EXECUTION COPY
(METAL SUPPLY AGREEMENT #1
REMELT ALUMINUM INGOT)
EXHIBIT 10.2
METAL SUPPLY AGREEMENT
between
NOVELIS INC.
(as Purchaser)
and
ALCAN INC.
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(as Supplier)
FOR THE SUPPLY OF REMELT ALUMINUM INGOT
DATED JANUARY 5, 2005, WITH EFFECT AS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION.......................................... 1
1.1 Definitions........................................................ 1
1.2 Currency........................................................... 5
1.3 Vienna Convention.................................................. 5
2. ALUMINUM................................................................ 6
2.1 Supply and Sale by the Supplier.................................... 6
2.2 Purchase by the Purchaser.......................................... 6
2.3 Notification of Quantities of Aluminum Required by the Purchaser... 6
2.4 Scheduling of Quantities........................................... 7
2.5 Supplier's Shipping Obligations.................................... 8
2.6 Price.............................................................. 8
2.7 Quality............................................................ 9
2.8 Payment............................................................ 9
2.9 Delivery........................................................... 10
2.10 Title and Risk of Loss............................................. 10
3. FORCE MAJEURE........................................................... 10
3.1 Effect of Force Majeure............................................ 10
3.2 Definition......................................................... 11
3.3 Notice............................................................. 11
3.4 Pro Rata Allocation................................................ 11
3.5 Consultation....................................................... 11
3.6 Termination........................................................ 12
4. ASSIGNMENT.............................................................. 12
4.1 Prohibition on Assignments......................................... 12
4.2 Assignment within Alcan Group or Novelis Group..................... 12
5. TERM AND TERMINATION.................................................... 13
5.1 Effectiveness...................................................... 13
5.2 Term............................................................... 13
5.3 Extension.......................................................... 13
5.4 Termination........................................................ 13
6. EVENTS OF DEFAULT....................................................... 14
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.......................................... 15
8. CONFIDENTIALITY......................................................... 15
9. DISPUTE RESOLUTION...................................................... 15
9.1 Disputes........................................................... 15
9.2 Continuing Obligations............................................. 15
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10. MISCELLANEOUS........................................................... 15
10.1 Construction....................................................... 15
10.2 Notices............................................................ 15
10.3 Governing Law...................................................... 16
10.4 Judgment Currency.................................................. 16
10.5 Entire Agreement................................................... 17
10.6 Conflicts.......................................................... 17
10.7 Severability....................................................... 17
10.8 Survival........................................................... 17
10.9 Execution in Counterparts.......................................... 17
10.10 Amendments......................................................... 17
10.11 Waivers............................................................ 18
10.12 No Partnership..................................................... 18
10.13 Taxes, Royalties and Duties........................................ 18
10.14 Limitations of Liability........................................... 18
SCHEDULES
1 Contract Tonnage and Estimated Requirement and Shipping Schedule for
Contract Year 1
2 Aluminum Specifications
3. Low Profile Sow
METAL SUPPLY AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT entered into in the City of Montreal, Province of Quebec, is
dated January ____, 2005, with effect as of the Effective Date.
BETWEEN: NOVELIS INC., a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business
Corporations Act ("NOVELIS" or the "PURCHASER");
AND: ALCAN INC., a corporation organized under the Canada Business
Corporations Act ("ALCAN" or the "SUPPLIER").
RECITALS:
WHEREAS Alcan and Novelis have entered into a Separation Agreement pursuant to
which they set out the terms and conditions relating to the separation of the
Separated Businesses from the Remaining Alcan Businesses (each as defined
therein), such that the Separated Businesses are to be held, as at the Effective
Time (as defined therein), directly or indirectly, by Novelis (such agreement,
as amended, restated or modified from time to time, the "SEPARATION AGREEMENT").
WHEREAS the Supplier wishes to supply, and the Purchaser wishes to purchase,
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Aluminum (as defined
below) required by the Purchaser at the Delivery Sites (as defined below).
WHEREAS the Parties have entered into this Agreement in order to set forth such
terms and conditions.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, covenants and other
provisions set forth in this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
1.1 DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms and expressions and
variations thereof shall, unless another meaning is clearly required in the
context, have the meanings specified or referred to in this Section 1.1:
"AFFECTED PARTY" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
"AFFILIATE" of any Person means any other Person that, directly or
indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with
such first Person as of the date on which or at any time during the period
for when such determination is being made. For purposes of this definition,
"CONTROL" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such
Person, whether
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through the ownership of voting securities or other interests, by contract
or otherwise and the terms "CONTROLLING" and "CONTROLLED" have meanings
correlative to the foregoing.
"AGREED DISCOUNT" means $7 (or such other amount as may be notified by the
Supplier to the Purchaser in writing 3 months prior to the application of
such other amount) per Tonne of Aluminum supplied from the Supplier's
Allouette smelter to the Purchaser's Saguenay Works facility.
"AGREEMENT" means this Metal Supply Agreement, including all of the
Schedules hereto.
"ALCAN" means Alcan Inc.
"ALCAN GROUP" means Alcan and its Subsidiaries from time to time on and
after the Effective Date.
"ALUMINUM" means aluminum metal conforming to the Specifications set forth
in SCHEDULE 2, produced at the Supplier Facilities.
"ALUMINUM PRICE" for any calendar month means the arithmetic average of the
midwest transaction prices for primary high grade aluminum as published in
Metals Week on each day during the calendar month preceding such calendar
month or as otherwise determined pursuant to Section 2.6(b), less *** of
the Three Month LME Price for such calendar month, less the Agreed Discount
(if applicable).
"APPLICABLE LAW" means any applicable law, rule or regulation of any
Governmental Authority or any outstanding order, judgment, injunction,
ruling or decree by any Governmental Authority.
"BILL OF LADING DATE" means the date of the bill of lading representing
Aluminum cargo to be delivered under this Agreement.
"BUSINESS CONCERN" means any corporation, company, limited liability
company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated association or
any other form of association.
"BUSINESS DAY" means any day excluding (i) Saturday, Sunday and any other
day which, in the City of Montreal (Canada) or in the City of New York
(United States), is a legal holiday, or (ii) a day on which banks are
authorized by Applicable Law to close in the city of Montreal (Canada) or
in the city of New York (United States).
"COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE EFFORTS" means the efforts that a reasonable and
prudent Person desirous of achieving a business result would use in similar
circumstances to ensure that such result is achieved as expeditiously as
possible in the context of commercial
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*** Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been
requested with respect to the omitted portions.
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relations of the type contemplated in this Agreement; provided, however,
that an obligation to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts under this
Agreement does not require the Person subject to that obligation to assume
any material obligations or pay any material amounts to a Third Party or
take actions that would reduce the benefits intended to be obtained by such
Person under this Agreement.
"CONSENT" means any approval, consent, ratification, waiver or other
authorization.
"CONTRACT TONNAGE" has the meaning set out in Section 2.3(c).
"CONTRACT YEAR" means (a) initially the period commencing on the Effective
Date and ending on the last day of the calendar year in which the Effective
Date occurs (such initial period being "CONTRACT YEAR 1") and (b)
thereafter, each successive period consisting of twelve calendar months
(the first such period being "CONTRACT YEAR 2"), provided that the final
Contract Year shall end on the last day of the Term.
"CPT" means, to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of this
Agreement, CPT as defined in Incoterms 2000, published by the ICC, Paris,
France, as amended from time to time.
"DEFAULT INTEREST RATE" means the rate of interest charged by the Supplier
from time to time on late payments in accordance with Supplier's normal
commercial practice as indicated on invoices issued by Supplier to
Purchaser hereunder.
"DEFAULTING PARTY" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.
"DELIVERY SITE" means any of the following facilities of the Purchaser as
specified, in respect of each shipment of Aluminum, in the Monthly
Requirement Schedule provided by the Purchaser hereunder:
(a) Logan Aluminum, Russelville, Kentucky;
(b) Oswego Plant, Oswego, New York;
(c) Berea Plant, Berea, Kentucky;
(d) Greensboro Plant, Greensboro, Georgia;
(e) Scepter Aluminum, New Johnsville, Tennessee;
(f) Saguenay Works Facility, located at 2040 Fay Street, Jonquiere,
Quebec, Canada; and
(g) such other facilities of the Purchaser as may be agreed to by the
Parties in writing.
"DISPUTES" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.
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"DOLLARS" or "$" means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
"EFFECTIVE DATE" means the "Effective Date" as defined in the Separation
Agreement.
"EVENT OF DEFAULT" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.
"FORCE MAJEURE" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.
"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means any court, arbitration panel, governmental
or regulatory authority, agency, stock exchange, commission or body.
"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION" means any Consent, license, certificate,
franchise, registration or permit issued, granted, given or otherwise made
available by, or under the authority of, any Governmental Authority or
pursuant to any Applicable Law.
"ICC" means the International Chamber of Commerce.
"INCOTERMS 2000" means the set of international rules updated in the year
2000 for the interpretation of the most commonly used trade terms for
foreign trade, as published by the ICC.
"LIABILITIES" has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.
"LME" means the London Metal Exchange.
"METAL REQUIREMENT SCHEDULES" means the Monthly Requirement Schedule.
"MONTHLY REQUIREMENT SCHEDULE" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).
"NOVELIS" means Novelis Inc.
"NOVELIS GROUP" means Novelis Inc. and its Subsidiaries from time to time
on and after the Effective Date.
"PARTY" means each of the Purchaser and the Supplier as a party to this
Agreement and "PARTIES" means both of them.
"PERSON" means any individual, Business Concern or Governmental Authority.
"PURCHASER" has the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Agreement.
"SALES TAXES" means any sales, use, consumption, goods and services, value
added or similar tax, duty or charge imposed by a Governmental Authority
pursuant to Applicable Law.
"SEPARATION AGREEMENT" has the meaning set out in the Preamble to this
Agreement.
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"SPECIFICATIONS" means specifications for Aluminum as set out in SCHEDULE
2, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time by agreement of the
Parties.
"SUBSIDIARY" of any Person means any corporation, partnership, limited
liability entity, joint venture or other organization, whether incorporated
or unincorporated, of which a majority of the total voting power of capital
stock or other interests entitled (without the occurrence of any
contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees
thereof, is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by
such Person.
"SUPPLIER" has the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Agreement.
"SUPPLIER FACILITIES" means smelters owned by the Supplier or any other
smelters that produce LME registered brand aluminum (other than smelters
located in India, Egypt or Iran).
"TERM" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
"TERMINATING PARTY" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.
"THIRD PARTY" means a Person that is not a Party to this Agreement, other
than a member or an Affiliate of Alcan Group or a member or an Affiliate of
Novelis Group.
"THIRD PARTY CLAIM" has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.
"THREE MONTH LME PRICE" for any calendar month means the arithmetic average
LME 3-Month sellers price for primary high grade aluminum, as published in
Metal Bulletin on each day during the calendar month preceding such
calendar month, or as otherwise determined pursuant to Section 2.6(b). As
an example, the Three Month LME Price for the month of April will be based
on aluminum prices published during the month of March.
"TONNE" means 1,000 kilograms.
1.2 CURRENCY
All references to currency herein are to Dollars unless otherwise
specified.
1.3 VIENNA CONVENTION
The Parties agree that the terms of the United Nations Convention (Vienna
Convention) on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (1980) shall
not apply to this Agreement or the obligations of the Parties hereunder.
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2. ALUMINUM
2.1 SUPPLY AND SALE BY THE SUPPLIER
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, beginning on
the Effective Date and continuing throughout the Term of this
Agreement, the Supplier shall supply and sell to the Purchaser "CPT
the applicable Delivery Site" the quantities of Aluminum set out in
the Monthly Requirement Schedules, subject to Section 2.4(b) and
provided that such quantities are equal, in each Contract Year, to the
Contract Tonnage for such Contract Year.
(b) The Supplier shall supply Aluminum from a Supplier Facility of the
Supplier's choosing or from such other sources and locations as may be
agreed by the Parties. The Supplier shall consider supplying, but
shall not be obligated to supply, Aluminum to the Purchaser from the
Supplier's smelter located in Sebree, Kentucky. The Supplier shall
also consider supplying, but shall not be obligated to supply,
Aluminum from its Alouette smelter to Purchaser's Saguenay Works
Facility at a discounted price.
2.2 PURCHASE BY THE PURCHASER
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, beginning on the
Effective Date and continuing throughout the Term of this Agreement, the
Purchaser shall purchase and take delivery from the Supplier "CPT the
applicable Delivery Site" the quantities of Aluminum set out in the Monthly
Requirement Schedules, subject to Section 2.4(b) and provided that such
quantities are equal, in each Contract Year, to the Contract Tonnage for
such Contract Year.
2.3 NOTIFICATION OF QUANTITIES OF ALUMINUM REQUIRED BY THE PURCHASER
(a) The Purchaser estimates that the Purchaser will require approximately
*** Tonnes of Aluminum annually. Subject to Section 2.4(b), the
Contract Tonnage for each Contract Year during the first three
Contract Years in the Term of this Agreement shall be no greater than
*** Tonnes of Aluminum and no less than *** Tonnes of Aluminum.
(b) The Purchaser and the Supplier shall use Commercially Reasonable
Efforts to arrange for shipping and delivery schedules to be evenly
spread on a monthly basis throughout each Contract Year.
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*** Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been
requested with respect to the omitted portions.
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(c) On or before October 31 in each Contract Year, the Purchaser shall
submit to the Supplier a notice setting forth the annual quantity of
Aluminum required for the next succeeding Contract Year (the "CONTRACT
TONNAGE" for such Contract Year), and an estimated shipping schedule
and quantities of Aluminum to be purchased in each calendar month of
such Contract Year. In establishing such shipping schedule, the
Purchaser shall endeavour to divide the Contract Tonnage as evenly as
possible for delivery throughout each month in the Contract Year
(monthly range: Contract Tonnage divided by 12 plus or minus 15% in
any given month, provided that the Contract Tonnage is respected). The
Contract Tonnage for Contract Year 1, and the estimated shipping
schedule and quantities of Aluminum to be delivered in each calendar
month during Contract Year 1, is set out in SCHEDULE 1 hereto.
2.4 SCHEDULING OF QUANTITIES
(a) Throughout the Term of this Agreement, by the fifteenth (15th) day of
each calendar month (and if such day is not a Business Day, on the
Business Day immediately preceding such 15th day), the Purchaser shall
notify the Supplier of:
(i) the quantity of Aluminum it will purchase during the following
calendar month; the Purchaser shall use Commercially Reasonable
Efforts to ensure that the quantities identified in the Monthly
Requirement Schedules in each Contract Year are as nearly equal
as possible, and in any event would not fluctuate in respect of
delivery in any particular month by more or less than fifteen
percent (15%) of the Contract Tonnage divided by 12; and
(ii) the Purchaser's best estimate (which is non-binding) of its
Aluminum requirements during the two (2) calendar months
following the calendar month referred to in Section 2.4(a)(i);
collectively, the "MONTHLY REQUIREMENT SCHEDULE".
The Monthly Requirement Schedule for the first twelve (12) calendar months
in the Term of this Agreement is set out in SCHEDULE 1 hereto.
(b) The Parties agree that (i) the Aluminum delivered hereunder to the
Purchaser's Delivery Site located in Oswego, New York in each Contract
Year shall be no less than *** Tonnes (spread evenly thoughout the
year at approximately *** Tonnes per month) plus 75% of Aluminum
supplied in excess of *** Tonnes in each Contract Year, and (ii) the
Supplier shall supply at least *** Tonnes of Aluminum in each
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*** Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been
requested with respect to the omitted portions.
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Contract Year from smelters in the Province of Quebec, Canada, in which the
Supplier holds an ownership interest.
2.5 SUPPLIER'S SHIPPING OBLIGATIONS
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Incoterms 2000 and Section 2.10, the
Supplier acknowledges its responsibility to make all necessary
arrangements for the shipment and the transportation of Aluminum to
the Delivery Site on behalf of the Purchaser. The Supplier shall act
as the disclosed agent of the Purchaser in entering into contracts for
hiring carriers for the shipment of Aluminum under this Agreement. In
doing this, the Supplier shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to
obtain competitive freight rates and shall consult with the Purchaser
before entering into any long term contracts for hiring carriers on
behalf of the Purchaser. The Supplier shall use Commercially
Reasonable Efforts to ensure that such transportation is suitable for
delivering the Aluminum to the Delivery Site.
(b) The Supplier undertakes to maintain the same practices and levels of
service in respect of shipments of Aluminum hereunder as are
consistent with its past and current practices. The Supplier
undertakes to ensure that any shipment of Aluminum supplied hereunder:
(i) to the Purchaser's facilities at Oswego Plant, Oswego, New York,
may be made by rail or truck, in accordance with current practice
at the time this Agreement is entered into, with any change
requiring mutual agreement;
(ii) to the Purchaser's facilities at the Logan Aluminum Plant,
Russelville, Kentucky, are made by either rail or truck, at the
Supplier's option; and
(iii) to the Purchaser's other Delivery Sites, by means of transport
at the option of the Supplier.
2.6 PRICE
(a) The price payable by the Purchaser to the Supplier for each Tonne of
Aluminum sold and purchased pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 shall be
the Aluminum Price. The date used for calculating the Aluminum Price
for any shipment of Aluminum shall be the Bill of Lading Date.
(b) In the event that (i) the LME ceases or suspends trading in Aluminum,
(ii) Metal Week ceases to be published or ceases to publish the
relevant reference price for determining the Aluminum Price, or (iii)
Metal Bulletin ceases to be published or ceases publication of the
relevant reference price for determining the Three Month LME Price,
the Parties shall meet with a view to agreeing on an alternative
publication or, as applicable, an alternative reference price. If the
Parties fail to reach an agreement within sixty (60) days of any Party
having notified the other to enter into discussions to agree to an
alternative publication or reference price, then
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the Chairman of the LME in London, England or his nominee shall be
requested to select a suitable reference in lieu thereof and an
appropriate amendment to the terms of this Section 2.6. The decision
of the Chairman or his nominee shall be final and binding on the
Parties.
2.7 QUALITY
(a) Aluminum supplied under this Agreement shall comply with the
Specifications set forth in SCHEDULE 2. The Supplier shall use
Commercially Reasonable Efforts to notify the Purchaser prior to
shipment of any Aluminum that does not meet Specifications. The
Purchaser shall not be required to accept delivery of any Aluminum
that does not meet Specifications. If the Purchaser does not accept
delivery of Aluminum not meeting Specifications, the Supplier's
obligation shall be limited to the assumption of all costs for return
of such Aluminum to the Supplier, and for the delivery of replacement
Aluminum to the Purchaser. All other express or implied warranties,
conditions and other terms relating to Aluminum hereunder, including
warranties relating to merchantability or fitness for a particular
purpose, are hereby excluded to the fullest extent permitted by
Applicable Law.
(b) If the Specifications for Aluminum supplied by the Supplier change,
the Supplier may propose that the Specifications set forth in SCHEDULE
2 be amended to reflect such changes, and SCHEDULE 2 shall be amended
with the agreement of both Parties. If the revised Specifications do
not result in increased costs for the processing of such Aluminum by
the Purchaser, the Purchaser shall not withhold or delay its consent
to such proposed amendment to the specifications.
(c) The Purchaser and the Supplier shall comply with their obligations set
forth in SCHEDULE 2.
2.8 PAYMENT
(a) The Purchaser shall pay the Supplier in full, in accordance with
Supplier's commercial invoice, for each shipment of Aluminum meeting
the Specifications set out in Schedule 2 or otherwise accepted by
Purchaser. Payment shall be made every 14 days commencing February 14,
2005 (each a "Payment Date"), or if such day is not a Business Day,
then on the immediately following Business Day. Payment shall be made
on each Payment Date in respect of all invoices issued not later than
31 days prior to such payment date and not previously paid, with
invoices issued after such date being payable on the next following
Payment Date.
(b) If the Purchaser believes that a shipment of Aluminum does not meet
the Specifications set out in SCHEDULE 2 and has rejected such
shipment in a timely manner in accordance with the terms hereof, it
need not pay the invoice. However, if the Purchaser subsequently
accepts that the Aluminum complies with the Specifications set out in
SCHEDULE 2, the Purchaser shall pay the invoice and, if
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payment is overdue pursuant to Section 2.8(a) above, interest in
accordance with Section 2.8(c).
(c) If any payment required to be made pursuant to Section 2.8(a) above is
overdue, the full amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal
to the Default Interest Rate calculated on the actual number of days
elapsed, accrued from and excluding the date on which such payment was
due, up to and including the actual date of receipt of payment in the
nominated bank or banking account.
(d) All amounts paid to the Supplier or the Purchaser hereunder shall be
paid in Dollars by wire transfer in immediately available funds or by
ACH to the account specified by the Supplier or Purchaser, as
applicable, by notice from time to time by one Party to the other
hereunder.
(e) If any Party fails to purchase or supply, as applicable, any quantity
of Aluminum in any month as required under the terms of this
Agreement, such Party shall be liable to the other Party for all
direct damages, losses and costs resulting from such failure, provided
that such other Party shall use its Commercially Reasonable Efforts to
mitigate such damages, losses and costs.
2.9 DELIVERY
Aluminum shall be delivered CPT the applicable Delivery Site. The delivery
of Aluminum pursuant to this Section 2.9 shall be governed by Incoterms
2000, as amended from time to time.
2.10 TITLE AND RISK OF LOSS
Title to and risk of damage to and loss of Aluminum shall pass to the
Purchaser as the Aluminum is delivered by the Supplier to the carrier.
3. FORCE MAJEURE
3.1 EFFECT OF FORCE MAJEURE
No Party shall be liable for any loss or damage that arises directly or
indirectly through or as a result of any delay in the fulfilment of or
failure to fulfil its obligations in whole or in part (other than the
payment of money as may be owed by a Party) under this Agreement where the
delay or failure is due to Force Majeure. The obligations of the Party
affected by the event of Force Majeure (the "AFFECTED PARTY") shall be
suspended, to the extent that those obligations are affected by the event
of Force Majeure, from the date the Affected Party first gives notice in
respect of that event of Force Majeure until cessation of that event of
Force Majeure (or the consequences thereof).
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3.2 DEFINITION
"FORCE MAJEURE" shall mean any act, occurrence or omission (or other
event), subsequent to the commencement of the Term hereof, which is beyond
the reasonable control of the Affected Party including, but not limited to:
fires, explosions, accidents, strikes, lockouts or labour disturbances,
floods, droughts, earthquakes, epidemics, seizures of cargo, wars (whether
or not declared), civil commotion, acts of God or the public enemy, action
of any government, legislature, court or other Governmental Authority,
action by any authority, representative or organisation exercising or
claiming to exercise powers of a government or Governmental Authority,
compliance with Applicable Law, blockades, power failures or curtailments,
inadequacy or shortages or curtailments or cessation of supplies of raw
materials or other supplies, failure or breakdown of equipment of
facilities, the invocation of Force Majeure by any party to an agreement
under which any Party's operations are affected, and any declaration of
Force Majeure by the facility producing the Aluminum, or any other event
beyond the reasonable control of the Parties whether or not similar to the
events or occurrences enumerated above. In no circumstances shall problems
with making payments constitute Force Majeure.
3.3 NOTICE
Upon the occurrence of an event of Force Majeure, the Affected Party shall
promptly give notice to the other Party hereto setting forth the details of
the event of Force Majeure and an estimate of the likely duration of the
Affected Party's inability to fulfil its obligations under this Agreement.
The Affected Party shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to remove the
said cause or causes and to resume, with the shortest possible delay,
compliance with its obligations under this Agreement provided that the
Affected Party shall not be required to settle any strike, lockout or
labour dispute on terms not acceptable to it. When the said cause or causes
have ceased to exist, the Affected Party shall promptly give notice to the
other Party that such cause or causes have ceased to exist.
3.4 PRO RATA ALLOCATION
If the Supplier's supply of any Aluminum to be delivered to the Purchaser
is stopped or disrupted by an event of Force Majeure, the Supplier shall
have the right to allocate its available supplies of such Aluminum, if any,
among any or all of its existing customers whether or not under contract,
in a fair and equitable manner. In addition, where the Supplier is the
Affected Party, it may (but shall not be required to) offer to supply, from
another source, Aluminum of similar quality in substitution for the
Aluminum subject to the event of Force Majeure to satisfy that amount which
would have otherwise been sold and purchased hereunder at a price which may
be more or less than the price hereunder.
3.5 CONSULTATION
Within thirty (30) days of the cessation of the event of Force Majeure, the
Parties shall consult with a view to reaching agreement as to the
Supplier's obligation to provide, and the Purchaser's obligation to take
delivery of, that quantity of Aluminum that could not be
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sold and purchased hereunder because of the event of Force Majeure,
provided that any such shortfall quantity has not been replaced by
substitute Aluminum pursuant to the terms above.
In the absence of any agreement by the Parties, failure to deliver or
accept delivery of Aluminum which is excused by or results from the
operation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 3 shall not extend
the Term of this Agreement and the quantities of Aluminum to be sold and
purchased under this Agreement shall be reduced by the quantities affected
by such failure.
3.6 TERMINATION
(a) If an event of Force Majeure where the Affected Party is the Purchaser
shall continue for more than *** consecutive calendar months, then the
Supplier shall have the right to terminate this Agreement.
(b) If an event of Force Majeure where the Affected Party is the Supplier
shall continue for more than *** consecutive calendar months, then the
Purchaser shall have the right to terminate this Agreement.
4. ASSIGNMENT
4.1 PROHIBITION ON ASSIGNMENTS
No Party shall assign or transfer this Agreement, in whole or in part, or
any interest or obligation arising under this Agreement, except as
permitted by Section 4.2, without the prior written consent of the other
Party.
4.2 ASSIGNMENT WITHIN ALCAN GROUP OR NOVELIS GROUP
(a) With the consent of Novelis, such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld or delayed, Alcan may elect to have one or more of the
Persons comprising the Alcan Group assume the rights and obligations
of the Supplier under this Agreement, provided that
(i) Alcan shall remain fully liable for all obligations of the
Supplier hereunder, and
(ii) the transferee will remain at all times a member of the Alcan
Group;
any such successor to Alcan as a Supplier under this Agreement shall
be deemed to be the "SUPPLIER" for all purposes of the Agreement.
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requested with respect to the omitted portions.
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(b) With the consent of Alcan, such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld or delayed, Novelis may elect to have one or more of the
Persons comprising the Novelis Group assume the rights and obligations
of the Purchaser under this Agreement, provided that
(i) Novelis shall remain fully liable for all obligations of the
Purchaser hereunder, and
(ii) the transferee will remain at all times a member of the Novelis
Group;
any such successor to Novelis as Purchaser under this Agreement shall
be deemed to be the "PURCHASER" for all purposes of this Agreement.
5. TERM AND TERMINATION
5.1 EFFECTIVENESS
This Agreement shall come into effect upon the Effective Date.
5.2 TERM
The term of this Agreement (the "TERM") shall be from the Effective Date
until ***, unless terminated earlier or extended pursuant to the provisions
of this Agreement.
5.3 EXTENSION
One year prior to the expiration of the Term, the Parties may, upon the
request of any Party, meet to negotiate in good faith a possible extension
of the Term for a further period on terms to be mutually agreed. If no such
Agreement is reached between the Parties, the Agreement shall terminate
upon expiry of the Term.
5.4 TERMINATION
This Agreement shall terminate:
(a) upon expiry of the Term;
(b) upon the mutual agreement of the Parties prior to the expiry of the
Term;
(c) pursuant to Section 3.6 as a result of Force Majeure; or
(d) upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, in accordance with Section
6.
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the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been
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6. EVENTS OF DEFAULT
This Agreement may be terminated in its entirety immediately at the option
of a Party (the "TERMINATING PARTY"), in the event that an Event of Default
occurs in relation to the other Party (the "DEFAULTING PARTY"), and such
termination shall take effect immediately upon the Terminating Party
providing notice to the Defaulting Party of the termination.
For the purposes of this Agreement, each of the following shall
individually and collectively constitute an "EVENT OF DEFAULT" with respect
to a Party:
(a) such Party defaults in payment of any payments which are due and
payable by it pursuant to this Agreement, and such default is not
cured within thirty (30) days following receipt by the Defaulting
Party of notice of such default;
(b) such Party breaches any of its material obligations pursuant to this
Agreement (other than as set out in paragraph (a) above), and fails to
cure it within sixty (60) days after receipt of notice from the
non-defaulting Party specifying the default with reasonable detail and
demanding that it be cured, provided that if such breach is not
capable of being cured within sixty (60) days after receipt of such
notice and the Party in default has diligently pursued efforts to cure
the default within the sixty (60) day period, no Event of Default
under this paragraph (b) shall occur;
(c) such Party breaches any material representation or warranty, or fails
to perform or comply with any material covenant, provision,
undertaking or obligation in or of the Separation Agreement;
(d) in relation to the Purchaser (1) upon the occurrence of a Non Compete
Breach (as defined in the Separation Agreement) and the giving of
notice of the termination of this Agreement by Alcan to Novelis
pursuant to Section 14.03(b) of the Separation Agreement and pursuant
to this paragraph of this Agreement, or (2) upon the occurrence of a
Change of Control Non Compete Breach (as defined in the Separation
Agreement) and the giving of notice of the termination of this
Agreement by Alcan to Novelis pursuant to Section 14.04(e) of the
Separation Agreement, in which event the termination of this Agreement
shall be effective immediately upon Alcan providing Novelis notice
pursuant to Section 14.03(b) or Section 14.04(e) of the Separation
Agreement;
(e) such Party (i) is bankrupt or insolvent or takes the benefit of any
statute in force for bankrupt or insolvent debtors, or (ii) files a
proposal or takes any action or proceeding before any court of
competent jurisdiction for dissolution, winding-up or liquidation, or
for the liquidation of its assets, or a receiver is appointed in
respect of its assets, which order, filing or appointment is not
rescinded within sixty (60) days; or
(f) proceedings are commenced by or against such Party under the laws of
any jurisdiction relating to reorganization, arrangement or
compromise.
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7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Parties hereby reiterate for the purposes of this Agreement those
representations and warranties set forth in Article VI of the Separation
Agreement.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY
Each of the Parties shall at all times be in full compliance with its
obligations under Sections 11.07 and 11.08 (Confidentiality) of the
Separation Agreement.
9. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
9.1 DISPUTES
The Master Agreement with respect to Dispute Resolution, effective on the
Effective Date, among the Parties and other parties thereto shall govern
all disputes, controversies or claims (whether arising in contract, delict,
tort or otherwise) ("DISPUTES") between the Parties that may arise out of,
or relate to, or arise under or in connection with, this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby (including all actions taken in
furtherance of the transactions contemplated hereby), or the commercial or
economic relationship of the Parties relating hereto or thereto.
9.2 CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS
The existence of a Dispute with respect to this Agreement between the
Parties shall not relieve either Party from performance of its obligations
under this Agreement that are not the subject of such Dispute.
10. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 CONSTRUCTION
The terms of Section 16.04 (Construction) of the Separation Agreement shall
apply to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis, as if all references therein to
the "Agreement" were deemed to be references to this Agreement.
10.2 NOTICES
All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to be duly given (a) on the date of delivery,
if delivered personally, (b) on the first Business Day following the date
of dispatch if delivered by a nationally recognized next-day courier
service, (c) on the date of actual receipt if delivered by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid or (d) if sent by
facsimile transmission, when transmitted and receipt is confirmed by
telephone. All notices hereunder shall be delivered as follows:
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IF TO THE PURCHASER, TO:
NOVELIS INC.
Suite 3800
Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower
P.O. Box 84
200 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5J 2Z4
Fax: 416-216-3930
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
IF TO THE SUPPLIER, TO:
ALCAN INC.
1188 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 3G2
Fax: 514-848-8115
Attention: Chief Legal Officer
Any Party may, by notice to the other Party, change the address or fax
number to which such notices are to be given.
10.3 GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the Province of Quebec and the laws of Canada
applicable therein, irrespective of conflict of laws principles under
Quebec law, as to all matters, including matters of validity, construction,
effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.
10.4 JUDGMENT CURRENCY
The obligations of a Party to make payments hereunder shall not be
discharged by an amount paid in any currency other than Dollars, whether
pursuant to a court judgment or arbitral award or otherwise, to the extent
that the amount so paid upon conversion to Dollars and transferred to an
account indicated by the Party to receive such funds under normal banking
procedures does not yield the amount of Dollars due, and each Party hereby,
as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment or award,
agrees to indemnify the other Party against, and to pay to such Party on
demand, in Dollars, any difference between the sum originally due in
Dollars and the amount of Dollars received upon any such conversion and
transfer.
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10.5 ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement, the Separation Agreement and schedules, exhibits, annexes
and appendices hereto and thereto and the specific agreements contemplated
herein or thereby contain the entire agreement between the Parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all previous agreements,
negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and
conversations with respect to such subject matter. No agreements or
understandings exist between the Parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein.
10.6 CONFLICTS
In case of any conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and the
Separation Agreement, this Agreement shall prevail.
10.7 SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person
or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the
application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in
jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or
unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated thereby, so long as the economic or legal
substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any
manner adverse to any Party. Upon such determination, the Parties shall
negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and
equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.
10.8 SURVIVAL
The obligations of the Parties under Sections 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 8, 9, 10.3 and
10.8 and liability for the breach of any obligation contained herein shall
survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.
10.9 EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which
shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective
when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and
delivered to the other Party.
10.10 AMENDMENTS
No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended,
supplemented or modified by any Party, unless such waiver, amendment,
supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized
representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such
waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.
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10.11 WAIVERS
No failure on the part of a Party to exercise and no delay in exercising,
and no course of dealing with respect to, any right, power or privilege
under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under this
Agreement preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of
any other right, power or privilege. The remedies provided herein are
cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by Applicable Law.
10.12 NO PARTNERSHIP
Nothing contained herein or in the Agreement shall make a Party a partner
of any other Party and no Party shall hold out the other as such.
10.13 TAXES, ROYALTIES AND DUTIES
All royalties, taxes and duties imposed or levied on any Aluminum delivered
hereunder (other than any taxes on the income of the Supplier) shall be for
the account of and paid by the Purchaser.
10.14 LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY
(a) Neither Party shall be liable to the other Party for any indirect,
collateral, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages,
lost profit or failure to realize expected savings or other commercial
or economic loss of any kind, howsoever caused, and on any theory of
liability (including negligence) arising in any way out of this
Agreement; provided, however, that the foregoing limitations shall not
limit any Parties' indemnification obligations for Liabilities with
respect to Third Party Claims as set forth Article IX of the
Separation Agreement (as if such Article IX was set out in full herein
by reference to the obligations of the Parties hereunder).
(b) Sections 9.04, 9.05, 9.06, 9.07 and 9.09 of the Separation Agreement
shall apply mutatis mutandis with respect to any Liability subject to
any indemnification or reimbursement pursuant to this Agreement.
[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Metal Supply Agreement
to be executed by their duly authorized representatives.
NOVELIS INC.
By: /s/ Brian W. Sturgell
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Name:
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Title:
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ALCAN INC.
By: /s/ David McAusland
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Name:
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Title:
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