, 2025 (or such later date as Glencore may agree).

Pursuant to the terms of the First A&R Glencore Convertible Note, the conversion price was automatically adjusted to the lesser of (x) an amount determined on the basis of a 30-day VWAP (volume weighted average trading price) having a reference date of December 6, 2024 plus a 25% premium per share, and (y) $9.95 per share (the conversion price of the Existing Glencore Convertible Note), being $3.03 per share, on December 9, 2024. This conversion price adjustment increased Glencore’s beneficial ownership in the Company on a pro forma fully-diluted basis to approximately 66% as of December 9, 2024.

The information disclosed in Item 1.01 of the Initial 8-Ks is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.


The foregoing descriptions of the Note Guaranty and the collateral securing the A&R Glencore Convertible Notes are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Note Guaranty, the collateral agreements and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 4.1 and 10.1-10.6 hereto, respectively, and are in each case incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 2.03

Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information in Item 1.01 of the Report is incorporated by reference herein to this Item 2.03.

 

Item 3.02

Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities.

The information in Item 1.01 of the Report is incorporated by reference herein to this Item 3.02.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit

Number

   Description
 4.1    Note Guaranty Agreement dated as of December 9, 2024, by and between Li-Cycle Corp., Li-Cycle Americas Corp., Li-Cycle Europe AG, Li-Cycle Germany GmbH and Glencore Canada Corporation.
10.1†    Canadian General Security Agreement dated as of December 9, 2024 by and between Li-Cycle Holdings Corp, Li-Cycle Corp., Li-Cycle Americas Corp. and Glencore Canada Corporation.
10.2†    Canadian Pledge Agreement dated as of December 9, 2024 by and between Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., Li-Cycle Corp., Li-Cycle Americas Corp. and Glencore Canada Corporation.
10.3    Junior Ranking Equity Interest Pledge Agreement dated as of December 9, 2024 by and between Li-Cycle Europe AG and Glencore Canada Corporation.
10.4†    Junior Ranking Share Pledge Agreement dated as of December 9, 2024 by and between Li-Cycle Germany GmbH and Glencore Canada Corporation.
10.5†    Junior Ranking Account Pledge Agreement dated as of December 9, 2024 by and between Li-Cycle Germany GmbH and Glencore Canada Corporation.
10.6    Confirmation and Restatement Agreement relating to a Security Assignment Agreement dated as of December 9, 2024 by and between Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., Li-Cycle Europe AG and Glencore Canada Corporation.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL)

 

Schedules to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Registration S-K. The Company hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any omitted schedules to the SEC upon request.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

  LI-CYCLE HOLDINGS CORP.
  By:  

/s/ Ajay Kochhar

  Name:   Ajay Kochhar
  Title:   President & CEO and Director

Date: December 10, 2024

Exhibit 4.1

NOTE GUARANTY

THIS NOTE GUARANTY (as it may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Note Guaranty”) is entered into as of December 9, 2024, by and among Subsidiaries of the Issuer (as defined in the Note) from time to time party hereto (the “Note Guarantors”), and Glencore Canada Corporation, having an office at 100 King Street West, Suite 6900, Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3, Canada with company number 1947729, as Noteholder (the “Noteholder”).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

Reference is hereby made to that certain Amended and Restated Convertible Note issued by the Issuer to the Noteholder, on March 25, 2024 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Note”), which amends, restates, consolidates and supersedes in its entirety that certain (i) convertible note (the “Original Convertible Note”), held by the Noteholder and originally issued by the Issuer pursuant to that certain note purchase agreement, dated as of May 5, 2022 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Initial Note Purchase Agreement”) between the Issuer and the Noteholder, (ii) that certain note issued in respect of the then outstanding PIK Amount of $8,133,333.36 held by the Noteholder and originally issued by the Issuer on November 30, 2022 pursuant to the terms of the Original Convertible Note and the Initial Note Purchase Agreement and (iii) that certain note issued in respect of the then outstanding PIK Amount of $8,417,837.04 held by the Noteholder and originally issued by the Issuer on May 31, 2023 pursuant to the terms of the Original Convertible Note and the Initial Note Purchase Agreement.

Each Note Guarantor has obtained benefits from the amendment and restatement of the Original Convertible Note.

Pursuant to the Note, each Note Guarantor is required to enter into this Note Guaranty upon the occurrence of the Modification Date (as defined in the Note).

ACCORDINGLY, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01 Definitions of Certain Terms Used Herein. As used in this Note Guaranty, in addition to the terms defined in the preamble and Preliminary Statement above, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Accommodation Payments” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09(a).

Article” means a numbered article of this Note Guaranty, unless another document is specifically referenced.

Electronic Signature” means any electronic symbol or process attached to, or associated with, any contract or other record and adopted by a person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.

Exhibit” refers to a specific exhibit to this Note Guaranty, unless another document is specifically referenced.


Finance Documents” means the Note, this Note Guaranty, the Collateral Documents and each Intercreditor Agreement (if any).

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

Guarantor Percentage” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09(a).

Initial Note Purchase Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement.

Issuer” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

Maximum Liability” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09(b).

Non-Paying Guarantor” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09(a).

Note” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement.

Note Guarantor” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

Note Guaranty” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

Note Purchase Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2024, by and among the Issuer, Glencore Ltd., a Swiss company having an address at 330 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017, and the Noteholder, as the purchaser and collateral agent.

Noteholder” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Note.

Obligated Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02.

Original Convertible Note” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement.

Paying Guarantor” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09(a).

Section” means a numbered section of this Note Guaranty, unless another document is specifically referenced.

Subsidiary Joinder Agreement” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A to the U.S. Security Agreement, or otherwise in form and substance reasonably agreed by the Noteholder and Issuer; it being understood and agreed that any Subsidiary Joinder Agreement executed by any Subsidiary that is not a U.S. Subsidiary may include such modifications as may be necessary to reflect the fact that such Subsidiary may not become a party to the U.S. Security Agreement.

UFCA” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09(b).

UFTA” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09(b).

U.S. Security Agreement” means that certain U.S. Pledge and Security Agreement among Li-Cycle U.S. Inc., each other U.S. Subsidiary of the Issuer from time to time party thereto as a grantor and the Noteholder, dated on or after December 9, 2024, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

The foregoing definitions shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

 

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SECTION 1.02 Terms Defined in the Note. All capitalized terms used in this Note Guaranty and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Note or the Note Purchase Agreement, as applicable. The terms of Section 19 of the Note shall apply to this Note Guaranty, mutatis mutandis. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the terms hereof shall be subject in all respects to the Agreed Security Principles (as defined in the 2024 Secured Note), which are incorporated herein mutatis mutandis. To the extent that the jurisdiction of organization of any Note Guarantor that becomes a party to this Note Guaranty pursuant to Section 3.04 requires the insertion of any additional provision in this Note Guaranty, any new defined term referenced therein will be deemed to be automatically incorporated by reference into this Section 1.02.

ARTICLE 2

NOTE GUARANTY

SECTION 2.01 Guaranty. Except as otherwise provided for herein (including under Section 3.14), each Note Guarantor hereby agrees that it is jointly and severally liable for, and, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, and absolutely and unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the Noteholder, the full and prompt payment, when and as the same become due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of the Obligations, including amounts that would become due but for the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §362(a), together with any and all expenses which may be incurred by the Noteholder in collecting any of the Obligations that are reimbursable in accordance with Section 5(c) of the Note Purchase Agreement (collectively, the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Note Guarantor further agrees that all or any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations may be increased, extended or renewed in whole or in part without notice to or further assent from it, and that it remains bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any such extension or renewal. In addition, if any or all of the Guaranteed Obligations become due and payable hereunder, each Note Guarantor, unconditionally and irrevocably, promises to pay such Guaranteed Obligations to the Noteholder, on demand. Each Note Guarantor unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the payment of any and all of the Guaranteed Obligations whether or not due or payable by the Issuer upon the occurrence of any of Bankruptcy Event of Default of the Note and thereafter irrevocably and unconditionally promises to pay such Guaranteed Obligations to the Noteholder. This Note Guaranty is a continuing one and shall remain in full force and effect until the Specified Date (or, with respect to any Note Guarantor, until the release of such Note Guarantor from its obligations hereunder in accordance with Section 3.14 hereof), and all liabilities to which it applies or may apply under the terms hereof shall be conclusively presumed to have been created in reliance hereon.

SECTION 2.02 Guaranty of Payment. This Note Guaranty is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. Each Note Guarantor waives any right to require the Noteholder to sue the Issuer, any Note Guarantor, any other guarantor, or any other Person obligated for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations (the Issuer, each Note Guarantor, each other guarantor or such other Person, an “Obligated Party”), or otherwise to enforce its rights in respect of any Collateral securing all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations. The Noteholder may enforce this Note Guaranty in accordance with the express provisions of the Note.

SECTION 2.03 No Discharge or Diminishment of Note Guaranty.

(a) Except as otherwise provided for herein (including under Section 3.14), the obligations of each Note Guarantor hereunder are unconditional, irrevocable and absolute and not subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including: (i) any claim of waiver, release, extension, renewal, settlement, surrender, alteration, or compromise of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, by operation of law or otherwise; (ii) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of any Obligated Party; (iii) any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any other Obligated Party, or their assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of any Obligated

 

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Party; (iv) the existence of any claim, setoff or other right which any Note Guarantor may have at any time against any Obligated Party, the Noteholder or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or in any unrelated transaction; (v) any direction as to application of payments by the Issuer or by any other party; (vi) any other continuing or other guaranty, undertaking or maximum liability of a guarantor or of any other party as to the Guaranteed Obligations; (vii) any payment on or in reduction of any such other guaranty or undertaking; (viii) any dissolution, termination or increase, decrease or change in personnel by the Issuer or (ix) any payment made to the Noteholder on the Guaranteed Obligations which the Noteholder repays to the Issuer pursuant to court order in any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other debtor relief proceeding, and each Note Guarantor waives any right to the deferral or modification of its obligations hereunder by reason of any such proceeding.

(b) Except for termination of such Note Guarantor’s obligations hereunder or as expressly permitted by Section 3.14, the obligations of each Note Guarantor hereunder are not subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise, or any Applicable Law purporting to prohibit payment by any Obligated Party, of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof.

(c) Further, the obligations of any Note Guarantor hereunder are not discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by: (i) the failure of the Noteholder to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy with respect to all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) any waiver or modification of or supplement to any provision of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations (subject to (x) any applicable limitation under Applicable Law set forth in Section 2.12 and/or Section 2.13, which agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations shall, if required by such Applicable Law, remain unchanged unless the relevant affected Note Guarantor otherwise provides its express consent in writing and (y) to the extent required by Applicable Law, the procurement of appropriate consents by the applicable governing body of such Note Guarantor and the taking of any other necessary corporate or similar organizational action); (iii) any release, non-perfection, or invalidity of any indirect or direct security for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any obligations of any other guarantor of or other Person liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) any action or failure to act by the Noteholder with respect to any Collateral securing any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (v) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the payment or performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other circumstance, act, omission or delay that might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Note Guarantor or that would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Note Guarantor as a matter of law or equity, in each case other than as set forth in Section 3.14.

SECTION 2.04 Defenses Waived. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, and except for termination of a Note Guarantor’s obligations hereunder or as otherwise provided for herein (including under Section 3.14), each Note Guarantor hereby waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of the Issuer or any other Note Guarantor or arising out of the disability of the Issuer or any other Note Guarantor or any other party or the unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of the Issuer or any other Note Guarantor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Note Guarantor irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any notice not provided for herein or in any other Finance Document, including any notice of nonperformance, notice of protest, notice of dishonor, notice of acceptance of this Note Guaranty, and any notice of the existence, creation or incurrence of new or additional Guaranteed Obligations, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against any Obligated Party, or any other Person, including any right (except as may be required by Applicable Law and to the extent the relevant requirement cannot be waived) to require the Noteholder to (i) proceed against the Issuer, any other guarantor or any other party, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any Lien from the Issuer, any other relevant Note Guarantor or any other party or (iii) pursue any other remedy in the Noteholder’s power whatsoever.

 

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The Noteholder may, at its election and in accordance with the terms of the applicable Finance Documents, foreclose on any Collateral held by it by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable (to the extent permitted by Applicable Law), accept an assignment of any such Collateral in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise act or fail to act with respect to any Collateral securing all or a part of the Guaranteed Obligations, and the Noteholder may, at its election, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with any Obligated Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to it against any Obligated Party, or any security, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of such Note Guarantor under this Note Guaranty, except as otherwise provided in Section 3.14. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, each Note Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election may operate, pursuant to Applicable Law, to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Note Guarantor against any Obligated Party or any security.

SECTION 2.05 Authorization. Each Note Guarantor authorizes the Noteholder without notice or demand (except as may be required by Applicable Law and to the extent the relevant requirement cannot be waived), and without affecting or impairing its liability hereunder (except as set forth in Section 3.14), from time to time, subject to each applicable Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of the referenced Finance Documents, to:

(a) change the manner, place or terms of payment of, and/or change or extend the time of payment of, renew, increase, accelerate or alter, any of the Guaranteed Obligations (including any increase or decrease in the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest or fees thereon), any Lien therefor, or any liability incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof, and this Note Guaranty shall apply to the Guaranteed Obligations as so changed, extended, renewed or altered (but in any event subject to (x) any applicable limitation under Applicable Law set forth in Section 2.12 and/or Section 2.13, which agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations shall, if required by such Applicable Law, remain unchanged unless the relevant affected Note Guarantor otherwise provides its express consent in writing and (y) to the extent required by Applicable Law, the procurement of appropriate consents by the applicable governing body of such Note Guarantor and the taking of any other necessary corporate or similar organizational action;

(b) take and hold any Lien for the payment of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations and sell, exchange, release, impair, surrender, realize upon or otherwise deal with in any manner and in any order any property by whomsoever at any time pledged or mortgaged to secure, or howsoever securing, all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any liabilities (including any of those hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and/or any offset there against;

(c) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Issuer, any other Note Party or others or otherwise act or refrain from acting;

(d) release or substitute any endorser, any guarantor, the Issuer, any other Note Party and/or any other obligor;

(e) settle or compromise any of the Guaranteed Obligations, any Lien therefor or any liability (including any of those hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and/or subordinate the payment of all or any part thereof to the payment of any liability (whether due or not) of the Issuer to its creditors other than the Noteholder;

(f) apply any sum by whomsoever paid or howsoever realized to any liability or liabilities of the Issuer to the Noteholder regardless of what liability or liabilities of the Issuer remain unpaid;

 

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(g) consent to or waive any breach of, or any act, omission or default under, this Note Guaranty, the Note, any other Finance Document, or any of the instruments or agreements referred to herein or therein, or otherwise amend, modify or supplement this Note Guaranty, the Note, any other Finance Document, or any of such other instruments or agreements; and/or

(h) take any other action which would, under otherwise applicable principles of common law, give rise to a legal or equitable discharge of the Note Guarantors from their respective liabilities under this Note Guaranty.

SECTION 2.06 Rights of Subrogation. No Note Guarantor will assert any right, claim or cause of action, including any claim of subrogation, contribution or indemnification that it has against any Note Party in respect of this Note Guaranty until the occurrence of the Specified Date (or the release of such Note Guarantor from its obligations hereunder in accordance with Section 3.14 hereof); provided that if any amount is paid to such Note Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time prior to the Specified Date (or such date on which such Note Guarantor is released from its obligations hereunder in accordance with Section 3.14 hereof), then unless such Note Guarantor has already discharged its liabilities under this Note Guaranty in an amount equal to such Note Guarantor’s Maximum Liability as of such date, such amount shall be held by the recipient Note Guarantor in trust for the benefit of the Noteholder and shall forthwith be paid by the recipient Note Guarantor to the Noteholder to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured.

SECTION 2.07 Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration. If at any time any payment of any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise, each Note Guarantor’s obligations under this Note Guaranty with respect to such payment shall be reinstated at such time as though the payment had not been made. If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations shall nonetheless be payable by the other Note Guarantors forthwith on demand by the Noteholder.

SECTION 2.08 Information. Each Note Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Issuer’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that each Note Guarantor assumes and incurs under this Note Guaranty, and agrees that the Noteholder shall not have any duty to advise any Note Guarantor of information known to it regarding those circumstances or risks.

SECTION 2.09 Contribution; Subordination; Maximum Liability.

(a) In the event that any Note Guarantor (a “Paying Guarantor”) makes any payment or payments under this Note Guaranty or suffers any loss as a result of any realization upon any Collateral granted by it to secure its obligations under this Note Guaranty (each such payment or loss, an “Accommodation Payment”), each other Note Guarantor (each a “Non-Paying Guarantor”) shall contribute to such Paying Guarantor an amount equal to such Non-Paying Guarantor’s “Guarantor Percentage” of such Accommodation Payment by such Paying Guarantor. For purposes of this Article 2, each Non-Paying Guarantor’s “Guarantor Percentage” with respect to any Accommodation Payment by a Paying Guarantor shall be determined as of the date on which such Accommodation Payment was made by reference to the ratio of (a) such Non-Paying Guarantor’s Maximum Liability (as defined below) as of such date to (b) the aggregate Maximum Liability of all Note Guarantors hereunder (including such Paying Guarantor) as of such date.

 

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(b) As of any date of determination the “Maximum Liability” of each Note Guarantor:

(i) that is a U.S. Note Party shall be equal to the maximum amount of liability which could be asserted against such Note Guarantor hereunder and under the Note without (i) rendering such Note Guarantor “insolvent” within the meaning of Section 101(32) of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 2 of the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act (“UFTA”) or Section 2 of the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act (“UFCA”), (ii) leaving such Note Guarantor with unreasonably small capital or assets, within the meaning of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 4 of the UFTA or Section 5 of the UFCA, or (iii) leaving such Note Guarantor unable to pay its debts as they become due within the meaning of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 4 of the UFTA or Section 5 of the UFCA;

(ii) that is a Swiss Note Guarantor (as defined in Section 2.12(a) below) shall be determined as provided for in Section 2.12(a) below; and

(iii) that is a German Note Guarantor (as defined in Section 2.12(b) below) shall be determined as provided for in Section 2.12(b) below.

(c) Nothing in this provision shall affect any Note Guarantor’s several liability for the entire amount of the Guaranteed Obligations (up to such Note Guarantor’s Maximum Liability). Each of the Note Guarantors covenants and agrees that its right to receive any contribution under this Note Guaranty from a Non-Paying Guarantor shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the Obligations until the Specified Date (or until the date on which such Note Guarantor is released from its obligations hereunder in accordance with Section 3.14 hereof). If, prior to the Specified Date, any such contribution payment is received by a Paying Guarantor at any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such contribution payment shall be collected, enforced and received by such Note Guarantor as trustee for the Noteholder and be paid over to the Noteholder on account of the Obligations, but without affecting or impairing in any manner the liability of such Note Guarantor under the other provisions of this Note Guaranty. This provision is for the benefit of the Noteholder.

(d) It is the desire and intent of the Note Guarantors and the Noteholder that this Note Guaranty shall be permitted to be enforced against the Note Guarantors to the fullest extent permissible under the Applicable Law and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. The provisions of this Note Guaranty are severable, and in any action or proceeding involving any state corporate law, or any state, Federal or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other Applicable Law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of any Note Guarantor under this Note Guaranty would otherwise be held or determined to be avoidable, invalid or unenforceable on account of the amount of such Note Guarantor’s liability under this Note Guaranty, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Note Guaranty to the contrary, the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by the Note Guarantors or the Noteholder, be automatically limited and reduced to such Note Guarantor’s Maximum Liability. Each Note Guarantor agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the Maximum Liability of such Note Guarantor without impairing this Note Guaranty or affecting the rights and remedies of the Noteholder hereunder; provided that nothing in this sentence shall be construed to increase any Note Guarantor’s obligations hereunder beyond its Maximum Liability.

SECTION 2.10 Representations and Warranties. As, when and to the extent required in accordance with the terms of the Note, each Note Guarantor hereby makes each applicable representation and warranty made in the Finance Documents and Note Purchase Agreement by the Issuer with respect to such Note Guarantor and each Note Guarantor hereby further acknowledges and agrees that such Note Guarantor has, independently and without reliance upon the Noteholder and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Note Guaranty and each other Finance Document to which it is or is to be a party, and such Note Guarantor has established adequate means of obtaining from each other Note Guarantor on a continuing basis information pertaining to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties and prospects of each other Note Guarantor.

 

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SECTION 2.11 Covenants. Each Note Guarantor covenants and agrees that, until the Specified Date, such Note Guarantor will perform and observe all of the applicable terms, covenants and agreements set forth in the Transaction Documents that the Issuer has agreed to cause such Note Guarantor to perform or observe. Until the Specified Date, no Note Guarantor shall, without the prior written consent of the Noteholder, commence or join with any other Person in commencing any bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency case or proceeding against the Issuer or any Note Guarantor (it being understood and agreed, for the avoidance of doubt, that nothing in this Section 2.11 shall prohibit any Note Guarantor from commencing or joining with the Issuer or Note Guarantor as a co-debtor in any bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency case or proceeding).

SECTION 2.12 Local Law Guaranty Limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Note Guaranty or in any other Finance Document, it is acknowledged and agreed that the liability of each Note Guarantor that is not a U.S. Note Party shall be limited as follows:

(a) Swiss Note Guarantor Guaranty Limitations.

(i) If and to the extent that a Note Guarantor organized under the laws of Switzerland (a “Swiss Note Guarantor”) becomes liable under this Note Guaranty or any other Finance Document for obligations of its Affiliates (as defined in the Note) which are not its wholly-owned direct or indirect Subsidiaries and if this would constitute a repayment of capital (Einlagerückgewähr), a violation of the legally protected reserves (gesetzlich geschützte Reserven) or the payment of a (constructive) dividend (Gewinnausschüttung) by such Swiss Note Guarantor or if the incurrence or payment of such liability would otherwise be restricted under then applicable Swiss law (the “Restricted Obligations”), the aggregate liability of such Swiss Note Guarantor for Restricted Obligations shall be limited to the amount of freely disposable equity (frei verwendbares Eigenkapital) (including, without limitation, any statutory reserves which can be transferred into unrestricted distributable reserves) of such Swiss Note Guarantor at the time of enforcement, as determined in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss accounting principles (the “Swiss Maximum Amount”), provided that this is a requirement under then applicable mandatory Swiss law and it is understood that such limitation shall not free such Swiss Note Guarantor from its obligations in excess of the Swiss Maximum Amount, but that it shall merely postpone the performance date of those obligations until such time or times as performance is again permitted.

(ii) Promptly after having been requested to perform the Restricted Obligations under this Note Guaranty or any other Finance Document (but in any event within not more than 60 Business Days after the relevant request having been made), the Swiss Note Guarantor shall (and with respect to sub-paragraph (y)(c) below, each Note Party shall) (x) perform any obligations which are not affected by the above limitations, and (y) if and to the extent required by Applicable Law applicable to such Swiss Note Guarantor or reasonably requested by the Noteholder:

(A) provide the Noteholder with an interim balance sheet audited by the statutory auditors of the Swiss Note Guarantor setting out the Swiss Maximum Amount;

(B) convert restricted reserves into reserves freely available for distribution as dividends (to the extent permitted by mandatory Swiss law); and

(C) take any further corporate and other action as may be required by law (such as board and shareholders’ approvals and the receipt of any confirmations from the Swiss Note Guarantor’s statutory auditors) and other measures reasonably necessary to allow the Swiss Note Guarantor to make the payments agreed under this Note Guaranty or any other Finance Document with a minimum of limitations and, promptly thereafter, pay up to the Swiss Maximum Amount to the Noteholder.

 

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(iii) If the enforcement of Restricted Obligations would be limited due to the effects referred to in this Section 2.12, then each Note Party and the relevant Swiss Note Guarantor shall (x) to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, revalue and/or realize any of such Swiss Note Guarantor’s assets that are shown on its balance sheet with a book value that is significantly lower than the market value of such assets, in case of realisation, however, only if such assets are not necessary for the Swiss Note Guarantor’s business (nicht betriebsnotwendig) and (y) reduce the Swiss Note Guarantor’s share/quota capital to the minimum allowed under then Applicable Law.

(b) German Note Guarantor Guaranty Limitations.

(i) The right to demand payment under this Note Guaranty and to enforce the Note Guaranty against a Note Guarantor incorporated in Germany as a private limited company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) (a “German Note Guarantor”), to the extent the Note Guaranty relates to obligations of a direct or indirect shareholder of the German Note Guarantor or Subsidiaries of such shareholders (except where such entity is, at the same time, a Subsidiary of the German Note Guarantor), shall be limited to the amount which may be paid by it or enforced against it without causing a Capital Impairment as determined by application of the following paragraphs (“German Maximum Amount”):

(1) A “Capital Impairment” occurs if the payment or enforcement causes (A) the German Note Guarantor’s net assets to be (determined in accordance with the provisions of the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch, “HGB”) consistently applied by the German Note Guarantor in preparing its unconsolidated balance sheets (Jahresabschluss) according to section 42 of the German Limited Liabilities Companies Act (Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung, “GmbHG”) and in accordance with sections 30, 31 GmbHG (as applicable at the time of enforcement) and by only taking into account the sum of the values of the assets of the German Note Guarantor which correspond to those items listed in section 266 subsection (2) A, B, C, D and E HGB less the German Note Guarantor’s liabilities, consisting of all liabilities and liability reserves which correspond to those items listed in accordance with section 266 subsection (3) B (but disregarding, for the avoidance of doubt, any provisions (Rückstellungen) in respect of this Note Guaranty), C, D and E HGB and any amounts not available for distribution according to section 253 paragraph 6 or section 268 subsection (8) HGB but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any liabilities under or relating to the Guaranteed Obligations) and in each case subject to the adjustments under in sub-paragraph (2) below (the “Net Assets”) to be less than its registered share capital (Stammkapital) (Begründung einer Unterbilanz); or (B) if the German Note Guarantor’s Net Assets are already less than its registered share capital, the German Note Guarantor’s Net Assets to be further reduced (Vertiefung einer Unterbilanz).

(2) For the purposes of calculating the Net Assets, the following balance sheet items shall be adjusted as follows: (A) the amount of any increase of the stated share capital (Stammkapital) of the German Note Guarantor registered after the date of this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Noteholder shall not be taken into account; (B) any funds received by the Issuer under the Notes Purchase Agreement which have been or are on-lent or otherwise passed on to the relevant German Note Guarantor or to any subsidiary of such German Note Guarantor and have not yet been repaid at the time when payment of a Guaranteed Obligation is demanded, shall be disregarded as assets; (C) loans provided to the German Note Guarantor by the Issuer or any subsidiary of the Issuer which are subordinated by law or by contract shall be disregarded as liabilities; and (D) any loans or other liabilities of the German Note Guarantor incurred in violation of any of the provisions of the Finance Documents shall be disregarded as liabilities.

 

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(ii) The limitation of the Note Guaranty of the German Note Guarantor to the German Maximum Amount shall only apply if and to the extent that the managing director(s) (Geschäftsführer) of the relevant German Note Guarantor on behalf of relevant German Note Guarantor have confirmed in writing to the Noteholder within 10 (ten) Business Days following the Noteholder’s demand under the Note Guaranty to what extent the demanded payment would lead to the occurrence of a Capital Impairment (the “Management Determination”). Such confirmation shall comprise an up-to-date balance sheet of the German Note Guarantor and a detailed calculation of the amount of the Net Assets and share capital (taking into account the adjustments set out in sub-paragraph (2) above) of the German Note Guarantor. The relevant German Note Guarantor shall fulfil its obligations under the Note Guaranty within 3 (three) Business Days of providing the Management Determination (and the Noteholder shall be entitled to enforce the Note Guaranty) in an amount which pursuant to the Management Determination would not cause a Capital Impairment (irrespective of whether or not the Noteholder agrees with the Management Determination).

(iii) If the Noteholder, acting reasonably, disagrees with the Management Determination, the German Note Guarantor shall, in consultation with the Noteholder, instruct (at its own cost and expense) a firm of auditors of international standing and reputation to draw-up within 20 (twenty) Business Days (or such longer period as has been agreed between the German Note Guarantor and the Noteholder) from the date the Noteholder has contested the Management Determination an up-to-date balance sheet of the German Note Guarantor together with a detailed calculation of the amount of the Net Assets and share capital and to what extent the demanded payment would lead to the occurrence of a Capital Impairment (the “Auditors Determination”). The amounts determined in the Auditor’s Determination shall be (except for manifest error) binding for all parties. The German Note Guarantor shall fulfil its obligations under the Guarantee within 3 (three) Business Days of providing the Auditor’s Determination (and the Noteholder shall be entitled to enforce the Note Guaranty) in an amount which pursuant to the Auditor’s Determination would not cause a Capital Impairment.

(iv) If and to the extent that the Note Guaranty has been enforced without regard to the German Maximum Amount because the amount payable under the Note Guaranty resulting from the Auditor’s Determination is lower than the respective amount resulting from the Management Determination, the Noteholder shall upon demand of the relevant German Note Guarantor repay the difference between the amount paid and the amount payable resulting from the Auditor’s Determination calculated as of the date the demand under the Note Guaranty was made.

(v) The limitation of the Note Guaranty of the German Note Guarantor to the German Maximum Amount does not apply (A) if the German Note Guarantor does not provide the Management Determination within the time frame set out above; (B) to any amounts which correspond to funds that have been received by the Issuer under the Notes Purchase Agreement and have been on-lent to, or otherwise been passed on to, the relevant German Note Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent that any such on-lent or passed-on amount is still outstanding at the date demand under the Note Guaranty is made; (C) to any amounts payable under the Note Guaranty if and as long as the German Note Guarantor is subject to a domination and/or profit and loss transfer agreement (either directly or through a chain of such agreements) pursuant to Section 291 AktG on the date of the enforcement of the Note Guaranty as dominated company with the Issuer or the relevant other Note Guarantor whose obligations are secured by the Note Guaranty of the German Note Guarantor (and which shall be enforced against the German Note Guarantor) as dominating company; (D) if and to the extent the German Note Guarantor holds a fully recoverable loss compensation claim (vollwertiger Gegenleistungs- oder Rückgewähranspruch) against the Issuer or the relevant other Note Guarantor whose obligations are secured by the Note Guaranty of the German Note Guarantor (and which shall be enforced against the German Note Guarantor) that can be accounted for in the balance sheet as full value; (E) if the German Note Guarantor is insolvent; or (F) if and to the extent (based on changes in law or

 

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based on a decision of the Federal Supreme Court (BGH)) the enforcement of the Note Guaranty granted by any German Note Guarantor under this Agreement does not result in a personal liability of the managing directors (Geschäftsführer) of the German Note Guarantor including pursuant to section 43 GmbHG, each as amended, supplemented and/or replaced from time to time.

(vi) If the Management Determination shows that a Capital Impairment would occur upon payment under the Note Guaranty, the relevant German Note Guarantor shall realise all of its assets that are shown in the balance sheet with a book value (Buchwert) that is significantly lower than the market value of the assets to the extent this is necessary to fulfil its obligations under the Note Guaranty. If the relevant assets are necessary for the business of that German Note Guarantor (betriebsnotwendig), it will use its best efforts to realize the higher market value (including by sale and lease-back or similar measures).

(vii) Sections 2.09(b)(iii) and this Section 2.12(b) shall apply mutatis mutandis if the Note Guaranty is granted by a German Note Guarantor incorporated as a limited liability partnership (KG) in relation to each general partner (Komplementär) incorporated as a limited liability company (GmbH) or the Guarantee is granted by a German Note Guarantor incorporated as a partnership (OHG) in relation to each partner incorporated as a limited liability company (GmbH).

SECTION 2.13 Additional Foreign Guarantor Limitations/Waivers. To the extent that the jurisdiction of organization of any Note Guarantor that becomes a party to this Note Guaranty pursuant to Section 3.04 requires the inclusion of any additional local law provisions and limitations with respect to such new Note Guarantor’s Guaranteed Obligations, such provisions, set out in the Subsidiary Joinder Agreement (if any), shall be deemed to be automatically incorporated by reference into this Section 2.13.

SECTION 2.14 Taxes. Each Note Guarantor shall be entitled to deduct and withhold any applicable taxes or similar charges (including without limitation interest, penalties or similar amounts in respect thereof) imposed or levied pursuant to applicable local, foreign, or domestic laws, from any payment to be made on or in connection with this Note Guaranty or the Note. Provided that the Note Guarantor remits such withheld amount to the relevant government authority or agency pursuant to applicable local, foreign, or domestic laws and files all required forms in respect thereof and, at the same time, provides copies of such remittance and filing to the Noteholder, the amount of any such deduction or withholding will be considered an amount paid in satisfaction of the Note Guarantor’s obligations under this Note Guaranty.

ARTICLE 3

GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 3.01 Liability Cumulative. The liability of each Note Guarantor under this Note Guaranty is in addition to and shall be cumulative with all liabilities of such Note Guarantor to the Noteholder under the Note and the other Finance Documents to which such Note Guarantor is a party or in respect of any obligations or liabilities of the other Note Guarantors, without any limitation as to amount, unless the instrument or agreement evidencing or creating such other liability specifically provides to the contrary.

SECTION 3.02 No Waiver; Amendments. No delay or omission of the Noteholder in exercising any right or remedy granted under this Note Guaranty shall impair such right or remedy or be construed to be a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein, and any single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy shall not preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. No waiver, amendment or other variation of the terms, conditions or provisions of this Note Guaranty whatsoever shall be valid unless in writing signed by the Note Guarantors and the Noteholder in accordance with Section 14 of the Note and then only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.

 

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SECTION 3.03 Severability of Provisions. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, any provision of this Note Guaranty that is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Note Guaranty; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 3.04 Additional Subsidiaries. Subsidiaries of the Issuer may be required to enter into this Note Guaranty as Note Guarantors pursuant to and in accordance with Section 6 of the Note. Upon execution and delivery by any such Subsidiary of a Subsidiary Joinder Agreement, such Subsidiary shall become a Note Guarantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Note Guarantor herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other Note Guarantor hereunder or any other Person. The rights and obligations of each Note Guarantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Note Guarantor as a party to this Note Guaranty.

SECTION 3.05 Headings. The titles of and section headings in this Note Guaranty are for convenience of reference only, and shall not govern the interpretation of any of the terms and provisions of this Note Guaranty.

SECTION 3.06 Entire Agreement. This Note Guaranty and the Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.

SECTION 3.07 CHOICE OF LAW. THIS NOTE GUARANTY AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS NOTE GUARANTY, WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT (AT LAW OR IN EQUITY) OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 3.08 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS.

(a) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY U.S. FEDERAL OR NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK (OR ANY APPELLATE COURT THEREFROM) OVER ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE GUARANTY AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL (EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BELOW) BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE OR, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FEDERAL COURT. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ANY PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICE OR DOCUMENT BY REGISTERED MAIL ADDRESSED TO SUCH PERSON SHALL BE EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS AGAINST SUCH PERSON FOR ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON SUCH JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

(b) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY LEGALLY AND EFFECTIVELY DO SO, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE GUARANTY AND

 

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BROUGHT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (a) OF THIS SECTION. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY CLAIM OR DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

(c) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS UPON IT AND AGREES THAT ALL SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED MAIL (OR ANY SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR FORM OF MAIL) DIRECTED TO IT AT ITS ADDRESS FOR NOTICES PROVIDED IN SECTION 23(A) OF THE NOTE. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS AND FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING COMMENCED HEREUNDER THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS WAS INVALID AND INEFFECTIVE. NOTHING IN THIS NOTE GUARANTY WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO THIS NOTE GUARANTY TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

SECTION 3.09 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE GUARANTY OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS NOTE GUARANTY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

SECTION 3.10 Counterparts. This Note Guaranty may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Note Guaranty by facsimile or by email as a “.pdf” or “.tif” attachment shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Note Guaranty. It is understood and agreed that, subject to any Applicable Law, the words “execution”, “signed”, “signature”, “delivery” and words of like import in or relating to this Note Guaranty shall be deemed to include any Electronic Signature, delivery or the keeping of any record in electronic form, each of which shall have the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system to the extent and as provided for in any Applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

SECTION 3.11 INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT GOVERNS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, THE GUARANTEE OF THE GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS GRANTED TO THE NOTEHOLDER, PURSUANT TO THIS NOTE GUARANTY AND THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT OR REMEDY BY THE NOTEHOLDER ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF EACH APPLICABLE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT. IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE PROVISIONS OF THE RELEVANT INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT AND THIS NOTE GUARANTY, THE PROVISIONS OF THE RELEVANT INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT SHALL GOVERN AND CONTROL.

 

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SECTION 3.12 Successors and Assigns. Whenever in this Note Guaranty any party hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the successors and permitted assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Note Guarantor or the Noteholder that are contained in this Note Guaranty shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except in a transaction permitted (or not restricted) under the Note, no Note Guarantor may assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the written consent of the Noteholder.

SECTION 3.13 Survival of Agreement. Without limitation of any provision of the Note, all covenants, agreements, indemnities, representations and warranties made by the Note Guarantors in the Finance Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Note Guaranty or any other Finance Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Noteholder and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and the purchase of the Note, regardless of any investigation made by the Noteholder or the Noteholder may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended under the Note, and shall continue in full force and effect until the Specified Date, or with respect to any individual Note Guarantor until such Note Guarantor is otherwise released from its obligations under this Note Guaranty in accordance with Section 3.14.

SECTION 3.14 Release of Note Guarantors.

(a) The Note Guaranty shall continue in effect until the Specified Date. Notwithstanding anything in this Note Guaranty to the contrary, (a) any Note Guarantor shall automatically be released from its obligations under this Note Guaranty (and any Lien granted by such Grantor pursuant to the Collateral Documents shall be automatically released) (i) upon the consummation of any transaction or series of related transactions permitted under the Note if as a result thereof such Note Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary (or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary as a result of a single transaction or series of related transactions not prohibited under the Note), provided that if any Note Guarantor ceases to constitute a wholly-owned Subsidiary, such Note Guarantor shall not be released from its Note Guaranty unless (A) such Note Guarantor is no longer a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Issuer or (B) after giving pro forma effect to such release and the consummation of the relevant transaction, the Issuer is deemed to have made a new Investment in such Person (as if such Person was then newly acquired); it being understood that this proviso shall not limit the release of any Note Guarantor that otherwise constitutes an Excluded Subsidiary for any reason other than not constituting a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Issuer (this proviso, the “Specified Guarantor Release Provision”) and/or (ii) upon the occurrence of the earlier of (x) the date on which the Note has been fully converted in accordance with the terms of the Note and (y) the Maturity Date and (b) any Note Guarantor that meets the definition of “Excluded Subsidiary” (subject to the Specified Guarantor Release Provision) shall be released by the Noteholder promptly following the request therefor by the Issuer, subject, if applicable, to the Specified Guarantor Release Provision.

(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Note Guaranty or the Note to the contrary, the Noteholder will release any Lien granted to or held by the Noteholder upon any Collateral, pursuant to the Collateral Documents (A) upon the occurrence of the earlier of (i) the date on which the Notes have been fully converted in accordance with the terms thereof and (ii) the Maturity Date, (B) constituting property sold or to be sold or otherwise Disposed of as part of or in connection with any Disposition permitted under the Note or under any Finance Document or to which the Noteholder has consented, (C) that does not constitute (or ceases to constitute) Collateral, (D) in accordance with Section 12 of the Note Purchase Agreement (E) otherwise pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of any applicable Finance Document or (F) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Noteholder.

 

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(c) In connection with any such release, the Noteholder shall promptly execute and deliver to any Note Guarantor, at such Note Guarantor’s expense, (i) all UCC termination statements and/or UCC amendments and similar documents that such Note Guarantor shall reasonably request to evidence and/or effectuate such termination or release, (ii) all PPSA termination statements and/or PPSA amendments and similar documents that such Note Guarantor shall reasonably request to evidence and/or effectuate such termination or release and (iii) all other documents that such Note Guarantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to the preceding sentence of this Section 3.14 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Noteholder (other than as to the Noteholder’s authority to execute and deliver such documents).

SECTION 3.15 Payments. All payments made by any Note Guarantor hereunder will be made without setoff, counterclaim or other defense and on the same basis as payments are made by the Issuer under Sections 23(e) of the Note.

SECTION 3.16 Notice, Etc. All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile or email, as follows:

(a) if to any Note Guarantor, addressed to it in care of the Issuer at its address specified in Section 23(a) of the Note; or

(b) if to the Noteholder, at its address specified in Section 23(a) of the Note.

SECTION 3.17 Parallel Debt. Section 11(a)(ii) of the Note Purchase Agreement is incorporated herein by reference and shall be deemed to be part of this Note Guaranty. The terms thereof shall constitute valid and binding agreements of each Note Guarantor, enforceable against each Note Guarantor in accordance with the terms under Section 11(a)(ii) of the Note Purchase Agreement. Each Note Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally undertakes to pay to the Noteholder, as creditor in its own right, the Parallel Debt in relation to its Corresponding Debt.

SECTION 3.18 Judgment Currency. If, for purpose of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange which shall be applied shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures of the Noteholder could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding the day on which the final judgment is rendered. Each Note Guarantor shall make payment relative to any Guaranteed Obligations in the currency (the “Agreement Currency”) in which such Note Guarantor is required to pay the related Guaranteed Obligations. If a Note Guarantor makes payment relative to its obligations hereunder in a currency (the “Other Currency”) other than the Agreement Currency (whether voluntarily or pursuant to an order or judgement of a court or tribunal of any jurisdiction), such payment shall constitute a discharge of the liabilities of such Note Guarantor only to the extent that on the Business Day following the receipt by the Noteholder of any sum so due hereunder, the Noteholder may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Other Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Noteholder from such Note Guarantor in the Agreement Currency, such Note Guarantor agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any judgment, agrees to indemnify the Noteholder against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Noteholder in such currency, the Noteholder agrees to return the amount of any excess to the applicable Note Guarantor (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under Applicable Law).

 

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SECTION 3.19 Interest Act (Canada). Each Note Guarantor acknowledges that for the purposes of the Interest Act (Canada) the annual rate of interest payable by it will be determined in accordance with Section 2(c) of the Note.

SECTION 3.20 Indemnity. Each Note Guarantor hereby agrees to indemnify the Noteholder and the other Indemnitees, as set forth in Section 8 of the Note Purchase Agreement.

SECTION 3.21 Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the extent permitted by applicable law, none of the Note Guarantors nor the Noteholder shall assert, and each hereby waives, any claim against each other or any Related Party (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) thereof, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Note Guaranty or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby.

SECTION 3.22 Project Loan Documentation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any Transaction Document or Finance Document, each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that (i) no U.S. Subsidiary of the Issuer will be required to become a Note Guarantor or enter into any Collateral Documents to provide liens to secure the obligations of the Issuer under the Note pursuant to Section 6 of the Note and (ii) no Subsidiary of the Issuer will be required to grant liens on any equity interest in any U.S. Subsidiary to secure the obligations of the Issuer under the Note pursuant to Section 6 of the Note, until January 15, 2025 (or such later date as the Noteholder may agree).

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Note Guarantor and the Noteholder have executed this Note Guaranty as of the date first above written.

 

LI-CYCLE CORP., as a Note Guarantor
By:  

/s/ Ajay Kochhar

  Name: Ajay Kochhar
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
LI-CYCLE AMERICAS CORP., as a Note Guarantor
By:  

/s/ Ajay Kochhar

  Name: Ajay Kochhar
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page to Note Guaranty


LI-CYCLE EUROPE AG, as a Note Guarantor
By:  

/s/ Conor Spollen

  Name: Conor Spollen
  Title: President
By:  

/s/ Elewout Steven J. Depicker

  Name: Elewout Steven J. Depicker
  Title: Director
LI-CYCLE GERMANY GMBH, as a Note Guarantor
By:  

/s/ Frank Pommerenke

  Name: Frank Pommerenke
  Title: Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Elewout Steven J. Depicker

  Name: Elewout Steven J. Depicker
  Title: Managing Director

 

Signature Page to Note Guaranty


GLENCORE CANADA CORPORATION, as Noteholder
By:  

/s/ John Burton

  Name: John Burton
  Title: Authorised Signatory

 

Signature Page to Note Guaranty


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF U.S. SECURITY AGREEMENT


U.S. PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

THIS U.S. PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (as it may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Security Agreement”) is entered into as of [   ], 2024, by and among LI-CYCLE U.S. INC., a Delaware corporation (“Li-Cycle U.S.”), each other U.S. Subsidiary of the Issuer (as defined below) from time to time party hereto (each a “Grantor” and collectively, the “Grantors”) and Glencore Canada Corporation, having an office at 100 King Street West, Suite 6900, Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3, Canada with company number 1947729, as Noteholder (the “Noteholder”).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

Reference is hereby made to that certain Amended and Restated Convertible Note issued by the Issuer to the Noteholder, on March 25, 2024, pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement (as defined below) (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Note”), which amends, restates, consolidates and supersedes in its entirety that certain (i) convertible note (the “Original Convertible Note”), held by the Noteholder and originally issued by the Issuer pursuant to that certain note purchase agreement, dated as of May 5, 2022 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Initial Note Purchase Agreement”) between the Issuer and the Noteholder, (ii) that certain note issued in respect of the then outstanding PIK Amount of $8,133,333.36 held by the Noteholder and originally issued by the Issuer on November 30, 2022 pursuant to the terms of the Original Convertible Note and the Initial Note Purchase Agreement and (iii) that certain note issued in respect of the then outstanding PIK Amount of $8,417,837.04 held by the Noteholder and originally issued by the Issuer on May 31, 2023 pursuant to the terms of the Original Convertible Note and the Initial Note Purchase Agreement.

Each Grantor has obtained benefits from the amendment and restatement of the Original Convertible Note .

Pursuant to the Note, each Grantor is required to enter into this Security Agreement upon the occurrence of the Modification Date (as defined in the Note).

ACCORDINGLY, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Terms Defined in Note. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Note or the Note Purchase Agreement, as applicable. The terms of Section 19 of the Note shall apply to this Security Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

Section 1.02 Terms Defined in UCC. Terms defined in the UCC that are not otherwise defined in this Security Agreement or the Note Purchase Agreement are used herein as defined in Articles 8 or 9 of the UCC, as the context may require (including without limitation, as if such terms were capitalized in Article 8 or 9 of the UCC, as the context may require, the following terms: “Account”, “Account Debtor”, “Chattel Paper”, “Clearing Corporation”, “Commercial Tort Claim”, “Commodities Account”, “Deposit Accounts”, “Document”, “Electronic Chattel Paper”, “Equipment”, “Fixture”, “General Intangible”, “Goods”, “Instruments”, “Inventory”, “Investment Property”, “Letter-of-Credit Right”, “Securities Account”, “Securities Entitlement”, “Securities Intermediary”, “Supporting Obligation” and “Tangible Chattel Paper”).

 

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Section 1.03 Definitions of Certain Terms Used Herein. As used in this Security Agreement, in addition to the terms defined in the preamble and Preliminary Statement above, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Article” means a numbered article of this Security Agreement, unless another document is specifically referenced.

Collateral” has the meaning set forth in Article 2.

Contract Rights” means all rights of any Grantor under any Contract, including, without limitation, (a) any and all rights to receive and demand payments under such Contract, (b) any and all rights to receive and compel performance under such Contract and (c) any and all other rights, interests and claims now existing or in the future arising in connection with such Contract.

Contracts” means all contracts between any Grantor and one or more additional parties (including, without limitation, licensing agreement and any partnership agreement, joint venture agreement and/or limited liability company agreement).

Control” has the meaning set forth in Article 8 or, if applicable, in Section 9-104, 9-105, 9-106 or 9-107 of Article 9 of the UCC.

Copyrights” means the following: (a) all copyrights, rights and interests in copyrights, works protectable by copyright, copyright registrations, and copyright applications; (b) all renewals of any of the foregoing; (c) all income, royalties, damages, and payments now or hereafter due and/or payable under any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, damages or payments for past or future infringements for any of the foregoing; (d) the right to sue for past, present, and future infringements of any of the foregoing; and (e) all rights corresponding to any of the foregoing.

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the U.S. and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Winding-up and Restructuring Act (Canada), and all other liquidation, winding-up, conservatorship, bankruptcy, general assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, plan of arrangement, proposal or similar debtor relief laws of the U.S. statutes, laws, rules and regulations of Canada or any province or territory thereof, Germany, Switzerland or any other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

Domain Names” means all Internet domain names and associated URL addresses.

Exhibit” refers to a specific exhibit to this Security Agreement, unless another document is specifically referenced.

Finance Documents” means the Note, the Note Guaranty, the Collateral Documents and each Intercreditor Agreement (if any).

Grantors” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Intellectual Property Collateral” means, collectively, all rights of any Grantor in, to and under IP rights, including Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, Trade Secrets, Domain Names, Licenses and Software.

 

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Intellectual Property Security Agreement” means any agreement executed on or after the date hereof confirming or effecting the grant of any Lien on Intellectual Property Collateral owned by any Note Party to the Noteholder, required in accordance with this Agreement, in a form that is reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Grantors and the Noteholder.

Intellectual Property Security Agreement Supplement” means any supplement to an Intellectual Property Security Agreement in a form that is reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Grantors and the Noteholder.

Initial Note Purchase Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement.

Issuer” has the meaning set forth in the Preliminary Statement.

Legal Reservations” means the application of the relevant Debtor Relief Laws, general principles of equity and/or principles of good faith and fair dealing.

Li-Cycle U.S.” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Licenses” means, with respect to any Grantor, all of such Grantor’s right, title, and interest in and to (a) any and all licensing agreements or similar arrangements, whether as licensor or licensee, (1) Patents, (2) Copyrights, (3) Trademarks, (4) Trade Secrets or (5) Software, (b) all income, royalties, damages, claims, and payments now or hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including, without limitation, damages and payments for past and future breaches thereof, and (c) all rights to sue for past, present, and future breaches thereof.

Money” has the meaning set forth in Article 1 of the UCC.

Note” has the meaning set forth in the Preliminary Statement.

Note Guaranty” means that certain Note Guaranty, dated as of December 9, 2024 among the Note Guarantors party thereto from time to time and the Noteholder.

Noteholder” has the meaning given to such term in the Note.

Note Purchase Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2024, by and among the Issuer, Glencore Ltd., a Swiss company having an address at 330 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017, and the Noteholder, as the purchaser and collateral agent.

Original Convertible Note” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement.

Organizational Documents” means (a) with respect to any corporation, its certificate or articles of incorporation or organization and its by-laws, (b) with respect to any limited partnership, its certificate of limited partnership and its partnership agreement, (c) with respect to any general partnership, its partnership agreement, (d) with respect to any limited liability company, its articles of organization or certificate of formation, and its operating agreement, and (e) with respect to any other form of entity, such other organizational documents required by Applicable Law or customary under such jurisdiction to document the formation and governance principles of such type of entity. In the event that any term or condition of this Security Agreement or any Transaction Document requires any Organizational Document to be certified by a secretary of state or similar governmental official, the reference to any such “Organizational Document” shall only be to a document of a type customarily certified by such governmental official.

 

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Patents” means, with respect to any Person, all of such Person’s right, title, and interest in and to: (a) any and all patents and patent applications; (b) all inventions described and claimed therein; (c) all reissues, divisions, continuations, renewals, extensions, and continuations-in-part thereof; (d) all income, royalties, damages, claims, and payments now or hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including, without limitation, damages and payments for past and future infringements thereof; (e) all rights to sue for past, present, and future infringements thereof; and (f) all rights corresponding to any of the foregoing.

Perfection Certificate” means Schedule 1 to this Security Agreement, as supplemented from time to time pursuant to Section 7.10 of this Security Agreement.

Perfection Requirements” means the filing of appropriate financing statements with the office of the Secretary of State or other appropriate office of the state of organization of each Note Party, the filing of intellectual property security agreements or other appropriate instruments or notices with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, and the delivery to the Noteholder of any stock certificate or promissory note, together with instruments of transfer executed in blank; to the extent required by this Security Agreement.

Permits” shall mean, to the extent permitted to be assigned by the terms thereof or by applicable law, all licenses, permits, rights, orders, variances, franchises or authorizations of or from any Governmental Entity or agency.

Pledged Collateral” means all Pledged Stock, including all stock certificates, options or rights of any nature whatsoever in respect of the Pledged Stock that may be issued or granted to, or held by, any Grantor while this Security Agreement is in effect, all Instruments owned by any Grantor, whether or not physically delivered to the Noteholder pursuant to this Security Agreement, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor and any and all Proceeds thereof, together with any other shares of Capital Stock as are hereafter acquired by such Grantor.

Pledged Stock” means, with respect to any Grantor, the shares of Capital Stock held by such Grantor, including Capital Stock described in Schedule 3 to the Perfection Certificate as held by such Grantor.

Proceeds” has the meaning assigned in Article 9 of the UCC and, in any event, shall also include but not be limited to (a) any and all proceeds of any insurance, indemnity, warranty or guaranty payable to the Noteholder or any Grantor from time to time with respect to any of the Collateral, (b) any and all payments (in any form whatsoever) made or due and payable to any Grantor from time to time in connection with any requisition, confiscation, condemnation, seizure or forfeiture of all or any part of the Collateral by any Governmental Entity, (c) any and all Stock Rights and (d) any and all other amounts from time to time paid or payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral.

Receivables” means any Account, Chattel Paper, Document, Instrument and/or any General Intangible, in each case, that is a right or claim to receive money (whether or not earned by performance) or that is otherwise included as Collateral, but in any case, excluding any item constituting an Excluded Asset.

Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, managers, officers, trustees, employees, partners, agents, advisors and other representatives of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

 

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Section” means a numbered section of this Security Agreement, unless another document is specifically referenced.

Security Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Software” means computer programs, source code, object code and supporting documentation including “software” as such term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC, as well as computer programs that may be construed as included in the definition of Goods.

Stock Rights” means all dividends, options, warrants, instruments or other distributions and any other right or property which any Grantor shall receive or shall become entitled to receive for any reason whatsoever with respect to, in substitution for or in exchange for any Capital Stock constituting Collateral, any right to receive any Capital Stock constituting Collateral and any right to receive earnings, in which such Grantor now has or hereafter acquires any right, issued by an issuer of such Capital Stock.

Subsidiary Joinder Agreement” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto; it being understood and agreed that any Subsidiary Joinder Agreement executed by any Subsidiary that is not a U.S. Subsidiary may include such modifications as may be necessary to reflect the fact that such Subsidiary may not become a party to this Security Agreement.

Trade Secrets” means, with respect to any Grantor, all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the following: (a) confidential and proprietary information, including unpatented inventions, invention disclosures, engineering or other data, information, production procedures, know-how, financial data, customer lists, supplier lists, business and marketing plans, processes, schematics, algorithms, techniques, analyses, proposals, source code, data, databases and data collections; (b) all income, royalties, damages, and payments now or hereafter due or payable with respect thereto, including, without limitation, damages, claims and payments for past, present and future misappropriations or infringements thereof; (c) all rights to sue for past, present and future infringements of the foregoing, including the right to settle suits involving claims and demands for royalties owing; and (d) all rights corresponding to any of the foregoing.

Trademarks” means, with respect to any Person, all of such Person’s right, title, and interest in and to the following: (a) all trademarks (including service marks), trade names, trade dress, and trade styles and the registrations and applications for registration thereof and the goodwill of the business symbolized by the foregoing; (b) all renewals of the foregoing; (c) all income, royalties, damages, and payments now or hereafter due or payable with respect thereto, including, without limitation, damages, claims, and payments for past and future infringements thereof; (d) all rights to sue for past, present, and future infringements of the foregoing, including the right to settle suits involving claims and demands for royalties owing; and (e) all rights corresponding to any of the foregoing.

The foregoing definitions shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

ARTICLE 2

GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

Section 2.01 Grant of Security Interest.

(a) As security for the prompt and complete payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Obligations, each Grantor hereby pledges, collaterally assigns, mortgages, transfers and grants to the Noteholder a continuing security interest in all of its right, title and interest in, to all of the following

 

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personal property and other assets, whether now owned by or owing to, or hereafter acquired by or arising in favor of such Grantor, and regardless of where located (all of which are collectively referred to as the “Collateral”):

(i) all Accounts;

(ii) all Chattel Paper (including, without limitation, all Tangible Chattel Paper and all Electronic Chattel Paper);

(iii) all Intellectual Property Collateral;

(iv) all Documents;

(v) all Equipment;

(vi) all Fixtures;

(vii) all General Intangibles;

(viii) all Goods;

(ix) all Instruments;

(x) all Inventory;

(xi) all Investment Property, Pledged Stock and other Pledged Collateral;

(xii) all Money, Cash and Cash Equivalents;

(xiii) all letters of credit and Letter-of-Credit Rights;

(xiv) all Deposit Accounts;

(xv) all Commercial Tort Claims described on Schedule 6 to the Perfection Certificate (including any supplements to such Schedule 6 delivered pursuant to Section 4.04);

(xvi) all Permits;

(xvii) all recorded data of any kind or nature, regardless of the medium of recording;

(xviii) all Contracts, together with all Contract Rights arising thereunder;

(xix) all Securities Entitlements in any or all of the foregoing;

(xx) all other personal property not constituting Excluded Assets not otherwise described in clauses (i) through (xix) above;

(xxi) all Supporting Obligations; and

(xxii) all accessions to, substitutions and replacements for and Proceeds and products of the foregoing, together with all books and records, customer lists, credit files, computer files, programs, printouts and other computer materials and records related thereto and any General Intangibles at any time evidencing or relating to any of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Collateral” (and any component definition thereof) shall not include any Excluded Asset. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, immediately upon the ineffectiveness, lapse or termination of any restriction or condition set forth in the definition of “Excluded Assets” in the Note that prevented the grant of a security interest in any right, interest or other asset that would have, but for such restriction or condition, constituted Collateral, the Collateral shall include, and the relevant Grantor shall be deemed to have automatically granted a security interest in, such previously restricted or conditioned right, interest or other asset, as the case may be, as if such restriction or condition had never been in effect.

ARTICLE 3

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each Grantor, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to the Noteholder as of the date hereof that:

Section 3.01 Title, Perfection and Priority; Filing Collateral. Such Grantor has good and valid rights in, title to, or the power to transfer the Collateral with respect to which it has purported to grant a security interest hereunder, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), and has the requisite power and authority to grant the Noteholder the security interest in such Collateral pursuant hereto. Subject to the Legal Reservations, this Security Agreement is effective to create a legal, valid and enforceable Lien on and security interest in the Collateral in favor of the Noteholder, subject to the satisfaction of the Perfection Requirements, the Noteholder will have a fully perfected first priority Lien on such Collateral securing the Obligations to the extent perfection can be achieved by the Perfection Requirements and any applicable Intercreditor Agreement.

Section 3.02 Intellectual Property. As of the date hereof, no Grantor has actual knowledge of (a) any third-party claim (i) that any of its owned Patent, Trademark or Copyright registrations or applications is invalid or unenforceable, or (ii) challenging such Grantor’s rights to such registrations and applications or (b) any basis for such claims, other than, in each case, to the extent any such third-party claim would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.03 Pledged Collateral.

Section 3.04 (a) (i) All Pledged Stock has been duly authorized and validly issued (to the extent such concepts are relevant with respect to such Pledged Stock) by the issuer thereof and is fully paid and non-assessable, (ii) as of the date hereof, each Grantor is the direct owner, beneficially and of record, of the Pledged Stock described in Schedule 3 to the Perfection Certificate as of the date hereof as held by such Grantor and (iii) as of the date hereof, each Grantor holds the Pledged Stock described in Schedule 3 to the Perfection Certificate as of the date hereof as held by such Grantor free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens).

 

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ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

From the date hereof, and thereafter until the Specified Date (as defined in the Note):

Section 4.01 General.

(a) Authorization to File Financing Statements; Ratification. Each Grantor hereby (i) authorizes the Noteholder to file (A) all financing statements (including fixture filings) and amendments thereto with respect to the Collateral naming such Grantor as debtor and the Noteholder as secured party, in form appropriate for filing under the UCC of the relevant jurisdiction and (B) filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office (including any Intellectual Property Security Agreement) for the purpose of perfecting, enforcing, maintaining or protecting the Lien of the Noteholder in United States issued, registered and applied for Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights (in each case, to the extent constituting Collateral) and naming such Grantor as debtor and the Noteholder as secured party and (ii) subject to the terms of the Transaction Documents, agrees to take such other actions, in each case as may from time to time be necessary and reasonably requested by the Noteholder (and authorizes the Noteholder to take any such other actions, which it has no obligation to take) in order to establish and maintain a first priority, valid, enforceable (subject to the Legal Reservations) and perfected security interest in and subject, in the case of Pledged Collateral, to Section 4.02 hereof, Control of, the Collateral. Each Grantor shall pay any applicable filing fees, recordation fees and related expenses relating to its Collateral in accordance with Section 5(c) of the Note Purchase Agreement. Any financing statement filed by the Noteholder may (i) indicate the Collateral (A) as “all assets” of the applicable Grantor or words of similar effect, regardless of whether any particular asset comprised in the Collateral falls within the scope of Article 9 of the UCC of such jurisdiction, or (B) by any other description which reasonably approximates the description contained in this Security Agreement and (ii) contain any other information required by part 5 of Article 9 of the UCC for the sufficiency or filing office acceptance of any financing statement or amendment, including (A) in each case to the extent applicable, whether the Grantor is an organization, the type of organization and any organization identification number issued to the Grantor and (B) in the case of a financing statement filed as a fixture filing, a sufficient description of the relevant real property to which the Collateral relates. Each Grantor agrees to furnish any such information to the Noteholder promptly upon request.

(b) Further Assurances. Each Grantor agrees, at its own expense, to take any and all actions reasonably necessary to defend title to the Collateral against all Persons (other than Persons holding Permitted Liens on such Collateral that have priority over the Noteholder’s Lien) and to defend the security interest of the Noteholder in the Collateral and the priority thereof against any Lien that is not a Permitted Lien.

(c) Limitations on Actions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Security Agreement, no Grantor shall be required to take any action in connection with Collateral pledged hereunder (and no security interest in such Collateral shall be required to be perfected) except to the extent consistent with the Note and the Perfection Requirements or expressly required hereunder and except in accordance with Applicable Law.

Section 4.02 Pledged Collateral.

(a) Delivery of Certificated Securities and Instruments. Each Grantor will, after the date hereof, hold in trust for the Noteholder upon receipt and, on or before the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to clause (b) and (c) of Section 1 of Annex A-1 of the 2024 Secured Note for the reporting period in which the relevant event occurred (or such longer period as the Noteholder may reasonably agree), deliver to the Noteholder any (1) certificated Security representing or evidencing Pledged Collateral and (2) Instrument (A) in each case under this clause (2), having an outstanding balance in excess of $5,000,000 and (B) in each case under clauses (1) and (2), constituting Collateral received after the date hereof, accompanied by undated instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Security Agreement or any Transaction Document, no Grantors shall be required to deliver any Tangible Chattel Paper or Document to the Noteholder.

 

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(b) Uncertificated Securities and Pledged Collateral. With respect to any partnership interest or limited liability company interest owned by any Grantor which is required to be pledged to the Noteholder pursuant to the terms hereof (other than a partnership interest or limited liability company interest held by a Clearing Corporation, Securities Intermediary or other financial intermediary of any kind) which is not represented by a certificate and which is not a Security for purposes of the UCC, such Grantor shall not permit any issuer of such partnership interest or limited liability company interest to allow such partnership interest or limited liability company interest (as applicable) to become a Security unless such Grantor complies with the procedures set forth in Section 4.02(a) within the time period prescribed therein. Each Grantor which is an issuer of any uncertificated Pledged Collateral described in this Section 4.02(b) hereby agrees to comply with all instructions from the Noteholder without such Grantor’s further consent, in each case subject to the notice requirements set forth in Section 5.01(a)(iv).

(c) Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations. The Noteholder shall hold certificated Pledged Collateral required to be delivered to the Noteholder under clause (a) above in the name of the applicable Grantor, endorsed or assigned in blank or in favor of the Noteholder, but at any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and upon at least concurrent notice to the applicable Grantor, the Noteholder shall have the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to hold such Pledged Collateral in its own name as pledgee, or in the name of its nominee (as pledgee or as sub-agent). At any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Noteholder shall have the right to exchange the certificates representing such Pledged Collateral for certificates of smaller or larger denominations for any purpose consistent with this Security Agreement.

(d) Exercise of Rights in Pledged Collateral. It is agreed that:

(i) without in any way limiting the foregoing and subject to clause (ii) below, each Grantor shall have the right to exercise all voting rights and other rights relating to the Pledged Collateral for any purpose that does not violate this Security Agreement, the Note Purchase Agreement or any Transaction Document;

(ii) each Grantor will permit the Noteholder or its nominee at any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing to exercise the rights and remedies provided under Section 5.01(a)(iv) (subject to the notice requirements set forth therein); and

(iii) subject to Section 5.01(a)(iv), each Grantor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Collateral; provided that any non-cash dividend or other distribution that would constitute Pledged Collateral, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Capital Stock of the issuer of any Pledged Collateral or received in exchange for Pledged Collateral or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall, to the extent constituting Collateral, be and become part of the Pledged Collateral, and, if received by any Grantor, shall be delivered to the Noteholder as and to the extent required by clause (a) above.

(e) Return of Pledged Collateral. So long as no Event of Default exists, the Noteholder shall promptly deliver to the applicable Grantor (without recourse and without any representation or warranty) any Pledged Collateral in its possession if requested to be delivered to the issuer or holder thereof in connection with any action or transaction that is permitted or not restricted by the Note.

 

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Section 4.03 Intellectual Property.

(a) At any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and upon the written request of the Noteholder, each Grantor will (i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all consents and approvals necessary for the assignment to or for the benefit of the Noteholder of any License held by such Grantor in the U.S. to enable the Noteholder to enforce the security interests granted hereunder and (ii) to the extent required pursuant to any material License in the U.S. under which such Grantor is the licensee, deliver to the licensor thereunder any notice of the grant of security interest hereunder or such other notices required to be delivered thereunder in order to permit the security interest created or permitted to be created hereunder pursuant to the terms of such License.

(b) Each Grantor shall notify the Noteholder promptly if it knows that any application for or registration of any Patent, Trademark, Domain Name, or Copyright (now or hereafter existing) has been abandoned or dedicated to the public, or of any determination or development abandoning such Grantor’s ownership of any such Patent, Trademark or Copyright, its right to register the same, or to keep and maintain the same, except, in each case, to the extent the same is permitted or not restricted by the Note Purchase Agreement or where the same, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(c) In the event that any Grantor files an application for the registration of any Patent, Trademark or Copyright with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, acquires any such application or registration by purchase or assignment in each case, after the date hereof and to the extent the same constitutes Collateral (and other than as a result of an application that is then subject to an Intellectual Property Security Agreement becoming registered), it shall, on the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to clause (b) and (c) of Section 1 of Annex A-1 of the 2024 Secured Note for the reporting period in which the relevant event occurred (or such longer period as the Noteholder may reasonably agree), execute and deliver to the Noteholder, at such Grantor’s sole cost and expense, an Intellectual Property Security Agreement with respect to such Intellectual Property Collateral.

(d) Each Grantor shall take all actions reasonably necessary to (i) maintain and pursue each application and to obtain and maintain the registration of each Patent, Trademark, Domain Name and, to the extent consistent with past practices, Copyright included in the Collateral (now or hereafter existing), including by filing applications for renewal, affidavits of use, affidavits of noncontestability and, if reasonably necessary (taking into account the projected cost of such proceedings versus the expected benefit thereof), by initiating opposition and interference and cancellation proceedings against third parties, (ii) maintain and protect the secrecy or confidentiality of its Trade Secrets and (iii) otherwise protect and preserve such Grantor’s rights in, and the validity or enforceability of, its Intellectual Property Collateral, in each case except where failure to do so (A) could not reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, or (B) is otherwise permitted under the Note.

(e) Each Grantor shall promptly notify the Noteholder of any infringement or misappropriation of such Grantor’s Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights or Trade Secrets of which it becomes aware that such Grantor reasonably determines could have a Company Material Adverse Effect and shall take such actions that, in the Grantors’ commercially reasonable business judgment, are reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances to protect such Patent, Trademark, Copyright or Trade Secret, except where such infringement, misappropriation or dilution could not reasonably be expected to cause a Company Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.04 Commercial Tort Claims. After the date hereof, on which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to clause (b) and (c) of Section 1 of Annex A-1 of the 2024 Secured Note for the reporting period in which the relevant event occurred (or such longer period as the Noteholder may reasonably agree), each relevant Grantor shall notify the Noteholder of any Commercial Tort Claim with an individual value (as reasonably estimated by such Grantor) in excess of $5,000,000 acquired by it, together with an update to Schedule 6 to the Perfection Certificate containing a summary description thereof, and such Commercial Tort Claim (and the Proceeds thereof) shall automatically constitute Collateral, all upon the terms of this Security Agreement.

 

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Section 4.05 Information Regarding Collateral. The Grantors will furnish to the Noteholder prompt (and, in any event, within 60 days of the relevant change) written notice, with respect to any Grantor, of any change in (i) any Grantor’s legal name, (ii) any Grantor’s type of organization, (iii) any Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization or (iv) any Grantor’s organizational identification number, in each case to the extent such information is necessary to enable the Noteholder to perfect or maintain the perfection and priority of its security interest in the Collateral of the relevant Grantor, together with a certified copy of the applicable Organizational Document reflecting the relevant change.

Section 4.06 Grantors Remain Liable.

(a) Each Grantor (rather than the Noteholder) shall remain liable (as between itself and any relevant counterparty) to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it under any Contract relating to the Collateral, all in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof. The Noteholder shall not have any obligation or liability under any Contract by reason of or arising out of this Security Agreement or the receipt by the Noteholder of any payment relating to such Contract pursuant hereto, nor shall the Noteholder be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of any Grantor under or pursuant to any Contract, to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to them or to which they may be entitled at any time or times.

(b) Each Grantor assumes all liability and responsibility in connection with the Collateral acquired by it, and the liability of such Grantor to pay the Obligations shall in no way be affected or diminished by reason of the fact that such Collateral may be lost, destroyed, stolen, damaged or for any reason whatsoever unavailable to such Grantor.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Grantor (rather than the Noteholder) shall remain liable under each of the Accounts to observe and perform all of the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, all in accordance with the terms of any agreement giving rise to such Accounts. The Noteholder shall not have any obligation or liability under any Account (or any agreement giving rise thereto) by reason of or arising out of this Security Agreement or the receipt by the Noteholder of any payment relating to such Account pursuant hereto, nor shall the Noteholder be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of any Grantor under or pursuant to any Account (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by them or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party under any Account (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to them or to which they may be entitled at any time or times.

 

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ARTICLE 5

REMEDIES

Section 5.01 Remedies.

(a) Each Grantor agrees that, at any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Noteholder may exercise any or all of the following rights and remedies (in addition to the rights and remedies existing under Applicable Law):

(i) the rights and remedies provided in this Security Agreement, the Note, or any Transaction Document; provided that this Section 5.01(a) shall not limit any rights available to the Noteholder prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default;

(ii) the rights and remedies available to a secured party under the UCC (whether or not the UCC applies to the affected Collateral) or under any other Applicable Law (including, without limitation, any law governing the exercise of a bank’s right of setoff or bankers’ Lien) when a debtor is in default under a security agreement;

(iii) without notice (except as specifically provided in Section 7.01 or elsewhere herein), demand or advertisement of any kind to any Grantor or any other Person, but subject to the terms of any applicable lease agreement, personally, or by agents or attorneys, enter the premises of any Grantor where any Collateral is located (through self-help and without judicial process) to collect, receive, assemble, process, appropriate, sell, lease, assign, grant an option or options to purchase or otherwise dispose of, deliver, or realize upon, the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at one or more public or private sales (which sales may be adjourned or continued from time to time with or without notice and may take place at such Grantor’s premises or elsewhere), for cash, on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk, and upon such other terms as the Noteholder may deem commercially reasonable;

(iv) upon at least concurrent written notice to the applicable Grantor, (A) transfer and register in its name or in the name of its nominee the whole or any part of the Pledged Collateral constituting Collateral, and (B) exercise the voting and all other rights as a holder with respect thereto (whereupon the voting and other rights of such Grantor described in Section 4.02(d)(i) above shall immediately cease such that the Noteholder shall have the sole right to exercise such voting and other rights while the relevant Event of Default is continuing), to collect and receive all cash dividends, interest, principal and other distributions made thereon (it being understood that all Stock Rights received by any Grantor while the relevant Event of Default is continuing shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Noteholder and forthwith paid over to the Noteholder in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsements)) and to otherwise act with respect to the Pledged Collateral constituting Collateral as though the Noteholder was the outright owner thereof; and

(v) take possession of the Collateral or any part thereof, by directing such Grantor in writing to deliver the same to the Noteholder at any reasonable place or places designated by the Noteholder, in which event such Grantor shall at its own expense forthwith cause the same to be moved to the place or places so designated by the Noteholder and there delivered to the Noteholder;

(b) Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that compliance by the Noteholder with any Applicable Law in connection with a disposition of the Collateral will not be considered to adversely affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale of the Collateral.

 

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(c) The Noteholder shall have the right in any public sale and, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, in any private sale, to purchase all or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right of equity redemption that Grantor is permitted to release and waive pursuant to Applicable Law, and each Grantor hereby expressly releases such right to equity redemption to the extent permitted by Applicable Law.

(d) Until the Noteholder is able to effect a sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of any particular Collateral under this Section 5.01, the Noteholder shall have the right to hold or use such Collateral, or any part thereof, to the extent that it deems appropriate for the purpose of preserving such Collateral or the value of such Collateral or for any other purpose deemed reasonably appropriate by the Noteholder. At any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Noteholder may, if it so elects, seek the appointment of a receiver or keeper to take possession of any Collateral and to enforce any of the Noteholder’s remedies, with respect to such appointment without prior notice or hearing as to such appointment.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Noteholder shall not be required to (i) make any demand upon, or pursue or exhaust any of their rights or remedies against, the Grantors, any other obligor, guarantor, pledgor or any other Person with respect to the payment of the Obligations or to pursue or exhaust any of their rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral therefor or any direct or indirect guarantee thereof, (ii) marshal the Collateral or any guarantee of the Obligations or to resort to the Collateral or any such guarantee in any particular order, or (iii) effect a public sale of any Collateral.

(f) Each Grantor recognizes that the Noteholder may be unable to effect a public sale of any or all the Pledged Collateral and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales thereof. Each Grantor also acknowledges that any private sale may result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that no such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially unreasonable manner solely by virtue of such sale being private. The Noteholder shall be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of the Pledged Collateral for the period of time necessary to permit any Grantor or the issuer of any Pledged Collateral to register such securities for public sale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under Applicable Law, even if any Grantor and the issuer would agree to do so.

(g) The Noteholder (by its acceptance of the benefits of this Security Agreement) acknowledge and agree that notwithstanding any other provision in this Security Agreement or any Transaction Document, the exercise of rights or remedies with respect to certain Collateral and the enforcement of any security interests therein may be limited or restricted by, or require any consent, authorization, approval or license under, any Applicable Law.

(h) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any rights and remedies provided in this Section 5.01 shall be subject to each applicable Intercreditor Agreement.

Section 5.02 Grantors’ Obligations Upon Default. Upon the request of the Noteholder at any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, each Grantor will:

(a) at its own cost and expense (i) assemble and make available to the Noteholder, the Collateral and all books and records relating thereto at any place or places reasonably specified by the Noteholder, whether at such Grantor’s premises or elsewhere, (ii) deliver all tangible evidence of its Accounts and Contract Rights (including, without limitation, all documents evidencing the Accounts and all Contracts) and such books and records to the Noteholder or to its representatives (copies of which evidence and books and records may be retained by such Grantor) and (iii) if the Noteholder so directs and in a form and in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Noteholder, add a legend to the Accounts and the Contracts, as well as books, records and documents (if any) of such Grantor evidencing or pertaining to such Accounts and Contracts, which legend shall include an appropriate reference to the fact that such Accounts and Contracts have been assigned to the Noteholder and that the Noteholder has a security interest therein; and

 

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(b) subject to the terms of any applicable lease agreement, permit the Noteholder and/or its representatives and/or agents, to enter, occupy and use any premises where all or any part of the Collateral, or the books and records relating thereto, or both, are located, to take possession of all or any part of the Collateral or the books and records relating thereto, or both, to remove all or any part of the Collateral or the books and records relating thereto, or both, and to conduct sales of the Collateral, without any obligation to pay any Grantor for such use and occupancy.

Section 5.03 Intellectual Property Remedies.

(a) For the purpose of enabling the Noteholder to exercise the rights and remedies under this Article 5 at any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and at such time as the Noteholder is lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, each Grantor hereby grants to the Noteholder a power of attorney to sign any document which may be required by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, domain name registrar or similar registrar in order to effect an absolute assignment of all right, title and interest in each registered Patent, Trademark, Domain Name and Copyright and each application for any such registration, and record the same. For the purpose of enabling the Noteholder to exercise the rights and remedies under this Article 5 at any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and at such time as the Noteholder is lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, the Noteholder may (i) declare the entire right, title and interest of such Grantor in and to each item of Intellectual Property Collateral to be vested in the Noteholder in which event such right, title and interest shall immediately vest in the Noteholder and the Noteholder shall be entitled to exercise the power of attorney referred to in this Section 5.03 to execute, cause to be acknowledged and notarized and record such absolute assignment with the applicable agency or registrar; (ii) sell any Grantor’s Inventory directly to any Person, including without limitation Persons who have previously purchased any Grantor’s Inventory from such Grantor and in connection with any such sale or other enforcement of the Noteholder’s rights under this Security Agreement and subject to any restrictions contained in applicable third party licenses entered into by such Grantor, sell Inventory which bears any Trademark owned by or licensed to any Grantor and any Inventory that is covered by any Intellectual Property Collateral owned by or licensed to any Grantor, and the Noteholder may finish any work in process and affix any relevant Trademark Collateral owned by or licensed to such Grantor, and sell such Inventory as provided herein; (iii) direct such Grantor to refrain, in which event such Grantor shall refrain, from using any Intellectual Property Collateral in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly; and (iv) assign or sell any Patent, Trademark, Copyright, Domain Name, Trade Secret and/or other IP right, in each case to the extent constituting Collateral, as well as the goodwill of such Grantor’s business symbolized by any such Trademark and the right to carry on the business and use the assets of such Grantor in connection with which any such Trademark or Domain Name has been used. In addition, the Noteholder shall maintain the confidentiality of all Trade Secrets, ensure that the goodwill of any Trademarks inures to the benefit of an is assigned to the owner, not reasonably forfeit or waive claims for past infringement, and require the use of appropriate designations and notices for all Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights, and the Noteholder shall not otherwise exercise any of the rights granted to it under this Agreement in a manner than would unreasonably invalidate, abandon, forfeit or otherwise destroy the Intellectual Property Collateral.

(b) Each Grantor hereby grants to the Noteholder an irrevocable (until the Specified Date), nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to its right to use, license or sublicense any Intellectual Property Collateral now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, wherever the same may be located, and including in such license access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and (to the extent not prohibited by any applicable license) to all Software and programs used for compilation or printout thereof. The use of the license granted to the Noteholder pursuant to the preceding sentence may be exercised, at the option of the Noteholder, for the purpose of enabling the Noteholder to exercise the rights and remedies under this Article 5, only when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and at such time as the Noteholder is lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies;

 

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provided, however, that such licenses to be granted hereunder with respect to Trademarks shall be subject to, with respect to the goods and/or services on which such Trademarks are used, the maintenance of quality standards that are sufficient to preserve the validity of such Trademarks and are consistent with past practices.

Section 5.04 Application of Proceeds.

(a) Subject to each applicable Intercreditor Agreement, the Noteholder shall apply the proceeds of any collection, sale, foreclosure or other realization of any Collateral as set forth in Section 9(h) of the Note Purchase Agreement.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein or in any Transaction Document, the Noteholder shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, money or balance in accordance with this Security Agreement. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Noteholder (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), a receipt by the Noteholder or of the officer making the sale of such proceeds, moneys or balances shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Noteholder or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof. It is understood that the Grantors shall remain jointly and severally liable to the extent of any deficiency between the amount of the proceeds of the Collateral and the aggregate amount of the Obligations.

ARTICLE 6

ACCOUNT VERIFICATION; ATTORNEY IN FACT; PROXY

Section 6.01 Account Verification. The Noteholder may at any time and from time to time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and upon at least concurrent notice to the relevant Grantor, in the Noteholder’s own name, in the name of a nominee of the Noteholder, or in the name of any Grantor, communicate (by mail, telephone, facsimile or otherwise) with the Account Debtors of such Grantor, parties to Contracts with such Grantor and obligors in respect of Instruments of such Grantor to verify with such Persons, to the Noteholder’s reasonable satisfaction, the existence, amount, terms of, and any other matter relating to, Accounts, Contracts, Instruments, Chattel Paper, payment intangibles and/or other Receivables that constitute Collateral.

Section 6.02 Authorization for the Noteholder to Take Certain Action.

(a) Each Grantor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Noteholder and appoints the Noteholder (and all officers, employees or agents designated by the Noteholder) as its true and lawful attorney in fact at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in the sole discretion of the Noteholder (in the name of such Grantor or otherwise), (i) to contact and enter into one or more agreements with the issuers of uncertificated securities that constitute Pledged Collateral or with securities intermediaries holding Pledged Collateral as may be necessary or advisable to give the Noteholder Control over such Pledged Collateral in accordance with the terms hereof, (ii) to endorse and collect any cash proceeds of the Collateral and to apply the proceeds of any Collateral received by the Noteholder to the Obligations as provided herein or in the Note or any Finance Document, but in any event subject to the terms of any applicable Intercreditor Agreement, (iii) to demand payment or enforce payment of any Receivable in the name of the Noteholder or such Grantor and to endorse any check, draft and/or any other instrument for the payment of money relating to any such Receivable, (iv) to sign such Grantor’s name on any invoice or bill of lading relating to any Receivable, any draft against any Account Debtor of such Grantor, and/or any assignment and/or verification of any Receivable, (v) to exercise all of any Grantor’s rights and remedies with respect to the collection of any Receivable and any other Collateral, (vi) to settle, adjust, compromise, extend or renew

 

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any Receivable, (vii) to settle, adjust or compromise any legal proceeding brought to collect any Receivable, (viii) to prepare, file and sign such Grantor’s name on a proof of claim in bankruptcy or similar document against any Account Debtor of such Grantor, (ix) to prepare, file and sign such Grantor’s name on any notice of Lien, assignment or satisfaction of Lien or similar document in connection with any Receivable, (x) to change the address for delivery of mail addressed to such Grantor to such address as the Noteholder may designate and to receive, open and dispose of all mail addressed to such Grantor (provided copies of such mail are provided to such Grantor), (xi) to discharge past due taxes, assessments, charges, fees or Liens on the Collateral (except for Permitted Liens), (xii) to make, settle and adjust claims in respect of Collateral under policies of insurance and endorse the name of such Grantor on any check, draft, instrument or other item of payment for the proceeds of such policies of insurance, and (xiii) to do all other acts and things or institute any proceeding which the Noteholder may reasonably deem to be necessary (pursuant to this Security Agreement and the Transaction Documents and in accordance with Applicable Law) to carry out the terms of this Security Agreement and to protect its interests (subject to any limitation set forth herein or in any Transaction Document).

(b) The powers conferred on the Noteholder under this Section 6.02 are solely to protect the Noteholder’s interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Noteholder to exercise any such powers.

Section 6.03 PROXY. EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY (UNTIL THE SPECIFIED DATE) CONSTITUTES AND APPOINTS THE NOTEHOLDER AS ITS PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT (AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 6.02 ABOVE) WITH RESPECT TO THE PLEDGED COLLATERAL CONSTITUTING COLLATERAL, INCLUDING, DURING THE CONTINUATION OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT AND SUBJECT TO ANY NOTICE REQUIREMENTS AS SET FORTH HEREIN, THE RIGHT TO VOTE SUCH PLEDGED COLLATERAL, WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION TO DO SO. IN ADDITION TO THE RIGHT TO VOTE ANY SUCH PLEDGED COLLATERAL, THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NOTEHOLDER AS PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT SHALL INCLUDE THE RIGHT, UPON THE OCCURRENCE AND CONTINUATION OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT AND SUBJECT TO ANY NOTICE REQUIREMENT AS SET FORTH HEREIN, TO EXERCISE ALL OTHER RIGHTS, POWERS, PRIVILEGES AND REMEDIES TO WHICH A HOLDER OF SUCH PLEDGED COLLATERAL WOULD BE ENTITLED (INCLUDING GIVING OR WITHHOLDING WRITTEN CONSENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS, CALLING SPECIAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS AND VOTING AT SUCH MEETINGS). SUCH PROXY SHALL BE EFFECTIVE, AUTOMATICALLY AND WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF ANY ACTION (INCLUDING ANY TRANSFER OF ANY SUCH PLEDGED COLLATERAL ON THE RECORD BOOKS OF THE ISSUER THEREOF) BY ANY PERSON (INCLUDING THE ISSUER OF SUCH PLEDGED COLLATERAL OR ANY OFFICER OR AGENT THEREOF), IN EACH CASE ONLY WHEN AN EVENT OF DEFAULT HAS OCCURRED AND IS CONTINUING AND UPON AT LEAST CONCURRENT WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE APPLICABLE GRANTOR.

Section 6.04 NATURE OF APPOINTMENT; LIMITATION OF DUTY. THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NOTEHOLDER AS PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT IN THIS ARTICLE 6 IS COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST AND SHALL BE IRREVOCABLE UNTIL THE SPECIFIED DATE. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING CONTAINED HEREIN, NEITHER THE NOTEHOLDER, NOR ANY OF ITS RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES SHALL HAVE ANY DUTY TO EXERCISE ANY RIGHT OR POWER GRANTED HEREUNDER OR OTHERWISE OR TO PRESERVE THE SAME AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY FAILURE TO DO SO OR FOR ANY DELAY IN DOING SO, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SUCH DAMAGES ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO BAD FAITH, GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT ON THE PART OF SUCH PERSON AS FINALLY DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN A FINAL AND NON-APPEALABLE DECISION SUBJECT TO SECTION 7.19 HEREOF; PROVIDED, THAT THE FOREGOING SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO OBLIGATE THE NOTEHOLDER TO TAKE OR REFRAIN FROM TAKING ANY ACTION WITH RESPECT TO THE COLLATERAL.

 

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ARTICLE 7

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 7.01 Waivers. To the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law, each Grantor hereby waives notice of the time and place of any judicial hearing in connection with the Noteholder’s taking possession of the Collateral or of any public sale or the time after which any private sale or other disposition of all or any part of the Collateral may be made, including without limitation, any and all prior notice and hearing for any prejudgment remedy or remedies. To the extent such notice may not be waived under Applicable Law, any notice made shall be deemed commercially reasonable if sent to any Grantor, addressed as set forth in Article 8, at least 10 days prior to (a) the date of any such public sale or (b) the time after which any such private disposition may be made. To the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law, each Grantor waives all claims, damages, and demands against the Noteholder arising out of the repossession, retention or sale of the Collateral, except those arising out of bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Noteholder as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment. To the extent it may lawfully do so, each Grantor absolutely and irrevocably waives and relinquishes the benefit and advantage of, and covenants not to assert against the Noteholder, any valuation, stay (other than an automatic stay under any applicable Debtor Relief Law), appraisal, extension, moratorium, redemption or similar law and any and all rights or defenses it may have as a surety now or hereafter existing which, but for this provision, might be applicable to the sale of any Collateral made under the judgment, order or decree of any court, or privately under the power of sale conferred by this Security Agreement, or otherwise. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, each Grantor hereby waives presentment, demand, protest, any notice (to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law) of any kind or all other requirements as to the time, place and terms of sale in connection with this Security Agreement or any Collateral.

Section 7.02 Limitation on Noteholder’s Duty with Respect to the Collateral. The Noteholder shall not have any obligation to clean or otherwise prepare the Collateral for sale. The Noteholder shall use reasonable care with respect to the Collateral in its possession; provided that the Noteholder shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to which it accords its own property. The Noteholder shall not have any other duty as to any Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession or control of any agent or nominee of the Noteholder, or any income thereon or as to the preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto. To the extent that Applicable Law imposes duties on the Noteholder to exercise remedies in a commercially reasonable manner, each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that it would be commercially reasonable for the Noteholder, subject to Section 7.06, (a) to elect not to incur expenses to prepare Collateral for disposition or otherwise to transform raw material or work in process into finished goods or other finished products for disposition, (b) to elect not to obtain third party consents for access to Collateral to be disposed of (unless expressly required under any applicable lease agreement), or to obtain or, if not otherwise required by any Applicable Law, to fail to obtain governmental or third party consents for the collection or disposition of Collateral to be collected or disposed of, (c) to elect not to exercise collection remedies against Account Debtors or other Persons obligated on Collateral or to remove Liens on or any adverse claims against Collateral, (d) to exercise collection remedies against Account Debtors and other Persons obligated on Collateral directly or through the use of collection agencies and other collection specialists, (e) to advertise dispositions of Collateral through publications or media of general circulation, whether or not the Collateral is of a specialized nature, (f) to contact other Persons, whether or not in the same business as any Grantor, for expressions of interest in acquiring all or any portion of such Collateral, (g) to hire one or more professional auctioneers to assist in the disposition of Collateral,

 

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whether or not the Collateral is of a specialized nature, (h) to dispose of Collateral by utilizing internet sites that provide for the auction of assets of the types included in the Collateral or that have the reasonable capacity of doing so, or that match buyers and sellers of assets, (i) to dispose of assets in wholesale rather than retail markets, (j) to disclaim disposition warranties, such as title, possession or quiet enjoyment, (k) to purchase insurance or credit enhancements to insure the Noteholder against risks of loss in connection with any collection or disposition of Collateral or to provide to the Noteholder a guaranteed return from the collection or disposition of Collateral or (l) to the extent deemed appropriate by the Noteholder to obtain the services of other brokers, investment bankers, consultants and other professionals to assist the Noteholder in the collection or disposition of any of the Collateral. Each Grantor acknowledges that the purpose of this Section 7.02 is to provide non-exhaustive indications of what actions or omissions by the Noteholder would be commercially reasonable in the Noteholder’s exercise of remedies with respect to the Collateral and that other actions or omissions by the Noteholder shall not be deemed commercially unreasonable solely on account of not being indicated in this Section 7.02. Without limitation upon the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 7.02 shall be construed to grant any rights to any Grantor or to impose any duties on the Noteholder that would not have been granted or imposed by this Security Agreement or by applicable law in the absence of this Section 7.02.

Section 7.03 Compromises and Collection of Collateral. Each Grantor and the Noteholder recognize that setoffs, counterclaims, defenses and other claims may be asserted by obligors with respect to certain of the Receivables, that certain of the Receivables may be or become uncollectible in whole or in part and that the expense and probability of success in litigating a disputed Receivable may exceed the amount that reasonably may be expected to be recovered with respect to any Receivable. In view of the foregoing, each Grantor agrees that the Noteholder may at any time and from time to time, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and upon concurrent notice to the relevant Grantor, compromise with the obligor on any Receivable, accept in full payment of any Receivable such amount as the Noteholder in its sole and reasonable discretion shall determine or abandon any Receivable, and any such action by the Noteholder shall be commercially reasonable so long as the Noteholder acts reasonably in good faith based on information known to it at the time it takes any such action.

Section 7.04 Noteholder Performance of Debtor Obligations. Without having any obligation to do so, the Noteholder may, at any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and upon prior written notice to the applicable Grantor, perform or pay any obligation which any Grantor has agreed to perform or pay under this Security Agreement and which obligation is due and unpaid and not being contested by such Grantor in good faith, and such Grantor shall reimburse the Noteholder for any amounts paid by the Noteholder pursuant to this Section 7.04 as an Obligation payable in accordance with Section 5(c) of the Note Purchase Agreement.

Section 7.05 No Waiver; Amendments; Cumulative Remedies. No delay or omission of the Noteholder to exercise any right or remedy granted under this Security Agreement shall impair such right or remedy or be construed to be a waiver of any Default or an acquiescence therein, and no single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. No waiver, amendment or other variation of the terms, conditions or provisions of this Security Agreement whatsoever shall be valid unless in writing signed by the Grantors and the Noteholder and then only to the extent in such writing specifically set forth. All rights and remedies contained in this Security Agreement or afforded by law shall be cumulative and all shall be available to the Noteholder until the Specified Date.

Section 7.06 Limitation by Law; Severability of Provisions. All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Security Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any Applicable Law, and all of the provisions of this Security Agreement are intended to be subject to all Applicable Law that may be controlling and to be limited to the extent necessary so that such

 

38


provisions do not render this Security Agreement invalid, unenforceable or not entitled to be recorded or registered, in whole or in part. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, any provision of this Security Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Security Agreement; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. If the exercise of rights or remedies with respect to certain Collateral and the enforcement of any security interest therein require any consent, authorization, approval or license under any Applicable Law, no such action shall be taken unless and until all requisite consents, authorizations approvals or licenses have been obtained.

Section 7.07 Security Interest Absolute. All rights of the Noteholder hereunder, the security interests granted hereunder and all obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Note, any Transaction Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing, (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Note, any Transaction Document or any other agreement or instrument relating to the foregoing, (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on any Collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guaranty, securing or guaranteeing all or any of the Obligations, (d) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment, composition, liquidation or the like of any Grantor, (e) any exercise or non-exercise, or any waiver of, any right, remedy, power or privilege under or in respect of this Security Agreement or any Transaction Document or (f) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Grantor in respect of the Obligations or this Security Agreement (other than a termination of any Lien contemplated by Section 7.12 or the occurrence of the Specified Date).

Section 7.08 Benefit of Security Agreement. The terms and provisions of this Security Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each Grantor, the Noteholder and its respective successors and permitted assigns (including all Persons who become bound as a debtor to this Security Agreement). No sale of any participation, assignment, transfer, or other disposition of any agreement governing the Obligations or any portion thereof or interest therein shall in any manner impair the Lien granted to the Noteholder hereunder.

Section 7.09 Survival of Representations. All representations and warranties of each Grantor contained in this Security Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Security Agreement until the Specified Date.

Section 7.10 Additional Subsidiaries. Upon the execution and delivery by any Subsidiary of a Subsidiary Joinder Agreement (which Subsidiary Joinder Agreement will include a supplemental schedule substantially in the form of the Perfection Certificate (the “Supplemental Perfection Certificate”), (i) such Subsidiary shall become a Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if such Subsidiary was originally named as a Grantor herein and (ii) the Supplemental Perfection Certificate shall be incorporated into and become a part of and supplement the Perfection Certificate (and each reference to such Perfection Certificate shall mean and be a reference to such Perfection Certificate as supplemented pursuant to the Supplemental Perfection Certificate). The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other Grantor or any other Person. The rights and obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Grantor as a party to this Security Agreement.

 

39


Section 7.11 Headings. The titles of and section headings in this Security Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not govern the interpretation of any of the terms and provisions of this Security Agreement.

Section 7.12 Termination or Release.

(a) The Security Agreement shall continue in effect until the Specified Date. Notwithstanding anything in this Security Agreement or the Note or any Financing Document to the contrary, (a) any Grantor shall automatically be released from its obligations under this Security Agreement (and any Lien granted by such Grantor pursuant to this Security Agreement shall be automatically released) (i) upon the consummation of any transaction or series of related transactions permitted under the Note if as a result thereof such Grantor ceases to be a Subsidiary or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary (or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary as a result of a single transaction or series of related transactions not prohibited under this Security Agreement or the Note), provided that if any Grantor ceases to constitute a wholly-owned Subsidiary, such Grantor shall not be released from this Security Agreement unless (A) such Grantor is no longer a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Issuer or (B) after giving pro forma effect to such release and the consummation of the relevant transaction, the Issuer is deemed to have made a new Investment in such Person (as if such Person was then newly acquired); it being understood that this proviso shall not limit the release of any Grantor that otherwise constitutes an Excluded Subsidiary for any reason other than not constituting a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Issuer (this proviso, the “Specified Grantor Release Provision”) and/or (ii) upon the occurrence of the earlier of (x) the date on which the Notes have been fully converted in accordance with the terms of the Note and (y) the Maturity Date and (b) any Grantor that meets the definition of “Excluded Subsidiary” shall be released by the Noteholder promptly following the request therefor by the Issuer, subject, if applicable, to the Specified Grantor Release Provision.

(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Security Agreement or the Note to the contrary, the Noteholder will release any Lien granted to or held by the Noteholder upon any Collateral (A) upon the occurrence of the earlier of (i) the date on which the Notes have been fully converted in accordance with the terms thereof and (ii) the Maturity Date, (B) constituting property sold or to be sold or otherwise Disposed of as part of or in connection with any Disposition permitted under the Note or under any Finance Document or to which the Noteholder has consented, (C) that does not constitute (or ceases to constitute) Collateral, (D) in accordance with Section 12 of the Note Purchase Agreement (E) otherwise pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of any applicable Finance Document or (F) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Noteholder.

(c) In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a) above, the Noteholder shall promptly execute (if applicable) and deliver to any Grantor, at such Grantor’s expense, (i) all UCC termination statements and/or UCC amendments and similar documents that such Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence and/or effectuate such termination or release and (ii) all or the relevant portion of, as applicable, the Pledged Collateral. Any execution and delivery of any document pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall be without recourse to or representation or warranty by the Noteholder.

Section 7.13 Entire Agreement. This Security Agreement, together with the Transaction Documents and, to the extent applicable, each Intercreditor Agreement, embodies the entire agreement and understanding between each Grantor and the Noteholder relating to the Collateral and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between any Grantor and the Noteholder relating to the Collateral.

Section 7.14 CHOICE OF LAW. THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT, WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT (AT LAW OR IN EQUITY) OR OTHERWISE, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

40


Section 7.15 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS.

(a) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY U.S. FEDERAL OR NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK (OR ANY APPELLATE COURT THEREFROM) OVER ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL (EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BELOW) BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE OR, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FEDERAL COURT. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ANY PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICE OR DOCUMENT BY REGISTERED MAIL ADDRESSED TO SUCH PERSON SHALL BE EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS AGAINST SUCH PERSON FOR ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAW. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT THE NOTEHOLDER RETAINS THE RIGHT TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION SOLELY IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXERCISE OF ITS RIGHTS IN RESPECT OF THE COLLATERAL UNDER THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT.

(b) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS UPON IT AND AGREES THAT ALL SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED MAIL (OR ANY SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR FORM OF MAIL) DIRECTED TO IT AT ITS ADDRESS FOR NOTICES AS PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 23(A) OF THE NOTE. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS AND FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING COMMENCED HEREUNDER THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS WAS INVALID AND INEFFECTIVE. NOTHING IN THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

Section 7.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH PARTY HERETO (a) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (b) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

41


Section 7.17 Counterparts. This Security Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Security Agreement by facsimile or by email as a “.pdf” or “.tif” attachment or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Security Agreement.

Section 7.18 INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT GOVERNS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, THE LIENS AND SECURITY INTERESTS GRANTED TO THE NOTEHOLDER PURSUANT TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT AND THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT OR REMEDY BY THE NOTEHOLDER WITH RESPECT TO ANY COLLATERAL HEREUNDER ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF EACH APPLICABLE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT. IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE PROVISIONS OF ANY INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT AND THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT, THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT SHALL GOVERN AND CONTROL. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT TO ENDORSE, ASSIGN OR DELIVER POSSESSORY COLLATERL TO THE NOTEHOLDER SHALL BE DEEMED SATISIFED (OR ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY SHALL BE DEEMED TRUE) BY ENDORSEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OR DELIVERY OF SUCH POSSESSORY COLLATERAL TO ANOTHER PERSON PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (AS GRATUITOUS BAILEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE NOTEHOLDER PURSUANT TO THE APPLICABLE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT) AND ANY SUCH ENDORSEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OR DELIVERY OF SUCH POSSESSORY COLLATERAL TO ANOTHER PERSON PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT SHALL NOT RESULT IN A DEFAULT OR EVENT OF DEFAULT UNDER THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR ANY FINANCING DOCUMENT.

Section 7.19 Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the extent permitted by applicable law, none of the Grantors nor the Noteholder shall assert, and each hereby waives, any claim against each other or any Related Party thereof, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Security Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby.

Section 7.20 Successors and Assigns. Whenever in this Security Agreement any party hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the successors and permitted assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Grantor or the Noteholder in this Security Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except in a transaction expressly permitted under the Note or the Note Purchase Agreement, no Grantor may assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the written consent of the Noteholder.

Section 7.21 Survival of Agreement. Without limiting any provision of the Note, all covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Grantors in the Finance Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Security Agreement or any Finance Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Noteholders and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and the issuance, sale and purchase of the Note, regardless of any investigation made by the Noteholders or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Noteholder may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time the Note was purchased, and shall continue in full force and effect until the Specified Date, or with respect to any individual Grantor until such Grantor is otherwise released from its obligations under this Security Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section 7.22 Indemnity. Each Grantor hereby agrees to indemnify the Indemnities, as and to the extent, set forth in Section 8 of the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

42


ARTICLE 8

NOTICES

Section 8.01 Sending Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Security Agreement shall be delivered (i) in the case of any Grantor, to such Grantor in care of the Issuer in accordance with Section 23(a) of the Note and (ii) in the case of the Noteholder, in accordance with Section 23(a) of the Note (it being understood and agreed that references in such Section 23(a) of the Note to “herein,” “hereunder” and other similar terms shall be deemed to be references to this Security Agreement).

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

43


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor and the Noteholder have executed this Security Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

LI-CYCLE U.S. INC., as a Grantor
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
LI-CYCLE INC., as a Grantor
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
LI-CYCLE NORTH AMERICA HUB, INC., as a Grantor
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

Signature Page to Pledge and Security Agreement


GLENCORE CANADA CORPORATION,
as the Noteholder
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

Signature Page to Pledge and Security Agreement


Schedule 1

PERFECTION CERTIFICATE

[See attached.]


Exhibit A

[FORM OF] SUBSIDAIRY JOINDER AGREEMENT

[see attached.]

Exhibit 10.1

Canadian General Security Agreement

between

LI-CYCLE HOLDINGS CORP.

and

LI-CYCLE CORP.

and

LI-CYCLE AMERICAS CORP.

and

GLENCORE CANADA CORPORATION

as Noteholder

made

December 9, 2024


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Article 1 - Interpretation

     2  

1.01

   Interpretation      2  

1.02

   Headings      6  

1.03

   Extended Meanings      6  

Article 2 - Grant of Security Interest

     6  

2.01

   Security Interest      6  

2.02

   Attachment of Security Interest      7  

2.03

   Excluded Assets      8  

2.04

   Real Property      8  

2.05

   Security Interest Absolute      8  

Article 3 - Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the DebtorS

     8  

3.01

   Representations and Warranties      8  

3.02

   Covenants      9  

Article 4 - Dealing with Collateral

     10  

4.01

   Dealing with Collateral by the Debtors      10  

4.02

   Rights and Duties of the Noteholder      10  

4.03

   Registration of Securities      11  

4.04

   Notification of Account Debtors      11  

4.05

   Application of Funds      11  

Article 5 - Default and Remedies

     11  

5.01

   Consequences of a Default      11  

5.02

   Remedies      11  

5.03

   Powers of the Receiver      13  

5.04

   Liability of Noteholder      13  

5.05

   Proceeds of Realization      13  

5.06

   Waivers by Debtor      13  

Article 6 – General

     13  

6.01

   Additional Debtors      13  

6.02

   Failure of Debtor to Perform      13  

6.03

   Appointment of Consultant      14  

6.04

   Benefit of the Agreement      14  

6.05

   Entire Agreement      14  

6.06

   Amendments and Waivers      14  

6.07

   Assignment      14  

6.08

   Severability      14  

6.09

   Notices      15  

6.10

   Remedies Cumulative; Additional Continuing Security      15  

6.11

   Further Assurances      15  

6.12

   Power of Attorney      15  


6.13

   Amalgamation      15  

6.14

   Discharge      16  

6.15

   Reinstatement      16  

6.16

   Governing Law      17  

6.17

   Attornment      17  

6.18

   Conflicts      17  

6.19

   Counterparts      17  

6.20

   Electronic Execution      17  

6.21

   Intercreditor Agreement      17  

6.22

   Copy of Documents and Consent to Filings      18  

Article 7 – THE NOTEHOLDER

     15  

7.01

   General      15  

Schedule A

        A-1  

Schedule B

        B-1  

 

- ii -


Canadian General Security Agreement

This Agreement is made as of December 9, 2024

between

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario (the “Issuer”),

and

Li-Cycle Corp. and Li-Cycle Americas Corp., each a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario (collectively, the “Guarantors” and, together with the Issuer, the “Debtors”),

and

Glencore Canada Corporation (“Glencore”), a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario as Noteholder (as defined below)

 

A.

The Issuer has entered into an amended and restated note purchase agreement with Glencore Ltd. and the Noteholder, as purchaser and collateral agent, dated as of March 25, 2024 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Note Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Issuer has issued to the Noteholder an amended and restated convertible note in a principal amount of $116,551,170.40, initially maturing on May 31, 2027 and now maturing on the fifth anniversary of the date hereof (the “Note”), which amends, restates, consolidates and supersedes in its entirety that certain convertible note held by Glencore and originally issued by the Issuer pursuant to that certain note purchase agreement, dated as of May 5, 2022 between the Issuer and Glencore Ltd.;

 

B.

The Guarantors and the Noteholder have entered into the Note Guaranty (as defined in the Note), pursuant to which each Guarantor has guaranteed the Obligations (as hereinafter defined) of the Issuer;

 

C.

Each Debtor has agreed to grant a security interest and assignment, mortgage and charge in the Collateral to the Noteholder, in order to secure the performance of its Obligations;

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in consideration of the covenants and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:


ARTICLE 1 - Interpretation

 

1.01

Interpretation

(1) In this Agreement, unless something in the subject matter or context is inconsistent therewith:

2024 Secured Note” means that certain senior secured convertible note in the amount of $75,000,000 dated as of March 25, 2024 and issued by the Issuer to Glencore, as initial noteholder.

Agreement” means this agreement, including its recitals and schedules, as amended from time to time.

Canadian Pledge Agreement” means that certain Canadian pledge agreement made as of the date hereof between each of the Debtors and the Noteholder.

Capital Lease” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee that, in conformity with GAAP, is or should be accounted for as a capital lease or finance lease on the balance sheet of that Person; provided, that for the avoidance of doubt, the amount of obligations attributable to any Capital Lease shall be the amount thereof accounted for as a liability in accordance with GAAP; further provided that only those leases (assuming for purposes hereof that such leases were in existence on the date hereof) that would constitute Capital Leases in conformity with GAAP as in effect prior to giving effect to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)” and ASU No. 2018-11 “Leases (Topic 842)” shall be considered Capital Leases hereunder.

Capital Stock” means any and all shares, securities, interests, participations, preferred equity certificates, convertible preferred equity certificates or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation), including partnership interests and membership interests, and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase or other arrangements or rights to acquire any of the foregoing, but excluding for the avoidance of doubt any Indebtedness convertible into or exchangeable for any of the foregoing.

Collateral” has the meaning set out in Section 2.01; provided always that the term “Collateral” when used herein shall not include any consumer goods of the Debtors.

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Winding-up and Restructuring Act (Canada), and all other liquidation, winding-up, conservatorship, bankruptcy, general assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, plan of arrangement, proposal or similar debtor relief laws of the United States of America statutes, laws, rules and regulations of Canada or any province or territory therefor, Germany, Switzerland or any other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

Deposit Account” means a demand, time, savings, passbook or like account with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or like organization, other than an account evidenced by a negotiable certificate of deposit.

Event of Default” means any of the events described as “Events of Default” in the Note.

Excluded Account” means any Deposit Account (a) which is an escrow, fiduciary, trust or similar account, (b) holding cash collateral for a third party (other than the Issuer or any direct or indirect subsidiary thereof) subject to a Permitted Lien (as defined in the 2024 Secured Note), (c) used by any Note Party exclusively for disbursements and/or payments of payroll in the ordinary course of business, (d) which is a zero balance account or (e) which has an average daily balance measured on a monthly basis of less than $1,000,000 individually or $5,000,000 in the aggregate for all such Deposit Accounts that are Excluded Accounts pursuant to this clause (e).

 

- 2 -


Excluded Assets means each of the following:

 

  (a)

any asset the grant or perfection of a security interest in which would (i) be prohibited by enforceable anti-assignment provisions set forth in any contract that is permitted or otherwise not prohibited by the terms of the Note and is binding on such asset at the time of its acquisition and not incurred in contemplation thereof (other than assets subject to Capital Leases and purchase money financings), (ii) violate (after giving effect to applicable anti-assignment provisions of the PPSA or other Applicable Law) the terms of any contract relating to such asset that is permitted or otherwise not prohibited by the terms of the Note and is binding on such asset at the time of its acquisition and not incurred in contemplation thereof (other than Capital Leases and purchase money financings), or (iii) trigger termination of any contract relating to such asset that is permitted or otherwise not prohibited by the terms of the Note pursuant to any “change of control” or similar provision (to the extent such contract is binding on such asset at the time of its acquisition and not incurred in contemplation thereof); it being understood that the term “Excluded Asset” shall not include proceeds or receivables arising out of any contract described in this clause (a) to the extent that the assignment of such proceeds or receivables is expressly deemed to be effective under the PPSA or other Applicable Law notwithstanding the relevant prohibition, violation or termination right;

 

  (b)

the Capital Stock of any Excluded Subsidiary;

 

  (c)

any asset (including Capital Stock), the grant or perfection of a security interest in which would (i) be prohibited under Applicable Law (including rules and regulations of any Governmental Entity) (after giving effect to applicable anti-assignment provisions of the PPSA or other Applicable Law), (ii) require any governmental or regulatory consent, approval, license or authorization, in each case, to the extent such consent, approval, license or authorization has not been obtained (it being understood and agreed that no Note Party shall have any obligation to procure any such consent, approval, license or authorization) (after giving effect to applicable anti-assignment provisions of the PPSA or other Applicable Law); it being understood that the term “Excluded Asset” shall not include proceeds or receivables arising out of any asset described in this clause (c) to the extent that the assignment of such proceeds or receivables is expressly deemed to be effective under the PPSA or other Applicable Law notwithstanding the relevant requirement or prohibition, or (iii) be reasonably likely to result in material and adverse tax consequences to the Issuer and/or its direct or indirect equityholders (including as a result of the application of Section 956 of the Code) as determined by the Issuer in good faith;

 

  (d)

any Real Estate Asset and, except to the extent a security interest therein can be perfected by the filing of a PPSA financing statement, any leasehold interest in any other assets;

 

- 3 -


  (e)

any Margin Stock;

 

  (f)

any Excluded Account;

 

  (g)

assets subject to a purchase money security interest, Capital Lease obligations or similar arrangement, in each case, that is permitted or otherwise not prohibited by the terms of the Note and to the extent the grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license or agreement or purchase money or similar arrangement or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than a Debtor) after giving effect to applicable anti-assignment provisions of the PPSA or other Applicable Law; it being understood that the term “Excluded Asset” shall not include proceeds or receivables arising out of any asset described in this clause (g) to the extent that the assignment of such proceeds or receivables is expressly deemed to be effective under the PPSA or other Applicable Law notwithstanding the relevant violation or invalidation;

 

  (h)

any asset of a Person acquired by a Debtor that, at the time of the relevant acquisition, is encumbered to secure assumed Indebtedness permitted by the Note to the extent (and for so long as) the documentation governing the applicable assumed Indebtedness prohibits such asset from being pledged to secure the Obligations and the relevant prohibition was not implemented in contemplation of the applicable acquisition;

 

  (i)

any governmental licenses or provincial or municipal franchises, charters or authorizations, to the extent a security interest in any such license, franchise, charter or authorization would be prohibited or restricted thereby, after giving effect to applicable anti-assignment provisions of the PPSA or other Applicable Law, other than any proceeds or receivable thereof to the extent that the assignment of such proceeds or receivables is expressly deemed to be effective under the PPSA or other Applicable Law notwithstanding the relevant prohibition or restriction; and/or

 

  (j)

Project Loan Collateral, in accordance with the terms of an applicable Project Financing Intercreditor Agreement.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America in effect and applicable to the accounting period in respect of which reference to GAAP is made.

“Intercreditor Agreement” means (i) any Project Financing Intercreditor Agreement, (ii) with respect to the 2024 Secured Note, a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and (iii) with respect to any other Indebtedness, any intercreditor or subordination agreement or arrangement (which may take the form of a “waterfall” or similar provision), as applicable, the terms of which are reasonably acceptable to the Issuer and the Noteholder.

Legal Reservations” means the application of the relevant Debtor Relief Laws, general principles of equity and/or principles of good faith and fair dealing.

Margin Stock” has the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

Noteholder” has the meaning set forth in the Note.

 

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Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Note, premium, penalties, all accrued and unpaid fees and expenses (including fees and expenses accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), reimbursements, indemnities and all other advances to, debts, liabilities and obligations of any Note Party to the Noteholder or any indemnified party arising under the Secured Note Documents in respect of the Note, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption) absolute, contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising.

Perfection Requirements” means with respect to any Debtor that is organized under the laws of:

 

  (a)

the United States of America, the filing of appropriate financing statements with the office of the Secretary of State or other appropriate office of the state of organization of each Debtor, the filing of intellectual property security agreements or other appropriate instruments or notices with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office, and the delivery to the Noteholder of any stock certificate or promissory note, together with instruments of transfer executed in blank;

 

  (b)

Canada or any province or territory thereof, (i) the filing of appropriate financing statements pursuant to the PPSA of the province or territory of organization of such Debtor or, if such Debtor is organized under the laws of Canada, the province or territory in which its registered office is located and, if it is organized under the laws of a province or territory other than the Province of Ontario or the Province of British Columbia, the province or territory in which its chief executive office is located and (ii) the filing of appropriate financing statements pursuant to the PPSA of any province or territory as the Noteholder may reasonably request to the extent such additional PPSA filings are necessary to perfect the Liens granted pursuant to any applicable security agreements by such a Debtor, and (iii) the filing of intellectual property security agreements or other appropriate instruments or notices with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and the delivery to the Noteholder of any stock certificate or promissory note, together with instruments of transfer executed in blank;

 

  (c)

Switzerland, the delivery to the Noteholder of any share certificate, duly endorsed in blank, the delivery to the Noteholder of any acknowledgement of debt (Schuldschein), a written notification to any account bank or a written security agreement; and

 

  (d)

Germany, the delivery of written notifications of pledge to any third party debtor of a pledged asset or claim;

In each case of the foregoing clauses (a) through (d), to the extent required by this Agreement.

Permitted Lien” has the meaning set forth in the 2024 Secured Note.

 

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PPSA” means the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario), as amended from time to time (or successor statute) including the regulations thereto; provided, however, if the validity, attachment, perfection (or opposability), effect of perfection or of non-perfection or priority of the Noteholder’s security interest in any Collateral are governed by the personal property security laws or laws relating to personal or movable property of any jurisdiction other than Ontario (including without limitation pursuant to the Civil Code of Quebec), “PPSA” shall also include those personal property security laws or laws relating to personal or movable property in such other jurisdiction for the purpose of the provisions hereof relating to such validity, attachment, perfection (or opposability), effect of perfection or of non-perfection or priority and for the definitions related to such provisions.

Real Estate Asset” means, at any time of determination, all right, title and interest (fee, leasehold or otherwise) of any Person in and to real property (including, but not limited to, land, improvements and fixtures thereon).

The terms “accessions”, “accounts”, “chattel paper”, “documents of title”, “goods”, “instruments”, “intangibles”, “inventory”, “money”, “proceeds” and “securities” whenever used herein have the meanings given to those terms in the PPSA currently in effect in the province referred to in Section 6.16 below.

Terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Note or in the Note Purchase Agreement, as applicable.

 

1.02

Headings

(1) The division of this Agreement into Articles and Sections and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and do not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. The terms “hereof”, “hereunder” and similar expressions refer to this Agreement and not to any particular Article, Section or other portion hereof. Unless something in the subject matter or context is inconsistent therewith, references herein to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Agreement.

 

1.03

Extended Meanings

(1) In this Agreement words importing the singular number only include the plural and vice versa, words importing any gender include all genders and words importing persons include individuals, corporations, limited and unlimited liability companies, general and limited partnerships, associations, trusts, unincorporated organizations, joint ventures and governmental authorities. The term “including” means “including without limiting the generality of the foregoing”.

ARTICLE 2 - Grant of Security Interest

 

2.01

Security Interest

(1) As general and continuing security for the payment and performance of all its Obligations, each Debtor hereby grants to the Noteholder, a security interest in all of such Debtor’s present and after acquired undertaking and property, both real and personal (collectively, the “Collateral”), and, as further general and continuing security for the payment and performance of the Obligations, each Debtor hereby also assigns the Collateral (other than trademarks) to the Noteholder, and mortgages and charges the Collateral as and by way of a fixed and specific mortgage and charge to the Noteholder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Collateral includes all right, title and interest that any Debtor now has or may hereafter have or acquire in any manner whatsoever (including by way of amalgamation) in all property of the following kinds:

 

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  (a)

Receivables: all debts, accounts, claims and choses in action for monetary amounts (collectively, the “Receivables”);

 

  (b)

Inventory: all inventory of whatever kind and wherever situated (collectively, the “Inventory”);

 

  (c)

Equipment: all machinery, equipment, fixtures, furniture, plant, vehicles and other tangible personal property that are not Inventory (collectively, the “Equipment”);

 

  (d)

Chattel Paper: all chattel paper;

 

  (e)

Documents of Title: all warehouse receipts, bills of lading and other documents of title, whether negotiable or not;

 

  (f)

Securities: all shares, bonds, debentures, and other securities (collectively, the “Securities”);

 

  (g)

Intangibles: all intangibles not otherwise described in this Section 2.01 including all goodwill, patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property;

 

  (h)

Instruments and Money: all bills, notes, cheques and other instruments and all coins or bills or other medium of exchange adopted for use as part of the currency of Canada or of any foreign government;

 

  (i)

Books, Records, Etc.: all books, invoices, documents and other records in any form evidencing or relating to the Collateral;

 

  (j)

all rights under any lease or agreement relating to real property;

 

  (k)

Substitutions, Etc.: all replacements of, substitutions for and increases, additions and accessions to any of the property described in this Section 2.01; and

 

  (l)

Proceeds: all proceeds of any Collateral in any form derived directly or indirectly from any dealing with the Collateral or that indemnifies or compensates for the loss of or damage to the Collateral;

provided that the said grant of a security interest, assignment, mortgage and charge will not render the Noteholder liable to observe or perform any term, covenant or condition of any agreement, document or instrument to which a Debtor is a party or by which it is bound.

 

2.02

Attachment of Security Interest

(1) Each Debtor acknowledges that the security interest hereby created attaches upon the execution of this Agreement (or in the case of any after acquired property, upon the date of acquisition by such Debtor of any rights therein), that value has been given by the Noteholder and that such Debtor has, or in the case of after acquired property will have, rights in the Collateral or the power to transfer rights in the Collateral to the Noteholder. Each Debtor, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, waives all rights to receive from the Noteholder a copy of any financing statement, financing change statement, or verification statement, filed or issued at any time in respect of this Agreement.

 

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2.03

Excluded Assets

(1) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Collateral include or the security interest granted under Section 2.01 attach to any Excluded Asset.

 

2.04

Real Property

(1) The assignment, mortgage and charge granted hereby will not extend to the last day of the term of any lease or agreement relating to real property, but each Debtor will hold such last day in trust for the Noteholder, and, upon the enforcement by the Noteholder of its security, will assign such last day as directed by the Noteholder.

 

2.05

Security Interest Absolute

(1) The security interests granted hereby and all rights of the Noteholder hereunder and all obligations of each Debtor hereunder are unconditional and absolute and independent and separate from any other security for the Obligations, whether executed by such Debtor or any other person, and shall not be affected or impaired by:

 

  (a)

any amendment, modification, replacement of or addition or supplement to the Note, any other Secured Note Document or any other security provided to the Noteholder;

 

  (b)

any exercise or non-exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement, the Note, any other Secured Note Document or any other security provided to the Noteholder;

 

  (c)

any waiver, consent, extension, indulgence or other action, inaction or admission under or in respect of this Agreement, the Note, any other Secured Note Document or any other security provided to the Noteholder;

 

  (d)

any default by the Issuer under, or any invalidity or unenforceability of, or any limitation of the liability of the Issuer or on the method or terms of payment under, or any irregularity or other defect in the Note, any other Secured Note Document or any other security provided to the Noteholder;

 

  (e)

any merger, consolidation or amalgamation of a Debtor into or with any other Person; or

 

  (f)

any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, composition, winding-up, dissolution or similar proceeding involving or affecting a Debtor.

ARTICLE 3 - REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE DEBTORS

 

3.01

Representations and Warranties

(1) Each Debtor hereby represents and warrants to the Noteholder that:

 

  (a)

such Debtor has good and valid rights in, title to, or the power to transfer the Collateral with respect to which it has purported to grant a security interest hereunder, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), and has all requisite power and authority to grant to the Noteholder the security interest in such Collateral pursuant hereto;

 

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  (b)

subject to the Legal Reservations, this Agreement is effective to create a legal, valid and enforceable Lien on and security interest in the Collateral in favor of the Noteholder, and, subject to the satisfaction of the Perfection Requirements, the Noteholder will have a fully perfected first priority Lien on such Collateral securing the Obligations to the extent perfection can be achieved by the Perfection Requirements;

 

  (c)

as of the date hereof, no Debtor has actual knowledge of (a) any third-party claim (i) that any of its owned patent, trademark or copyright registrations or applications is invalid or unenforceable, or (ii) challenging such Debtor’s rights to such registrations and applications or (b) any basis for such claims, other than, in each case, to the extent any such third-party claim would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.02

Covenants

(1) Each Debtor covenants with the Noteholder that such Debtor will:

 

  (a)

ensure that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.01 will be true and correct at all times;

 

  (b)

give written notice to the Noteholder within 60 days following any change in the location of its registered office or chief executive office or the transfer of Inventory, Securities or Equipment from the jurisdictions specified in any schedule hereto to a jurisdiction not specified in such schedule;

 

  (c)

(i) keep proper books of account in accordance with sound accounting practice, (ii) furnish to the Noteholder in writing such financial information and statements and all such information and statements relating to the Collateral as the Noteholder may from time to time reasonably request, (iii) permit the Noteholder or its authorized agents upon the Noteholder’s reasonable request at the expense of such Debtor to examine the books of account and other financial records and reports relating to the Collateral and to make copies thereof and take extracts therefrom;

 

  (d)

permit the Noteholder from time to time at any reasonable time to inspect the Collateral and make copies of all information relating to the Collateral and for such purposes the Noteholder will have access to all premises occupied by such Debtor or where the Collateral may be found;

 

  (e)

not change its name or, if such Debtor is a corporation, not amalgamate with any other corporation without first giving notice to the Noteholder of its new name and the names of all amalgamating corporations and the date when such new name or amalgamation is to become effective;

 

  (f)

pay to the Noteholder forthwith upon demand all reasonable costs, fees and expenses (including all reasonable legal, Receiver’s (as defined below),

 

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  consulting and accounting fees and expenses) incurred by or on behalf of the Noteholder in connection with the preparation, execution, perfection, administration and discharge of this Agreement and the security granted hereby and the preservation and exercise of the rights, powers and remedies of the Noteholder, and all such costs, fees and expenses will bear interest at the highest rate borne by any of the Obligations and will form part of the Obligations; and

 

  (g)

immediately deliver all instruments owned as of the date hereof having an outstanding balance in excess of $5,000,000 to the Noteholder or its nominee.

(2) To the extent any Debtor acquires, by way of amalgamation or otherwise, any additional instrument having an outstanding balance in excess of $5,000,000 at any time or from time to time after the date hereof, such Collateral will automatically (and without any further action being required to be taken by the Noteholder) be subject to the security interest and pledge created hereby. Each Debtor will take, or cause to be taken, as promptly as practicable and, in any event on or before the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to clause (b) and (c) of Section 1 of Annex A-1 of the Note for the reporting period in which such Collateral was acquired (or such longer period as the Noteholder may reasonably agree), all steps and actions as the Noteholder deems necessary to ensure that such additional instrument is delivered to the Noteholder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Secured Note Document, no Debtors shall be required to deliver any Tangible Chattel Paper or Document of Title to the Noteholder.

ARTICLE 4 - Dealing with Collateral

 

4.01

Dealing with Collateral by the Debtors

(1) No Debtor shall sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral without the prior written consent of the Noteholder, except, until an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the security interest granted hereby becomes enforceable, as not prohibited by the terms of the Note or otherwise in the ordinary course of its business so that the purchaser of any Collateral takes title thereto free and clear of the security interest, assignment and mortgage and charge granted hereby, but all proceeds of any such sale will continue to be subject to the security granted hereby or as otherwise permitted pursuant to the Note and the Note Purchase Agreement. At any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and upon the exercise by the Noteholder of any of its rights and remedies under Section 5.02, all money received by a Debtor will be held by such Debtor in trust for the Noteholder and must be held separate and apart from other money of such Debtor and paid over to the Noteholder on request.

 

4.02

Rights and Duties of the Noteholder

(1) The Noteholder may perform any of its rights and duties hereunder by or through agents (including, without limitation, any receiver or receiver and manager (each herein referred to as the “Receiver”)) and is entitled to retain counsel and to act in reliance upon the advice of such counsel concerning all matters pertaining to its rights and duties hereunder.

 

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(2) In the holding of the Collateral, the Noteholder and any agent on its behalf is only bound to exercise the same degree of care as it would exercise with respect to similar property of its own of similar value held in the same place. The Noteholder and any agent on its behalf will be deemed to have exercised reasonable care with respect to the custody and preservation of the Collateral if it takes such action for that purpose as any Debtor reasonably requests in writing, but failure of the Noteholder or its agent to comply with any such request will not of itself be deemed a failure to exercise reasonable care.

 

4.03

Registration of Securities

(1) The Noteholder may have any Securities registered in its name or in the name of its nominee and will be entitled but not required to exercise any of the rights that any holder of such Securities may at any time have. However, until an Event of Default has occurred and the Noteholder has exercised any of its rights and remedies under Section 5.02, a Debtor will be entitled to exercise, in a manner not prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholder or which would not violate or be inconsistent with this Agreement, all voting power from time to time exercisable in respect of the Securities. The Noteholder will not be responsible for any loss occasioned by its exercise of any of such rights or by failure to exercise the same within the time limited for the exercise thereof. A Debtor must from time to time forthwith upon the request of the Noteholder deliver to the Noteholder those Securities requested by the Noteholder duly endorsed for transfer to the Noteholder or its nominee.

 

4.04

Notification of Account Debtors

(1) After the occurrence of an Event of Default and the exercise by the Noteholder of any of its rights and remedies under Section 5.02, may give notice to any account debtors or other person to make all further payments to the Noteholder. Any payment or other proceeds of Collateral received by any Debtor from account debtors or from any other person liable to any Debtor after the occurrence of such Event of Default and exercise of such rights and remedies will be held by such Debtor in trust for the Noteholder and must be held separate and apart from other money of such Debtor and paid over to the Noteholder on request.

 

4.05

Application of Funds

(1) All money collected or received by the Noteholder in respect of the Collateral will be applied in accordance with Section 9(h) of the Note Purchase Agreement.

ARTICLE 5 - Default and Remedies

 

5.01

Consequences of a Default

(1) On or after the occurrence of any Event of Default that is continuing, at the option of the Noteholder, (a) any or all of the Obligations not yet payable will become immediately payable, without presentment, protest, notice of protest or notice of dishonour, all of which are expressly waived and (b) the security granted hereby will become immediately enforceable.

 

5.02

Remedies

(1) In addition to any right or remedy otherwise provided herein or existing under Applicable Law, at any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Noteholder will have the rights and remedies set out below, all of which may be enforced successively or concurrently:

 

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  (a)

the Noteholder may take possession of the Collateral and require a Debtor to assemble the Collateral and deliver or make the Collateral available to the Noteholder at such places as may be specified by the Noteholder, and neither the Noteholder nor any Receiver will be or be deemed to be a mortgagee in possession by virtue of any such actions;

 

  (b)

the Noteholder may take such steps as it considers desirable to maintain, preserve or protect the Collateral;

 

  (c)

the Noteholder may carry on, or concur in the carrying on of, all or any part of the business of any Debtor;

 

  (d)

the Noteholder may have, exercise or enforce any rights of a Debtor in respect of the Collateral;

 

  (e)

the Noteholder may sell, lease or otherwise dispose of the Collateral at public auction, by private tender, by private sale or otherwise either for cash or upon credit, upon such terms and conditions as the Noteholder may determine and without notice to any Debtor unless required by law;

 

  (f)

the Noteholder may accept all or any part of the Collateral in total or partial satisfaction of the Obligations in the manner provided by law;

 

  (g)

the Noteholder may, for any purpose specified herein, including for the maintenance, preservation or protection of any Collateral or for carrying on any of the business or undertaking of any Debtor, borrow money on the security of the Collateral, which security will rank in priority to the security granted hereby;

 

  (h)

the Noteholder may occupy and use all or any of the premises, buildings and plants occupied by any Debtor and use all or any of the Equipment and other property of any Debtor for such time as the Noteholder requires to facilitate the realization of the Collateral, free of charge and the Noteholder will not be liable for any rent, charges, depreciation or damages in connection with such actions, nor will the Noteholder or any Receiver be or be deemed to be a mortgagee in possession by virtue of any such actions;

 

  (i)

the Noteholder may appoint a Receiver of the whole or any part of the Collateral and may remove or replace such Receiver from time to time or may institute proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a Receiver of the Collateral;

 

  (j)

the Noteholder may discharge any claim, lien, mortgage, charge, security interest, encumbrance or any rights of others that may exist or be threatened against the Collateral, and in every such case the amounts so paid together with costs, charges and expenses incurred in connection therewith will be added to the Obligations; and

 

  (k)

take any other action, suit, remedy or proceeding authorized or permitted by this Agreement, the PPSA or by other Applicable Law or equity.

 

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5.03

Powers of the Receiver

(1) Any Receiver will have all of the rights and powers that the Noteholder is entitled to exercise pursuant to Section 5.02 but the Noteholder will not be in any way responsible for any misconduct or negligence of any such Receiver.

 

5.04

Liability of Noteholder

(1) The Noteholder will not be liable or responsible for any failure to seize, collect, realize, or obtain payment with respect to the Collateral and is not bound to institute proceedings or to take other steps for the purpose of seizing, collecting, realizing or obtaining possession or payment with respect to the Collateral or for the purpose of preserving any rights of the Noteholder, the Debtors or any other person in respect of the Collateral. In the exercise of its rights and the performance of its obligations, the Noteholder will only be liable for gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

5.05

Proceeds of Realization

(1) The Noteholder will apply any proceeds of realization of the Collateral in accordance with Section 9(h) of the Note Purchase Agreement. If there is any surplus remaining, the Noteholder may pay it to any person entitled thereto by Applicable Law of whom the Noteholder has knowledge and any balance remaining may be paid to the Debtors. If the realization of the Collateral fails to satisfy the Obligations, the Debtors will be liable to pay any deficiency to the Noteholder.

 

5.06

Waivers by Debtor

(1) The Noteholder may (a) grant extensions of time, (b) take and perfect or abstain from taking and perfecting security, (c) give up any security, (d) accept compositions or compromises, (e) grant releases and discharges, and (f) otherwise waive rights against the Debtors, debtors of the Debtors, guarantors and others and with respect to the Collateral and other security as the Noteholder sees fit. No such action or omission will reduce the Obligations or affect the Noteholder’s rights hereunder.

ARTICLE 6 – General

 

6.01

Additional Debtors

(1) If, at the option of the Issuer or as required pursuant to the Note or the Note Purchase Agreement, the Issuer shall cause any party that is not a Debtor to become a Debtor hereunder, such party shall execute and deliver to the Noteholder a Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of Schedule B and such party shall thereafter for all purposes be a party hereto and have the same rights, benefits and obligations as a Debtor party hereto on the date hereof.

 

6.02

Failure of Debtor to Perform

(1) If any Debtor fails to perform any of its covenants or obligations under this Agreement, the Noteholder may, in its absolute discretion, but without being required to do so, perform any such covenant or obligation. If any such covenant or obligation requires the payment of monies, the Noteholder may make such payment. All sums so paid by the Noteholder will be payable by such Debtor to the Noteholder and, for greater certainty, Section 3.02(1)(f) will apply to such sums. No such performance or payment will relieve such Debtor from any default under this Agreement or any consequences of such default.

 

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6.03

Appointment of Consultant

(1) The Noteholder will be entitled to appoint a consultant to provide such services and advice as the Noteholder may determine in its sole discretion, with power to enter a Debtor’s premises, to inspect and evaluate the Collateral, to make copies of a Debtor’s records, to review a Debtor’s business plans and projections, to assess the conduct and viability of a Debtor’s business, to prepare reports on a Debtor’s affairs and to distribute such reports to the Noteholder or to other such persons as the Noteholder may direct. Such consultant will act as an agent for the Noteholder and will owe no duty to such Debtor. The consultant is to have no managerial or advisory capacity and will have no decision making responsibility. Each Debtor authorizes the Noteholder to provide confidential information to the consultant. All fees and expenses in connection with the engagement of a consultant are payable by each Debtor to the Noteholder and for greater certainty, Section 3.02(1)(f) will apply to such fees and expenses.

 

6.04

Benefit of the Agreement

(1) This Agreement will enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties hereto.

 

6.05

Entire Agreement

(1) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no representations, warranties, terms, conditions, undertakings or collateral agreements, express, implied or statutory, between the parties other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement or in any other Secured Note Document.

 

6.06

Amendments and Waivers

(1) No amendment to this Agreement will be valid or binding unless set forth in writing and duly executed by all of the parties. No waiver of any breach of any provision of this Agreement will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by the party purporting to give the same and, unless otherwise provided, will be limited to the specific breach waived.

 

6.07

Assignment

(1) The rights of the Noteholder under this Agreement may be assigned by the Noteholder without the prior consent of the Debtors. No Debtor may assign its obligations under this Agreement.

 

6.08

Severability

(1) If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, such invalidity or unenforceability will attach only to such provision or part thereof and the remaining part of such provision and all other provisions hereof will continue in full force and effect.

 

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6.09

Notices

(1) Any demand, notice or other communication to be given under this Agreement to any Debtor or the Noteholder shall be effective if given in accordance with Section 23(a) of the Note (and in the case of any Guarantor, to such Guarantor in care of the Issuer in accordance therewith) as to the giving of notice to each, and each Debtor and the Noteholder may change their respective address for notices in accordance with the said provision.

 

6.10

Remedies Cumulative; Additional Continuing Security

(1) The rights and remedies of the Noteholder hereunder are cumulative and are in addition to and not in substitution for any other security now or hereafter held by the Noteholder or any other rights or remedies available at law or in equity or otherwise. No single or partial exercise by the Noteholder of any right or remedy precludes or otherwise affects the exercise of any other right or remedy to which the Noteholder may be entitled. This Agreement is a continuing agreement and security that will remain in full force and effect until discharged by the Noteholder.

 

6.11

Further Assurances

(1) Each of the Debtors and the Noteholder will from time to time execute and deliver all such further documents and instruments, including financing statements and schedules, and do all acts and things as the other party may reasonably require to effectively carry out or better evidence or perfect the security granted hereby and the full intent and meaning of this Agreement.

 

6.12

Power of Attorney

(1) Each Debtor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Noteholder and any officer or agent thereof the true and lawful attorney of such Debtor upon the occurrence of an Event of Default that is continuing and the security interest granted hereunder having become enforceable, with full power of substitution, to do, make and execute all such statements, assignments, documents, agreements, acts, matters or things with the right to use the name of such Debtor whenever and wherever the officer or agent may deem necessary or expedient and from time to time to exercise all rights and powers and to perform all acts of ownership in respect to the Collateral in accordance with this Agreement, such power being coupled with an interest; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to obligate the Noteholder to take or refrain from taking any action with respect to the Collateral.

 

6.13

Amalgamation

(1) In the event that any Debtor shall amalgamate with any other corporation or corporations:

 

  (a)

the term “Debtor” wherever used herein shall extend to and include each of the amalgamating corporations and the amalgamated corporation, and the indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of each of them shall be included in the Obligations; and

 

  (b)

the security interest granted hereunder shall extend to and the Collateral shall include all the property and assets of each of the amalgamating corporations and the amalgamated corporation and to any property or assets of the amalgamated corporation thereafter owned or acquired.

 

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6.14

Discharge

(1) This Agreement shall continue in effect until the Specified Date. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Note or any Secured Note Document to the contrary, (a) any Debtor shall automatically be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and any Lien granted by such Debtor pursuant to this Agreement shall be automatically released) (i) upon the consummation of any transaction or series of related transactions permitted under the Note if as a result thereof such Debtor ceases to be a Subsidiary or is an Excluded Subsidiary (or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary as a result of a single transaction or series of related transactions not prohibited under this Agreement or the Note), provided that if any Debtor ceases to constitute a wholly-owned Subsidiary, such Debtor shall not be released from this Agreement unless (A) such Debtor is no longer a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Issuer or (B) after giving pro forma effect to such release and the consummation of the relevant transaction, the Issuer is deemed to have made a new Investment (as defined in the 2024 Secured Note) in such Person (as if such Person was then newly acquired); it being understood that this proviso shall not limit the release of any Debtor that otherwise constitutes an Excluded Subsidiary for any reason other than not constituting a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Issuer (this proviso, the “Specified Debtor Release Provision”) and/or (ii) upon the occurrence of the earlier of (x) the date on which the Note has been fully converted in accordance with the terms of the Note and (y) the Maturity Date and (b) any Debtor that meets the definition of “Excluded Subsidiary” shall be released by the Noteholder promptly following the request therefor by the Issuer, subject, if applicable, to the Specified Debtor Release Provision.

(2) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Note to the contrary, the Noteholder will release any Lien granted to or held by the Noteholder upon any Collateral (A) upon the occurrence of the earlier of (i) the date on which the Note has been fully converted in accordance with the terms thereof and (ii) the Maturity Date, (B) constituting property sold or to be sold or otherwise Disposed of as part of or in connection with any Disposition (each as defined in the 2024 Secured Note) permitted under the Note or under any Secured Note Document or the Intercreditor Agreement or to which the Noteholder has consented, (C) that does not constitute (or ceases to constitute) Collateral, (D) in accordance with Section 12 of the Note Purchase Agreement (E) otherwise pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of any applicable Secured Note Document or the Intercreditor Agreement or (F) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Noteholder.

(3) In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a) above, the Noteholder shall promptly execute (if applicable) and deliver to any Debtor, at such Debtor’s expense, (i) all PPSA discharge statements and similar documents that such Debtor shall reasonably request to evidence and/or effectuate such termination or release and (ii) all or the relevant portion of, as applicable, the Pledged Shares (as defined in the Canadian Pledge Agreement). Any execution and delivery of any document pursuant to this Section 6.14 shall be without recourse to or representation or warranty by the Noteholder.

 

6.15

Reinstatement

(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 6.10 and 6.14 hereof, this Agreement shall be reinstated if at any time following the termination of this Agreement under Sections 6.10 and 6.14 hereof, the performance by a Debtor hereunder or under any other Secured Note Document is set aside upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, dissolution or liquidation of such Debtor or otherwise. Such period of reinstatement shall continue until satisfaction of the conditions contained in, and shall continue to be subject to, the provisions of Sections 6.10 and 6.14.

 

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6.16

Governing Law

(1) This Agreement is governed by and will be construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.

 

6.17

Attornment

(1) For the purpose of all legal proceedings this Agreement will be deemed to have been performed in the Province of Ontario and the courts of the Province of Ontario will have jurisdiction to entertain any action arising under this Agreement. Each Debtor hereby attorns to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario.

 

6.18

Conflicts

(1) In the event of any conflict between the provisions hereunder and the provisions of the Note then, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, the provisions contained in the Note shall prevail and the provisions of this Agreement will be deemed to be amended to the extent necessary to eliminate such conflict. If any act or omission of a Debtor is expressly permitted under the Note but is expressly prohibited hereunder, such act or omission shall be permitted. If any act or omission is expressly prohibited hereunder, but the Note does not expressly permit such act or omission, or if any act is expressly required to be performed hereunder but the Note does not expressly relieve a Debtor from such performance, such circumstance shall not constitute a conflict between the applicable provisions hereunder and the provisions of the Note.

 

6.19

Counterparts

(1) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together will be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

6.20

Electronic Execution

(1) Any party may deliver an executed signature page to this Agreement by electronic transmission and such delivery will be as effective as delivery of a manually executed copy of the Agreement by such party.

 

6.21

Intercreditor Agreement

(1) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Liens and security interests granted to the Noteholder pursuant to this Agreement and the exercise of any right or remedy by the Noteholder with respect to any Collateral hereunder are subject to the provisions of each applicable Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of any Intercreditor Agreement and this Agreement, the provisions of such Intercreditor Agreement shall govern and control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the requirements of this security agreement to endorse, assign or deliver possessory collateral to the Noteholder

 

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shall be deemed satisfied (or any representation or warranty shall be deemed true) by endorsement, assignment or delivery of such possessory collateral to another person pursuant to an applicable Intercreditor Agreement (as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of the of the Noteholder pursuant to the applicable Intercreditor Agreement) and any such endorsement, assignment or delivery of such possessory collateral to another person pursuant to an applicable Intercreditor Agreement shall not result in a Default or an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other Secured Note Document.

 

6.22

Copy of Documents and Consent to Filings

(1) Each Debtor acknowledges having received a fully executed copy of this Agreement and, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, waives all rights to receive from the Noteholder a copy of any financing statement, financing change statement, or verification statement, filed or issued at any time in respect of this Agreement. Each Debtor confirms its consent to the filing by the Noteholder or on its behalf of any financing statement or financing change statement filed or issued at any time in respect of this Agreement.

[signature pages follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

ISSUER:     LI-CYCLE HOLDINGS CORP.
    Per:  

/s/ Ajay Kochhar

     

Name: Ajay Kochhar

Title:  President & CEO

    Per:  

/s/ Carl DeLuca

     

Name: Carl DeLuca

Title:  General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

GUARANTORS:     LI-CYCLE CORP.
    Per:  

/s/ Ajay Kochhar

     

Name: Ajay Kochhar

Title:  President & CEO

    Per:  

/s/ Carl DeLuca

     

Name: Carl DeLuca

Title:  General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

    LI-CYCLE AMERICAS CORP.
    Per:  

/s/ Ajay Kochhar

     

Name: Ajay Kochhar

Title:  President & CEO

    Per:  

/s/ Carl DeLuca

     

Name: Carl DeLuca

Title:  General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

[Signature page to Canadian General Security Agreement]


NOTEHOLDER:     GLENCORE CANADA CORPORATION, as Noteholder
    Per:  

/s/ John Burton

     

Name: John Burton

Title:  Authorised Signatory

[Signature page to Canadian General Security Agreement]


SCHEDULE B

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of •, 20•, is delivered pursuant to Section Article 6 of the Canadian General Security Agreement, dated as of December 9, 2024, by Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (the “Issuer”) and others which are from time to time party thereto as Debtors in favour of Glencore Canada Corporation as Noteholder (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Security Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition are used as defined in the Security Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Security Agreement, the undersigned, as provided in Article 6 of the Security Agreement, hereby becomes a party to the Security Agreement as a Debtor thereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Debtor therein and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, as general and continuing security for the payment and performance of its Obligations, hereby grants to the Noteholder a security interest in, and pledges to the Noteholder all of the undersigned’s Collateral. The undersigned hereby agrees to be bound as a Debtor for the purposes of the Security Agreement.

The information set forth in Annex 1 is hereby added to the information set forth in Schedule A to the Security Agreement. By acknowledging and agreeing to this Joinder Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees that this Joinder Agreement may be attached to the Security Agreement.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that each of the representations and warranties contained in Article 3 of the Security Agreement is true and correct on and as of the date hereof as if made on and as of such date.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Joinder Agreement.

 

ADDITIONAL DEBTOR:    
    Per:  

 

     

Name:

Title:

     

Name:

Title:

NOTEHOLDER:    
    Per:  

 

     

Name:

Title:

    Per:  

 

     

Name:

Title:

[Signature page to Canadian General Security Agreement]

Exhibit 10.2

CANADIAN PLEDGE AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made as of December 9, 2024

BETWEEN

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario (together with all successors, whether by amalgamation or otherwise, the “Issuer”),

- and -

Li-Cycle Corp. and Li-Cycle Americas Corp., each a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario (collectively with all successors, whether by amalgamation or otherwise, the “Guarantors”, and together with the Issuer, the “Pledgors” and each a “Pledgor”).

- and -

Glencore Canada Corporation (“Glencore”), a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, as Noteholder (as defined below).

WHEREAS the Issuer has entered into an amended and restated note purchase agreement with Glencore Ltd. and the Noteholder, as purchaser and collateral agent, dated as of March 25, 2024 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Note Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Issuer has issued to the Noteholder an amended and restated convertible note in a principal amount of $116,551,170.40, initially maturing on May 31, 2027 and now maturing on the fifth anniversary of the date hereof (the “Note”), which amends, restates, consolidates and supersedes in its entirety that certain convertible note held by Glencore and originally issued by the Issuer pursuant to that certain note purchase agreement, dated as of May 5, 2022 between the Issuer and Glencore Ltd.;

AND WHEREAS the Guarantors and the Noteholder have entered into the Note Guaranty, pursuant to which each Guarantor has guaranteed the Obligations (as hereinafter defined) of the Issuer;

AND WHEREAS pursuant to the Note, each Pledgor is required to enter into this Agreement upon the occurrence of the Modification Date (as defined in the Note);

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties agree as follows:


ARTICLE 1 - INTERPRETATION

 

1.01

Definitions

Unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used herein which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Note or the Note Purchase Agreement, as applicable. In this Agreement, unless something in the subject matter or context is inconsistent therewith:

2024 Secured Note” means that certain senior secured convertible note in the amount of $75,000,000 dated as of March 25, 2024 and issued by the Issuer to Glencore, as initial noteholder.

Account Control Agreement means, with respect to a Securities Account, a securities account control agreement between a Pledgor, the Noteholder and the Securities Intermediary which maintains such Securities Account on behalf of such Pledgor, as the same may be amended from time to time.

“Agreement” means this pledge agreement, including its recitals and schedules, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Canadian Security Agreement” means that certain general Canadian general security agreement made as of the date hereof between each of the Pledgors and the Noteholder.

Collateral has the meaning set out in Section 2.01.

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Winding-up and Restructuring Act (Canada), and all other liquidation, winding-up, conservatorship, bankruptcy, general assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, plan of arrangement, proposal or similar debtor relief laws of the United States of America statutes, laws, rules and regulations of Canada or any province or territory therefor, Germany, Switzerland or any other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

Delivery and the corresponding term “Delivered” when used with respect to Collateral means:

 

  (i)

in the case of Collateral constituting Certificated Securities, transfer thereof to the Noteholder or its nominee by physical delivery of the Security Certificates to the Noteholder or its nominee, such Collateral to be endorsed for transfer or accompanied by stock powers of attorney duly executed in blank, all in form and content satisfactory to the Noteholder;

 

  (ii)

in the case of Collateral constituting Uncertificated Securities, (A) registration thereof on the books and records of the issuer thereof in the name of the Noteholder or its nominee or (B) the execution and delivery by the issuer thereof of an effective agreement (each, an “Issuer Control Agreement”), pursuant to which such issuer agrees that it will comply with instructions originated by the Noteholder or its nominee without further consent of the Pledgor that is the owner thereof or any other person;

 

  (iii)

in the case of Collateral constituting Security Entitlements in respect of Financial Assets deposited in or credited to a Securities Account, (A) completion of all actions necessary to constitute the Noteholder or its nominee the entitlement holder with respect to each such Security Entitlement or (B) the execution and delivery by the relevant Securities Intermediary of an effective Account Control Agreement pursuant to which such Securities Intermediary agrees to comply with entitlement orders originated by the Noteholder or its nominee without further consent of the Pledgor that is the Entitlement Holder with respect thereto or any other person; and

 

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  (iv)

in each case such additional or alternative procedures as may hereafter become reasonably appropriate to grant control of, or otherwise perfect a security interest in, any Collateral in favour of the Noteholder or its nominee.

“Event of Default” means any of the events described as “Events of Default” in the Note.

Excluded Assets” has the meaning given to such term in the Canadian Security Agreement.

German Guarantors” means, collectively, all present and future (direct or indirect) subsidiaries of the Issuer organized under the laws of Germany, which consists, as of the date hereof, of Li-Cycle Germany GmbH.

“Intercreditor Agreement” means (i) any Project Financing Intercreditor Agreement, (ii) with respect to the 2024 Secured Note, a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) with respect to any other Indebtedness, any intercreditor or subordination agreement or arrangement (which may take the form of a “waterfall” or similar provision), as applicable, the terms of which are reasonably acceptable to the Issuer and the Noteholder.

Issuer Control Agreement has the meaning set out in clause (ii) of the definition of “Delivery”.

Legal Reservations” means the application of the relevant Debtor Relief Laws, general principles of equity and/or principles of good faith and fair dealing.

Note Guaranty” means that certain note guaranty dated as of the date hereof among the guarantors party thereto from time to time and the Noteholder.

Noteholder” has the meaning given to such term in the Note.

Obligations means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Note, premium, penalties, all accrued and unpaid fees and expenses (including fees and expenses accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), reimbursements, indemnities and all other advances to, debts, liabilities and obligations of any Note Party to the Noteholder or any indemnified party arising under the Secured Note Documents in respect of the Note, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption) absolute, contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising.

Perfection Requirements” means with respect to any Pledgor that is organized under the laws of:

 

  (a)

the United States of America, the filing of appropriate financing statements with the office of the Secretary of State or other appropriate office of the state of organization of each Pledgor, the filing of intellectual property security agreements or other appropriate instruments or notices with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office, and the delivery to the Noteholder of any stock certificate or promissory note, together with instruments of transfer executed in blank;

 

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  (b)

Canada or any province or territory thereof, (i) the filing of appropriate financing statements pursuant to the PPSA of the province or territory of organization of such Pledgor or, if such Pledgor is organized under the laws of Canada, the province or territory in which its registered office is located and, if it is organized under the laws of a province or territory other than the Province of Ontario or the Province of British Columbia, the province or territory in which its chief executive office is located and (ii) the filing of appropriate financing statements pursuant to the PPSA of any province or territory as the Noteholder may reasonably request to the extent such additional PPSA filings are necessary to perfect the Liens granted pursuant to any applicable security agreements by such a Pledgor, and (iii) the filing of intellectual property security agreements or other appropriate instruments or notices with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and the delivery to the Noteholder of any stock certificate or promissory note, together with instruments of transfer executed in blank;

 

  (c)

Switzerland, the delivery to the Noteholder of any share certificate, duly endorsed in blank, the delivery to the Noteholder of any acknowledgement of debt (Schuldschein), a written notification to any account bank or a written security agreement; and

 

  (d)

Germany, the delivery of written notifications of pledge to any third party debtor of a pledged asset or claim;

In each case of the foregoing clauses (a) through (d), to the extent required by this Agreement.

Pledged Shares has the meaning set out in clause (i) of the definition of “Stock”.

“PPSA” means the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario), as amended from time to time (or successor statute) including the regulations thereto; provided, however, if the validity, attachment, perfection (or opposability), effect of perfection or of non-perfection or priority of the Noteholder’s security interest in any Collateral are governed by the personal property security laws or laws relating to personal or movable property of any jurisdiction other than Ontario (including without limitation pursuant to the Civil Code of Quebec), “PPSA” shall also include those personal property security laws or laws relating to personal or movable property in such other jurisdiction for the purpose of the provisions hereof relating to such validity, attachment, perfection (or opposability), effect of perfection or of non-perfection or priority and for the definitions related to such provisions.

“Stock” means

 

  (i)

all Securities owned by each Pledgor (collectively, the “Pledged Shares”), including the shares in the capital stock described in Schedule 1.01, as such Schedule may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, all Security Certificates, if any, and other instruments evidencing or representing such Pledged Shares, and all dividends, interest, distributions, cash, instruments and other property, income, profits and proceeds from time to time received or receivable upon or otherwise distributed or distributable in respect of or in exchange for any and all of the Pledged Shares;

 

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  (ii)

all additional or substitute shares of capital stock or other equity interests of any class of any issuer from time to time issued to or otherwise acquired by the Pledgor in any manner in respect of Pledged Shares, the Security Certificates, if any, and other instruments representing such additional or substitute shares, and all dividends, interests, distributions, cash, instruments and other property, income, profits and proceeds from time to time received or receivable upon or otherwise distributed or distributable in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such additional or substitute shares; and

 

  (iii)

to the extent not otherwise included in the foregoing, all Proceeds thereof.

Swiss Guarantors” means, collectively, all present and future (direct or indirect) subsidiaries of the Issuer organized under the laws of Switzerland, which consists, as of the date hereof, of Li-Cycle Europe AG.

The terms “Certificated Security”, “Document of Title”, “Entitlement Holder”, “Entitlement Order”, “Financial Asset”, “Proceeds”, “Securities Account”, “Securities Intermediary”, “Security”, “Security Certificate”, “Uncertificated Security”, “Security Entitlement” and “Tangible Chattel Paper” whenever used herein have the meanings given to those terms in the PPSA.

 

1.02

Headings

The division of this Agreement into Articles and Sections and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and do not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. The terms “hereof”, “hereunder” and similar expressions refer to this Agreement and not to any particular Article, Section or other portion hereof. Unless something in the subject matter or context is inconsistent therewith, references herein to Articles, Sections and Schedules are to Articles and Sections of and Schedules to this Agreement.

 

1.03

Extended Meanings

In this Agreement words importing the singular number only include the plural and vice versa, words importing any gender include all genders and words importing persons include individuals, corporations, limited and unlimited liability companies, general and limited partnerships, associations, trusts, unincorporated organizations, joint ventures and governmental authorities. The term “including” means “including without limiting the generality of the foregoing”. A reference to any agreement, instrument or declaration means such agreement, instrument or declaration as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified, restated or replaced from time to time.

 

1.04

Statutory References

In this Agreement, unless something in the subject matter or context is inconsistent therewith or unless otherwise herein provided, a reference to any statute is to that statute as now enacted or as the same may from time to time be amended, re-enacted or replaced and includes any regulation made thereunder.

 

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1.05

Schedules

The following are the Schedules to this Agreement:

Schedule 1.01 – List of Stock

Schedule 6.01 – Form of Joinder Agreement.

ARTICLE 2 - GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST AND PLEDGE

 

2.01

Grant and Pledge of Collateral

As general and continuing collateral security for the payment and performance of its Obligations, each Pledgor hereby grants to the Noteholder a security interest in, and pledges to the Noteholder all right, title and interest of such Pledgor in and to, the following, whether now owned or existing or hereafter from time to time acquired, by way of amalgamation or otherwise (collectively, the “Collateral”):

 

  (a)

all Securities Accounts in the name of such Pledgor, including any and all assets of whatever type or kind deposited in or credited to such Securities Accounts, including all Financial Assets, all Security Entitlements related to such Financial Assets, and all certificates and other instruments from time to time representing or evidencing the same, and all dividends, interest, distributions, cash and other property from time to time received or receivable upon or otherwise distributed or distributable in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the foregoing;

 

  (b)

all Stock;

 

  (c)

all Financial Assets;

 

  (d)

all Security Entitlements; and

 

  (e)

all Proceeds in respect of the foregoing and all rights and interest of such Pledgor in respect thereof or evidenced thereby, including all money received or receivable from time to time by such Pledgor in connection with the sale of any of the foregoing.

 

2.02

Security Interest Absolute

The security interests granted hereby and all rights of the Noteholder hereunder and all obligations of each Pledgor hereunder are unconditional and absolute and independent and separate from any other security for the Obligations, whether executed by such Pledgor or any other person, and shall not be affected or impaired by:

 

  (a)

any amendment, modification, replacement of or addition or supplement to the Note, any other Secured Note Document or any other security provided to the Noteholder;

 

  (b)

any exercise or non-exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement, the Note, any other Secured Note Document or any other security provided to the Noteholder;

 

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  (c)

any waiver, consent, extension, indulgence or other action, inaction or admission under or in respect of this Agreement, the Note, any other Secured Note Document or any other security provided to the Noteholder;

 

  (d)

any default by the Issuer under, or any invalidity or unenforceability of, or any limitation of the liability of the Issuer or on the method or terms of payment under, or any irregularity or other defect in the Note, any other Secured Note Document or any other security provided to the Noteholder;

 

  (e)

any merger, consolidation or amalgamation of a Pledgor into or with any other Person; or

 

  (f)

any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, composition, winding-up, dissolution or similar proceeding involving or affecting a Pledgor.

 

2.03

Delivery of Collateral

All Collateral must be Delivered immediately to the Noteholder or its nominee. The Noteholder may, at its option, cause all or any of the Collateral to be registered in the name of the Noteholder or its nominee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Pledgor shall have any obligation hereunder to Deliver any Pledged Shares which are, under the terms of the Note, required to be pledged to the Noteholder (whether as of the date hereof or at a later date) pursuant to a pledge agreement governed by the law of the jurisdiction of formation of the issuer of such Pledged Shares (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Pledged Shares constituting shares in the capital stock of any German Guarantor or Swiss Guarantor).

 

2.04

Subsequently Acquired Collateral

To the extent any Pledgor acquires, by way of amalgamation or otherwise, any additional Collateral at any time or from time to time after the date hereof, such Collateral will automatically (and without any further action being required to be taken by the Noteholder) be subject to the security interest and pledge created hereby. Each Pledgor will take, or cause to be taken, as promptly as practicable and, in any event on or before the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to clause (b) and (c) of Section 1 of Annex A-1 of the 2024 Secured Note for the reporting period in which such Collateral was acquired (or such longer period as the Noteholder may reasonably agree), all steps and actions as the Noteholder deems necessary to ensure that the additional Collateral is Delivered to the Noteholder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Secured Note Document, no Pledgors shall be required to deliver any Tangible Chattel Paper or Document of Title to the Noteholder.

 

2.05

Attachment

Each Pledgor acknowledges that the security interest hereby created attaches upon the execution of this Agreement (or in the case of any after-acquired property, upon the date of acquisition by such Pledgor of any rights therein), that value has been given by the Noteholder and that such Pledgor has, or in the case of after-acquired property will have, rights in the Collateral or the power to transfer rights in the Collateral to the Noteholder. Each Pledgor, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, waives all rights to receive from the Noteholder a copy of any financing statement, financing change statement, or verification statement, filed or issued at any time in respect of this Agreement.

 

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2.06

Excluded Assets

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Collateral include or the security interest granted under Section 2.01 attach to any Excluded Asset.

 

2.07

Return of Collateral

So long as no Event of Default exists, the Noteholder shall promptly deliver to the applicable Pledgor (without recourse and without any representation or warranty) any Collateral in its possession if requested to be delivered to the issuer or holder thereof in connection with any action or transaction that is permitted or not restricted by the Note.

ARTICLE 3 - REPRESENTATIONS,

WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

 

3.01

Representations and Warranties of the Pledgor

Each Pledgor represents and warrants to the Noteholder that:

 

  (a)

such Pledgor has good and valid rights in, title to, or the power to transfer the Collateral with respect to which it has purported to grant a security interest hereunder, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens (as defined in the 2024 Secured Note)), and has all requisite power and authority to grant to the Noteholder the security interest in such Collateral pursuant hereto;

 

  (b)

subject to the Legal Reservations, this Agreement is effective to create a legal, valid and enforceable Lien on and security interest in the Collateral in favor of the Noteholder and, subject to the satisfaction of the Perfection Requirements, the Noteholder will have a fully perfected first priority Lien on such Collateral securing the Obligations to the extent perfection can be achieved by the Perfection Requirements;

 

  (c)

no Collateral is in the possession or control of any person asserting a claim thereto or security interest therein, except that the Noteholder or its nominee or a Securities Intermediary acting on its behalf may have possession or control of the Collateral;

 

  (d)

all Collateral consisting of Pledged Shares has been duly authorized and validly issued, is outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable, constitutes 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of the respective issuers thereof, and is held by each Pledgor free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens);

 

  (e)

except to the extent previously disclosed to the Noteholder in writing, there is no existing agreement, option, warrant, right or privilege capable of becoming an agreement or option pursuant to which any issuer of the Pledged Shares is obligated to issue additional Securities or such Pledgor could be required to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral; and

 

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  (f)

no authorization, consent, permit or approval of, or other action by, or filing with or notice to, any governmental agency or authority, regulatory body, court, tribunal or other similar entity having jurisdiction is required in connection with the execution and delivery by such Pledgor of this Agreement and the performance of its obligations hereunder, except for such filings as may be required to perfect the security interest granted hereby and as may be required in connection with the disposition of all or any Collateral by laws affecting the offering and sale of securities generally.

 

3.02

Covenants of the Pledgors

Each Pledgor covenants with the Noteholder that such Pledgor will provide to the Noteholder, promptly upon request, all information and evidence the Noteholder may reasonably request concerning the Collateral to enable the Noteholder to enforce the provisions hereof.

ARTICLE 4 - DEALING WITH COLLATERAL

 

4.01

Rights and Duties of the Noteholder

(1)  The Noteholder may perform any of its rights and duties hereunder by or through agents (including, without limitation, any receiver or receiver and manager) and is entitled to retain counsel and to act in reliance upon the advice of such counsel concerning all matters pertaining to its rights and duties hereunder.

(2)  In the holding of the Collateral, the Noteholder and any nominee on its behalf is only bound to exercise the same degree of care as it would exercise with respect to similar property of its own of similar value held in the same place. The Noteholder and any nominee on its behalf will be deemed to have exercised reasonable care with respect to the custody and preservation of the Collateral if it takes such action for that purpose as the relevant Pledgor reasonably requests in writing, but failure of the Noteholder or its nominee to comply with any such request will not of itself be deemed a failure to exercise reasonable care.

 

4.02

Voting Rights

(1)  Subject to the provisions of Section 4.02(2), each Pledgor is entitled to exercise with respect to the Collateral owned by it, either directly or, if such Collateral is registered in the name of the Noteholder or its nominee, by power of attorney or proxy, all the rights and powers of a holder of such Collateral, including the right to vote from time to time exercisable in respect of such Collateral and to give proxies, consents, ratifications and waivers in respect thereof. No such action may be taken if it would be prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholder or would violate or be inconsistent with any of the Note or this Agreement or with any other agreement relating thereto or hereto or would have the effect of reducing the value of the Collateral as security for the Obligations or imposing any restriction on the transferability of any of the Collateral.

(2)  At any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and upon the exercise by the Noteholder of any of its rights and remedies under Section 5.01, the Noteholder may give any or all of the Pledgors a notice prohibiting such Pledgor or Pledgors from exercising the rights and powers of a holder of the Collateral, including the right to vote the Collateral, at which time all such rights of such Pledgor or Pledgors will cease immediately and the Noteholder will have the right to exercise the rights and powers related to such Collateral, including the right to vote.

 

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4.03

Dividends and Interest Payments

(1)  Subject to the provisions of Section 4.03(2), the relevant Pledgor is entitled to receive all dividend payments or other distributions or interest payments in respect of the Collateral. If the Collateral has been registered in the name of the Noteholder or its nominee, the Noteholder will execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to the relevant Pledgor all directions and other instruments as such Pledgor may request for the purpose of enabling such Pledgor to receive the dividends or other payments that such Pledgor is authorized to receive pursuant to this Section 4.03(1).

(2)  At any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and upon the exercise by the Noteholder of any of its rights and remedies under Section 5.01, all rights of the Pledgors pursuant to Section 4.03(1) will cease, and all such rights will thereupon become vested in the Noteholder, and the Noteholder will have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain all payments that any Pledgor would otherwise be authorized to retain pursuant to Section 4.03(1). All money and other property received by the Noteholder pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.03(2) will be applied in accordance with Section 9(h) of the Note Purchase Agreement. All payments which are received by any Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this Section 4.03(2) will be held by such Pledgor in trust for the benefit of the Noteholder, will be segregated from other property or funds of such Pledgor and will be forthwith Delivered to the Noteholder or its nominee to hold as Collateral.

ARTICLE 5 - REMEDIES

 

5.01

Remedies

(1)  At any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (i) any or all of the Obligations will, at the option of the Noteholder, become immediately due and payable or be subject to immediate performance, as the case may be, without presentment, protest or notice of dishonour, all of which are expressly waived, (ii) any or all security granted hereby will, at the option of the Noteholder, become immediately enforceable and (iii) in addition to any right or remedy existing under Applicable Law or any other agreement (including the right to give Entitlement Orders, instructions or a notice of exclusive control to a Securities Intermediary subject to an Account Control Agreement or an issuer subject to an Issuer Control Agreement) and all the rights and remedies of a secured party upon default under the PPSA (whether or not the PPSA applies to the affected Collateral), the Noteholder will have the rights and remedies set out below, all of which rights and remedies will be enforceable successively, concurrently or both:

 

  (a)

transfer any part of the Collateral into the name of the Noteholder or its nominee if it has not already done so in accordance with Section 2.03;

 

  (b)

vote any of the Collateral (whether or not registered in the name of the Noteholder or its nominee) and give or withhold all consents, waivers and ratifications in respect thereof;

 

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  (c)

exercise all rights of conversion, exchange or subscription, or any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to any of the Collateral, including the right to exchange at its discretion any of the Collateral upon the amalgamation, arrangement, merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the issuer of the Collateral, all without liability except to account for property actually received by the Noteholder;

 

  (d)

from time to time realize upon, collect, sell, transfer, assign, give options to purchase or otherwise dispose of and deliver any Collateral in such manner as may seem advisable to the Noteholder. For such purposes each requirement relating thereto and prescribed by law or otherwise is hereby waived by each Pledgor to the extent permitted by law and in any offer or sale of any of the Collateral the Noteholder is authorized to comply with any limitation or restriction in connection with such offer or sale as the Noteholder may be advised by counsel is necessary in order to avoid any violation of Applicable Law, or in order to obtain any required approval of the sale or of the purchase by any governmental or regulatory authority or official. Such compliance will not result in such sale being considered or deemed not to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner nor will the Noteholder be liable or accountable to a Pledgor for any discount allowed by reason of the fact that such Collateral is sold in compliance with any such limitation or restriction;

 

  (e)

purchase any of the Collateral, whether in connection with a sale made under the power of sale herein contained or pursuant to judicial proceedings or otherwise;

 

  (f)

accept the Collateral in satisfaction of the Obligations upon notice to the relevant Pledgor of its intention to do so in the manner required by law;

 

  (g)

enforce collection of any of the Collateral by suit or otherwise, and surrender, release or exchange all or any part thereof, or compromise or extend or renew for any period (whether or not longer than the original period) any obligations of any nature of any party with respect thereto;

 

  (h)

endorse any cheques, drafts, or other writings in a Pledgor’s name to allow collection of the Collateral;

 

  (i)

take control of any proceeds of the Collateral; and

 

  (j)

execute (in the name, place and stead of a Pledgor) endorsements, assignments, stock powers and other instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to all or any of the Collateral.

(2)  The Noteholder may (i) grant extensions of time, (ii) take and perfect or abstain from taking and perfecting security, (iii) give up securities, (iv) accept compositions or compromises, (v) grant releases and discharges, and (vi) release any part of the Collateral or otherwise deal with a Pledgor, debtors of a Pledgor, sureties and others and with the Collateral and other security as the Noteholder sees fit without prejudice to the liability of such Pledgor to the Noteholder or the Noteholder’s rights hereunder.

(3)  The Noteholder will not be liable or responsible for any failure to seize, collect, realize, or obtain payment with respect to the Collateral and is not bound to institute proceedings or to take other steps for the purpose of seizing, collecting, realizing or obtaining possession or payment with respect to the Collateral or for the purpose of preserving any rights of the Noteholder, any Pledgor or any other person, in respect of the Collateral.

 

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(4)  The Noteholder will apply any proceeds of realization of the Collateral in accordance with Section 9(h) of the Note Purchase Agreement. If there is any surplus remaining, the Noteholder may pay it to any person having a claim thereto in priority to the relevant Pledgor of whom the Noteholder has knowledge and any balance remaining must be paid to such Pledgor. If the disposition of the Collateral fails to satisfy the Obligations of a particular Pledgor secured by this Agreement and the aforesaid expenses, each Pledgor will be liable to pay any deficiency to the Noteholder forthwith on demand.

 

5.02

Payment of Expenses

The Noteholder may charge on its own behalf and also pay to others all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Noteholder and others, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of any Securities Intermediary, experts or advisers (including lawyers on a solicitor and client basis) retained by the Noteholder, incurred in connection with realizing, collecting, selling, transferring, delivering or obtaining payment for the Collateral, or in connection with the administration or any amendment of this Agreement or incidental to the care, safekeeping or otherwise of any Collateral. The Noteholder may deduct the amount of such expenses from any proceeds of disposition of the Collateral.

ARTICLE 6 - GENERAL

 

6.01

Additional Pledgors

If, at the option of the Issuer or as required pursuant to the Note or the Note Purchase Agreement, the Issuer shall cause any party that is not a Pledgor to become a Pledgor hereunder, such party shall execute and deliver to the Noteholder a Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of Schedule 6.01 and such party shall thereafter for all purposes be a party hereto and have the same rights, benefits and obligations as a Pledgor party hereto on the date hereof.

 

6.02

Benefit of the Agreement

This Agreement will enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties hereto.

 

6.03

Entire Agreement

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no representations, warranties, terms, conditions, undertakings or collateral agreements, express, implied or statutory, between the parties other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement or in any other Secured Note Document.

 

6.04

Termination of Pledge

(1)  This Agreement shall continue in effect until the Specified Date. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Note or any other Secured Note Document to the contrary, (a) any Pledgor shall automatically be released from its obligations under the this Agreement (and

 

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any Lien granted by such Pledgor pursuant to this Agreement shall be automatically released) (i) upon the consummation of any transaction or series of related transactions permitted under the Note if as a result thereof such Pledgor ceases to be a Subsidiary or is an Excluded Subsidiary (or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary as a result of a single transaction or series of related transactions not prohibited under this Agreement or the Note), provided that if any Pledgor ceases to constitute a wholly-owned Subsidiary, such Pledgor shall not be released from this Agreement unless (A) such Pledgor is no longer a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Issuer or (B) after giving pro forma effect to such release and the consummation of the relevant transaction, the Issuer is deemed to have made a new Investment (as defined in the 2024 Secured Note) in such Person (as if such Person was then newly acquired); it being understood that this proviso shall not limit the release of any Pledgor that otherwise constitutes an Excluded Subsidiary for any reason other than not constituting a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Issuer (this proviso, the “Specified Pledgor Release Provision”) and/or (ii) upon the occurrence of the earlier of (x) the date on which the Note has been fully converted in accordance with the terms of the Note and (y) the Maturity Date and (b) any Pledgor that meets the definition of “Excluded Subsidiary” shall be released by the Noteholder promptly following the request therefor by the Issuer, subject, if applicable, to the Specified Pledgor Release Provision.

(2)  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Note to the contrary, the Noteholder will release any Lien granted to or held by the Noteholder upon any Collateral (A) upon the occurrence of the earlier of (i) the date on which the Note has been fully converted in accordance with the terms thereof and (ii) the Maturity Date, (B) constituting property sold or to be sold or otherwise Disposed of as part of or in connection with any Disposition (each as defined in the 2024 Secured Note) permitted under the Note or under any Secured Note Document or the Intercreditor Agreement or to which the Noteholder has consented, (C) that does not constitute (or ceases to constitute) Collateral, (D) in accordance with Section 12 of the Note Purchase Agreement (E) otherwise pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of any applicable Secured Note Document or the Intercreditor Agreement or (F) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Noteholder.

(3)  In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a) above, the Noteholder shall promptly execute (if applicable) and deliver to any Pledgor, at such Pledgor’s expense, (i) all PPSA discharge statements and similar documents that such Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence and/or effectuate such termination or release and (ii) all or the relevant portion of, as applicable, the Pledged Shares. Any execution and delivery of any document pursuant to this Section 6.04 shall be without recourse to or representation or warranty by the Noteholder.

 

6.05

Amendments and Waivers

No amendment to this Agreement will be valid or binding unless set forth in writing and duly executed by all of the parties. No waiver of any breach of any provision of this Agreement will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by the party purporting to give the same and, unless otherwise provided in the written waiver, will be limited to the specific breach waived.

 

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6.06

Assignment

The rights of the Noteholder under this Agreement may be assigned by the Noteholder without the prior consent of the Pledgors. No Pledgor may assign its obligations under this Agreement.

 

6.07

Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, such invalidity or unenforceability will attach only to such provision or part thereof and the remaining part of such provision and all other provisions hereof will continue in full force and effect.

 

6.08

Notices

Any demand, notice or other communication to be given under this Agreement to any Pledgor or the Noteholder shall be effective if given in accordance with Section 23(a) of the Note (and in the case of any Guarantor, to such Guarantor in care of the Issuer in accordance therewith) as to the giving of notice to each, and each Pledgor and the Noteholder may change their respective address for notices in accordance with the said provision.

 

6.09

Additional Continuing Security

This Agreement and the security interest, assignment and mortgage and charge granted hereby are in addition to and not in substitution for any other security now or hereafter held by the Noteholder and this Agreement is a continuing agreement and security that will remain in full force and effect until discharged by the Noteholder.

 

6.10

Remedies Cumulative

The rights and remedies of the Noteholder hereunder are cumulative and are in addition to and not in substitution for any other security now or hereafter held by the Noteholder or any other rights or remedies available at law or in equity or otherwise. No single or partial exercise by the Noteholder of any right or remedy precludes or otherwise affects the exercise of any other right or remedy to which the Noteholder may be entitled.

 

6.11

Further Assurances

Each Pledgor must at its expense from time to time do, execute and deliver, or cause to be done, executed and delivered, all such financing statements, further assignments, documents, agreements, acts, matters and things as may be reasonably requested by the Noteholder for the purpose of giving effect to this Agreement or for the purpose of establishing compliance with the representations, warranties and covenants herein contained.

 

6.12

Power of Attorney

Each Pledgor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Noteholder and any officer or agent thereof the true and lawful attorney of such Pledgor upon the occurrence of an Event of Default that is continuing and the security interest granted hereunder having become enforceable, with full power of substitution, to do, make and execute all such statements, assignments, documents, agreements, acts, matters or things with the right to use

 

- 14 -


the name of such Pledgor whenever and wherever the officer or agent may deem necessary or expedient and from time to time to exercise all rights and powers and to perform all acts of ownership in respect to the Collateral in accordance with this Agreement, such power being coupled with an interest; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to obligate the Noteholder to take or refrain from taking any action with respect to the Collateral.

 

6.13

Amalgamation

In the event that any Pledgor shall amalgamate with any other corporation or corporations:

 

  (a)

the term “Pledgor” wherever used herein shall extend to and include each of the amalgamating corporations and the amalgamated corporation, and the indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of each of them shall be included in the Obligations; and

 

  (b)

the security interest granted hereunder shall extend to and the Collateral shall include all the property and assets of each of the amalgamating corporations and the amalgamated corporation and to any property or assets of the amalgamated corporation thereafter owned or acquired.

 

6.14

Discharge

No Pledgor will be discharged from any of the Obligations or from this Agreement except by a release or discharge signed in writing by the Noteholder.

 

6.15

Reinstatement

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 6.09 and 6.15 hereof, this Agreement shall be reinstated if at any time following the termination of this Agreement under Sections 6.09 and 6.15 hereof, the performance by a Pledgor hereunder or under any Secured Note Document is set aside upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, dissolution or liquidation of such Pledgor or otherwise. Such period of reinstatement shall continue until satisfaction of the conditions contained in, and shall continue to be subject to, the provisions of Sections 6.09 and 6.15 hereof.

 

6.16

Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by and will be construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.

 

6.17

Attornment

For the purpose of all legal proceedings this Agreement will be deemed to have been performed in the Province of Ontario and the courts of the Province of Ontario will have jurisdiction to entertain any action arising under this Agreement. Each Pledgor hereby attorns to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario.

 

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6.18

Conflicts

In the event of any conflict between the provisions hereunder and the provisions of the Note then, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, the provisions contained in the Note shall prevail and the provisions of this Agreement will be deemed to be amended to the extent necessary to eliminate such conflict. If any act or omission of a Pledgor is expressly permitted under the Note but is expressly prohibited hereunder, such act or omission shall be permitted. If any act or omission is expressly prohibited hereunder, but the Note does not expressly permit such act or omission, or if any act is expressly required to be performed hereunder but the Note does not expressly relieve a Pledgor from such performance, such circumstance shall not constitute a conflict between the applicable provisions hereunder and the provisions of the Note.

 

6.19

Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together will be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

6.20

Electronic Execution

Any party may deliver an executed signature page to this Agreement by electronic transmission and such delivery will be as effective as delivery of a manually executed copy of the Agreement by such party.

 

6.21

Intercreditor Agreement

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Liens and security interests granted to the Noteholder pursuant to this Agreement and the exercise of any right or remedy by the Noteholder with respect to any Collateral hereunder are subject to the provisions of each applicable Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of any Intercreditor Agreement and this Agreement, the provisions of such Intercreditor Agreement shall govern and control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the requirements of this Agreement to endorse, assign or deliver possessory collateral to the Noteholder shall be deemed satisfied (or any representation or warranty shall be deemed true) by endorsement, assignment or delivery of such possessory collateral to another person pursuant to an applicable Intercreditor Agreement (as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of the of the Noteholder pursuant to the applicable Intercreditor Agreement) and any such endorsement, assignment or delivery of such possessory collateral to another person pursuant to an applicable Intercreditor Agreement shall not result in a Default or an Event of Default under this Agreement or any other Secured Note Document.

 

6.22

Executed Copy

Each Pledgor acknowledges having received a fully executed copy of this Agreement and, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, waives all rights to receive from the Noteholder a copy of any financing statement, financing change statement, or verification statement, filed or issued at any time in respect of this Agreement. Each Pledgor confirms its consent to the filing by the Noteholder or on its behalf of any financing statement or financing change statement filed or issued at any time in respect of this Agreement.

[signature pages follow]

 

- 16 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

ISSUER:     LI-CYCLE HOLDINGS CORP.
    Per:  

/s/ Ajay Kochhar

     

Name: Ajay Kochhar

Title:  President & CEO

    Per:  

/s/ Carl DeLuca

     

Name: Carl DeLuca

Title:  General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

OTHER PLEDGORS:     LI-CYCLE CORP.
    Per:  

/s/ Ajay Kochhar

     

Name: Ajay Kochhar

Title:  President & CEO

    Per:  

/s/ Carl DeLuca

     

Name: Carl DeLuca

Title:  General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

    LI-CYCLE AMERICAS CORP.
    Per:  

/s/ Ajay Kochhar

     

Name: Ajay Kochhar

Title:  President & CEO

    Per:  

/s/ Carl DeLuca

     

Name: Carl DeLuca

Title:  General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

[Signature page to Canadian Pledge Agreement]


NOTEHOLDER:     GLENCORE CANADA CORPORATION, as Noteholder
    Per:  

/s/ John Burton

     

Name: John Burton

Title:  Authorised Signatory

[Signature page to Canadian Pledge Agreement]


SCHEDULE 6.01

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of •, 20•, is delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 of the Canadian Pledge Agreement, dated as of December 9, 2024, by Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (the “Issuer”) and others which are from time to time party thereto as Pledgors in favour of Glencore Canada Corporation (the “Noteholder”) (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Pledge Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition are used as defined in the Pledge Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement, the undersigned, as provided in Section 6.01 of the Pledge Agreement, hereby becomes a party to the Pledge Agreement as a Pledgor thereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Pledgor therein and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, as general and continuing security for the payment and performance of its Obligations, hereby grants to the Noteholder a security interest in, and pledges to the Noteholder all of the undersigned’s Collateral. The undersigned hereby agrees to be bound as a Pledgor for the purposes of the Pledge Agreement.

The information set forth in Annex 1 is hereby added to the information set forth in Schedule 1.01 to the Pledge Agreement. By acknowledging and agreeing to this Joinder Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees that this Joinder Agreement may be attached to the Pledge Agreement.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that each of the representations and warranties contained in Article 3 of the Pledge Agreement is true and correct on and as of the date hereof as if made on and as of such date.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Joinder Agreement.

 

ADDITIONAL PLEDGOR:    
    Per:  

 

     

Name:

Title:

     

 

     

Name:

Title:

NOTEHOLDER:    
    Per:  

 

     

Name:

Title:

    Per:  

 

     

Name:

Title:


ANNEX 1

List of Stock

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

LOGO

Security Amendment and Restatement

Agreement

dated as of December 9, 2024

by and between

 

Li-Cycle Europe AG

Neuhofstrasse 8 (formerly 6)

6340 Baar

Switzerland

   (the Security Provider 1)

and

 

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

207 Queens Quay West, Suite 590

Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7

Canada

  

(the Security Provider 2

and together with the Security

Provider 1, the Security Providers)

and

 

the Senior Note Secured Parties (as defined below)

represented by

 

Glencore Canada Corporation

100 King Street West, Suite 6900

Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3

Canada

in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement (as defined herein), and (i) acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt (as defined in the 2024 Secured Note (as defined below))) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Senior Note Secured Parties (as defined below) as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in relation to the Existing Swiss Pledge Agreements (as defined below) and (ii) acting in its own name but on behalf and on account of the other Senior Note Secured Parties in relation to the Existing Swiss Security Assignment Agreement (as defined below)

   (the Senior Note Collateral Agent)

 

LOGO


and

 

the Senior Lien Secured Parties (as defined below)

represented by

 

Glencore Canada Corporation

100 King Street West, Suite 6900

Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3

Canada

in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as defined herein), and (i) acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement)) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties (as defined below) as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in relation to this Agreement, (ii) acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement)) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in relation to the Amended and Restated Swiss Pledge Agreements (as defined below) and (iii) acting in its own name but on behalf and on account of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties in relation to the Amended and Restated Swiss Security Assignment Agreement (as defined below)

   (the Collateral Agent)

regarding the amendment and restatement of the Existing Swiss Security Agreements (as defined below)


Table of Contents

 

Whereas

     5  

1.

  Definitions and References      6  

1.1

  Definitions      6  

1.2

  References      8  

1.3

  Clauses      8  

2.

  Designation      8  

3.

  Amendment and Restatement      8  

4.

  Conditions of Effectiveness      9  

5.

  Continuing Effect and Security Confirmation      10  

6.

  No Novation      11  

7.

  General Provisions      11  

7.1

  Amendments and Waivers      11  

7.2

  Severability      11  

8.

  Governing Law and Jurisdiction      12  

8.1

  Governing Law      12  

8.2

  Place of Jurisdiction      12  

Annex 1 – Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement

     16  

Annex 2 – Amended and Restated Swiss Bank Account Pledge Agreement

     20  

Annex 3 – Amended and Restated Swiss Security Assignment Agreement

     21  


This security amendment and restatement agreement is made as of the date hereof, by and between:

 

(a)

Li-Cycle Europe AG, a corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated and organized under the laws of Switzerland, registered with the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zug under registration number CHE-276.781.098, with registered office at Neuhofstrasse 8 (formerly 6), 6340 Baar, Switzerland (the Security Provider 1);

 

(b)

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., a corporation incorporated and organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, with registered office at 207 Queens Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7, Canada (the Security Provider 2 and together with the Security Provider 1, the Security Providers);

 

(c)

the Senior Note Secured Parties, represented by:

Glencore Canada Corporation, a corporation incorporated and organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, with registered office at 100 King Street West, Suite 6900, Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3, Canada, in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement, and (i) acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt (as defined in the 2024 Secured Note)) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Senior Note Secured Parties as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in relation to the Existing Swiss Pledge Agreements and (ii) acting in its own name but on behalf and on account of the other Senior Note Secured Parties in relation to the Existing Swiss Security Assignment Agreement; and

 

(d)

Glencore Canada Corporation, a corporation incorporated and organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, with registered office at 100 King Street West, Suite 6900, Toronto, ON M5X 1E3, Canada, in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, and (i) acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement)) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties (as defined below) as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in relation to this Agreement, (ii) acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement)) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in relation to the Amended and Restated Swiss Pledge Agreements and (iii) acting in its own name but on behalf and on account of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties in relation to the Amended and Restated Swiss Security Assignment Agreement.

(Glencore Canada Corporation, the Collateral Agent and Senior Note Collateral Agent) (all together, the Parties, each a Party).


Whereas

 

A.

Security Provider 2 (also the Issuer) has entered into an amended and restated note purchase agreement with Glencore Ltd. and the Collateral Agent, dated as of March 25, 2024 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement), pursuant to which the Issuer has agreed to issue and sell to the Collateral Agent a senior secured convertible note in a principal amount of $75,000,000 maturing on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance of such senior secured convertible note (the 2024 Secured Note).

 

B.

In order to satisfy certain conditions subsequent of the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement and in order to provide security for each of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties (as defined therein), the Security Providers granted certain security for the Obligations (as defined in the 2024 Secured Note) pursuant to the following Swiss law governed security agreements (collectively, the Existing Swiss Security Agreements):

 

  1.

the share pledge agreement dated as of May 31, 2024, between Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. as Pledgor, Glencore Canada Corporation as Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties (as defined therein) as Pledgees, represented by the Collateral Agent as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) regarding the pledge of all shares in Li-Cycle Europe AG (unless defined herein, each term as defined therein) (the Existing Swiss Share Pledge Agreement);

 

  2.

the security assignment agreement dated as of May 31, 2024, between Li-Cycle Europe AG as Assignor and Glencore Canada Corporation as Collateral Agent regarding the assignment for security purposes of certain intercompany receivables (unless defined herein, each term as defined therein) (the Existing Swiss Security Assignment Agreement); and

 

  3.

the bank account pledge agreement dated as of May 31, 2024, among Li-Cycle Europe AG as Pledgor, Glencore Canada Corporation as Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties (as defined therein) as Pledgees, represented by the Collateral Agent as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertrer) regarding the pledge of certain bank accounts (unless defined herein, each term as defined therein) (the Existing Swiss Bank Account Pledge Agreement).

 

C.

The Issuer has entered into a note purchase agreement with Glencore Ltd., originally dated as of May 5, 2022 (as amended and restated on March 25, 2024 and as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Initial Note Purchase Agreement), pursuant to which the Issuer has agreed to issue and sell to the Collateral Agent a convertible note in a principal amount of $116,551,170.40 maturing on the fifth anniversary of December 9, 2024 (the 2022 Convertible Note).

 

D.

The obligations under the 2022 Convertible Note are intended to be secured by substantially the same collateral as the collateral that has been provided by the Security Providers for the 2024 Secured Note on the date hereof, and such new security is intended to rank pari passu to the security granted in respect of the 2024 Secured Note. In this context, a pari passu intercreditor agreement (the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) has been entered into on or around the date hereof by and among, Glencore Canada Corporation in its capacities as (i) Senior Note Collateral Agent and (ii) Initial Additional Secured Party, each additional Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative from time to time party thereto, and acknowledged and agreed to by Security Provider 2 as Issuer and Security Provider 1 as Grantor and other subsidiaries of the Issuer as Grantors (unless otherwise defined herein, each term as defined therein).


E.

In order to achieve this purpose and satisfy relevant conditions of the 2022 Convertible Note, the Parties enter into this Agreement in order to amend and restate the Existing Swiss Security Agreements, so that such Existing Swiss Security Agreements also secures the 2022 Convertible Note, which shall rank pari passu with the existing security interest securing the 2024 Secured Note.

 

F.

The Parties also enter into this Agreement to confirm that despite the amendment and restatement of the Existing Swiss Security Agreements and the inclusion of the 2022 Convertible Note in the scope of the obligations secured under any of the Existing Swiss Security Agreements the security interest as originally agreed therein continues to be in full force and effect notwithstanding the coming into effect of the Amended and Restated Swiss Security Agreements (as defined below) and that the security interests created under the Existing Swiss Security Agreements shall continue to secure also all Secured Obligations (as defined in the Existing Swiss Security Agreements). In addition, the Parties consider that the security interests created by the Security Providers under the Existing Swiss Security Agreements secure the obligations of the 2022 Convertible Note.

 

G.

The Collateral Agent has been duly appointed under section 9 of the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement and section 2.09 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement to act as Collateral Agent and shall act (i) in the name and on behalf of the Senior Lien Secured Parties in the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter), (ii) in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement)) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in relation to the Amended and Restated Swiss Pledge Agreements and (iii) in its own name but on behalf and on account of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties in relation to the Amended and Restated Swiss Security Assignment Agreement.

Now, therefore, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.

Definitions and References

 

1.1

Definitions

Unless defined otherwise herein and except to the extent that the context requires otherwise, capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or the relevant Existing Swiss Security Agreement.

2022 Convertible Note has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause C.

2024 Note Purchase Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause A.

2024 Secured Note has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause A.


Agreement means this security amendment and restatement agreement and includes, for the avoidance of doubt, Annex 1 (Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement), Annex 2 (Amended and Restated Swiss Bank Account Pledge Agreement) and Annex 3 (Amended and Restated Swiss Security Assignment Agreement) of this Agreement.

Amended and Restated Swiss Bank Account Pledge Agreement has the meaning set forth in Clause 3.

Amended and Restated Swiss Pledge Agreements means collectively the Amended and Restated Swiss Bank Account Pledge Agreement and the Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement.

Amended and Restated Swiss Security Assignment Agreement has the meaning set forth in Clause 3.

Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement has the meaning set forth in Clause 3.

Amended and Restated Swiss Security Agreements means collectively the Amended and Restated Swiss Bank Account Pledge Agreement, the Amended and Restated Swiss Security Assignment Agreement and the Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement.

CC means the Swiss Civil Code (Schweizerisches Zivilgesetzbuch, ZGB) of December 10, 1907, as amended from time to time (SR 210).

Clause means any clause of this Agreement.

CO means the Swiss Code of Obligations (Schweizerisches Obligationenrecht) dated 30 March 1911, as amended and restated from time to time.

Collateral Agent has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Conditions of Effectiveness has the meaning set forth in Clause 4.

Effective Date means the date on which the Conditions of Effectiveness have been satisfied or waived by the Collateral Agent.

Existing Swiss Bank Account Pledge Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause B.

Existing Swiss Security Assignment Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause B.

Existing Swiss Share Pledge Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause B.

Existing Swiss Pledge Agreements means collectively the Existing Swiss Bank Account Pledge Agreement and the Existing Swiss Share Pledge Agreement.


Existing Swiss Security Agreements has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause B.

Initial Note Purchase Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause C.

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause C.

Parties or Party has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Senior Lien Secured Parties has the meaning set forth in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Senior Note Collateral Agent has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Senior Note Secured Parties has the meaning set forth in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Transaction Documents has the meaning given to the term in the 2024 Secured Note and/or in the Initial Note Purchase Agreement, as applicable.

 

1.2

References

References to any agreement or document shall be construed as references to such agreements or documents as amended, novated, supplemented, extended or restated from time to time.

 

1.3

Clauses

In this Agreement any reference to a “Clause” or a “Annex” is, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to a Clause or an Annex to this Agreement.

 

2.

Designation

The Parties agree that this Agreement is a Transaction Document for purposes of each of the 2024 Secured Note, the Initial Note Purchase Agreement and the 2022 Convertible Note.

 

3.

Amendment and Restatement

 

(a)

With effect from the Effective Date, the Parties agree that the Existing Swiss Security Agreements shall be amended and restated as set out in Annex 1 (Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement) (the Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement), Annex 2 (Amended and Restated Swiss Bank Account Pledge Agreement) (the Amended and Restated Swiss Bank Account Pledge Agreement) and Annex 3 (Amended and Restated Swiss Security Assignment Agreement) (the Amended and Restated Swiss Security Assignment Agreement) of this Agreement.

 

(b)

With effect from the Effective Date, the Parties agree and irrevocably direct:

 

  (i)

the Collateral Agent to hold possession (Besitzanweisung) of any existing asset under the Existing Swiss Pledge Agreements in the sense of article 924 CC for


  purposes of effecting the Amended and Restated Swiss Pledge Agreements and the security interests created thereunder in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement)) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) and to hold any such assets in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement)) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter); and

 

  (ii)

the Collateral Agent to act in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement in its own name but on behalf and on account of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties in relation to the Amended and Restated Swiss Security Assignment Agreement.

 

4.

Conditions of Effectiveness

By the date of this Agreement, the Security Providers shall deliver to the Collateral Agent, acting in its own name and on its own behalf as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter), the following documents (collectively, the Conditions of Effectiveness):

 

(a)

a copy of a certified excerpt from the commercial register relating to the Security Provider 1, to be accurate, complete and up-to-date on the date hereof except for the registration of the resignation of Udo Schleif as member of the board of directors of the Security Provider 1;

 

(b)

a certified copy of the Security Provider 1’s articles of association, to be accurate, complete and up-to-date on the date hereof and evidencing, inter alia, that the Security Provider 1 has the capacity to enter into up- and/or cross-stream obligations and reflecting that there are no transfer restrictions regarding the Shares (as defined in the Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement);

 

(c)

a copy of the minutes of a shareholders’ meeting (Generalversammlung) of the Security Provider 1 at which the entire share capital (Aktienkapital) was represented or a written resolution of the sole shareholder of the Security Provider 1, approving the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Amended and Restated Swiss Security Agreements, including any distribution of corporate assets in connection with an enforcement of the Amended and Restated Swiss Security Agreements;

 

(d)

a copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the Security Provider 1, inter alia, (i) approving the entry of the Security Provider 1 into and the performance of this Agreement and the Amended and Restated Swiss Security Agreements to which it is a party and, in relation to the Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement (each term as defined therein) (i) acknowledging the Pledge; (ii) approving the entry of the Pledge in the share register (Aktienbuch) of the Company; (iii) irrevocably approving in advance the


  registration in the share register (Aktienbuch) of the Company upon enforcement of the Pledge of any future acquirer of the Shares as shareholder with Voting Rights; and (iv) irrevocably consenting to and approving the assignment of future Subscription Rights to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement;

 

(e)

a copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the Security Provider 2, inter alia, approving the entry of the Security Provider 2 into and the performance of this Agreement and the Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement; and

 

(f)

a copy of the share register (Aktienbuch) of the Security Provider 1, evidencing (i) that the Security Provider 2 is registered as shareholder with Voting Rights with respect to the Existing Shares and (ii) that the Existing Shares are subject to the Pledge pursuant to the Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement (each term as defined therein).

 

5.

Continuing Effect and Security Confirmation

With effect from the Effective Date:

 

(a)

The provisions of the Existing Swiss Security Agreements shall, save as amended and restated as set out in Annex 1 (Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement), Annex 2 (Amended and Restated Swiss Bank Account Pledge Agreement) and Annex 3 (Amended and Restated Swiss Security Assignment Agreement) of this Agreement, remain in full force and effect.

 

(b)

Any reference in any Transaction Document to the Existing Swiss Security Agreements or to any provision of the Existing Swiss Security Agreements shall be construed as a reference to the Amended and Restated Swiss Security Agreements, or that provision, as set out in Annex 1 (Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement), Annex 2 (Amended and Restated Swiss Bank Account Pledge Agreement) and Annex 3 (Amended and Restated Swiss Security Assignment Agreement) of this Agreement.

 

(c)

Each Security Provider acknowledges the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, the 2024 Secured Note, the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement, the 2022 Convertible Note, the Initial Note Purchase Agreement and this Agreement (including the Amended and Restated Swiss Security Agreements) and hereby agrees and confirms that it continues to be bound by the obligations as set out in the Existing Swiss Security Agreements, as amended and restated following this Agreement coming into effect on the Effective Date and the coming into effect of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(d)

Each Security Provider hereby agrees and confirms that the Pledges (as defined in the relevant Existing Swiss Pledge Agreement) created pursuant to the Existing Swiss Pledge Agreements to which it is a party are and continue to be in full force and effect and continue to secure any and all Secured Obligations (as defined therein) (as may be amended, amended and restated, refinanced, replaced, supplemented, or otherwise modified and/or increased from time to time, including, without limitation, by this Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, and/or any other Transaction Document) after the coming into effect of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and after the Effective Date.


(e)

The Security Provider 1 hereby agrees and confirms that the Assignment (as defined in the Existing Swiss Security Assignment Agreement) created pursuant to the Existing Swiss Security Assignment Agreement is and continues to be in full force and effect and continue to secure any and all Secured Obligations (as defined therein) (as may be amended, amended and restated, refinanced, replaced, supplemented, or otherwise modified and/or increased from time to time, including, without limitation, by this Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, and/or any other Transaction Document) after the coming into effect of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and after the Effective Date.

 

(f)

Each Security Provider undertakes, with respect to paragraphs (a) to (e) above, to do all such acts or execute all such documents that the Collateral Agent may reasonably require in order to ensure that the security interests created under the Existing Swiss Security Agreements continue to be in full force and effect.

 

6.

No Novation

For the avoidance of doubt, each Party hereby acknowledges and confirms that this Agreement shall not and does not cause a novation (keine Novation) of any of the rights and obligations of any party under the Existing Swiss Security Agreements.

 

7.

General Provisions

 

7.1

Amendments and Waivers

This Agreement (including this Clause 7.1) may only be modified or amended by a document signed by all Parties. Any provision contained in this Agreement may only be waived by a document signed by the Party waiving such provision.

 

7.2

Severability

Should any part or provision of this Agreement be, be held, or become illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect by any competent arbitral tribunal, court, governmental or administrative authority having jurisdiction, the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall nonetheless remain legal, valid and enforceable and not in any way be affected or impaired. In such case, the Parties shall replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision with such valid and enforceable provision which best reflects the commercial and legal purpose of the replaced provision and shall execute all agreements and documents required in this connection.


8.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

8.1

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of Switzerland.

 

8.2

Place of Jurisdiction

 

(a)

The exclusive place of jurisdiction for any dispute, claim or controversy arising under, out of or in connection with or related to the Agreement (or subsequent amendments thereof), including, without limitation, disputes, claims or controversies regarding its existence, validity, interpretation, performance, breach or termination, shall be the city of Zurich, Switzerland.

 

(b)

The Collateral Agent and each of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties shall have the right to institute legal proceedings against the Security Providers before any other competent court or authority, in which case Swiss law shall nevertheless be applicable as provided in Clause 8.1.

 

(c)

The Security Provider 2 designates the Security Provider 1 as its representative for the service of judicial documents pursuant to article 140 of the Swiss Civil Procedure Code, and elects special domicile pursuant to article 50 DEBA at the registered seat of the Security Provider 1.

[Signatures on next page]


LOGO

 

Security Provider 1:
Li-Cycle Europe AG
By:  

/s/ Conor Spollen

Name:   Conor Spollen
Function:   Director
By:  

/s/ Elewout Steven J. Depicker

Name:   Elewout Steven J. Depicker
Function:   Director

 

Security Provider 2:
Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.
By:  

/s/ Ajay Kochhar

Name:   Ajay Kochhar
Function:   President & CEO
By:  

/s/ Carl DeLuca

Name:   Carl DeLuca
Function:   General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

 

LOGO


Senior Note Collateral Agent:

Glencore Canada Corporation

In its capacity as Collateral Agent under the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement, and (i) acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt (as defined in the 2024 Secured Note)) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Senior Note Secured Parties as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in relation to the Existing Swiss Pledge Agreements and (ii) acting in its own name but on behalf and on account of the other Senior Note Secured Parties in relation to the Existing Swiss Security Assignment Agreement

 

By:  

/s/ John Burton

Name:   John Burton
Function:   Authorised Signatory


Collateral Agent:

Glencore Canada Corporation

In its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, and (i) acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement)) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in relation to this Agreement, (ii) acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement)) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in relation to the Amended and Restated Swiss Pledge Agreements and (iii) acting in its own name but on behalf and on account of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties in relation to the Amended and Restated Swiss Security Assignment Agreement

 

By:  

/s/ John Burton

Name:   John Burton
Function:   Authorised Signatory


Annex 1 – Amended and Restated Swiss Share Pledge Agreement


Share Pledge Agreement

 

originally dated as of May 31, 2024, as amended and restated as of December 9, 2024

 

by and between

 

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

207 Queens Quay West, Suite 590

Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7

Canada

   (the Pledgor)

and

 

the Secured Parties

(as defined below)

   (the Pledgees)

represented by

 

Glencore Canada Corporation

100 King Street West, Suite 6900

Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3

Canada

in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as defined herein), and acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Pledgees as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter)

   (the Collateral Agent)

regarding the pledge of the shares in Li-Cycle Europe AG


Table of Contents

 

Whereas

     3  

1.

  Definitions and References      4  

1.1

  Definitions      4  

1.2

  References      7  

1.3

  Conflicts with other Agreements      7  

2.

  Pledge      7  

2.1

  Object of Pledge      7  

2.2

  Secured Obligations      7  

2.3

  Perfection of the Pledge on Existing Shares      8  

3.

  Perfection of the Pledge on Future Shares      8  

4.

  Shareholder Rights      8  

4.1

  Subscription Rights      8  

4.2

  Dividends      8  

4.3

  Voting Rights      9  

5.

  Representations and Warranties      9  

6.

  Undertakings      10  

7.

  Enforcement of Pledge      11  

8.

  Application of Proceeds      12  

9.

  Waiver of Legal Subrogation and Non-Accessory Security Rights      12  

10.

  Release of Pledge      13  

11.

  Role of Collateral Agent      13  

12.

  Reinstatement      13  

13.

  Duration; Independence      14  

14.

  General Provisions      14  

14.1

  No Waiver      14  

14.2

  Notices      14  

14.3

  Entire Agreement      15  

14.4

  Amendments and Waivers      16  

14.5

  Transfer of Rights and Obligations      16  

14.6

  Severability      16  

15.

  Governing Law and Jurisdiction      16  

15.1

  Governing Law      16  

15.2

  Place of Jurisdiction      17  

Annex 1- Details of Existing Shares

     19  

 


This share pledge agreement (the Agreement) is amended and restated as of the A&R Effective Date and is made by and between:

 

(a)

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., a corporation incorporated and organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, with registered office at 207 Queens Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7, Canada, as pledgor (the Pledgor); and

 

(b)

the Secured Parties as pledgees (the Pledgees), represented by:

Glencore Canada Corporation, a corporation incorporated and organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, with registered office at 100 King Street West, Suite 6900, Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3, Canada, acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Pledgees as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) (the Collateral Agent, and together with the Pledgor and the Pledgees, the Parties, and each individually a Party).

Whereas

 

A.

The Pledgor has entered into an amended and restated note purchase agreement with Glencore Ltd. and the Collateral Agent, dated as of March 25, 2024 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement), pursuant to which the Issuer has agreed to issue and sell to the Collateral Agent a senior secured convertible note in a principal amount of $75,000,000 maturing on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance of such senior secured convertible note (the 2024 Secured Note).

 

B.

In order to satisfy certain conditions subsequent of the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement and in order to provide security for each of the Secured Parties thereunder, the Pledgor granted security for the Obligations (as defined in the 2024 Secured Note) in the Pledged Assets (as defined below).

 

C.

The Pledgor has entered into a note purchase agreement with Glencore Ltd., dated as of May 5, 2022 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Initial Note Purchase Agreement), pursuant to which the Pledgor has agreed to issue and sell to the Collateral Agent a convertible note in a principal amount of $116,551,170.40 maturing on the fifth anniversary of December 9, 2024 (the 2022 Convertible Note).

 

D.

The obligations under the 2022 Convertible Note are intended to be secured by substantially the same collateral as the collateral that has been provided by the Pledgor and Li-Cycle Europe AG for the 2024 Secured Note, and such new security is intended to rank pari passu to the security granted in respect of the 2024 Secured Note. In this context, a pari passu intercreditor agreement (the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) has been entered into on or around December 9, 2024 by and among, the Collateral Agent in its capacities as (i) Senior Note Collateral Agent and (ii) Initial Additional Secured Party, each additional Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative from time to time party thereto, and acknowledged and agreed to by the Pledgor as Issuer and Li-Cycle Europe AG as a Grantor and other subsidiaries of the Issuer as Grantors (unless otherwise defined herein, each term as defined therein).


E.

In order to achieve this purpose and satisfy relevant conditions of the 2022 Convertible Note, the Parties wish to also secure the 2022 Convertible Note, which shall rank pari passu with the existing security interest securing the 2024 Secured Note.

 

F.

The Pledgor owns all shares in Li-Cycle Europe AG (the Company), a company incorporated under the laws of Switzerland, under registration number CHE-276.781.098, having its registered office at Neuhofstrasse 8 (formerly 6), 6340 Baar, Switzerland.

 

G.

As of the date hereof, the Company has an issued share capital of CHF 100,000, divided into 100,000 registered shares with a par value of CHF 1.00 each.

 

H.

The Collateral Agent has been duly appointed under section 2.09 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement to act as Collateral Agent and shall act in the name and on behalf of the Pledgees in the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and shall exercise the rights of the Pledgees arising hereunder as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter).

Now, therefore, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.

Definitions and References

 

1.1

Definitions

Unless defined otherwise herein and except to the extent that the context requires otherwise, capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

2022 Convertible Note has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause C.

2024 Note Purchase Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause A.

2024 Secured Note has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause A.

Adverse Effect means any effect or a sequence of effects which materially and adversely affect (i) the validity or enforceability of the Pledge or (ii) the rights and claims of the Collateral Agent or the other Pledgees under this Agreement.

Agreement means this amended and restated share pledge agreement.

Amendment and Restatement Agreement means the security amendment and restatement agreement dated as of December 9, 2024 and entered into between Li-Cycle Europe AG as security provider 1, the Pledgor as security provider 2 and the Collateral Agent as senior note collateral agent and collateral agent.

A&R Effective Date has the meaning given to the term “Effective Date” in the Amendment and Restatement Agreement.


Business Day means a Business Day as defined in the 2024 Secured Note, provided that Business Day shall only include any such day commercial banks in Zurich are open for normal business transactions.

Canadian Pledge Agreements means (i) the Canadian Pledge Agreement dated as of March 25, 2024 made by, among others, the Pledgor in favor of the Collateral Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time and (ii) Canadian Pledge Agreement dated on or around the A&R Effective Date, made by, among others, the Pledgor in favor of the Collateral Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Canadian Security Agreements means (i) the Canadian General Security Agreement dated as of March 25, 2024 made by, among others, the Pledgor in favor of the Collateral Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time and (i) the Canadian General Security Agreement on or around the A&R Effective Date, made by, among others, the Pledgor in favor of the Collateral Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Canadian Security Documents means the Canadian Pledge Agreements and the Canadian Security Agreements.

CC means the Swiss Civil Code (Schweizerisches Zivilgesetzbuch, ZGB) of December 10, 1907, as amended from time to time (SR 210).

Certificate means the certificate representing the Existing Shares as specified in Annex 1.

Clause means any clause of this Agreement.

CO means the Swiss Code of Obligations (Schweizerisches Obligationenrecht, OR) of March 30, 1911, as amended from time to time (SR 220).

Collateral Agent has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Company has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause F.

DEBA means the Swiss Federal Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (Bundesgesetz über Schuldbetreibung und Konkurs, SchKG) of April 11, 1889, as amended from time to time (SR 281.1).

Dividends means dividends, repayments of statutory capital reserves or other distributions relating to the Shares either in cash or in kind, including in the form of additional shares or Participation Rights or any other form.

Event of Default has the meaning given to it in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Existing Shares means all fully paid 100,000 registered shares of the Company, each with a par value of CHF 1.00, held by the Pledgor as of the date of this Agreement.


FISA means the Swiss Federal Act on Intermediated Securities (Bucheffektengesetz, BEG) of October 3, 2008, as amended from time to time (SR 957.1).

Future Shares means any shares or Participation Rights issued in addition to the Existing Shares by the Company in whatever nominal value, which the Pledgor receives in whatsoever manner subsequent to the date of this Agreement.

Initial Note Purchase Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause C.

Parallel Debt has the meaning given to it in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause D.

Participation Rights means participation rights (Partizipationsscheine) within the meaning of articles 656a et seq. CO and profit sharing certificates (Genussscheine) within the meaning of article 657 CO.

Parties or Party has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Pledge has the meaning set forth in Clause 2.1.

Pledged Assets means collectively the Shares and the Related Rights.

Pledgees has the meaning in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Pledgor has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Related Rights means all moneys payable and any and all other accessory or other rights, benefits and proceeds (to the extent their assignability is not precluded by mandatory law) in respect of, or derived from, the Shares, whether present or future and whether by way of capital reduction, redemption, substitution, conversion or otherwise, including Subscription Rights, Dividends, liquidation proceeds upon liquidation of the Company, and Voting Rights.

Secured Obligations has the meaning given to the term “Senior Lien Obligations” in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Secured Parties has the meaning assigned to the term “Senior Lien Secured Parties” in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Senior Lien Debt Documents means any such document as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Shares means any Existing Shares and any Future Shares owned by the Pledgor from time to time.

Subscription Rights means the Pledgor’s preemptive rights (Bezugsrechte) and the advance subscription rights (Vorwegzeichnungsrechte) in connection with the issuance of Future Shares, or the creation of authorized or conditional share capital by the Company.


Voting Rights means the voting rights and any other non-monetary participation rights in relation to the Shares.

 

1.2

References

 

(a)

References to any agreement or document shall be construed as references to such agreements or documents as amended, novated, supplemented, extended or restated from time to time.

 

(b)

Any reference in this Agreement to the date of this Agreement is a reference to May 31, 2024.

 

1.3

Conflicts with other Agreements

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the security interest granted to the Pledgees pursuant to this Agreement and the exercise of any right or remedy by the Pledgees with respect to the Pledged Assets hereunder (including any representation and any undertaking) are subject to the provisions of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall prevail and override anything in this Agreement to the contrary, save if and to the extent that the application of any such terms would affect the validity, ranking, priority or enforceability of the Pledge created under this Agreement.

 

2.

Pledge

 

2.1

Object of Pledge

 

(a)

The Pledgor hereby agrees to pledge and hereby unconditionally pledges the Pledged Assets pursuant to articles 899 et seq. CC to each of the Pledgees (each of them individually represented by the Collateral Agent, acting in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name of and on behalf of the other Pledgees as a first ranking continuing pledge (i.e., each of the Pledgees’ pledge being equally in the first rank)) (the Pledge), effective as of the date hereof, as security for the Secured Obligations.

 

(b)

The Collateral Agent hereby accepts the Pledge as Pledgee in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name of and on behalf of the other Pledgees.

 

2.2

Secured Obligations

The Pledge shall serve as a first ranking and continuing security for the prompt and complete payment, discharge and performance of any and all Secured Obligations, irrespective of (i) any intermediate discharge of any but not all of the Secured Obligations, (ii) any intermediate payment or increase of the amount of all or any part of the Secured Obligations, (iii) any transfer of rights and obligations by novation or otherwise from one Pledgee to another Pledgee under the Senior Lien Debt Documents and (iv) any change, amendment or supplement whatsoever in the Senior Lien Debt Documents unless and until the security is released in full by the Collateral Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.


2.3

Perfection of the Pledge on Existing Shares

The Pledge over the Existing Shares shall be perfected on the date of this Agreement by transfer and delivery to the Collateral Agent (or to a third party on its behalf) of the original of the Certificate, duly endorsed in blank.

 

3.

Perfection of the Pledge on Future Shares

 

(a)

The Pledgor undertakes to cause the Company to issue any Future Shares in certificated form and to transfer (or to procure the transfer of) all original certificates representing such Future Shares duly endorsed in blank to the Pledgees (represented by the Collateral Agent) promptly upon, but in any case no later than 10 (ten) Business Days after, receipt by the Pledgor of such certificates. The Pledgor further undertakes to procure the entry of the Pledge into the share register (Aktienbuch) of the Company in relation to any Future Shares and to provide the Collateral Agent with a copy of such updated share register (Aktienbuch).

 

(b)

The Future Shares shall serve, and continue to serve, as first ranking security for any and all Secured Obligations, irrespective of the value of the Future Shares in relation to the Secured Obligations.

 

4.

Shareholder Rights

 

4.1

Subscription Rights

 

(a)

As long as the Collateral Agent has not delivered written notice to the Pledgor upon or after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any Subscription Rights shall remain with the Pledgor. The Pledgor shall notify the Collateral Agent promptly of any grant of Subscription Rights.

 

(b)

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing and at least concurrent written notice to the Pledgor, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled, but not obligated, to exercise the Subscription Rights, acting in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name of and on behalf of the other Pledgees and at its own discretion and the discretion of the other Pledgees.

 

4.2

Dividends

 

(a)

As long as the Collateral Agent has not delivered written notice to the Pledgor upon or after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain all Dividends.

 

(b)

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing and at least concurrent written notice to the Pledgor, the Collateral Agent and the other Pledgees shall be entitled to receive and retain all Dividends in relation to the Shares, including Dividends that were approved and became due but have not been paid out prior to the occurrence of such Event of Default which is continuing.


4.3

Voting Rights

 

(a)

As long as the Collateral Agent has not delivered written notice to the Pledgor upon or after an Event of Default has occurred which is continuing, all Voting Rights remain with the Pledgor. The Pledgor shall exercise its Voting Rights in a manner that will not have an Adverse Effect and in accordance with this Agreement and the Senior Lien Debt Documents.

 

(b)

Upon or after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing and at least concurrent written notice to the Pledgor, the Pledgor shall no longer exercise its Voting Rights related to the Shares without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent, acting in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Pledgees. With effect as from the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing or failure by the Pledgor to comply with a further assurance or perfection obligation hereunder, the Pledgor hereby grants a power of attorney to the Collateral Agent, acting in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Pledgees, to exercise the Voting Rights at its discretion and hereby undertakes to promptly (i) execute and issue any and all proxies in favor of the Collateral Agent and the other Pledgees and (ii) do all acts and things and permit all acts and things to be done which are necessary or expedient for the Collateral Agent or any other Pledgee to exercise the Voting Rights.

 

(c)

Following an Event of Default, the Pledgor shall promptly upon request by the Collateral Agent send copies to the Collateral Agent of any notices received from the Company regarding shareholder’s meetings and any resolutions passed, as necessary or desirable for purposes of this Clause 4.3, by the Pledgor in connection with the Shares and the Related Rights.

 

5.

Representations and Warranties

Without prejudice and in addition to the representations and warranties under the other Senior Lien Debt Documents, the Pledgor hereby represents and warrants to each of the Pledgees that as of the A&R Effective Date:

 

(a)

this Agreement constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of the Pledgor and, subject to the satisfaction of any applicable perfection requirements (i) creates an effective and perfected Pledge, and (ii) is enforceable against the Pledgor in accordance with its terms;

 

(b)

no acknowledgements of debt (Schuldscheine) exist relating to the Related Rights;

 

(c)

no agreements relating to the existing Pledged Assets have been made, and no shareholders’ meeting or board meeting/written resolution of the board of the Company has been held or passed, is called for or planned in which resolutions were, or are proposed to be, passed or approved that could adversely affect the Pledge or any other right of the Collateral Agent or the other Pledgees under this Agreement;


(d)

the Existing Shares do not constitute intermediated securities pursuant to the FISA;

 

(e)

the Existing Shares are duly and validly issued by the Company, are fully paid and non-assessable and constitute all issued and outstanding shares of the Company;

 

(f)

the Pledgor is the sole creditor and/or owner of the existing Pledged Assets, and the existing Pledged Assets are free and clear of any pledges, liens, encumbrances, or other interests or third party rights of any nature (whether in rem or in personam) other than the Pledge and the Canadian Security Documents;

 

(g)

subject to the Pledge and the Canadian Security Documents, the Pledgor has not assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed of any of its rights, title and interest in the existing Pledged Assets;

 

(h)

the Company has not created any conditional share capital or a capital band and has not granted any options for the acquisition of Shares;

 

(i)

the Pledgor is in compliance with its obligations under articles 697j et seq. CO; and

 

(j)

Annex 1 (Details of Existing Shares) is accurate, complete and up-to-date as of the date hereof.

 

6.

Undertakings

Subject to the terms of the Senior Lien Debt Documents, the Pledgor hereby undertakes for as long as the Pledge remains in effect:

 

(a)

to promptly do all acts and things necessary to ensure that it remains registered as the shareholder of the Shares in the share register (Aktienbuch) of the Company;

 

(b)

to ensure that no action is taken the effect of which would be any of the Shares becoming intermediated securities (Bucheffekten) pursuant to the FISA;

 

(c)

not to take any action with respect to the Pledged Assets that would, taken as a whole, materially and adversely affect (i) any rights of the Pledgees under this Agreement or any other Senior Lien Debt Document or (ii) the validity and enforceability of the Pledge;

 

(d)

to promptly deliver to the Collateral Agent any and all acknowledgements of debt (Schuldscheine) relating to the Related Rights;

 

(e)

without the Collateral Agent’s prior written consent, not to enter into any legal instrument relating to, or granting any form of security interest, lien, encumbrance or other interest or third party right over, or dispose of, transfer or assign the Pledged Assets, or take any other action having an Adverse Effect, in all cases except pursuant to the Canadian Security Documents;


(f)

to exercise any and all subscription rights assigned to the Pledgor relating to the Shares and to take all such other actions as are necessary for the Pledgor to remain the owner of 100 per cent. of all shares and other equity securities in the Company; and

 

(g)

without the Collateral Agent’s prior written consent, not to take any action or vote in favor of any resolution with regard to the Company whereby:

 

  (i)

any dividend declaration, distribution or payment of Dividends would be unreasonably or materially altered;

 

  (ii)

the Company’s legal form (inter alia, by merger (except in cases where the Company is the surviving entity), liquidation or transformation) or substance (e.g., by spin-off) would be modified or altered; or

 

  (iii)

the Company’s articles of incorporation (Statuten) would be amended and such amendment would have an Adverse Effect (e.g., current corporate purpose provision would be materially amended, Existing Shares would be modified or altered, transferability of Shares would be restricted, voting proxies may only be granted to shareholders of the Company),

provided that the foregoing undertakings shall not limit or restrict the Pledgor from taking any action which is permitted under the Senior Lien Debt Documents save if and to the extent that such action would affect the validity, ranking, priority, or enforceability of this Pledge.

 

7.

Enforcement of Pledge

 

(a)

In the event that an Event of Default has occurred which is continuing, the Collateral Agent, acting in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name of and on behalf of the other Pledgees, shall have the right, but not the obligation to enforce the Pledge, at its discretion, by either:

 

  (i)

private enforcement (Private Verwertung) including a discretionary sale (Freihandverkauf) or, to the extent permitted, acquire the Pledged Assets in its own name and on its own account (Selbsteintritt), in each case without regard to the provisions of the DEBA;

 

  (ii)

enforcement proceedings pursuant to the DEBA; or

 

  (iii)

enforcement proceedings pursuant to other applicable laws.

 

(b)

In the course of private enforcement (Private Verwertung), the Collateral Agent, acting in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name and on behalf of the Pledgees, may either sell the Pledged Assets to a third party (Freihandverkauf) or acquire any and all or part of the Pledged Assets on its own or the Pledgees behalf (Selbsteintritt), in each case on arm’s length terms. Furthermore, the Collateral Agent may in its sole discretion apply all Dividends and other monies arising from the Shares or Related Rights as though they were proceeds of an enforcement


  under this Agreement. The Collateral Agent, acting in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name and on behalf of the Pledgees, shall render an account to the Pledgor regarding the private enforcement.

 

(c)

With regard to private enforcement (Private Verwertung), the Pledgor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to be its attorney and in the Pledgor’s name and on its behalf to execute, deliver and perfect all documents and to do all things that are required or expedient in this respect.

 

(d)

The Parties agree in advance that a sale according to article 130 DEBA (Freihandverkauf) shall be permissible.

 

(e)

Failure by the Collateral Agent or by any other Pledgee to sell Pledged Assets or to exercise any right or remedy including the acceptance of partial or delinquent payments shall not result in any liability of the Collateral Agent or any other Pledgee and shall not prejudice any of the rights the Collateral Agent or any other Pledgee may have under this Agreement or any other Senior Lien Debt Document nor be a waiver of any obligation of the Pledgor hereunder and/or thereunder.

 

(f)

Notwithstanding the foregoing and notwithstanding the provision of article 41 DEBA, the Collateral Agent, acting in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name and on behalf of the Pledgees, is at liberty to institute or pursue the enforcement of the Secured Obligations pursuant to regular debt enforcement proceedings without having first realized the Pledge (waiver of the beneficium excussionis realis).

 

(g)

The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to enforce the Pledge in full or in part only. Partial enforcement shall not affect the Pledge on the remaining Pledged Assets.

 

(h)

The Pledgor hereby agrees that the Collateral Agent can instruct a third party to conduct the enforcement of the Pledge in its name and for its account.

 

8.

Application of Proceeds

Any proceeds received by the Collateral Agent or any other Pledgee under this Agreement, in particular in connection with the enforcement of the Pledge, shall be applied towards satisfaction of the Secured Obligations in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

9.

Waiver of Legal Subrogation and Non-Accessory Security Rights

If and to the extent the Secured Obligations are not only owed by the Pledgor but also by third parties, and if and to the extent the Pledgor satisfies the Secured Obligations in full or in part (including by enforcement of the Pledge), the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)

Until satisfaction of the Secured Obligations in full, the legal subrogation (gesetzlicher Forderungsübergang) pursuant to articles 110, 149 CO (or any other applicable provision) or under any other applicable law shall not apply. For the avoidance of doubt, the claim for indemnity (article 148 para. 2 CO) shall not be affected thereby.


(b)

The Pledgor may request the transfer to it of non-accessory security rights (nicht-akzessorische Sicherungsrechte) which have not been provided by the Pledgor only upon satisfaction of the Secured Obligations in full and only if and to the extent the respective security provider has approved the transfer to the Pledgor.

 

10.

Release of Pledge

 

(a)

The Pledged Assets or, in case of a realization of (part of) the Pledged Assets, the remainder thereof, shall be released from the Pledge and returned to the Pledgor at the cost and risk of the Pledgor if and when (i) all Secured Obligations have been irrevocably paid and discharged in full and no further Secured Obligations are capable of arising in accordance with the terms of the Senior Lien Debt Documents, (ii) any other event occurs requiring a release of the Pledged Assets or (iii) as permitted by the Senior Lien Debt Documents.

 

(b)

Neither of the Collateral Agent nor the Pledgees will make, and neither of them shall be deemed to have made, any representation or warranty, whether express or implied, with respect to any Pledged Assets released from the Pledge and returned to the Pledgor under this Clause 10, except that at the date of such release of the Pledged Assets from the Pledge, such Pledged Assets are free and clear of any third-party rights arising from the Collateral Agent’s acts.

 

11.

Role of Collateral Agent

 

(a)

The Collateral Agent hereby confirms that each of the other Pledgees has appointed and each new Secured Party will appoint the Collateral Agent to act as its representative under and in connection with this Agreement pursuant to section 2.09 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. In particular, each of the Pledgees has authorized, and each of the persons becoming a new Pledgee subsequent to this Agreement will authorize the Collateral Agent to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Collateral Agent under or in connection with this Agreement together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions. The Pledgor acknowledges such rights and powers.

 

(b)

The Collateral Agent performs its rights and obligations under this Agreement and exercises the rights and obligations of the Pledgees hereunder in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name of and on behalf of the other Pledgees as direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) and any action with respect to this Agreement taken by the Collateral Agent shall be construed as binding upon the Collateral Agent and each of the other Pledgees.

 

12.

Reinstatement

Where any discharge in respect of the Secured Obligations is made, in whole or in part, and any amount paid pursuant to any such discharge is avoided or reduced as a result of insolvency or any similar events, the respective Pledgees will have or continue to have a Secured Obligation and, in case the Pledged Assets have been released from the Pledge, the Pledgor shall undertake all actions that are necessary for the reinstatement of the Pledge, in particular the Pledgor shall


redeliver the Pledged Assets to the Collateral Agent, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any proceeds from the disposal of and any other substitutes for the Pledged Assets. Such reinstatement shall, to the extent required, include a reinstatement of this Agreement and the Pledge shall continue as if there had been no discharge in respect of such Secured Obligations.

 

13.

Duration; Independence

 

(a)

The Pledge shall not cease to exist if the Secured Obligations have been discharged only partially or temporarily.

 

(b)

This Agreement shall create a continuing Pledge and no change, amendment, restatement or supplement whatsoever in the Senior Lien Debt Documents or in any document or agreement related to any of the other Senior Lien Debt Documents shall affect the validity or the scope of this Agreement and the Pledge nor the obligations which are imposed on the Pledgor pursuant to it.

 

(c)

This Agreement and the Pledge are independent from any other security interest or guarantee which may have been or will be entered into for the benefit of the Collateral Agent or any other Pledgee. None of such other security interest or guarantee shall prejudice, or shall be prejudiced by, or shall be merged in any way with this Agreement or the Pledge.

 

14.

General Provisions

 

14.1

No Waiver

No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege granted under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

14.2

Notices

 

(a)

All notices or other communications to be given under or in connection with this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be delivered by hand, by registered mail (return receipt requested), by an internationally recognized courier, and with respect to notices or other communications addressed to the Collateral Agent, unless otherwise instructed by the Collateral Agent, by e-mail to the following addresses:

 

 

if to the Collateral Agent to:

Address:    Glencore Canada Corporation, 100 King Street West Suite 6900 Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3, Canada
Email:    legalnotices@glencore-us.com
Attention:    Legal Department


with a copy to:
Address:    Glencore International AG Baarermattstrasse 3, 6340 Baar, Switzerland
Email:    general.counsel@glencore.com
Attention:    General Counsel
with a copy to:
Address:    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, 767 5th Avenue New York, NY 10153
Email:    Justin.D.Lee@weil.com, Heather.emmel@weil.com, David.Avery-Gee@weil.com, Nitin.Konchady@weil.com
Attention:    Justin Lee, Heather Emmel, David Avery-Gee, Nitin Konchady

 

 

if to Pledgor to:

Address:    Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., 207 Queens Quay West, Suite 590 Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7, Canada
Email:    ajay.kochhar@li-cycle.com, legalnotices@li-cycle.com
Attention:    Ajay Kochhar
with a copy to:
Address:    Li-Cycle Europe AG, Neuhofstrasse 8, 6340 Baar, Switzerland
Email:    jens.emrich@li-cycle.com
Attention:    Jens Emrich
with a copy to:
Address:    Freshfields US LLP, 3 World Trade Center 175 Greenwich Street New York, New York 10007
Email:    Andrea.Basham@Freshfields.com, Allison.Liff@Freshfields.com
Attention:    Andrea M. Basham, Allison R. Liff

or any substitute address or fax number as a party may notify to the other in accordance with the above by not less than five days’ notice.

 

(b)

Any notice to be given hereunder shall be given prior to the expiry of a term or deadline set forth in this Agreement or by applicable law, or the notice shall be deemed null and void. All notices, communications, documents or other information shall be effective upon receipt by the party to whom it is addressed irrespective of whether received prior to or after the expiry of such term or deadline (provided that the notice was timely and duly given in accordance with this Clause 14.2).

 

14.3

Entire Agreement

This Agreement, including the annex and any other documents referred to herein, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and shall supersede all prior oral and written agreements or understandings of the Parties relating hereto. All references to this Agreement shall be deemed to include the annex hereto.


14.4

Amendments and Waivers

This Agreement (including this Clause 14.4) may only be modified or amended by a document signed by all Parties. Any provision contained in this Agreement may only be waived by a document signed by the Party waiving such provision.

 

14.5

Transfer of Rights and Obligations

 

(a)

The Pledgor may not transfer or assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without prior written consent of the Collateral Agent.

 

(b)

The Pledgees may transfer and assign any rights hereunder in accordance with the Senior Lien Debt Documents without the consent of the Pledgor or any other person to any third party.

 

(c)

Each new Secured Party which has become a party to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall automatically become a party hereto (Vertragspartei), and thereby assume all rights and obligations of the Pledgees, to the extent that an existing Secured Party has transferred all or parts of its rights and obligations under the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement or the Initial Note Purchase Agreement, as the case may be, to that new Secured Party, and with such accession hereto each such new Secured Party automatically accepts its representation by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Clause 11 (Role of Collateral Agent). In case of a complete transfer of all of an existing Secured Party’s rights, benefits and obligations in accordance with the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement or the Initial Note Purchase Agreement, as the case may be, that existing Secured Party shall cease to be a party to this Agreement. The Pledgor explicitly consents to such a transfer of a contractual position (Vertragsübernahme).

 

14.6

Severability

Should any part or provision of this Agreement be, be held, or become illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect by any competent arbitral tribunal, court, governmental or administrative authority having jurisdiction, the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall nonetheless remain legal, valid and enforceable and not in any way be affected or impaired. In such case, the Parties shall replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision with such valid and enforceable provision which best reflects the commercial and legal purpose of the replaced provision and shall execute all agreements and documents required in this connection.

 

15.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

15.1

Governing Law

This Agreement and the Pledge (including matters as to the transfer and possession of any share certificates representing the Shares) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of Switzerland.


15.2

Place of Jurisdiction

 

(a)

The exclusive place of jurisdiction for any dispute, claim or controversy arising under, out of or in connection with or related to the Agreement (or subsequent amendments thereof), including, without limitation, disputes, claims or controversies regarding its existence, validity, interpretation, performance, breach or termination, shall be the city of Zurich, Switzerland.

 

(b)

The Collateral Agent and each of the other Pledgees shall have the right to institute legal proceedings against the Pledgor before any other competent court or authority, in which case Swiss law shall nevertheless be applicable as provided in Clause 15.1.

 

(c)

The Pledgor designates the Company as its representative for the service of judicial documents pursuant to article 140 of the Swiss Civil Procedure Code, and elects special domicile pursuant to article 50 DEBA at the registered seat of the Company.

[Signatures on next page]


[Agreement executed on its original date]

 

Pledgor:

 

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

 

               

 

Ajay Kochhar

President & Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Pledgees and Collateral Agent:

 

16.  Glencore Canada Corporation

 

in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, and acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Pledgees as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter)

 

17.

          

    

          

Name:

Function:

 

  

Name:

Function:

Acknowledged and agreed by the Company

 

Li-Cycle Europe AG

          

    

          

Elewout Steven J. Depicker

Director

    

Udo Schleif

Director

 

[Signature page of the Share Pledge Agreement]


LOGO

Annex 1- Details of Existing Shares

[XXX]

 

 

 

LOGO


Annex 2 - Amended and Restated Swiss Bank Account Pledge Agreement


Bank Account Pledge Agreement

originally dated as of May 31, 2024, as amended and restated as of December 9, 2024

by and between

 

Li-Cycle Europe AG

Neuhofstrasse 8

6340 Baar

Switzerland

   (the Pledgor)

and

 

the Secured Parties (as defined below)

   (the Pledgees)

represented by

 

Glencore Canada Corporation

100 King Street West, Suite 6900

Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3

Canada

in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as defined herein), and acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Pledgees as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter)

   (the Collateral Agent)
regarding the pledge of certain bank accounts


Table of Contents

 

Whereas

     4  

1.

  Definitions and References      5  

1.1

  Definitions      5  

1.2

  References      7  

1.3

  Conflicts with other Agreements      7  

2.

  Pledge of Bank Accounts      7  

2.1

  Object of Pledge      7  

2.2

  Secured Obligations      8  

2.3

  Use of Bank Accounts      8  

2.4

  Notification and Waiver      8  

3.

  Representations and Warranties      9  

4.

  Undertakings      9  

5.

  Enforcement of Pledge      10  

6.

  Application of Proceeds      11  

7.

  Security for Third Party Obligations      11  

7.1

  Waiver of Legal Subrogation and Non-Accessory Security Rights      11  

7.2

  Limitation of Security      12  

8.

  Release of Pledge      13  

9.

  Role of Collateral Agent      14  

10.

  Reinstatement      14  

11.

  Duration; Independence      14  

12.

  Banking Secrecy Waiver      15  

13.

  General Provisions      15  

13.1

  No Waiver      15  

13.2

  Notices      15  

13.3

  Entire Agreement      16  

13.4

  Amendments and Waivers      16  

13.5

  Transfer of Rights and Obligations      16  

13.6

  Severability      17  

14.

  Governing Law and Jurisdiction      17  

14.1

  Governing Law      17  

14.2

  Place of Jurisdiction      17  

Annex 1 - List of Bank Accounts

     19  

Annex 2 - Form of Notification Letter for Bank Accounts

     20  


Annex 3 - Form of Acknowledgment and Waiver

     21  


This bank account pledge agreement (the Agreement) is amended and restated as of the A&R Effective Date and is made by and between:

 

(a)

Li-Cycle Europe AG, a corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated and organized under the laws of Switzerland, registered with the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zug under registration number CHE-276.781.098, with registered office at Neuhofstrasse 8, 6340 Baar, Switzerland, as pledgor (the Pledgor); and

 

(b)

the Secured Parties as pledgees (the Pledgees), represented by:

Glencore Canada Corporation, a corporation incorporated and organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, with registered office at 100 King Street West, Suite 6900, Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3, Canada, acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Pledgees as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) (the Collateral Agent, and together with the Pledgor and the Pledgees, the Parties, and each individually a Party).

Whereas

 

A.

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (the Issuer) has entered into an amended and restated note purchase agreement with Glencore Ltd. and the Collateral Agent, dated as of March 25, 2024 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement), pursuant to which the Issuer has agreed to issue and sell to the Collateral Agent a senior secured convertible note in a principal amount of $75,000,000 maturing on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance of such senior secured convertible note (the 2024 Secured Note).

 

B.

In order to satisfy certain conditions subsequent of the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement and in order to provide security for each of the Secured Parties thereunder, the Pledgor granted security for the Obligations (as defined in the 2024 Secured Note) in the Pledged Assets (as defined below).

 

C.

The Issuer has entered into a note purchase agreement with Glencore Ltd., dated as of May 5, 2022 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Initial Note Purchase Agreement), pursuant to which the Issuer has agreed to issue and sell to the Collateral Agent a convertible note in a principal amount of $116,551,170.40 maturing on the fifth anniversary of December 9, 2024 (the 2022 Convertible Note).

 

D.

The obligations under the 2022 Convertible Note are intended to be secured by substantially the same collateral as the collateral that has been provided by the Pledgor and the Issuer for the 2024 Secured Note, and such new security is intended to rank pari passu to the security granted in respect of the 2024 Secured Note. In this context, a pari passu intercreditor agreement (the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) has been entered into on or around December 9, 2024 by and among, the Collateral Agent in its capacities as (i) Senior Note Collateral Agent and (ii) Initial Additional Secured Party, each additional Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative from time to time party


  thereto, and acknowledged and agreed to by Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. as Issuer and the Pledgor as a Grantor and other subsidiaries of the Issuer as Grantors (unless otherwise defined herein, each term as defined therein).

 

E.

In order to achieve this purpose and satisfy relevant conditions of the 2022 Convertible Note, the Parties wish to also secure the 2022 Convertible Note, which shall rank pari passu with the existing security interest securing the 2024 Secured Note.

 

F.

The Collateral Agent has been duly appointed under section 2.09 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement to act as Collateral Agent and shall act in the name and on behalf of the Pledgees in the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and shall exercise the rights of the Pledgees arising hereunder as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter).

Now, therefore, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.

Definitions and References

 

1.1

Definitions

Unless defined otherwise herein and except to the extent that the context requires otherwise, capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

2022 Convertible Note has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause C.

2024 Note Purchase Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause A.

2024 Secured Note has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause A.

Affiliates has the meaning set forth in the 2024 Secured Note.

Agreement means this amended and restated bank account pledge agreement.

Amendment and Restatement Agreement means the security amendment and restatement agreement dated as of December 9, 2024 and entered into between the Pledgor as security provider 1, Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. as security provider 2 and the Collateral Agent as senior note collateral agent and collateral agent.

A&R Effective Date has the meaning given to the term “Effective Date” in the Amendment and Restatement Agreement.

Bank means any bank or branch of a bank located in Switzerland as the account bank with respect to the Bank Accounts.

Bank Accounts means any and all bank accounts the Pledgor holds with a Bank, at the date of this Agreement and in the future, including the accounts specified in Annex 1, but excluding any restricted accounts at the date of this Agreement and in the future, including the restricted accounts specified in Annex 1.


Bank’s Security Interests means any prior security interests in a Bank Account in favour of the respective Bank which are created either by law or pursuant to the standard terms and conditions of the respective Bank.

Business Day means a Business Day as defined in the 2024 Secured Note, provided that Business Day shall only include any such day commercial banks in Zurich are open for normal business transactions.

CC means the Swiss Civil Code (Schweizerisches Zivilgesetzbuch, ZGB) of December 10, 1907, as amended from time to time (SR 210).

Clause means any clause of this Agreement.

CO means the Swiss Code of Obligations (Schweizerisches Obligationenrecht) dated 30 March 1911, as amended and restated from time to time.

Collateral Agent has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

DEBA means the Swiss Federal Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (Bundesgesetz über Schuldbetreibung und Konkurs, SchKG) of April 11, 1889, as amended from time to time (SR 281.1).

Event of Default has the meaning given to it in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Initial Note Purchase Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause C.

Issuer has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause A.

Parallel Debt has the meaning given to it in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause D.

Parties or Party has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Pledge has the meaning set forth in Clause 2.1.

Pledged Assets has the meaning set forth in Clause 2.1.

Pledgees has the meaning in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Pledgor has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Restricted Obligations has the meaning set forth in Clause 7.2.

Secured Obligations has the meaning given to the term “Senior Lien Obligations” in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Secured Parties has the meaning assigned to the term “Senior Lien Secured Parties” in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.


Senior Lien Debt Documents means any such document as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Swiss Maximum Amount has the meaning set forth in Clause 7.2.

 

1.2

References

 

(a)

References to any agreement or document shall be construed as references to such agreements or documents as amended, novated, supplemented, extended or restated from time to time.

 

(b)

Any reference in this Agreement to the date of this Agreement is a reference to May 31, 2024.

 

1.3

Conflicts with other Agreements

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the security interest granted to the Pledgees pursuant to this Agreement and the exercise of any right or remedy by the Pledgees with respect to the Pledged Assets hereunder (including any representation and any undertaking) are subject to the provisions of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall prevail and override anything in this Agreement to the contrary, save if and to the extent that the application of any such terms would affect the validity, ranking, priority or enforceability of the Pledge created under this Agreement.

 

2.

Pledge of Bank Accounts

 

2.1

Object of Pledge

 

(a)

The Pledgor hereby agrees to pledge and hereby unconditionally pledges pursuant to articles 899 et seq. CC to each of the Pledgees (each of them individually represented by the Collateral Agent, acting in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name of and on behalf of the other Pledgees all of its current and future rights, claims, benefits and interest in and to the Bank Accounts, including, without limitation, the balances standing to the credit of the Pledgor from time to time (collectively the Pledged Assets) as a first ranking continuing pledge (i.e., each of the Pledgees’ pledge being equally in the first rank), free and clear of any pledges, liens, rights of set-off or other third party rights of any nature in favour of third parties except for the Bank’s Security Interests if, insofar and for as long as the relevant Bank has not waived its Bank’s Security Interests, in which case the security shall serve as a second ranking security (the Pledge), effective as of the date hereof, as security for the Secured Obligations.

 

(b)

The Collateral Agent hereby accepts the Pledge as Pledgee in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name of and on behalf of the other Pledgees.


2.2

Secured Obligations

The Pledge shall serve as a first ranking and continuing security for the prompt and complete payment, discharge and performance of any and all Secured Obligations, irrespective of (i) any intermediate discharge of any but not all of the Secured Obligations, (ii) any intermediate payment or increase of the amount of all or any part of the Secured Obligations, (iii) any transfer of rights and obligations by novation or otherwise from one Pledgee to another Pledgee under the Senior Lien Debt Documents and (iv) any change, amendment or supplement whatsoever in the Senior Lien Debt Documents unless and until the security is released in full by the Collateral Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

2.3

Use of Bank Accounts

 

(a)

As long as the Collateral Agent has not delivered written notice to the Pledgor upon or after an Event of Default has occurred which is continuing, the Pledgees hereby authorize the Pledgor to operate the Bank Accounts in accordance with the Senior Lien Debt Documents, in particular to draw any of the balances standing to the credit of any of the Bank Accounts, freely in the ordinary course of its business.

 

(b)

Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Pledgor shall no longer be entitled to operate the Bank Accounts (including disposing of any of the Pledged Assets) without the Collateral Agent’s (acting on behalf of the Pledgees) prior written consent in which case the Collateral Agent (acting on behalf of the Pledgees) may inform the Banks about the expiry of this authorization granted under this Clause 2.3.

 

2.4

Notification and Waiver

 

(a)

This Agreement and the security interest created hereunder shall be notified to each Bank. The Pledgor shall prepare and sign a notification letter in relation to the corresponding Bank Accounts, substantially in the form of Annex 2 or as otherwise agreed with the respective Bank and satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (the Notification) and request the signature from the Collateral Agent to any Notification. The Pledgor shall on the date of this Agreement furnish to the Collateral Agent copies of the Notifications including sufficient evidence of dispatch, provided the Pledgor has received the relevant countersignature to such Notification from the Collateral Agent.

 

(b)

Further, the Pledgor shall undertake reasonable endeavors that each of the Banks within 30 Business Days of service of the Notification provides a letter or other written document duly signed by the relevant Bank wherein the relevant Bank (i) acknowledges the Notification and (ii) waives the Bank’s Security Interests it may have in relation to the Pledged Assets, substantially in the form of Annex 3 or as otherwise agreed with the respective Bank and satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (the Acknowledgement and Waiver), provided that the Bank’s Security Interest shall remain in full force and effect as a second ranking security interest and shall be automatically reinstated as a first ranking security upon release of the Pledged Assets in accordance with Clause 8 (Release of Pledge), and promptly furnish to the Collateral Agent copies thereof; provided further that the Pledgor’s obligation to undertake reasonable endeavors that each Bank provide an Acknowledgement and Waiver shall cease 30 Business Days after the delivery of the Notification.


(c)

Notwithstanding any agreements in relation to the opening of new bank accounts, the Pledgor shall in respect of any new Bank Account which it holds after the date of this Agreement notify the relevant Bank of the Pledge(s) concurrently with the opening of such new Bank Account by a Notification and furnish to the Collateral Agent copies of the Notifications including sufficient evidence of dispatch, provided the Pledgor has received the relevant countersignature to such Notification from the Collateral Agent. In such cases, the Pledgor shall undertake reasonable endeavors that each of the Banks within 30 Business Days of service of the Notification provides an Acknowledgement and Waiver in accordance with paragraph (b) above, provided that the Bank’s Security Interest shall remain in full force and effect as a second ranking security interest and shall be automatically reinstated as a first ranking security upon release of the Pledged Assets in accordance with Clause 9, and promptly furnish to the Collateral Agent copies thereof; provided further that the Pledgor’s obligation to undertake reasonable endeavors that such a Bank provide an Acknowledgement and Waiver shall cease 30 Business Days after the delivery of the Notification.

 

(d)

The Collateral Agent is authorized to inform at any time any Bank of the existence of the Pledge and the terms of this Agreement.

 

3.

Representations and Warranties

Without prejudice and in addition to the representations and warranties under the other Senior Lien Debt Documents, the Pledgor hereby represents and warrants to each of the Pledgees that as of the A&R Effective Date:

 

(a)

no book-entry securities (Bucheffekten) within the meaning of the Swiss Federal Intermediated Securities Act are deposited in the Bank Accounts;

 

(b)

this Agreement constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of the Pledgor and, subject to the satisfaction of any applicable perfection requirements (i) creates an effective and perfected Pledge, and (ii) is enforceable against the Pledgor in accordance with its terms; and

 

(c)

the Pledgor is the sole creditor and owner of the existing Pledged Assets, and the Pledged Assets are free and clear of any pledges, liens, encumbrances, rights of set-off or third party rights of any nature (whether in rem or in personam) other than the Pledge and the Bank’s Security Interests.

 

4.

Undertakings

Subject to the terms of the Senior Lien Debt Documents, the Pledgor hereby undertakes for as long as the Pledge remains in effect:

 

(a)

other than as permitted by this Agreement and the other Senior Lien Debt Documents, not to assign, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Pledged Assets


  or, subject to any Bank’s Security Interests, create any pledges, liens, rights of set-off or third party rights of any nature relating to its rights, claims, benefits and interest in and to the Bank Accounts;

 

(b)

not to take any action with respect to the Bank Accounts and the Pledged Assets that would, taken as a whole, materially and adversely affect (i) any rights of the Pledgees under this Agreement or any other Senior Lien Debt Document or (ii) the validity and enforceability of the Pledge; and

 

(c)

to promptly deliver to the Collateral Agent any acknowledgment of debt (Schuldschein), which evidences the Pledged Assets (if any),

provided that the foregoing undertakings shall not limit or restrict the Pledgor from taking any action which is permitted under the Senior Lien Debt Documents save if and to the extent that such action would affect the validity, ranking, priority, or enforceability of this Pledge.

 

5.

Enforcement of Pledge

 

(a)

In the event that an Event of Default has occurred which is continuing, the Collateral Agent, acting in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name of and on behalf of the other Pledgees, shall have the right, but not the obligation to enforce the Pledge, at its discretion by either:

 

  (i)

realizing the Pledge by forced sale pursuant to the DEBA;

 

  (ii)

realizing the Pledge without regard to the provisions of the DEBA by private enforcement (private Verwertung) including a discretionary sale (Freihandverkauf) or, to the extent permitted, acquire the Pledged Assets in its own name and on its own account (Selbsteintritt);

 

  (iii)

setting off the Pledged Assets against Secured Obligations irrespective of the identity of the creditor of the Secured Obligation; or

 

  (iv)

enforcement proceedings pursuant to other applicable laws.

 

(b)

In the course of private enforcement (Private Verwertung), the Collateral Agent, acting in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name and on behalf of the Pledgees, may either sell the Pledged Assets to a third party (Freihandverkauf) or acquire any and all or part of the Pledged Assets on its own or the Pledgees behalf (Selbsteintritt), in each case on arm’s length terms. Furthermore, the Collateral Agent may in its sole discretion apply all monies standing to the credit of the Bank Accounts and the Pledged Assets as though they were proceeds of an enforcement under this Agreement. The Collateral Agent, acting in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name and on behalf of the Pledgees, shall render an account to the Pledgor regarding the private enforcement.


(c)

With regard to private enforcement (Private Verwertung), the Pledgor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to be its attorney and in the Pledgor’s name and on its behalf to execute, deliver and perfect all documents and to do all things that are required or expedient in this respect.

 

(d)

The Parties agree in advance that a sale according to article 130 DEBA (Freihandverkauf) shall be permissible.

 

(e)

Failure by the Collateral Agent or by any other Pledgee to sell Pledged Assets or to exercise any right or remedy including the acceptance of partial or delinquent payments shall not result in any liability of the Collateral Agent or any other Pledgee and shall not prejudice any of the rights the Collateral Agent or any other Pledgee may have under this Agreement or any other Senior Lien Debt Document nor be a waiver of any obligation of the Pledgor hereunder and/or thereunder.

 

(f)

Notwithstanding the foregoing and notwithstanding the provision of article 41 DEBA, the Collateral Agent, acting in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name and on behalf of the Pledgees, is at liberty to institute or pursue the enforcement of the Secured Obligations pursuant to regular debt enforcement proceedings without having first realized the Pledge (waiver of the beneficium excussionis realis).

 

(g)

The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to enforce the Pledge in full or in part only. Partial enforcement shall not affect the Pledge on the remaining Pledged Assets.

 

(h)

The Pledgor hereby agrees that the Collateral Agent can instruct a third party to conduct the enforcement of the Pledge in its name and for its account.

 

6.

Application of Proceeds

Any proceeds received by the Collateral Agent or any other Pledgee under this Agreement, in particular in connection with the enforcement of the Pledge, shall be applied towards satisfaction of the Secured Obligations in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

7.

Security for Third Party Obligations

 

7.1

Waiver of Legal Subrogation and Non-Accessory Security Rights

If and to the extent the Secured Obligations are not only owed by the Pledgor but also by third parties, and if and to the extent the Pledgor satisfies the Secured Obligations in full or in part (including by enforcement of the Pledge), the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)

Until satisfaction of the Secured Obligations in full, the legal subrogation (gesetzlicher Forderungsübergang) pursuant to articles 110, 149 CO (or any other applicable provision) or under any other applicable law shall not apply. For the avoidance of doubt, the claim for indemnity (article 148 para. 2 CO) shall not be affected thereby.


(b)

The Pledgor may request the transfer to it of non-accessory security rights (nicht-akzessorische Sicherungsrechte) which have not been provided by the Pledgor only upon satisfaction of the Secured Obligations in full and only if and to the extent the respective security provider has approved the transfer to the Pledgor.

 

7.2

Limitation of Security

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the obligations of the Pledgor and the rights of the Pledgees and the Collateral Agent under this Agreement are subject to the following limitations:

 

(a)

If and to the extent that the security interest granted by the Pledgor under this Agreement secures obligations of its Affiliates which are not its wholly-owned direct or indirect Subsidiaries (the Restricted Obligations) and if using the proceeds from the enforcement of such security interest to discharge the Restricted Obligations would constitute a repayment of capital (Einlagerückgewähr), a violation of the legally protected reserves (gesetzlich geschützte Reserven), the repayment of statutory capital reserves (Rückzahlung von gesetzlichen Kapitalreserven) or the payment of a (constructive) dividend (Gewinnausschüttung) by the Pledgor or would otherwise be restricted under then applicable Swiss law, the proceeds from the enforcement of such security interest to be used to discharge the Restricted Obligations shall be limited to the amount of freely disposable equity (frei verwendbares Eigenkapital) (including, without limitation, any statutory reserves which can be transferred into unrestricted distributable reserves) of the Pledgor at the time of enforcement, as determined in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss accounting principles (the Swiss Maximum Amount), provided that this is a requirement under then applicable mandatory Swiss law and it is understood that such limitation shall not free the Pledgor from its obligations in excess of the Swiss Maximum Amount, but that it shall merely postpone the performance date of those obligations until such time or times as performance is again permitted.

 

(b)

Promptly after the enforcement of the security interest granted by the Pledgor under this Agreement (but in any event within not more than 30 Business Days after the relevant request having been made), the Pledgor shall (x) perform any obligations which are not affected by the above limitations, and (y) if and to the extent required by Applicable Law applicable to the Pledgor or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent:

 

  (i)

provide the Collateral Agent with an interim balance sheet audited by the statutory auditors of the Pledgor setting out the Swiss Maximum Amount and confirming that using the proceeds from the enforcement of such security interest to discharge the Restricted Obligations in an amount corresponding to the Swiss Maximum Amount is in compliance with the provisions of the applicable Swiss law;

 

  (ii)

convert restricted reserves into reserves freely available for distribution as dividends (to the extent permitted by mandatory Swiss law); and

 

  (iii)

take any further corporate and other action as may be required by law (such as board and shareholders’ approvals and the receipt of any confirmations from the


  Pledgor’s statutory auditors) and other measures reasonably necessary to allow the Collateral Agent to use enforcement proceeds as agreed hereunder with a minimum of limitations.

 

(c)

In relation to the Restricted Obligations, the Pledgor shall (x) use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that enforcement proceeds can be used to discharge the Restricted Obligations without deduction of Swiss withholding tax, or with deduction of Swiss withholding tax at a reduced rate, by discharging the liability to such tax by notification pursuant to Applicable Law (including tax treaties) rather than payment of Swiss withholding tax; (y) to the extent such notification procedure is not available, the Collateral Agent undertakes to withhold from the enforcement proceeds of the Pledge an amount of Swiss withholding tax at the rate of 35 per cent. (or such other rate as is in force at that time), forward such amount to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration, within 10 Business Days after presentation by the Pledgor to the Collateral Agent of the relevant form of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration, it being specified that the Pledgor shall fill in and prepare the relevant form of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration and submit it to the Collateral Agent for approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; (z) promptly after a deduction for Swiss withholding tax is made as required by Applicable Law, use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any person which is entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss withholding tax deducted from such enforcement proceeds, is in a position to be so refunded and in case it has received any refund of the Swiss withholding tax, pay such refund to the Collateral Agent promptly upon receipt thereof.

 

(d)

If the enforcement of Restricted Obligations would be limited due to the effects referred to in this Clause 7.2, then the Pledgor shall (x) to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, revalue and/or realize any of the Pledgor’s assets that are shown on its balance sheet with a book value that is significantly lower than the market value of such assets, in case of realisation, however, only if such assets are not necessary for the Pledgor’s business (nicht betriebsnotwendig) and (y) reduce the Pledgor’s share/quota capital to the minimum allowed under then Applicable Law.

 

8.

Release of Pledge

 

(a)

The Pledged Assets or, in case of a realization of (part of) the Pledged Assets, the remainder thereof, shall be released from the Pledge and returned to the Pledgor at the cost and risk of the Pledgor if and when (i) all Secured Obligations have been irrevocably paid and discharged in full and no further Secured Obligations are capable of arising in accordance with the terms of the Senior Lien Debt Documents, (ii) any other event occurs requiring a release of the Pledged Assets or (iii) as permitted by the Senior Lien Debt Documents.

 

(b)

Neither of the Collateral Agent nor the Pledgees will make, and neither of them shall be deemed to have made, any representation or warranty, whether express or implied, with respect to any Pledged Assets released from the Pledge and returned to the Pledgor under this Clause 8, except that at the date of such release of the Pledged Assets from the Pledge, such Pledged Assets are free and clear of any third-party rights arising from the Collateral Agent’s acts.


9.

Role of Collateral Agent

 

(a)

The Collateral Agent hereby confirms that each of the other Pledgees has appointed and each new Secured Party will appoint the Collateral Agent to act as its representative under and in connection with this Agreement pursuant to section 2.09 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. In particular, each of the Pledgees has authorized, and each of the persons becoming a new Pledgee subsequent to this Agreement will authorize the Collateral Agent to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Collateral Agent under or in connection with this Agreement together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions. The Pledgor acknowledges such rights and powers.

 

(b)

The Collateral Agent performs its rights and obligations under this Agreement and exercises the rights and obligations of the Pledgees hereunder in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name of and on behalf of the other Pledgees as direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) and any action with respect to this Agreement taken by the Collateral Agent shall be construed as binding upon the Collateral Agent and each of the other Pledgees.

 

10.

Reinstatement

Where any discharge in respect of the Secured Obligations is made, in whole or in part, and any amount paid pursuant to any such discharge is avoided or reduced as a result of insolvency or any similar events, the respective Pledgees will have or continue to have a Secured Obligation and, in case the Pledged Assets have been released from the Pledge, the Pledgor shall undertake all actions that are necessary for the reinstatement of the Pledge, in particular the Pledgor shall redeliver the Pledged Assets. Such reinstatement shall, to the extent required, include a reinstatement of this Agreement and the Pledge shall continue as if there had been no discharge in respect of such Secured Obligations.

 

11.

Duration; Independence

 

(a)

The Pledge shall not cease to exist if the Secured Obligations have been discharged only partially or temporarily.

 

(b)

This Agreement shall create a continuing Pledge and no change, amendment, restatement or supplement whatsoever in the Senior Lien Debt Documents or in any document or agreement related to any of the other Senior Lien Debt Documents shall affect the validity or the scope of this Agreement and the Pledge nor the obligations which are imposed on the Pledgor pursuant to it.

 

(c)

This Agreement and the Pledge are independent from any other security interest or guarantee which may have been or will be entered into for the benefit of the Collateral Agent or any other Pledgee. None of such other security interest or guarantee shall prejudice, or shall be prejudiced by, or shall be merged in any way with this Agreement or the Pledge.


12.

Banking Secrecy Waiver

The Collateral Agent is hereby authorized vis-à -vis the Banks, irrevocably for as long as the Pledge exists, to obtain at any time from the Banks all requested information regarding the Bank Accounts held with the relevant Bank.

 

13.

General Provisions

 

13.1

No Waiver

No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege granted under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

13.2

Notices

 

(a)

All notices or other communications to be given under or in connection with this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be delivered by hand, by registered mail (return receipt requested), by an internationally recognized courier, and with respect to notices or other communications addressed to the Collateral Agent, unless otherwise instructed by the Collateral Agent, by e-mail to the following addresses:

 

if to the Collateral Agent to:

 

Address:   

Glencore Canada Corporation, 100 King Street West Suite 6900

Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3, Canada

Email:    legalnotices@glencore-us.com
Attention:    Legal Department
with a copy to:
Address:    Glencore International AG Baarermattstrasse 3, 6340 Baar, Switzerland
Email:    general.counsel@glencore.com
Attention:    General Counsel
with a copy to:
Address:    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, 767 5th Avenue New York, NY 10153
Email:    Justin.D.Lee@weil.com, Heather.emmel@weil.com, David.Avery-Gee@weil.com, Nitin.Konchady@weil.com
Attention:    Justin Lee, Heather Emmel, David Avery-Gee, Nitin Konchady

 

if to Pledgor to:

 

Address:    Li-Cycle Europe AG, Neuhofstrasse 8, 6340 Baar, Switzerland
Email:    jens.emrich@li-cycle.com, legalnotices@li-cycle.com


Attention:    Jens Emrich
Address:   

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., 207 Queens Quay West, Suite 590

Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7, Canada

Email:    ajay.kochhar@li-cycle.com
Attention:    Ajay Kochhar
with a copy to:
Address:    Freshfields US LLP, 3 World Trade Center 175 Greenwich Street New York, New York 10007
Email:    Andrea.Basham@Freshfields.com, Allison.Liff@Freshfields.com
Attention:    Andrea M. Basham, Allison R. Liff

or any substitute address or fax number as a party may notify to the other in accordance with the above by not less than five days’ notice.

 

(b)

Any notice to be given hereunder shall be given prior to the expiry of a term or deadline set forth in this Agreement or by applicable law, or the notice shall be deemed null and void. All notices, communications, documents or other information shall be effective upon receipt by the party to whom it is addressed irrespective of whether received prior to or after the expiry of such term or deadline (provided that the notice was timely and duly given in accordance with this Clause 13.2).

 

13.3

Entire Agreement

This Agreement, including the annexes and any other documents referred to herein, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and shall supersede all prior oral and written agreements or understandings of the Parties relating hereto. All references to this Agreement shall be deemed to include the annexes hereto.

 

13.4

Amendments and Waivers

This Agreement (including this Clause 13.4) may only be modified or amended by a document signed by all Parties. Any provision contained in this Agreement may only be waived by a document signed by the Party waiving such provision.

 

13.5

Transfer of Rights and Obligations

 

(a)

The Pledgor may not transfer or assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without prior written consent of the Collateral Agent.

 

(b)

The Pledgees may transfer and assign any rights hereunder in accordance with the Senior Lien Debt Documents without the consent of the Pledgor or any other person to any third party.

 

(c)

Each new Secured Party which has become a party to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall automatically become a party hereto (Vertragspartei), and thereby


  assume all rights and obligations of the Pledgees, to the extent that an existing Secured Party has transferred all or parts of its rights and obligations under the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement or the Initial Note Purchase Agreement, as the case may be, to that new Secured Party, and with such accession hereto each such new Secured Party automatically accepts its representation by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Clause 9 (Role of Collateral Agent). In case of a complete transfer of all of an existing Secured Party’s rights, benefits and obligations in accordance with the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement or the Initial Note Purchase Agreement, as the case may be, that existing Secured Party shall cease to be a party to this Agreement. The Pledgor explicitly consents to such a transfer of a contractual position (Vertragsübernahme).

 

13.6

Severability

Should any part or provision of this Agreement be, be held, or become illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect by any competent arbitral tribunal, court, governmental or administrative authority having jurisdiction, the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall nonetheless remain legal, valid and enforceable and not in any way be affected or impaired. In such case, the Parties shall replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision with such valid and enforceable provision which best reflects the commercial and legal purpose of the replaced provision and shall execute all agreements and documents required in this connection.

 

14.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

14.1

Governing Law

This Agreement and the Pledge shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of Switzerland.

 

14.2

Place of Jurisdiction

 

(a)

The exclusive place of jurisdiction for any dispute, claim or controversy arising under, out of or in connection with or related to the Agreement (or subsequent amendments thereof), including, without limitation, disputes, claims or controversies regarding its existence, validity, interpretation, performance, breach or termination, shall be the city of Zurich, Switzerland.

 

(b)

The Collateral Agent and each of the other Pledgees shall have the right to institute legal proceedings against the Pledgor before any other competent court or authority, in which case Swiss law shall nevertheless be applicable as provided in Clause 14.1.

[Signatures on next page]


[Agreement executed on its original date]

 

Pledgor:

 

Li-Cycle Europe AG

   

Elewout Steven J. Depicker

Director

   

[∎]

Director

 

Pledgees and Collateral Agent:

 

Glencore Canada Corporation

 

in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as defined herein), and acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name and on its own behalf (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) as well as in the name and on behalf of each of the other Pledgees as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter)

Name:

Function:

   

Name:

Function:

 

[Signature page of the Bank Account Pledge Agreement]


Annex 1 - List of Bank Accounts

[XXX]


Annex 2 - Form of Notification Letter for Bank Accounts

[XXX]


Annex 3 - Form of Acknowledgment and Waiver

[XXX]


Annex 3 - Amended and Restated Swiss Security Assignment Agreement


Security Assignment Agreement

 

(Sicherungszession)

 

originally dated as of May 31, 2024, as amended and restated as of December 9, 2024

 

by and between

 

Li-Cycle Europe AG

Neuhofstrasse 8

6340 Baar

Switzerland

   (the Assignor)
and   

Glencore Canada Corporation

100 King Street West, Suite 6900

Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3

Canada

in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as defined herein), and acting in its own name but on behalf and on account of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties

   (the Collateral Agent)
regarding the assignment for security purposes of certain intercompany receivables of the Assignor


Table of Contents

 

Whereas    4
1.    Definitions and References    5
1.1    Definitions    5
1.2    References    7
1.3    Conflicts with other Agreements    7
2.    Assignment of Intercompany Receivables    7
2.1    Object of Assignment    7
2.2    Secured Obligations    7
2.3    Collection of Intercompany Receivables    8
3.    Intercompany Receivables    8
3.1    Information    8
3.2    Notifications    8
4.    Representations and Warranties    9
5.    Undertakings    9
6.    Enforcement of Intercompany Receivables    10
7.    Application of Proceeds    11
8.    Security for Third Party Obligations    11
8.1    Waiver of Legal Subrogation and Non-Accessory Security Rights    11
8.2    Limitation of Security    11
9.    Release and Reassignment    13
10.    Role of Collateral Agent    13
11.    Reinstatement    14
12.    Duration; Independence    14
13.    General Provisions    14
13.1    No Waiver    14
13.2    Notices    14
13.3    Entire Agreement    16
13.4    Amendments and Waivers    16
13.5    Transfer of Rights and Obligations    16
13.6    Severability    16
14.    Governing Law and Jurisdiction    16
14.1    Governing Law    16
14.2    Place of Jurisdiction    16
Annex 1 - List of Intercompany Receivables    19


Annex 2 - Notification to Intercompany Receivables Debtors    20


This security assignment agreement (the Agreement) is amended and restated as of the A&R Effective Date and is made by and between:

 

(a)

Li-Cycle Europe AG, a corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated and organized under the laws of Switzerland, registered with the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zug under registration number CHE-276.781.098, with registered office at Neuhofstrasse 8, 6340 Baar, Switzerland, as assignor (the Assignor); and

 

(b)

Glencore Canada Corporation, a corporation incorporated and organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, with registered office at 100 King Street West, Suite 6900, Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3, Canada, in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (as defined herein) and acting in its own name but on behalf and on account of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties as their indirect representative (indirekter Stellvertreter) (the Collateral Agent, and together with the Assignor, the Parties, and each individually a Party).

Whereas

 

A.

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (the Issuer) has entered into an amended and restated note purchase agreement with Glencore Ltd. and the Collateral Agent, dated as of March 25, 2024 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement), pursuant to which the Issuer has agreed to issue and sell to the Collateral Agent a senior secured convertible note in a principal amount of $75,000,000 maturing on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance of such senior secured convertible note (the 2024 Secured Note).

 

B.

In order to satisfy certain conditions subsequent of the 2024 Note Purchase Agreement and in order to provide security for each of the Secured Parties thereunder, the Assignor granted security for the Obligations (as defined in the 2024 Secured Note) in its Intercompany Receivables (as defined below).

 

C.

The Issuer has entered into a note purchase agreement with Glencore Ltd., dated as of May 5, 2022 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Initial Note Purchase Agreement), pursuant to which the Issuer has agreed to issue and sell to the Collateral Agent a convertible note in a principal amount of $116,551,170.40 maturing on the fifth anniversary of December 9, 2024 (the 2022 Convertible Note).

 

D.

The obligations under the 2022 Convertible Note are intended to be secured by substantially the same collateral as the collateral that has been provided by the Assignor and the Issuer for the 2024 Secured Note, and such new security is intended to rank pari passu to the security granted in respect of the 2024 Secured Note. In this context, a pari passu intercreditor agreement (the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) has been entered into on or around December 9, 2024 by and among, the Collateral Agent in its capacities as (i) Senior Note Collateral Agent and (ii) Initial Additional Secured Party, each additional Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative from time to time party thereto, and acknowledged and agreed to by Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. as Issuer and the Assignor as a Grantor and other subsidiaries of the Issuer as Grantors (unless otherwise defined herein, each term as defined therein).


E.

In order to achieve this purpose and satisfy relevant conditions of the 2022 Convertible Note, the Parties wish to also secure the 2022 Convertible Note, which shall rank pari passu with the existing security interest securing the 2024 Secured Note.

 

F.

The Collateral Agent has been duly appointed under section 2.09 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement to act in its own name but on behalf and for the account of the Secured Parties.

Now, therefore, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.

Definitions and References

 

1.1

Definitions

Unless defined otherwise herein and except to the extent that the context requires otherwise, capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

2022 Convertible Note has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause C.

2024 Note Purchase Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause A.

2024 Secured Note has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause A.

Agreement means this amended and restated security assignment agreement.

Amendment and Restatement Agreement means the security amendment and restatement agreement dated as of December 9, 2024 and entered into between the Assignor as security provider 1, Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. as security provider 2 and the Collateral Agent as senior note collateral agent and collateral agent.

A&R Effective Date has the meaning given to the term “Effective Date” in the Amendment and Restatement Agreement.

Assignment has the meaning set forth in Clause 2.1.

Assignor has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Business Day means a Business Day as defined in the 2024 Secured Note, provided that Business Day shall only include any such day commercial banks in Zurich are open for normal business transactions.

Clause means any clause of this Agreement.

CO means the Swiss Code of Obligations (Schweizerisches Obligationenrecht) dated March 30, 1911, as amended and restated from time to time.


Collateral Agent has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

DEBA means the Swiss Federal Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (Bundesgesetz über Schuldbetreibung und Konkurs, SchKG) of April 11, 1889, as amended from time to time (SR 281.1).

Event of Default has the meaning given to it in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Group means Issuer and its Subsidiaries from time to time.

Initial Note Purchase Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause C

Intercompany Receivables means any and all present and future Swiss law-governed monetary claims and receivables of the Assignor owed to it by a member of the Group, whether actual or contingent, whether due now or becoming due or owing hereafter, arising out of any loan granted or other credit extended as well as any rights and benefits relating thereto, including privileges and ancillary rights in respect thereof and any interest accruing thereon as well as any right to receive the proceeds of any security, warranty, indemnity or guarantee relating thereto, including those intercompany receivables set out in Annex 1, excluding any ancillary rights which are not assignable by law.

Issuer has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause A.

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement has the meaning set forth in Whereas Clause D.

Parties or Party has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Restricted Obligations has the meaning set forth in Clause 8.2.

Secured Obligations has the meaning given to the term “Senior Lien Obligations” in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Secured Parties has the meaning assigned to the term “Senior Lien Secured Parties” in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Senior Lien Debt Documents means any such document as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

Subsidiary means, in relation to any company or corporation, a company or corporation:

 

(a)

which is controlled, directly or indirectly, by the first mentioned company or corporation;

 

(b)

more than half the issued share capital of which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the first mentioned company or corporation;

 

(c)

which is a Subsidiary of another Subsidiary of the first mentioned company or corporation; or


(d)

which must be consolidated in Group wide financial statements pursuant to the applicable accounting standards,

and for this purpose, a company or corporation shall be treated as being controlled by another if that other company or corporation is able to direct its affairs and/or to control the composition of its board of directors or equivalent body.

Swiss Maximum Amount has the meaning set forth in Clause 8.2.

 

1.2

References

 

(a)

References to any agreement or document shall be construed as references to such agreements or documents as amended, novated, supplemented, extended or restated from time to time.

 

(b)

Any reference in this Agreement to the date of this Agreement is a reference to May 31, 2024.

 

1.3

Conflicts with other Agreements

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement and the exercise of any right or remedy by the Collateral Agent with respect to the Intercompany Receivables hereunder (including any representation and any undertaking) are subject to the provisions of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall prevail and override anything in this Agreement to the contrary, save if and to the extent that the application of any such terms would affect the validity, ranking, priority or enforceability of the security interest created under this Agreement.

 

2.

Assignment of Intercompany Receivables

 

2.1

Object of Assignment

The Assignor hereby agrees to assign and hereby unconditionally assigns to the Collateral Agent by way of a general assignment (Globalzession), for the benefit of each Secured Party, all Intercompany Receivables, as a security (Sicherungszession) (the Assignment), effective as of the date hereof.

 

2.2

Secured Obligations

The Assignment of the Intercompany Receivables shall serve as a first ranking and continuing security for the prompt and complete payment, discharge and performance of any and all Secured Obligations, irrespective of (i) any intermediate discharge of any but not all of the Secured Obligations, (ii) any intermediate payment or increase of the amount of all or any part of the Secured Obligations, (iii) any transfer of rights and obligations by novation or otherwise from one Secured Party to another Secured Party under the Senior Lien Debt Documents and (iv) any change, amendment or supplement whatsoever in the Senior Lien Debt Documents unless and until the security is released in full by the Collateral Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.


2.3

Collection of Intercompany Receivables

 

(a)

The Collateral Agent hereby authorizes the Assignor to collect or receive the Intercompany Receivables in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the terms of such Intercompany Receivable.

 

(b)

Upon delivery of a written notice from the Collateral Agent to the Assignor and the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Assignor’s authority to collect the Intercompany Receivables granted by the Collateral Agent shall cease immediately and the Assignor shall not be entitled to collect the Intercompany Receivables without the Collateral Agent’s prior written consent. Irrespective of whether an Event of Default has occurred which is continuing, the Collateral Agent may restrict the Assignor’s authority to collect the Intercompany Receivables in any way at any time if the Assignor is in breach of any of its obligations, or any representation or warranty given, under the Senior Lien Debt Documents.

 

(c)

The Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any damage or loss due to any delayed collection of Intercompany Receivables.

 

3.

Intercompany Receivables

 

3.1

Information

 

(a)

The Assignor shall submit to the Collateral Agent, (i) on the date hereof, (ii) upon reasonable request by the Collateral Agent and (iii) promptly upon the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing, a list setting forth all then existing Intercompany Receivables, the names of the debtors, the contract date and the amounts outstanding under the Intercompany Receivables (the List of Intercompany Receivables), such List of Intercompany Receivables to be substantially in the form of Annex 1. Upon request by the Collateral Agent, the Assignor shall supplement the List of Intercompany Receivables with details of the underlying contracts.

 

(b)

It is understood and agreed that all Intercompany Receivables are assigned to the Collateral Agent regardless of whether they are included in the List of Intercompany Receivables and regardless of whether the List of Intercompany Receivables is delivered by the Assignor.

 

3.2

Notifications

 

(a)

The Assignor further shall furnish to the Collateral Agent within 10 (ten) Business Days of the date a Intercompany Receivable has been created a copy of a notification letter to the relevant debtor, substantially in the form of Annex 2, duly executed by the Assignor and duly countersigned by the respective debtor of the Intercompany Receivables.


(b)

Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing and without prejudice to paragraph (a) above, the Collateral Agent may notify, and may request the Assignor to notify, the debtors of the Intercompany Receivables as to the Assignment if and to the extent such notification is necessary for protecting or pursuing its rights under this Agreement and the Assignor shall for purposes of such notification promptly upon request submit to the Collateral Agent an up-to-date List of Intercompany Receivables.

 

4.

Representations and Warranties

Without prejudice and in addition to the representations and warranties under the other Senior Lien Debt Documents, the Assignor hereby represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent that as of the A&R Effective Date:

 

(a)

Annex 1 is correct as of the date of this Agreement; and

 

(b)

this Agreement constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of the Assignor and, subject to the satisfaction of any applicable perfection requirement (i) is an effective and perfected Assignment and (ii) is enforceable against the Assignor in accordance with its terms.

 

5.

Undertakings

Subject to the terms of the Senior Lien Debt Documents, the Assignor hereby undertakes for as long as this Agreement remains in effect:

 

(a)

to promptly enter into, execute and perfect, and to procure the prompt entry into, execution and perfection of, any additional agreement or document and to take all action required to create or maintain a valid and binding Assignment;

 

(b)

to deliver to the Collateral Agent any and all acknowledgements of debt (Schuldscheine) relating to the Intercompany Receivables;

 

(c)

not to enter into any particular or general assignment with respect to the Intercompany Receivables for the benefit of any third party or any agreement that provides for the non-assignability of Intercompany Receivables or the assignability subject to the prior consent of a third party resulting from such agreement; and

 

(d)

not to take any action with respect to the Assignment or the Intercompany Receivables that would, taken as a whole, materially and adversely affect (i) any rights of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement or any other Senior Lien Debt Document or (ii) the validity and enforceability of the Assignment,

provided that the foregoing undertakings shall not limit or restrict the Assignor from taking any action which is permitted under the Senior Lien Debt Documents save if and to the extent that such action would affect the validity, ranking, priority or enforceability of the security interest created under this Agreement.


6.

Enforcement of Intercompany Receivables

 

(a)

In the event that an Event of Default has occurred which is continuing, the Collateral Agent shall have the right, but not the obligation, to realize the Assignment and to take all actions for purposes of such realization, at its discretion, by either:

 

  (i)

notifying the debtors of the Intercompany Receivables as to the Assignment and/or the realization of the Intercompany Receivables at any time;

 

  (ii)

taking all actions appropriate for the purpose of making any Intercompany Receivable become due;

 

  (iii)

agreeing with any debtor of an Intercompany Receivable on all actions and agreements as the Collateral Agent shall in its reasonable discretion determine to be appropriate for the collection of such Intercompany Receivable, including, without limitation, granting discounts on payments and entering into settlements with respect to such Intercompany Receivables;

 

  (iv)

demanding that the Assignor collects the Intercompany Receivables, in whole or in part, in accordance with the written instructions of the Collateral Agent, in which event the Assignor shall immediately transfer and deliver to the Collateral Agent all monies received in connection with such collection;

 

  (v)

undertaking on its own initiative any acts the Collateral Agent deems appropriate to collect any Intercompany Receivable and request the Assignor to co-operate with the Collateral Agent in any such action;

 

  (vi)

requesting the Assignor to indicate on each invoice that is sent to a debtor of an Intercompany Receivable that payment is to be made into specific bank accounts designated by the Collateral Agent; and/or

 

  (vii)

enforcing the Intercompany Receivables by either:

 

  (A)

collection of the Intercompany Receivables directly from the respective debtor and/or realization of any ancillary right attached to any of the Intercompany Receivables; or

 

  (B)

liquidation of the Intercompany Receivables in full or in part through private sale (Private Verwertung) or acquiring the Intercompany Receivables for its own account at a fair value (Selbsteintritt), in each case without having to initiate proceedings under, and without regard to the formalities provided in, the DEBA.

 

(b)

Notwithstanding the foregoing the Collateral Agent is at liberty to institute or pursue the enforcement of the Secured Obligations pursuant to regular debt enforcement proceedings without having first realized the Intercompany Receivables or instituted proceedings for the realization of the Intercompany Receivables (waiver of the beneficium excussionis realis).


(c)

Following the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to request the Assignor to exercise strictly in accordance with the instructions of the Collateral Agent any right belonging to the Assignor that may impact the Intercompany Receivables but that could not be transferred with the Intercompany Receivables (such as the right to claim payment under any security given for Intercompany Receivables that could not be transferred with the Intercompany Receivables).

 

(d)

Following the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to request the Assignor to cooperate (at its own costs) with the Collateral Agent with a view to the collection of any Intercompany Receivable. In particular, the Assignor shall assist the Collateral Agent in any proceedings brought by the Collateral Agent against any debtor of an Intercompany Receivable or any third party in relation to any Intercompany Receivable.

 

(e)

The Assignor agrees that the Collateral Agent can instruct a third party to conduct the enforcement of the Intercompany Receivables in its name and for its account.

 

7.

Application of Proceeds

Any proceeds received by the Collateral Agent under this Agreement, in particular in connection with the enforcement of the Assignment, shall be applied towards satisfaction of the Secured Obligations in accordance with the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

8.

Security for Third Party Obligations

 

8.1

Waiver of Legal Subrogation and Non-Accessory Security Rights

If and to the extent the Secured Obligations are not only owed by the Assignor but also by third parties, and if and to the extent the Assignor satisfies the Secured Obligations in full or in part (including by enforcement of the Assignment), the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)

Until satisfaction of the Secured Obligations in full, the legal subrogation (gesetzlicher Forderungsübergang) pursuant to articles 110, 149 CO (or any other applicable provision) or under any other applicable law shall not apply. For the avoidance of doubt, the claim for indemnity (article 148 para. 2 CO) shall not be affected thereby.

 

(b)

The Assignor may request the transfer to it of non-accessory security rights (nicht-akzessorische Sicherungsrechte) which have not been provided by the Assignor only upon satisfaction of the Secured Obligations in full and only if and to the extent the respective security provider has approved the transfer to the Assignor.

 

8.2

Limitation of Security

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the obligations of the Assignor and the rights of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement are subject to the following limitations:

 

(a)

If and to the extent that the security interest granted by the Assignor under this Agreement secures obligations of its Affiliates which are not its wholly-owned direct or indirect


  Subsidiaries (the Restricted Obligations) and if using the proceeds from the enforcement of such security interest to discharge the Restricted Obligations would constitute a repayment of capital (Einlagerückgewähr), a violation of the legally protected reserves (gesetzlich geschützte Reserven), the repayment of statutory capital reserves (Rückzahlung von gesetzlichen Kapitalreserven) or the payment of a (constructive) dividend (Gewinnausschüttung) by the Assignor or would otherwise be restricted under then applicable Swiss law, the proceeds from the enforcement of such security interest to be used to discharge the Restricted Obligations shall be limited to the amount of freely disposable equity (frei verwendbares Eigenkapital) (including, without limitation, any statutory reserves which can be transferred into unrestricted distributable reserves) of the Assignor at the time of enforcement, as determined in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss accounting principles (the Swiss Maximum Amount), provided that this is a requirement under then applicable mandatory Swiss law and it is understood that such limitation shall not free the Assignor from its obligations in excess of the Swiss Maximum Amount, but that it shall merely postpone the performance date of those obligations until such time or times as performance is again permitted.

 

(b)

Promptly after the enforcement of the security interest granted by the Assignor under this Agreement (but in any event within not more than 30 Business Days after the relevant request having been made), the Assignor shall (x) perform any obligations which are not affected by the above limitations, and (y) if and to the extent required by Applicable Law applicable to the Assignor or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent:

 

  (i)

provide the Collateral Agent with an interim balance sheet audited by the statutory auditors of the Assignor setting out the Swiss Maximum Amount and confirming that using the proceeds from the enforcement of such security interest to discharge the Restricted Obligations in an amount corresponding to the Swiss Maximum Amount is in compliance with the provisions of the applicable Swiss law;

 

  (ii)

convert restricted reserves into reserves freely available for distribution as dividends (to the extent permitted by mandatory Swiss law); and

 

  (iii)

take any further corporate and other action as may be required by law (such as board and shareholders’ approvals and the receipt of any confirmations from the Assignor’s statutory auditors) and other measures reasonably necessary to allow the Collateral Agent to use enforcement proceeds as agreed hereunder with a minimum of limitations.

 

(c)

In relation to the Restricted Obligations, the Assignor shall (x) use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that enforcement proceeds can be used to discharge the Restricted Obligations without deduction of Swiss withholding tax, or with deduction of Swiss withholding tax at a reduced rate, by discharging the liability to such tax by notification pursuant to Applicable Law (including tax treaties) rather than payment of Swiss withholding tax; (y) to the extent such notification procedure is not available, the Collateral Agent undertakes to withhold from the enforcement proceeds of the security interest an amount of Swiss withholding tax at the rate of 35 per cent. (or such other rate as is in force at that time), forward such amount to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration,


  within 10 Business Days after presentation by the Assignor to the Collateral Agent of the relevant form of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration, it being specified that the Assignor shall fill in and prepare the relevant form of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration and submit it to the Collateral Agent for approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; (z) promptly after a deduction for Swiss withholding tax is made as required by Applicable Law, use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any person which is entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss withholding tax deducted from such enforcement proceeds, is in a position to be so refunded and in case it has received any refund of the Swiss withholding tax, pay such refund to the Collateral Agent promptly upon receipt thereof.

 

(d)

If the enforcement of Restricted Obligations would be limited due to the effects referred to in this Clause 8.2, then the Assignor shall (x) to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, revalue and/or realize any of the Assignor’s assets that are shown on its balance sheet with a book value that is significantly lower than the market value of such assets, in case of realisation, however, only if such assets are not necessary for the Assignor’s business (nicht betriebsnotwendig) and (y) reduce the Assignor’s share/quota capital to the minimum allowed under then Applicable Law.

 

9.

Release and Reassignment

 

(a)

The Intercompany Receivables or, in case of enforcement of some but not all the Intercompany Receivables, the remainder thereof, shall be released by the Collateral Agent from the Assignment and reassigned by the Collateral Agent to the Assignor at the cost and risk of the Assignor, if and when (i) all Secured Obligations have been irrevocably paid and discharged in full and no further Secured Obligations are capable of arising in accordance with the terms of the Senior Lien Debt Documents, (ii) any other event occurs requiring a release of the Intercompany Receivables or (iii) as permitted by the Senior Lien Debt Documents.

 

(b)

The Collateral Agent will not make, and shall not be deemed to have made, any representation or warranty, whether express or implied, with respect to the Intercompany Receivables that will be reassigned under this Clause 9, except that at the date of such reassignment of the Intercompany Receivables, such Intercompany Receivables are free and clear of any and all liens, charges and encumbrances arising from the Collateral Agent’s acts.

 

10.

Role of Collateral Agent

 

(a)

The Collateral Agent hereby confirms that each of the other Secured Parties has appointed and each new Secured Party will appoint the Collateral Agent to act as Collateral Agent in its own name but on behalf and on account of each of the other Secured Parties pursuant to section 2.09 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. In particular, each of the Secured Parties has authorized, and each of the persons becoming a new Secured Party subsequent to this Agreement will authorize the Collateral Agent to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Collateral Agent under or in connection with this Agreement together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions. The Assignor acknowledges such rights and powers.


(b)

The Collateral Agent performs its rights and obligations under this Agreement as Collateral Agent in its own name but on behalf and on account of each of the other Secured Parties.

 

11.

Reinstatement

Where any discharge in respect of the Secured Obligations is made, in whole or in part, and any amount paid pursuant to any such discharge is avoided or reduced as a result of insolvency or any similar events, the respective Secured Parties, will have or continue to have a Secured Obligation and, in case the Assignment has been released and the Intercompany Receivables reassigned to the Assignor, the Assignor shall undertake all actions that are necessary for the reinstatement of the Assignment, in particular the Assignor shall return and assign (as the case may be) the Intercompany Receivables. Such reinstatement shall, to the extent required, include a reinstatement of this Agreement and the Assignment shall continue as if there had been no discharge in respect of such Secured Obligations.

 

12.

Duration; Independence

 

(a)

The security interest created hereunder shall not cease to exist if the Secured Obligations have been discharged only partially or temporarily.

 

(b)

This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest and no change, amendment, restatement or supplement whatsoever in the Senior Lien Debt Documents or in any document or agreement related to any of the other Senior Lien Debt Documents shall affect the validity or the scope of this Agreement and the security interest granted hereunder nor the obligations which are imposed on the Assignor pursuant to it.

 

(c)

This Agreement and the security interest granted hereunder are independent from any other security interest or guarantee which may have been or will be entered into for the benefit of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party. None of such other security interest or guarantee shall prejudice, or shall be prejudiced by, or shall be merged in any way with this Agreement or the security interest granted hereunder.

 

13.

General Provisions

 

13.1

No Waiver

No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege granted under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

13.2

Notices

 

(a)

All notices or other communications to be given under or in connection with this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be delivered by hand, by registered mail (return receipt requested), by an internationally recognized courier, and with respect to


  notices or other communications addressed to the Collateral Agent, unless otherwise instructed by the Collateral Agent, by e-mail to the following addresses:

 

if to the Collateral Agent to:

 

Address:    Glencore Canada Corporation, 100 King Street West Suite 6900 Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3, Canada
Email:    legalnotices@glencore-us.com
Attention:    Legal Department
with a copy to:
Address:    Glencore International AG Baarermattstrasse 3, 6340 Baar, Switzerland
Email:    general.counsel@glencore.com
Attention:    General Counsel
with a copy to:
Address:    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, 767 5th Avenue New York, NY 10153
Email:    Justin.D.Lee@weil.com, Heather.emmel@weil.com, David.Avery-Gee@weil.com, Nitin.Konchady@weil.com
Attention:    Justin Lee, Heather Emmel, David Avery-Gee, Nitin Konchady

 

if to Assignor to:

 

Address:    Li-Cycle Europe AG, Neuhofstrasse 8, 6340 Baar, Switzerland
Email:    jens.emrich@li-cycle.com, legalnotices@li-cycle.com
Attention:    Jens Emrich
Address:    Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., 207 Queens Quay West, Suite 590 Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7, Canada
Email:    ajay.kochhar@li-cycle.com
Attention:    Ajay Kochhar
with a copy to:
Address:    Freshfields US LLP, 3 World Trade Center 175 Greenwich Street New York, New York 10007
Email:   

Andrea.Basham@Freshfields.com,

Allison.Liff@Freshfields.com

Attention:    Andrea M. Basham, Allison R. Liff

or any substitute address or fax number as a party may notify to the other in accordance with the above by not less than five days’ notice.

 

(b)

Any notice to be given hereunder shall be given prior to the expiry of a term or deadline set forth in this Agreement or by applicable law, or the notice shall be deemed null and void. All notices, communications, documents or other information shall be effective upon receipt by the party to whom it is addressed irrespective of whether received prior to or


  after the expiry of such term or deadline (provided that the notice was timely and duly given in accordance with this Clause 13.2).

 

13.3

Entire Agreement

This Agreement, including the annexes and any other documents referred to herein, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and shall supersede all prior oral and written agreements or understandings of the Parties relating hereto. All references to this Agreement shall be deemed to include the annexes hereto.

 

13.4

Amendments and Waivers

This Agreement (including this Clause 13.4) may only be modified or amended by a document signed by all Parties. Any provision contained in this Agreement may only be waived by a document signed by the Party waiving such provision.

 

13.5

Transfer of Rights and Obligations

 

(a)

The Assignor may not transfer or assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without prior written consent of the Collateral Agent.

 

(b)

The Collateral Agent may transfer and assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder in accordance with the Senior Lien Debt Documents without the consent of the Assignor or any other person to any third party.

 

13.6

Severability

Should any part or provision of this Agreement be, be held, or become illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect by any competent arbitral tribunal, court, governmental or administrative authority having jurisdiction, the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall nonetheless remain legal, valid and enforceable and not in any way be affected or impaired. In such case, the Parties shall replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision with such valid and enforceable provision which best reflects the commercial and legal purpose of the replaced provision and shall execute all agreements and documents required in this connection.

 

14.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

14.1

Governing Law

This Agreement and the Assignment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of Switzerland.

 

14.2

Place of Jurisdiction

 

(a)

The exclusive place of jurisdiction for any dispute, claim or controversy arising under, out of or in connection with or related to the Agreement (or subsequent amendments thereof), including, without limitation, disputes, claims or controversies regarding its existence,


  validity, interpretation, performance, breach or termination, shall be the city of Zurich, Switzerland.

 

(b)

The Collateral Agent in addition shall have the right to institute legal proceedings against the Assignor before any other competent court or authority, in which case Swiss law shall nevertheless be applicable as provided in Clause 14.1.

[Signatures on next page]


[Agreement executed on its original date]

 

Assignor:

 

Li-Cycle Europe AG

 

  

 

Elewout Steven J. Depicker

Director

  

 

[●]

Director

 

Collateral Agent:

 

Glencore Canada Corporation

 

in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, and acting in its capacity as Collateral Agent in its own name but on behalf and on account of the other Secured Parties

 

 

Name:

Function:

  

 

Name:

Function:

[Signature Page for the Security Assignment Agreement]


Annex 1 - List of Intercompany Receivables

[XXX]


Annex 2 - Notification to Intercompany Receivables Debtors

[XXX]


Annex 2.1: Notification of Enforcement to Intercompany Receivables Debtors

[XXX]

Exhibit 10.4

738/24 DS/nk

06.12.24

D15/618-24

Index of deeds no. 676 /2024/DS

T r a n s a c t e d

at Frankfurt am Main

on 9th December 2024.

Before me, the undersigned Civil Law Notary

Aurélio de Sousa

with registered office in Frankfurt am Main

appeared today:

 

1.

Mr. Esteban Hagedorn Belmar, born on 1 October 1992,

with business address: c/o Freshfields PartG mbH, Bockenheimer Anlage 44, 60322 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, personally known by the notary, acting not in his own name, but with exemption from the restrictions set forth under Section 181 German Civil Code (BGB) by virtue of powers of attorney, copies of which were available during the recording of this Deed, with the promise to deliver the originals later, certified copies of which will then be attached to this Deed, for and on behalf of

 

  a)

Li-Cycle Germany GmbH, a company incorporated as a limited liability company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) under the laws of Germany, with its seat at Sülzetal, registered with the commercial register (Handelsregister) of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Stendal under no. HRB 32081,

 

  b)

Li-Cycle Europe AG, a corporation incorporated and organized under the laws of Switzerland, with its seat at Baar, Switzerland, registered with the commercial register (Handelsregister) of the Canton of Zug under registration number CHE-276.781.098,

 

2.

Mr. Josef Matoussi, born on 19 August 1994, with business address: Weil, Gotshal & Manages LLP, Taunusanlage 1 (Skyper), 60329 Frankfurt am Main, identified by valid official photo identification, acting not in his own name, but with exemption from the restrictions set forth under Section 181 German Civil Code (BGB) by virtue of a power of attorney, a copy of which was available during the recording of this Deed, with the promise to deliver the original later, a certified copy of which will then be attached to this Deed, for and on behalf of Glencore Canada Corporation, with its seat at Toronto, Ontario, registered with the Ontario Business Registry under Ontario Corporation Number (OCN) 1947729,


The term “Notary” shall include the acting Notary as well as any Notary, who is associated with the Notary as well as their officially appointed representatives.

The Notary asked the persons appearing before the beginning of the notarization, if there had been a prior involvement in the sense of Section 3 para. 1 sentence 1 no. 7 of the German law on the recording of documents (BeurkG) and explained this provision. The persons thereupon declared that no such prior involvement occurred and that the Notary was therefore not hindered to act in this deed.

The persons appearing requested this deed to be recorded in the English language. The Notary, who is in sufficient command of the English language, ascertained that the persons appearing are also in sufficient command of the English language. After having been instructed by the Notary, the persons appearing waived the right to obtain the assistance of a sworn interpreter and to obtain a certified translation of this deed.

The persons appearing – acting as set out above – requested the notarization of the following:

 

-2-


JUNIOR RANKING SHARE PLEDGE AGREEMENT

(NACHRANGIGE GESCHÄFTSANTEILSVERPFÄNDUNG)

in relation to the shares in

Li-Cycle Germany GmbH

between

Li-Cycle Europe AG

(as Pledgor)

and

Glencore Canada Corp.

(as Collateral Agent)

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1.

  Definitions and Interpretation      5  

2.

  Junior Ranking Share Pledge      12  

3.

  Security Purpose      13  

4.

  Dividends      13  

5.

  Voting Rights      14  

6.

  Representations and Warranties      15  

7.

  Undertakings of the Pledgor      16  

8.

  Enforcement      18  

9.

  Limitations on Enforcement      19  

10.

  Independent and Continuing Security      21  

11.

  Release (Sicherheitenfreigabe)      22  

12.

  Waiver of Defenses      22  

13.

  No Recourse against Third Parties      23  

14.

  Costs and Expenses      24  

15.

  Assignment      24  

16.

  Partial Invalidity      25  

17.

  Conflicts      25  

18.

  Amendments      25  

19.

  Waivers      26  

20.

  Notices and their Language      26  

21.

  Governing Law; Jurisdiction      28  

22.

  Notification of Pledges      29  

23.

  Consent of the Pledgor and the Pledged Company      29  

 

2


This JUNIOR RANKING SHARE PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made on 9th December 2024 and entered into

BETWEEN:

 

(1)

Li-Cycle Europe AG, a corporation incorporated and organized under the laws of Switzerland, registered with the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zug under registration number CHE-276.781.098, with registered office at Neuhofstrasse 8, 6340 Baar, Switzerland in its capacity as pledgor (the “Pledgor”);

 

(2)

Glencore Canada Corporation, an Ontario corporation having its address at 100 King Street West, Suite 6900, Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3 (“Glencore”), in its capacity as applicable collateral agent for the Senior Lien Secured Parties under the Intercreditor Agreement (each as defined below) and pledgee (the “Collateral Agent”); and

 

(3)

Li-Cycle Germany GmbH, a company incorporated as a limited liability company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) under the laws of Germany, with its registered seat in Sülzetal and registered with the commercial register (Handelsregister) of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Stendal under registration number HRB 32081 in its capacity as pledged company (the “Pledged Company”).

The institutions named in (1) to (3) are hereinafter together referred to as the “Parties” and each as a “Party”.

WHEREAS:

 

(A)

Pursuant to an amended and restated note purchase agreement dated March 25, 2024 (the “Senior Note Purchase Agreement”) among Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario with offices located at 207 Queens Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7 (the “Issuer”), Glencore Ltd., a Swiss company having its address at 330 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017 and Glencore as purchaser (Glencore in such capacity the “Purchaser”) and collateral agent, the Issuer has issued and sold to the Purchaser the senior secured convertible note due five years from its closing date in the aggregate amount of $75,000,000 (the “Senior Note”) in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth therein.

 

 

3


(B)

In connection with the Senior Note, certain subsidiaries of the Issuer from time to time party thereto entered into that certain note guaranty, dated as of March 25, 2024 (the “Senior Note Guaranty”). By way of a subsidiary joinder agreement, dated as of May 29, 2024, the Pledgor acceded to the Senior Note Guaranty as a note guarantor.

 

(C)

As a condition under the Senior Note, the Pledgor and the Collateral Agent as collateral agent under the Senior Note have entered into that certain notarial share pledge agreement executed before the notary Aurélio de Sousa in Frankfurt am Main, Germany with deed no. 329/2024/DS and dated May 29, 2024 (the “Existing Share Pledge Agreement” and, the pledges granted by the Pledgor under the Existing Share Pledge Agreement, the “Existing Pledges”).

 

(D)

Furthermore, the Issuer, as issuer, has issued to Glencore that certain amended and restated convertible note, dated as of March 25, 2024, in the aggregate original principal amount of $116,551,170.40 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Initial Additional Senior Lien Note”). It is a condition under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note, that upon the occurrence of the Modification Date (as defined below), the Grantors (as defined below) would guarantee the obligations of the Issuer under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note and secure such guaranty with pari passu liens on the same assets in respect of which such Grantors have granted liens for the benefit of the secured parties under the Senior Note and enter into collateral documentation in the same form and on the same terms as entered into to secure the Senior Note.

 

(E)

In connection with the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note, the Pledgor and certain subsidiaries of the Issuer from time to time party thereto as note guarantors have entered into that certain note guaranty, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, extended or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Initial Additional Senior Lien Guaranty” and together with the Senior Note Guaranty, each, a “Note Guaranty”).

 

4


(F)

The Pledgor has agreed to pledge its shares in the Pledged Company and the Ancillary Rights (as defined below) pertaining thereto to the Collateral Agent as collateral for the Secured Obligations (as defined below).

 

(G)

The security created by or pursuant to this Agreement is to be held as shared collateral and administered by the Collateral Agent for and on behalf of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties (as defined below) pursuant to the terms of that certain pari passu intercreditor agreement, dated on or about the date hereof (as amended, restated, extended or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”) and originally entered into by and among, inter alios, the Collateral Agent as collateral agent for the Senior Note Secured Parties (as defined below) and holder of the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note (the Collateral Agent in such capacity the “Initial Additional Secured Party”), the Issuer, the Pledgor and each Grantor (as defined below) party thereto.

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1.

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1.1

Definitions

In this Agreement:

AktG” means the German Stock Corporation Act (Aktiengesetz).

Ancillary Rights” means (i) the present and future rights to receive (A) dividends and other distributions paid or payable on the Shares; and (B) liquidation proceeds, redemption proceeds (Einziehungsentgelt), repaid capital in case of a capital decrease, any compensation in case of termination (Kündigung) and/or withdrawal (Austritt) of a shareholder of the Pledged Company, the surplus in case of surrender (Preisgabe), any repayment claim for any additional capital contributions (Nachschüsse) and all other pecuniary claims associated with the Shares; (ii) the right to subscribe for newly issued shares and (iii) all other rights and benefits attributable to the Shares (other than non-pecuniary membership rights excluded pursuant to Clause 5.1 (Voting rights with the Pledgor)).

 

5


BGB” means the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch).

Business Day” means any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Toronto, Canada, and the City of New York, USA.

Canadian Guarantors means, collectively, all present and future (direct or indirect) subsidiaries of the Issuer organized under the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof, which as of the closing date consists of Li-Cycle Corp. and Li-Cycle Americas Corp.

Canadian Pledge Agreement” means a Canadian law governed pledge agreements, entered into between the Issuer and the Canadian Guarantors as grantors, and the Collateral Agent on (i) March 25, 2024 and (ii) December 9, 2024.

Canadian Security Agreement” means a Canadian law governed general security agreements, entered into between the Issuer and the Canadian Guarantors as grantors, and the Collateral Agent on (i) March 25, 2024 and (ii) December 9, 2024.

Collateral” means all assets and properties subject to any Lien created pursuant to any Senior Lien Collateral Document to secure one or more series of Senior Lien Obligations.

Collateral Documents” means, collectively, (i) the U.S. Security Agreement, (ii) the U.S. Pledge Agreement, (iii) the Canadian Security Agreement, (iv) the Canadian Pledge Agreement, (v) any supplement to any of the foregoing delivered to the Collateral Agent under the collateral and guarantee requirements under the Note and (vi) each of the other instruments and documents pursuant to which any Grantor grants (or purports to grant) a Lien on any Collateral as security for payment of the Secured Obligations.

Enforcement Event” means an Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing.

 

6


Event of Default” means any event of default (i) under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note which entitles the noteholder under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note to declare all or part of any amount of the Initial Senior Lien Obligations due and payable or which renders all or part of any amount of the Initial Senior Lien Obligations automatically due and payable or (ii) under the Senior Note which entitles the Collateral Agent to declare all or part of any amount of the Senior Note Obligations due and payable or which renders all or part of any amount of the Senior Note Obligations due and payable.

Existing Shares” means the shares held by the Pledgor in the Pledged Company with the serial numbers (laufende Nummer der Geschäftsanteile) 1 to 25,000 of the most current list of shareholders (Gesellschafterliste) filed (aufgenommen) in the commercial register (Handelsregister), having a nominal value of EUR 25,000.00.

Future Shares” means all additional shares in the capital of the Pledged Company (irrespective of their nominal value) which the Pledgor may acquire in the future in the event of a share transfer, a share split, a share combination, an increase of the capital of the Pledged Company (including by way of authorized capital (genehmigtes Kapital)) or otherwise.

GmbHG” means the German Limited Liability Companies Act (Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung).

Grantor” means the Issuer and each subsidiary of the Issuer that has granted a security interest pursuant to any Senior Lien Debt Document to secure any Secured Obligations, including the Pledgor.

“Group” means the Issuer and each of its Subsidiaries from time to time.

HGB” means the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch).

ICA Parallel Debt” means the independent payment obligation of any Grantor arising under the Intercreditor Agreement to pay to the Collateral Agent as creditor in its own right sums equal to and in the currency of each present or future amount payable by such Grantor under each of the Senior Lien Debt Documents (as amended from time to time and notwithstanding any increase of amounts payable thereunder or extension of term) to each of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties.

 

7


InsO” means the German Insolvency Code (Insolvenzordnung).

Initial Additional Senior Lien Collateral Documents” means the collateral documents in connection with the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note and any other agreement, document or instrument pursuant to which a lien is granted (or purported to be granted) securing any Initial Additional Senior Lien Obligations or under which rights or remedies with respect to such Liens are governed.

Initial Additional Senior Lien Debt Documents” means the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note, the Initial Additional Senior Lien Collateral Documents and any security documents and other operative agreements evidencing or governing the indebtedness thereunder, and the Liens securing such indebtedness, including any agreement entered into for the purpose of securing the Initial Additional Senior Lien Obligations.

Initial Additional Senior Lien Guaranty Parallel Debt” means the independent payment obligation of any Grantor under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Guaranty to pay to the Collateral Agent as creditor in its own right sums equal to and in the currency of each present or future amount payable by such Guarantor under each of the Initial Additional Senior Lien Debt Documents (as amended from time to time and notwithstanding any increase of amounts payable thereunder or extension of term) to each of the other Initial Additional Senior Lien Secured Parties.

Initial Additional Senior Lien Obligations” means all obligations for unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note, premium, penalties, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses (including fees and expenses accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), reimbursements, indemnities, and all other advances to, debts, liabilities and obligations of any Initial Additional Senior Lien Secured Party to the Collateral Agent or any indemnified party arising under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Debt Documents, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute, contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising.

 

8


Initial Additional Senior Lien Secured Parties” means the Initial Additional Secured Party and the holders of the Initial Additional Senior Lien Obligations.

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any capital lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing), in each case, in the nature of security; provided that in no event shall an operating lease in and of itself be deemed to constitute a Lien.

Modification Date” means the earlier of (a) the date that is one (1) month after the occurrence of a “closing date” under any project loan documentation entered into by the Issuer and/or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the financing of the project, and (b) December 31, 2024 which was calculated to occur on December 9, 2024.

Pledges” means the pledges created pursuant to Clause 2.1 (Junior Ranking Pledge of Shares and Ancillary Rights).

Secured Parallel Debt Obligations” means (i) the ICA Parallel Debt and (ii) the Initial Additional Senior Lien Guaranty Parallel Debt.

Secured Obligations” means all Senior Lien Obligations, including the Secured Parallel Debt Obligations and any other parallel debt and including any claims based on unjust enrichment (ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung) or tort (Delikt) and claims arising from the insolvency administrator’s discretion to perform obligations in agreements according to Sec. 103 InsO.

Senior Lien Collateral Documents” means, collectively, (a) the Senior Note Collateral Documents, and (b) the Initial Additional Senior Lien Collateral Documents.

Senior Lien Debt Documents” means, collectively, (a) the Senior Note Loan Documents, and (b) the Initial Additional Senior Lien Debt Documents.

Senior Lien Obligations” means, collectively, (a) the Senior Note Obligations and (b) the Initial Additional Senior Lien Obligations.

 

9


Senior Lien Secured Party” means (a) the Senior Note Secured Parties and (b) the Initial Additional Senior Lien Secured Parties.

Senior Note Collateral Documents” means collectively, (i) the U.S. Security Agreement, (ii) the U.S. Pledge Agreement, (iii) the Canadian Security Agreement, (iv) the Canadian Pledge Agreement, (v) any supplement to any of the foregoing delivered to the Collateral Agent under the collateral and guarantee requirements under the Senior Note and any other agreement, document or instrument pursuant to which a lien is granted (or purported to be granted) securing any Senior Note Obligations or under which rights or remedies with respect to such Liens are governed.

Senior Note Loan Documents” means the Senior Note, the Senior Note Purchase Agreement, the Senior Note Collateral Documents, the Senior Note Guaranty, and each of the other agreements and instruments entered into or delivered by any of the parties thereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, as may be amended from time to time.

Senior Note Obligations” means all obligations for unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Senior Note, premium, penalties, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses (including fees and expenses accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), reimbursements, indemnities, and all other advances to, debts, liabilities and obligations of any note party under the Senior Note to any Senior Note Secured Party, the Collateral Agent or any indemnified party arising under the Senior Note Loan Documents, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute, contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising.

Senior Note Secured Party” means (i) the Purchaser, (ii) any other person that becomes a holder of a note issued pursuant to the terms of the Senior Note and the Senior Note Purchase Agreement and has not ceased to be a holder of such notes and (iii) the Collateral Agent.

 

10


Shares” means the Existing Shares and the Future Shares.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of stock or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the person or persons (whether directors, trustees or other persons performing similar functions) having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of such person or a combination thereof, in each case to the extent the relevant entity’s financial results are required to be included in such person’s consolidated financial statements under GAAP; provided that in determining the percentage of ownership interests of any person controlled by another person, no ownership interests in the nature of a “qualifying share” of the former person shall be deemed to be outstanding. Unless otherwise specified, “subsidiary” shall mean any subsidiary of the Issuer.

U.S. Guarantors” means, collectively, all present and future (direct or indirect) U.S. Subsidiaries, which consists as of the closing date of the U.S. Project Finance Group.

U.S. Pledge Agreement” means the New York law governed pledge agreements entered into between Li-Cycle Americas Corp. as pledgor and the Collateral Agent (i) on March 25, 2024 and (ii) on or after December 9, 2024.

U.S. Project Finance Group means, collectively, Li-Cycle U.S. Holdings Inc., Li-Cycle Inc., and Li-Cycle North America Hub, Inc. and their respective direct and indirect subsidiaries.

U.S. Security Agreement” means the New York law governed pledge and security Agreements entered into between Li-Cycle Americas Corp. and the U.S. Guarantors as grantors, and the Collateral Agent (i) on March 25, 2024 and (ii) on or after December 9, 2024.

U.S. Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is incorporated or organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

11


1.2

Construction

In this Agreement:

 

  a)

any reference to a defined document is a reference to that defined document as amended (however fundamentally), supplemented, novated, restated or superseded from time to time;

 

  b)

a reference to any person includes such person’s successors, transferees and assignees;

 

  c)

where the context so permits, the singular includes the plural and vice versa;

 

  d)

the headings are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement;

 

  e)

any reference to the term “including” means “including, but without limitation” and any reference to the term “promptly” means “without undue delay (unverzüglich)” within the meaning of Sec. 121 BGB; and

 

  f)

any reference to a “Clause” or a “Schedule” shall, subject to any contrary indication, be construed as a reference to a Clause or a Schedule hereof.

 

1.3

Language

This Agreement is made in the English language. For the avoidance of doubt, the English language version of this Agreement shall prevail over any translation of this Agreement. However, where a German translation of a word or phrase appears in the text of this Agreement, the German translation of such word or phrase shall prevail.

 

2.

JUNIOR RANKING SHARE PLEDGE

 

2.1

Junior Ranking Pledge of Shares and Ancillary Rights

The Pledgor hereby pledges as security to the Collateral Agent the Shares and any and all Ancillary Rights pertaining thereto.

 

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2.2

Acceptance

The Collateral Agent hereby accepts the Pledges created pursuant to Clause 2.1 (Junior Ranking Pledge of Shares and Ancillary Rights).

 

2.3

Independent Pledges

 

2.3.1

Each of the Pledges is in addition, and without prejudice, to any other security the Collateral Agent may now or hereafter hold in respect of the Secured Obligations.

 

2.3.2

The validity and effect of each of the Pledges created under this Agreement shall be independent from the validity and the effect of any of the other Pledges created hereunder. The Pledges to the Collateral Agent shall be separate and individual pledges ranking pari passu with the other Pledges created hereunder.

 

2.3.3

For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties agree that nothing in this Agreement shall exclude a transfer of all or part of the Pledges created under and in relation to this Agreement by operation of law upon the transfer or assignment (including by way of assumption of contract (Vertragsübernahme)) of all or part of the Secured Obligations by the Collateral Agent.

 

3.

SECURITY PURPOSE

The Pledges granted hereunder are constituted in order to secure the prompt and complete satisfaction of any and all Secured Obligations. The Pledges shall also cover any future extension or increase of the Secured Obligations and the Pledgor hereby expressly agrees that the provisions of Sec. 1210 para 1 sentence 2 BGB shall not apply to this Agreement.

 

4.

DIVIDENDS

 

4.1

Entitlement to receive dividend payments

Notwithstanding that the dividends and other distributions paid or payable on the Shares are pledged hereunder, the Pledgor shall be entitled (to the extent not prohibited under the Finance Documents) to receive and retain all dividend payments and other distributions in respect of the Shares unless an Enforcement Event has occurred and the Collateral Agent has provided prior written notice that the Pledgor shall no longer have such right.

 

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4.2

Collateral Agent’s rights

Notwithstanding Clause 4.1 (Entitlement to receive dividend payments) above, upon the occurrence of an Enforcement Event and at least concurrent notice to the Pledgor:

 

  a)

dividends and profit shares paid or payable otherwise than in cash (i.e. in kind (Sachdividenden)) and other property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for, any of the Shares;

 

  b)

dividends and profit shares or other distributions paid or payable in cash in respect of the Shares in connection with the partial or total liquidation or dissolution or in connection with the reduction of capital, capital surplus or paid-in surplus; and

 

  c)

cash paid, payable or otherwise distributed in redemption of, or in exchange for the Shares,

shall be transferred, assigned and delivered to the Collateral Agent to be held as collateral and if received by the Pledgor, shall be received as holder for the Collateral Agent and segregated from the other property or funds of the Pledgor and be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent as collateral in the same form as received.

 

5.

VOTING RIGHTS

 

5.1

Voting rights with the Pledgor

The non-pecuniary membership rights attached to the Shares (including the voting rights) remain with the Pledgor. The Pledgor, however, shall at all times until the full satisfaction of all Secured Obligations or the release of the Pledges exercise its membership rights, including its voting rights, in good faith to ensure that the validity and enforceability of the Pledges and the existence of all or part of the Shares are not in any way materially and adversely affected other than through any action permitted under the Note Purchase Agreement or the Finance Documents.

 

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5.2

Impairment

The Pledgor shall not take, or participate in, any action which impairs, or which would for any other reason be inconsistent with, the Collateral Agent’s security interest or the security purpose as described in Clause 3 (Security Purpose) or which would materially defeat, impair or circumvent the Collateral Agent’s rights hereunder.

 

5.3

Information by the Pledgor

The Pledgor shall notify the Collateral Agent, by notification in writing, forthwith of any shareholders’ meeting at which a resolution is intended to be adopted which could reasonably be expected to have a material and adverse effect upon the validity or enforceability of the Pledges. Upon an Enforcement Event and at least concurrent notice to the Pledgor, the Pledgor shall allow the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, its proxy or any other person designated by the Collateral Agent to attend such shareholders’ meeting of the Pledged Company (for the avoidance of doubt, without any voting right). The Collateral Agent’s right to attend the shareholders’ meeting shall terminate immediately upon complete satisfaction and discharge of the Secured Obligations.

 

6.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Pledgor represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent by way of an independent guarantee (selbstständiges Garantieversprechen) that at the date of this Agreement:

 

  a)

the Pledgor is not unable to pay its respective debts as and when they fall due (zahlungsunfähig), nor over-indebted (überschuldet) (within the meaning of article 725b of the Swiss Code of Obligations) nor subject to any insolvency proceedings (Insolvenzverfahren);

 

  b)

the description of the Existing Shares in Clause 1.1 (Definitions) is complete, true and correct;

 

15


  c)

it is the sole legal (rechtlicher) and beneficial (wirtschaftlicher) owner of all of the Existing Shares pledged by it and except for the Existing Pledges and the Pledges created hereunder, the Existing Shares pledged by it are free from any right, claim, title, interest, pledge, lien or other encumbrance or charge of third parties;

 

  d)

the Existing Shares pledged by it hereunder are fully paid, are the only shares in the Pledged Company and there is no obligation for a shareholder to make additional contributions;

 

  e)

it is not subject to any restriction of any kind with regard to the transfer of, or the granting of a pledge in, or any other disposal of, the Existing Shares purported to be pledged by it or with regard to the right to receive dividends or profit shares on the Existing Shares pledged by it;

 

  f)

except for the Existing Pledges, the Pledges created under this Agreement are first ranking pledges over the Existing Shares and the Ancillary Rights pertaining thereto; and

 

  g)

there are no silent partnership agreements or similar arrangements by which any third parties are entitled to a participation in the profits or revenue of the Pledged Company in respect of which it has granted a pledge.

 

7.

UNDERTAKINGS OF THE PLEDGOR

The Pledgor undertakes to the Collateral Agent:

 

  a)

to inform the Collateral Agent, by notification in writing, promptly of any attachments (Pfändung) in respect of any of the Shares or Ancillary Rights or any other events, circumstances or measures which are reasonably likely to impair or jeopardize the validity or enforceability of the Pledges or interests relating thereto. In the event of an attachment, the Pledgor undertakes to forward to the Collateral Agent, by notification in writing, promptly a copy of the attachment order (Pfändungsbeschluss), the garnishee order (Überweisungsbeschluss) and all other documents necessary for a defense against the attachment.

 

16


  The Pledgor shall inform the attaching creditor promptly of the Collateral Agent’s security interests hereunder; without the Collateral Agent’s prior written consent,

 

  (i)

not to sell or encumber or otherwise dispose of the Shares or the Ancillary Rights pledged by it;

 

  (ii)

not to allow any party other than itself to subscribe for any newly issued share in the Pledged Company;

in each case unless otherwise permitted under the Senior Lien Debt Documents;

 

  b)

to notify the Collateral Agent, by notification in writing, promptly of any change in the shareholding in, or the capital contributions to, the Pledged Company;

 

  c)

to effect promptly any payments to be made to the Pledged Company in respect of the Shares and Ancillary Rights;

 

  d)

that all Future Shares pledged by it will be fully paid up and that there will be no obligation for a shareholder to make additional contributions; and

 

  e)

to ensure that at all times the Collateral Agent holds a valid pledge over 100% of the Shares, and that the Pledges created hereunder rank junior only to the Existing Pledges (and in the case of a merger to procure that an equivalent security interest over the shares and interests in the surviving or, as the case may be, the new company or partnership) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

provided that the foregoing undertakings shall not limit or restrict the Pledgor from taking any action which is permitted under the Senior Lien Debt Documents.

 

17


8.

ENFORCEMENT

 

8.1

Enforcement right

If and when an Enforcement Event has occurred and, in addition, the requirements set forth in Sec. 1273 para 2, 1204 et seq. BGB with regard to the enforcement of pledges are met (Pfandreife), the Collateral Agent may realize the Pledges (or any part thereof) by way of public auction (öffentliche Versteigerung) or in any other way permitted under German law, in any case notwithstanding Sec. 1277 BGB and without obtaining any enforceable judgment or other instrument (vollstreckbarer Titel).

 

8.2

Notification and auction

 

  a)

The Collateral Agent will notify the Pledgor one (1) week prior to the enforcement of the Pledges (or any of them) according to this Clause 8 (Enforcement). However, such notice shall not be required if (i) the Pledgor has generally ceased to make payments (Zahlungen eingestellt), (ii) an application for the institution of insolvency proceedings or similar proceedings is filed by or against the Pledgor or (iii) the Collateral Agent reasonably determines that the observance of the notice period would endanger the security interest of the Collateral Agent and/or the other Senior Lien Secured Parties.

 

  b)

The public auction may be held at any place in the Federal Republic of Germany which will be determined by the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent shall notify the Pledgor ten (10) days in advance of the place and time of the public auction in accordance with Sec. 1237 sentence 2 BGB.

 

  c)

No further notices are required to initiate the enforcement of the Pledges.

 

8.3

Collateral Agent’s discretion

The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to determine in its sole discretion which part of the Pledges shall be realized to satisfy the Secured Obligations. Sec. 1230 sentence 2 BGB shall not apply.

 

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8.4

Assistance by Pledgor

If the Collateral Agent seeks to realize the Pledges pursuant to, and in accordance with Clause 8.1 (Enforcement right), the Pledgor shall, at its own costs and expenses, render forthwith all necessary assistance (including the prompt delivery of documents (including originals)) in order to facilitate the prompt realization of the Pledges, any part thereof, the prompt enforcement and realization of the Ancillary Rights and/or the exercise by the Collateral Agent of any other right it may have under German law.

 

8.5

Dividends

Provided that the requirements for a realization referred to under Clause 8.1 (Enforcement right) are met, all dividends and other payments, if any, which have been or will be made to the Pledgor and, as the case may be, all payments based on similar ancillary rights attributed to the Shares may be applied by the Collateral Agent in satisfaction in whole or in part of the Secured Obligations notwithstanding its right to treat such payments as additional collateral.

 

9.

LIMITATIONS ON ENFORCEMENT

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the obligations of the Pledgor and the rights of the Senior Lien Secured Parties and the Collateral Agent under this Agreement are subject to the following limitations:

 

  a)

If and to the extent that the security interest granted by the Pledgor under this Agreement secures obligations of its Affiliates which are not its wholly-owned direct or indirect Subsidiaries (the Restricted Obligations) and if using the proceeds from the enforcement of such security interest to discharge the Restricted Obligations would constitute a repayment of capital (Einlagerückgewähr), a violation of the legally protected reserves (gesetzlich geschützte Reserven) or the payment of a (constructive) dividend (Gewinnausschüttung) by the Pledgor or would otherwise be restricted under then applicable Swiss law, the proceeds from the enforcement of such security interest to be used to discharge the Restricted Obligations shall be limited to the amount of freely disposable equity (frei verwendbares Eigenkapital) (including, without limitation,

 

19


  any statutory reserves which can be transferred into unrestricted distributable reserves) of the Pledgor at the time of enforcement, as determined in accordance with Swiss law and Swiss accounting principles (the Swiss Maximum Amount), provided that this is a requirement under then applicable mandatory Swiss law and it is understood that such limitation shall not free the Pledgor from its obligations in excess of the Swiss Maximum Amount, but that it shall merely postpone the performance date of those obligations until such time or times as performance is again permitted.

 

  b)

Promptly after the enforcement of the security interest granted by the Pledgor under this Agreement (but in any event within not more than 30 Business Days after the relevant request having been made), the Pledgor shall (x) perform any obligations which are not affected by the above limitations, and (y) if and to the extent required by Applicable Law applicable to the Pledgor or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent:

 

  (i)

provide the Collateral Agent with an interim balance sheet audited by the statutory auditors of the Pledgor setting out the Swiss Maximum Amount and confirming that using the proceeds from the enforcement of such security interest to discharge the Restricted Obligations in an amount corresponding to the Swiss Maximum Amount is in compliance with the provisions of the applicable Swiss law;

 

  (ii)

convert restricted reserves into reserves freely available for distribution as dividends (to the extent permitted by mandatory Swiss law); and

 

  (iii)

take any further corporate and other action as may be required by law (such as board and shareholders’ approvals and the receipt of any confirmations from the Pledgor’s statutory auditors) and other measures reasonably necessary to allow the Collateral Agent to use enforcement proceeds as agreed hereunder with a minimum of limitations.

 

20


  c)

In relation to the Restricted Obligations, the Pledgor shall (x) use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that enforcement proceeds can be used to discharge the Restricted Obligations without deduction of Swiss withholding tax, or with deduction of Swiss withholding tax at a reduced rate, by discharging the liability to such tax by notification pursuant to Applicable Law (including tax treaties) rather than payment of Swiss withholding tax; (y) to the extent such notification procedure is not available, the Collateral Agent undertakes to withhold from the enforcement proceeds of the Pledge an amount of Swiss withholding tax at the rate of 35 per cent. (or such other rate as is in force at that time), forward such amount to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration, within 10 Business Days after presentation by the Pledgor to the Collateral Agent of the relevant form of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration, it being specified that the Pledgor shall fill in and prepare the relevant form of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration and submit it to the Collateral Agent for approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; (z) promptly after a deduction for Swiss withholding tax is made as required by Applicable Law, use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any person which is entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss withholding tax deducted from such enforcement proceeds, is in a position to be so refunded and in case it has received any refund of the Swiss withholding tax, pay such refund to the Collateral Agent promptly upon receipt thereof.

 

  d)

If the enforcement of Restricted Obligations would be limited due to the effects referred to in this Clause 9, then the Pledgor shall (x) to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, revalue and/or realize any of the Pledgor’s assets that are shown on its balance sheet with a book value that is significantly lower than the market value of such assets, in case of realisation, however, only if such assets are not necessary for the Pledgor’s business (nicht betriebsnotwendig) and (y) reduce the Pledgor’s share/quota capital to the minimum allowed under then Applicable Law.

 

10.

INDEPENDENT AND CONTINUING SECURITY

 

10.1

This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until complete satisfaction of the Secured Obligations. The Pledges shall not cease to exist if the Pledgor has only temporarily fulfilled the Secured Obligations.

 

21


10.2

This Agreement shall create a continuing security for the payment, discharge and performance of all of the Secured Obligations and no change, amendment, or supplement whatsoever in the Senior Lien Debt Documents or in any document or agreement related to any of the Senior Lien Debt Documents shall affect the validity or the scope of this Agreement nor the obligations which are imposed on the Pledgor pursuant to it.

 

10.3

This Agreement is independent from any other security or guarantee which may have been or will be given to the Collateral Agent. None of such other security shall prejudice, or shall be prejudiced by, or shall be merged in any way with this Agreement.

 

10.4

The Pledgor hereby agrees that the security created pursuant to this Agreement shall not be affected by any transfer or assumption (for whatever reason) of the obligations owed by the Pledgor in connection with the Secured Obligations to, or by, any third party (Schuldübernahme). Sec. 418 BGB shall not be applicable in such case.

 

11.

RELEASE (SICHERHEITENFREIGABE)

 

11.1

In addition to release rights under the Senior Lien Debt Documents, upon complete and irrevocable satisfaction of the Secured Obligations, the Collateral Agent will, at the costs and expenses of the Pledgor, declare the release of the Pledges (Pfandfreigabe) to the Pledgor as a matter of record. For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties are aware that upon full and complete satisfaction of the Secured Obligations, the Pledges, due to their accessory nature (Akzessorietät), cease to exist by operation of German mandatory law.

 

11.2

If the Collateral Agent is obliged to release all or part of the security granted under the Collateral due to mandatory German law and is requested to do so by the Pledgor prior to the full discharge of the Secured Obligations, the Collateral Agent may, at its sole discretion, determine which part of the security may be released.

 

12.

WAIVER OF DEFENSES

The Pledgor hereby waives its rights of revocation (Anfechtbarkeit) and set-off (Aufrechenbarkeit) it may have pursuant to Sec. 1273 para 2, 1211 and 770 BGB as well as any defenses based on defenses any other Grantor might have against any of the Secured Obligations (Einreden des Hauptschuldners) pursuant to Sec. 1211 para 1 sentence 1 alternative 1 BGB.

 

22


13.

NO RECOURSE AGAINST THIRD PARTIES

Other than as permitted by the Senior Lien Debt Documents,

 

  a)

in deviating from Sec. 1225 BGB, no right of the Collateral Agent (or any of the Senior Lien Secured Parties) against any other Grantor shall pass to the Pledgor as a result of the enforcement of the Pledges. The Pledgor may not exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under this Agreement or as a result of the enforcement of the collateral created under this Agreement:

 

  (i)

to be indemnified by another Grantor;

 

  (ii)

to claim any recourse from any other chargor of any Grantor’s obligations under the Senior Lien Debt Documents;

 

  (iii)

to exercise any right of set-off against any other Grantor; and/or

 

  (iv)

to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of legal subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Senior Lien Secured Parties under the Senior Lien Debt Documents or of any other agreement or of any other guarantee or collateral taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Senior Lien Debt Documents by any Senior Lien Secured Party;

 

  b)

The Pledgor furthermore hereby waives (by way of an agreement in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to Sec. 328 BGB) any contractual and/or statutory damage and/or reimbursement claims (Schadensersatz- und Aufwendungsersatzansprüche) against any other Grantor it may have in case of realization and/or satisfaction of any of the Secured Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, the Pledgor shall not be entitled to demand an assignment of the Secured Obligations to it;

 

23


  c)

If the Pledgor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it shall hold that benefit, payment or distribution on trust for the Senior Lien Secured Parties to the extent necessary to enable all amounts which may be or become payable to the Senior Lien Secured Parties by the Grantors under or in connection with the Senior Lien Debt Documents to be repaid in full and shall promptly pay or transfer the same to the Collateral Agent or as the Collateral Agent may direct for application in accordance with the instructions of the Senior Lien Secured Parties;

 

  d)

With effect from an enforcement of a pledge granted over the shares in any member of the Group under any Senior Lien Debt Document (each a “Disposed Entity”), the Pledgor hereby irrevocably waives any rights which may pass to it by subrogation (e.g. pursuant to Sec. 1225 BGB) or otherwise, including any claim for recourse, damage or other reimbursement claim against the Disposed Entity. The Collateral Agent hereby accepts such waiver;

until the Secured Obligations have been finally, but not only temporarily, satisfied and discharged in full.

 

14.

COSTS AND EXPENSES

The Pledgor shall bear the costs of the notarization of this Agreement.

 

15.

ASSIGNMENT

 

15.1

This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors in law.

 

15.2

If and when the pledges created hereunder have been transferred to a third party by operation of law due to a transfer of the Secured Obligations in accordance with the Senior Lien Debt Documents, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to assign or otherwise transfer any and all of its rights and duties under this Agreement to such third party in accordance with the Senior Lien Debt Documents, provided that the assignee accepts to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. The Pledgor hereby explicitly and irrevocably consents to such assignment or transfer.

 

24


15.3

The Pledgor shall not assign or transfer any of its rights, claims or obligations under or in connection with this Agreement.

 

16.

PARTIAL INVALIDITY

 

16.1

The Parties agree that should at any time any provisions of this Agreement be or become void (nichtig), invalid or due to any reason ineffective (unwirksam) this will indisputably (unwiderlegbar) not affect the validity, legality or effectiveness of the remaining provisions and this Agreement will remain valid and effective, save for the void, invalid or ineffective provisions, without any Party having to argue (darlegen) and prove (beweisen) the Parties’ intent to uphold this Agreement even without the void, invalid or ineffective provisions.

 

16.2

The void, invalid or ineffective provision shall be deemed replaced by such valid and effective provision that in legal and economic terms comes closest to what the Parties intended or would have intended in accordance with the purpose of this Agreement if they had considered the point at the time of conclusion of this Agreement.

 

17.

CONFLICTS

In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the Senior Lien Debt Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of either the Senior Lien Debt Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement (as the context may require) shall prevail and override anything in this Agreement to the contrary, save if and to the extent that the application of any such terms or any reference to such documents in this Agreement would affect the validity, ranking, priority or enforceability of the Pledges created under this Agreement.

 

18.

AMENDMENTS

Changes and amendments to this Agreement (including to this Clause 18 (Amendments)) must be made in writing, unless notarial form is required by mandatory law.

 

25


19.

WAIVERS

No failure or delay by the Collateral Agent in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise or waiver of any right or remedy preclude its further exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The Senior Lien Debt Documents shall not limit or exclude any statutory legal remedies.

 

20.

NOTICES AND THEIR LANGUAGE

 

20.1

Contact details

All notices and communications under or in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered by letter, posted or delivered by hand, or fax or email. Each notice or communication shall be given to the relevant Party at the address or fax number or email address and marked for the attention of the person(s) or department from time to time specified in writing by that Party to the other. The initial address, fax number, email address and person(s) or department so specified by each Party are set out below:

 

 For the Pledgor:

   Li-Cycle Europe AG
   Address:   

Neuhofstr. 8

6340 Baar, Switzerland

   Fax:    n/a
   E-mail:   

peter.duerr@li-cycle.com

jens.emrich@li-cycle.com, legalnotices@li-cycle.com

   Attention:    Peter Dürr and Jens Emrich

 

26


 For the Pledged Company:

   Li-Cycle Germany GmbH
   Address:   

Lange Göhren 4

39171 Sülzetal, Germany

   Fax:    n/a
   E-mail:   

peter.duerr@li-cycle.com

jens.emrich@li-cycle.com

legalnotices@li-cycle.com

   Attention:    Peter Dürr and Jens Emrich

 

 with a copy to:

     
  

Address:

  

Freshfields US LLP

3 World Trade Center 175 Greenwich Street New York, New York 10007

  

E-mail:

  

Andrea.Basham@Freshfields.com,

Allison.Liff@Freshfields.com

  

Attention:

  

Andrea M. Basham,

Allison R. Liff

 

 For the Collateral Agent:

   Glencore Canada Corporation
   Address:   

100 King Street West, Suite 6900.

Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3

   Fax:    n/a
   E-mail:    legalnotices@glencore-us.com
   Attention:    Legal Department

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

   Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
   Address:   

767 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10153

   E-mail:   

david.avery-gee@weil.com,

heather.emmel@weil.com,

nitin.konchady@weil.com,

justin.d.lee@weil.com

   Attention:   

David Avery Gee, Heather Emmel,

Nitin Konchady, Justin Lee

 

27


 and:

   Glencore International AG
   Address:   

Baarermattstrasse 3

CH-6340, Switzerland

   E-mail:    general.counsel@glencore.com
   Attention:    General Counsel

 and:

   Glencore Ltd.
   Address:   

330 Madison Ave.

New York, NY 10017

   E-mail:    legalnotices@glencore-us.com
   Attention:    Legal Department

 

20.2

English language

 

  a)

Any notice given under or in connection with this Agreement must be in English.

 

  b)

All other documents provided under or in connection with this Agreement must be in English, or, if not in English, and if so required by the Collateral Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.

 

21.

GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION

 

  a)

It is the common understanding of the Parties, that this Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with German law.

 

  b)

The courts of Frankfurt am Main shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement) (each a “Dispute”).

 

  c)

Sub-paragraph b) is for the benefit of the Collateral Agent only. As a result, the Collateral Agent shall not be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction.

 

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22.

NOTIFICATION OF PLEDGES

 

22.1

Notice to the Pledged Company

The Pledgor and the Collateral Agent hereby notify the Pledged Company of this Agreement and the Pledges pursuant to Clause 2 (Junior Ranking Share Pledge).

 

22.2

Acknowledgement and acceptance by the Pledged Company

The Pledged Company signs this Agreement in acknowledgement and acceptance of the Pledges and the notice pursuant to Clause 22.1 (Notice to the Pledged Company).

 

23.

CONSENT OF THE PLEDGOR AND THE PLEDGED COMPANY

The Pledgor and the Pledged Company herewith expressly consent to the Pledges and, upon the occurrence of an Enforcement Event, to the realization of any such Pledges, including by sale and transfer of the shares in the Pledged Company as a result of or in connection with an enforcement of the Pledges in accordance with Clause 8 (Enforcement).

 

29


Notarial Advices

The Notary advised the persons appearing that

 

   

a pledge is a security instrument of strictly accessory nature, meaning that (i) a pledge will not become effective prior to the valid creation and existence of the respective right or claim to be pledged and only if and to the extent that and as long as the underlying secured claims do in fact exist and the nexus (Verknüpfung) between the secured claims and the pledge is not dissolved, (ii) the creditors of the secured claims and the pledgees must be identical, and (iii) a person not being a party to this notarial Deed may only become a pledgee if mandatory provisions of German law are respected;

 

   

the pledge ceases by law if the secured claims are novated;

 

   

the company’s articles of association may contain restrictions on the transfer or pledging of shares and the transfer of claims from the corporate relationship;

 

   

outside of Section 16 para. 3 of the German Act on Limited Liability Companies (GmbHG) there is no good faith acquisition of a pledge or a specific rank for a pledge, meaning that the pledgee is not protected, if the shares pledged do not exist or have been transferred to a third party prior to the pledge or have been encumbered in favour of a third party;

 

   

the company may make payments to the shareholder in respect of claims that have been pledged in connection with the pledged shares arising from the corporate relationship with discharging effect as long as the company has not become aware of the pledge;

 

   

the parties hereto are, by operation of law, jointly and severally liable with respect to the payment of all notarial fees; any provisions in this Deed that deviate from this shall only apply in the internal relationship between the parties;

 

   

the English language original version of this Deed will not be acceptable for enforcement but will have to be translated, by a certified translator, into German for such purposes;

 

   

foreign – not German – law may apply to the declarations the persons appearing agreed upon within this Deed and that the Notary does not have knowledge of the foreign law and that he therefore cannot advise upon it

 

   

he is unaware of the tax situation of the parties and that he did not check the tax consequences of this Deed and that, if required, the parties should seek the advice of an auditor or a tax adviser before the execution of this Deed.

 

-3-


The persons appearing furthermore agreed to the dispatch of this Deed also via email.

This Deed was read aloud to the persons appearing by the Notary and was approved by the persons appearing and signed by them and the Notary in their own hands as follows:

 

/s/ Esteban Hagedorn Belmar

Name: Esteban Hagedorn Belmar
Title: Proxy/Lawyer

/s/ Josef Matoussi

Name: Josef Matoussi
Title: Proxy/Lawyer

/s/ Aurélio de Sousa

Name: Aurélio de Sousa
Title: Notary

 

-4-

Exhibit 10.5

 

LOGO

JUNIOR RANKING ACCOUNT PLEDGE AGREEMENT

(NACHRANGIGER KONTENVERPFÄNDUNGSVERTRAG)

between

Li-Cycle Germany GmbH

(as Pledgor)

and

Glencore Canada Corporation

(as Collateral Agent)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1.    Definitions and Interpretation      5  
2.    Junior Ranking Account Pledge      10  
3.    Security Purpose      11  
4.    Notification of Pledge      11  
5.    Authorization      12  
6.    Representations and Warranties      12  
7.    Undertakings of the Pledgor      13  
8.    Enforcement      15  
9.    Enforcement Limitations      16  
10.    Independent and Continuing Security      19  
11.    Release (Sicherheitenfreigabe)      20  
12.    Waiver of Defenses      20  
13.    No Recourse against Third Parties      20  
14.    Assignment      22  
15.    Partial Invalidity      22  
16.    Conflicts      22  
17.    Amendments      23  
18.    Waivers      23  
19.    Notices and their Language      23  
20.    Governing Law; Jurisdiction      25  
21.    Conclusion of this Agreement (Vertragsschluss)      26  
Schedule 1 Bank Accounts      28  
Schedule 2 Excluded Accounts      29  
Schedule 3 Notification of Pledges      30  
Signature Pages      34  

 

2


This JUNIOR RANKING ACCOUNT PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made on December 9, 2024 and entered into

BETWEEN:

 

(1)

Li-Cycle Germany GmbH, a company incorporated as a limited liability company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) under the laws of Germany, with its registered seat in Sülzetal OT Osterweddingen, Germany and registered with the commercial register (Handelsregister) of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Stendal under registration number HRB 32081 in its capacity as pledgor (the “Pledgor”); and

 

(2)

Glencore Canada Corporation, an Ontario corporation having its address at 100 King Street West, Suite 6900, Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3 (“Glencore”), in its capacity as applicable collateral agent for the Senior Lien Secured Parties under the Intercreditor Agreement (each as defined below) and pledgee (the “Collateral Agent”).

The institutions named in (1) to (2) are hereinafter together referred to as the “Parties” and each as a “Party”.

WHEREAS:

 

(A)

Pursuant to an amended and restated note purchase agreement dated March 25, 2024 (the “Senior Note Purchase Agreement”) among Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario with offices located at 207 Queens Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7 (the “Issuer”), Glencore Ltd., a Swiss company having its address at 330 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017 and Glencore as purchaser (Glencore in such capacity the “Purchaser”) and collateral agent, the Issuer has issued and sold to the Purchaser the senior secured convertible note due five years from the Closing Date (as defined therein) in the aggregate amount of $75,000,000 (the “Senior Note”) in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth therein.

 

(B)

In connection with the Senior Note, certain subsidiaries of the Issuer from time to time party thereto entered into that certain note guaranty, dated as of March 25, 2024 (the “Senior Note Guaranty”). By way of a subsidiary joinder agreement, dated as of May 29, 2024, the Pledgor acceded to the Senior Note Guaranty as a note guarantor.

 

3


(C)

As a condition under the Senior Note, the Pledgor and the Collateral Agent as collateral agent under the Senior Note have entered into that certain account pledge agreement dated May 31, 2024 (the “Existing Account Pledge Agreement” and, the pledges granted by the Pledgor under the Existing Account Pledge Agreement, the “Existing Pledges”).

 

(D)

Furthermore, the Issuer, as issuer, has issued to Glencore that certain amended and restated convertible note, dated as of March 25, 2024, in the aggregate original principal amount of $116,551,170.40 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Initial Additional Senior Lien Note”). It is a condition under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note, that upon the occurrence of the Modification Date (as defined in the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note), the Grantors (as defined below) would guarantee the obligations of the Issuer under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note and secure such guaranty with pari passu liens on the same assets in respect of which such Grantors have granted liens for the benefit of the secured parties under the Senior Note and enter into collateral documentation in the same form and on the same terms as entered into to secure the Senior Note.

 

(E)

In connection with the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note, the Pledgor and certain subsidiaries of the Issuer from time to time party thereto as note guarantors have entered into that certain note guaranty, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, extended or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Initial Additional Senior Lien Guaranty” and together with the Senior Note Guaranty, each, a “Note Guaranty”).

 

(F)

The Pledgor has agreed to pledge its rights and claims relating to the present and future credit balance on each of its Bank Accounts (as defined below) and the Ancillary Rights (as defined below) pertaining thereto to the Collateral Agent as collateral for the Secured Obligations (as defined below).

 

(G)

The security created by or pursuant to this Agreement is to be held as Shared Collateral and administered by the Collateral Agent for and on behalf of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties pursuant to the terms of that certain pari passu intercreditor Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof (as amended, restated, extended or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”) and originally entered into by and among, inter alios, the Collateral Agent as collateral agent for the Senior Note Secured

 

4


  Parties (as defined below) and holder of the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note (the Collateral Agent in such capacity the “Initial Additional Secured Party”), the Issuer, the Pledgor and each Grantor party thereto.

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1.

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1.1

Definitions

In this Agreement:

Account Bank” means each bank where a Bank Account is held.

AktG” means the German Stock Corporation Act (Aktiengesetz).

Ancillary Rights” means any and all of the Pledgor’s present and future, actual and contingent rights and claims (including monetary claims for damages) arising out of the underlying contractual or other relationship under which the Bank Accounts are created, including the Pledgor’s unilateral rights (Gestaltungsrechte).

Authorization” means the authorization granted by the Collateral Agent to the Pledgor pursuant to Clause 5 (Authorization).

Bank Accounts” means all of the Pledgor’s existing bank accounts and specifically including those accounts listed in Schedule 1 (Bank Accounts) hereto and any sub-accounts (Unterkonten) and any further accounts and future accounts opened by the Pledgor with any bank in Germany and all rights and claims pertaining thereto and any renewal, replacement and extension thereof, other than the Excluded Accounts.

BGB” means the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch).

Enforcement Event” means an Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing.

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7 of the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note or Section 7 of the Senior Note.

 

5


Excluded Accounts” means any bank account of the Pledgor (a) which is an escrow, fiduciary, trust or similar account, (b) holding cash collateral for a third party (other than the Issuer or any direct or indirect subsidiary thereof) subject to a Permitted Lien, (c) used by any Grantor exclusively for disbursements and/or payments of payroll in the ordinary course of business, (d) which is a zero balance account or (e) which has an average daily balance measured on a monthly basis of less than $1,000,000 (or Euro equivalent) individually or $5,000,000 (or Euro equivalent) in the aggregate for all such bank accounts that are Excluded Accounts pursuant to the Senior Note Purchase Agreement and specifically the accounts of the Pledgor as listed in Schedule 2 (Excluded Accounts).

GmbHG” means the German Limited Liability Companies Act (Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung).

Grantor” means the Issuer and each subsidiary of the Issuer that has granted a security interest pursuant to any Senior Lien Debt Document to secure any Secured Obligations, including the Pledgor.

HGB” means the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch).

ICA Parallel Debt” means the independent payment obligation of any Grantor arising under the Intercreditor Agreement to pay to the Collateral Agent as creditor in its own right sums equal to and in the currency of each present or future amount payable by such Grantor under each of the Senior Lien Debt Documents (as amended from time to time and notwithstanding any increase of amounts payable thereunder or extension of term) to each of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties.

Initial Additional Senior Lien Debt Documents” means the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note and the other “Transaction Documents” (as such term is defined in the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note).

Initial Additional Senior Lien Guaranty Parallel Debt” means the independent payment obligation of any Grantor under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Guaranty to pay to the Collateral Agent as creditor in its own right sums equal to and in the currency of each present or future amount payable by such Guarantor under each of the Finance

 

6


Documents (as defined in the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note and as amended from time to time and notwithstanding any increase of amounts payable thereunder or extension of term) to each of the other Initial Additional Senior Lien Secured Parties.

Initial Additional Senior Lien Obligations” means all obligations for unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note, premium, penalties, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses (including fees and expenses accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), reimbursements, indemnities, and all other advances to, debts, liabilities and obligations of any Note Party (as defined in the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note) to the Collateral Agent or any indemnified party arising under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Debt Documents, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute, contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising.

Initial Additional Senior Lien Secured Parties” means the Initial Additional Secured Party and the holders of the Initial Additional Senior Lien Obligations.

InsO” means the German Insolvency Code (Insolvenzordnung).

Permitted Lien” means the liens listed in Section 2 of Annex A-2 (Negative Covenants) of the Senior Note Purchase Agreement

Pledges” means the pledges created pursuant to Clause 2.1 (Junior Ranking Junior Ranking Pledges of Bank Accounts and Ancillary Rights) and Clause 2.2 (Current Account).

Secured Parallel Debt Obligations” means (i) the ICA Parallel Debt and (ii) the Initial Additional Senior Lien Guaranty Parallel Debt.

 

7


Secured Obligations” means all Senior Lien Obligations, including the Secured Parallel Debt Obligations and any other Parallel Debt and including any claims based on unjust enrichment (ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung) or tort (Delikt) and claims arising from the insolvency administrator’s discretion to perform obligations in agreements according to Sec. 103 InsO.

Senior Lien Debt Documents” means, collectively, (a) the Senior Note Loan Documents, and (b) the Initial Additional Senior Lien Debt Documents.

Senior Lien Obligations” means, collectively, (a) the Senior Note Obligations and (b) the Initial Additional Senior Lien Obligations.

Senior Lien Secured Party” means (a) the Senior Note Secured Parties and (b) the Initial Lien Secured Parties.

Senior Note Loan Documents” means the Senior Note and the other “Transaction Documents” (as such term is defined in the Senior Note).

Senior Note Obligations” means all obligations for unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Senior Note, premium, penalties, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses (including fees and expenses accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), reimbursements, indemnities, and all other advances to, debts, liabilities and obligations of any Note Party (as defined in the Senior Note) to the Collateral Agent (as defined in the Senior Note), the Collateral Agent or any indemnified party arising under the Senior Note Loan Documents, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute, contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising.

Senior Note Secured Parties” means the Secured Parties (as such term is defined in the Senior Note).

 

8


1.2

Construction

In this Agreement:

 

  a)

capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

  b)

any reference to a defined document is a reference to that defined document as amended (however fundamentally), supplemented, novated, restated or superseded from time to time;

 

  c)

a reference to any person includes such person’s successors, transferees and assignees;

 

  d)

where the context so permits, the singular includes the plural and vice versa;

 

  e)

the headings are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement;

 

  f)

any reference to the term “including” means “including, but without limitation” and any reference to the term “promptly” means “without undue delay (unverzüglich)” within the meaning of Sec. 121 BGB; and

 

  g)

any reference to a “Clause” or a “Schedule” shall, subject to any contrary indication, be construed as a reference to a Clause or a Schedule hereof.

 

1.3

Language

This Agreement is made in the English language. For the avoidance of doubt, the English language version of this Agreement shall prevail over any translation of this Agreement. However, where a German translation of a word or phrase appears in the text of this Agreement, the German translation of such word or phrase shall prevail.

 

9


2.

JUNIOR RANKING ACCOUNT PLEDGE

 

2.1

Junior Ranking Pledges of Bank Accounts and Ancillary Rights

The Pledgor hereby pledges as security to the Collateral Agent its rights and claims relating to the present and future credit balance on each of its Bank Accounts including all interest payable thereon, and all Ancillary Rights pertaining to such Bank Accounts.

 

2.2

Current Account

If and to the extent that there are any genuine or non-genuine current account (Kontokorrent) Bank Accounts between the Pledgor and any of the Account Banks or if such a relationship is entered into at any time after the date of this Agreement, the Pledgor hereby pledges to the Collateral Agent as security in addition to the foregoing, its rights to terminate any such current account relationship and the right to determine the present balance as well as any claims resulting from balances already drawn or to be drawn in the future.

 

2.3

Acceptance

The Collateral Agent hereby accepts the Pledges created pursuant to Clause 2.1 (Junior Ranking Junior Ranking Pledges of Bank Accounts and Ancillary Rights) and Clause 2.2 (Current Account) for itself.

 

2.4

Independent Pledges

 

2.4.1

Each of the Pledges is in addition, and without prejudice, to any other security the Collateral Agent may now or hereafter hold in respect of the Secured Obligations.

 

2.4.2

The validity and effect of each of the Pledges created under this Agreement shall be independent from the validity and the effect of any of the other Pledges created hereunder. The Pledges to the Collateral Agent shall be separate and individual pledges ranking pari passu with the other Pledges created hereunder.

 

10


2.4.3

For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties agree that nothing in this Agreement shall exclude a transfer of all or part of the Pledges created under and in relation to this Agreement by operation of law upon the transfer or assignment (including by way of assumption of contract (Vertragsübernahme)) of all or part of the Secured Obligations by the Collateral Agent.

 

3.

SECURITY PURPOSE

The Pledges granted hereunder are constituted in order to secure the prompt and complete satisfaction of any and all Secured Obligations. The Pledges shall also cover any future extension or increase of the Secured Obligations and the Pledgor hereby expressly agrees that the provisions of Sec. 1210 para 1 sentence 2 BGB shall not apply to this Agreement.

 

4.

NOTIFICATION OF PLEDGE

 

  a)

The Pledgor undertakes (i) to notify the relevant Account Bank of the Pledges created hereunder substantially in the form set out in Part I (Notification) of Schedule 3 (Notification of Pledge) by registered mail (Einschreiben mit Rückschein) or facsimile promptly and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after the date of this Agreement (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in writing in its sole discretion) or within ten (10) Business Days after the opening of any new Bank Account (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in writing in its sole discretion) and (ii) to use, for a period of thirty (30) Business Days, its commercially reasonable efforts that the relevant Account Bank acknowledges receipt of the notification, substantially in the form set out in Part II (Acknowledgement) of Schedule 3 (Notification of Pledge), once such period had elapsed the obligation of the Pledgor to obtain the acknowledgement shall cease. The Pledgor will keep the mail receipt and promptly, but in any case within ten (10) Business Days from receipt of the mail receipt (Rückschein) to the extent sent by registered mail (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in writing in its sole discretion) and, respectively, the acknowledgment of receipt by the relevant Account Bank, send a copy of such receipts to the Collateral Agent.

 

11


  b)

The Pledgor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent:

 

  (i)

to notify the relevant Account Bank on its behalf of the pledges created hereunder for the purpose of Clause 2.1 (Junior Ranking Pledges of Bank Accounts and Ancillary Rights) (which does not release the Pledgor from its obligations under sub-paragraph a)); and

 

  (ii)

to provide the relevant Account Bank, upon its request in case it has reasonable and founded doubts about the Pledges notified to it according to this Clause 4, with a copy of this Agreement

if the Pledgor does not comply with its obligation under sub-paragraph (a).

 

  c)

If the delivery of any notice of the relevant Account Bank of the Pledges would prevent the Pledgor from using a Bank Account in the course of its business, no notice of pledge shall be served with respect to such Bank Account (and, for the avoidance of doubt, no acknowledgment of such pledge shall be required to be obtained from the applicable account bank) unless and until the occurrence of an Enforcement Event and at least concurrent notice to the Pledgor.

 

5.

AUTHORIZATION

Prior to the delivery of written notice from the Collateral Agent to the Assignor upon or after occurrence of an Enforcement Event, the Pledgor shall be authorized to exercise all rights and powers in respect of each of its Bank Accounts (including withdrawals from any such Bank Account) without limitation in the ordinary course of its business (such authorization hereinafter referred to as the “Authorization”). The Authorization shall lapse automatically upon the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing and at least concurrent notice to the Pledgor. The Collateral Agent shall give notice to this effect to any relevant Account Bank.

 

6.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Pledgor represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent by way of an independent guarantee (selbstständiges Garantieversprechen) that at the date of this Agreement:

 

12


  a)

it is the sole legal (rechtlicher) and beneficial (wirtschaftlicher) owner of the Bank Accounts and may freely dispose thereof without any restrictions;

 

  b)

the Bank Accounts are neither pledged nor assigned to any other person and no rights of third parties exist in relation thereto other than the Existing Pledges, the Pledges created hereunder and the pledges existing by operation of the general business conditions (Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen) of the respective Account Bank;

 

  c)

the accounts listed in Schedule 1 (Bank Accounts) and Schedule 2 (Excluded Accounts) are all Bank Accounts that the Pledgor holds and that the information provided therein is correct; and

 

  d)

all Excluded Accounts qualify as Excluded Assets.

 

7.

UNDERTAKINGS OF THE PLEDGOR

The Pledgor undertakes to the Collateral Agent (unless otherwise permitted under the Senior Lien Debt Documents):

 

  a)

to instruct each Account Bank to provide the Collateral Agent with all information requested by it in respect of the Bank Accounts and to that extent to release each Account Bank from its obligation to maintain confidentiality (Bankgeheimnis) by delivering a notice of pledge to the respective Account Bank in accordance with the requirements set out in Clause 4 (Notification of Pledge). The Pledgor undertakes not to revoke such instruction during the term of this Agreement;

 

  b)

to inform the Collateral Agent in writing promptly of any attachments (Pfändung) in respect of any of its Bank Accounts or any other events, circumstances or measures which are reasonably likely to impair or jeopardize the validity or enforceability of the Pledges. In the event of an attachment, the Pledgor undertakes in relation to its Bank Accounts to forward to the Collateral Agent in writing, promptly a copy of the attachment order (Pfändungsbeschluss), the garnishee order (Überweisungsbeschluss) and all

 

13


  other documents necessary for a defense against the attachment. The Pledgor shall inform the attaching creditor promptly of the Collateral Agent’s security interests hereunder;

 

  c)

to deliver to the Collateral Agent, (i) annually at the time of the delivery of the information required under section 1 (Financial Statements and Other Reports) of Annex A-1 (Affirmative Covenants) of the Senior Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) at any time written upon request after the occurrence of an Event of Default, up-to date account statement sheets (Kontoauszüge) showing the balance on each of the Bank Accounts;

 

  d)

to notify the Collateral Agent, by notification in writing to the Collateral Agent, of the closure of any of its Bank Accounts or the opening of a new Bank Account without undue delay, but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days thereafter (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in writing in its sole discretion), provided that any Bank Account may be closed only if the amounts standing to the credit of such Bank Account are transferred to another Bank Account pledged in favor of the Collateral Agent;

 

  e)

not to encumber or otherwise dispose of the claims in respect of its Bank Accounts (or any of them) or to grant to any third party any rights in respect of any Bank Account without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent other than the Existing Pledges, the Pledges and the pledges of the relevant Account Bank existing pursuant to its general business conditions (Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen); and

 

  f)

to refrain from any act or omission which might, taken as a whole, materially and adversely affect directly or indirectly the validity or the enforceability of the Pledges;

provided that the foregoing undertakings shall not limit or restrict the Pledgor from taking any action which is permitted under the Senior Lien Debt Documents.

 

14


8.

ENFORCEMENT

 

8.1

Enforcement right

If and when an Enforcement Event has occurred and, in addition, the requirements set forth in Sec. 1273 para 2, 1204 et seq. BGB with regard to the enforcement of pledges are met (Pfandreife), the Collateral Agent may realize the Pledges (or any part thereof) by way of collecting the credit balances from the Bank Accounts, exercising any Ancillary Right or in any way permitted under German law, in any case notwithstanding Sec. 1277 BGB and without obtaining any enforceable judgment or other instrument (vollstreckbarer Titel).

 

8.2

Notification

The Collateral Agent will notify the Pledgor one (1) week prior to the enforcement of the Pledges (or any of them) according to this Clause 8. However, such notice shall not be required if (i) the Pledgor has generally ceased to make payments (Zahlungen eingestellt), (ii) an application for the institution of insolvency proceedings or similar proceedings is filed by or against the Pledgor or (iii) the Collateral Agent reasonably determines that the observance of the notice period would endanger the security interest of the Collateral Agent and/or the other Senior Lien Secured Parties.

 

8.3

Collateral Agent’s discretions

The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to determine in its sole discretion which part of the Pledges shall be realized to satisfy the Secured Obligations. Sec. 1230 sentence 2 BGB shall not apply.

 

8.4

Assistance by Pledgor

If the Collateral Agent seeks to realize the Pledges pursuant to, and in accordance with Clause 8.1 (Enforcement right), the Pledgor shall, at its own costs and expenses, render forthwith all necessary assistance (including the prompt delivery of documents (including originals)) in order to facilitate the prompt realization of the Pledges, any part thereof and/or the exercise by the Collateral Agent of any other right it may have under German law.

 

15


8.5

Proceeds

The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to treat the proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the Pledges as additional collateral for the Secured Obligations or apply such proceeds towards the satisfaction of the Secured Obligations in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

9.

ENFORCEMENT LIMITATIONS

 

9.1

The right to demand payment under this Agreement and to enforce the Pledges against the Pledgor to the extent the Pledges relate to obligations of a direct or indirect shareholder of the Pledgor or Subsidiaries of such shareholders (except where such entity is, at the same time, a Subsidiary of the Pledgor), shall be limited to the amount which may be paid by it or enforced against it without causing a Capital Impairment as determined by application of the following paragraphs (“German Maximum Amount”):

 

  a)

A “Capital Impairment” occurs if the payment or enforcement causes (A) the Pledgor’s net assets to be (determined in accordance with the provisions of the HGB consistently applied by the Pledgor in preparing its unconsolidated balance sheets (Jahresabschluss) according to section 42 of the GmbHG and in accordance with sections 30, 31 GmbHG (as applicable at the time of enforcement) and by only taking into account the sum of the values of the assets of the Pledgor which correspond to those items listed in section 266 subsection (2) A, B, C, D and E HGB less the Pledgor’s liabilities, consisting of all liabilities and liability reserves which correspond to those items listed in accordance with section 266 subsection (3) B (but disregarding, for the avoidance of doubt, any provisions (Rückstellungen) in respect of any Note Guaranty), C, D and E HGB and any amounts not available for distribution according to section 253 paragraph 6 or section 268 subsection (8) HGB but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any liabilities under or relating to the Secured Obligations) and in each case subject to the adjustments under sub-paragraph (b) below (the “Net

 

16


  Assets”) to be less than its registered share capital (Stammkapital) (Begründung einer Unterbilanz); or (B) if the Pledgor’s Net Assets are already less than its registered share capital, the Pledgor’s Net Assets to be further reduced (Vertiefung einer Unterbilanz).

 

  b)

For the purposes of calculating the Net Assets, the following balance sheet items shall be adjusted as follows: (A) the amount of any increase of the stated share capital (Stammkapital) of the Pledgor registered after the date of this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent shall not be taken into account; (B) any funds received by the Issuer under the Senior Lien Debt Documents which have been or are on-lent or otherwise passed on to the relevant Pledgor or to any subsidiary of such Pledgor and have not yet been repaid at the time when payment of a Secured Obligation is demanded, shall be disregarded as assets; (C) loans provided to the Pledgor by the Issuer or any subsidiary of the Issuer which are subordinated by law or by contract shall be disregarded as liabilities; and (D) any loans or other liabilities of the Pledgor incurred in violation of any of the provisions of the Senior Lien Debt Documents shall be disregarded as liabilities.

 

9.2

The limitation of the enforcement of the Pledges of the Pledgor to the German Maximum Amount shall only apply if and to the extent that the managing director(s) (Geschäftsführer) of the Pledgor on behalf of Pledgor have confirmed in writing to the Collateral Agent within 10 (ten) Business Days following the Collateral Agent’s demand under the Pledges to what extent the demanded payment would lead to the occurrence of a Capital Impairment (the “Management Determination”). Such confirmation shall comprise an up-to-date balance sheet of the Pledgor and a detailed calculation of the amount of the Net Assets and share capital (taking into account the adjustments set out in sub-paragraph (b) above) of the Pledgor. The Pledgor shall fulfil its obligations under the Pledges within 3 (three) Business Days of providing the Management Determination (and the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to enforce the Pledges) in an amount which pursuant to the Management Determination would not cause a Capital Impairment (irrespective of whether or not the Collateral Agent agrees with the Management Determination).

 

17


9.3

If the Collateral Agent, acting reasonably, disagrees with the Management Determination, the Pledgor shall, in consultation with the Collateral Agent, instruct (at its own cost and expense) a firm of auditors of international standing and reputation to draw-up within 20 (twenty) Business Days (or such longer period as has been agreed between the Pledgor and the Collateral Agent) from the date the Collateral Agent has contested the Management Determination an up-to-date balance sheet of the Pledgor together with a detailed calculation of the amount of the Net Assets and share capital and to what extent the demanded payment would lead to the occurrence of a Capital Impairment (the “Auditor’s Determination”). The amounts determined in the Auditor’s Determination shall be (except for manifest error) binding for all Parties. The Pledgor shall fulfil its obligations under the Pledges within 3 (three) Business Days of providing the Auditor’s Determination (and the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to enforce the Pledges) in an amount which pursuant to the Auditor’s Determination would not cause a Capital Impairment.

 

9.4

If and to the extent that the Pledges have been enforced without regard to the German Maximum Amount because the amount payable under the Pledges resulting from the Auditor’s Determination is lower than the respective amount resulting from the Management Determination, the Collateral Agent shall upon demand of the Pledgor repay the difference between the amount paid and the amount payable resulting from the Auditor’s Determination calculated as of the date the demand under the Pledges was made.

 

9.5

The limitation of the enforcement of the Pledges of the Pledgor to the German Maximum Amount does not apply (A) if the Pledgor does not provide the Management Determination within the time frame set out above; (B) to any amounts which correspond to funds that have been received by the Issuer under the Senior Lien Debt Documents and have been on-lent to, or otherwise been passed on to, the relevant Pledgor or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent that any such on-lent or passed-on amount is still outstanding at the date a demand under this Agreement is made; (C) to any amounts payable under this Agreement if and as long as the Pledgor is subject to a domination and/or profit and loss transfer agreement (either directly or through a chain of such agreements) pursuant to Section 291 AktG on the date of the enforcement of the Pledges as dominated company with the Issuer or another Grantor whose obligations

 

18


  are secured by the Pledges of the Pledgor (and which shall be enforced against the Pledgor) as dominating company; (D) if and to the extent the Pledgor holds a fully recoverable loss compensation claim (vollwertiger Gegenleistungs- oder Rückgewähranspruch) against the Issuer or another Grantor whose obligations are secured by the Pledges of the Pledgor (and which shall be enforced against the Pledgor) that can be accounted for in the balance sheet as full value; (E) if the Pledgor is insolvent; or (F) if and to the extent (based on changes in law or based on a decision of the Federal Supreme Court (BGH)) the enforcement of the Pledges granted by the Pledgor under this Agreement does not result in a personal liability of the managing directors (Geschäftsführer) of the Pledgor including pursuant to section 43 GmbHG, each as amended, supplemented and/or replaced from time to time.

 

9.6

If the Management Determination shows that a Capital Impairment would occur upon payment under the Pledges, the Pledgor shall realise all of its assets that are shown in the balance sheet with a book value (Buchwert) that is significantly lower than the market value of the assets to the extent this is necessary to fulfil its obligations under the Pledges. If the relevant assets are necessary for the business of the Pledgor (betriebsnotwendig), it will use its best efforts to realize the higher market value (including by sale and lease-back or similar measures).

 

10.

INDEPENDENT AND CONTINUING SECURITY

 

10.1

This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until complete satisfaction of the Secured Obligations. The Pledges shall not cease to exist, if the Pledgor has only temporarily fulfilled the Secured Obligations.

 

10.2

This Agreement shall create a continuing security and no change, amendment, or supplement whatsoever in the Senior Lien Debt Documents or in any document or agreement related to any of the Senior Lien Debt Documents shall affect the validity or the scope of this Agreement nor the obligations which are imposed on the Pledgor pursuant to it.

 

10.3

This Agreement is independent from any other security or guarantee which may have been or will be given to the Collateral Agent. None of such other security shall prejudice, or shall be prejudiced by, or shall be merged in any way with this Agreement.

 

19


10.4

The Pledgor hereby agrees that the security created pursuant to this Agreement shall not be affected by any transfer or assumption (for whatever reason) of the obligations owed by the Pledgor in connection with the Secured Obligations to, or by, any third party (Schuldübernahme). Sec. 418 BGB shall not be applicable in such case.

 

11.

RELEASE (SICHERHEITENFREIGABE)

Without prejudice to and in addition to any other release provisions under the Senior Lien Debt Documents if, at any time, the total value of the collateral created hereunder and realizable on enforcement (the “Realisable Value”) exceeds 110% of the Secured Obligations (the “Limit”) not only temporarily, the Collateral Agent shall on the Pledgor’s demand release such collateral (Sicherheitenfreigabe) as the Collateral Agent (reasonably taking into account the Pledgor’s legitimate interests) deems fit so as to reduce the Realisable Value to the Limit. If VAT (Umsatzsteuer) is chargeable on any action taken by the Collateral Agent in enforcing the Collateral, the Limit shall be increased by the amount of VAT payable by the Collateral Agent.

 

12.

WAIVER OF DEFENSES

The Pledgor hereby waives its rights of revocation (Anfechtbarkeit) and set-off (Aufrechenbarkeit) it may have pursuant to Sec. 1273 para 2, 1211 and 770 BGB as well as any defenses based on defenses any other Grantor might have against any of the Secured Obligations (Einreden des Hauptschuldners) pursuant to Sec. 1211 para 1 sentence 1 alternative 1 BGB.

 

13.

NO RECOURSE AGAINST THIRD PARTIES

Other than as permitted by the Senior Lien Debt Documents,

 

  a)

in deviating from Sec. 1225 BGB, no right of the Collateral Agent (or any of the Senior Lien Secured Parties) against any other Grantor shall pass to the Pledgor as a result of the enforcement of the Pledges. The Pledgor may not exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under this Agreement or as a result of the enforcement of the collateral created under this Agreement:

 

20


  (i)

to be indemnified by another Grantor;

 

  (ii)

to claim any recourse from any other chargor of any Grantor’s obligations under the Senior Lien Debt Documents;

 

  (iii)

to exercise any right of set-off against any other Grantor; and/or

 

  (iv)

to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of legal subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Senior Lien Secured Parties under the Senior Lien Debt Documents or of any other agreement or of any other guarantee or collateral taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Senior Lien Debt Documents by any Senior Lien Secured Party.

 

  b)

The Pledgor furthermore hereby waives (by way of an agreement in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to Sec. 328 BGB) any contractual and/or statutory damage and/or reimbursement claims (Schadensersatz- und Aufwendungsersatzansprüche) against any other Grantor it may have in case of realization and/or satisfaction of any of the Secured Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, the Pledgor shall not be entitled to demand an assignment of the Secured Obligations to it.

 

  c)

If the Pledgor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it shall hold that benefit, payment or distribution on trust for the Senior Lien Secured Parties to the extent necessary to enable all amounts which may be or become payable to the Senior Lien Secured Parties by the Grantors under or in connection with the Senior Lien Debt Documents to be repaid in full and shall promptly pay or transfer the same to the Collateral Agent or as the Collateral Agent may direct for application in accordance with the instructions of the Senior Lien Secured Parties,

until the Secured Obligations have been finally, but not only temporarily, satisfied and discharged in full.

 

21


14.

ASSIGNMENT

 

14.1

This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors in law.

 

14.2

If and when the pledges created hereunder have been transferred to a third party by operation of law due to a transfer of the Secured Obligations in accordance with the Senior Lien Debt Documents, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to assign or otherwise transfer any and all of its rights and duties under this Agreement to such third party in accordance with the Senior Lien Debt Documents, provided that the assignee accepts to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. The Pledgor hereby explicitly and irrevocably consents to such assignment or transfer.

 

14.3

The Pledgor shall not assign or transfer any of its rights, claims or obligations under or in connection with this Agreement, unless permitted under the Senior Lien Debt Documents.

 

15.

PARTIAL INVALIDITY

 

15.1

The Parties agree that should at any time, any provisions of this Agreement be or become void (nichtig), invalid or due to any reason ineffective (unwirksam) this will indisputably (unwiderlegbar) not affect the validity, legality or effectiveness of the remaining provisions and this Agreement will remain valid and effective, save for the void, invalid or ineffective provisions, without any Party having to argue (darlegen) and prove (beweisen) the Parties’ intent to uphold this Agreement even without the void, invalid or ineffective provisions.

 

15.2

The void, invalid or ineffective provision shall be deemed replaced by such valid and effective provision that in legal and economic terms comes closest to what the Parties intended or would have intended in accordance with the purpose of this Agreement if they had considered the point at the time of conclusion of this Agreement.

 

16.

CONFLICTS

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement and the exercise of any right or remedy by

 

22


the Collateral with respect to the Bank Accounts hereunder (including any representation and any undertaking) are subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall prevail and override anything in this Agreement to the contrary, save if and to the extent that the application of any such terms would affect the validity, ranking, priority or enforceability of the Pledge created under this Agreement.

 

17.

AMENDMENTS

Changes and amendments to this Agreement (including to this Clause 17) must be made in writing, unless otherwise required by mandatory law.

 

18.

WAIVERS

No failure or delay by the Collateral Agent in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise or waiver of any right or remedy preclude its further exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The Senior Lien Debt Documents shall not limit or exclude any statutory legal remedies.

 

19.

NOTICES AND THEIR LANGUAGE

 

19.1

Contact details

All notices and communications under or in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered by letter, posted or delivered by hand, or fax or email. Each notice or communication shall be given to the relevant Party at the address or fax number or email address and marked for the attention of the person(s) or department from time to time specified in writing by that Party to the other. The initial address, fax number, email address and person(s) or department so specified by each Party are set out below:

 

23


For the Pledgor:   Li-Cycle Germany GmbH
  Address:   

Lange Göhren 4

39171 Sülzetal, Germany

  Fax:    n/a
  E-mail:   

peter.duerr@li-cycle.com

jens.emrich@li-cycle.com

legalnotices@li-cycle.com

  Attention:    Peter Dürr and Jens Emrich
with a copy to:     
  Address:   

Freshfields US LLP

3 World Trade Center 175 Greenwich

Street New York, New York 10007

  E-mail:   

Andrea.Basham@Freshfields.com,

Allison.Liff@Freshfields.com

  Attention:    Andrea M. Basham, Allison R. Liff
For the Collateral Agent:   Glencore Canada Corporation
  Address:   

100 King Street West, Suite 6900

Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3

150 East 58th Street, 18th Floor

New York, New York 10155

  E-mail:    legalnotices@glencore-us.com
  Attention:    Legal Department

with a copy (which shall not

constitute notice) to:

  Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
  Address:   

767 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York

  E-mail:   

david.avery-gee@weil.com,

heather.emmel@weil.com,

nitin.konchady@weil.com,

Justin.d.lee@weil.com

  Attention:   

David Avery Gee, Heather Emmel,

Nitin Konchady, Justin Lee

and:  

Glencore

International

AG

  

 

24


  Address:   

Baarermattstrasse 3

CH-6340 Baar

Switzerland

  E-mail:    general.counsel@glencore.com
  Attention:    General Counsel
and:   Glencore Ltd.
  Address:   

330 Madison Ave.

New York, New York 10017

  E-mail:    legalnotices@glencore-us.com
  Attention:    Legal Department

 

19.2

English language

 

  a)

Any notice given under or in connection with this Agreement must be in English.

 

  b)

All other documents provided under or in connection with this Agreement must be in English, or, if not in English, and if so required by the Collateral Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.

 

20.

GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION

 

  a)

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with German law.

 

  b)

The courts of Frankfurt am Main shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement) (each a “Dispute”).

 

25


  c)

Sub-paragraph b) is for the benefit of the Collateral Agent only. As a result, the Collateral Agent shall not be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction.

 

21.

CONCLUSION OF THIS AGREEMENT (VERTRAGSSCHLUSS)

 

  a)

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement. The Parties may choose to conclude this Agreement by an exchange of signed signature page(s) plus a copy of this Agreement, transmitted by any means of telecommunication (telekommunikative Übermittlung) such as by way of fax or electronic photocopy.

 

  b)

If the Parties choose to conclude this Agreement pursuant to sub-paragraph a) above, they will transmit the signed signature page(s) of this Agreement plus a copy of this Agreement to (i) Thomas Zimmermann, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Maximilianstrasse 13, 80539 Munich, Germany (e-mail to thomas.zimmermann@weil.com or by facsimilie to +49.89.2424.3399), (ii) Silvia Lengauer, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Maximilianstrasse 13, 80539 Munich, Germany (e-mail to silvia.lengauer@weil.com or by facsimilie to +49.89.2424.3399), or (iii) Hans-Christian Mick, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Taunusanlage 1 (Skyper), 60329 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (e-mail to hans-christian.mick@weil.com or by facsimilie to +49. 69.21659 699) (each a “Recipient”). The Agreement will be considered concluded once one of the Recipients has received the signed signature page(s) including, in each case, with a copy of this Agreement (Zugang der Willenserklärung) from all Parties (whether by way of fax, electronic photocopy or other means of telecommunication) and at the time of the receipt of the last outstanding signature page(s) plus a copy of this Agreement by the Recipient.

 

  c)

For the purposes of this Clause 21 only, the Parties appoint each of the Recipients as their attorney (Empfangsvertreter) and expressly allow (gestatten) each of the Recipients to collect the signed signature page(s)/Agreement from all and for all Parties. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Recipients will have further duties connected with its position as Recipient. In particular, each

 

26


  Recipient may assume the conformity to the authentic original(s) of the signature page(s) transmitted to it by means of telecommunication, the genuineness of all signatures on the original signature page(s) and the signing authority of the signatories.

 

27


SCHEDULE 1

BANK ACCOUNTS

 

Account holder

  

Account Number / IBAN

  

Swift / BIC

  

Account Bank

 

28


SCHEDULE 2

EXCLUDED ACCOUNTS

[Currently none]

 

29


SCHEDULE 3

NOTIFICATION OF PLEDGES

Part I

Notification

 

Registered mail with return receipt /fax    Einschreiben mit Rückschein/Fax

To: [AccountBank] (the “Account Bank”)

   An: [kontoführende Bank] (die “kontoführende Bank”)
Electronic Copy: Glencore Canada Corporation (“Collateral Agent”)    Elektronische Kopie: Glencore Canada Corporation (“Sicherheiten-Treuhänder”)
Date: [●]    Datum: [●]
Dear Sirs,    Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

Notification of Pledge -

Bank Account(s) No. [] / IBAN

(“Existing Account(s)”)

  

Verpfändungsanzeige -

Kontonummer(n) [] / IBAN

(“Existierende Konten”)

We hereby notify you that pursuant to an account pledge agreement dated [●] (“Account Pledge Agreement”) [insert name of Pledgor] has pledged in favor of Glencore Canada Corporation as Collateral Agent, all of its rights and claims relating to the present and future credit balance on all of its account(s) in Germany, including the Existing Accounts (which shall include all sub-accounts, renewals, replacements and extensions thereof), including all interest payable thereon, together with all ancillary rights and claims associated with such accounts.

   hiermit zeigen wir Ihnen an, dass wir gemäß einem Vertrag über die Verpfändung von Bankkonten vom [●] (“Kontenverpfändungsvertrag”) alle Ansprüche im Hinblick auf gegenwärtige und künftige Guthaben auf allen in Deutschland geführten Konten, insbesondere auf den oben genannten Existierenden Konten (inklusive aller Unterkonten, etwaiger Neueröffnungen, Ersatzkonten und Erweiterungen), einschließlich Zinsen, zusammen mit allen Neben- und Hilfsansprüchen zu Gunsten der Glencore Canada Corporation als Sicherheiten-Treuhänder verpfändet haben
Until notice to the contrary from the Collateral Agent to be served on you as Account Bank (“Revocation”), we may continue to operate the Account(s) and in particular may dispose of the amounts standing to the credit of the Account(s). Upon receipt of such aforesaid notice to the contrary, you as Account Bank shall not allow any dispositions by us of amounts standing to the credit of the Account(s) until further notice from the Collateral Agent.    Solange Sie als kontoführende Bank keine gegenteilige Nachricht vom Sicherheiten-Treuhänder erhalten (“Widerruf”), sind wir ermächtigt, über das Konto und insbesondere das Kontoguthaben zu verfügen. Im Fall des Erhalts einer entsprechenden Nachricht sind Sie als kontoführende Bank gehalten, keinerlei Verfügungen unsererseits über das Kontoguthaben mehr zuzulassen, solange bis der Sicherheit-Treuhänder dies wieder gestattet.

 

30


We hereby ask you to waive any rights you may have in connection with the pledge of the Account(s) effected pursuant to your general business conditions (Pfandrechtsaufhebung).    Wir möchten Sie hiermit bitten, die an den Konten gemäß Ihren allgemeinen Geschäftsbedingungen bestellten Pfandrechte aufzugeben und auf alle damit im Zusammenhang stehenden Rechte zu verzichten.
We hereby release you for the benefit of the Collateral Agent from your obligations to maintain confidentiality (Bankgeheimnis) in relation to the Accounts and instruct you to provide the Collateral Agent with all information concerning the Accounts reasonably requested by it.    Wir verzichten hiermit in Bezug auf die Konten zu Gunsten des Pfandgläubigers auf unser Recht auf Vertraulichkeit (Bankgeheimnis) und beauftragen Sie hiermit, dem Sicherheiten-Treuhänder auf Verlangen jede vernünftigerweise gewünschte Information im Hinblick auf die verpfändeten Konten zu geben.
This notification shall be governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.    Diese Verpfändungsanzeige unterliegt deutschem Recht.
In cases of doubt the German version of this notification shall prevail.    In Zweifelsfällen gilt die deutsche Fassung dieser Anzeige.
Please acknowledge receipt of this notice and your agreement to the terms hereof by signing the enclosed copy and returning the same to ourselves.    Wir bitten Sie, uns die Kenntnisnahme dieser Verpfändungsanzeige und Ihr Einverständnis mit den oben genannten Bedingungen dadurch zu bestätigen, dass Sie die beigefügte Kopie dieses Briefes gegenzeichnen und an uns übersenden.
Please note that the accounts pledge does not prejudice our business relationship. It is common practice when granting credit facilities.    Wir weisen darauf hin, dass die Kontoverpfändung keine Beeinträchtigung unserer Geschäftsverbindung darstellt, sondern im Rahmen der Kreditfinanzierung allgemein üblich ist.
Yours faithfully,    Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Date/Datum:

 

 

For and on behalf of [●]

 

31


Part 2

Acknowledgement

 

Acknowledgement of receipt    Empfangsbestätigung
[Letterhead of Account Bank]    [Briefkopf der kontoführenden Bank]
From: [Account Bank] (the “Account Bank”)    Von: [kontoführende Bank] (die “Kontoführende Bank”)
To: [Pledgor]    An: [Verpfänder]
Copy: Glencore Canada Corporation as Collateral Agent    Kopie: Glencore Canada Corporation als Sicherheiten-Treuhänder
Date: [●]    Datum: [●]
Acknowledgement of Receipt of Notification of Pledge—Bank Account(s) No. [●] / IBAN, of [Date] (“Notification Letter”)   

Empfangsbestätigung der Verpfändungsanzeige

Kontonummer(n) [●] / IBAN vom [Datum] (“Verpfändungsanzeige”)

We acknowledge receipt of the Notification Letter and our agreement to the terms thereof and confirm that, except for the notice received in connection with the existing account pledge agreement dated May 31, 2024, we have neither received any previous notice of pledge relating to the Account(s) nor are we aware of any third party rights in relation to the Account(s) (other than the pledge pursuant to our general terms and conditions). We hereby grant our consent on behalf of ourselves and our legal successors in title to the pledge of any claims arising out of the Account(s).    Wir bestätigen den Erhalt der obigen Verpfändungsanzeige und unser Einverständnis damit und versichern, dass wir, mit Ausnahme der Verpfändungsanzeige im Zusammenhang mit dem bestehenden Kontenverpfändungsvertrag vom 31. Mai 2024, in Bezug auf die verpfändeten Konten weder bereits eine vorhergehende Verpfändungsanzeige erhalten haben noch uns etwaige Rechte Dritter an einem verpfändeten Konto (mit Ausnahme unseres AGB-Pfandrechtes) bekannt sind. Wir erteilen hiermit zum bezeichneten Pfandrecht an allen Ansprüchen aus den verpfändeten Konten unsere Einwilligung im eigenen Namen und in dem unserer Rechtsnachfolger.
We hereby agree not to make any set-off or deduction from the Account(s) or invoke any rights of retention in relation to the Account(s) other than in relation to charges payable in connection with the maintenance of the Accounts or other account charges or fees payable in the ordinary course of business.    Wir verzichten hiermit unwiderruflich und bedingungslos auf unsere Ansprüche bzgl. des verpfändeten Kontos sowie mit Ausnahme der Kontoführungskosten und sämtlicher Kontogebühren bzw. -kosten, die im üblichen Geschäftsverlauf anfallen, auf jegliche Aufrechnungs- und Zurückbehaltungsrechte.

 

32


We hereby agree that the pledge in our favor over the Accounts granted pursuant to our general business terms and conditions shall rank behind all the pledges over the Accounts granted to the Security Agent by [Name of Pledgor] under the Account Pledge Agreement.    Wir stimmen hiermit zu, dass unser AGB-Pfandrecht im Rang hinter die zugunsten des Sicherheiten-Treuhänders vorgenommene Kontenverpfändung durch [Name des Verpfänders] aufgrund des Kontoverpfändungsvertrages zurücktritt.
We acknowledge our release from our obligations to maintain confidentiality (Bankgeheimnis) in relation to the Accounts as set out in the Notification Letter and agree to provide the Collateral Agent with all information concerning the Accounts reasonably requested by it in accordance with the terms of the Notification Letter.    Wir bestätigen die Kenntnisnahme vom Verzicht auf das Bankgeheimnis in Bezug auf die Konten wie in der Verpfändungsanzeige vorgesehen und erklären uns damit einverstanden, dem Sicherheiten-Treuhänder alle Informationen zu den Konten zukommen zu lassen, die dieser vernünftigerweise anfordert in Übereinstimmung mit den Regelungen aus der Verpfändungsanzeige.
Yours faithfully,    Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Date/Datum:

 

 

For and on behalf of/ Namens und in Vollmacht für

[Account Bank]

 

33


SIGNATURE PAGES

The Pledgor

Li-Cycle Germany GmbH

 

By: /s/ Frank Pommerenke         

 

Name: Frank Pommerenke

 

Title: Managing Director (Geschäftsführer)

 

By: /s/ Elewout Steven J. Depicker    

 

Name: Elewout Steven J. Depicker

 

Title: Managing Director (Geschäftsführer)

 

  

 

[Lion King — Junior Ranking Account Pledge Agreement — Signature Page]


The Collateral Agent

Glencore Canada Corporation

 

By: /s/ John Burton      

 

Name: John Burton

 

Title: Authorised Signatory

 

  

 

[Lion King — Junior Ranking Account Pledge Agreement — Signature Page]

Exhibit 10.6

 

LOGO

CONFIRMATION AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT RELATING TO A

SECURITY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

(BESTÄTIGUNGS- UND ÄNDERUNGSVEREINBARUNG BEZÜGLICH EINES

SICHERUNGSZESSIONSVERTRAGS)

between

Li-Cycle Germany GmbH

(as Security Grantor)

and

Glencore Canada Corporation

(as Collateral Agent)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1.   

Definitions and Interpretation

     4  
2.   

Amendment and Restatement

     6  
3.   

Assignment

     6  
4.   

Partial Invalidity

     6  
5.   

Conflicts

     7  
6.   

Amendments

     7  
7.   

Notices and their Language

     7  
8.   

Governing Law; Jurisdiction

     9  
9.   

Conclusion of this Agreement (Vertragsschluss)

     10  

 

2


This CONFIRMATION AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT RELATING TO A SECURITY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made on December 9, 2024 and entered into

BETWEEN:

 

(1)

Li-Cycle Germany GmbH, a company incorporated as a limited liability company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) under the laws of Germany, with its registered seat in Sülzetal OT Osterweddingen, Germany and registered with the commercial register (Handelsregister) of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Stendal under registration number HRB 32081 in its capacity as security grantor (the “Security Grantor”); and

 

(2)

Glencore Canada Corporation, an Ontario corporation having its address at 100 King Street West, Suite 6900, Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3 (“Glencore”), in its capacity as applicable collateral agent for the Senior Lien Secured Parties under the Intercreditor Agreement (each as defined below) and assignee (the “Collateral Agent”).

The institutions named in (1) to (2) are hereinafter together referred to as the “Parties” and each as a “Party”.

WHEREAS:

 

(A)

Pursuant to an amended and restated note purchase agreement dated March 25, 2024 (the “Senior Note Purchase Agreement”) among Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario with offices located at 207 Queens Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7 (the “Issuer”), Glencore Ltd., a Swiss company having its address at 330 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017 and Glencore as purchaser (Glencore in such capacity the “Purchaser”) and collateral agent, the Issuer has issued and sold to the Purchaser, the senior secured convertible note due five years from the Closing Date (as defined therein) in the aggregate amount of $75,000,000 (the “Senior Note”) in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth therein.

 

(B)

In connection with the Senior Note, certain subsidiaries of the Issuer from time to time party thereto entered into that certain note guaranty, dated as of March 25, 2024 (the “Senior Note Guaranty”). By way of a subsidiary joinder agreement, dated as of May 29, 2024, the Security Grantor acceded to the Senior Note Guaranty as a note guarantor.

 

3


(C)

As a condition under the Senior Note, the Security Grantor has granted security interests over certain of its assets to the Collateral Agent as collateral agent under the Senior Note by way of a security assignment agreement (Sicherungsabtretung) between the Security Grantor as assignor and the Collateral Agent as collateral agent dated February 5, 2024 in connection with the Note (the “Original Security Document”).

 

(D)

Furthermore, the Issuer, as issuer, has issued to Glencore that certain amended and restated convertible note, dated as of March 25, 2024, in the aggregate original principal amount of $116,551,170.40 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Initial Additional Senior Lien Note”). It is a condition under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note, that upon the occurrence of the Modification Date (as defined in the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note), the Grantors (as defined in the Original Security Document) would guarantee the obligations of the Issuer under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note and secure such guaranty with pari passu liens on the same assets in respect of which such Grantors have granted liens for the benefit of the secured parties under the Senior Note and enter into collateral documentation in the same form and on the same terms as entered into to secure the Senior Note.

 

(E)

In connection with the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note, the Security Grantor and certain subsidiaries of the Issuer from time to time party thereto as note guarantors have entered into that certain note guaranty, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, extended or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Initial Additional Senior Lien Guaranty” and together with the Senior Note Guaranty, each, a “Note Guaranty”).

 

(F)

With a view to the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note, the Security Grantor has agreed to amend the security purpose of the Original Security Document so that the Original Security Document also secures the Additional Senior Lien Obligations.

 

(G)

The security created by or pursuant to this Agreement is to be held as Shared Collateral and administered by the Collateral Agent for and on behalf of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties pursuant to the terms of that certain pari passu intercreditor agreement,

 

4


  dated on or about the date hereof (as amended, restated, extended or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”) and originally entered into by and among, inter alios, the Collateral Agent as collateral agent for the Senior Note Secured Parties (as defined in the Original Security Document) and holder of the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note (the Collateral Agent in such capacity the “Initial Additional Secured Party”), the Issuer, the Security Grantor and each Grantor party thereto.

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1.

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1.1

Definitions

In this Agreement:

Initial Additional Senior Lien Secured Parties” means the Initial Additional Secured Party and the holders of the Initial Additional Senior Lien Obligations.

Secured Obligations” means, in respect of the Original Security Document, the “Secured Obligations” as defined in the Original Security Document.

Senior Lien Secured Parties” means (a) the Senior Note Secured Parties and (b) the Initial Additional Senior Lien Secured Parties.

 

1.2

Construction

In this Agreement:

 

  a)

capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

  b)

any reference to a defined document is a reference to that defined document as amended (however fundamentally), supplemented, novated, restated or superseded from time to time;

 

5


  c)

a reference to any person includes such person’s successors, transferees and assignees;

 

  d)

where the context so permits, the singular includes the plural and vice versa;

 

  e)

the headings are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement;

 

  f)

any reference to the term “including” means “including, but without limitation” and any reference to the term “promptly” means “without undue delay (unverzüglich)” within the meaning of Sec. 121 BGB; and

 

  g)

any reference to a “Clause” or a “Schedule” shall, subject to any contrary indication, be construed as a reference to a Clause or a Schedule hereof.

 

1.3

Language

This Agreement is made in the English language. For the avoidance of doubt, the English language version of this Agreement shall prevail over any translation of this Agreement. However, where a German translation of a word or phrase appears in the text of this Agreement, the German translation of such word or phrase shall prevail.

 

2.

CONFIRMATION

The Parties hereby confirm and agree that:

 

2.1

the security interests created under the Original Security Document shall continue in full force and effect and shall continue to secure the respective Secured Obligations;

 

2.2

the validity and enforceability of the security interests created under the Original Security Document and have not been and will not be impaired or limited by the extension of the security purpose and the amendments to the Original Security Document as contemplated by this Agreement.

 

6


3.

EXTENSION OF SECURITY PURPOSE

The Parties hereby agree that the scope of the Secured Obligations shall be hereby extended so as to include the Initial Additional Senior Lien Obligations (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) which shall be, therefore, henceforth secured by the security interests under the Amended Security Document (as defined below).

 

4.

AMENDMENT OF ORIGINAL SECURITY DOCUMENT

In order to document the extension of the security purpose of the Original Security Document as agreed under Clause 3 above, the Parties hereby agree that, with effect from the date hereof, the Original Security Document shall be amended as set out in the Schedule (the Original Security Documents as so amended the “Amended Security Document”).

 

5.

ASSIGNMENT

The Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors in law. The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to assign or otherwise transfer any and all of its rights and duties under this Agreement to third parties in accordance with the Debt Documents provided that the assignee accepts to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. The Security Grantors hereby explicitly and irrevocably consents to such assignment and transfer.

 

6.

PARTIAL INVALIDITY

 

6.1

The Parties agree that should at any time, any provisions of this Agreement be or become void (nichtig), invalid or due to any reason ineffective (unwirksam) this will indisputably (unwiderlegbar) not affect the validity, legality or effectiveness of the remaining provisions and this Agreement will remain valid and effective, save for the void, invalid or ineffective provisions, without any Party having to argue (darlegen) and prove (beweisen) the Parties’ intent to uphold this Agreement even without the void, invalid or ineffective provisions.

 

7


6.2

The void, invalid or ineffective provision shall be deemed replaced by such valid and effective provision that in legal and economic terms comes closest to what the Parties intended or would have intended in accordance with the purpose of this Agreement if they had considered the point at the time of conclusion of this Agreement.

 

7.

AMENDMENTS

Changes and amendments to this Agreement (including to this Clause 5) must be made in writing, unless otherwise required by mandatory law.

 

8.

NOTICES AND THEIR LANGUAGE

 

8.1

Contact details

All notices and communications under or in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered by letter, posted or delivered by hand, or fax or email. Each notice or communication shall be given to the relevant Party at the address or fax number or email address and marked for the attention of the person(s) or department from time to time specified in writing by that Party to the other. The initial address, fax number, email address and person(s) or department so specified by each Party are set out below:

 

For the Security Grantor:

  

Li-Cycle Germany GmbH

   Address:   

Lange Göhren 4

39171 Sülzetal, Germany

   Fax:   

n/a

   E-mail:   

peter.duerr@li-cycle.com

jens.emrich@li-cycle.com

legalnotices@li-cycle.com

   Attention:   

Peter Dürr and Jens Emrich

 

8


with a copy to:   
   Address:   

Freshfields US LLP

3 World Trade Center 175 Greenwich

Street New York, New York 10007

  

 

E-mail:

  

 

Andrea.Basham@Freshfields.com,

Allison.Liff@Freshfields.com

  

 

Attention:

  

 

Andrea M. Basham, Allison R. Liff

 

For the Collateral Agent:

  

 

Glencore Canada Corporate

   Address:   

100 King Street West, Suite 6900

Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3

150 East 58th Street, 18th Floor

New York, New York 10155

   E-mail:   

galnotices@glencore-us.com

   Attention:   

Legal Department

 

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

  

 

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

   Address:   

767 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York

   E-mail:   

david.avery-gee@weil.com,

heather.emmel@weil.com,

nitin.konchady@weil.com,

justin.d.lee@weil.com

   Attention:   

David Avery Gee, Heather Emmel,

Nitin Konchady, Justin Lee

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

Glencore International AG

   Address:   

Baarermattstrasse 3

CH-6340 Baar

Switzerland

   E-mail:   

general.counsel@glencore.com

   Attention:   

General Counsel

 

and:

  

 

Glencore Ltd.

   Address:   

330 Madison Ave.

New York, New York 10017

   E-mail:   

legalnotices@glencore-us.com

   Attention:   

Legal Department

 

9


8.2

English language

 

  a)

Any notice given under or in connection with this Agreement must be in English.

 

  b)

All other documents provided under or in connection with this Agreement must be in English, or, if not in English, and if so required by the Collateral Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.

 

9.

GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION

 

  a)

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with German law.

 

  b)

The courts of Frankfurt am Main shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement) (each a “Dispute”).

 

  c)

Sub-paragraph b) is for the Collateral Agent’s benefit only. As a result, the Collateral Agent shall not be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction.

 

10.

CONCLUSION OF THIS AGREEMENT (VERTRAGSSCHLUSS)

 

  a)

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement. The Parties may choose to conclude this Agreement by an exchange of signed signature page(s) plus a copy of this Agreement, transmitted by any means of telecommunication (telekommunikative Übermittlung) such as by way of fax or electronic photocopy.

 

10


  b)

If the Parties choose to conclude this Agreement pursuant to sub-paragraph a) above, they will transmit the signed signature page(s) of this Agreement plus a copy of this Agreement to (i) Thomas Zimmermann, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Maximilianstrasse 13, 80539 Munich, Germany (e-mail to thomas.zimmermann@weil.com or by facsimilie to +49.89.2424.3399), (ii) Silvia Lengauer, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Maximilianstrasse 13, 80539 Munich, Germany (e-mail to silvia.lengauer@weil.com or by facsimilie to +49.89.2424.3399), or (iii) Hans-Christian Mick, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Taunusanlage 1 (Skyper), 60329 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (e-mail to hans-christian.mick@weil.com or by facsimilie to +49.69.21659 699) (each a “Recipient”). The Agreement will be considered concluded once one of the Recipients has received the signed signature page(s) including, in each case, with a copy of this Agreement (Zugang der Willenserklärung) from all Parties (whether by way of fax, electronic photocopy or other means of telecommunication) and at the time of the receipt of the last outstanding signature page(s) plus a copy of this Agreement by the Recipient.

 

  c)

For the purposes of this Clause 9 only, the Parties appoint each of the Recipients as their attorney (Empfangsvertreter) and expressly allow (gestatten) each of the Recipients to collect the signed signature page(s)/Agreement from all and for all Parties. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Recipients will have further duties connected with its position as Recipient. In particular, each Recipient may assume the conformity to the authentic original(s) of the signature page(s) transmitted to it by means of telecommunication, the genuineness of all signatures on the original signature page(s) and the signing authority of the signatories.

 

11


SIGNATURE PAGES

The Security Grantor

Li-Cycle Germany GmbH

 

By:  

/s/ Frank Pommerenke

Name:   Frank Pommerenke
Title:   Managing Director (Geschäftsführer)
By:  

/s/ Elewout Steven J. Depicker

Name:   Elewout Steven J. Depicker
Title:   Managing Director (Geschäftsführer)

[Lion King – Security Confirmation Agreement – Signature Page]


The Collateral Agent

Glencore Canada Corporation

 

By:  

/s/ John Burton

Name:   John Burton
Title:   Authorised Signatory

[Lion King – Security Confirmation Agreement – Signature Page]


SCHEDULE

AMENDED SECURITY DOCUMENT


LOGO

SECURITY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

(SICHERUNGSABTRETUNGSVERTRAG)

originally dated May 31, 2024 as amended by a confirmation and amendment agreement

dated December 9, 2024

between

Li-Cycle Germany GmbH

(as Assignor)

and

Glencore Canada Corporation

(as Collateral Agent)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1.

  

Definitions and Interpretation

     6  

2.

  

Assignment

     11  

3.

  

Assignment regarding Current Accounts

     11  

4.

  

Assignment and Passing Over of Security and Other Rights

     11  

5.

  

Security Purpose

     12  

6.

  

List of Receivables

     12  

7.

  

Notification to Third Party Debtor

     13  

8.

  

Bookkeeping and Data-Processing

     14  

9.

  

Collection of Receivables by the Assignor

     15  

10.

  

Representations and Warranties

     16  

11.

  

Undertakings

     16  

12.

  

Enforcement

     17  

13.

  

Enforcement Limitations

     19  

14.

  

Independent and continuing Security

     22  

15.

  

Release (Sicherheitenfreigabe)

     22  

16.

  

No Recourse against Third Parties

     23  

17.

  

Assignment

     24  

18.

  

Partial Invalidity

     24  

19.

  

Conflicts

     25  

20.

  

Amendments

     25  

21.

  

Waivers

     25  

22.

  

Notices and their Language

     26  

23.

  

Governing Law; Jurisdiction

     28  

24.

  

Conclusion of this Agreement (Vertragsschluss)

     28  
Schedule 1 Receivables      30  
Schedule 2 Form of Notification Letter      31  

 

2


Signature Pages      33  

 

3


This SECURITY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made

BETWEEN:

 

(1)

Li-Cycle Germany GmbH, a company incorporated as a limited liability company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) under the laws of Germany, with its registered seat in Sülzetal OT Osterweddingen, Germany and registered with the commercial register (Handelsregister) of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Stendal under registration number HRB 32081 in its capacity as assignor (the “Assignor”); and

 

(2)

Glencore Canada Corporation, an Ontario corporation having its address at 100 King Street West, Suite 6900, Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3 (“Glencore”), in its capacity as applicable collateral agent for the Senior Lien Secured Parties under the Intercreditor Agreement (each as defined below) and assignee (the “Collateral Agent”).

The institutions named in (1) to (2) are hereinafter together referred to as the “Parties” and each as a “Party”.

WHEREAS:

 

(A)

Pursuant to an amended and restated note purchase agreement dated March 25, 2024 (the “Senior Note Purchase Agreement”) among Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario with offices located at 207 Queens Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7 (the “Issuer”), Glencore Ltd., a Swiss company having its address at 330 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017 and Glencore as purchaser (Glencore in such capacity the “Purchaser”) and collateral agent, the Issuer has issued and sold to the Purchaser the senior secured convertible note due five years from the Closing Date (as defined therein) in the aggregate amount of $75,000,000 (the “Senior Note”) in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth therein.

 

(B)

In connection with the Senior Note, certain subsidiaries of the Issuer from time to time party thereto entered into that certain note guaranty, dated as of March 25, 2024 (the “Senior Note Guaranty”). By way of a subsidiary joinder agreement, dated as of May 29, 2024, the Assignor acceded to the Senior Note Guaranty as a note guarantor.

 

4


(C)

Furthermore, the Issuer, as issuer, has issued to Glencore that certain amended and restated convertible note, dated as of March 25, 2024, in the aggregate original principal amount of $116,551,170.40 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Initial Additional Senior Lien Note”). It is a condition under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note, that upon the occurrence of the Modification Date (as defined in the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note), the Grantors (as defined below) would guarantee the obligations of the Issuer under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note and secure such guaranty with pari passu liens on the same assets in respect of which such Grantors have granted liens for the benefit of the secured parties under the Senior Note and enter into collateral documentation in the same form and on the same terms as entered into to secure the Senior Note.

 

(D)

In connection with the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note, the Assignor and certain subsidiaries of the Issuer from time to time party thereto as note guarantors have entered into that certain note guaranty, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, extended or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Initial Additional Senior Lien Guaranty” and together with the Senior Note Guaranty, each, a “Note Guaranty”).

 

(E)

The Assignor has agreed to assign its Receivables (as defined below) to the Collateral Agent as collateral for the Secured Obligations (as defined below).

 

(F)

The security created by or pursuant to this Agreement is to be held as Shared Collateral and administered by the Collateral Agent for and on behalf of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties pursuant to the terms of that certain pari passu intercreditor agreement, dated on or about the date hereof (as amended, restated, extended or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”) and originally entered into by and among, inter alios, the Collateral Agent as collateral agent for the Senior Note Secured Parties (as defined below) and holder of the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note (the Collateral Agent in such capacity the “Initial Additional Secured Party”), the Issuer, the Assignor and each Grantor party thereto.

 

5


IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1.

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1.1

Definitions

In this Agreement:

AktG” means the German Stock Corporation Act (Aktiengesetz).

Ancillary Rights” means any present and future, actual and contingent ancillary rights (Neben-, Hilfs- und Vorzugsrechte) and claims to and surrogates for any of the Receivables, as well as any present and future, actual and contingent rights and claims derived from the underlying contractual or other relationship on which such Receivable is based, including monetary claims for damages and/or unilateral rights (Gestaltungsrechte) of the Assignor.

Assigned Receivables” means any of the Receivables and Ancillary Rights assigned by the Assignor to the Collateral Agent under this Agreement.

Authorization” means the authorization granted by the Collateral Agent to the Assignor pursuant to Clause 9.1 (Authorization).

BGB” means the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch).

Enforcement Event” means an Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing.

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7 of the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note or Section 7 of the Senior Note.

GmbHG” means the German Limited Liability Companies Act (Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung).

Grantor” means the Issuer and each subsidiary of the Issuer that has granted a security interest pursuant to any Senior Lien Debt Document to secure any Secured Obligations, including the Assignor.

 

6


Group” means the Issuer and each of its subsidiaries from time to time.

HGB” means the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch).

ICA Parallel Debt” means the independent payment obligation of any Grantor arising under the Intercreditor Agreement to pay to the Collateral Agent as creditor in its own right sums equal to and in the currency of each present or future amount payable by such Grantor under each of the Senior Lien Debt Documents (as amended from time to time and notwithstanding any increase of amounts payable thereunder or extension of term) to each of the other Senior Lien Secured Parties.

Initial Additional Senior Lien Debt Documents” means the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note and the other “Transaction Documents” (as such term is defined in the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note).

Initial Additional Senior Lien Guaranty Parallel Debt” means the independent payment obligation of any Grantor under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Guaranty to pay to the Collateral Agent as creditor in its own right sums equal to and in the currency of each present or future amount payable by such Guarantor under each of the Finance Documents (as defined in the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note and as amended from time to time and notwithstanding any increase of amounts payable thereunder or extension of term) to each of the other Initial Additional Senior Lien Secured Parties.

Initial Additional Senior Lien Obligations” means all obligations for unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note, premium, penalties, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses (including fees and expenses accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), reimbursements, indemnities, and all other advances to, debts, liabilities and obligations of any Note Party (as defined in the Initial Additional Senior Lien Note) to the Collateral Agent or any indemnified party arising under the Initial Additional Senior Lien Debt Documents, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute, contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising.

 

7


Initial Additional Senior Lien Secured Parties” means the Initial Additional Secured Party and the holders of the Initial Additional Senior Lien Obligations.

InsO” means the German Insolvency Code (Insolvenzordnung).

Notification Letter” has the meaning set forth in Clause 7 (Notification to Third Party Debtor).

Receivables” means collectively in relation to the Assignor all of the Assignor’s present and future, actual or contingent rights and claims under or with respect to any present and future agreements between the Assignor and another member of the Group, in particular loan agreements, domination and/ or profit and loss pooling agreements (Beherrschungs- und/ oder Gewinnabführungsverträge) and any current account arrangements, including those specified in Schedule 1 (Receivables) including, in each case, any Ancillary Rights and present and future, actual and contingent claims arising from warranties, representations, indemnities, unjust enrichment (ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung) or tort (Delikt).

Secured Parallel Debt Obligations” means (i) the ICA Parallel Debt, (ii) the Senior Note Parallel Debt, (iii) the Senior Note Guaranty Parallel Debt and (iv) the Initial Additional Senior Lien Guaranty Parallel Debt.

Secured Obligations” means all Senior Lien Obligations, including the Secured Parallel Debt Obligations and including any claims based on unjust enrichment (ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung) or tort (Delikt) and claims arising from the insolvency administrator’s discretion to perform obligations in agreements according to Sec. 103 InsO.

Senior Lien Debt Documents” means, collectively, (a) the Senior Note Loan Documents, and (b) the Initial Additional Senior Lien Debt Documents.

 

8


Senior Lien Obligations” means, collectively, (a) the Senior Note Obligations and (b) the Initial Additional Senior Lien Obligations.

Senior Lien Secured Party” means (a) the Senior Note Secured Parties and (b) the Initial Additional Senior Lien Secured Parties.

Senior Note Guaranty Parallel Debt” means the independent payment obligation of any Grantor under the Senior Note Guaranty to pay to the Collateral Agent as creditor in its own right sums equal to and in the currency of each present or future amount payable by such Guarantor under each of the Finance Documents (as defined in the Senior Note Purchase Agreement and as amended from time to time and notwithstanding any increase of amounts payable thereunder or extension of term) to each of the other Secured Note Secured Parties.

Senior Note Loan Documents” means the Senior Note and the other “Transaction Documents” (as such term is defined in the Senior Note).

Senior Note Obligations” means all obligations for unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Senior Note, premium, penalties, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses (including fees and expenses accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), reimbursements, indemnities, and all other advances to, debts, liabilities and obligations of any Note Party (as defined in the Senior Note) to the Collateral Agent (as defined in the Senior Note), the Collateral Agent or any indemnified party arising under the Senior Note Loan Documents, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute, contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising.

Senior Note Parallel Debt” means the independent payment obligation of any Grantor arising under the Senior Note Purchase Agreement to pay to the Collateral Agent as creditor in its own right sums equal to and in the currency of each present or future amount payable by such Grantor under each of the Senior Lien Debt Documents (as amended from time to time and notwithstanding any increase of amounts payable thereunder or extension of term) to each of the other Senior Note Secured Parties.

 

9


Senior Note Secured Parties” means the Secured Parties (as such term is defined in the Senior Note).

Third Party Debtor” means any debtor of any Receivable.

 

1.2

Construction

In this Agreement:

 

  a)

capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

  b)

any reference to a defined document is a reference to that defined document as amended (however fundamentally), supplemented, novated, restated or superseded from time to time;

 

  c)

a reference to any person includes such person’s successors, transferees and assignees;

 

  d)

where the context so permits, the singular includes the plural and vice versa;

 

  e)

the headings are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement;

 

  f)

any reference to the term “including” means “including, but without limitation” and any reference to the term “promptly” means “without undue delay (unverzüglich)” within the meaning of Sec. 121 BGB; and

 

  g)

any reference to a “Clause” or a “Schedule” shall, subject to any contrary indication, be construed as a reference to a Clause or a Schedule hereof.

 

10


1.3

Language

This Agreement is made in the English language. For the avoidance of doubt, the English language version of this Agreement shall prevail over any translation of this Agreement. However, where a German translation of a word or phrase appears in the text of this Agreement, the German translation of such word or phrase shall prevail.

 

2.

ASSIGNMENT

 

2.1

The Assignor hereby assigns for security purposes (Sicherungsabtretung) to the Collateral Agent in its capacity as trustee for the Senior Lien Secured Parties the Receivables. The assignment of Receivables includes any future Receivables of any legal successor (Gesamtrechtsnachfolger) of the Assignor.

 

2.2

The Collateral Agent hereby accepts the assignment of the Receivables.

 

3.

ASSIGNMENT REGARDING CURRENT ACCOUNTS

In case any kind of a current account relationship (unechtes oder echtes Kontokorrentverhältnis) exists at present or comes into existence in future between the Assignor and any of the Third Party Debtors, the Assignor hereby assigns, as collateral for the Secured Obligations, all present and future, actual and contingent rights and claims in respect of such current account relationship (including claims as a result of fixing a balance (Saldofeststellung), the rights for termination of the current account relationship and the right for fixing an actual balance) to the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent hereby accepts such assignment and authorizes the Assignor, at all times prior to delivery of a written notice to the Assignor by the Collateral Agent upon or after the occurrence of an Enforcement Event, to exercise the rights assigned to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Clause 3.

 

4.

ASSIGNMENT AND PASSING OVER OF SECURITY AND OTHER RIGHTS

 

  a)

Together with the Receivables, any rights from the relevant underlying transactions shall automatically pass over to the Collateral Agent. To the extent that such a right constitutes a security interest which does not pass over to the

 

11


  Collateral Agent by operation of law, such security interest shall pass over to the Collateral Agent, including any corresponding claims for surrender (Herausgabeansprüche) against the relevant direct possessor. The Collateral Agent hereby accepts such transfer. If the Assignor is in direct possession of any asset transferred to it for security purposes, delivery of any such asset to the Collateral Agent shall be replaced by the Assignor hereby assuming gratuitous custody (unentgeltliche Vewahrung) in respect of any such asset for the benefit of the Collateral Agent.

 

  b)

The Collateral Agent authorizes the Assignor at all times prior to delivery of written notice from the Collateral Agent to the Assignor upon or after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing, to release and retransfer any security provided in respect of the Receivables as soon as the respective Receivable has been discharged. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing, and at least concurrent notice to the Assignor, the Collateral Agent shall release and retransfer such security as soon as the respective Receivable has been discharged.

 

5.

SECURITY PURPOSE

All assignments and transfers hereunder are constituted in order to secure the prompt and complete satisfaction of any and all Secured Obligations. The assignments shall also cover any future extension or increase of the Secured Obligations and the Assignor hereby expressly agrees that the assignments shall secure the Secured Obligations as extended or increased from time to time.

 

6.

LIST OF RECEIVABLES

 

6.1

Provision of Lists of Receivables

Notwithstanding the lists of Receivables delivered as of the date of this Agreement and as contained in Schedule 1 (Receivables) (the “Initial Lists of Receivables”) (if any), the Assignor shall (i) within ten (10) Business Days after each of June 30, and (ii) at any time upon written request after the occurrence of an Enforcement Event deliver to the Collateral Agent lists (each such list of Receivables a “List of Receivables”) setting out

 

12


the names and addresses of the Third Party Debtors, the outstanding amounts and the due dates for payment and the legal basis for the Receivable (i.e. invoice number, order number, contract with date etc.).

 

6.2

Form of Lists of Receivables

Any List of Receivables may be delivered to the Collateral Agent in electronic form (including as an e-mail attachment) or in such other form as may be agreed between the Collateral Agent and the Assignor, provided that the Collateral Agent may in its sole discretion request a print-out in addition to such other form.

 

6.3

Purpose of Lists of Receivables

The Initial Lists of Receivables and any List of Receivables delivered pursuant to this Agreement are for notification purposes only and if for any reason whatsoever the relevant Receivables are not, or are incompletely contained in the respective Initial List of Receivables and/or List of Receivables presented, then the assignment of the Receivables shall not be affected thereby.

 

6.4

Data protection laws

The Assignor’s obligation to provide information in relation to the Receivables pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall not require it to act in violation of data protection laws, in particular, but not limited to the Federal Data Protection Act (Bundesdatenschutzgesetz) or other applicable data protection laws and regulations.

 

7.

NOTIFICATION TO THIRD PARTY DEBTOR

The Assignor shall promptly upon the occurrence of the Enforcement Event notify each of its respective Third Party Debtors of the assignment constituted hereunder substantially in the form set out in Schedule 2 (Form of Notification Letter) (the “Notification Letter”), and shall send a copy of each Notification Letter dispatched to a Third Party Debtor to the Collateral Agent.

 

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8.

BOOKKEEPING AND DATA-PROCESSING

 

8.1

Bookkeeping

If proof or documents which are necessary to identify the Receivables have been handed over by the Assignor to a third party (in particular a bookkeeping firm or a tax consultant), the Assignor hereby assigns to the Collateral Agent, who hereby accepts such assignment, its right to demand from such third party the return of the information and documents. The Assignor hereby undertakes, at the Collateral Agent’s written request once an Event of Default has occurred, to instruct the third party to provide the Collateral Agent with such information and documents which are necessary to perfect and/or enforce the security created hereby. At all times prior thereto, the Collateral Agent authorizes the Assignor to exercise the rights assigned to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Clause 8.1.

 

8.2

Electronic data processing and bookkeeping by third parties

If information concerning the Receivables or any part thereof have been stored in an electronic data-processing system, then, at the Collateral Agent’s written request once an Event of Default has occurred, the Assignor shall allow the Collateral Agent access to the computer, including the peripheral equipment and all data concerning the Receivables or such part thereof. Moreover, software operators shall be made available insofar as so required, and any assistance required shall be provided to the Collateral Agent. If a third party handles the electronic processing of data, the Assignor hereby (with effect from the Collateral Agent’s above request) assigns to the Collateral Agent, who hereby accepts such assignment, all rights against such third party relating to these services, and instructs such third party to handle the processing of data for the Collateral Agent upon its request as it did for the Assignor, in which case the Assignor shall be given access to any data it requires in its ordinary course of business.

 

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9.

COLLECTION OF RECEIVABLES BY THE ASSIGNOR

 

9.1

Authorization

The Collateral Agent authorizes the Assignor to collect, dispose of or otherwise, deal with its Receivables in the ordinary course of its business and to the extent not prohibited under the Senior Lien Debt Documents at all times prior to delivery of written notice to the Assignor by the Collateral Agent upon or after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing (such authorization hereinafter referred to as the “Authorization”). The Authorization shall lapse automatically upon the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing and at least concurrent written notice to the Assignor. The Collateral Agent may give notice to this effect towards the Assignor.

 

9.2

Payment by bill of exchange or cheque

If payments in respect of the Receivables are made by cheque or bill of exchange, the ownership in the documents shall pass to the Collateral Agent as collateral for the Secured Obligations upon the Assignor acquiring such ownership. Physical delivery of cheques and bills of exchange to the Collateral Agent shall be replaced by an undertaking of the Assignor to hold such cheques and bills of exchange in gratuitous custody (unentgeltliche Vewahrung) for the Collateral Agent or, if the Assignor does not obtain actual possession of such documents, the Assignor hereby assigns to the Collateral Agent in advance all of its claims for delivery thereof against third parties as collateral for the Secured Obligations. The Collateral Agent accepts the transfers and assignments pursuant to this Clause 9.2.

 

9.3

Turnover

In the event that after the lapse of the Authorization pursuant to Clause 9.1 (Authorization) above the Assignor receives payments in relation to the Receivables, it shall promptly inform the Collateral Agent of such payments and the relevant Receivables and forward any amount received to the Collateral Agent.

 

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10.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Assignor represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent by way of an independent guarantee (selbstständiges Garantieversprechen) that at the date of this Agreement:

 

  a)

the information contained in (i) Schedule 1 (Receivables) is true, accurate and complete in all material respects as of its respective date (if any) and (ii) any List of Receivables delivered in accordance with Clause 6.1 will be true, accurate and complete in all material respects as of its respective date;

 

  b)

it is the sole legal (rechtlicher) and beneficial (wirtschaftlicher) owner of the Receivables assigned by it and such Receivables are free from any rights of third parties (including pre-emption rights) and in each case free from encumbrances; and

 

  c)

the Receivables are assignable (abtretbar), can be freely assigned by the Assignor and have not been assigned otherwise.

 

11.

UNDERTAKINGS

The Assignor undertakes to the Collateral Agent:

 

  a)

to promptly inform the Collateral Agent of any attachments (Pfändung) in respect of any of the Receivables or any part thereof or any other events, circumstances or measures which are reasonably likely to impair or jeopardize the validity or enforceability of the Collateral Agent’s security interests hereunder. In the event of an attachment, the Assignor undertakes to promptly forward to the Collateral Agent a copy of the attachment order (Pfändungsbeschluss), the garnishee order (Überweisungsbeschluss) and all other documents necessary or expedient for a defense against the attachment. The Assignor shall promptly inform the attaching creditor of the Collateral Agent’s security interests hereunder;

 

  b)

not to create or permit to subsist any encumbrance over all or any of the Receivables assigned by it or any interest therein or otherwise sell, assign,

 

16


  transfer or dispose of the whole or any part of such Receivables or any interest therein (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any transfer by means of universal or partial succession (Gesamtrechtsnachfolge, partielle Gesamtrechtsnachfolge)), unless otherwise permitted under the Senior Lien Debt Documents; and

 

  c)

to refrain from any acts or omissions, the purpose or effect of which is or would be the material dilution of the value of the Receivables or the Receivables ceasing to be assignable or subjecting any Receivable to any law other than German law other than in the Assignor’s ordinary course of business, unless otherwise permitted under the Senior Lien Debt Documents;

provided that the foregoing undertakings shall not limit or restrict the Assignor from taking any action which is permitted under the Senior Lien Debt Documents.

 

12.

ENFORCEMENT

 

12.1

Enforcement right

Following the occurrence of an Enforcement Event, the Collateral Agent shall, without prejudice to its rights under Clauses 9.1 (Authorization), be entitled to (i) notify any Third Party Debtor of the assignment hereunder by sending a Notification Letter and/or a completed Blank Notification Letter or may request the Assignor to do so which shall promptly comply with such request at its own costs, (ii) arrange for the realization of the Receivables as provided for under German law (including by way of collection or sale) in accordance with the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Senior Lien Debt Documents and (iii) exercise any of the Ancillary Rights.

 

12.2

Notification

The Collateral Agent will notify the Assignor one (1) week prior to the enforcement of the Receivables (or any of them) according to this Clause 12. However, such notice shall not be required if (i) the Assignor has generally ceased to make payments (Zahlungen eingestellt), (ii) an application for the institution of insolvency proceedings or similar proceedings is filed by or against the Assignor or (iii) the Collateral Agent reasonably determines that the observance of the notice period would endanger the security interest of the Collateral Agent and/or the other Senior Lien Secured Parties.

 

17


12.3

Collateral Agent’s discretions

The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to determine in its sole discretion which of several security interests, if applicable, shall be realized to satisfy the Secured Obligations. If the Collateral Agent collects or sells any Receivables pursuant to this Clause 12, it may take all measures and enter into all agreements that it deems necessary, including the granting of discounts or indulgence to any Third Party Debtors and/or the entering into settlement agreements in relation to Receivables at any time.

 

12.4

Documents

To the extent that the Authorization has lapsed in accordance with this Agreement, the Collateral Agent may request that all documents relating to the Receivables be handed over to it and the Assignor hereby agrees to comply with any such request.

 

12.5

Collection by Assignor

Upon becoming entitled to enforce the security interests created hereunder in accordance with this Clause 12, the Collateral Agent may request the Assignor to collect the Receivables and the Assignor shall promptly comply with such request at its own costs and expenses. The Collateral Agent has the right to instruct the Assignor to pay proceeds of collection to an account of the Collateral Agent, to procure that the Third Party Debtors pay directly to an account of the Collateral Agent or otherwise direct the manner of collection as the Collateral Agent may reasonably require. The Assignor shall promptly comply with such request.

 

12.6

Assistance by Assignor

The Assignor shall, at its own costs and expenses, render forthwith all assistance reasonably necessary in order to facilitate the prompt enforcement and realization of the Receivables by the Collateral Agent in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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13.

ENFORCEMENT LIMITATIONS

 

13.1

The right to demand payment under this Agreement and to enforce the security created under this Agreement against the Assignor to the extent the security relates to obligations of a direct or indirect shareholder of the Assignor or Subsidiaries of such shareholders (except where such entity is, at the same time, a Subsidiary of the Assignor), shall be limited to the amount which may be paid by it or enforced against it without causing a Capital Impairment as determined by application of the following paragraphs (“German Maximum Amount”):

 

  a)

A “Capital Impairment” occurs if the payment or enforcement causes (A) the Assignor’s net assets to be (determined in accordance with the provisions of the HGB consistently applied by the Assignor in preparing its unconsolidated balance sheets (Jahresabschluss) according to section 42 of the GmbHG and in accordance with sections 30, 31 GmbHG (as applicable at the time of enforcement) and by only taking into account the sum of the values of the assets of the Assignor which correspond to those items listed in section 266 subsection (2) A, B, C, D and E HGB less the Assignor’s liabilities, consisting of all liabilities and liability reserves which correspond to those items listed in accordance with section 266 subsection (3) B (but disregarding, for the avoidance of doubt, any provisions (Rückstellungen) in respect of any Note Guaranty), C, D and E HGB and any amounts not available for distribution according to section 253 paragraph 6 or section 268 subsection (8) HGB but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any liabilities under or relating to the Secured Obligations) and in each case subject to the adjustments under sub-paragraph (b) below (the “Net Assets”) to be less than its registered share capital (Stammkapital) (Begründung einer Unterbilanz); or (B) if the Assignor’s Net Assets are already less than its registered share capital, the Assignor’s Net Assets to be further reduced (Vertiefung einer Unterbilanz).

 

  b)

For the purposes of calculating the Net Assets, the following balance sheet items shall be adjusted as follows: (A) the amount of any increase of the stated share capital (Stammkapital) of the Assignor registered after the date of this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent shall not be taken into account; (B) any funds received by the Issuer under the Senior Lien

 

19


  Debt Documents which have been or are on-lent or otherwise passed on to the relevant Assignor or to any subsidiary of such Assignor and have not yet been repaid at the time when payment of a Secured Obligation is demanded, shall be disregarded as assets; (C) loans provided to the Assignor by the Issuer or any subsidiary of the Issuer which are subordinated by law or by contract shall be disregarded as liabilities; and (D) any loans or other liabilities of the Assignor incurred in violation of any of the provisions of the Senior Lien Debt Documents shall be disregarded as liabilities.

 

13.2

The limitation of the enforcement of the security of the Assignor to the German Maximum Amount shall only apply if and to the extent that the managing director(s) (Geschäftsführer) of the Assignor on behalf of the Assignor have confirmed in writing to the Collateral Agent within 10 (ten) Business Days following the Collateral Agent’s demand under the security to what extent the demanded payment would lead to the occurrence of a Capital Impairment (the “Management Determination”). Such confirmation shall comprise an up-to-date balance sheet of the Assignor and a detailed calculation of the amount of the Net Assets and share capital (taking into account the adjustments set out in sub-paragraph (b) above) of the Assignor. The Assignor shall fulfil its obligations under the security within 3 (three) Business Days of providing the Management Determination (and the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to enforce the security) in an amount which pursuant to the Management Determination would not cause a Capital Impairment (irrespective of whether or not the Collateral Agent agrees with the Management Determination).

 

13.3

If the Collateral Agent, acting reasonably, disagrees with the Management Determination, the Assignor shall, in consultation with the Collateral Agent, instruct (at its own cost and expense) a firm of auditors of international standing and reputation to draw-up within 20 (twenty) Business Days (or such longer period as has been agreed between the Assignor and the Collateral Agent) from the date the Collateral Agent has contested the Management Determination an up-to-date balance sheet of the Assignor together with a detailed calculation of the amount of the Net Assets and share capital and to what extent the demanded payment would lead to the occurrence of a Capital Impairment (the “Auditor’s Determination”). The amounts determined in the Auditor’s Determination shall be (except for manifest error) binding for all Parties. The Assignor shall fulfil its obligations under the security within 3 (three) Business Days of providing

 

20


  the Auditor’s Determination (and the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to enforce the security) in an amount which pursuant to the Auditor’s Determination would not cause a Capital Impairment.

 

13.4

If and to the extent that the security has been enforced without regard to the German Maximum Amount because the amount payable under the security resulting from the Auditor’s Determination is lower than the respective amount resulting from the Management Determination, the Collateral Agent shall upon demand of the Assignor repay the difference between the amount paid and the amount payable resulting from the Auditor’s Determination calculated as of the date the demand under the security was made.

 

13.5

The limitation of the enforcement of the security of the Assignor to the German Maximum Amount does not apply (A) if the Assignor does not provide the Management Determination within the time frame set out above; (B) to any amounts which correspond to funds that have been received by the Issuer under the Senior Lien Debt Documents and have been on-lent to, or otherwise been passed on to, the relevant Assignor or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent that any such on-lent or passed-on amount is still outstanding at the date a demand under this Agreement is made; (C) to any amounts payable under this Agreement if and as long as the Assignor is subject to a domination and/or profit and loss transfer agreement (either directly or through a chain of such agreements) pursuant to Section 291 AktG on the date of the enforcement of the security as dominated company with the Issuer or another Grantor whose obligations are secured by the security of the Assignor (and which shall be enforced against the Assignor) as dominating company; (D) if and to the extent the Assignor holds a fully recoverable loss compensation claim (vollwertiger Gegenleistungs- oder Rückgewähranspruch) against the Issuer or another Grantor whose obligations are secured by the security of the Assignor (and which shall be enforced against the Assignor) that can be accounted for in the balance sheet as full value; (E) if the Assignor is insolvent; or (F) if and to the extent (based on changes in law or based on a decision of the Federal Supreme Court (BGH)) the enforcement of the security granted by the Assignor under this Agreement does not result in a personal liability of the managing directors (Geschäftsführer) of the Assignor including pursuant to section 43 GmbHG, each as amended, supplemented and/or replaced from time to time.

 

21


13.6

If the Management Determination shows that a Capital Impairment would occur upon payment under the security, the Assignor shall realise all of its assets that are shown in the balance sheet with a book value (Buchwert) that is significantly lower than the market value of the assets to the extent this is necessary to fulfil its obligations under the security. If the relevant assets are necessary for the business of the Assignor (betriebsnotwendig), it will use its best efforts to realize the higher market value (including by sale and lease-back or similar measures).

 

14.

INDEPENDENT AND CONTINUING SECURITY

 

14.1

This Agreement shall create a continuing security and no change, amendment, or supplement whatsoever in the Senior Lien Debt Documents or in any document or agreement related to any of the Senior Lien Debt Documents shall affect the validity or the scope of this Agreement nor the obligations which are imposed on the Assignor pursuant to it.

 

14.2

This Agreement is independent from any other security or guarantee which may have been or will be given to the Collateral Agent. None of such other security shall prejudice, or shall be prejudiced by, or shall be merged in any way with this Agreement.

 

14.3

The Assignor hereby agrees that the security created pursuant to this Agreement shall not be affected by any transfer or assumption (for whatever reason) of the obligations owed by the Assignor in connection with the Secured Obligations to, or by, any third party (Schuldübernahme). Sec. 418 BGB (applied by analogy (analoge Anwendung)) shall not be applicable in such case.

 

15.

RELEASE (SICHERHEITENFREIGABE)

Without prejudice to and in addition to any other release provisions under the Senior Lien Debt Documents if, at any time, the total value of the collateral created hereunder and realizable on enforcement (the “Realisable Value”) exceeds 110% of the Secured Obligations (the “Limit”) not only temporarily, the Collateral Agent shall on the

 

22


Assignor’s demand release such collateral (Sicherheitenfreigabe) as the Collateral Agent (reasonably taking into account the Assignor’s legitimate interests) deems fit so as to reduce the Realisable Value to the Limit. If VAT (Umsatzsteuer) is chargeable on any action taken by the Collateral Agent in enforcing the Collateral, the Limit shall be increased by the amount of VAT payable by the Collateral Agent.

 

16.

NO RECOURSE AGAINST THIRD PARTIES

Other than as permitted by the Senior Lien Debt Documents,

 

  a)

the Assignor may not exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under this Agreement:

 

  (i)

to be indemnified by another Grantor;

 

  (ii)

to claim any recourse from any other chargor of any Grantor’s obligations under the Senior Lien Debt Documents;

 

  (iii)

to exercise any right of set-off against any other Grantor; and/or

 

  (iv)

to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of legal subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Senior Lien Secured Parties under the Senior Lien Debt Documents or of any other agreement or of any other guarantee or collateral taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Senior Lien Debt Documents by any Senior Lien Secured Party.

 

  b)

The Assignor furthermore hereby waives (by way of an agreement in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to Sec. 328 BGB) any contractual and/or statutory damage and/or reimbursement claims (Schadensersatz- und Aufwendungsersatzansprüche) against any other Grantor it may have in case of realization and/or satisfaction of any of the Secured Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, the Assignor shall not be entitled to demand an assignment of the Secured Obligations to it.

 

  c)

If the Assignor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it shall hold that benefit, payment or distribution on trust for the Senior

 

23


  Lien Secured Parties to the extent necessary to enable all amounts which may be or become payable to the Senior Lien Secured Parties by the Grantors under or in connection with the Senior Lien Debt Documents to be repaid in full and shall promptly pay or transfer the same to the Collateral Agent or as the Collateral Agent may direct for application in accordance with the instructions of the Senior Lien Secured Parties;

until the Secured Obligations have been finally, but not only temporarily, satisfied and discharged in full.

 

17.

ASSIGNMENT

 

17.1

This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors in law.

 

17.2

The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to assign or otherwise transfer any and all of its rights and duties under this Agreement to third parties in accordance with the Senior Lien Debt Documents provided that the assignee accepts to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. The Assignor hereby explicitly and irrevocably consents to such assignment and transfer.

 

17.3

The Assignor shall not assign or transfer any of its rights, claims or obligations under or in connection with this Agreement, unless permitted under the Senior Lien Debt Documents.

 

18.

PARTIAL INVALIDITY

 

18.1

The Parties agree that should at any time, any provisions of this Agreement be or become void (nichtig), invalid or due to any reason ineffective (unwirksam) this will indisputably (unwiderlegbar) not affect the validity, legality or effectiveness of the remaining provisions and this Agreement will remain valid and effective, save for the void, invalid or ineffective provisions, without any Party having to argue (darlegen) and prove (beweisen) the Parties’ intent to uphold this Agreement even without the void, invalid or ineffective provisions.

 

24


18.2

The void, invalid or ineffective provision shall be deemed replaced by such valid and effective provision that in legal and economic terms comes closest to what the Parties intended or would have intended in accordance with the purpose of this Agreement if they had considered the point at the time of conclusion of this Agreement.

 

19.

CONFLICTS

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement and the exercise of any right or remedy by the Collateral Agent with respect to the Receivables hereunder (including any representation and any undertaking) are subject to the provisions of the Senior Lien Debt Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the Senior Lien Debt Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Senior Lien Debt Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, shall prevail and override anything in this Agreement to the contrary, save if and to the extent that the application of any such terms would affect the validity, ranking, priority or enforceability of the Assignment created under this Agreement.

 

20.

AMENDMENTS

Changes and amendments to this Agreement (including to this Clause 20) must be made in writing, unless otherwise required by mandatory law.

 

21.

WAIVERS

No failure or delay by the Collateral Agent in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise or waiver of any right or remedy preclude its further exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The Senior Lien Debt Documents shall not limit or exclude any statutory legal remedies.

 

25


22.

NOTICES AND THEIR LANGUAGE

 

22.1

Contact details

All notices and communications under or in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered by letter, posted or delivered by hand, or fax or email. Each notice or communication shall be given to the relevant Party at the address or fax number or email address and marked for the attention of the person(s) or department from time to time specified in writing by that Party to the other. The initial address, fax number, email address and person(s) or department so specified by each Party are set out below:

 

For the Assignor:

   Li-Cycle Germany GmbH
   Address:    Lange Göhren 4
39171 Sülzetal, Germany
   Fax:    n/a
   E-mail:    peter.duerr@li-cycle.com
jens.emrich@li-cycle.com
legalnotices@li-cycle.com
   Attention:    Peter Dürr and Jens Emrich

with a copy to:

     
   Address:    Freshfields US LLP
3 World Trade Center 175 Greenwich
Street New York, New York 10007
  

 

E-mail:

  

 

Andrea.Basham@Freshfields.com,

Allison.Liff@Freshfields.com

 

   Attention:    Andrea M. Basham, Allison R. Liff

For the Collateral Agent:

   Glencore Canada Corporate
   Address:    100 King Street West, Suite 6900
Toronto, ON, M5X 1E3
150 East 58th Street, 18th Floor
New York, New York 10155
   E-mail:    galnotices@glencore-us.com
   Attention:    Legal Department

 

26


with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
   Address:    767 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York
   E-mail:    david.avery-gee@weil.com,
heather.emmel@weil.com,
nitin.konchady@weil.com,
justin.d.lee@weil.com
   Attention:    David Avery Gee, Heather Emmel,
Nitin Konchady, Justin Lee
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:    Glencore International AG
   Address:    Baarermattstrasse 3
CH-6340 Baar
Switzerland
   E-mail:    general.counsel@glencore.com
   Attention:    General Counsel

and:

   Glencore Ltd.
   Address:    330 Madison Ave.
New York, New York 10017
   E-mail:    legalnotices@glencore-us.com
   Attention:    Legal Department

 

22.2

English language

 

  a)

Any notice given under or in connection with this Agreement must be in English.

 

  b)

All other documents provided under or in connection with this Agreement must be in English, or, if not in English, and if so required by the Collateral Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.

 

27


23.

GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION

 

  a)

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with German law.

 

  b)

The courts of Frankfurt am Main shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement) (each a “Dispute”).

 

  c)

Sub-paragraph b) is for the Collateral Agent’s benefit only. As a result, the Collateral Agent shall not be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction.

 

24.

CONCLUSION OF THIS AGREEMENT (VERTRAGSSCHLUSS)

 

  a)

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement. The Parties may choose to conclude this Agreement by an exchange of signed signature page(s) plus a copy of this Agreement, transmitted by any means of telecommunication (telekommunikative Übermittlung) such as by way of fax or electronic photocopy.

 

  b)

If the Parties choose to conclude this Agreement pursuant to sub-paragraph a) above, they will transmit the signed signature page(s) of this Agreement plus a copy of this Agreement to (i) Thomas Zimmermann, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Maximilianstrasse 13, 80539 Munich, Germany (e-mail to thomas.zimmermann@weil.com or by facsimilie to +49.89.2424.3399), (ii) Silvia Lengauer, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Maximilianstrasse 13, 80539 Munich, Germany (e-mail to silvia.lengauer@weil.com or by facsimilie to +49.89.2424.3399), or (iii) Hans-Christian Mick, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Taunusanlage 1 (Skyper), 60329 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (e-mail to hans-christian.mick@weil.com or by facsimilie to +49.69.21659 699) (each a “Recipient”). The Agreement will be considered concluded once one of the

 

28


  Recipients has received the signed signature page(s) including, in each case, with a copy of this Agreement (Zugang der Willenserklärung) from all Parties (whether by way of fax, electronic photocopy or other means of telecommunication) and at the time of the receipt of the last outstanding signature page(s) plus a copy of this Agreement by the Recipient.

 

  c)

For the purposes of this Clause 24 only, the Parties appoint each of the Recipients as their attorney (Empfangsvertreter) and expressly allow (gestatten) each of the Recipients to collect the signed signature page(s)/Agreement from all and for all Parties. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Recipients will have further duties connected with its position as Recipient. In particular, each Recipient may assume the conformity to the authentic original(s) of the signature page(s) transmitted to it by means of telecommunication, the genuineness of all signatures on the original signature page(s) and the signing authority of the signatories.

 

29


SCHEDULE 1

RECEIVABLES

Open Invoices

As of November 31, 2024

 

30


SCHEDULE 2

FORM OF NOTIFICATION LETTER

- Security Assignment -

[To be printed on letterhead of the Assignor]

[Name and address of Third Party Debtor]

[insert date and place]

 

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

We hereby give you notice that pursuant to an assignment agreement entered into by us in favor of Glencore Canada Corporation (“Collateral Agent”) dated [insert date of the assignment agreement] we have assigned by way of an assignment (Zession) to the Collateral Agent all our present and future receivables [arising from or in connection with []] against you together with all ancillary rights pertaining to them. We are authorized by the Collateral Agent to collect the assigned receivables in our own name and for our own account. Please continue to direct any correspondence, requests and payments with respect to the assigned receivables to us. The Collateral Agent will get in touch with you directly and notify you in writing of any possible lapse of our authorization to deal with the assigned receivables and collect the assigned receivables.

  

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

 

wir teilen Ihnen hierdurch mit, dass wir mit Abtretungsvertrag vom [Datum des Abtretungsvertrages einfügen] sämtliche bestehenden und künftigen Forderungen mit allen dazugehörenden Rechten gegen Sie aufgrund [Bezeichnung der zugrunde liegenden Rechtsverhältnisse] im Wege der Zession an die Glencore Canada Corporation (“Sicherheiten-Treuhänder”) abgetreten haben. Wir sind von dem Sicherheiten-Treuhänder ermächtigt, alle Zahlungen auf die abgetretenen Forderungen im eigenen Namen und für eigene Rechnung einzuziehen und entgegenzunehmen. Bitte adressieren Sie weiterhin jegliche Korrespondenz, sonstige Anträge und Zahlungen betreffend die abgetretenen Forderungen an uns. Der Sicherheiten-Treuhänder wird sich hinsichtlich eines etwaigen Erlöschens unserer Ermächtigung zur Einziehung der abgetretenen Forderungen direkt mit Ihnen in Verbindung setzen und Sie hiervon schriftlich in Kenntnis setzen.

Please acknowledge receipt of this notice and the terms hereof by counter-signing this letter and returning the same to us.    Bitte bestätigen Sie den Erhalt dieser Benachrichtigung, sowie Ihr Einverständnis mit den hierin bestimmten Bedingungen durch Gegenzeichnung dieser Benachrichtigung und Rücksendung an uns.
Yours faithfully,    Mit freundlichen Grüßen

 

31


[insert full name of the Assignor]

 

By:                        

Name:

Title:

  

By:                       

Name:

Title:

 

 

 

Acknowledgement of the Third Party Debtor    Bestätigung des Drittschuldners
We acknowledge receipt of this notification letter and confirm our agreement with the terms thereof.    Wir bestätigen den Erhalt der Benachrichtigung und erklären unser Einverständnis mit den darin enthaltenen Bestimmungen.
[insert full name of the Third Party Debtor]   

By:                        

Name:

Title:

Date:

  

By:                       

Name:

Title:

Date:

 

32


SIGNATURE PAGES

[Signature pages intentionally omitted]

v3.24.3
Document and Entity Information
Dec. 09, 2024
Cover [Abstract]  
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date Dec. 09, 2024
Entity Registrant Name Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.
Entity Incorporation State Country Code A6
Entity File Number 001-40733
Entity Tax Identification Number 00-0000000
Entity Address Address Line 1 207 Queens Quay West
Entity Address Address Line 2 Suite 590
Entity Address City Or Town Toronto
Entity Address State Or Province ON
Entity Address Postal Zip Code M5J IA7
Entity Address Country CA
City Area Code 877
Local Phone Number 542-9253
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Security 12b Title Common shares, without par value
Trading Symbol LICY
Security Exchange Name NYSE
Entity Emerging Growth Company false
Amendment Flag false
Entity Central Index Key 0001828811

Li Cycle (NYSE:LICY)
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