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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2017

Registration Statement No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   2860   76-0346924

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600

Houston, Texas 77056

(713) 960-9111

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

L. Benjamin Ederington, Esq.

Vice President, General Counsel,

Chief Administrative Officer and

Corporate Secretary

Westlake Chemical Corporation

2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600

Houston, Texas 77056

(713) 960-9111

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copy to:

Timothy S. Taylor

Travis J. Wofford

Baker Botts L.L.P.

One Shell Plaza

910 Louisiana Street

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 229-1234

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.  ☐

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer   ☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company  

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)  ☐

Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)  ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

  Amount
to be
Registered
  Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Note
  Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
 

Amount of

Registration Fee(1)

4.625% Senior Notes due 2021

  $624,793,000   100%   $624,793,000   $72,413.51(2)

Guarantees of 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021(2)

       

4.875% Senior Notes due 2023

  $433,793,000   100%   $433,793,000   $50,276.61(2)

Guarantees of 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023(2)

       

3.600% Senior Notes due 2026

  $750,000,000   100%   $750,000,000   $86,925.00(2)

Guarantees of 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026(2)

       

5.000% Senior Notes due 2046

  $700,000,000   100%   $700,000,000   $81,130.00(2)

Guarantees of 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046(2)

       

 

 

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(f)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(2) No separate consideration will be received for the guarantees, and no separate fee is payable pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The registrants hereby amend this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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Table of Additional Guarantor Co-Registrants

 

Exact Name of Additional Registrant as Specified in its Charter

  

State of other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization

  

I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.

Geismar Holdings, Inc.

   Delaware    33-1036002

GVGP, Inc.

   Delaware    71-0921650

Westlake Chemical Investments, Inc.

   Delaware    76-0664309

Westlake Geismar Power Company LLC

   Delaware    35-2330798

Westlake Longview Corporation

   Delaware    61-1496835

Westlake Management Services, Inc.

   Delaware    76-0321065

Westlake NG I Corporation

   Delaware    30-0343980

Westlake Olefins Corporation

   Delaware    52-1629821

Westlake Pipeline Investments LLC

   Delaware    27-3400646

Westlake Polymers LLC

   Delaware    76-0144230

Westlake PVC Corporation

   Delaware    76-0346192

Westlake Resources Corporation

   Delaware    76-0321064

Westlake Styrene LLC

   Delaware    76-0294926

Westlake Supply and Trading Company

   Delaware    76-0377613

Westlake Vinyl Corporation

   Delaware    76-0414632

Westlake Vinyls Company LP

   Delaware    06-1641487

Westlake Vinyls, Inc.

   Delaware    76-0542667

WPT LLC

   Delaware    76-0469048

Westlake Petrochemicals LLC

   Delaware    76-0553330

Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC

   Delaware    81-2373646

North American Specialty Products LLC

   Delaware    46-2429042

Lagoon LLC

   Delaware    81-3419020

Axiall Corporation

   Delaware    58-1563799

Axiall Holdco, Inc.

   Delaware    46-4153802

Axiall Noteco, Inc.

   Delaware    47-2798878

Axiall Ohio, Inc.

   Delaware    46-1252288

Axiall, LLC

   Delaware    06-1559253

Eagle Holdco 3 LLC

   Delaware    46-1726321

Eagle Natrium LLC

   Delaware    46-1260242

Eagle Pipeline, Inc.

   Louisiana    74-2446833

Eagle Spinco Inc.

   Delaware    46-0769929

Eagle US 2 LLC

   Delaware    46-1269681

Georgia Gulf Lake Charles, LLC

   Delaware    06-1559251

PHH Monomers, LLC

   Louisiana    52-1930252

Plastic Trends, Inc.

   Michigan    38-1869628

Rome Delaware Corporation

   Delaware    20-5546010

Royals Building Products (USA) Inc.

   Delaware    98-0186359

Royal Plastics Group (U.S.A.) Limited

   Delaware    51-0398456

 

* The address and telephone number of each additional guarantor co-registrant’s principal executive office is 2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77056, Telephone (713) 960-9111.


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed without notice. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 13, 2017

PROSPECTUS

LOGO

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

Offer to Exchange

$624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021

(CUSIP Nos. 960413 AL6 (Rule 144A) U96060 AD7 (Regulation S))

for

$624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended

(CUSIP No. 960413 AQ5)

Offer to Exchange

$433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023

(CUSIP Nos. 960413 AN2 (Rule 144A) U96060 AE5 (Regulation S))

for

$433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended

(CUSIP No. 960413 AR3)

Offer to Exchange

$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026

(CUSIP Nos. 960413 AH5 (Rule 144A) U96060 AC9 (Regulation S))

for

$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended

(CUSIP No. 960413 AT9)

and

Offer to Exchange

$700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046

(CUSIP Nos. 960413 AG7 (Rule 144A) U96060 AB1 (Regulation S))

for

$700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended

(CUSIP No. 960413 AS1)

 

 

Westlake Chemical Corporation is offering to exchange, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal: (i) up to $624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding unregistered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Outstanding 2021 Notes”) for a like principal amount of its new 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Exchange Notes”), the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (ii) up to $433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding unregistered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Outstanding 2023 Notes”) for a like principal amount of its new 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “2023 Exchange Notes”), the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act, (iii) up to $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding unregistered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Outstanding 2026 Notes”) for a like principal amount of its new 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Exchange Notes”), the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act, and (iv) up to $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding unregistered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 (the “Outstanding 2046 Notes” and, together with the Outstanding 2021 Notes, Outstanding 2023 Notes and Outstanding 2026 Notes, the “Outstanding Notes”)


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for a like principal amount of its new 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 (the “2046 Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2021 Exchange Notes, the 2023 Exchange Notes and the 2026 Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes” and, the Exchange Notes, together with the Outstanding Notes, the “Notes”), the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act. We refer to these offers collectively as the “exchange offer”.

The form and terms of each series of Exchange Notes will be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes, except for the issue date and that the offer and issuance of the Exchange Notes will be registered under the Securities Act, and the transfer restrictions and registration rights, and related additional interest provisions, applicable to each series of Outstanding Notes will not apply to the Exchange Notes. Each series of Exchange Notes will represent the same principal amount of debt and interest as the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes.

Terms of the exchange offer:

 

    The exchange offer for each series of Outstanding Notes will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                 , 2017 (the “expiration date”), unless we extend it. We may extend the expiration date for the exchange offer for each series of Outstanding Notes independently.

 

    The exchange offer is subject to customary conditions, which we may waive.

 

    We will exchange all Outstanding Notes that are validly tendered and not properly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the exchange offer for an equal principal amount of applicable Exchange Notes. All interest due and payable on the Outstanding Notes will become due on the same terms under the applicable Exchange Notes.

 

    You may withdraw your tender of Outstanding Notes at any time prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.

 

    If you fail to tender your Outstanding Notes, you will continue to hold unregistered, restricted securities, and your ability to transfer them could be adversely affected.

 

    We believe that the exchange of Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes of the corresponding series should not be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but you should see the discussion under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” for more information.

 

    We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer.

 

    The Exchange Notes will be issued under the same indenture as the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes.

 

 

Please read “Risk Factors” beginning on page 9 for a discussion of factors you should consider before deciding whether to participate in the exchange offer.

Each broker-dealer that receives the Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge by way of the letter of transmittal that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the Exchange Notes. The letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, such broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of the Exchange Notes received in exchange for Outstanding Notes where such Outstanding Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, until                 , 2017, we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution.”

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

YOU SHOULD READ THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND RELATED DOCUMENTS AND ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS CAREFULLY BEFORE MAKING YOUR DECISION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                 , 2017.


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Table of Contents

 

     Page  

Forward-Looking Statements

     ii  

Summary

     1  

Risk Factors

     9  

The Exchange Offer

     15  

Use of Proceeds

     24  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     25  

Description of the 2021/2023 Exchange Notes

     26  

Description of the 2026/2046 Exchange Notes

     44  

Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

     63  

Plan of Distribution

     63  

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

     65  

Executive Compensation

     68  

2016 Summary Compensation Table

     80  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     86  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

     88  

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

     89  

Legal Matters

     90  

Experts

     90  

Where You Can Find More Information

     90  

 

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. In making your decision whether to participate in the exchange offer, you should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal accompanying this prospectus. We have not authorized any person to provide you with additional or different information. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. If you receive any unauthorized information, you must not rely on it. This prospectus may only be used where it is legal to exchange the Outstanding Notes for the Exchange Notes, and this prospectus is not an offer to exchange or a solicitation to exchange the Outstanding Notes for the Exchange Notes where such an offer, solicitation or exchange would be unlawful. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus or the date of such incorporated documents, as the case may be.

This prospectus incorporates by reference business and financial information about us that is not included in or delivered with this prospectus. This information is available without charge upon written or oral request directed to: Westlake Chemical Corporation, Attention: Investor Relations, 2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77056; telephone number: (713) 960-9111. To obtain timely delivery, you must request the information no later than the date which is five business days before the expiration date of the exchange offer for the applicable series of Outstanding Notes.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor provisions for forward-looking information. Certain of the statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus are forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus that address activities, events or developments that we expect, project, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “believes,” “intends,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “anticipates,” “expected” or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategies or trends. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give any assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements relate to matters such as:

 

    future operating rates, margins, cash flows and demand for our products;

 

    industry market outlook, including the price of crude oil;

 

    production capacities;

 

    currency devaluation;

 

    our ability to borrow additional funds under the Credit Agreement (defined below);

 

    our ability to meet our liquidity needs;

 

    our ability to meet debt obligations under our debt instruments;

 

    our intended quarterly dividends;

 

    future capacity additions and expansions in the industry;

 

    timing, funding and results of capital projects, such as the expansion program at our Calvert City facility and the construction of the ethylene facility as part of our joint venture with Lotte Chemical USA Corporation;

 

    results of acquisitions, including our acquisition of Axiall (defined below) (including the benefits, results and effects thereof);

 

    health of our customer base;

 

    pension plan obligations, funding requirements and investment policies;

 

    compliance with present and future environmental regulations and costs associated with environmentally related penalties, capital expenditures, remedial actions and proceedings, including any new laws, regulations or treaties that may come into force to limit or control carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions or to address other issues of climate change;

 

    effects of pending legal proceedings;

 

    timing of and amount of capital expenditures; and

 

    the consummation of the exchange offer.

We have based these statements on assumptions and analyses in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe were appropriate in the circumstances when the statements were made. Forward-looking statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results, and actual future results could differ materially from those described in such statements. While it is not possible to identify all factors, we continue to face many risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially are the risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and those described from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

    general economic and business conditions;

 

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    the cyclical nature of the chemical industry;

 

    the availability, cost and volatility of raw materials and energy;

 

    uncertainties associated with the United States, European and worldwide economies, including those due to political tensions and unrest in the Middle East, the Commonwealth of Independent States (including Ukraine) and elsewhere;

 

    current and potential governmental regulatory actions in the United States and other countries and political unrest in other areas;

 

    industry production capacity and operating rates;

 

    the supply/demand balance for our products;

 

    competitive products and pricing pressures;

 

    instability in the credit and financial markets;

 

    access to capital markets;

 

    terrorist acts;

 

    operating interruptions (including leaks, explosions, fires, weather-related incidents, mechanical failure, unscheduled downtime, labor difficulties, transportation interruptions, spills and releases and other environmental risks);

 

    changes in laws or regulations;

 

    technological developments;

 

    our ability to realize anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Axiall and to integrate Axiall’s business;

 

    charges or other liabilities relating to the acquisition of Axiall;

 

    the significant indebtedness that we have incurred in connection with the acquisition of Axiall;

 

    our ability to integrate acquired businesses other than Axiall;

 

    foreign currency exchange risks;

 

    our ability to implement our business strategies; and

 

    creditworthiness of our customers.

Many of such factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Any of the factors, or a combination of these factors, could materially affect our future results of operations and the ultimate accuracy of the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of our future performance, and our actual results and future developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Management cautions against putting undue reliance on forward-looking statements or projecting any future results based on such statements or present or prior earnings levels. Every forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

 

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Summary

This summary highlights selected information about us but does not contain all the information that may be important to you. This prospectus includes specific information about the exchange offer and incorporates by reference information about our business and financial data. You should read carefully this prospectus, including the matters set forth under the caption “Risk Factors,” and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus before making a decision whether to participate in the exchange offer.

In this prospectus, except under the captions “Description of the 2021/2023 Exchange Notes” and “Description of the 2026/2046 Exchange Notes,” and unless the context indicates otherwise, references to “Westlake,” the “Company,” “we” and “us” refer to Westlake Chemical Corporation and its subsidiaries.

Our Company

We are a vertically integrated global manufacturer and marketer of basic chemicals, vinyls, polymers and building products. Our products include some of the most widely used chemicals in the world, which are fundamental to many diverse consumer and industrial markets, including flexible and rigid packaging, automotive products, coatings, water treatment, refrigerants, residential and commercial construction as well as other durable and non-durable goods. We operate in two principal operating segments, Olefins and Vinyls. We are highly integrated along our olefins product chain with significant downstream integration into polyethylene and styrene monomer. We are also an integrated global producer of vinyls with substantial downstream integration into polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) building products.

We began operations in 1986 after our first polyethylene plant, an Olefins segment business, near Lake Charles, Louisiana was acquired from Occidental Petroleum Corporation. We began our vinyls operations in 1990 with the acquisition of a vinyl chloride monomer (“VCM”) plant in Calvert City, Kentucky from the Goodrich Corporation. In 1992, we commenced our Vinyls segment building products operations after acquiring three PVC pipe plants. Since 1986, we have grown rapidly into an integrated global producer of petrochemicals, vinyls, polymers and building products. We achieved this by acquiring existing plants or constructing new plants and completing numerous capacity or production line expansions. We regularly consider acquisitions and other internal and external growth opportunities that would be consistent with or complementary to our overall business strategy.

In 2014, we formed Westlake Chemical Partners LP (“Westlake Partners”) to operate, acquire and develop ethylene production facilities and related assets. Also in 2014, Westlake Partners completed an initial public offering of 12,937,500 common units (the “Westlake Partners IPO”). As of February 15, 2017, Westlake Partners’ assets consist of a 13.3% limited partner interest in Westlake Chemical OpCo LP (“OpCo”), as well as the general partner interest in OpCo. Prior to the Westlake Partners IPO, OpCo’s assets were wholly owned by us. OpCo’s assets include two ethylene production facilities at our olefins facility at our Lake Charles site, one ethylene production facility at our Calvert City site and a 200-mile common carrier ethylene pipeline that runs from Mont Belvieu, Texas to the Longview, Texas site, which includes our Longview polyethylene production facility. We retain an 86.7% limited partner interest in OpCo, a 52.2% limited partner interest in Westlake Partners (common and subordinated units), a general partner interest in Westlake Partners and incentive distribution rights. The operations of Westlake Partners are consolidated in our financial statements. We are party to certain agreements with Westlake Partners and OpCo whereby, among other things, OpCo sells us 95% of the ethylene it produces on a cost-plus basis that is expected to generate a fixed margin per pound of $0.10. We use this ethylene in the production processes of both our Olefins and Vinyls segments.

 



 

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On August 31, 2016, we completed the acquisition of Axiall Corporation (“Axiall”) for $33.00 per share in an all-cash transaction (the “Merger”), pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of June 10, 2016, by and among Westlake, Axiall and Lagoon Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Westlake. Axiall is a manufacturer and international marketer of chemicals and building products, with manufacturing sites in North America. The combined company is the third-largest global chlor-alkali producer and the third-largest PVC producer in the world.

We benefit from highly integrated production facilities that allow us to process raw materials into higher value-added chemicals and building products. As of February 15, 2017, we (directly and through OpCo and our 95% and 60% owned Asian joint ventures) had 39.8 billion pounds per year of aggregate production capacity at numerous manufacturing sites in North America, Europe and Asia.

Our principal executive offices are located at 2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77056, and our telephone number is (713) 960-9111.

 



 

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The Exchange Offer

On August 10, 2016, we issued $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of unregistered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 and $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of unregistered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046. On September 7, 2016, we issued $624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of unregistered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 and $433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of unregistered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023. On both issuance dates for the Outstanding Notes, we entered into registration rights agreements (collectively, the “Registration Rights Agreements”) in which we agreed, among other things, to use our commercially reasonable efforts to complete the exchange offer for the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes. The following is a summary of the exchange offer and is not intended to be complete. You should read the full text and more specific detail contained elsewhere in this prospectus. For a more detailed description of the Exchange Notes, see “Description of the 2021/2023 Exchange Notes” and “Description of the 2026/2046 Exchange Notes” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Exchange Offer  

Westlake Chemical Corporation is offering to exchange, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal:

    up to $624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its Outstanding 2021 Notes in exchange for an equal principal amount of 2021 Exchange Notes to satisfy its obligations under the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;
    up to $433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its Outstanding 2023 Notes in exchange for an equal principal amount of 2023 Exchange Notes to satisfy its obligations under the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;
    up to $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its Outstanding 2026 Notes in exchange for an equal principal amount of 2026 Exchange Notes to satisfy its obligations under the applicable Registration Rights Agreement; and
    up to $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its Outstanding 2046 Notes in exchange for an equal principal amount of 2046 Exchange Notes to satisfy its obligations under the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.
  The form and terms of each series of Exchange Notes will be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes, except for the issue date and that the offer and issuance of the Exchange Notes will be registered under the Securities Act, and the transfer restrictions and registration rights, and related additional interest provisions, applicable to each series of Outstanding Notes will not apply to the corresponding series of Exchange Notes. Each series of Exchange Notes will represent the same principal amount of debt and interest as the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes.
Expiration Date   The exchange offer for each series of Outstanding Notes will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                 , 2017, unless we extend it with respect to one or more series of Outstanding Notes. We may extend the expiration date for the exchange offer for each series of Outstanding Notes independently.
Conditions to the Exchange Offer   The exchange offer is subject to customary conditions. We may, at our option and in our sole discretion, assert or waive these conditions. The Registration Rights Agreements do not require us to accept Outstanding Notes for exchange if the exchange offer or the making of any exchange by a holder of the Outstanding Notes would violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC. There is no condition to the exchange offer that a minimum aggregate principal amount of any series of Outstanding Notes be tendered. Please read “The Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer” for more information about the conditions to the exchange offer.

 



 

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Procedures for Tendering the Outstanding Notes  

Each holder of Outstanding Notes that wishes to tender its Outstanding Notes must either:

    complete, sign and date the accompanying letter of transmittal or a facsimile copy of the letter of transmittal, have the signatures on the letter of transmittal guaranteed, if required, and deliver the letter of transmittal, together with any other required documents (including the Outstanding Notes), to the exchange agent; or
    if Outstanding Notes are tendered pursuant to book-entry procedures, the tendering holder must deliver a completed and duly executed letter of transmittal or arrange with The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, to cause an agent’s message to be transmitted with the required information (including a book-entry confirmation) to the exchange agent.
  As a condition to participating in the exchange offer, holders of Outstanding Notes will be required to represent that the following are true:
    any Exchange Notes to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business;
    at the time of the commencement of the exchange offer it has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act;
    it is not an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of us or the guarantors of the Exchange Notes; and
    if such holder is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, then such holder will deliver this prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available this prospectus to purchasers) in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes.
  For more details, please read “The Exchange Offer — Terms of the Exchange Offer” and “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering.”
No Guaranteed Delivery Procedures   No guaranteed delivery procedures are being offered in connection with the exchange offer. You must tender your Outstanding Notes by the expiration date in order to participate in the exchange offer.
Withdrawal of Tenders   You may withdraw your tender of Outstanding Notes at any time prior to the expiration date. Any withdrawal must be in accordance with the procedures described in “The Exchange Offer — Withdrawal of Tenders.”
Acceptance of Outstanding Notes and Delivery of Exchange Notes   If you fulfill all conditions required for proper acceptance of Outstanding Notes, we will accept any and all Outstanding Notes that are validly tendered in the exchange offer and not properly withdrawn before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. We will return to you any Outstanding Notes that we do not accept for exchange without expense promptly after the expiration date. We will deliver the Exchange Notes promptly after the expiration date. Please read “The Exchange Offer—Terms of the Exchange Offer.”
Special Procedures for Beneficial Owners   If you own a beneficial interest in Outstanding Notes that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to tender the Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer, please contact the registered holder as soon as possible and instruct it to tender on your behalf and to comply with our instructions described in this prospectus.

 



 

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Use of Proceeds   We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the Exchange Notes. We are making the exchange offer solely to satisfy our obligations under the Registration Rights Agreements.
Consequences of Failure to Exchange Outstanding Notes   If you do not exchange your Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer, you will continue to hold unregistered Outstanding Notes and you will no longer be able to require us to register the Outstanding Notes under the Securities Act or be entitled to the special interest provisions related thereto, except in the limited circumstances provided under the Registration Rights Agreements. Please read “The Exchange Offer — Consequences of Failure to Exchange.” In addition, you will not be able to resell, offer to resell or otherwise transfer the Outstanding Notes unless we have registered the Outstanding Notes under the Securities Act, or unless you resell, offer to resell or otherwise transfer them under an exemption from the registration requirements of, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act.
Fees and Expenses   We will bear all expenses related to the exchange offer. Please read “The Exchange Offer— Fees and Expenses.”
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations   We believe that the exchange of Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes in the exchange offer will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please read “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
Exchange Agent   Global Bondholder Services Corporation is serving as the exchange agent for the exchange offer. The address, telephone number and facsimile number of the exchange agent are set forth under “The Exchange Offer—The Exchange Agent.”

 



 

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Summary of Terms of the Exchange Notes

The form and terms of each series of Exchange Notes will be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes, except for the issue date and that the offer and issuance of the Exchange Notes will be registered under the Securities Act, and the transfer restrictions and registration rights, and related additional interest provisions, applicable to each series of Outstanding Notes will not apply to the corresponding series of Exchange Notes. Each series of Exchange Notes will represent the same principal amount of debt and interest as the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes and will be governed by the same indenture as the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes, which is governed by New York law. We sometimes refer to both the Exchange Notes and the Outstanding Notes as the “Notes.”

The following summary contains basic information about the Exchange Notes and is not intended to be complete. It does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a more complete description of the Exchange Notes, please see “Description of the 2021/2023 Exchange Notes” and “Description of the 2026/2046 Exchange Notes,” as applicable.

 

Issuer   Westlake Chemical Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
Exchange Notes Offered  

Up to $624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of registered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021.

  Up to $433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of registered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023.
  Up to $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of registered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026.
  Up to $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of registered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046.
Maturity Dates  

The 2021 Exchange Notes will mature on February 15, 2021.

  The 2023 Exchange Notes will mature on May 15, 2023.
  The 2026 Exchange Notes will mature on August 15, 2026.
  The 2046 Exchange Notes will mature on August 15, 2046.
Interest Rate and Payment Dates  

The 2021 Exchange Notes will have an interest rate of 4.625% per annum payable in cash on February 15 and August 15, beginning on August 15, 2017.

  The 2023 Exchange Notes will have an interest rate of 4.875% per annum payable in cash on May 15 and November 15, beginning on May 15, 2017.
  The 2026 Exchange Notes will have an interest rate of 3.600% per annum, payable in cash on February 15 and August 15, beginning on August 15, 2017.
  The 2046 Exchange Notes will have an interest rate of 5.000% per annum payable in cash on February 15 and August 15, beginning on August 15, 2017.
  Interest on the Exchange Notes of a series will accrue from the most recent date on which interest has been paid on the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes or, if no interest has been paid, from and including the date of issuance of the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes. Holders of Outstanding Notes that are accepted for exchange will be deemed to have waived the right, if any, to receive any payment in respect of interest accrued on the Outstanding Notes from the date of the last interest payment date in respect of their Outstanding Notes until the date of the issuance of the Exchange Notes. Consequently, holders of the Exchange

 



 

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  Notes will receive the same interest payments that they would have received had they not accepted the exchange offer. See “Description of the 2021/2023 Exchange Notes — Principal, Maturity and Interest” and “Description of the 2026/2046 Exchange Notes — Principal, Maturity and Interest.”
Relationship with Outstanding Notes  

The form and terms of the Exchange Notes offered hereby will be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes, except for the issue date and that the offer and issuance of the Exchange Notes will be registered under the Securities Act, and the transfer restrictions and registration rights, and related additional interest provisions, applicable to each series of Outstanding Notes will not apply to the Exchange Notes. Each series of the corresponding series of the Exchange Notes will bear a different CUSIP number and ISIN number than the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes.

Guarantees  

The Exchange Notes will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, by certain subsidiaries of the Company that guarantee certain existing debt of the Company and each of the Company’s future domestic subsidiaries which guarantee any other debt of the Company or any other guarantor in excess of $40 million (the “Guarantors”).

Ranking   The Exchange Notes and the Guarantees will be:
    senior unsecured obligations of Westlake and the Guarantors, respectively;
    equal in right of payment to existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of us and the Guarantors, respectively;
    effectively subordinated in right of payment to any existing and future secured indebtedness of us and the Guarantors, respectively, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness;
    senior in right of payment to existing and future subordinated indebtedness of us and the Guarantors, respectively; and
    structurally subordinated to existing and future obligations of our and the Guarantors’ subsidiaries, respectively, that do not guarantee the Exchange Notes.
  As of December 31, 2016, after giving effect to the exchange offer, the Exchange Notes and Guarantees would have ranked effectively:
    1)   junior in right of payment to:
        $150.0 million of secured indebtedness; and
        $349.4 million of current liabilities and no long-term indebtedness of our non-Guarantor subsidiaries; and
   

2)

  pari passu in right of payment with approximately $3.68 billion of our and the Guarantors’ unsecured senior indebtedness.
Optional Redemption   We may, at our option, redeem any series of the Exchange Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time at the applicable redemption price described under “Description of the 2021/2023 Exchange Notes—Optional Redemption,” and “Description of the 2026/2046 Exchange Notes—Optional Redemption,” plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, from the Issue Date to the redemption date. See “Description of the 2021/2023 Exchange Notes—Optional Redemption” and “Description of the 2026/2046 Exchange Notes—Optional Redemption.”

 



 

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No Special Mandatory Redemption   The closing of the Merger occurred on August 31, 2016. As a result, the 2026 Exchange Notes and the 2046 Exchange Notes will not be subject to a special mandatory redemption. See “Description of the 2026/2046 Exchange Notes—Special Mandatory Redemption.”
Change of Control Triggering Event   Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined under “Description of the 2021/2023 Exchange Notes—Change of Control Triggering Event” or “Description of the 2026/2046 Exchange Notes—Change of Control Triggering Event,” as applicable), we will be required, unless we have exercised our right to redeem the Exchange Notes, to offer to repurchase the applicable series of Exchange Notes at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase.
Certain Indenture Provisions  

The indenture pursuant to which the Exchange Notes will be issued will contain covenants that will, among other things, restrict our and certain of our subsidiaries’ ability to:

    incur certain secured indebtedness;
    engage in certain sale and leaseback transactions; and
    consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets.
  These covenants will be subject to significant exceptions. See “Description of the 2021/2023 Exchange Notes—Certain Covenants” and “Description of the 2026/2046 Exchange Notes—Certain Covenants.”
Form and Denomination of Notes   The notes of each series of Exchange Notes will be issued in fully registered form only. The 2021 Exchange Notes and 2023 Exchange Notes will be represented by one or more global notes which will be deposited with a custodian for, and registered in the name of a nominee of, DTC. The 2026 Exchange Notes and 2046 Exchange Notes will initially be represented by one or more global notes which will be deposited with a custodian for, and registered in the name of a nominee of, DTC. The notes of each series will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
No Public Trading Market   Each series of the Exchange Notes is a new issue of securities, and there is currently no established trading market for each series of the Exchange Notes. We do not intend to list any Exchange Notes offered hereby on any national securities exchange or to arrange for quotation on any automated dealer quotation systems. We cannot assure you that an active trading market for the Exchange Notes will develop.
Trustee   The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
Governing Law   New York.
Risk Factors   For risks related to an investment in the Exchange Notes, please read the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in our filings with the SEC before making an investment decision with respect to the Exchange Notes.

 



 

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Risk Factors

The exchange offer and an investment in the Exchange Notes involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainness described below and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, the information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and the information in documents incorporated by reference herein, including the risks discussed in our public filings with the SEC (including under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016).

The risks and uncertainties described below and incorporated by reference into this prospectus are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those generally affecting the industry in which we operate, risks that are unknown to us or that we currently deem immaterial and risks and uncertainties generally applicable to companies that have recently undertaken transactions similar to the exchange offer, may also impair our business, the value of your investment and our ability to pay interest on, and repay or refinance, the Exchange Notes.

For a discussion of the risks relating to our business, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein. The risk factors described below and the risks relating to our business incorporated by reference herein could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as the value of the Exchange Notes.

If any of the following risks actually were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be affected materially and adversely. In that case, you could lose all or part of your investment in or fail to achieve the expected return on the Exchange Notes.

Risks Related to the Exchange Offer

If you fail to tender and exchange your Outstanding Notes, you will continue to hold Outstanding Notes subject to existing transfer restrictions and the market value of your unexchanged Outstanding Notes may be adversely affected because they may be more difficult to sell.

If you fail to exchange your Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes under the exchange offer, you will continue to be subject to the existing transfer restrictions on your Outstanding Notes. In general, the Outstanding Notes may not be offered or sold unless the offer and sale are registered or exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Except in connection with the exchange offer or as required by the applicable Registration Rights Agreement, we do not intend to register the offer and sale of any Outstanding Notes or any resales of any Outstanding Notes.

Any tenders of Outstanding Notes under the exchange offer will reduce the principal amount of the Outstanding Notes. Due to the corresponding reduction in liquidity, this may have an adverse effect upon, and increase the volatility of, the market price of any Outstanding Notes that you continue to hold following completion of the exchange offer.

If you wish to tender your Outstanding Notes for exchange, you must comply with the requirements described in this prospectus.

You will receive Exchange Notes in exchange for Outstanding Notes tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the exchange offer only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of the Outstanding Notes or a book-entry transfer of Outstanding Notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC, as depositary, a properly completed and executed letter of transmittal or agent’s message and all other required documentation. If you wish to tender your Outstanding Notes in exchange for the corresponding series of Exchange Notes, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery of the Outstanding Notes and you should carefully follow the instructions on how to tender your Outstanding Notes. Neither we nor the exchange agent is required to notify you of defects or irregularities in tenders of Outstanding Notes for exchange. Outstanding Notes that are not

 

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tendered or that are tendered but we do not accept for exchange will, following consummation of the exchange offer, continue to be subject to the existing transfer restrictions under the Securities Act and, upon consummation of the exchange offer, certain registration and other rights under the Registration Rights Agreements will terminate. See “The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering” and “The Exchange Offer—Consequences of Failure to Exchange.”

The exchange offer may be cancelled or delayed.

Our obligation to accept Outstanding Notes of any series tendered in the exchange offer is subject to certain closing conditions. Please read “The Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer.” We may, at our option and in our sole discretion, assert or waive these conditions. Even if the exchange offer is completed, the exchange offer may not be completed on the schedule described in this prospectus. Accordingly, holders participating in the exchange offer may have to wait longer than expected to receive their Exchange Notes, during which time those holders of Outstanding Notes will not be able to effect transfers of their Outstanding Notes tendered for exchange.

Some holders who exchange their Outstanding Notes may be deemed to be underwriters, and these holders will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements in connection with any resale transaction.

If you exchange your Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes, you may be deemed to have received restricted securities and, if so, will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction. Any broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities may be a statutory underwriter and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes.

Risks Related to the Exchange Notes

A holder’s right to receive payments on the Exchange Notes is effectively subordinated to the rights of our existing and future secured creditors. Further, the Guarantees of the Exchange Notes by the Guarantors are effectively subordinated to the Guarantors’ existing and future secured indebtedness

Holders of our secured indebtedness and the secured indebtedness of the Guarantors will have claims that are prior to the claims of holders of the Exchange Notes to the extent of the value of the assets securing that other indebtedness. In the event of any distribution or payment of our assets in any foreclosure, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization or other bankruptcy proceeding, holders of any secured indebtedness will have prior claim to our assets that constitute their collateral. Holders of the Exchange Notes will participate ratably with all holders of our senior unsecured indebtedness, and potentially with all of our other general creditors, based upon the respective amounts owed to each holder or creditor, in our remaining assets. We may apply proceeds of certain asset sales to reduce our secured indebtedness or other secured obligations, but such application will not permanently reduce our ability to incur secured indebtedness and other secured obligations under the indenture in the future. In any of the foregoing events, we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient assets to pay amounts due on the Exchange Notes. As a result, holders of the Exchange Notes may receive less, ratably, than holders of secured indebtedness.

Our holding company structure may affect our ability to make payments on the Exchange Notes. Holders of Exchange Notes may be structurally subordinated to the creditors of our non-Guarantor subsidiaries.

We currently conduct our operations through subsidiaries, and our operating income and cash flow are generated by our subsidiaries. As a result, cash we obtain from our subsidiaries is the principal source of funds

 

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necessary to meet our debt service obligations. Contractual provisions or laws, as well as our subsidiaries’ financial condition and operating requirements, may limit our ability to obtain cash from our subsidiaries that we require to pay our debt service obligations, including payments on the Exchange Notes. In addition, not all of our subsidiaries will guarantee the Exchange Notes, and holders of the Exchange Notes will have a junior position to the claims of creditors, including trade creditors and tort claimants, of our subsidiaries to the extent that such subsidiaries do not guarantee the Exchange Notes. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of our non-Guarantor subsidiaries, holders of that subsidiary’s indebtedness and its trade creditors will generally be entitled to payment of their claims from the assets of the subsidiary before any assets are made available for distribution to us. The non-Guarantor subsidiaries accounted for approximately 31% of our consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void guarantees and require holders of notes to return payments received from guarantors.

Under the federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws, a guarantee could be voided or claims in respect of a guarantee could be subordinated to all other debts of the applicable guarantor if, among other things, the guarantor, at the time it incurred the indebtedness evidenced by its guarantee, received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the incurrence of such guarantee and either:

 

    was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of such incurrence; or

 

    was engaged or about to engage in a business or transaction for which the guarantor’s remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or

 

    intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature.

In addition, any payment by that guarantor pursuant to its guarantee could be voided and required to be returned to the guarantor or to a fund for the benefit of the creditors of the guarantor.

The measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent transfer laws will vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has occurred. Generally, a guarantor would be considered insolvent if, at the relevant time, the sum of its debts and other liabilities, including contingent liabilities, was greater than the sum of its assets at a fair valuation, and a guarantor that was generally not then paying its debts as they became due would be presumed to be insolvent.

The lenders under our revolving credit facility have the discretion to release guarantors under such facility in a variety of circumstances, which will cause those guarantors to be released from their guarantees of the Exchange Notes.

The lenders under our unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”) have, the discretion to release the guarantees under such facility in a variety of circumstances. Any of our subsidiaries that are released as guarantors of the Revolving Credit Agreement will automatically be released as Guarantors of the Exchange Notes. In addition, any of our future subsidiaries are only required to provide a Guarantee of the Exchange Notes to the extent they guarantee more than $40.0 million of indebtedness of Westlake or a Guarantor. You will not have a claim as a creditor against any subsidiary that is no longer a Guarantor of the Exchange Notes, and the indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, whether secured or unsecured, of those subsidiaries will effectively be senior to your claims as a holder of the Exchange Notes.

Our level of debt, including substantial additional debt that we incurred in connection with the Merger, could adversely affect our ability to operate our business.

As of December 31, 2016, our indebtedness, including current maturities, totaled $3.8 billion, and our debt represented approximately 50% of our total capitalization. Our annual interest expense for 2016 was

 

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$79.5 million, net of interest capitalized of $10.4 million. In connection with the acquisition of Axiall, we substantially increased our indebtedness, which could adversely affect our ability to fulfill our obligations and have a negative impact on our financing options and liquidity position.

Our level of debt and the limitations imposed on us by our existing or future debt agreements could have significant consequences on our business and future prospects, including the following:

 

    a portion of our cash flows from operations will be dedicated to the payment of interest and principal on our debt and will not be available for other purposes, including the payment of dividends;

 

    we may not be able to obtain necessary financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements or other purposes;

 

    our less leveraged competitors could have a competitive advantage because they have greater flexibility to utilize their cash flows to improve their operations;

 

    we may be exposed to risks inherent in interest rate fluctuations because some of our borrowings are at variable rates of interest, which would result in higher interest expense in the event of increases in interest rates;

 

    we could be vulnerable in the event of a downturn in our business that would leave us less able to take advantage of significant business opportunities and to react to changes in our business and in market or industry conditions; and

 

    should we pursue additional expansions of existing assets or acquisition of third party assets, we may not be able to obtain additional liquidity at cost effective interest rates.

These factors could be magnified or accelerated to the extent we were to finance future acquisitions with significant amounts of debt.

To service our indebtedness and fund our capital requirements, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.

Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures and pay cash dividends will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future, including any distributions that we may receive from Westlake Partners. This is subject to general economic, financial, currency, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.

Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations, we may not receive sufficient distributions from Westlake Partners, currently anticipated cost savings and operating improvements may not be realized on schedule and future borrowings may not be available to us under the Revolving Credit Agreement in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. We also generate revenues denominated in currencies other than that of our indebtedness and may have difficulty converting those revenues into the currency of our indebtedness. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. In addition, we may not be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Exchange Notes, on commercially reasonable terms or at all. All of these factors could be magnified if we were to finance any future acquisitions with significant amounts of debt.

The market prices of the Exchange Notes may be volatile.

The market prices of the Exchange Notes will depend on many factors that may vary over time, some of which are beyond our control, including:

 

    our financial performance;

 

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    the amount of indebtedness we have outstanding;

 

    market interest rates;

 

    the market for similar securities;

 

    competition;

 

    the size and liquidity of the market for the Exchange Notes; and

 

    general economic conditions.

As a result of these factors, you may only be able to sell your Exchange Notes at prices below those you believe to be appropriate, including prices below the price you paid for the Outstanding Notes of the corresponding series.

Changes in our credit ratings may adversely affect the value of the Exchange Notes.

We cannot provide assurance as to the credit ratings that may be assigned to the Exchange Notes or that any such credit ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that any such ratings will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the rating agencies, if, in each rating agency’s judgment, circumstances warrant such an action. Further, any such ratings will be limited in scope and will not address all material risks relating to an investment in the Exchange Notes, but rather will reflect only the view of each rating agency at the time the rating is issued. An explanation of the significance of such rating may be obtained from such rating agency. Actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under further review for a downgrade, could adversely affect the market value of the Exchange Notes and increase our corporate borrowing costs.

There may be no active trading market for the Exchange Notes, and, if one develops, it may not be liquid.

Each series of the Exchange Notes will constitute a new issue of securities for which there is no established trading market. Although the offer and issuance of the Exchange Notes will be registered under the Securities Act, we do not intend to have the Exchange Notes listed on a national securities exchange or included in any automated quotation system. If the Exchange Notes are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from the initial offering price of the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes or from the price of the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes as the time they are exchanged for Exchange Notes, depending on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, general economic conditions, our credit rating, the price and volatility of our common stock, our operating performance and financial condition and other factors. As a result, we cannot ensure you that you will be able to sell any of the Exchange Notes at a particular time, at attractive prices, or at all.

An active trading market for each series of the Exchange Notes may not develop and, if one develops, it may not be liquid. To the extent that an active trading market for any series of the Exchange Notes does not develop, the liquidity and trading prices for such series of the Exchange Notes may be harmed. Thus, you may not be able to liquidate your investment rapidly or at all, and, if applicable, your lenders may not readily accept the Exchange Notes as collateral for loans.

We may be unable to repurchase the Exchange Notes upon a Change of Control Triggering Event.

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, unless we have exercised our right to redeem the Exchange Notes, we will be required to make an offer to repurchase the Exchange Notes in cash at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase. However, we may not be able to repurchase the Exchange Notes upon a Change of Control Triggering Event because we may not have sufficient funds to do so. We may also be required to offer to repurchase certain of our other debt upon a change of control and such event may give rise to an event of default under our Revolving Credit Agreement. In addition, agreements governing indebtedness incurred in the future may restrict us from repurchasing the

 

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Exchange Notes in the event of a Change of Control Triggering Event. Any failure to repurchase properly tendered Exchange Notes would constitute an event of default under the indenture governing the Exchange Notes, which could, in turn, cause an acceleration of our other indebtedness. See “Description of the 2021/2023 Exchange Notes—Change of Control Triggering Event” and “Description of the 2026/2046 Exchange Notes—Change of Control Triggering Event.”

 

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The Exchange Offer

Purpose of the Exchange Offer

We issued the Outstanding Notes in transactions that were exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act and we sometimes refer in this prospectus to such Outstanding Notes as not being registered under the Securities Act. Accordingly, the Outstanding Notes are subject to transfer restrictions. In general, you may not offer or sell the Outstanding Notes unless either the offer and sale is registered under the Securities Act or the offer or sale is exempt from or not subject to registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

In connection with the issuances of the Outstanding Notes, we entered into the corresponding Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to which we agreed, among other things, to use our commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause to be filed a registration statement relating to a registered offer to exchange each series of the Outstanding Notes for the corresponding series of the Exchange Notes and (ii) have the registration statement become and remain effective until 120 days after such effective date.

We are conducting the exchange offer to satisfy our obligations under the Registration Rights Agreements. If a “registration default” (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreements) occurs, then additional interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Outstanding Notes that are “registrable securities” (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreements) at a rate of 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period beginning on the day immediately following such registration default (which rate will be increased by an additional 0.25% per annum for each subsequent 90-day period that such additional interest continues to accrue, up to a maximum increase of 0.50% per annum).

The exchange offer consists of separate, independent exchange offers for each series of Outstanding Notes. The form and terms of each series of Exchange Notes will be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes, except for the issue date and that the offer and issuance of the Exchange Notes will be registered under the Securities Act, and the transfer restrictions and registration rights, and related additional interest provisions, applicable to each series of the Outstanding Notes will not apply to the corresponding series of the Exchange Notes.

The exchange offer is not being made to holders of the Outstanding Notes in any jurisdiction in which the exchange offer or the acceptance of it would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.

Resale of Exchange Notes

Based on no-action letters of the SEC staff issued to third parties, we believe that the Exchange Notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by you without further compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act if:

 

    such Exchange Notes are acquired by you in the ordinary course of your business;

 

    you are not engaged in, do not intend to engage in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Notes, and you have no arrangement or understanding with any person or entity to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes;

 

    you are not a broker-dealer who acquired the Outstanding Notes directly from us; and

 

    you are not an “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of us or the Guarantors of the Exchange Notes.

The SEC staff, however, has not considered the exchange offer for the Exchange Notes in the context of a no-action letter, and the SEC staff may not make a similar determination as in the no-action letters issued to these third parties.

 

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If you tender in the exchange offer with the intention of participating in any manner in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Notes, if you have any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of the Exchange Notes to be acquired in the exchange offer, or if you otherwise acquire the Exchange Notes for the purpose of distributing them, you

 

    cannot rely on such interpretations by the SEC staff; and

 

    must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction of the Exchange Notes, and be identified as an underwriter in the prospectus.

Unless an exemption from registration is otherwise available, any securityholder intending to distribute Exchange Notes must be covered by an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. The registration statement should contain the selling securityholder’s information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

This prospectus may be used for an offer to resell, resale or other transfer of Exchange Notes only as specifically described in this prospectus. Failure to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements by a holder of Exchange Notes subject to these requirements could result in that holder incurring liability for which it is not indemnified by us. If you are a broker-dealer, you may participate in the exchange offer only if you acquired the Outstanding Notes for your own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes, where such Outstanding Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must acknowledge by way of the letter of transmittal that it will deliver this prospectus in connection with any resale of the Exchange Notes. Please read the section captioned “Plan of Distribution” for more details regarding the transfer of Exchange Notes.

Terms of the Exchange Offer

We are offering to exchange, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal, up to $624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of Outstanding 2021 Notes, $433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of Outstanding 2023 Notes, $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Outstanding 2026 Notes and $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Outstanding 2046 Notes, for a like aggregate principal amount of the corresponding series of Exchange Notes the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act. The Outstanding Notes must be tendered properly in accordance with the conditions set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal on or prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer and not properly withdrawn as permitted below. In exchange for Outstanding Notes properly tendered and accepted, we will issue a like total principal amount of up to $624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of 2021 Exchange Notes, $433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of 2023 Exchange Notes, $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2026 Exchange Notes and $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2046 Exchange Notes, in each case, of the corresponding series. This prospectus, together with the letter of transmittal, is first being sent on or about                 , 2017, to all holders of Outstanding Notes known to us.

Our obligation to accept Outstanding Notes for exchange in the exchange offer is subject to the conditions described below under the heading “Conditions to the Exchange Offer.” The exchange offer for each series of Outstanding Notes is not conditioned upon holders tendering a minimum principal amount of Outstanding Notes of such series or upon the consummation of the exchange offer for Outstanding Notes of any other series. Outstanding Notes may be tendered only for Exchange Notes of the corresponding series and only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

As of the date of this prospectus, $624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of Outstanding 2021 Notes are outstanding, $433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of Outstanding 2023 Notes are outstanding, $750,000,000

 

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aggregate principal amount of Outstanding 2026 Notes are outstanding and $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Outstanding 2046 Notes are outstanding. There will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders of Outstanding Notes entitled to participate in the exchange offer.

We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreements, the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Outstanding Notes that are not properly tendered for exchange in the exchange offer, or that are tendered but we do not accept, will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest. These Outstanding Notes will be entitled to the rights and benefits such holders have under the indenture governing the Outstanding Notes but will not retain any rights under the Registration Rights Agreements, except as otherwise specified therein. Existing transfer restrictions would continue to apply to such Outstanding Notes. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Exchange Offer — If you fail to tender and exchange the Outstanding Notes, you will continue to hold the Outstanding Notes subject to existing transfer restrictions and the market value of your unexchanged Outstanding Notes may be adversely affected because they may be more difficult to sell” for more information regarding Outstanding Notes outstanding after the exchange offer.

None of us, our board of directors or our management recommends that you tender or not tender Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer or has authorized anyone to make any recommendation. You must decide whether to tender in the exchange offer and, if you decide to tender, the aggregate amount of your Outstanding Notes to tender.

We will be deemed to have accepted for exchange properly tendered Outstanding Notes when we have given oral or written notice of the acceptance to the exchange agent and complied with the applicable provisions of the Registration Rights Agreements. The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders of the Outstanding Notes for the purposes of receiving the corresponding Exchange Notes from us.

If you tender Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer, you will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of Outstanding Notes. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain applicable taxes described below, in connection with the exchange offer. Please read “—Fees and Expenses” for more details regarding fees and expenses that we expect to pay in connection with the exchange offer.

We will return any Outstanding Notes that we do not accept for exchange for any reason without expense to their tendering holders promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

Expiration Date

The expiration date for the exchange offer for each series of Outstanding Notes is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                 , 2017, or such later date and time to which we extend the exchange offer for such series. We may extend the period for each series independently.

Extensions, Delays in Acceptance, Termination or Amendment

We expressly reserve the right, at any time or various times, to extend the period of time during which the exchange offer is open. We may delay acceptance of any Outstanding Notes by giving oral or written notice of such extension to their holders at any time until the exchange offer expires or terminates. During any such extensions, all Outstanding Notes previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer, and we may accept them for exchange.

To extend the exchange offer, we will notify the exchange agent orally or in writing of any extension. We will notify the holders of Outstanding Notes of the extension via a press release issued no later than 9:00 a.m. New York City time on the business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.

 

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If any of the conditions described below under “—Conditions to the Exchange Offer” have not been satisfied, we reserve the right, in our sole discretion

 

    to delay accepting for exchange any Outstanding Notes,

 

    to extend the exchange offer, or

 

    to terminate the exchange offer,

by giving oral or written notice of such delay, extension or termination to the exchange agent. Subject to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreements, we also reserve the right to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner.

Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed promptly by oral or written notice thereof to holders of the Outstanding Notes. If we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we determine to constitute a material change, we will promptly disclose such amendment by means of a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will be distributed to holders of the Outstanding Notes. Depending upon the significance of the amendment and the manner of disclosure to holders, we will extend the exchange offer if it would otherwise expire during such period. If an amendment constitutes a material change to the exchange offer, including the waiver of a material condition, we will extend the exchange offer, if necessary, to remain open for at least five business days after the date of the amendment.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

Notwithstanding any other provision of the exchange offer, we will not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue any series of Exchange Notes for, any Outstanding Notes if the exchange offer for such series, or the making of any exchange by a holder of Outstanding Notes, would violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC. We may terminate the exchange offer as provided in this prospectus before accepting Outstanding Notes for exchange in the event of such a potential violation.

In furtherance of the foregoing, we will not be obligated to accept for exchange the Outstanding Notes of any holder that has not made to us the representations described under “—Procedures for Tendering” and “Plan of Distribution” and such other representations in each case as may be reasonably necessary under applicable SEC rules, regulations or interpretations to allow us to use an appropriate form to register the Exchange Notes under the Securities Act.

Additionally, we will not accept for exchange any Outstanding Notes tendered, and will not issue Exchange Notes in exchange for any such Outstanding Notes, if at such time any stop order has been threatened or is in effect with respect to the exchange offer registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part or the qualification of the indenture governing the Exchange Notes under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer, and to reject for exchange any Outstanding Notes not previously accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions to the exchange offer specified above. We will promptly give oral or written notice of any extension, amendment, non- acceptance or termination to the holders of the Outstanding Notes.

These conditions are for our sole benefit, and we may assert them or waive them in whole or in part at any time or at various times prior to the expiration of the exchange offer in our sole discretion. If we fail at any time to exercise any of these rights, this failure will not mean that we have waived our rights. Each such right will be deemed an ongoing right that we may assert at any time or at various times prior to the expiration of the exchange offer. If we determine that a waiver of conditions materially changes the exchange offer for any series of Outstanding Notes, the prospectus will be amended or supplemented, and the exchange offer for that series extended, if appropriate, as described under “Terms of the Exchange Offer.”

 

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Procedures for Tendering

To participate in the exchange offer, you must properly tender your Outstanding Notes to the exchange agent as described below. We will only issue Exchange Notes in exchange for the corresponding Outstanding Notes that you timely and properly tender. Therefore, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery of the Outstanding Notes, and you should follow carefully the instructions on how to tender your Outstanding Notes. It is your responsibility to properly tender your Outstanding Notes. We have the right to waive any defects. However, we are not required to waive defects, and neither we nor the exchange agent is required to notify you of any defects in your tender.

If you have any questions or need help in exchanging your Outstanding Notes, please call the exchange agent whose address and phone number are set forth under “—The Exchange Agent” below.

Except as set forth below, a holder of Outstanding Notes who wishes to tender Outstanding Notes for exchange must, on or prior to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the expiration date:

 

    transmit a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, including all other documents required by such letter of transmittal (including Outstanding Notes), to the exchange agent, Global Bondholder Services Corporation, at the address set forth “—The Exchange Agent” below; or

 

    if Outstanding Notes are tendered pursuant to the book-entry procedures set forth below, the tendering holder must deliver a completed and duly executed letter of transmittal or arrange with the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, to cause an agent’s message to be transmitted with the required information (including a book-entry confirmation), to the exchange agent at the address set forth “—The Exchange Agent” below.

In addition, on or prior to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the expiration date:

 

    the exchange agent must receive the certificates for the Outstanding Notes and the letter of transmittal;

 

    the exchange agent must receive a timely confirmation of the book-entry transfer of the Outstanding Notes being tendered into the exchange agent’s account at DTC, along with the letter of transmittal or an agent’s message.

The letter of transmittal or agent’s message may be delivered by mail, facsimile, hand delivery or overnight carrier, to the exchange agent.

The term “agent’s message” means a message transmitted to the exchange agent by DTC which states that DTC has received an express and unconditional acknowledgment that the tendering holder of Outstanding Notes agrees to be bound by the letter of transmittal and that we may enforce the letter of transmittal against such holder.

The method of delivery of the certificates for the Outstanding Notes, the letter of transmittal and all other required documents is at the election and sole risk of the holders. If delivery is by mail, we recommend registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, or overnight delivery service. In all cases, you should allow sufficient time to assure timely delivery. No letters of transmittal or Outstanding Notes should be sent directly to us. Delivery is complete when the exchange agent actually receives the items to be delivered. Delivery of documents to DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent.

Book-Entry Transfers

For tenders by book-entry transfer of Outstanding Notes cleared through DTC, the exchange agent will make a request to establish an account at DTC for purposes of the exchange offer. Any financial institution that is a DTC participant may make book-entry delivery of Outstanding Notes by causing DTC to transfer the

 

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Outstanding Notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures for transfer. The exchange agent and DTC have confirmed that any financial institution that is a participant in DTC may use the Automated Tender Offer Program, or ATOP, procedures to tender Outstanding Notes. By using the ATOP procedures to exchange Outstanding Notes, you will not be required to deliver a letter of transmittal to the exchange agent. However, you will be bound by its terms just as if you had signed it. Accordingly, any participant in DTC may make book-entry delivery of Outstanding Notes by causing DTC to transfer those Outstanding Notes into the exchange agent’s account in accordance with its ATOP procedures for transfer.

Notwithstanding the ability of holders of Outstanding Notes to effect delivery of Outstanding Notes through book-entry transfer at DTC, the letter of transmittal or a facsimile thereof, or an agent’s message in lieu of the letter of transmittal, with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents must be transmitted to and received by the exchange agent prior to the expiration date at the address set forth “—The Exchange Agent” below.

No Guaranteed Delivery

There is no procedure for guaranteed late delivery of the Outstanding Notes.

If you beneficially own Outstanding Notes that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to tender your Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer, you should contact the registered holder as soon as possible and instruct the registered holder to tender your Outstanding Notes on your behalf and comply with the instructions set forth in this prospectus and the letter of transmittal.

If you tender fewer than all of your Outstanding Notes, you should fill in the amount of Outstanding Notes tendered in the appropriate box on the letter of transmittal. If you do not indicate the amount tendered in the appropriate box, the letter of transmittal provides that you are tendering all Outstanding Notes that you hold.

Determinations Under the Exchange Offer

We will determine in our sole discretion all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, time of receipt, acceptance of tendered Outstanding Notes and withdrawal of tendered Outstanding Notes. Our determination will be final and binding on all parties. We reserve the absolute right to reject any Outstanding Notes not properly tendered or any Outstanding Notes our acceptance of which would, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. We also reserve the right to waive any defect, irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Outstanding Notes. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, all defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Outstanding Notes must be cured within such time as we shall determine. Neither we, any of our affiliates or assigns, the exchange agent nor any other person is under any obligation to give notice of any defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Outstanding Notes nor will any such person incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Outstanding Notes will be invalid and will not be deemed made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Outstanding Notes received by the exchange agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned to the tendering holder of Outstanding Notes promptly following the expiration date of the exchange offer.

If any letter of transmittal, endorsement, bond power, power of attorney, or any other document required by the letter of transmittal is signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, that person must indicate such capacity when signing. In addition, unless waived by us, the person must submit proper evidence satisfactory to us, in our sole discretion, of his or her authority to so act. A beneficial owner of Outstanding Notes that are held by or registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee or custodian should contact that entity promptly if the holder wants to participate in the exchange offer.

 

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Return of Outstanding Notes Not Accepted or Exchanged

If we do not accept a holder’s tendered Outstanding Notes for exchange or if Outstanding Notes are submitted for a greater principal amount than the holder desires to exchange, the unaccepted or non-exchanged Outstanding Notes will be returned without expense to their tendering holder. Such non-exchanged Outstanding Notes tendered by book-entry transfer will be credited to an account maintained with DTC. These actions will occur promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

Your Representations to Us.

To participate in the exchange offer, we require that you represent to us that, among other things:

 

    any Exchange Notes that you receive will be acquired in the ordinary course of your business;

 

    at the time of the commencement of the exchange offer, you have no arrangement or understanding with any person or entity to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act;

 

    you are not an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of us or the Guarantors of the Exchange Notes; and

 

    if you are a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for your own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, then you will deliver this prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make this prospectus available to purchasers) in connection with any resale of your Exchange Notes.

By tendering your Outstanding Notes, you will be deemed to have made these representations to us.

Withdrawal of Tenders

Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, you may withdraw your tender of Outstanding Notes at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date of the exchange offer.

For a withdrawal to be effective, you must (A) send to the exchange agent, a written notice of withdrawal setting forth your name, the principal amount of Outstanding Notes delivered for exchange, the name of the registered holder of the Outstanding Notes if different from the person withdrawing the Outstanding Notes, and a statement that you are withdrawing your election to have such Outstanding Notes exchanged or (B) effecting such withdrawal in compliance with the appropriate ATOP procedures, specifying the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with withdrawn Outstanding Notes.

You may not rescind withdrawals of tender; however you may retender properly withdrawn Outstanding Notes by following the procedures described under “—Procedures for Tendering” above at any time on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date of the exchange offer.

We will determine all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, time of receipt and acceptance of a notice of withdrawal. Our determination of these questions as well as our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer (including the letter of transmittal) shall be final and binding on all parties. Neither us, any of our affiliates or assigns, the exchange agent nor any other person is under any obligation to give notice of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal, nor will they be liable for failing to give any such notice. We will deem any Outstanding Notes so properly withdrawn not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the exchange offer.

In the case of Outstanding Notes tendered by book-entry transfer through DTC, the Outstanding Notes timely and properly withdrawn or not exchanged for any reason will be credited to an account maintained with DTC. Withdrawn Outstanding Notes will be returned to the holder after withdrawal. This crediting or return will

 

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take place promptly after withdrawal, rejection of tender, expiration or termination of the exchange offer. Any Outstanding Notes which have been tendered for exchange but which are not exchanged for any reason will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to the holder.

Exchange Agent

Global Bondholder Services Corporation has been appointed as exchange agent and information agent for the exchange offer. Any questions, requests for assistance and requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal, should be directed as follows:

The Information Agent for the Exchange Offer is:

Global Bondholder Services Corporation

65 Broadway–Suite 404

New York, New York 10006

Attention: Corporate Actions

Banks and Brokers call: (212) 430-3774

Toll free: (866) 470-3800

The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:

Global Bondholder Services Corporation

By facsimile (for eligible institutions only): (212) 430-3775/3779

Confirmation: (212) 430-3774

If you deliver letters of transmittal and any other required documents to an address or facsimile number other than those listed above, your tender is invalid.

Fees and Expenses

We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders with respect to the exchange offer. The principal solicitation is being made by mail; however, we may make additional solicitation by e-mail, telephone or in person by our officers and regular employees and those of our affiliates.

We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer and will not make any payments to broker-dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. We will, however, pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and reimburse it for its related reasonable out-of- pocket expenses.

We will pay the cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the exchange offer. They include:

 

    all registration and filing fees and expenses;

 

    all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state “blue sky” or securities laws;

 

    our accounting fees, legal fees, disbursements and printing, messenger and delivery services, and telephone costs; and

 

    related fees and expenses.

 

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Transfer Taxes

We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of Outstanding Notes under the exchange offer. If, however, Exchange Notes issued in the exchange offer are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the holder of the Outstanding Notes tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Outstanding Notes in connection with the exchange offer, then the holder must pay any such transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or on any other person. If satisfactory evidence of payment of, or exemption from, such taxes is not submitted with the letter of transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to the tendering holder.

Consequences of Failure to Exchange

Holders who desire to tender their Outstanding Notes in exchange for the corresponding series of Exchange Notes should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. Neither the exchange agent nor Enable is under any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to the tenders of notes for exchange.

If you do not exchange your Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes under the exchange offer, the Outstanding Notes you hold will continue to be subject to the existing restrictions on transfer, will continue to accrue interest but will not retain any rights under the Registration Rights Agreements, except as otherwise provided therein. In general, you may not offer or sell the Outstanding Notes except under an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. We do not intend to register Outstanding Notes under the Securities Act unless the Registration Rights Agreements require us to do so.

Accounting Treatment

We will record the Exchange Notes in our accounting records at the same carrying value as the corresponding Outstanding Notes. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes in connection with the exchange offer, other than the recognition of the fees and expenses of the offering as stated under “—Fees and Expenses.”

Other

Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary, and you should consider carefully whether to accept. You are urged to consult your financial and tax advisors in making your own decision on what action to take.

We may in the future seek to acquire untendered Outstanding Notes in open market or privately negotiated transactions, through subsequent exchange offers or otherwise. We have no present plans to acquire any Outstanding Notes that are not tendered in the exchange offer or to file a registration statement to permit resales of any untendered Outstanding Notes.

 

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Use of Proceeds

The exchange offer is intended to satisfy our obligations under the Registration Rights Agreements. We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the Exchange Notes in the exchange offer. In consideration for issuing the Exchange Notes as contemplated by this prospectus, we will receive the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes in an equal principal amount. The form and terms of the Exchange Notes will be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the corresponding series of the Outstanding Notes, except for the issue date and that the offer and issuance of the Exchange Notes are registered under the Securities Act, and the transfer restrictions and registration rights, and related additional interest provisions, applicable to each series of Outstanding Notes will not apply to the corresponding series of the Exchange Notes. Outstanding Notes surrendered in exchange for the corresponding series of Exchange Notes will be retired and cancelled and will not be reissued. Accordingly, the issuance of the Exchange Notes will not result in any change in the aggregate principal amount of our outstanding indebtedness.

 

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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

The following table presents our historical consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown.

 

Year Ended December 31,  
2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  
  5.1x        14.3x        17.7x        16.1x        9.9x  

We have computed the ratios of earnings to fixed charges by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose, “earnings” consist of earnings before income taxes plus fixed charges and equity distributions less net capitalized interest and equity investment income. “Fixed charges” consist of interest expense, capitalized interest, amortization of debt issuance costs and that portion of operating lease rental expense (one-third) we have deemed to represent the interest factor of such expense.

 

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Description of the 2021/2023 Exchange Notes

In this description, the words “Westlake,” “Company,” “us,” “our” or “we” refer only to Westlake Chemical Corporation and not any of its subsidiaries. In this description, the term “Outstanding 2021 Notes” refers to the $624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of our outstanding unregistered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 that were issued in a private exchange offer on September 7, 2016, the term “Outstanding 2023 Notes” refers to the $433,793,000 in aggregate principal amount of our outstanding unregistered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 that were issued a private exchange offer on September 7, 2016, the term “2021 Exchange Notes” refers to the registered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 offered hereby in exchange for the Outstanding 2021 Notes, the term “2023 Exchange Notes” refers to the registered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 offered hereby in exchange for the Outstanding 2023 Notes, the term “Outstanding Notes” refers to the Outstanding 2021 Notes and the Outstanding 2046 Notes, collectively, the term “Exchange Notes” refers to the 2021 Exchange Notes and the 2023 Exchange Notes, collectively, and the term “notes” refers to the Exchange Notes and the Outstanding Notes, collectively, in each case, unless the context otherwise requires.

The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the notes and the indenture governing the notes. This summary is not complete and is subject to, and qualified by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture governing the notes and the notes. We urge you to read the indenture governing the notes and the notes because they, and not this description, define your rights as holders of the Exchange Notes.

General

Westlake and certain of the Guarantors have entered into an indenture dated as of January 1, 2006, which we refer to as the “indenture,” by and among Westlake, the subsidiary guarantors listed therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which Westlake may issue multiple series of debt securities from time to time. Westlake issued the Outstanding 2021 Notes and the Outstanding 2023 Notes under the indenture as amended and supplemented by the ninth supplemental indenture thereto, which we refer to as the “ninth supplemental indenture.” Westlake will issue the 2021 Exchange Notes and the 2023 Exchange Notes under the indenture as amended and supplemented by the ninth supplemental indenture. The terms of the 2021 Exchange Notes and the 2023 Exchange Notes include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The Outstanding 2021 Notes, the Outstanding 2023 Notes, the 2021 Exchange Notes and the 2023 Exchange Notes are each a separate series of debt securities under the indenture.

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued under the indenture. As of December 31, 2016, approximately $3.26 billion of debt securities were outstanding under the indenture. We may issue additional debt securities under the indenture from time to time in one or more series. We may from time to time, without giving notice to or seeking the consent of the holders of the Exchange Notes offered hereby, issue debt securities having the same terms (except for the issue date, and, in some cases, the public offering price and, to the extent applicable, the first date of interest accrual and the first interest payment date) as, and ranking equally and ratably with, the Exchange Notes of any series offered hereby. Any additional debt securities having such similar terms, together with such series of Exchange Notes offered hereby, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the indenture, including for purposes of voting. No such additional debt securities may be issued if an “event of default” (as such term is defined below) has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Exchange Notes of any series offered hereby.

The form and terms of each series of Exchange Notes will be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes, except for the issue date and that the offer and issuance of the Exchange Notes will be registered under the Securities Act, and the transfer restrictions and registration rights, and related additional interest provisions, applicable to the Outstanding Notes will not apply to the corresponding Exchange Notes. Each series of Exchange Notes will represent the same principal amount of debt and interest as the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes. The Exchange Notes will be issued as

 

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“additional notes” under the ninth supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Outstanding 2021 Notes and the Outstanding 2023 Notes were issued. The Exchange Notes are expected to bear a different CUSIP number and ISIN number than the corresponding series of the Outstanding Notes. Any unexchanged Outstanding 2021 Notes and Outstanding 2023 Notes that remain outstanding after the applicable exchange offer will not be aggregated with the 2021 Exchange Notes or the 2023 Exchange Notes, as applicable.

The registered holder of an Exchange Note will be treated as the owner of such Exchange Note for all purposes. Only registered holders of Exchange Notes will have rights under the indenture as amended and supplemented by the ninth supplemental indenture thereto.

Principal, Maturity and Interest

Westlake issued the Outstanding 2021 Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $624,793,000. Westlake will issue up to $624,793,000 in aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Exchange Notes in exchange for Outstanding 2021 Notes in the exchange offer. The 2021 Exchange Notes will mature on February 15, 2021. Interest on the 2021 Exchange Notes will accrue at the rate of 4.625% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2017. Westlake will make each interest payment to the holders of record of the 2021 Exchange Notes on the immediately preceding February 1 and August 1 (whether or not a business day).

Westlake issued the Outstanding 2023 Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $433,793,000. Westlake will issue up to $433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Exchange Notes in exchange for Outstanding 2023 Notes in the exchange offer. The 2023 Exchange Notes will mature on May 15, 2023. Interest on the 2023 Exchange Notes will accrue at the rate of 4.875% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15, commencing on May 15, 2017. Westlake will make each interest payment to the holders of record of the 2023 Exchange Notes on the immediately preceding May 1 and November 1 (whether or not a business day).

Interest on the 2021 Exchange Notes will accrue from February 15, 2017, or if interest has since been paid on the Outstanding 2021 Notes, from and including the date it was paid. Interest on the 2023 Exchange Notes will accrue from November 15, 2016, or if interest has since been paid on the Outstanding 2023 Notes, from and including the date it was paid. Holders of Outstanding Notes that are accepted for exchange will be deemed to have waived the right, if any, to receive any payment in respect of interest accrued on the Outstanding Notes from the date of the last interest payment date in respect of their Outstanding Notes until the date of the issuance of the Exchange Notes. Consequently, holders of the Exchange Notes will receive the same interest payments that they would have received had they not accepted the exchange offer. In no event will interest be payable for the same period under both an Outstanding Note tendered for exchange and the corresponding Exchange Note issued in respect of such Outstanding Note. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If the principal of or any premium or interest on the Exchange Notes is payable on a day that is not a business day, the payment will be made on the following business day and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. For these purposes, a “business day” is any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in any of New York, New York or Houston, Texas is authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

The 2021 Exchange Notes and the 2023 Exchange Notes will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof in book-entry form only. See “—Book-Entry, Form and Delivery.”

Guarantees

Westlake’s payment obligations under the Exchange Notes will be guaranteed by the guarantors (the “Guarantors”), which shall initially consist of the subsidiaries of Westlake that guarantee the Outstanding Notes and the Revolving Credit Agreement. The Guarantees will be joint and several obligations of the Guarantors. The

 

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obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under applicable law. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Exchange Notes—Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void guarantees and require holders of notes to return payments received from guarantors.”

The Exchange Notes will also be guaranteed by each of Westlake’s future Domestic Subsidiaries which guarantees any other Debt of Westlake or any other Guarantor in excess of $40 million.

The Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released:

 

    in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) Westlake or a Subsidiary of Westlake;

 

    in connection with any sale or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of a Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) Westlake or a Subsidiary of Westlake;

 

    upon legal defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the Exchange Notes of a series as provided in this prospectus under the caption “—Defeasance and Discharge;” or

 

    at such time as such Guarantor ceases to guarantee any Debt of Westlake or a Guarantor in excess of $40 million other than Debt under one or more series of securities issued pursuant to the indenture; provided that, if such Guarantor solely guarantees Debt under one or more series of securities issued pursuant to the indenture, the guarantees of each such series of securities may be released concurrently.

Ranking

The Exchange Notes and the Guarantees of each series of Exchange Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Westlake and each of the Guarantors, respectively, and will rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Westlake and such Guarantor, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, we had an aggregate of approximately $3.68 billion of unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

The Exchange Notes and the Guarantees of each series of Exchange Notes will effectively rank junior to all existing and future secured indebtedness of Westlake and the Guarantors, respectively, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. As of December 31, 2016, neither Westlake nor any of the Guarantors had any secured indebtedness. In the event of any distribution or payment of Westlake’s or any Guarantors’ assets in any foreclosure, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization or other bankruptcy proceeding, holders of secured indebtedness will have prior claim to such assets that constitute their collateral. Holders of the Exchange Notes of each series will participate ratably with all holders of our senior unsecured indebtedness, and potentially with all of our other general creditors, based upon the respective amounts owed to each holder or creditor, in our remaining assets. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Exchange Notes— A holder’s right to receive payments on the Exchange Notes is effectively subordinated to the rights of our existing and future secured creditors. Further, the Guarantees of the Exchange Notes of each series by the Guarantors are effectively subordinated to the Guarantors’ existing and future secured indebtedness.”

In addition, not all of our subsidiaries will guarantee the Exchange Notes of each series. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of these non-Guarantor subsidiaries, that non-Guarantor subsidiary will pay the holders of its debt and its trade creditors before it will be able to distribute any of its assets to us. Accordingly, the Exchange Notes of each series will be effectively subordinated to creditors, including trade creditors, if any, of our non-Guarantor subsidiaries. The non-Guarantor subsidiaries accounted for approximately 31% of our consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

 

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Optional Redemption

Optional Redemption for the 2021 Exchange Notes

The 2021 Exchange Notes will be redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time prior to February 15, 2018, in principal amounts of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that the unredeemed portion of a note must be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000, for a redemption price equal to:

 

    100% of the principal amount of the 2021 Exchange Notes to be redeemed; plus

 

    the 2021 Exchange Notes Applicable Premium,

and, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

In addition, at any time on or after February 15, 2018, the 2021 Exchange Notes will be redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, in principal amounts of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that the unredeemed portion of a 2021 Exchange Note must be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the 2021 Exchange Notes being redeemed) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2018

     102.313

2019

     101.156

2020 and thereafter

     100.000

Optional Redemption for the 2023 Exchange Notes

The 2023 Exchange Notes will be redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time prior to May 15, 2018, in principal amounts of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that the unredeemed portion of a note must be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000, for a redemption price equal to:

 

    100% of the principal amount of the 2023 Exchange Notes to be redeemed; plus

 

    the 2023 Exchange Notes Applicable Premium,

and, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

In addition, at any time on or after May 15, 2018, the 2023 Exchange Notes will be redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, in principal amounts of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that the unredeemed portion of a 2023 Exchange Note must be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the 2023 Exchange Note being redeemed) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2018

     102.438

2019

     101.625

2020

     100.813

2021 and thereafter

     100.000

General Exchange Notes Optional Redemption Terms

2021 Exchange Notes Applicable Premium” means, with respect to the optional redemption of the 2021 Exchange Notes on any redemption date, the greater of:

(1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the 2021 Exchange Notes; and

 

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(2) the excess of:

(a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the 2021 Exchange Notes at February 15, 2018 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing under the caption “—Optional Redemption for the 2021 Exchange Notes” hereof) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the 2021 Exchange Notes through February 15, 2018 (excluding interest paid prior to the redemption date and accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over

(b) the principal amount of the 2021 Exchange Note.

2023 Exchange Notes Applicable Premium” means, with respect to the optional redemption of the 2023 Exchange Notes on any redemption date, the greater of:

(1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the 2023 Exchange Notes; and

(2) the excess of:

(a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the 2023 Exchange Notes at May 15, 2018 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing under the caption “—Optional Redemption for the 2023 Exchange Notes” hereof) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the 2023 Exchange Notes through May 15, 2018 (excluding interest paid prior to the redemption date and accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over

(b) the principal amount of the 2023 Exchange Note.

Treasury Rate” means, for any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity, computed as of the second business day immediately preceding that redemption date, of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that redemption date.

Comparable Treasury Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Exchange Notes of a series to be redeemed that would be used, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such Exchange Notes to be redeemed.

Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, (a) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for the redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (b) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all quotations obtained.

Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by us.

Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., and their respective successors, and one other nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a primary U.S. Government securities dealer specified from time to time by us. If, however, any of them shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer, we will substitute another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is such a dealer.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer as of 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the third business day preceding the redemption date.

 

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Remaining Scheduled Payments” means the remaining scheduled payments of the principal of and interest on each Exchange Note to be redeemed that would be due after the related redemption date but for such redemption.

Subsidiary” means a Person more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by Westlake or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by Westlake and one or more other Subsidiaries.

We will deliver notice of a redemption not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days before the redemption date to holders of Exchange Notes to be redeemed. Once notice of redemption is sent, the Exchange Notes called for redemption will become due and payable on the redemption date at the applicable redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional.

If we elect to redeem less than all of the Exchange Notes of any series, and such Exchange Notes are at the time represented by a global note, then the depositary will select by lot the particular Exchange Notes of such series to be redeemed. If we elect to redeem less than all of the Exchange Notes of such series, and any of such Exchange Notes are not represented by a global note, then the trustee will select the particular Exchange Notes to be redeemed in a manner it deems fair and appropriate (and the depositary will select by lot the particular interests in any global note to be redeemed). Unless there is a default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on such Exchange Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

We may at any time, and from time to time, purchase the Exchange Notes of a series at any price or prices in the open market, through negotiated transactions, by tender offer or otherwise.

Sinking Fund

The Exchange Notes will not be entitled to any sinking fund.

Change of Control Triggering Event

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, unless we have exercised our right to redeem a series of Exchange Notes as described under “—Optional Redemption” in accordance with the indenture as amended and supplemented by the ninth supplemental indenture thereto, each holder of the Exchange Notes of any series offered hereby will have the right to require us to purchase all or a portion ($1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such holder’s Exchange Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”), at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”), subject to the rights of holders of the Exchange Notes of such series on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date; provided that the principal amount of an Exchange Note remaining outstanding after a repurchase in part shall be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Within 30 days following the date upon which the Change of Control Triggering Event occurred, or at our option, prior to any Change of Control but after the public announcement of the pending Change of Control, we will be required to deliver a notice to each holder of the Exchange Notes of any series not redeemed, with a copy to the trustee, which notice will govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer. Such notice will, among other things, state the purchase date, which must be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent, other than as may be required by applicable law (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), describe the transaction or transactions constituting the Change of Control Triggering Event and offer to repurchase the Exchange Notes of such series. The notice, if sent prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, will state that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control being consummated on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date.

 

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On the Change of Control Payment Date, we will, to the extent lawful:

 

    accept or cause a third party to accept for payment all Exchange Notes or portions of Exchange Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

    deposit or cause a third party to deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Exchange Notes or portions of Exchange Notes properly tendered; and

 

    deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the Exchange Notes to be redeemed properly accepted together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes or portions of Exchange Notes being repurchased and that all conditions precedent to the Change of Control Offer and to the repurchase by us of Exchange Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer have been complied with.

We will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer with respect to the Exchange Notes of a series if (i) a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for such an offer otherwise required to be made by us and such third party purchases all such Exchange Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer or (ii) a notice of redemption has been given to the holders of all of the Exchange Notes of such series in accordance with the terms of the indenture as amended and supplemented by the ninth supplemental indenture thereto, unless and until there is a default in payment of the redemption price.

A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place with respect to the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

We will comply in all material respects with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Exchange Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions of the Exchange Notes of a series, we will comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions of such Exchange Notes by virtue of any such conflict.

For purposes of the foregoing discussion of a Change of Control Offer, the following definitions are applicable:

Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the rating on the Exchange Notes of a series is lowered and as a result the Exchange Notes of such series cease to be rated Investment Grade by each of the Rating Agencies on any date during the period (the “Trigger Period”) commencing on the earlier of (a) the occurrence of a Change of Control and (b) the first public announcement by us of any Change of Control (or pending Change of Control) and ending 60 days following the consummation of such Change of Control (which Trigger Period will be extended if the rating of such Exchange Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any Rating Agency on such 60th day, such extension to last with respect to each Rating Agency until the date on which such Rating Agency considering such possible downgrade either (x) rates the Exchange Notes of such series below Investment Grade or (y) publicly announces that it is no longer considering such Exchange Notes for possible downgrade; provided, that no such extension will occur if on such 60th day the Exchange Notes of such series are rated Investment Grade not subject to review for possible downgrade by any Rating Agency); provided, that a rating event will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus will not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if each Rating Agency making the reduction in rating does not publicly announce or confirm or inform the trustee in writing at our request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any

 

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event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control has occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event). If any Rating Agency withdraws its rating on the Exchange Notes of a series or otherwise ceases to provide a rating on such Exchange Notes on any day during the Trigger Period for any reason and we have not selected a replacement Rating Agency pursuant to the terms of the indenture as amended and supplemented by the ninth supplemental indenture thereto, the rating of such Rating Agency shall be deemed to be below an Investment Grade Rating on such day.

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the date of issuance of the Exchange Notes:

 

    the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of Westlake and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than to Westlake or one of its Subsidiaries;

 

    the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, it being agreed that an employee of Westlake or any of its Subsidiaries for whom shares are held under an employee stock ownership, employee retirement, employee savings or similar plan and whose shares are voted in accordance with the instructions of such employee shall not be a member of a “group” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) solely because such employee’s shares are held by a trustee under said plan) becomes the ultimate Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of our Voting Stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of our outstanding Voting Stock;

 

    we consolidate with, or merge with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, us, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of our outstanding Voting Stock or Voting Stock of such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where our Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitutes, or is converted into or exchanged for, Voting Stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person or its parent immediately after giving effect to such transaction;

 

    during any period of 24 consecutive calendar months, the majority of the members of our board of directors shall no longer be composed of individuals (a) who were members of our board of directors on the first day of such period or (b) whose election or nomination to our board of directors was approved by individuals referred to in clause (a) above constituting, at the time of such election or nomination, at least a majority of our board of directors or, if directors are nominated by a committee of our board of directors, constituting at the time of such nomination, at least a majority of such committee; or

 

    the adoption of a plan relating to our liquidation or dissolution.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (i) we become a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company and (ii) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of our Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction.

 

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Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Change of Control Triggering Event will be deemed to have occurred in connection with any particular Change of Control unless and until such Change of Control has actually been consummated.

Investment Grade” means a rating of Baa3 or better by Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor rating category of Moody’s) and a rating of BBB- or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating category of S&P), and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement rating agency or rating agencies selected by us under the circumstances permitting us to select a replacement rating agency and in the manner for selecting a replacement rating agency, in each case as set forth in the definition of “Rating Agency.”

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors.

Rating Agency” means each of Moody’s and S&P; provided, that if any of Moody’s or S&P ceases to provide rating services to issuers or investors, we may appoint another “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined under the Exchange Act) as a replacement for such Rating Agency; provided, that we shall give written notice of such appointment to the trustee.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services LLC, a division of S&P Global Inc., and its successors.

Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the capital stock (or comparable equity interests) of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors (or members of the governing body) of such Person.

For purposes of the Exchange Notes, “Person” includes any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, estate, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of Westlake and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise, established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the applicability of the requirement that we offer to repurchase the Exchange Notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the assets of Westlake and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or group may be uncertain.

Certain Covenants

The indenture contains, among others, the following covenants:

Restrictions on Secured Debt

Under the indenture, Westlake will not, and we will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary (as defined below) to, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of indebtedness for money borrowed (“Debt”), secured by pledge of, or mortgage or lien on, any Principal Property (as defined below) of Westlake or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any shares of stock of or Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary (such pledges, mortgages and liens being called “Mortgage” or “Mortgages” and such Debt secured by such Mortgages being called “Secured Debt”), without effectively providing that the Exchange Notes of each series (together with, if we shall so determine, any other indebtedness of Westlake or such Restricted Subsidiary then existing or thereafter created which is not subordinate to the Exchange Notes of each series) shall be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Secured Debt, so long as such Secured Debt shall be so secured, unless after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all such Secured Debt plus all Attributable Debt of Westlake and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Sale and Leaseback Transaction (as defined below) would not, at

 

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the time of such incurrence, issuance, assumption or guarantee, exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from Secured Debt in any computation under such restriction, indebtedness secured by:

 

    Mortgages on such property or shares of stock or Debt existing on the first date the Outstanding 2021 Notes and Outstanding 2023 Notes were originally issued;

 

    Mortgages on such property or shares of stock of or Debt of any Person, which Mortgages are existing at the time (i) such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) such Person is merged into or consolidated with Westlake or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) Westlake or one of its Subsidiaries merges into or consolidates with such Person (in a transaction in which such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary), which Mortgage was not incurred in anticipation of such transaction and was outstanding prior to such transaction;

 

    Mortgages in favor of Westlake or any Guarantor;

 

    Mortgages in favor of a governmental entity or in favor of the holders of securities issued by any such entity, pursuant to any contract or statute (including Mortgages to secure debt of the pollution control or industrial revenue bond type) or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of construction of the property subject to such Mortgages;

 

    Mortgages in favor of any governmental entity to secure progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or provision of any statute;

 

    Mortgages on such property or shares of stock or Debt existing at the time of acquisition thereof (including acquisition through merger or consolidation);

 

    Mortgages on such property or shares of stock or Debt to secure the payment of all or any part of the purchase price or construction cost thereof or to secure any Debt incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 180 days after, the acquisition of such property or shares or Debt, the completion of any construction or the commencement of full operation, for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or construction cost thereof;

 

    Mortgages incurred in connection with a Sale and Leaseback Transaction satisfying the provisions described under “—Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions” below; and

 

    any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements), as a whole or in part, of any Mortgage referred to in the foregoing bullet points; provided that such extension, renewal or replacement Mortgage shall be limited to all or a part of the same such property or shares of stock or Debt that secured the Mortgage extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements on such property).

Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions

Under the indenture, Westlake will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement with any bank, insurance company or other lender or investor (not including us or any Restricted Subsidiary) or to which any such lender or investor is a party, providing for the leasing by us or a Restricted Subsidiary for a period, including renewals, in excess of three years of any Principal Property the ownership of which has been or is to be sold or transferred, more than 180 days after the completion of construction and commencement of full operation thereof, by us or such Restricted Subsidiary to such lender or investor or to any Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such Principal Property (referred to as a “Sale and Leaseback Transaction”) unless:

 

    such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is with a governmental entity that provides financial or tax benefits;

 

    we or such Restricted Subsidiary could create Secured Debt pursuant to the provisions described under “—Restrictions on Secured Debt” on the Principal Property to be leased in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction without equally and ratably securing debt securities issued under the indenture; or

 

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    the net proceeds of the sale or transfer of the Principal Property leased pursuant to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is at least equal to the fair market value of such Principal Property and (b) within 180 days after such sale or transfer shall have been made by us or by a Restricted Subsidiary, we apply an amount not less than the greater of (i) the net proceeds of the sale of the Principal Property leased pursuant to such arrangement or (ii) the fair market value of the Principal Property so leased at the time of entering into such arrangement (as evidenced by an officers’ certificate delivered to the trustee) to the retirement of Funded Debt (as defined below) of Westlake; provided that the amount to be applied to the retirement of Funded Debt of Westlake shall be reduced by (x) the principal amount of debt securities issued under the indenture delivered within 180 days after such sale to the trustee for retirement and cancellation, and (y) the principal amount of Funded Debt other than debt securities issued under the indenture, voluntarily retired by us within 180 days after such sale. No retirement referred to in this clause (3) may be effected by payment at maturity or pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund payment or mandatory prepayment provision.

Limitations on Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets

The indenture provides that we may not consolidate with or merge into any entity or sell, lease, convey, assign, transfer or dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to any entity unless:

 

  (1) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person is either Westlake or is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia, and, if not Westlake, the resulting entity assumes by a supplemental indenture the due and punctual payments on the Exchange Notes of each series and the performance of our covenants and obligations under the indenture; and

 

  (2) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing or would result from the transaction.

Upon any transaction of the type described above, the resulting entity will succeed to and be substituted for and may exercise all of our rights and powers under the indenture and the Exchange Notes with the same effect as if the resulting entity had been named as us in the indenture. In the case of any asset transfer or disposition other than a lease, when the resulting entity assumes all of our obligations and covenants under the indenture and the Exchange Notes of each series, we will be relieved of all such obligations.

Certain Definitions

Attributable Debt” means, as to any lease in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction under which any Person is at the time liable, at any date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the total net amount of rent required to be paid by such Person under such lease during the remaining term thereof (or, if earlier, the first date upon which such lease may be terminated without penalty), discounted from the respective due dates thereof to such date at the weighted average rate per annum borne by the Exchange Notes, compounded annually. The net amount of rent required to be paid under any such lease for any such period shall be the aggregate amount of the rent payable by the lessee with respect to such period after excluding amounts required to be paid on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates and similar charges. Unless we elect to calculate the total amount of rent required to be paid through the first date upon which such lease may be terminated without penalty (if such a provision exists), in the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated.

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the aggregate amount of assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting therefrom (1) all current liabilities, except for (a) notes and loans payable, (b) current maturities of long-term debt and (c) current maturities of obligations under capital leases and (2) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like

 

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intangibles, all as set forth on the most recent balance sheet of Westlake and its consolidated Subsidiaries and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time. Deferred income taxes, deferred investment tax credit or other similar items, as calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time, will not be considered as a liability or as a deduction from or adjustment to total assets.

Funded Debt” means all indebtedness for money borrowed having a maturity of more than 12 months from the date of the most recent balance sheet of Westlake and its consolidated Subsidiaries or having a maturity of less than 12 months but by its terms being renewable or extendible beyond 12 months from the date of such balance sheet at the option of the borrower.

Principal Property” means any single parcel of real estate, any single manufacturing plant or any single warehouse owned or leased in connection with a Sale and Leaseback Transaction by Westlake or any Subsidiary which is located within the United States and the net book value of which on the date as of which the determination is being made exceeds 1% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, other than any such manufacturing plant or warehouse or portion thereof (1) which is a pollution control or other facility financed by obligations issued by a state or local government unit and described in Sections 141(a), 142(a)(5), 142(a)(6), 142(a)(10) or 144(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (or their successor provisions) or by any other obligations the interest of which is excluded under Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code (or its successor provision), or (2) which, in the good-faith opinion of the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution, is not of material importance to the total business conducted by Westlake and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. As of December 31, 2016, Westlake and its Restricted Subsidiaries had Principal Properties representing approximately 32.8% of Westlake’s consolidated assets as of such date.

Restricted Subsidiary” means a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Westlake substantially all of the assets of which are located in the United States (excluding territories or possessions) and which owns a Principal Property; provided, however, that the term Restricted Subsidiary shall not include any Subsidiary that is principally engaged in (1) the business of financing; (2) the business of owning, buying, selling, leasing, dealing in or developing real property; or (3) the business of exporting goods or merchandise from or importing goods or merchandise into the United States.

Subsidiary” means a Person more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by Westlake or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by Westlake and one or more other Subsidiaries.

Modification and Waiver

We and the trustee may supplement or amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series issued under the indenture that are affected by the amendment or supplement (voting as one class). Without the consent of the holder of each note affected, however, no modification may:

 

    reduce the amount of notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

    reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on the note;

 

    reduce the principal of the note or change its stated maturity;

 

    reduce any premium payable on the redemption of the note or change the time at which the note may or must be redeemed;

 

    change any obligation to pay additional amounts on the note;

 

    make payments on the note payable in currency other than as originally stated in the note;

 

    impair the holder’s right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the note;

 

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    make any change in the percentage of principal amount of notes necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to make any change in the provision related to modification;

 

    waive a continuing default or event of default regarding any payment on the notes;

 

    if applicable, make any change that materially and adversely affects the right to convert any note.

We and the trustee may supplement or amend the indenture or waive any provision of the indenture without the consent of any holders of debt securities issued under the indenture in certain circumstances, including:

 

    to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

    to provide for the assumption of our obligations under the indenture by a successor upon any merger, consolidation or asset transfer permitted under the indenture;

 

    to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes or to provide for bearer notes;

 

    to provide any security for, or to add any guarantees of or obligors on, any series of notes;

 

    to comply with any requirement to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939;

 

    to add covenants that would benefit the holders of any notes or to surrender any rights we have under the indenture;

 

    to add events of default with respect to any series of notes;

 

    to make any change that does not adversely affect any outstanding debt securities of any series issued under the indenture in any material respect; and

 

    to establish the form or terms of any notes and to accept the appointment of a successor trustee, each as permitted under the indenture.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Exchange Notes of any series (or, in some cases, of all debt securities issued under the indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may waive any existing or past default or event of default with respect to those notes. Those holders may not, however, waive any default or event of default in any payment on any note or compliance with a provision that cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each holder affected.

Events of Default

The following are events of default with respect to a series of Exchange Notes:

 

    our failure to pay interest on any Exchange Note of that series for 30 days after becoming due;

 

    our failure to pay principal of or any premium on any Exchange Note of that series when due;

 

    our failure to comply with any covenant or agreement in that series of Exchange Notes or the indenture (other than an agreement or covenant that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of other series of notes) for 60 days after written notice by the trustee or by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture that are affected by that failure;

 

    specified events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Westlake or a Guarantor with respect to that series of Exchange Notes that is a significant subsidiary (as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC, as in effect on the date of the indenture); and

 

    specified events involving the Guarantees.

 

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A default under one series of Exchange Notes will not necessarily be a default under any other series. If a default or event of default for any series of Exchange Notes occurs, is continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee will notify the holders of applicable Exchange Notes within 90 days after it occurs. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the Exchange Notes of any default or event of default, except in any payment on the Exchange Notes, if the trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders of those Exchange Notes.

If an event of default for any series of Exchange Notes occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Exchange Notes of the series affected by the default (or, in some cases, 25% in principal amount of all debt securities issued under the indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may declare the principal of and all accrued and unpaid interest on those Exchange Notes to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Westlake or a Guarantor that is a significant subsidiary occurs, the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Exchange Notes of that series will become immediately due and payable without any action on the part of the trustee or any holder. At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Exchange Notes of the series affected by the default (or, in some cases, of all debt securities issued under the indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may in some cases rescind this accelerated payment requirement and its consequences.

A holder of an Exchange Note of any series issued under the indenture may pursue any remedy under the indenture only if:

 

    the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

 

    the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes of that series make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

    the holders offer to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

    the trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and offer of indemnity; and

 

    during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes of that series do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

This provision does not, however, affect the right of a holder of a note to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment.

The trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless those holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it. Subject to this provision for indemnification, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Exchange Notes of a series (or of all debt securities issued under the indenture that are affected, voting as one class) generally may direct the time, method and place of:

 

    conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee; or

 

    exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee relating to or arising as a result of an event of default.

If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of his own affairs.

The indenture requires us to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to our performance of certain of our obligations under the indenture and as to any default in performance.

 

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Defeasance and Discharge

Defeasance. When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under the indenture. If we deposit with the trustee under the indenture any combination of money or government securities sufficient to make payments on the Exchange Notes of a series issued under the indenture on the dates those payments are due, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:

 

    we and the Guarantors will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the Exchange Notes of that series (“legal defeasance”); or

 

    we and the Guarantors will no longer have any obligation to comply with specified restrictive covenants with respect to the Exchange Notes of that series, the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants— Limitations on Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets” above and other specified covenants under the indenture, and the related events of default will no longer apply (“covenant defeasance”).

If a series of Exchange Notes is defeased, the holders of the Exchange Notes of that series will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for obligations to register the transfer or exchange of Exchange Notes, replace stolen, lost or mutilated Exchange Notes or maintain paying agencies and hold money for payment in trust. In the case of covenant defeasance, our obligation to pay principal, premium and interest on the Exchange Notes, and if applicable, the Guarantors’ guarantees of the payments, will also survive.

We will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the Exchange Notes to recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that the holders would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related defeasance had not occurred. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.

Under current U.S. federal income tax law, legal defeasance would likely be treated as a taxable exchange of Exchange Notes to be defeased for interests in the defeasance trust. As a consequence, a United States holder would recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the holder’s cost or other tax basis for the Exchange Notes and the value of the holder’s interest in the defeasance trust, and thereafter would be required to include in income a share of the income, gain or loss of the defeasance trust. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, covenant defeasance would not be treated as a taxable exchange of such Exchange Notes.

Satisfaction and Discharge. In addition, the indenture will cease to be of further effect with respect to the Exchange Notes of a series issued under the indenture, subject to exceptions relating to compensation and indemnity of the trustee under the indenture and repayment to us of excess money or government securities, when:

 

    either

 

    all outstanding Exchange Notes of that series have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or

 

    all outstanding Exchange Notes of that series not delivered to the trustee for cancellation either:

 

    have become due and payable

 

    will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or

 

    are to be called for redemption within one year; and

 

    we have deposited with the trustee any combination of money or government securities in trust sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on the Exchange Notes of that series when due; and

 

    we have paid all other sums payable by us with respect to the Exchange Notes of that series.

 

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Governing Law

New York law governs the indenture and will govern the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees.

The Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association) acts as the trustee under the indenture. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. will act as the trustee with respect the Exchange Notes of each series.

The indenture contains limitations on the right of the trustee, if it or any of its affiliates is then our creditor or, if applicable, a creditor of a Guarantor, to obtain payment of claims or to realize on certain property received for any such claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee and its affiliates are permitted to engage in other transactions with us, and, if applicable, the Guarantors. If, however, the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate that conflict or resign within 90 days after ascertaining that it has a conflicting interest and after the occurrence of a default under the indenture, unless the default has been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated within the 90-day period.

Payments and Paying Agents

We will make payments on the Exchange Notes in U.S. dollars at the office of the trustee and any paying agent. At our option, however, payments may be made by wire transfer for global notes or by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the payment as it appears in the security register. We will make interest payments to the person in whose name the Exchange Note is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest payment.

The trustee under the indenture will be designated as the paying agent for payments on Exchange Notes issued under the indenture. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.

If the principal of or any premium or interest on Exchange Notes of a series is payable on a day that is not a business day, the payment will be made on the following business day. For these purposes, a “business day” is any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in any of New York, New York, Houston, Texas or a place of payment on the Exchange Notes of that series is authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the trustee and paying agent will pay to us upon written request any money held by them for payments on the Exchange Notes that remains unclaimed for two years after the date upon which that payment has become due. After payment to us, holders entitled to the money must look to us for payment. In that case, all liability of the trustee or paying agent with respect to that money will cease.

Book-Entry, Form and Delivery

Except as set forth below, the Exchange Notes will be issued in registered, global form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Exchange Notes will initially be represented by one or more fully registered global notes, which we refer to collectively as the “Global Notes.” The Global Notes will be deposited upon issuance with the trustee as custodian for DTC, and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to time.

 

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The following are summaries of certain rules and operating procedures of DTC that affect the payment of principal and interest and the transfers of interests in the Global Notes. The Exchange Notes will be issued only in the form of definitive global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Unless and until they are exchanged in whole or in part for Exchange Notes in definitive form under the limited circumstances described below, a Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole (1) by DTC to a nominee, (2) by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC or (3) by DTC or any such nominee to a successor of DTC or a nominee of such successor. Accountholders in the Euroclear or Clearstream Banking clearance systems may hold beneficial interests in the Exchange Notes through the accounts that each of these systems maintain as participants in DTC.

Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be limited to persons that have accounts with DTC for such Global Notes, who we refer to as participants, or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of the Global Notes, DTC will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the Exchange Notes represented by such Global Notes beneficially owned by such participants.

Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to interests of participants). Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the participant through which the beneficial owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the Global Notes are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interest in the Global Notes, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the Global Notes is discontinued. The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may limit or impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in the Global Notes.

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of the Global Notes, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Exchange Notes represented by such Global Notes for all purposes under the indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will not be entitled to have Exchange Notes represented by such Global Notes registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of such Exchange Notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or holders thereof under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in the Global Notes must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in any of the Global Notes desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take such action, and such participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to give or to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them. Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Beneficial owners may wish to take certain steps to augment the transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to the Global Notes, such as redemptions, tenders, defaults, and proposed amendments to the note documents. Beneficial owners may ascertain that the nominee holding the Global Notes for their benefit has agreed to obtain and transmit notices to beneficial owners or beneficial owners may provide their names and addresses to the registrar and request that copies of notices be provided directly to them.

 

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Principal and interest payments on interests represented by the Global Notes will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of such Global Notes. None of Westlake, the trustee any other agent of Westlake or agent of the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any facet of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership of interests. We expect that DTC, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest in respect of the Global Notes, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in such Global Notes as shown on the records of DTC. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes held through such participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practice, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such participants.

If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository for the Global Notes of any series of Exchange Notes, and we fail to appoint a successor depository registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days, we will issue Exchange Notes of that series in definitive form in exchange for the Global Notes. Any Exchange Notes issued in definitive form in exchange for such Global Notes will be registered in such name or names, and will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof as DTC shall instruct the Trustee. It is expected that such instructions will be based upon directions received by DTC from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes.

DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the Banking Law of the State of New York, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold the securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which (and/or their representatives) directly or indirectly own DTC. Access to the DTC book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers and dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.

Same Day Settlement and Payment

All payments of principal and interest on the Exchange Notes will be made by Westlake in immediately available funds. The Exchange Notes will trade in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System until maturity, and secondary market trading activity in the Exchange Notes will therefore be required by DTC to settle in immediately available funds.

 

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Description of the 2026/2046 Exchange Notes

In this description, the words “Westlake,” “Company,” “us,” “our” or “we” refer only to Westlake Chemical Corporation and not any of its subsidiaries. In this description, the term “Outstanding 2026 Notes” refers to the $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our outstanding unregistered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 that were issued in a private offering on August 10, 2016, the term “Outstanding 2046 Notes” refers to the $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our outstanding unregistered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 that were issued in a private offering on August 10, 2016, the term “2026 Exchange Notes” refers to the registered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 offered hereby in exchange for the Outstanding 2026 Notes, the term “2046 Exchange Notes” refers to the registered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 offered hereby in exchange for the Outstanding 2046 Notes, the term “Outstanding Notes” refers to the Outstanding 2026 Notes and the Outstanding 2046 Notes, collectively, the term “Exchange Notes” refers to the 2026 Exchange Notes and the 2046 Exchange Notes, collectively, and the term “notes” refers to the Exchange Notes and the Outstanding Notes, collectively, in each case, unless the context otherwise requires.

The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the notes and the indenture governing the notes. This summary is not complete and is subject to, and qualified by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture governing the notes and the notes. We urge you to read the indenture governing the notes and the notes because they, and not this description, define your rights as holders of the Exchange Notes.

General

Westlake and certain of the Guarantors have entered into an indenture dated as of January 1, 2006, which we refer to as the “indenture”, by and among Westlake, the subsidiary guarantors listed therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which Westlake may issue multiple series of debt securities from time to time. Westlake issued the Outstanding 2026 Notes and the Outstanding 2046 Notes under the indenture as amended and supplemented by the eighth supplemental indenture to the indenture, which we refer to as the “eighth supplemental indenture.” Westlake will issue the 2026 Exchange Notes and the 2046 Exchange Notes under the indenture, as amended and supplemented by the eighth supplemental indenture thereto. The terms of the Exchange Notes include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The Outstanding 2026 Notes, the Outstanding 2046 Notes, the 2046 Exchange Notes and the 2046 Exchange Notes are each a separate series of debt securities under the indenture.

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued under the indenture. As of December 31, 2016, approximately $3.26 billion of debt securities were outstanding under the indenture. We may issue additional debt securities under the indenture from time to time in one or more series. We may from time to time, without giving notice to or seeking the consent of the holders of the Exchange Notes offered hereby, issue debt securities having the same terms (except for the issue date, and, in some cases, the public offering price and, to the extent applicable, the first date of interest accrual and the first interest payment date) as, and ranking equally and ratably with, the Exchange Notes of any series offered hereby. Any additional debt securities having such similar terms, together with such series of Exchange Notes offered hereby, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the indenture, including for purposes of voting. No such additional debt securities may be issued if an “event of default” (as such term is defined below) has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Exchange Notes of any series offered hereby.

The form and terms of each series of Exchange Notes will be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes, except for the issue date and that the offer and issuance of the Exchange Notes will be registered under the Securities Act, and the transfer restrictions and registration rights, and related additional interest provisions, applicable to the Outstanding Notes will not apply to the corresponding Exchange Notes. Each series of Exchange Notes will represent the same principal amount of debt and interest as the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes. The Exchange Notes will be issued as

 

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“additional notes” under the eighth supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Outstanding 2026 Notes and the Outstanding 2046 Notes were issued. The Exchange Notes are expected to bear a different CUSIP number and ISIN number than the corresponding series of the Outstanding Notes. Any unexchanged Outstanding 2026 Notes and Outstanding 2026 Notes that remain outstanding after the applicable exchange offer will not be aggregated with the 2026 Exchange Notes or the 2046 Exchange Notes, as applicable.

The registered holder of an Exchange Note will be treated as the owner of the Exchange Note for all purposes. Only registered holders of notes will have rights under the indenture as amended and supplemented by the eighth supplemental indenture thereto.

Principal, Maturity and Interest

Westlake issued the Outstanding 2026 Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $750 million. Westlake will issue up to $750 million aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Exchange Notes in exchange for Outstanding 2026 Notes in the exchange offer. The 2026 Exchange Notes will mature on August 15, 2026. Interest on the 2026 Exchange Notes will accrue at the rate of 3.600% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2017. Westlake will make each interest payment to the holders of record of the 2026 Exchange Notes on the immediately preceding February 1 and August 1 (whether or not a business day).

Westlake issued the Outstanding 2046 Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $700 million. Westlake will issue up to $700 million aggregate principal amount of the 2046 Exchange Notes in exchange for Outstanding 2046 Notes in the exchange offer. The 2046 Exchange Notes will mature on August 15, 2046. Interest on the 2046 Exchange Notes will accrue at the rate of 5.000% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2017. Westlake will make each interest payment to the holders of record of 2046 Exchange Notes on the immediately preceding February 1 and August 1 (whether or not a business day).

Interest on the 2026 Exchange Notes will accrue from February 15, 2017, or if interest has since been paid on the Outstanding 2026 Notes, from and including the date it was paid. Interest on the 2046 Exchange Notes will accrue from February 15, 2017, or if interest has since been paid on the Outstanding 2046 Notes, from and including the date it was paid. Holders of Outstanding Notes that are accepted for exchange will be deemed to have waived the right, if any, to receive any payment in respect of interest accrued on the Outstanding Notes from the date of the last interest payment date in respect of their Outstanding Notes until the date of the issuance of the Exchange Notes. Consequently, holders of the Exchange Notes will receive the same interest payments that they would have received had they not accepted the exchange offer. In no event will interest be payable for the same period under both an Outstanding Note tendered for exchange and the corresponding Exchange Note issued in respect of such Outstanding Note. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If the principal of or any premium or interest on the Exchange Notes is payable on a day that is not a business day, the payment will be made on the following business day and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. For these purposes, a “business day” is any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in any of New York, New York or Houston, Texas is authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

The Exchange Notes will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof in book-entry form only. See “—Book-Entry, Form and Delivery.”

Guarantees

Westlake’s payment obligations under the Exchange Notes will be guaranteed by the guarantors (the “Guarantors”), which shall initially consist of the subsidiaries of Westlake that guarantee the Outstanding Notes and the Revolving Credit Agreement. The Guarantees will be joint and several obligations of the Guarantors. The

 

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obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under applicable law. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Exchange Notes—Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void guarantees and require holders of notes to return payments received from guarantors.”

The Exchange Notes will also be guaranteed by each of Westlake’s future Domestic Subsidiaries which guarantees any other Debt of Westlake or any other Guarantor in excess of $40 million.

The Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released:

 

    in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) Westlake or a Subsidiary of Westlake;

 

    in connection with any sale or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of a Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) Westlake or a Subsidiary of Westlake;

 

    upon legal defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the Exchange Notes of a series as provided in this prospectus under the caption “—Defeasance and Discharge;” or

 

    at such time as such Guarantor ceases to guarantee any Debt of Westlake or a Guarantor in excess of $40 million other than Debt under one or more series of securities issued pursuant to the indenture; provided that, if such Guarantor solely guarantees Debt under one or more series of securities issued pursuant to the indenture, the guarantees of each such series of securities may be released concurrently.

Ranking

The Exchange Notes and the Guarantees of each series of Exchange Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Westlake and each of the Guarantors, respectively, and will rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Westlake and such Guarantor, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, we had an aggregate of approximately $3.68 billion of unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

The Exchange Notes and the Guarantees of each series of Exchange Notes will effectively rank junior to all existing and future secured indebtedness of Westlake and the Guarantors, respectively, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. As of December 31, 2016, neither Westlake nor any of the Guarantors had any secured indebtedness. In the event of any distribution or payment of Westlake’s or any Guarantors’ assets in any foreclosure, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization or other bankruptcy proceeding, holders of secured indebtedness will have prior claim to such assets that constitute their collateral. Holders of the Exchange Notes of each series will participate ratably with all holders of our senior unsecured indebtedness, and potentially with all of our other general creditors, based upon the respective amounts owed to each holder or creditor, in our remaining assets. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Exchange Notes—A holder’s right to receive payments on the Exchange Notes is effectively subordinated to the rights of our existing and future secured creditors. Further, the Guarantees of the Exchange Notes of each series by the Guarantors are effectively subordinated to the Guarantors’ existing and future secured indebtedness.”

In addition, not all of our subsidiaries will guarantee the Exchange Notes of each series. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of these non-Guarantor subsidiaries, that non-Guarantor subsidiary will pay the holders of its debt and its trade creditors before it will be able to distribute any of its assets to us. Accordingly, the Exchange Notes of each series will be effectively subordinated to creditors, including trade creditors, if any, of our non-Guarantor subsidiaries. The non-Guarantor subsidiaries accounted for approximately 31% of our consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

 

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Special Mandatory Redemption

We will not be required to redeem the Exchange Notes pursuant to the special mandatory redemption provision because the Merger closed on August 31, 2016.

We would have been required to redeem each series of Outstanding 2026 Notes, Outstanding 2046 Notes, 2026 Exchange Notes and 2046 Exchange Notes, in whole, if:

 

    the closing of the Merger had not occurred by 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the special mandatory trigger date (as defined below); or

 

    the Acquisition Agreement (as defined below) were terminated at any time prior to the special mandatory trigger date.

The “Acquisition Agreement” means the agreement and plan of merger, dated June 10, 2016, among Westlake, Axiall Corporation (“Axiall”) and Lagoon Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Westlake.

The “special mandatory trigger date” means the later of (i) January 31, 2017 and (ii) the date that is no later than April 30, 2017 if the closing of the Acquisition has been extended by Westlake or Axiall in accordance with the terms of the Acquisition Agreement.

However, the Merger closed on August 31, 2016. As a result, we will not be required to redeem the Exchange Notes pursuant to the special mandatory redemption provision.

Optional Redemption

Optional Redemption for the 2026 Exchange Notes

The 2026 Exchange Notes will be redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time prior to May 15, 2026, in principal amounts of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that the unredeemed portion of a note must be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000, for a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

    100% of the principal amount of the 2026 Exchange Notes to be redeemed; and

 

    the sum, as determined by an Independent Investment Banker, of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments on the 2026 Exchange Notes being redeemed (excluding accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date), discounted to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 35 basis points,

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

In addition, at any time on or after May 15, 2026 (three months prior to the maturity date of the 2026 Exchange Notes), the 2026 Exchange Notes will be redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, in principal amounts of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that the unredeemed portion of a 2026 Exchange Note must be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2026 Exchange Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

Optional Redemption for the 2046 Exchange Notes

The 2046 Exchange Notes will be redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time prior to February 15, 2046, in principal amounts of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that the unredeemed portion of a note must be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000, for a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

    100% of the principal amount of the 2046 Exchange Notes to be redeemed; and

 

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    the sum, as determined by an Independent Investment Banker, of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments on the 2046 Exchange Notes being redeemed (excluding accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date), discounted to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 45 basis points,

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

In addition, at any time on or after February 15, 2046 (six months prior to the maturity date of the 2046 Exchange Notes), the 2046 Exchange Notes will be redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, in principal amounts of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that the unredeemed portion of a 2046 Exchange Note must be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2046 Exchange Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

General Exchange Notes Optional Redemption Terms

Treasury Rate” means, for any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity, computed as of the second business day immediately preceding that redemption date, of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that redemption date.

Comparable Treasury Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Exchange Notes of a series to be redeemed that would be used, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such Exchange Notes to be redeemed.

Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, (a) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for the redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (b) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all quotations obtained.

Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by us.

Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., and their respective successors, and one other nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a primary U.S. Government securities dealer specified from time to time by us. If, however, any of them shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer, we will substitute another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is such a dealer.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer as of 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the third business day preceding the redemption date.

Remaining Scheduled Payments” means the remaining scheduled payments of the principal of and interest on each Exchange Note to be redeemed that would be due after the related redemption date but for such redemption.

 

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Subsidiary” means a Person more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by Westlake or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by Westlake and one or more other Subsidiaries.

We will deliver notice of a redemption not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days before the redemption date to holders of Exchange Notes to be redeemed. Once notice of redemption is sent, the Exchange Notes called for redemption will become due and payable on the redemption date at the applicable redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional.

If we elect to redeem less than all of the Exchange Notes of any series, and such Exchange Notes are at the time represented by a global note, then the depositary will select by lot the particular Exchange Notes of such series to be redeemed. If we elect to redeem less than all of the Exchange Notes of such series, and any of such Exchange Notes are not represented by a global note, then the trustee will select the particular Exchange Notes to be redeemed in a manner it deems fair and appropriate (and the depositary will select by lot the particular interests in any global note to be redeemed). Unless there is a default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on such Exchange Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

We may at any time, and from time to time, purchase the Exchange Notes of a series at any price or prices in the open market, through negotiated transactions, by tender offer or otherwise.

Sinking Fund

The Exchange Notes will not be entitled to any sinking fund.

Change of Control Triggering Event

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, unless we have exercised our right to redeem a series of Exchange Notes as described under “—Optional Redemption” in accordance with the indenture as amended and supplemented by the eighth supplemental indenture thereto, each holder of the Exchange Notes of any series offered hereby will have the right to require us to purchase all or a portion ($1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such holder’s Exchange Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”), at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”), subject to the rights of holders of the Exchange Notes of such series on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date; provided that the principal amount of an Exchange Note remaining outstanding after a repurchase in part shall be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Within 30 days following the date upon which the Change of Control Triggering Event occurred, or at our option, prior to any Change of Control but after the public announcement of the pending Change of Control, we will be required to deliver a notice to each holder of the Exchange Notes of any series not redeemed, with a copy to the trustee, which notice will govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer. Such notice will, among other things, state the purchase date, which must be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent, other than as may be required by applicable law (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), describe the transaction or transactions constituting the Change of Control Triggering Event and offer to repurchase the Exchange Notes of such series. The notice, if sent prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, will state that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control being consummated on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, we will, to the extent lawful:

 

    accept or cause a third party to accept for payment all Exchange Notes or portions of Exchange Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

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    deposit or cause a third party to deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Exchange Notes or portions of Exchange Notes properly tendered; and

 

    deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the Exchange Notes to be redeemed properly accepted together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes or portions of Exchange Notes being repurchased and that all conditions precedent to the Change of Control Offer and to the repurchase by us of Exchange Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer have been complied with.

We will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer with respect to the Exchange Notes of a series if (i) a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for such an offer otherwise required to be made by us and such third party purchases all such Exchange Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer or (ii) a notice of redemption has been given to the holders of all of the Exchange Notes of such series in accordance with the terms of the indenture as amended and supplemented by the eighth supplemental indenture thereto, unless and until there is a default in payment of the redemption price.

A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place with respect to the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

We will comply in all material respects with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Exchange Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions of the Exchange Notes of a series, we will comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions of such Exchange Notes by virtue of any such conflict.

For purposes of the foregoing discussion of a Change of Control Offer, the following definitions are applicable:

Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the rating on the Exchange Notes of a series is lowered and as a result the Exchange Notes of such series cease to be rated Investment Grade by each of the Rating Agencies on any date during the period (the “Trigger Period”) commencing on the earlier of (a) the occurrence of a Change of Control and (b) the first public announcement by us of any Change of Control (or pending Change of Control) and ending 60 days following the consummation of such Change of Control (which Trigger Period will be extended if the rating of such Exchange Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any Rating Agency on such 60th day, such extension to last with respect to each Rating Agency until the date on which such Rating Agency considering such possible downgrade either (x) rates the Exchange Notes of such series below Investment Grade or (y) publicly announces that it is no longer considering such Exchange Notes for possible downgrade; provided, that no such extension will occur if on such 60th day the Exchange Notes of such series are rated Investment Grade not subject to review for possible downgrade by any Rating Agency); provided, that a rating event will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus will not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if each Rating Agency making the reduction in rating does not publicly announce or confirm or inform the trustee in writing at our request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control has occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event). If any Rating Agency withdraws its rating on the Exchange Notes of a series or otherwise ceases to provide a rating on such Exchange Notes on any day during the Trigger Period for any reason and we have not selected a

 

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replacement Rating Agency pursuant to the terms of the indenture as amended and supplemented by the eighth supplemental indenture thereto, the rating of such Rating Agency shall be deemed to be below an Investment Grade Rating on such day.

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the date of issuance of the Exchange Notes:

 

    the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of Westlake and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than to Westlake or one of its Subsidiaries;

 

    the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, it being agreed that an employee of Westlake or any of its Subsidiaries for whom shares are held under an employee stock ownership, employee retirement, employee savings or similar plan and whose shares are voted in accordance with the instructions of such employee shall not be a member of a “group” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) solely because such employee’s shares are held by a trustee under said plan) becomes the ultimate Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of our Voting Stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of our outstanding Voting Stock;

 

    we consolidate with, or merge with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, us, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of our outstanding Voting Stock or Voting Stock of such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where our Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitutes, or is converted into or exchanged for, Voting Stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person or its parent immediately after giving effect to such transaction;

 

    during any period of 24 consecutive calendar months, the majority of the members of our board of directors shall no longer be composed of individuals (a) who were members of our board of directors on the first day of such period or (b) whose election or nomination to our board of directors was approved by individuals referred to in clause (a) above constituting, at the time of such election or nomination, at least a majority of our board of directors or, if directors are nominated by a committee of our board of directors, constituting at the time of such nomination, at least a majority of such committee; or

 

    the adoption of a plan relating to our liquidation or dissolution.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (i) we become a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company and (ii) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of our Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction.

Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Change of Control Triggering Event will be deemed to have occurred in connection with any particular Change of Control unless and until such Change of Control has actually been consummated.

 

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Investment Grade” means a rating of Baa3 or better by Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor rating category of Moody’s) and a rating of BBB- or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating category of S&P), and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement rating agency or rating agencies selected by us under the circumstances permitting us to select a replacement rating agency and in the manner for selecting a replacement rating agency, in each case as set forth in the definition of “Rating Agency.”

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors.

Rating Agency” means each of Moody’s and S&P; provided, that if any of Moody’s or S&P ceases to provide rating services to issuers or investors, we may appoint another “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined under the Exchange Act) as a replacement for such Rating Agency; provided, that we shall give written notice of such appointment to the trustee.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services LLC, a division of S&P Global Inc., and its successors.

Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the capital stock (or comparable equity interests) of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors (or members of the governing body) of such Person.

For purposes of the Exchange Notes, “Person” includes any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, estate, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of Westlake and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise, established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the applicability of the requirement that we offer to repurchase the Exchange Notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the assets of Westlake and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or group may be uncertain.

Certain Covenants

The indenture contains, among others, the following covenants:

Restrictions on Secured Debt

Under the indenture, Westlake will not, and we will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary (as defined below) to, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of indebtedness for money borrowed (“Debt”), secured by pledge of, or mortgage or lien on, any Principal Property (as defined below) of Westlake or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any shares of stock of or Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary (such pledges, mortgages and liens being called “Mortgage” or “Mortgages” and such Debt secured by such Mortgages being called “Secured Debt”), without effectively providing that the Exchange Notes of each series (together with, if we shall so determine, any other indebtedness of Westlake or such Restricted Subsidiary then existing or thereafter created which is not subordinate to the Exchange Notes of each series) shall be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Secured Debt, so long as such Secured Debt shall be so secured, unless after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all such Secured Debt plus all Attributable Debt of Westlake and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Sale and Leaseback Transaction (as defined below) would not, at the time of such incurrence, issuance, assumption or guarantee, exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from Secured Debt in any computation under such restriction, indebtedness secured by:

 

    Mortgages on such property or shares of stock or Debt existing on the first date the Outstanding 2026 Notes and Outstanding 2046 Notes were originally issued;

 

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    Mortgages on such property or shares of stock of or Debt of any Person, which Mortgages are existing at the time (i) such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) such Person is merged into or consolidated with Westlake or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) Westlake or one of its Subsidiaries merges into or consolidates with such Person (in a transaction in which such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary), which Mortgage was not incurred in anticipation of such transaction and was outstanding prior to such transaction;

 

    Mortgages in favor of Westlake or any Guarantor;

 

    Mortgages in favor of a governmental entity or in favor of the holders of securities issued by any such entity, pursuant to any contract or statute (including Mortgages to secure debt of the pollution control or industrial revenue bond type) or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of construction of the property subject to such Mortgages;

 

    Mortgages in favor of any governmental entity to secure progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or provision of any statute;

 

    Mortgages on such property or shares of stock or Debt existing at the time of acquisition thereof (including acquisition through merger or consolidation);

 

    Mortgages on such property or shares of stock or Debt to secure the payment of all or any part of the purchase price or construction cost thereof or to secure any Debt incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 180 days after, the acquisition of such property or shares or Debt, the completion of any construction or the commencement of full operation, for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or construction cost thereof;

 

    Mortgages incurred in connection with a Sale and Leaseback Transaction satisfying the provisions described under “—Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions” below; and

 

    any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements), as a whole or in part, of any Mortgage referred to in the foregoing bullet points; provided that such extension, renewal or replacement Mortgage shall be limited to all or a part of the same such property or shares of stock or Debt that secured the Mortgage extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements on such property).

Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions

Under the indenture, Westlake will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement with any bank, insurance company or other lender or investor (not including us or any Restricted Subsidiary) or to which any such lender or investor is a party, providing for the leasing by us or a Restricted Subsidiary for a period, including renewals, in excess of three years of any Principal Property the ownership of which has been or is to be sold or transferred, more than 180 days after the completion of construction and commencement of full operation thereof, by us or such Restricted Subsidiary to such lender or investor or to any Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such Principal Property (referred to as a “Sale and Leaseback Transaction”) unless:

 

    such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is with a governmental entity that provides financial or tax benefits;

 

    we or such Restricted Subsidiary could create Secured Debt pursuant to the provisions described under “—Restrictions on Secured Debt” on the Principal Property to be leased in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction without equally and ratably securing debt securities issued under the indenture; or

 

   

the net proceeds of the sale or transfer of the Principal Property leased pursuant to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is at least equal to the fair market value of such Principal Property and (b) within 180 days after such sale or transfer shall have been made by us or by a Restricted Subsidiary,

 

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we apply an amount not less than the greater of (i) the net proceeds of the sale of the Principal Property leased pursuant to such arrangement or (ii) the fair market value of the Principal Property so leased at the time of entering into such arrangement (as evidenced by an officers’ certificate delivered to the trustee) to the retirement of Funded Debt (as defined below) of Westlake; provided that the amount to be applied to the retirement of Funded Debt of Westlake shall be reduced by (x) the principal amount of debt securities issued under the indenture delivered within 180 days after such sale to the trustee for retirement and cancellation, and (y) the principal amount of Funded Debt other than debt securities issued under the indenture, voluntarily retired by us within 180 days after such sale. No retirement referred to in this clause (3) may be effected by payment at maturity or pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund payment or mandatory prepayment provision.

Limitations on Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets

The indenture provides that we may not consolidate with or merge into any entity or sell, lease, convey, assign, transfer or dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to any entity unless:

 

  (1) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person is either Westlake or is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia, and, if not Westlake, the resulting entity assumes by a supplemental indenture the due and punctual payments on the Exchange Notes of each series and the performance of our covenants and obligations under the indenture; and

 

  (2) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing or would result from the transaction.

Upon any transaction of the type described above, the resulting entity will succeed to and be substituted for and may exercise all of our rights and powers under the indenture and the Exchange Notes with the same effect as if the resulting entity had been named as us in the indenture. In the case of any asset transfer or disposition other than a lease, when the resulting entity assumes all of our obligations and covenants under the indenture and the Exchange Notes of each series, we will be relieved of all such obligations.

Certain Definitions

Attributable Debt” means, as to any lease in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction under which any Person is at the time liable, at any date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the total net amount of rent required to be paid by such Person under such lease during the remaining term thereof (or, if earlier, the first date upon which such lease may be terminated without penalty), discounted from the respective due dates thereof to such date at the weighted average rate per annum borne by the Exchange Notes, compounded annually. The net amount of rent required to be paid under any such lease for any such period shall be the aggregate amount of the rent payable by the lessee with respect to such period after excluding amounts required to be paid on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates and similar charges. Unless we elect to calculate the total amount of rent required to be paid through the first date upon which such lease may be terminated without penalty (if such a provision exists), in the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated.

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the aggregate amount of assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting therefrom (1) all current liabilities, except for (a) notes and loans payable, (b) current maturities of long-term debt and (c) current maturities of obligations under capital leases and (2) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, all as set forth on the most recent balance sheet of Westlake and its consolidated Subsidiaries and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time. Deferred income taxes, deferred investment tax credit or other similar items, as calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time, will not be considered as a liability or as a deduction from or adjustment to total assets.

 

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Funded Debt” means all indebtedness for money borrowed having a maturity of more than 12 months from the date of the most recent balance sheet of Westlake and its consolidated Subsidiaries or having a maturity of less than 12 months but by its terms being renewable or extendible beyond 12 months from the date of such balance sheet at the option of the borrower.

Principal Property” means any single parcel of real estate, any single manufacturing plant or any single warehouse owned or leased in connection with a Sale and Leaseback Transaction by Westlake or any Subsidiary which is located within the United States and the net book value of which on the date as of which the determination is being made exceeds 1% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, other than any such manufacturing plant or warehouse or portion thereof (1) which is a pollution control or other facility financed by obligations issued by a state or local government unit and described in Sections 141(a), 142(a)(5), 142(a)(6), 142(a)(10) or 144(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (or their successor provisions) or by any other obligations the interest of which is excluded under Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code (or its successor provision), or (2) which, in the good-faith opinion of the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution, is not of material importance to the total business conducted by Westlake and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. As of December 31, 2016, Westlake and its Restricted Subsidiaries had Principal Properties representing approximately 32.8% of Westlake’s consolidated assets as of such date.

Restricted Subsidiary” means a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Westlake substantially all of the assets of which are located in the United States (excluding territories or possessions) and which owns a Principal Property; provided, however, that the term Restricted Subsidiary shall not include any Subsidiary that is principally engaged in (1) the business of financing; (2) the business of owning, buying, selling, leasing, dealing in or developing real property; or (3) the business of exporting goods or merchandise from or importing goods or merchandise into the United States.

Subsidiary” means a Person more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock (as defined above) of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by Westlake or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by Westlake and one or more other Subsidiaries.

Modification and Waiver

We and the trustee may supplement or amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series issued under the indenture that are affected by the amendment or supplement (voting as one class). Without the consent of the holder of each note affected, however, no modification may:

 

    reduce the amount of notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

    reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on the note;

 

    reduce the principal of the note or change its stated maturity;

 

    reduce any premium payable on the redemption of the note or change the time at which the note may or must be redeemed;

 

    change any obligation to pay additional amounts on the note;

 

    make payments on the note payable in currency other than as originally stated in the note;

 

    impair the holder’s right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the note;

 

    make any change in the percentage of principal amount of notes necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to make any change in the provision related to modification;

 

    waive a continuing default or event of default regarding any payment on the notes;

 

    if applicable, make any change that materially and adversely affects the right to convert any note.

 

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We and the trustee may supplement or amend the indenture or waive any provision of the indenture without the consent of any holders of debt securities issued under the indenture in certain circumstances, including:

 

    to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

    to provide for the assumption of our obligations under the indenture by a successor upon any merger, consolidation or asset transfer permitted under the indenture;

 

    to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes or to provide for bearer notes;

 

    to provide any security for, or to add any guarantees of or obligors on, any series of notes;

 

    to comply with any requirement to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939;

 

    to add covenants that would benefit the holders of any notes or to surrender any rights we have under the indenture;

 

    to add events of default with respect to any series of notes;

 

    to make any change that does not adversely affect any outstanding debt securities of any series issued under the indenture in any material respect; and

 

    to establish the form or terms of any notes and to accept the appointment of a successor trustee, each as permitted under the indenture.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Exchange Notes of any series (or, in some cases, of all debt securities issued under the indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may waive any existing or past default or event of default with respect to those notes. Those holders may not, however, waive any default or event of default in any payment on any note or compliance with a provision that cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each holder affected.

Events of Default

The following are events of default with respect to a series of Exchange Notes:

 

    our failure to pay interest on any Exchange Note of that series for 30 days after becoming due;

 

    our failure to pay principal of or any premium on any Exchange Note of that series when due;

 

    our failure to comply with any covenant or agreement in that series of Exchange Notes or the indenture (other than an agreement or covenant that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of other series of notes) for 60 days after written notice by the trustee or by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture that are affected by that failure;

 

    specified events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Westlake or a Guarantor with respect to that series of Exchange Notes that is a significant subsidiary (as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC, as in effect on the date of the indenture); and

 

    specified events involving the Guarantees.

A default under one series of Exchange Notes will not necessarily be a default under any other series. If a default or event of default for any series of Exchange Notes occurs, is continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee will notify the holders of applicable Exchange Notes within 90 days after it occurs. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the Exchange Notes of any default or event of default, except in any payment on the Exchange Notes, if the trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders of those Exchange Notes.

 

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If an event of default for any series of Exchange Notes occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Exchange Notes of the series affected by the default (or, in some cases, 25% in principal amount of all debt securities issued under the indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may declare the principal of and all accrued and unpaid interest on those Exchange Notes to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Westlake or a Guarantor that is a significant subsidiary occurs, the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Exchange Notes of that series will become immediately due and payable without any action on the part of the trustee or any holder. At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Exchange Notes of the series affected by the default (or, in some cases, of all debt securities issued under the indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may in some cases rescind this accelerated payment requirement and its consequences.

A holder of an Exchange Note of any series issued under the indenture may pursue any remedy under the indenture only if:

 

    the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

 

    the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes of that series make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

    the holders offer to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

    the trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and offer of indemnity; and

 

    during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes of that series do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

This provision does not, however, affect the right of a holder of a note to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment.

The trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless those holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it. Subject to this provision for indemnification, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Exchange Notes of a series (or of all debt securities issued under the indenture that are affected, voting as one class) generally may direct the time, method and place of:

 

    conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee; or

 

    exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee relating to or arising as a result of an event of default.

If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of his own affairs.

The indenture requires us to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to our performance of certain of our obligations under the indenture and as to any default in performance.

 

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Defeasance and Discharge

Defeasance. When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under the indenture. If we deposit with the trustee under the indenture any combination of money or government securities sufficient to make payments on the Exchange Notes of a series issued under the indenture on the dates those payments are due, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:

 

    we and the Guarantors will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the Exchange Notes of that series (“legal defeasance”); or

 

    we and the Guarantors will no longer have any obligation to comply with specified restrictive covenants with respect to the Exchange Notes of that series, the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitations on Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets” above and other specified covenants under the indenture, and the related events of default will no longer apply (“covenant defeasance”).

If a series of Exchange Notes is defeased, the holders of the Exchange Notes of that series will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for obligations to register the transfer or exchange of Exchange Notes, replace stolen, lost or mutilated Exchange Notes or maintain paying agencies and hold money for payment in trust. In the case of covenant defeasance, our obligation to pay principal, premium and interest on the Exchange Notes, and if applicable, the Guarantors’ guarantees of the payments, will also survive.

We will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the Exchange Notes to recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that the holders would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related defeasance had not occurred. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.

Under current U.S. federal income tax law, legal defeasance would likely be treated as a taxable exchange of Exchange Notes to be defeased for interests in the defeasance trust. As a consequence, a United States holder would recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the holder’s cost or other tax basis for the Exchange Notes and the value of the holder’s interest in the defeasance trust, and thereafter would be required to include in income a share of the income, gain or loss of the defeasance trust. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, covenant defeasance would not be treated as a taxable exchange of such Exchange Notes.

Satisfaction and Discharge. In addition, the indenture will cease to be of further effect with respect to the Exchange Notes of a series issued under the indenture, subject to exceptions relating to compensation and indemnity of the trustee under the indenture and repayment to us of excess money or government securities, when:

 

    either

 

    all outstanding Exchange Notes of that series have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or

 

    all outstanding Exchange Notes of that series not delivered to the trustee for cancellation either:

 

    have become due and payable

 

    will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or

 

    are to be called for redemption within one year; and

 

    we have deposited with the trustee any combination of money or government securities in trust sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on the Exchange Notes of that series when due; and

 

    we have paid all other sums payable by us with respect to the Exchange Notes of that series.

 

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Governing Law

New York law governs the indenture and will govern the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees.

The Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association) acts as the trustee under the indenture. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. will act as the trustee with respect the Exchange Notes of each series.

The indenture contains limitations on the right of the trustee, if it or any of its affiliates is then our creditor or, if applicable, a creditor of a Guarantor, to obtain payment of claims or to realize on certain property received for any such claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee and its affiliates are permitted to engage in other transactions with us, and, if applicable, the Guarantors. If, however, the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate that conflict or resign within 90 days after ascertaining that it has a conflicting interest and after the occurrence of a default under the indenture, unless the default has been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated within the 90-day period.

Payments and Paying Agents

We will make payments on the Exchange Notes in U.S. dollars at the office of the trustee and any paying agent. At our option, however, payments may be made by wire transfer for global notes or by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the payment as it appears in the security register. We will make interest payments to the person in whose name the Exchange Note is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest payment.

The trustee under the indenture will be designated as the paying agent for payments on Exchange Notes issued under the indenture. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.

If the principal of or any premium or interest on Exchange Notes of a series is payable on a day that is not a business day, the payment will be made on the following business day. For these purposes, a “business day” is any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in any of New York, New York, Houston, Texas or a place of payment on the Exchange Notes of that series is authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the trustee and paying agent will pay to us upon written request any money held by them for payments on the Exchange Notes that remains unclaimed for two years after the date upon which that payment has become due. After payment to us, holders entitled to the money must look to us for payment. In that case, all liability of the trustee or paying agent with respect to that money will cease.

Book-Entry, Form and Delivery

Except as set forth below, the Exchange Notes will be issued in registered, global form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The Exchange Notes initially will be represented by one or more notes in registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “Global Notes”). The Global Notes will be deposited upon issuance with the Trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below. DTC will be the depositary for the Global Notes.

 

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Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may be exchanged for Exchange Notes in certificated form. See “—Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes.”

In addition, transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to time.

Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes

A Global Note is exchangeable for definitive Exchange Notes in registered certificated form (“Certificated Notes”) if: (1) DTC (a) notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes or (b) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and in each case we fail to appoint a successor depositary within 90 days of that notice or becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered or willing or able to act as a depositary; (2) we determine not to have the Exchange Notes represented by a Global Note and provide written notice thereof to the Trustee; or (3) there shall have occurred and be continuing a default or event of default with respect to the Exchange Notes and DTC requests such exchange.

In all cases, certificated Exchange Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in Global Notes will be in registered form, registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures).

Depository Procedures

The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of the respective settlement systems and are subject to changes by them. We and the trustee take no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urge investors to contact the system or their participants directly to discuss these matters.

DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the initial purchasers), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “Indirect Participants”). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants. DTC has also advised us that, pursuant to procedures established by it: (1) upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC will credit the accounts of Participants designated by the exchange agent with portions of the principal amount of the Global Notes; and (2) ownership of these interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interest in the Global Notes).

Investors in the Global Notes who are Participants in DTC’s system may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the Global Notes who are not Participants may hold their interests therein indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream) which are Participants in such system. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold interests in the Regulation S Global Notes on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositories, which are Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A., as operator of Clearstream. All interests

 

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in a Global Note, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems.

The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of the Participants, which in turn act on behalf of the Indirect Participants, the ability of a person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge such interests to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.

Except as described above, owners of interests in the Global Notes will not have Exchange Notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of Exchange Notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or “holders” thereof under the indenture for any purpose.

Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest or premium, if any, on a Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered holder under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, we and the Trustee will treat the persons in whose names the Exchange Notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently, neither we, the Trustee, nor any agent of ours or the Trustee’s has or will have any responsibility or liability for: (1) any aspect of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interest in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes; or (2) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants.

DTC has advised us that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the notes (including principal and interest), is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant Participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of the Exchange Notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the trustee or us. Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the notes, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.

Transfers between Participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.

Cross-market transfers between the Participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its respective depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

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DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of the Exchange Notes only at the direction of one or more Participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the Global Notes and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes as to which such Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for legended Exchange Notes in certificated form, and to distribute such Exchange Notes to its Participants.

Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the Rule 144A Global Notes and the Regulation S Global Notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such procedures at any time. Neither we nor the Trustee nor any of our or their respective agents will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Same Day Settlement and Payment

All cash payments of principal and interest, premium and additional interest, if any, will be made by us in immediately available funds. The Exchange Notes will trade in the Depositary’s same-day funds settlement system until maturity or until such Exchange Notes are issued in certificated form, and secondary market trading activity in such Exchange Notes will therefore be required by the Depositary to settle in immediately available funds. No assurance can be given as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on trading activity in such Exchange Notes.

 

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Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following discussion summarizes certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations, as of the date of this prospectus, relating to the exchange of Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes. This discussion does not address U.S. federal taxes other than income tax or the tax considerations arising under the laws of any foreign, state or local jurisdiction. This discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code, court decisions, published positions of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and other applicable authorities, all as in effect on the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect.

We believe that the exchange of Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes pursuant to the exchange offer will not constitute a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, (1) you will not recognize a taxable gain or loss as a result of exchanging such holder’s Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes; (2) your holding period in the Exchange Notes will include the holding period of the Outstanding Notes exchanged therefor; and (3) your adjusted tax basis in the Exchange Notes will be the same as the adjusted tax basis of the Outstanding Notes exchanged therefor immediately before such exchange. The U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of an Exchange Note will be the same as the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of an Outstanding Note.

We urge you to consult your tax advisor with respect to the application of U.S. federal income tax law to your particular situation as well as any tax consequences arising under U.S. federal estate or gift tax law or under the laws of any state, local, foreign or other taxing jurisdiction or under any applicable tax treaty in connection with the exchange of Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes.

Plan of Distribution

Based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that you may transfer Exchange Notes issued under the exchange offer in exchange for the Outstanding Notes if:

 

    any Exchange Notes to be received by you will be acquired in the ordinary course of your business; and

 

    you have no arrangement or understanding with any person or entity to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act.

You may not participate in the exchange offer if you are:

 

    an “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of us; and

 

    a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for your own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, unless you agree to deliver this prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make this prospectus available to purchasers) in connection with any resale of your Exchange Notes.

Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver this prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. To date, the staff of the SEC has taken the position that broker-dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to transactions involving an exchange of securities such as the exchange offer, other than a resale of an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Outstanding Notes, with this prospectus. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received for their own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes where such Outstanding Notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a

 

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period ending on             , 2017, we will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In addition, until such date, all dealers effecting transactions in Exchange Notes may be required to deliver this prospectus.

If you wish to exchange your Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer, you will be required to make representations to us as described in “Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering—Your Representations to Us” in this prospectus. As indicated in the letter of transmittal, you will be deemed to have made these representations by tendering your Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer. In addition, if you are a broker-dealer who receives Exchange Notes for your own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes that were acquired by you as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, you will be required to acknowledge, in the same manner, that you will deliver this prospectus in connection with any resale by you of such Exchange Notes.

We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange Notes by broker-dealers. Exchange Notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

    in the over-the-counter market;

 

    in negotiated transactions;

 

    through the writing of options on the Exchange Notes; or

 

    a combination of such methods of resale; at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such Exchange Notes. Any broker-dealer that resells Exchange Notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such Exchange Notes may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. Each letter of transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering this prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

For the period described in Section 4(3) of and Rule 174 under the Securities Act that is applicable to transactions by brokers or dealers with respect to the Exchange Notes, we will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents.

We have agreed to indemnify the holders of the Outstanding Notes (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

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Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Nominees For Election as Class I Directors

The Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Board of Directors be divided into three classes, each consisting, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the Board of Directors, with each class to serve for a term of three years. The following nominees, each of whom is an incumbent Class I director and was nominated by the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, have been nominated to stand for election as Class I Directors at the Company’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to serve until the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or until their successors are elected and qualified.

Dorothy C. Jenkins (age 71). Ms. Jenkins has been a director since June 2003. For the past five years, Ms. Jenkins has managed her personal investments. She is also a member of the board of various civic and charitable organizations including Wellesley College. Ms. Jenkins is the sister of James Chao and Albert Chao. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and holds a B.A. in Mathematics.

The Board has concluded that Ms. Jenkins should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on her experience on the boards of charitable and community organizations and her position as a member of the Chao family, which controls TTWF LP, our principal stockholder.

Max L. Lukens (age 68). Mr. Lukens has been a director since August 2004. Since May 2006, Mr. Lukens has managed his personal investments. Mr. Lukens served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stewart & Stevenson Services, Inc. until May 2006 and prior to that served as its Chairman of the Board from December 2002 to March 2004, and Interim Chief Executive Officer and President from September 2003 to March 2004. He was also previously employed by Baker Hughes Incorporated from 1981 to January 2000, where he served as Baker Hughes’ Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer from 1997 to January 2000. He also served as a director of The Pep Boys—Manny, Moe & Jack from August 2006 until October 2007 and again from June 2009 until September 2011. He was also Chairman of the Board of that company from June 2009 until he resigned in September 2011. Mr. Lukens was a director of Blount International, Inc. from July 2015 until it was acquired in April 2016. Mr. Lukens was a Certified Public Accountant with Deloitte Haskins & Sells for 10 years and received both his B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Miami University.

The Board has concluded that Mr. Lukens should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on his long experience as a chief executive officer of public companies, as well as his service on the boards of other public companies and his earlier career as a certified public accountant.

Class II Directors Serving Until 2018

James Chao (age 69). Mr. Chao has been our Chairman of the Board since July 2004 and became a director in June 2003. From May 1996 to July 2004, he served as our Vice Chairman. Mr. Chao also has responsibility for the oversight of our Vinyls business. Mr. Chao has over 45 years of global experience in the chemical industry. From June 2003 until November 2010, Mr. Chao was the executive chairman of Titan Chemicals Corp. Bhd. Prior to that he served as Titan’s Managing Director. He has served as a Special Assistant to the Chairman of China General Plastics Group and worked in various financial, managerial and technical positions at Mattel Incorporated, Developmental Bank of Singapore, Singapore Gulf Plastics Pte. Ltd. and Gulf Oil Corporation. Mr. Chao, along with his brother Albert Chao, assisted their father T.T. Chao in founding Westlake. Mr. Chao is on the board of Baylor College of Medicine and KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program). Mr. Chao received his B.S. degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.

The Board has concluded that Mr. James Chao should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on his long experience in the global chemicals and plastics industries and his lengthy tenure as a senior officer of

 

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the Company. Mr. Chao also brings important perspectives to our board as a member of the Chao family, which controls TTWF LP, our principal stockholder.

R. Bruce Northcutt (age 57). Mr. Northcutt has been a director since May 2013. Mr. Northcutt has been a partner of Navitas Midstream Partners, LLC since November 2013 and the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of its manager, Navitas Midstream Management, LLC, since May 2014. Mr. Northcutt was the President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Copano Energy, L.L.C. until its acquisition by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. in May 2013. Mr. Northcutt had also served as Copano’s President and Chief Operating Officer from April 2003 until November 2009. Mr. Northcutt served as President of El Paso Global Networks Company from November 2001 until April 2003; Managing Director of El Paso Global Networks Company from April 1999 until November 2001 and Vice President, Business Development, of El Paso Gas Services Company from January 1998 until April 1999. From 1988 until 1998, Mr. Northcutt held positions with various levels of responsibility at El Paso Energy and its predecessor, Tenneco Energy, including supervision of pipeline supply and marketing as well as regulatory functions. He began his career with Tenneco Oil Exploration and Production in 1982, working in the areas of drilling and production engineering. Mr. Northcutt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech University and is a Registered Professional Engineer on inactive status in the State of Texas.

The Board has concluded that Mr. Northcutt should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on his extensive experience in the energy industry and his experience as a chief executive officer.

H. John Riley, Jr. (age 76). Mr. Riley has been a director since November 2007. Mr. Riley served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cooper Industries, Ltd., from May 1996 until February 2006 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from September 1995 to May 2005. He was President of Cooper Industries, Ltd. from 1992 to 2004, its Chief Operating Officer from 1992 to 1995 and its Executive Vice President, Operations from 1982 to 1992. He was associated with Cooper Industries, Ltd. for more than 40 years. In addition, from 1997 to May 2013 he served as a director of Baker Hughes Incorporated and, from 1998 to May 2014, he served as a director of Allstate Corporation. He currently serves as a director of Post Oak Bank, N.A., a private bank. He is a trustee of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and a trustee of Syracuse University. Mr. Riley holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Syracuse University. He also completed the Harvard University Advanced Management Program.

The Board has concluded that Mr. Riley should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on his long experience as a senior officer, including chief executive officer, of a public company engaged in manufacturing.

Class III Directors Serving Until 2019

Robert T. Blakely (age 75). Mr. Blakely has been a director since August 2004. Mr. Blakely served as Chief Financial Officer of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) from January 2006 until August 2007. He served as Fannie Mae’s Executive Vice President from January 2006 until January 2008. His prior positions include: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MCI, Inc. from April 2003 to January 2006; President of Performance Enhancement Group, Ltd. from July 2002 to April 2003; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Lyondell Chemical Company from November 1999 to June 2002; Executive Vice President of Tenneco Inc. from 1996 to November 1999 and Chief Financial Officer from 1981 to November 1999; and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley & Co. from 1980 to 1981 and an employee from 1970. He has served on the Board of Directors of Natural Resource Partners L.P. from January 2003 to the present, the Board of Directors of Greenhill & Co., Inc. from April 2009 to the present and the Board of Directors of Ally Financial (formerly GMAC Inc.) from May 2009 to the present. He is a trustee emeritus of Cornell University. From 2007 to late 2012, he served as a Trustee of the Financial Accounting Foundation. He is also a director of the Episcopal Health Foundation and the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. He holds a B.M.E. degree in mechanical engineering and an M.B.A. in business administration from Cornell University and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

 

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The Board has concluded that Mr. Blakely should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on his long experience as a corporate executive of public companies, his prior tenure as a senior officer of a company in the chemicals industry, his service as the chief financial officer of several public companies and his broad background in the field of financial accounting.

Albert Chao (age 67). Mr. Chao has been our President since May 1996 and a director since June 2003. Mr. Chao became our Chief Executive Officer in July 2004. Mr. Chao has over 40 years of global experience in the chemical industry. In 1985, Mr. Chao assisted his father, T.T. Chao, and his brother, James Chao, in founding Westlake, where he served as Executive Vice President until he succeeded James Chao as President. He has held positions in the Controller’s Group of Mobil Oil Corporation, in the Technical Department of Hercules Incorporated, in the Plastics Group of Gulf Oil Corporation and has served as Assistant to the Chairman of China General Plastics Group and Deputy Managing Director of a plastics fabrication business in Singapore. Mr. Chao is a trustee of Rice University. Mr. Chao received a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.

The Board has concluded that Mr. Albert Chao should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on his long experience in the global chemicals and plastics industries and his lengthy tenure as a senior officer of the Company. Mr. Chao also brings important perspectives to our Board from his position as a member of the Chao family, which controls TTWF LP, our principal stockholder.

Michael J. Graff (age 61). Mr. Graff has been a director since May 2013. Mr. Graff is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. and a Senior Vice President of the Air Liquide Group with responsibility for the Americas, Safety and Industrial Systems Worldwide and is Chairman of the Electronics World Business Line. Mr. Graff joined Air Liquide as President and CEO of Air Liquide USA LLC in April 2007. In January 2009, he took on additional responsibilities and was named President and CEO of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. In May 2009, Mr. Graff was named a Corporate Vice President of Air Liquide S.A. and member of the Executive Committee of the Air Liquide Group with responsibilities for North America and Safety and Industrial Systems Worldwide. In January 2010, Mr. Graff’s responsibilities were expanded to include responsibility for all of Air Liquide’s operations in the Western hemisphere (Americas). In April 2012, Mr. Graff’s responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of Air Liquide’s electronic business worldwide and he was named Chairman of the Electronics World Business Line. In January 2013 Mr. Graff was named a Senior Vice Present of the Air Liquide Group and in April 2013 he was named Chairman of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. Prior to joining Air Liquide, Mr. Graff began his career with Amoco Corporation and then worked for BP plc, where he last served as President and Chief Executive Officer of BP Polymers Americas from 2001 to 2004. Mr. Graff served as a director of The Lubrizol Corporation from 2009 until it was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. in 2011. Mr. Graff serves on the Board and the Executive Committee of the American Chemistry Council, the Board of the National Association of Manufacturers and the Board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He is also the Chairman of the Society for Chemical Industries and a principal of the American Energy Innovation Council. Mr. Graff serves on the Board and Executive Committee of Children at Risk. He is also a member of the Greater Houston Partnership and a member of the Energy Forum of the Baker Institute at Rice University and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Institute of Technology. Mr. Graff holds an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University, a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, has studied business at the University of Chicago and has completed executive management programs at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Cambridge and the Stanford University Law School.

The Board has concluded that Mr. Graff should serve as a director of the Company based primarily on his extensive experience in the energy, chemicals and polymers industries and his experience as a chief executive officer.

 

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The Audit Committee

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is currently comprised of Robert T. Blakely (chairman), Michael J. Graff, Max L. Lukens, R. Bruce Northcutt and H. John Riley, Jr. All current Audit Committee members are “independent” as defined by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The board has determined that each of Messrs. Blakely, Graff, Lukens, Northcutt and Riley is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined by SEC regulations and each is independent from our management, as “independence” is defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The primary functions of the Audit Committee are to review the adequacy of the system of internal controls and management information systems, to review the results of our independent registered public accounting firm’s quarterly reviews of our interim financial statements, to review the planning and results of the annual audit with our independent registered public accounting firm, and to have oversight of financial risks. This Committee held seven meetings in 2016. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee charter is publicly available on our website at: http://www.westlake.com under “Investor Relations—Corporate Governance.”

Corporate Governance

We have a Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, a Code of Conduct that applies to all directors, officers and employees and Principles of Corporate Governance. You can find the above-referenced documents by visiting our website at: http://www.westlake.com under “Investor Relations—Corporate Governance.” We will post on our website any amendments to such documents as well as any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of either the SEC or the New York Stock Exchange.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Based solely on a review of the copies of reports furnished to us during the year ended December 31, 2016 and written representations from our officers and directors, we believe all stock transaction reports required to be filed with the SEC under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in 2016 were timely filed by all directors, officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock.

Executive Compensation

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

A discussion and analysis of the Company’s executive compensation philosophy, objectives and underlying program is presented below. This discussion includes a review of the following:

 

    Compensation Committee Oversight

 

    External Advisors

 

    The Deliberative Process

 

    Compensation Philosophy and Program Objectives

 

    Elements of the Program

 

    Prior Votes on Executive Compensation

 

    Establishing Compensation Levels

 

    Post-Employment Programs

 

    Employment Agreements; Severance and Change-in-Control Arrangements

 

    Deferred Compensation Programs

 

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Compensation Committee Oversight

The Board of Directors has established a Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) to review and provide oversight of the compensation programs of the Company and the compensation of our NEOs and other Executives.

Since Westlake is considered to be controlled by its principal stockholder under New York Stock Exchange rules, all Committee members are not required to be independent as defined by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Committee is currently composed of five independent board members, one of whom serves as the Committee’s chair, and three non-independent members of the Board, one of whom is the PEO, one of whom is the Chairman of the Board and the last of whom is the sister of the PEO and the Chairman of the Board.

The Committee operates under the provisions of a charter and meets periodically throughout the year. The Committee’s duties include the following:

 

    reviewing and approving the corporate goals and objectives relevant to the PEO’s compensation annually, evaluating the PEO’s performance in light of the goals and objectives and determining the PEO’s compensation level based upon the performance evaluation and other relevant factors;

 

    reviewing and approving the PEO’s assessment of, and compensation recommendations for, the NEOs and other Executives;

 

    administering and making recommendations to the Board with respect to the design of the Company’s incentive compensation plans, equity-based plans and other compensation and benefit plans and the issuance of stock and other awards under these plans;

 

    reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to the fees and other compensation received by directors and board committee members;

 

    reviewing matters related to the succession plan for the PEO and other Executives;

 

    reviewing and approving employment agreements for Executives and change-in-control protection offered to non-Executive employees of the Company, if any; and

 

    producing a compensation committee report to be included in the annual proxy statement of the Company as required by applicable rules and regulations.

External Advisors

To assist the Committee in respect of its oversight responsibilities, the Committee periodically utilizes the services of independent third-party compensation consultants to conduct compensation surveys and determine compensation trends, analyze and assess the Company’s compensation systems and programs, review current legal, accounting and administrative matters associated with executive compensation and offer opinions as to the effectiveness and competitiveness of the program. For 2016, the Committee directly engaged the services of Willis Towers Watson as a compensation consultant to advise the Committee on executive compensation matters. Willis Towers Watson assists the Committee by providing updated comparative market data on compensation programs and practices of peer competitors, the broader-based chemical industry and general industry. Willis Towers Watson also assists the Company with general compensation consultation regarding employees other than the NEOs. In 2016, the Company paid Willis Towers Watson approximately $157,000 for executive compensation advisory services and approximately $400,000 for other consulting services (primarily related to acquisition due diligence and integration services in connection with the acquisition of Axiall Corporation). The decision to engage Willis Towers Watson for the non-executive compensation consulting services was determined by management and approved by the Committee. In February 2017, the Committee assessed whether the work of Willis Towers Watson for the Company during 2016 raised any conflict of interest and concluded that no conflict of interest exists.

 

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The Deliberative Process

In establishing target executive compensation, the Committee has selected a set of peer group companies (the “Peer Group”) that is used as one of the means in helping to establish executive compensation targets. The companies that comprise the Peer Group are selected annually from among companies within the chemical industry of relative comparable size to Westlake, with executive positions of similar scope and responsibility and from among companies with which Westlake may compete for executive talent. The following companies make up the Peer Group as adopted by the Committee in 2016:

 

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.    Huntsman Corporation
Albemarle Corporation    The Mosaic Company
Ashland Inc.    Olin Corporation
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.    PolyOne Corporation
Celanese Corporation    Praxair, Inc.
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.    RPM International Inc.
The Chemours Company    The Sherwin-Williams Company
Eastman Chemical Company    Trinseo S.A.
FMC Corporation    The Valspar Corporation

As a result of changes in the Peer Group and in order to take into account the size and complexity of the Company’s organization (including as a result of the Company’s acquisition of Axiall Corporation), the Peer Group was adjusted in November 2016 by adding Axalta Coating Systems Ltd., The Chemours Company, Huntsman Corporation, Praxair, Inc. and The Sherwin-Williams Company to, and removing Axiall Corporation (which was acquired by the Company), Cabot Corporation, International Flavors & Fragrances and W.R. Grace & Co. from, the Peer Group. The Committee may add or replace companies in the Peer Group as warranted to reflect changes in the size, business profile and publicly-listed status of the companies in the Peer Group to help ensure that companies more comparable in size and business profile to the Company are included.

In addition to referring to the Peer Group, Willis Towers Watson utilizes survey data from its proprietary general industry and chemical industry databases, including, but not limited to, the Willis Towers Watson CDB Executive Survey as well as the Hay Group Chemicals Industry survey and other relevant market information, that compare the compensation of executives at numerous companies in similar positions as the NEOs (the “Market Survey”). The Market Survey is used in conjunction with the Peer Group data (collectively, the “Reference Points”) to help validate the market findings and more specifically establish market compensation rates for positions for which there are limited Peer Group data and/or for positions that are not industry-specific and for which the Company would need to recruit on a broader basis (for instance, Chief Financial Officer). Finally, in establishing the target executive compensation, the Committee takes a total compensation view to include base pay, cash bonuses and long-term incentive and equity awards, so that as long as the composite total compensation of an NEO is competitive with the Reference Points, individual components may fall below or above the median of the Reference Points. In conducting its surveys for the Reference Points, Willis Towers Watson reports directly to the Committee on each component and on a composite total compensation basis.

The Committee meets annually in February to specifically address the compensation of the PEO, other NEOs and other Executives. During this meeting, the Committee reviews the achievement of the Company’s goals and objectives, including the Company’s performance relative to its competitors within the commodity chemical industry, including those direct competitors within the Peer Group, and the Committee reviews the Reference Points as well as other relevant factors established by the Committee for the PEO and the factors established by the PEO in setting and approving the other NEOs’ compensation. During this annual review

 

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meeting, the PEO also presents his recommendations to the Committee regarding the compensation to be provided to the other NEOs and other Executives. The PEO and the Committee, after considering data from the Reference Points and other relevant factors, set the compensation for these Executives.

Compensation Philosophy and Program Objectives

The Company has designed and maintains a comprehensive executive compensation program as a means of:

 

    attracting, rewarding and retaining top executive talent in support of the Company’s vision, mission and objectives;

 

    maintaining market competitiveness with the Company’s peer group compensation programs and practices;

 

    encouraging and rewarding the achievement of specific individual, business segment and corporate goals and objectives;

 

    placing a significant portion of total compensation at risk through variable pay components, including upside potential where targeted objectives are exceeded, to promote management action to create added stockholder value;

 

    aligning management interests with the interests of the stockholders; and

 

    balancing short-term objectives with long-term strategic initiatives and thinking through the design of both short-term and long-term pay programs.

Elements of the Program

The Company’s executive compensation program contains a combination of both short-term and long-term elements designed to reward and encourage near-term goal accomplishment as well as to reward and encourage long-term strategic thinking and actions that benefit the Company and its stockholders. These combined elements, in tandem with employee benefits and a limited number of perquisites, form the basis of Westlake’s total compensation system. These elements have been chosen as the compensation components designed to allow the Company to adhere to the above stated compensation philosophy and program objectives which include remaining “market competitive” with its peers in the chemical industry and the broader market for executive talent. Each element has been allocated in the total compensation package in an attempt to find a balance between short-term and long-term rewards as well as cash and non-cash forms of payment. Further, the total compensation program seeks to place a significant amount of pay “at risk” through the use of variable pay elements. The Committee has determined that based on the Reference Points and their broad corporate-wide responsibilities, the PEO and the Chairman, as compared with other NEOs, should receive a higher portion of their total compensation from “at risk” components given their ability to influence Company performance and the desire of the Committee to further incentivize the PEO’s and the Chairman’s ongoing efforts to create value for the stockholders. The relative difference in pay between the PEO and the Chairman primarily reflects the difference in job scope and responsibility between the two positions and is further validated by the Reference Points data, which show that the PEO is typically the highest paid position. The relationship in pay among the other NEOs is driven by variation in job scope and level of responsibility, the Reference Points data, individual performance, internal equity and other factors as determined by the Committee as appropriate.

Prior Votes on Executive Compensation

In approving the 2016 compensation of the NEOs, the Committee considered the results of the advisory vote on the say-on-pay proposal at the 2014 annual general meeting of stockholders, at which a substantial majority of the votes cast on the say-on-pay proposal were voted in favor of the proposal. The Committee did not change its executive compensation approach based on the vote. The Committee will continue to consider the outcome of the Company’s say-on-pay votes when making future compensation decisions for the NEOs. At the 2011 annual meeting, a substantial majority of the votes cast on the advisory vote on the frequency of the say-on-pay proposal were voted in favor of holding that vote every three years.

 

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Establishing Compensation Levels

On an annual basis as the Committee meets to set the target compensation for the PEO, other NEOs and other Executives, the Committee considers the responsibility and scope of the individual job assignments as well as the Executive’s job performance and achievements measured against a variety of goals and objectives. As a first step, the PEO provides his evaluation of each Executive based upon the achievement of goals and objectives unique to a business segment or a corporate assignment and an assessment of the Executive’s individual contribution and effort and a variety of managerial success factors. Next, the Committee may make its own assessment of each Executive based upon the interaction Committee members have had with the Executive throughout the year. Lastly, once the Committee considers all of these factors in tandem with the Reference Points, the Committee establishes the compensation target for each element of the total compensation program.

Base Pay—This element is the principal cash compensation component of the Company’s program and is designed to provide the Executive with a market-competitive minimum level of compensation. In setting base pay rates for 2016, the Committee considered the Reference Points, the scope and range of responsibility, accountability and business impact of the position as well as current economic conditions to aid it in evaluating and matching the positions with the market and setting fair-market competitive base pay targets. In setting base pay rates for Executives, the Committee has determined that, based on advice of its independent consultant, Willis Towers Watson, the base pay of the Executives can generally be considered as competitive if targeted to be within 90% to 110% of the 50th percentile of the market depending on the performance of the individual Executive, the magnitude of adjustments deemed necessary by the Committee to ensure retention of the Executive and the performance of the Company. The Committee also recognizes that market pricing is an inexact science and that base pay above or below that range may be required to meet market demand or to recognize individual performance or experience levels. The Committee does not set a specific fixed target percentage for any of the NEOs but generally works to set the base pay of each NEO to be within the range at its discretion based upon market and performance factors. Base pay is evaluated on an annual basis using then current market information, and the Committee may authorize an adjustment to:

 

    ensure that the Executive’s current base pay is within the acceptable target level as determined by the Committee;

 

    ensure internal equity;

 

    recognize individual performance and contributions; or

 

    recognize changes in responsibility or the scope of the Executive’s position.

For additional information on the salaries paid to the PEO and the other NEOs during 2016, see “—Executive Compensation—2016 Summary Compensation Table.” In February 2017, the Committee set the base salaries for the NEOs as follows: $1,034,000 for Mr. Albert Chao, $818,000 for Mr. James Chao, $550,000 for Mr. Bender, $457,000 for Mr. Buesinger, and $425,000 for Mr. Bates (our former Vice President, Building Products who elected to leave the Company in March 2017). The salaries of Mr. Albert Chao, Mr. James Chao, Mr. Bender and Mr. Buesinger were increased from $985,000, $788,000, $525,000 and $409,000, respectively, after consideration of the Reference Points. The salary of Mr. Bates remained unchanged.

Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses—For 2016, the PEO, other NEOs and other Executives were eligible to be considered to receive payments under the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan (“AIP”) and Quarterly Incentive Plan (“QIP”). The AIP is designed to conform to the provisions of the Westlake Chemical Corporation 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”). The Committee administers the AIP with respect to the Executives, and the PEO (or any other Executive to whom the PEO may delegate such authority) administers the AIP with respect to other participants. Awards under the AIP are intended to qualify as “qualified performance awards” under the 2013 Plan that comply with the rules applicable to performance-based compensation pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The bonus potential of the AIP and QIP plans has been designed to serve as a significant incentive for continuous improvement and to provide compensation opportunities that are competitive within the market with an emphasis on the Company’s peers within the chemical industry.

 

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AIP. Under the terms of the AIP, a target bonus percentage is established by the Committee for the PEO, other NEOs and other Executives generally ranging from 30% to 100% of base pay (as of the end of the previous year) depending on the position, level and range of responsibility of the employee. The Committee uses the target bonuses as reference points but retains the discretion to award bonuses based on the specific factors described below with respect to individual NEOs. In establishing the target bonus, the Committee reviews the Reference Points with respect to the PEO and the PEO’s recommendations and the Reference Points with respect to the other NEOs. The Committee set the AIP target bonuses for 2016 and 2017 as follows (as a percentage of base pay):

 

     2016     2017  

Mr. Albert Chao

     100     115

Mr. James Chao

     85     95

Mr. Bates(1)

     N/A       N/A  

Mr. Bender

     65     70

Mr. Buesinger

     55     65

 

(1) Mr. Bates joined the Company in connection with the Axiall transaction in August 2016 and, as a result, the Company did not set an AIP target bonus for him for 2016. Furthermore, Mr. Bates elected to leave the Company in March 2017, and as a result, is not eligible for an AIP bonus for 2017.

No bonus payment is authorized under the AIP unless one of the performance goals established by the Committee for the performance period is satisfied. For 2016, the Committee approved the following threshold metrics for the AIP, any one of which must have been met in order to authorize bonus payments under the AIP for 2016:

 

  1. Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”)—the Company’s TSR relative to the Peer Group must be within the top two-thirds. For this purpose, TSR is defined as: (A) the average of the daily average stock price for the 90-day period ended on December 31, 2016, minus the average of the daily average stock price for the 90-day period ended on December 31, 2015, plus dividends paid, divided by (B) the average of the daily average stock price for the 90-day period ended on December 31, 2015.

 

  2. Return on Capital—Return on Capital must be equal to or greater than 33% of the weighted average cost of capital. For this purpose, “Return on Capital” is defined as net operating profit after tax of the Company on a consolidated basis, divided by capital employed.

 

  3. Budgeted SGA—the selling, general and administrative expenses (“SGA”) for 2016 must be equal to or less than $241 million.

In February 2017, the Committee reviewed the results of the Company with respect to these performance goals and certified that one of these three goals had been met for 2016, as follows:

 

  1. The Company’s TSR relative to the Peer Group was determined not to be within the top two-thirds.

 

  2. The Company’s Return on Capital employed was equal to approximately 12.3%, which was greater than 33% of the weighted average cost of capital.

 

  3. SGA expenses for 2016 were $295 million.

The Committee then reviewed the contributions and performance of the PEO and each of the other NEOs during 2016 and, in its discretion, awarded bonus payments under the AIP to the PEO and each of the other NEOs. Mr. Albert Chao was awarded a bonus payment equal to 260% of his target bonus and Mr. James Chao was awarded a bonus payment equal to 260% of his target bonus, in each case based on the continued strong earnings and performance of the Company in increasingly difficult market conditions and the achievement of several strategic projects, including the Axiall transaction. The Committee awarded Mr. Bender a bonus payment

 

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equal to 269% of his target bonus in consideration of his leadership role in maintaining a strong balance sheet and in connection with the previously mentioned strategic projects. The Committee awarded Mr. Buesinger a bonus payment equal to 256% of his target bonus based upon the financial performance and continued strong competitive position of the vinyls business, as well as the Axiall transaction. Mr. Bates joined the Company in connection with the Axiall transaction and, as a result, was not entitled to receive an AIP bonus for 2016 from the Company. Prior to the Axiall transaction, he previously received a bonus from Axiall for its 2016 performance.

In February 2017, the Committee approved a set of metrics substantially similar to those used for the 2016 AIP plan year, any one of which must be met in order to authorize bonus payments for the 2017 AIP plan year.

The cash bonus payments are typically made in March of each year.

QIP. The QIP is a short-term cash incentive designed for the general employee population including the NEOs and the other Executives and is paid to all eligible employees on a quarterly basis for the achievement of short-term operating goals for their respective departments, units or operations. For example, the targets in 2016 for an operating unit under either the olefins or the vinyls business segment included a variety of operational and commercial goals, including production and sales volumes, raw material usage and yields, as well as goals to limit or reduce safety and environmental incidents and to improve product quality. The QIP award for the NEOs with corporate assignments (Messrs. Albert Chao, James Chao and Bender) was based upon keeping operating expenses within budgeted amounts for the applicable corporate departments and a weighted average of the factors for each of the business segments. For 2016, there were dozens of these targets for each NEO, no single one of which was material. All of the goals are established and weighted by management and approved by the PEO at the beginning of each year and are measured each quarter to determine the level of goal achievement and the payment amount. Although the QIP results are measured and a payment is received each quarter, the QIP provides for a make-up provision at the end of the year so that if certain targets were not met in the previous quarters, but were met at the end of the year, the participants will be eligible to receive a make-up payment for having achieved the targets for the full year.

The goal-setting process includes the establishment of targets that seek to foster continuous improvement in all aspects of the Company’s operations and in any given year to focus on the most important elements facing the operations at the time. The targeted quarterly payment under these plans for 2016 for each of the NEOs was 8% of quarterly eligible earnings. These target percentages reflect similar percentages for almost all similarly situated employees at Westlake. Payment is based upon the rate of actual goal achievement: in other words, if 60% of the quarterly targets were met, then 60% times 8% would be paid, or 4.8%. In all cases, however, the final payment is subject to the Company meeting a return on capital employed (“ROCE”) target which is specific only to the QIP and is established by the PEO at his discretion at the beginning of each Plan Year. The QIP ROCE target for 2016 was 5.25%. In the event the ROCE target is met, 100% of the QIP payment will be authorized, subject to the achievement of the actual goals. If the ROCE target is not met but is above 0%, then a prorated QIP payment will be authorized, subject to the achievement of the actual goals. If the ROCE target is 0% or below, a payment of 25% of the QIP will be authorized, subject to the achievement of the actual goals. The full year results of the QIP for 2016 for the NEOs is noted below:

 

     Target
Achievement
    Adjustments made
as a result of ROCE
     Payout  

Mr. Albert Chao

     79.38     None      $ 62,244.75  

Mr. James Chao

     79.38     None      $ 49,791.40  

Mr. Bates(1)

     N/A       N/A        N/A  

Mr. Bender

     79.38     None      $ 33,088.75  

Mr. Buesinger

     81.50     None      $ 26,496.50  

 

(1) Mr. Bates joined the Company in connection with the Axiall transaction and, as a result, the Company did not set a QIP target bonus for him for 2016 and he was not eligible to receive a QIP award for 2016.

 

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Special Bonuses in connection with the Axiall Transaction—The Committee authorized one-time awards to several NEOs in connection with the Axiall transaction. As a sign-on bonus, Mr. Bates received 28,142 shares of restricted stock on September 1, 2016 which vested on the same day, and a cash incentive of $1,450,000 paid in January 2017. In recognition of their contributions to the Axiall transaction and subsequent integration efforts, Mr. Bender and Mr. Buesinger received awards of 8,324 and 4,995 restricted stock units, respectively. Each such restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Westlake’s common stock at vesting and is scheduled to vest 100% at the end of a three-year period, on December 1, 2019.

Long-Term Incentives (“LTI”)—A long-term equity and cash-based incentive program has been adopted by the Board of Directors to foster a long-term view of the business, assist in retaining and rewarding Executives for their efforts and achievements and provide management with an ownership interest in the Company to help to further align their actions with the interests of the stockholders. Under the terms of the 2013 Plan, the Company may grant Executives a variety of stock-based and cash-based compensation awards. In determining the targeted LTI award, the Committee utilizes the same deliberative process as earlier described for base pay and cash incentives. The Committee reviews the Reference Points and recommendations from Willis Towers Watson and the PEO, then sets a LTI target for each of the NEOs, which is a percentage of base pay based upon each NEO’s base pay as of the previous year end. As with other elements of the Company’s compensation program, the size of these awards is based upon the level and scope of the Executive’s job, the performance of the individual and competitive market forces. The Committee determined that to be competitive with relevant companies set forth in the Reference Points, the LTI targets for the PEO and other NEOs should be no less than 80% and no higher than 110% of the market 50th percentile for long-term incentives for similarly situated executives at companies set forth in the Reference Points. For more information on LTI awards granted to the NEOs in 2016, please see “—Executive Compensation—2016 Grants of Plan-Based Awards.” After reviewing the Reference Points at meetings in February 2016 and 2017, the Committee set the LTI targets for Messrs. Albert Chao, James Chao, Bates, Bender, and Buesinger as outlined below.

The LTI targets (each as a percentage of base pay for an NEO) set for the PEO and the other NEOs by the Committee for 2016 and 2017 are as follows:

 

     2016     2017  

Mr. Albert Chao

     300     375

Mr. James Chao

     300     375

Mr. Bates(1)

     N/A       N/A  

Mr. Bender

     175     190

Mr. Buesinger

     120     150

 

(1) Mr. Bates joined the Company in connection with the Axiall transaction and, as a result, the Company did not set any LTI targets for him for 2016. Furthermore, Mr. Bates elected to leave the Company in March 2017 and, as a result, is not eligible for a LTI grant for 2017.

Changes in the LTI targets for Messrs. Albert Chao, James Chao, Bender and Buesinger were made in consideration of the Reference Points data with respect to comparable positions.

The Committee granted the LTI awards using three separate components, each comprising one-third of the value of the overall award:

 

    Non-qualified stock options;

 

    Restricted stock units; and

 

    Long-term cash performance awards.

The Committee, after consultation with management and Willis Towers Watson, has chosen this program to recognize the unique characteristic of each award type. While all three types of awards provide Executives with

 

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an incentive to help grow the value of the Company and the corresponding value of the stock, options may experience more volatility over the term of the award, and the Executives may receive no compensation if the price of the Company’s shares never exceeds the exercise price of the options following vesting of the options. On the other hand, restricted stock unit awards put direct shares into the hands of management and give them a more direct line of sight to the potential value they might realize. In addition, the long-term performance cash award is designed to provide added incentive as an upside potential payment in cash based on the achievement of a performance target. Thus, the Committee believes the equal split of awards of stock options, restricted stock units and long-term cash performance awards provides an overall balanced award.

Non-Qualified Stock Options—Under the provisions of the 2013 Plan, the Company may grant non-qualified stock options to executive and senior management personnel. The Board of Directors typically grants these awards annually during the first quarter of the year in conjunction with the first Board of Directors meeting of the year. The grant price for these awards is based upon the mean of the high and low market price for shares of the Company’s common stock on the date of the award as approved by the Board of Directors. All annual stock options granted by the Board of Directors to date have had a 10-year term with a three- or four-year ratable vesting period. The Company has not made any post-award adjustments in grant dates or grant prices.

Restricted Stock Units—As with stock options, the Board of Directors typically grants awards of restricted stock units annually during the first quarter of the year in conjunction with the first Board of Directors meeting of the year. Each restricted stock unit award granted by the Board of Directors represents a contingent right to one share of Westlake’s common stock and is scheduled to vest 100% at the end of a three-year period as a means of strengthening the Company’s overall executive retention efforts. Historically, the Company granted restricted stock awards for this component of the LTI awards. However, beginning in 2013, the Company decided to grant restricted stock unit awards in order to streamline administration, with the exception in September 2016, where the Company granted Mr. Bates restricted stock which vested on the same day of the grant.

Long-Term Cash Performance Awards—The long-term cash performance awards granted in February 2016 are subject to a three-year performance period beginning on January 1, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2018. The amount of cash received will be based upon either the Company’s total shareholder return compared with the total shareholder return of the Peer Group for 2016 (threshold performance requires a relative total shareholder return rank of at least the 33rd percentile; target performance requires a rank of at least the 50th percentile; and maximum performance requires a rank of at least the 75th percentile) or the Company’s return on the cost of capital (threshold performance requires returns equal to at least 50% of the weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”); target performance requires a return equal to at least the WACC; and maximum performance requires a return equal to at least two times the WACC), whichever measure results in the greater payout.

 

    Threshold Performance     Target Performance     Maximum Performance  

Payment Rate

    25% of target value       100% of target value       200% of target value  

Performance Rate

    33.3rd percentile       50th percentile       75th percentile  

(Relative TSR)

     

Performance Rate

    at least .5X       at least 1X *       at least 2X  

(Return on Cost of Capital)

     

 

* “X” equals a return equal to the WACC

If at least the threshold performance is attained, the long-term performance awards will be paid in cash after the Committee determines the performance level.

The Company granted long-term cash performance awards in February 2017 with terms and conditions substantially similar to the 2016 awards.

 

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Stock Ownership, Pledging and Anti-Hedging Policy—In an effort to further align the interests of the Executives and the stockholders, the Committee has adopted a policy that requires the PEO, each other NEO and other key Executives, as well as directors, to retain 50% of any vested restricted stock and shares of common stock of the Company acquired through the vesting of restricted stock unit awards, net of shares used to pay applicable taxes, until the total value reaches five times the annual base salary for Messrs. Albert Chao and James Chao, three times the annual base salary for certain other officers (including Messrs. Bates, Bender and Buesinger), one times the annual base salary of other officers, and three times the annual cash retainer for directors, or until his or her employment or service, as the case may be, with the Company terminates. This policy also prohibits our directors and executives from shorting or hedging our securities, and requires directors and executives to provide notice prior to pledging our securities. None of our directors or executives currently pledges any of our securities.

Perquisites —All Executives are eligible for a Company-paid membership in a local dining and/or athletic club and a Company-paid annual physical examination. These perquisites are provided as further means to attract and retain Executives, to provide Executives with access to facilities that may also be used for business entertainment and to promote personal health and wellness.

Post-Employment Programs—Executives are eligible for participation in the same retirement, pension and post-retirement benefit programs as all employees within their respective business units. The Company does not provide any supplemental executive retirement or pension benefit. The Company’s primary retirement benefit is the Westlake Savings Plan, a 401(k) defined contribution plan, and participating employees, including Executives, are eligible for a matching contribution from the Company based upon the plan provisions. Additionally, the Company provides an annual contribution to the plan for all eligible employees and Executives equal to 8% of their annualized base pay in 2016 and 2017 up to the IRS limits ($265,000 for 2016 and $270,000 for 2017).

Employment Agreements; Severance and Change-in-Control Arrangements—The Company does not have employment agreements with any of the NEOs; however, each Executive, including each of the NEOs, is typically provided an offer letter of employment containing the principal elements of the employment arrangement, including compensation. None of these offer letters currently contains a provision for payments upon a change in control.

Deferred Compensation Programs—The Company has no deferred compensation programs for which the Executives are eligible to participate except for the standard provisions of the Company’s 401(k) plan and provisions of Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code whereby salary is reduced for taxation since the 401(k) contributions are made by employees on a pre-tax basis, thereby reducing their salary and taxable income. The Company assumed certain deferred compensation programs from Axiall Corporation in connection with the transaction, for which Mr. Bates was eligible, but elected not, to participate. These programs are not open to new participants nor to new deferrals by existing participants.

Compensation of Directors

Directors who are also full-time officers or employees of Westlake receive no additional compensation for serving as directors. In 2016, all other directors who served for the whole year received an annual cash retainer of $100,000. The Audit Committee chairman received an additional annual retainer of $20,000, the Compensation Committee chairman received an additional annual retainer of $15,000, the Nominating and Governance Committee chairman received an additional annual retainer of $10,000 and the Corporate Risk Committee chairman received an additional annual retainer of $10,000. Under the 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”), the Board of Directors, effective August 17, 2016, authorized the issuance of 2,490 restricted stock units to each non-management director. These restricted stock units will vest in three equal installments on August 17, 2017, 2018 and 2019, subject to the grantee’s continuous position as a director of Westlake as of the applicable vesting date. Each such restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Westlake’s common stock at vesting. The Board of Directors also authorized a one-time payment of $25,000 and a one-time

 

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grant of 519 restricted stock units (with the same terms as the other restricted stock units described above) to each non-management director in recognition of the significant number of additional meetings that the Board of Directors held in 2016 due to the acquisition of Axiall Corporation.

The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation earned or paid to our non-management directors in 2016:

 

Name

   Fees Earned
or Paid
in Cash

($)
     Stock
Awards (1)
($)
     Option
Awards (2)
($)
     All Other
Compensation (3)
($)
     Total
($)
 

Robert T. Blakely

     143,125        145,000        0        2,872        290,997  

Michael J. Graff

     135,000        145,000        0        2,872        282,872  

Dorothy C. Jenkins

     125,000        145,000        0        2,872        272,872  

Max L. Lukens

     125,000        145,000        0        2,872        272,872  

R. Bruce Northcutt

     140,000        145,000        0        2,872        287,872  

H. John Riley, Jr.

     135,000        145,000        0        2,872        282,872  

 

(1) These amounts represent the grant date fair value of the restricted stock units granted to our directors in 2016, calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. For a discussion of the related valuation assumptions, please see Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, Mr. Blakely, Mr. Graff, Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Lukens, Mr. Northcutt and Mr. Riley each had 4,572 unvested restricted stock units.
(2) As of December 31, 2016, Ms. Jenkins had outstanding options to purchase 18,590 shares of common stock.
(3) All Other Compensation amounts represent dividend equivalent payments with respect to restricted stock units that were paid to the directors before the vesting of the restricted stock units.

Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors

The following report has been submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Company’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2017 annual meeting of stockholders, which is incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, each as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The information contained in this report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

 

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
R. Bruce Northcutt, Chairman
Robert T. Blakely
Albert Chao
James Chao
Michael J. Graff
Dorothy C. Jenkins
Max L. Lukens
H. John Riley, Jr.

 

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Albert Chao, James Chao and Dorothy C. Jenkins are currently members of the Compensation Committee and are not “independent” as defined by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Michael J. Graff, Max L. Lukens, R. Bruce Northcutt, H. John Riley, Jr. and Robert T. Blakely are also currently members of the Compensation Committee. Under the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange, we are considered to be controlled by TTWF LP, so we are eligible for, and have elected to take advantage of, the exemption from the provisions of those rules requiring a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors.

Executive Compensation

The following tables provide information regarding the compensation awarded to or earned during 2016 and, to the extent applicable, prior years, by the NEOs.

 

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2016 Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal Position

  Year     Salary(1)
($)
    Stock
Awards(2)
($)
    Option
Awards(3)
($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(4)
($)
    All Other
Compensation(6)
($)
    Total
($)
 

Albert Chao

    2016       979,667       953,000       953,000       4,264,911       68,618       7,219,196  

President and Chief Executive Officer

    2015       948,333       925,000       925,000       4,147,954       61,172       7,007,459  
    2014       920,167       821,337       821,337       4,171,849       56,898       6,791,588  

James Chao

    2016       783,667       762,000       762,000       3,105,291       61,488       5,474,446  

Chairman

    2015       758,333       740,000       740,000       2,983,642       55,544       5,277,519  
    2014       736,167       657,300       657,300       3,015,280       50,964       5,117,011  

M. Steven Bender

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

    2016       520,833       791,667       291,667       1,353,289       47,547       3,005,003  
    2015       493,667       246,400       246,400       1,385,901       50,333       2,422,701  
    2014       459,667       201,656       201,656       1,419,811       44,391       2,327,181  
             

Robert F. Buesinger

    2016       406,333       457,200       157,200       810,697       38,450       1,875,880  

Senior Vice President, Vinyls

    2015       388,833       134,933       134,933       846,060       36,987       1,541,746  

Simon Bates(5)

    2016       150,792       1,450,000       0       1,450,000       300       3,051,092  

Former Vice President, Building Products

             

 

(1) See “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Base Pay” for more information on base salary.
(2) These amounts represent the grant date fair value of restricted stock unit awards granted to our named executive officers in the applicable year, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of the related valuation assumptions for the restricted stock unit awards, please see Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The amounts include one-time restricted stock unit awards with grant date fair values of $500,000 and $300,000, respectively, granted to Messrs. Bender and Buesinger in recognition of their contributions to the Axiall transaction and subsequent integration efforts.
(3) These amounts represent the grant date fair value of stock option awards granted to our named executive officers in the applicable year, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of the related valuation assumptions for the stock option awards, please see Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
(4) For 2014, 2015 and 2016, the amounts represent the sum of (A) the QIP incentive bonus earned in the applicable year, (B) the AIP annual cash incentive earned in the applicable year and (C) an amount earned in 2014, 2015 and 2016 with respect to the long-term cash performance award granted in February 2012, February 2013 and February 2014, respectively. The amounts of the annual cash incentives earned for 2016 were $2,560,000 for Mr. Albert Chao, $1,741,000 for Mr. James Chao, $917,000 for Mr. Bender, and $576,000 for Mr. Buesinger. The long-term cash performance awards granted in February 2014 paid out at 200% of target value based on achievement during the performance period as follows: $1,642,666 for Mr. Albert Chao, $1,314,500 for Mr. James Chao, $403,200 for Mr. Bender, and $214,200 for Mr. Buesinger.
(5) None of the amounts listed herein for Mr. Bates include amounts paid by Axiall prior to the Axiall transaction.

 

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(6) The amounts include the following in 2016:

 

     Westlake Matching
Contributions
to 401(k) Savings Plan
and Additional Contributions of
8% of Annualized
Base Pay (Up to $265,000
In 2016)
     Term Life
Insurance
Premiums
     Cash Dividends on
Unvested Restricted
Stock and Dividend
Equivalents on Unvested
Restricted Stock Units
 

Albert Chao

   $ 31,800      $ 1,188      $ 35,630  

James Chao

   $ 31,800      $ 1,188      $ 28,500  

M. Steven Bender

   $ 31,800      $ 79      $ 15,667  

Robert F. Buesinger

   $ 31,800      $ 1,296      $ 5,355  

Simon Bates

   $ 0      $ 300      $ 0  

The amounts include the following in 2015:

 

     Westlake Matching
Contributions
to 401(k) Savings Plan
and Additional Contributions of
8% of Annualized
Base Pay (Up to $265,000
In 2015)
     Term Life
Insurance
Premiums
     Cash Dividends on
Unvested Restricted
Stock and Dividend
Equivalents on Unvested
Restricted Stock Units
 

Albert Chao

   $ 31,800      $ 1,188      $ 28,184  

James Chao

   $ 31,800      $ 1,188      $ 22,556  

M. Steven Bender

   $ 31,800      $ 79      $ 18,454  

Robert F. Buesinger

   $ 31,800      $ 1,188      $ 3,999  

The amounts include the following in 2014:

 

     Westlake Matching
Contributions
to 401(k) Savings Plan
and Additional Contributions of
6% of Annualized
Base Pay (Up to $260,000
In 2014)
     Term Life
Insurance
Premiums
     Cash Dividends on
Unvested Restricted
Stock and Dividend
Equivalents on Unvested
Restricted Stock Units
 

Albert Chao

   $ 26,000      $ 1,188      $ 29,710  

James Chao

   $ 26,000      $ 1,188      $ 23,776  

M. Steven Bender

   $ 26,000      $ 1,188      $ 17,203  

 

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2016 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

          Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
    Estimated Future Payouts
Under
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
    All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of Shares
of Stock or
Units (1) 
(#)
    All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options (2) 
(#)
    Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards 
($/Sh)
    Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards (3) 
($)
 

Name

  Grant 
Date
    Threshold
($)
    Target 
($)
    Maximum
($)
    Threshold
(#)
    Target
(#)
    Maximum
(#)
         

Albert Chao

    2/18/2016       —         —         —         —         —         —         21,454       —         —         953,000  
    2/18/2016       —         —         —         —         —         —         —         81,673       44.420       953,000  
      238,250       953,000 (4)      1,906,000       —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
      —         985,000 (5)      —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
      —         78,800 (6)      —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

James Chao

    2/18/2016       —         —         —         —         —         —         17,154       —         —         762,000  
    2/18/2016       —         —         —         —         —         —         —         65,304       44.420       762,000  
      190,500       762,000 (4)      1,524,000       —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
      —         669,800 (7)      —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
      —         63,040 (8)      —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

M. Steven Bender

    2/18/2016       —         —         —         —         —         —         6,566       —         —         291,667  
    2/18/2016       —         —         —         —         —         —         —         24,996       44.420       291,667  
    12/1/2016       —         —         —         —         —         —         8,324       —         —         500,000  
      72,917       291,667 (4)      583,334       —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
      —         341,250 (9)      —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
      —         42,000 (10)      —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Robert F. Buesinger

    2/18/2016       —         —         —         —         —         —         3,539       —         —         157,200  
    2/18/2016       —         —         —         —         —         —         —         13,472       44.420       157,200  
    12/1/2016       —         —         —         —         —         —         4,995       —         —         300,000  
      39,300       157,200 (4)      314,400       —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
      —         224,950 (11)      —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
      —         32,720 (12)      —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Simon Bates

    9/1/2016       —         —         —         —         —         —         28,142       —         —         1,450,000  

 

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(1) Represents restricted stock units that will vest on February 18, 2019. The named executive officers receive dividend equivalents with respect to the restricted stock units.
(2) Represents stock options that vested or will vest in three equal installments on February 18, 2017, February 18, 2018 and February 18, 2019.
(3) Represents the grant date fair value of the awards calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of the related valuation assumptions, please see Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
(4) Represents a long-term cash performance award subject to a three-year performance period beginning on January 1, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2018. The amount of cash received will be based upon either Westlake’s total shareholder return compared with the total shareholder return of the Peer Group for 2016 (threshold performance requires relative total shareholder return rank of at least the 33rd percentile; target performance requires a rank of at least the 50th percentile; and maximum performance requires a rank of at least the 75th percentile) or Westlake’s return on the cost of capital (threshold performance requires returns equal to at least 50% of the weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”); target performance requires a return equal to the WACC; and maximum performance requires a return two times the WACC), whichever measure results in the greater payout. If at least the threshold performance is attained, the long-term performance awards will be paid in cash as soon as practicable after Westlake’s Compensation Committee determines the extent to which the performance conditions were satisfied.
(5) AIP award based on a target percentage of 100% of Mr. Albert Chao’s base salary as of December 31, 2016. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the AIP incentive awards.
(6) QIP award based on a target percentage of 8% of Mr. Albert Chao’s base salary as of December 31, 2016. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the QIP incentive awards.
(7) AIP award based on a target percentage of 85% of Mr. James Chao’s base salary as of December 31, 2016. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the AIP incentive awards.
(8) QIP award based on a target percentage of 8% of Mr. James Chao’s base salary as of December 31, 2016. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the QIP incentive awards.
(9) AIP award based on a target percentage of 65% of Mr. Bender’s base salary as of December 31, 2016. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the AIP incentive awards.
(10) QIP award based on a target percentage of 8% of Mr. Bender’s base salary as of December 31, 2016. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the QIP incentive awards.
(11) AIP award based on a target percentage of 55% of Mr. Buesinger’s base salary as of December 31, 2016. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the AIP incentive awards.
(12) QIP award based on a target percentage of 8% of Mr. Buesinger’s base salary as of December 31, 2016. There is no “threshold” or “maximum” payout with respect to this award. Please see “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Establishing Compensation Levels—Cash Incentive Plans/Bonuses” for more information regarding the QIP incentive awards.

 

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2016 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
    Option
Exercise
Price
($)
     Option
Expiration
Date
     Number of
Shares of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
    Fair Market
Value of
Shares of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested (1)
($)
 

Name

   Exercisable      Unexercisable            

Albert Chao

     42,180        —         15.805        2/23/2017        —         —    
     136,844        —         9.645        2/15/2018        —         —    
     155,892        —         7.120        2/13/2019        —         —    
     126,498        —         10.263        2/26/2020        —         —    
     55,148        —         22.915        2/18/2021        —         —    
     61,574        —         30.053        2/17/2022       
     37,876        —         45.698        2/15/2023        —         —    
     26,392        13,596 (2)      63.978        2/14/2024        —         —    
     14,948        30,350 (3)      68.090        2/20/2025        —         —    
     —          81,673 (4)      44.420        2/18/2026        —         —    
     —          —         —          —          12,838 (5)      718,800  
     —          —         —          —          13,585 (6)      760,624  
     —          —         —          —          21,454 (7)      1,201,209  

James Chao

     16,420        —         30.053        2/17/2022        —         —    
     28,218        —         45.698        2/15/2023        —         —    
     21,120        10,880 (2)      63.978        2/14/2024        —         —    
     11,958        24,280 (3)      68.090        2/20/2025        —         —    
     —          65,304 (4)      44.420        2/18/2026        —         —    
     —          —         —          —          10,274 (5)      575,241  
     —          —         —          —          10,868 (6)      608,499  
     —          —         —          —          17,154 (7)      960,452  

M. Steven Bender

     29,804        —         10.263        2/26/2020        —         —    
     13,180        —         22.915        2/18/2021        —         —    
     16,826        —         30.053        2/17/2022        —         —    
     10,740        —         45.698        2/15/2023       
     6,478        3,338 (2)      63.978        2/14/2024        —         —    
     3,981        8,085 (3)      68.090        2/20/2025        —         —    
     —          24,996 (4)      44.420        2/18/2026        —         —    
     —          —         —          —          3,152 (5)      176,480  
     —          —         —          —          3,619 (6)      202,628  
     —          —         —          —          6,566 (7)      367,630  
     —          —         —          —          8,324 (8)      466,061  

Robert F. Buesinger

     3,748        —         45.698        2/15/2023        —         —    
     3,440        1,774 (2)      63.978        2/14/2024        —         —    
     2,180        4,428 (3)      68.090        2/20/2025        —         —    
     —          13,472 (4)      44.420        2/18/2026        —         —    
     —          —         —          —          1,674 (5)      93,727  
     —          —         —          —          1,982 (6)      110,972  
     —          —         —          —          3,539 (7)      198,149  
     —          —         —          —          4,995 (8)      279,670  

Simon Bates

     —          —         —          —          —         —    

 

(1) Based on the closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on December 31, 2016 ($55.99 per share).

 

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(2) These stock options vested in three equal installments on February 14, 2015, February 14, 2016 and February 14, 2017.
(3) These stock options vest or vested in three equal installments on February 20, 2016, February 20, 2017 and February 20, 2018.
(4) These stock options vest or vested in three equal installments on February 18, 2017, February 18, 2018 and February 18, 2019.
(5) These shares of restricted stock vested on February 14, 2017.
(6) These restricted stock units will vest on February 20, 2018.
(7) These restricted stock units will vest on February 18, 2019.
(8) These restricted stock units will vest on December 1, 2019.

2016 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  

Name

   Number
of Shares
Acquired
on
Exercise
(#)
     Value
Realized on
Exercise (1)
($)
     Number
of Shares
Acquired
on
Vesting
(#)
     Value
Realized
on
Vesting (2)
($)
 

Albert Chao

     0        0        14,246        625,684  

James Chao

     0        0        11,406        500,952  

M. Steven Bender

     30,714        1,129,814        19,858        1,009,305  

Robert F. Buesinger

     2,880        70,186        2,114        92,847  

Simon Bates

     0        0        28,142        1,450,000  

 

(1) Based on the difference between the market price of our common stock on the date of exercise and the option exercise price.
(2) Based on the market price of our common stock on the applicable vesting date.

 

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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Security Ownership of Directors and Management

The following table lists information about the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each director and each named executive officer listed in the summary compensation table included later in this Proxy Statement, and all of our directors and executive officers as a group. Shares of stock are “beneficially owned” by a person if the person directly or indirectly has or shares the power to vote or dispose of the shares, regardless of whether the person has any economic interest in the shares. A person also beneficially owns shares as to which the person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days.

All information in the table is as of March 1, 2017 and is based upon information supplied by the directors and executive officers. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes and subject to community property laws where applicable, each of the stockholders named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned.

 

     Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock (1)
 

Directors and Named Executive Officers

   Direct (2)      Other     Percent of
Class
 

Simon Bates

     14,930        0           

M. Steven Bender

     178,239        0           

Robert T. Blakely

     14,104        0           

Robert F. Buesinger

     18,973        0           

Albert Chao

     945,260        92,010,554  (3)      72

James Chao

     233,533        92,010,554  (3)      71.5

Michael J. Graff

     3,077        0           

Dorothy C. Jenkins

     59,865        92,010,554  (3)      71.4

Max L. Lukens

     18,875        0           

R. Bruce Northcutt

     3,077        0           

H. John Riley, Jr.

     20,689        0           

All directors and executive officers as a group (16 persons, including those listed above)

     1,598,098        92,010,554 (3)      72.5

 

* Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock.
(1) None of the shares beneficially owned by our directors or executive officers are pledged as security.
(2) The amounts include shares of common stock that may be acquired within 60 days from March 1, 2017 through the exercise of options held by Mr. Bender (107,996), Mr. Buesinger (9,664), Mr. Albert Chao (671,242), Mr. James Chao (114,564), Ms. Jenkins (18,590), and all directors and executive officers as a group (976,342). Mr. Blakely, Mr. Riley, Mr. Lukens, Mr. Graff and Mr. Northcutt do not hold any options.
(3) Two trusts for the benefit of members of the Chao family, including James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao, are the managers of TTWFGP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is the general partner of TTWF LP. The limited partners of TTWF LP are five trusts principally for the benefit of members of the Chao family, including James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao and two corporations owned, indirectly or directly, by certain of these trusts and by other entities owned by members of the Chao family, including James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao. James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins, Albert Chao, TTWF LP and TTWFGP LLC share voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares of our common stock beneficially owned by TTWF LP. James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao disclaim beneficial ownership of the 92,010,554 shares held by TTWF LP except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interest therein.

 

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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

The following table sets forth each person known to Westlake who is the beneficial owner of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

   Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
     Percent of Class  

TTWF LP (1)

     92,010,554        71.3

2801 Post Oak Boulevard

     

Houston, Texas 77056

     

 

(1) Two trusts for the benefit of members of the Chao family, including James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao, are the managers of TTWFGP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is the general partner of TTWF LP. The limited partners of TTWF LP are five trusts principally for the benefit of members of the Chao family, including James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao and two corporations owned, indirectly or directly, by certain of these trusts and by other entities owned by members of the Chao family, including James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao. TTWF LP and TTWFGP LLC each have shared voting power and shared dispositive power over 92,010,554 shares of our common stock. As of March 1, 2017, James Chao had sole voting power and sole dispositive power over 233,533 shares of our common stock and shared voting power and shared dispositive power over 92,010,554 shares of our common stock. Dorothy C. Jenkins had sole voting power and sole dispositive power over 59,865 shares of our common stock and shared voting power and shared dispositive power over 92,010,554 shares of our common stock. Albert Chao had sole voting power and sole dispositive power over 945,260 shares of our common stock and shared voting power and shared dispositive power over 92,010,554 shares of our common stock. James Chao, Dorothy C. Jenkins and Albert Chao disclaim beneficial ownership of the 92,010,554 shares of our common stock held by TTWF LP except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interest therein.

 

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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Independence of Directors

As of March 1, 2017, TTWF LP, our principal stockholder, owned 71.3% of the outstanding common stock of the Company. Under the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange, we are considered to be controlled by TTWF LP. As a controlled company, we are eligible for exemptions from provisions of the New York Stock Exchange’s rules requiring a majority of independent directors, nominating and governance and compensation committees composed entirely of independent directors and written nominating and governance and compensation committee charters addressing specified matters. We have elected to take advantage of certain of these exemptions. In the event that we cease to be a controlled company within the meaning of these rules, we will be required to comply with these provisions after the specified transition periods.

Our Board of Directors has determined, after considering all of the relevant facts and circumstances, that Messrs. Robert T. Blakely, Michael J. Graff, Max L. Lukens, R. Bruce Northcutt and H. John Riley, Jr. are independent from our management, as “independence” is defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. This means that none of these directors has any direct or indirect material relationship with us, either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with us and that none of the express disqualifications contained in the New York Stock Exchange rules applies to any of them. In making its independence determinations, the Board of Directors considered the fact that, while such relationship does not preclude independence under the New York Stock Exchange rules, Mr. Graff is an executive officer of a company with which Westlake conducts business in the ordinary course.

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

Under our Code of Conduct, each of our employees (including our Principal Executive Officer (the “PEO”), the other officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (together with the PEO, the “Named Executive Officers” or the “NEOs”) and other employees designated as executive officers of the Company (collectively, the “Executives”)) is required to disclose to us and seek approval before undertaking any activity that could create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest between his or her personal interests and our interests. The members of our Board of Directors are also subject to the Code of Conduct. The Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing transactions between Westlake and other companies or organizations with which members of the Board of Directors may have affiliations.

The office space for our principal executive offices in Houston, Texas is leased, at market rates, from GUIC Post Oak, Ltd., an affiliate of our principal stockholder, under a lease that expires on December 31, 2019, with a five-year option at the expiration of the lease. Total annual lease payments in 2016 were approximately $3.0 million.

The Company and/or its affiliates purchase oxygen, nitrogen and utilities and lease cylinders from various affiliates of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. (including Airgas, Inc. and its subsidiaries) (collectively, “Air Liquide”), of which Mr. Graff serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. In 2016, the Company paid these affiliates of Air Liquide approximately $22.1 million. The Company also sold certain utilities to Air Liquide in the amount of approximately $4.0 million.

The related party transactions set forth above have been previously approved by the Board of Directors without the participation of the directors interested in the transaction.

 

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Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Fees

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP billed us the following fees:

 

Fees    2016      2015  

Audit fees(1)

   $ 6,755,780      $ 2,840,190  

Audit-related fees(2)

     25,000        102,000  

Tax fees

     1,858,582        538,659  

All other fees(3)

     201,919        4,844  

Total fees billed

   $ 8,841,281      $ 3,485,693  

 

(1) Audit fees represent fees billed for professional services rendered for the audits of our annual consolidated financial statements, audit of internal controls, quarterly review of our consolidated financial statements, reviews of documents filed with the SEC, registration statements and comfort letters.
(2) Audit-related fees represent fees billed for professional services rendered for attest services and accounting consultations.
(3) All other fees include auditor-sponsored seminars and accounting research database licenses.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval

The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of services provided by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Under the policy, pre-approval is generally provided for work associated with audit, review or attest engagements, tax and permissible non-audit services, including the fees and terms thereof, to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm, subject to, and in compliance with, the de minimis exception for non-audit services described in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

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Legal Matters

The validity of the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, Texas. In rendering its opinion, Baker Botts L.L.P. may rely upon the opinion of Scofield, Gerard, Pohorelsky, Gallaugher & Landry, LLC as to all matters governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana and the opinion of Dykema Gossett PLLC as to all matters governed by the laws of State of Michigan.

Experts

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting due to the exclusion of certain elements of the internal control over financial reporting of the Axiall Corporation business the registrant acquired during 2016) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The consolidated financial statements of Axiall Corporation appearing in Axiall Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 30, 2016 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated by reference into Westlake Chemical Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on September 8, 2016, which Form 8-K/A is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Where You Can Find More Information

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1850, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain information about the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a Web site that contains information we file electronically with the SEC, which you can access over the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.

Our Web site is located at http: //www.westlake.com. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the SEC are available, free of charge, through our Web site, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports or filings are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information on our Web site or any other website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement and, as permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information we have included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement, the exhibits and the schedules for more information. The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are available at the SEC’s public reference room or through its Web site. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts or other documents, the reference may not be complete and, for a copy of the contract or document, you should refer to the exhibits that are part of or incorporated by reference into the registration statement.

 

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We are incorporating by reference information we file with the SEC, which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC automatically will update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), until the expiration date of the exchange offer:

 

    our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016; and

 

    our Current Reports on Form 8-K/A filed on September 8, 2016.

You may request a copy of these filings (other than an exhibit to those filings unless we have specifically incorporated that exhibit by reference into the filing), at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Westlake Chemical Corporation

2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600

Houston, Texas 77056

Attention: Investor Relations

Telephone: (713) 960-9111

 

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Until                 , 2017 all dealers that effect transactions in the Exchange Notes, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

LOGO

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

Offer to Exchange

$624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021

for

$624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended

Offer to Exchange

$433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023

for

$433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended

Offer to Exchange

$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026

for

$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended

and

Offer to Exchange

$700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046

for

$700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Delaware Corporations. Delaware law permits a corporation to adopt a provision in its certificate of incorporation eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director, but not an officer in his or her capacity as such, to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for (1) any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) liability under section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) for unlawful payment of dividends or stock purchases or redemptions or (4) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

The amended and restated certificate of incorporation of Westlake provides that, to the fullest extent of Delaware law, no Westlake director shall be liable to Westlake or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.

Under Delaware law, a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any type of proceeding, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, because he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or other entity, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such proceeding if: (1) he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and (2) with respect to any criminal proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit brought by or in the right of the corporation because he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or other entity, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification will be made if the person is found liable to the corporation unless, in such a case, the court determines the person is nonetheless entitled to indemnification for such expenses. A corporation must also indemnify a present or former director or officer who has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any proceeding, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him or her. Expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by a director or officer, or any employees or agents as deemed appropriate by the board of directors, in defending civil or criminal proceedings may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such proceedings upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. The Delaware law regarding indemnification and the advancement of expenses is not exclusive of any other rights a person may be entitled to under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Under the DGCL, the termination of any proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that a person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

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Delaware law also provides that a corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or other entity, against any liability asserted against and incurred by such person, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability.

Westlake’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws authorize indemnification of any person entitled to indemnity under law to the full extent permitted by law.

The bylaws of Geismar Holdings, Inc., GVGP, Inc., Westlake Chemical Investments, Inc., Westlake Longview Corporation, Westlake NG I Corporation, and Westlake Vinyls, Inc. require indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents to the extent permitted by the DGCL. The bylaws of Westlake Management Services, Inc., Westlake Olefins Corporation, Westlake PVC Corporation, Westlake Resources Corporation and Westlake Vinyl Corporation contain no provisions regarding indemnification of officers or directors. The certificate of incorporation for Westlake Supply and Trading Company requires indemnification of officers and directors and allows indemnification of employees and agents, in each case to the extent permitted by the DGCL.

Article XIII of Axiall Corporation’s certificate of incorporation permits indemnification of directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Article Seven of Rome Delaware Corporation’s charter provides for the indemnification of its directors and officers to the full extent permitted by the DGCL or any other applicable laws and allows the corporation to enter into one or more agreements with any person which provide for indemnification greater or different than that provided in the charter.

Axiall Corporation’s charter provides that it shall, to the full extent permitted by the DGCL, as amended, indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant thereto.

Axiall Ohio, Inc.’s charter both provide for indemnification of company officers and directors against all expenses, liability or losses reasonably incurred or suffered by the officer or director to the extent legally permissible under the DGCL. Generally, indemnification will only be available where an officer or director can establish that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the company. Axiall Ohio, Inc.’s charter also limit such indemnification in connection with actions, suits, or proceedings commenced by the officer or director to instances where the commencement of the proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors of the company.

Eagle Spinco Inc.’s charter provides that a director of the company shall not be liable to the company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or other Delaware Law. Eagle Spinco Inc. may, by action of its board of directors, provide indemnification to such employees and agents of the company as to such extent and to such effect as the board shall determine to be appropriate and authorized by the DGCL or other Delaware Law. Eagle Spinco Inc. may also have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the company.

Axiall Holdco, Inc.’s charter provides indemnification for directors or officers of the company, or each such person who is or was serving or who had agreed to serve at the request of the board of directors, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or any other applicable laws. Axiall Holdco, Inc. may also enter into one or more agreements with any person which provide for indemnification greater or different than that provided in its charter.

Axiall Noteco, Inc.’s, Royal Building Products (USA) Inc.’s and Royal Plastics Group (U.S.A.) Limited’s charters each provides indemnification for directors or officers of the company, or each such person who is or was serving or who had agreed to serve at the request of the board of directors, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or any other applicable laws.

 

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Delaware Limited Liability Companies. The Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that a limited liability company has the power to indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.

The limited liability company agreement for each of North American Specialty Products LLC, Westlake Geismar Power Company LLC, Westlake Pipeline Investments LLC, Westlake Polymers LLC, Westlake Styrene LLC, WPT LLC and Westlake Petrochemicals LLC provides that, with certain exceptions, no manager or officer will have any personal liability whatsoever to the limited liability company or any member on account of such manager’s or officer’s status as a manager or officer or by reason of such manager’s or officer’s acts or omissions in connection with the conduct of the business of the company. The debts, obligations and liabilities of each limited liability company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, will be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the company, and no manager, member or officer will be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the company solely by reason of being a manager, member or officer.

The limited liability company agreements of Axiall, LLC and Georgia Gulf Lake Charles, LLC provide indemnification for managers to the fullest extent permissible by the DLLCA. Axiall, LLC and Georgia Gulf Lake Charles LLC may indemnify any person who would not be entitled to mandatory indemnification with approval of all the members of the limited liability company. The limited liability company agreements of Eagle Holdco 3 LLC, Eagle Natrium LLC, and Eagle US 2 LLC provide that each company will indemnify to the fullest extent of the law any manager, director or officer of such company to the fullest extent permissible by the DLLCA if such representative acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of each company, respectively. No indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of such person’s duty to the company. These companies may also purchase and maintain insurance for officer and director liability, whether or not they would have the power or the obligation to indemnify such person.

The limited liability company agreement of Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC provides that Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC shall indemnify and hold harmless the managers and each officer and the affiliates of any managers or officer against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses and liabilities (including, but not limited to, any investigation, legal and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with, and any amounts paid in settlement of, any action, suit, proceeding or claim) of any kind or nature whatsoever that such officer may at any time become subject to or liable for by reason of the formation, operation or termination of the Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC, or the person acting as a manager or officer under the agreement, or the authorized actions of such person in connection with the conduct of the affairs of the Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC (including, without limitation, indemnification against negligence, gross negligence or breach of duty); provided, however, that no person shall be entitled to indemnification if and to the extent that the liability otherwise to be indemnified for results from (i) any act or omission of such person that involves actual fraud or willful misconduct or (ii) any transaction from which such person derived improper personal benefit.

The limited liability company agreement of Lagoon LLC provides that Lagoon LLC shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the member of Lagoon LLC and each employee, director, officer, agent, shareholder, limited partner and general partner of the member to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any loss, liability, damages, cost or expense (including legal fees and expenses and any amounts paid in settlement) resulting from a claim, demand, lawsuit, action or proceeding by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such person on behalf of Lagoon LLC; provided that such acts or omissions of such person are not found by a court of competent jurisdiction to constitute fraud.

Delaware Limited Partnerships. Subject to such standards and restrictions as are set forth in its limited partnership agreement, the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other person from and against any and all claims and demands.

 

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The limited partnership agreement for Westlake Vinyls Company LP provides that (1) the general partner’s obligation to perform are performable only to the extent that the partnership has funds available and (2) neither the general partner nor its affiliates shall ever be personally liable to involuntarily furnish its or their own funds for any such purposes, to respond in damages or to render specific performance. The limited partners agree to look solely to the general partner’s partnership interest for recovery of any judgment against the general partner. So long as the general partner acts in good faith, it has no liability or obligation to the partnership or to any partner for any decision, act or omission, whether or not such decision, act or omission was (1) authorized or reasonably prudent or (2) the result of the exercise of good or bad business judgment.

Louisiana Corporations. Section 1-851 of the Louisiana Business Corporation Act (“LBCA”) permits corporations to indemnify any individual who was, is, or is threatened to be made a defendant or respondent to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or investigative, including any proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, or, while a director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, manager, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another entity or employee benefit plan, against liability, including judgments, penalties, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses incurred with respect to a proceeding, if the corporation determines, in accordance with Section 1-855 of the LCBA, that he has met the relevant standard of conduct by having acted in good faith and, if in an official capacity, in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the corporation, and in all other capacities, in a manner he reasonably believed to be not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Section 1-851(D)(2) provides that a corporation shall not indemnify a director in connection with any proceeding with respect to conduct for which the director or officer was adjudged liable for receiving a financial benefit to which he was not entitled. Section 1-832 (A)(3) provides that a corporation shall not indemnify a director for liability for unlawful distributions made in violation of Section 1-833 of the LCBA. Section 1-832(A) and Section 1-856 provide that neither officers nor directors may be indemnified for liability arising out of a breach of the officer’s or directors’ duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders, an intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholders, or an intentional violation of criminal law. Any indemnification under Section 1-851 of the LCBA, unless ordered by the court, shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in a specific proceeding upon a determination that the relevant standard of conduct has been met, and such determination shall be made: (i) by the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum of all qualified directors, or (ii) by a majority of the members of a committee of two or more qualified directors appointed by a majority vote of all qualified directors, or (iii) if such a quorum is not obtainable and the board of directors so directs, by special legal counsel selected by the board of directors, or (iv) by the shareholders, excepting shares owned or voted under the control of a non-qualified director.

Sections 1-852 and 1-856(C) of the LCBA provide that a corporation shall indemnify a director or officer who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which the director or officer was a party because he was a director or officer of the corporation against expenses incurred by him in connection therewith. Section 1-851(D)(1) and 1-856(A)(1) of the LCBA provide that, in case of proceedings by or in the right of the corporation, the indemnity for both directors and officers shall be limited to expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding, if the corporation determines that the director has met the relevant standard of conduct described above.

Section 1-856 of the LCBA provides that a corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer to the same extent as a director and, if he is an officer but not a director, to such further extent as may be provided by the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, a resolution of the board of directors, or contract, except that the corporation may not indemnify the officer for (1) liability in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation other than for expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding, or (2) liability arising out of conduct that constitutes a breach of the officer’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders, an intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholders, or an intentional violation of criminal law. Section 1-858 of the LCBA provides that the LCBA neither requires indemnification for, nor limits a

 

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corporation’s power to provide indemnification voluntarily to, its employees and agents who are neither officers nor directors.

Louisiana Limited Liability Companies. Section 1315 of the Louisiana Limited Liability Company Act states that a limited liability company’s articles of organization or written operating agreement may (1) eliminate or limit the personal liability of such entity’s members or managers for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties or (2) provide for indemnification of such entity’s members or managers for judgments, settlements, penalties, fines, or expenses incurred because of their current or former status as such. A limited liability company may not eliminate the liability of a member or manager for the amount of a financial benefit received by a member or manager to which he is not entitled or for an intentional violation of a criminal law.

The operating agreement of PHH Monomers, L.L.C. states that the company will indemnify, defend and hold harmless any officers or directors against any and all claims to the extent such claims arise out of operation of the Lake Charles complex. These indemnities survive dissolution of the company, any successor thereto, and termination of the operating agreement. PHH Monomers, L.L.C. will also indemnify any person who is or was a party to any pending or completed action by reason of the fact that he is or was a member of the committee or director, officer, employee or agent of the company if he acted in good faith and in a reasonable manner in the best interest of the company. This right is not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any other agreement or pursuant to the direction of any court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise. PHH Monomers, L.L.C. may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a member of the committee, director, officer, employee, agent or servant of the company, whether or not the company would have the power or the obligation to indemnify him against such liability under the above provisions.

Michigan Corporations. Under Section 561 of the Michigan Business Corporation Act (“MIBCA”), a Michigan corporation may indemnify a person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to a threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another enterprise, against expenses, including attorney’s fees, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith if the person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders and, with respect to a criminal action or proceeding, if the person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

Under Section 562 of the MIBCA, a Michigan corporation may also provide similar indemnity to such a person for expenses, including attorney’s fees, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with actions or suits by or in the right of the corporation if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the interests of the corporation or its shareholders, except in respect of any claim, issue or matter in which the person has been found liable to the corporation, unless the court determines that the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all relevant circumstances, in which case indemnification is limited to reasonable expenses incurred. To the extent that such person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defending any such action, suit or proceeding referred to above or any claim, issue or matter therein, he or she is entitled to indemnification for expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

Under Section 563 of the MIBCA if a director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of an action, suit, or proceeding referred to in Section 561 or 562, or in defense of a claim, issue, or matter in the action, suit, or proceeding, the corporation shall indemnify him or her against actual and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding and any action, suit, or proceeding brought to enforce the mandatory indemnification.

 

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Under Section 564a of the MIBCA, an indemnification under Section 561 or 562, unless ordered by the court or otherwise required by Section 563, shall be provided by the corporation only as authorized upon a determination that indemnification of such officer, director, employee, or agent is proper because the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 561 and 562 have been met. 564a(1) sets forth the following ways such determination may be made: (a) by a majority vote of a quorum of the board consisting of directors who are not parties or threatened to be made parties to the action, suit, or proceeding; (b) if a quorum cannot be obtained under subdivision (a), by majority vote of a committee duly designated by the board and consisting solely of 2 or more directors not at the time parties or threatened to be made parties to the action, suit, or proceeding; (c) in a written opinion by independent legal counsel selected by the board; (d) by all independent directors who are not parties or threatened to be made parties to the action, suit, or proceeding; or (e) by the shareholders, but shares held by directors, officers, employees, or agents who are parties or threatened to be made parties to the action, suit, or proceeding may not be voted.

The MIBCA also permits a Michigan corporation to purchase and maintain on behalf of such a person insurance against liabilities incurred in such capacities.

The bylaws of Plastic Trends, Inc. state that directors and officers shall be indemnified by the company against expenses, including attorney’s fees, reasonably incurred by him in connection with any action, suit or proceeding (whether civil or criminal) to which he may be made a party by reason of his being, or having been a director or officer of the company. This includes the cost of reasonable settlement where such settlement is approved by the corporation. The corporation shall not indemnify any director or officer with respect to matters as to which he shall have been finally adjudged to have been liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty as such director or officer. The bylaws of Plastic Trends, Inc. do not require the determination in Section 564(a) of the MIBCA.

 

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Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

EXHIBIT

NUMBER

       DESCRIPTION
  †3.1      Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 6, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, filed on August 9, 2004).
  †3.2      Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 16, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 16, 2014, File No. 001-32260).
  †3.3      Bylaws of Westlake (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, filed on August 9, 2004).
  †3.4      Certificate of Incorporation of Geismar Holdings, Inc. as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 26, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.5      By-Laws of Geismar Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.6      Certificate of Incorporation of GVGP, Inc. as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 26, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.7      By-Laws of GVGP, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.13 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.8      Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Chemical Investments, Inc. as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 13, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.29 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.9      By-Laws of Westlake Chemical Investments, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.30 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.10(a)      Certificate of Conversion of Westlake Geismar Power Company LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on January 12, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.10(b)      Certificate of Formation of Westlake Geismar Power Company LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on January 12, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.11      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Geismar Power Company LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8(c) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.12      Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Longview Corporation as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 3, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.23(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).

 

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EXHIBIT

NUMBER

       DESCRIPTION
  †3.13      Bylaws of Westlake NG II Corporation (now known as Westlake Longview Corporation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.65 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A filed on November 23, 2005, File No. 333-124581).
  †3.14      Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Management Services, Inc. as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 5, 1990 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.37 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.15      Bylaws of Westlake Management Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.10(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.16      Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake NG I Corporation as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 18, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.62 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A filed on November 23, 2005, File No. 333-124581).
  †3.17      Bylaws of Westlake NG I Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.63 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A filed on November 23, 2005, File No. 333-124581).
  †3.18      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Olefins Corporation as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on July 20, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.40 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.19      By-Laws of Westlake Olefins Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.41 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.20      Certificate of Formation of Westlake Pipeline Investments LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 31, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.13(a) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.21      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Pipeline Investments LLC, dated August 31, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.13(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.22      Certificate of Formation of Westlake Polymers LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.15(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
  †3.23(a)      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Polymers LLC, dated December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.15(c) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
    3.23(b)*      Amendment to the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Polymers LLC, dated July 27, 2010.
  †3.24      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake PVC Corporation as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 20, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.50 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).

 

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EXHIBIT

NUMBER

       DESCRIPTION
  †3.25      Bylaws of Westlake PVC Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.15(c) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.26      Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Resources Corporation as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on October 23, 1990 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.52 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982)
  †3.27      Bylaws of Westlake Resources Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.16(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.28(a)      Certificate of Conversion of Westlake Styrene LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
  †3.28(b)      Certificate of Formation of Westlake Styrene LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
  †3.29(a)      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Styrene LLC, dated December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
    3.29(b)*      First Amendment to Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Styrene LLC, dated December 31, 2007.
    3.29(c)*      Second Amendment to Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Styrene LLC, dated July 27, 2010.
  †3.30(a)      Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Supply and Trading Company as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on July 20, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.33 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A filed on May 3, 2005, File No. 333-124581).
    3.30(b)*      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Supply and Trading Company dated March 23, 1999.
  †3.30(c)      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Supply and Trading Company as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 8, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.11(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
    3.30(d)*      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Supply and Trading Company dated April 22, 2016.
  †3.31      Bylaws of Westlake Supply and Trading Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.33 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A filed on May 3, 2005, File No. 333-124581).
  †3.32      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Vinyl Corporation as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 4, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.58 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).

 

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EXHIBIT

NUMBER

       DESCRIPTION
  †3.33      Bylaws of Westlake Vinyl Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.59 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982)
  †3.34(a)      Certificate of Limited Partnership of Geismar Vinyls LP (now known as Westlake Vinyls Company LP) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.34(b)      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership of Geismar Vinyls LP (now known as Westlake Vinyls Company LP) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.34(c)      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership of Geismar Vinyls LP (now known as Westlake Vinyls Company LP) (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A filed on November 23, 2005, File No. 333-124581).
  †3.35      Agreement of Limited Partnership of Geismar Vinyls LP (now known as Westlake Vinyls Company LP), dated December 27, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.36      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Vinyls, Inc. as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 28, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.61 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.37      By-Laws of Westlake Vinyls, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.62 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.38      Certificate of Formation of WPT LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.21(a) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
  †3.39(a)      Limited Liability Company Agreement of WPT LLC, dated December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.21(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
    3.39(b)*      Amendment to the Limited Liability Company Agreement of WPT LLC, dated July 27, 2010.
  †3.40(a)      Certificate of Conversion of Westlake Petrochemicals LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.14(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
  †3.40(b)      Certificate of Formation of Westlake Petrochemicals LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.14(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
  †3.41(a)      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Petrochemicals LLC, dated December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.14(c) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
    3.41(b)*      Amendment to Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Petrochemicals LLC, dated July 27, 2010.

 

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EXHIBIT

NUMBER

       DESCRIPTION
  †3.42(a)     

Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake NG V Corporation (now known as Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC) as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on March 24, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).

    3.42(b)*     

Certificate of Conversion of Westlake NG V Corporation (now known as Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC) as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 6, 2016.

    3.42(c)*     

Certificate of Formation of Westlake NG V LLC (now known as Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC) as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 6, 2016.

    3.42(d)*     

Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Formation of Westlake NG V LLC (now known as Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC) as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 7, 2016.

    3.43(a)*      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake NG V LLC (now known as Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC), dated April 5, 2016.
    3.43(b)*      Amendment to Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake NG V LLC (now known as Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC), dated April 11, 2016.
  †3.44      Certificate of Formation of North American Specialty Products LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 1, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.26(a) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 9, 2013, File. No. 333-177119).
  †3.45      Limited Liability Company Agreement of North American Specialty Products LLC, dated April 1, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.26(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
    3.46*      Certificate of Formation of Lagoon LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 1, 2016.
    3.47*      Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Lagoon LLC, dated August 1, 2016.
  †3.48      Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Axiall Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Axiall Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 31, 2016 File No. 333-109753).
  †3.49      Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of Axiall Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Axiall Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 31, 2016 File No. 333-109753).
  †3.50      Certificate of Incorporation of Axiall Holdco, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.11 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.51      By-laws of Axiall Holdco, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.12 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
    3.52*      Certificate of Incorporation of Axiall Noteco, Inc. as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 20, 2014.
    3.53*      By-Laws of Axiall Noteco, Inc., dated November 20, 2014.
  †3.54      Certificate of Incorporation of Eagle Controlled 2 Ohio Spinco, Inc. (now known as Axiall Ohio, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).

 

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EXHIBIT

NUMBER

        DESCRIPTION
  †3.55       By-laws of Eagle Controlled 2 Ohio Spinco, Inc. (now known as Axiall Ohio, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.56       Certificate of Formation of Georgia Gulf Chemical & Vinyls, LLC (now known as Axiall, LLC) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.57       Limited Liability Company Agreement of Georgia Gulf Chemical & Vinyls, LLC (now known as Axiall, LLC) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.10 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed with the SEC on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.58       Certificate of Formation of Eagle Holdco 3 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.13 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.59       Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Eagle Holdco 3 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.14 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.60       Certificate of Formation of Eagle Natrium LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.15 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.61       Limited Liability Company Agreement of Eagle Natrium LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.16 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.62       Certificate of Incorporation of PPG Pipeline, Inc. (now known as Eagle Pipeline, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.17 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.63       By-laws of PPG Pipeline, Inc. (now known as Eagle Pipeline, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.18 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.64       Certificate of Incorporation of Eagle Spinco Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.65       By-laws of Eagle Spinco Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.66       Certificate of Formation of Eagle US 2 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.19 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.67       Limited Liability Company Agreement of Eagle US 2 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.20 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.68       Certificate of Formation of George Gulf Lake Charles, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.23 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.69       Limited Liability Company Agreement of Georgia Gulf Lake Charles, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.24 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.70       Articles of Organization of PHH Monomers, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.25 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).

 

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EXHIBIT

NUMBER

       DESCRIPTION
  †3.71      Operating Agreement by and between PPG Industries, Inc. (now known as Eagle US 2 LLC), Vista Chemical Company (now known as Axiall, LLC) and PHH Monomers, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.26 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.72      Articles of Incorporation of Plastic Trends, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.27 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.73      By-laws of Plastic Trends, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.28 of Axiall Corporation’s Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.74      Certificate of Incorporation of Rome Delaware Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.29 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.75      By-laws of Rome Delaware Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.30 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
    3.76(a)*      Certificate of Incorporation of RBS (U.S.A.) Limited (now known as Royal Building Products (USA) Inc.) as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 7, 1997.
    3.76(b)*      Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of RBS (U.S.A.) Limited (now known as Royal Building Products (USA) Inc.) as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 17, 2014.
    3.77*      By-Laws of RBS (U.S.A.) Limited (now known as Royal Building Products (USA) Inc.), dated August 7, 1997.
  †3.78      Certificate of Incorporation of Royal Plastics Group (U.S.A.) Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.35 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.79      By-laws of Royal Plastics Group (U.S.A.) Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.36 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †4.1      Indenture dated as of January 1, 2006 by and among Westlake, the potential subsidiary guarantors listed therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 13, 2006, File No. 1-32260).
  †4.2      Eighth Supplemental Indenture (including the form of the Notes), dated as of August 10, 2016, among Westlake Chemical Corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Westlake’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 10, 2016, File No. 001-32260).
  †4.3      Ninth Supplemental Indenture (including the form of the Notes) as of September 7, 2016, among Westlake Chemical Corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Westlake’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 7, 2016, File No. 001-32260).
  †4.4      Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 25, 2016, among the Company, the Guaranteeing subsidiaries (as defined therein) and the other subsidiary guarantors (as defined therein) and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 to Westlake’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 22, 2017, File No. 1-32260).

 

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EXHIBIT

NUMBER

        DESCRIPTION
  †4.5       Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 10, 2016, among Westlake Chemical Corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as representatives of the Initial Purchasers (as defined therein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Westlake’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 10, 2016, File No. 001-32260).
  †4.6       Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 7, 2016, among Westlake Chemical Corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as dealer managers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Westlake’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 7, 2016, File No. 001-32260).
      Westlake and its subsidiaries are party to other long-term debt instruments not filed herewith under which the total amount of securities authorized does not exceed 10% of the total assets of Westlake and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Pursuant to paragraph 4(iii)(A) of Item 601(b) of Regulation S-K, Westlake agrees to furnish a copy of such instruments to the SEC upon request.
    5.1*       Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.
    5.2*       Opinion of Scofield, Gerard, Pohorelsky, Gallaugher & Landry, LLC.
    5.3*       Opinion of Dykema Gossett PLLC.
†12.1       Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12.1 to Westlake’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 22, 2017, File No. 1-32260).
  23.1*       Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
  23.2*       Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
  23.3*       Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  23.4*       Consent of Scofield, Gerard, Pohorelsky, Gallaugher & Landry, LLC (included in Exhibit 5.2).
  23.5*       Consent of Dykema Gossett PLLC (included in Exhibit 5.3).
  24.1*       Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages).
  25.1*       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as Trustee with respect to the Indenture, dated as of January 1, 2006.
  99.1*       Form of Letter of Transmittal
  99.2*       Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees
  99.3*       Form of Letter to Clients

 

Incorporated by reference as indicated.
* Filed herewith.

 

Item 22. Undertakings

Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

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(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post- effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of such registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, in a primary offering of securities of such registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrants relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of such registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrants;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrants or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrants; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by such registrant to the purchaser.

 

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(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of each registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, each registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the claim has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(8) To respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of Form S-4, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.

(9) To supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 13, 2017.

 

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

  Name:   Albert Chao
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer


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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Albert Chao, M. Steven Bender and L. Benjamin Ederington, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents or instruments in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 13, 2017.

 

SIGNATURE

     

TITLE

/s/    Albert Chao        

   

President, Chief Executive Officer and

Director (Principal Executive Officer)

Albert Chao    

/s/    M. Steven Bender        

   

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial

Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

M. Steven Bender    

/s/    George J. Mangieri        

   

Vice President, Chief Accounting

Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

George J. Mangieri    

/s/    James Chao        

    Chairman of the Board of Directors
James Chao    

/s/    Robert T. Blakely        

    Director
Robert T. Blakely    

/s/    Michael J. Graff        

    Director
Michael J. Graff    

/s/    Dorothy C. Jenkins        

    Director
Dorothy C. Jenkins    

/s/    Max L. Lukens        

    Director
Max L. Lukens    

/s/    R. Bruce Northcutt        

    Director
R. Bruce Northcutt    

/s/    H. John Riley, Jr.        

    Director
H. John Riley, Jr.    


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, each registrant below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 13, 2017.

 

GEISMAR HOLDINGS, INC.

GVGP, INC.

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL INVESTMENTS, INC.

WESTLAKE LONGVIEW CORPORATION

WESTLAKE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

WESTLAKE NG I CORPORATION

WESTLAKE OLEFINS CORPORATION

WESTLAKE PVC CORPORATION

WESTLAKE RESOURCES CORPORATION

WESTLAKE SUPPLY AND TRADING COMPANY

WESTLAKE VINYL CORPORATION

WESTLAKE VINYLS, INC.

By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

  Name:   Albert Chao
  Title:   President

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Albert Chao, M. Steven Bender and L. Benjamin Ederington, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents or instruments in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 13, 2017.

 

SIGNATURE

     

TITLE

/s/    Albert Chao        

   

President and Sole Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

Albert Chao    

/s/    M. Steven Bender        

   

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

M. Steven Bender    

/s/    George J. Mangieri        

   

Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

George J. Mangieri    


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, each registrant below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 13, 2017.

 

WESTLAKE PIPELINE INVESTMENTS LLC

WESTLAKE POLYMERS LLC

WESTLAKE STYRENE LLC

WPT LLC

WESTLAKE PETROCHEMICALS LLC

 

BY WESTLAKE CHEMICAL INVESTMENTS, INC.,
ITS MANAGER

By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

  Name:   Albert Chao
  Title:   President

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Albert Chao, M. Steven Bender and L. Benjamin Ederington, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents or instruments in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 13, 2017.

 

SIGNATURE

     

TITLE

/s/    Albert Chao        

   

President and Sole Director of Manager

(Principal Executive Officer)

Albert Chao    

/s/    M. Steven Bender        

   

Chief Financial Officer of Manager

(Principal Financial Officer)

M. Steven Bender    

/s/    George J. Mangieri        

   

Chief Accounting Officer of Manager

(Principal Accounting Officer)

George J. Mangieri    


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, each registrant below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 13, 2017.

 

WESTLAKE VINYLS COMPANY LP

 

BY GVGP, INC.
ITS GENERAL PARTNER

By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

  Name:   Albert Chao
  Title:   President

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Albert Chao, M. Steven Bender and L. Benjamin Ederington, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents or instruments in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 13, 2017.

 

SIGNATURE

     

TITLE

/s/    Albert Chao        

   

President and Sole Director of General Partner

(Principal Executive Officer)

Albert Chao    

/s/    M. Steven Bender        

   

Chief Financial Officer of General Partner

(Principal Financial Officer)

M. Steven Bender    

/s/    George J. Mangieri        

   

Chief Accounting Officer of General Partner

(Principal Accounting Officer)

George J. Mangieri    


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, each registrant below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 13, 2017.

 

WESTLAKE GEISMAR POWER COMPANY LLC

 

BY WESTLAKE VINYLS COMPANY LP,
ITS MANAGER

 

BY GVGP, INC.
ITS GENERAL PARTNER

By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

  Name:   Albert Chao
  Title:   President

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Albert Chao, M. Steven Bender and L. Benjamin Ederington, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents or instruments in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 13, 2017.

 

SIGNATURE

     

TITLE

   

President and Sole Director of General Partner of

Manager

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    Albert Chao        

   
Albert Chao    

/s/    M. Steven Bender        

   

Chief Financial Officer of General Partner of Manager

(Principal Financial Officer)

M. Steven Bender    

/s/    George J. Mangieri        

   

Chief Accounting Officer of General Partner of

Manager

(Principal Accounting Officer)

George J. Mangieri    
   


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, each registrant below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 13, 2017.

 

WESTECH BUILDING PRODUCTS (EVANSVILLE) LLC

 

BY WESTECH BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.,
ITS MANAGER

By:  

/s/ Robert F. Buesinger

  Name:   Robert F. Buesinger
  Title:   President

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Albert Chao, M. Steven Bender and L. Benjamin Ederington, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents or instruments in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 13, 2017.

 

SIGNATURE

     

TITLE

/s/    Robert F. Buesinger        

   

President of Manager

(Principal Executive Officer)

Robert F. Buesinger    

/s/    Albert Chao        

    Sole Director of Manager
Albert Chao    

/s/    M. Steven Bender        

   

Chief Financial Officer of Manager

(Principal Financial Officer)

M. Steven Bender    

/s/    George J. Mangieri        

   

Chief Accounting Officer of Manager

(Principal Accounting Officer)

George J. Mangieri    


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, each registrant below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 13, 2017.

 

NORTH AMERICAN SPECIALTY PRODUCTS LLC

 

BY NORTH AMERICAN PIPE CORPORATION,
ITS MANAGER

By:  

/s/ Robert F. Buesinger

  Name:   Robert F. Buesinger
  Title:   President

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Albert Chao, M. Steven Bender and L. Benjamin Ederington, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents or instruments in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 13, 2017.

 

SIGNATURE

     

TITLE

/s/    Robert F. Buesinger        

    President of Manager
Robert F. Buesinger     (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    Albert Chao        

    Sole Director of Manager
Albert Chao    

/s/    M. Steven Bender        

    Chief Financial Officer of Manager
M. Steven Bender     (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/    George J. Mangieri        

    Chief Accounting Officer of Manager
George J. Mangieri     (Principal Accounting Officer)


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, each registrant below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 13, 2017.

 

AXIALL CORPORATION

AXIALL HOLDCO, INC.

AXIALL NOTECO, INC.

AXIALL OHIO, INC.

EAGLE SPINCO INC.

ROME DELAWARE CORPORATION

ROYAL BUILDING PRODUCTS (USA) INC.

ROYAL PLASTICS GROUP (U.S.A.) LIMITED

By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

  Name:   Albert Chao
  Title:   President

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Albert Chao, M. Steven Bender and L. Benjamin Ederington, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents or instruments in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 13, 2017.

 

SIGNATURE

     

TITLE

/s/    Albert Chao        

    President and Sole Director
Albert Chao     (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    M. Steven Bender        

    Chief Financial Officer
M. Steven Bender     (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/    George J. Mangieri        

    Chief Accounting Officer
George J. Mangieri     (Principal Accounting Officer)


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, each registrant below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 13, 2017.

 

AXIALL, LLC

EAGLE HOLDCO 3 LLC

EAGLE NATRIUM LLC

EAGLE US 2 LLC

GEORGIA GULF LAKE CHARLES, LLC

By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

  Name:   Albert Chao
  Title:   President

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Albert Chao, M. Steven Bender and L. Benjamin Ederington, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents or instruments in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 13, 2017.

 

SIGNATURE

     

TITLE

/s/    Albert Chao        

    President and Sole Manager
Albert Chao     (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    M. Steven Bender        

    Chief Financial Officer
M. Steven Bender     (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/    George J. Mangieri        

    Chief Accounting Officer
George J. Mangieri     (Principal Accounting Officer)


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, each registrant below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 13, 2017.

 

LAGOON LLC

 

BY WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION
ITS MANAGING MEMBER

By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

  Name:   Albert Chao
  Title:   President

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Albert Chao, M. Steven Bender and L. Benjamin Ederington, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents or instruments in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 13, 2017.

 

SIGNATURE

     

TITLE

/s/    Albert Chao        

    President
Albert Chao     (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    M. Steven Bender        

    Chief Financial Officer
M. Steven Bender     (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/    George J. Mangieri        

    Chief Accounting Officer
George J. Mangieri     (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/    Albert Chao        

    President of Westlake Chemical Corporation, in its
Albert Chao     Capacity as Managing Member


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, each registrant below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 13, 2017.

 

EAGLE PIPELINE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

  Name:   Albert Chao
  Title:   President

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Albert Chao, M. Steven Bender and L. Benjamin Ederington, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents or instruments in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 13, 2017.

 

SIGNATURE

     

TITLE

/s/    Albert Chao        

    President and Director
Albert Chao     (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    M. Steven Bender        

    Chief Financial Officer and Director
M. Steven Bender     (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/    George J. Mangieri        

    Chief Accounting Officer
George J. Mangieri     (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/    Robert F. Buesinger        

    Director
Robert F. Buesinger    


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, each registrant below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 13, 2017.

 

PLASTIC TRENDS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

  Name:   Albert Chao
  Title:  

Chief Executive Officer

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Albert Chao, M. Steven Bender and L. Benjamin Ederington, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents or instruments in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 13, 2017.

 

SIGNATURE

     

TITLE

/s/    Albert Chao        

    Chief Executive Officer and Director
Albert Chao     (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    M. Steven Bender        

    Chief Financial Officer
M. Steven Bender     (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/    George J. Mangieri        

    Chief Accounting Officer
George J. Mangieri     (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/    Robert F. Buesinger        

    Director
Robert F. Buesinger    


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, each registrant below has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 13, 2017.

 

PHH MONOMERS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

  Name:   Albert Chao
  Title:   President

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Albert Chao, M. Steven Bender and L. Benjamin Ederington, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents or instruments in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 13, 2017.

 

SIGNATURE

     

TITLE

/s/    Albert Chao        

    President and Member of Management Committee
Albert Chao     (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    M. Steven Bender        

    Chief Financial Officer
M. Steven Bender     (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/    George J. Mangieri        

    Chief Accounting Officer
George J. Mangieri     (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/    Robert F. Buesinger        

    Member of Management Committee
Robert F. Buesinger    


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT

NUMBER

       DESCRIPTION
  †3.1      Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 6, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, filed on August 9, 2004).
  †3.2      Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 16, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 16, 2014, File No. 001-32260).
  †3.3      Bylaws of Westlake (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, filed on August 9, 2004).
  †3.4      Certificate of Incorporation of Geismar Holdings, Inc. as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 26, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.5      By-Laws of Geismar Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.6      Certificate of Incorporation of GVGP, Inc. as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 26, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.7      By-Laws of GVGP, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.13 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.8      Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Chemical Investments, Inc. as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 13, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.29 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.9      By-Laws of Westlake Chemical Investments, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.30 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.10(a)      Certificate of Conversion of Westlake Geismar Power Company LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on January 12, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.10(b)      Certificate of Formation of Westlake Geismar Power Company LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on January 12, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.11      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Geismar Power Company LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8(c) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.12      Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Longview Corporation as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 3, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.23(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
  †3.13      Bylaws of Westlake NG II Corporation (now known as Westlake Longview Corporation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.65 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A filed on November 23, 2005, File No. 333-124581).


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT

NUMBER

       DESCRIPTION
  †3.14      Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Management Services, Inc. as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 5, 1990 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.37 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.15      Bylaws of Westlake Management Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.10(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.16      Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake NG I Corporation as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 18, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.62 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A filed on November 23, 2005, File No. 333-124581).
  †3.17      Bylaws of Westlake NG I Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.63 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A filed on November 23, 2005, File No. 333-124581).
  †3.18      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Olefins Corporation as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on July 20, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.40 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.19      By-Laws of Westlake Olefins Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.41 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.20      Certificate of Formation of Westlake Pipeline Investments LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 31, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.13(a) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.21      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Pipeline Investments LLC, dated August 31, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.13(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.22      Certificate of Formation of Westlake Polymers LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.15(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
  †3.23(a)      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Polymers LLC, dated December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.15(c) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
    3.23(b)*      Amendment to the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Polymers LLC, dated July 27, 2010.
  †3.24      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake PVC Corporation as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 20, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.50 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.25      Bylaws of Westlake PVC Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.15(c) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.26      Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Resources Corporation as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on October 23, 1990 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.52 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982)


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT

NUMBER

       DESCRIPTION
  †3.27      Bylaws of Westlake Resources Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.16(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.28(a)      Certificate of Conversion of Westlake Styrene LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
  †3.28(b)      Certificate of Formation of Westlake Styrene LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
  †3.29(a)      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Styrene LLC, dated December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
    3.29(b)*      First Amendment to Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Styrene LLC, dated December 31, 2007.
    3.29(c)*      Second Amendment to Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Styrene LLC, dated July 27, 2010.
  †3.30(a)      Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Supply and Trading Company as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on July 20, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.33 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A filed on May 3, 2005, File No. 333-124581).
    3.30(b)*      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Supply and Trading Company dated March 23, 1999.
  †3.30(c)      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Supply and Trading Company as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 8, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.11(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
    3.30(d)*      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Supply and Trading Company dated April 22, 2016.
  †3.31      Bylaws of Westlake Supply and Trading Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.33 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A filed on May 3, 2005, File No. 333-124581).
  †3.32      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Vinyl Corporation as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 4, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.58 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.33      Bylaws of Westlake Vinyl Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.59 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982)
  †3.34(a)      Certificate of Limited Partnership of Geismar Vinyls LP (now known as Westlake Vinyls Company LP) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.34(b)      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership of Geismar Vinyls LP (now known as Westlake Vinyls Company LP) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT

NUMBER

       DESCRIPTION
  †3.34(c)      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership of Geismar Vinyls LP (now known as Westlake Vinyls Company LP) (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A filed on November 23, 2005, File No. 333-124581).
  †3.35      Agreement of Limited Partnership of Geismar Vinyls LP (now known as Westlake Vinyls Company LP), dated December 27, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.36      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake Vinyls, Inc. as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 28, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.61 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on September 22, 2003, File No. 333-108982).
  †3.37      By-Laws of Westlake Vinyls, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.62 of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
  †3.38      Certificate of Formation of WPT LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.21(a) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
  †3.39(a)      Limited Liability Company Agreement of WPT LLC, dated December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.21(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
    3.39(b)*      Amendment to the Limited Liability Company Agreement of WPT LLC, dated July 27, 2010.
  †3.40(a)      Certificate of Conversion of Westlake Petrochemicals LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.14(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
  †3.40(b)      Certificate of Formation of Westlake Petrochemicals LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.14(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
  †3.41(a)      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Petrochemicals LLC, dated December 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.14(c) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).
    3.41(b)*      Amendment to Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Petrochemicals LLC, dated July 27, 2010.
  †3.42(a)     

Certificate of Incorporation of Westlake NG V Corporation (now known as Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC) as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on March 24, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 11, 2008, File No. 333-150206).

    3.42(b)*      Certificate of Conversion of Westlake NG V Corporation (now known as Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC) as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 6, 2016.
    3.42(c)*     

Certificate of Formation of Westlake NG V LLC (now known as Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC) as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 6, 2016.

    3.42(d)*     

Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Formation of Westlake NG V LLC (now known as Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC) as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 7, 2016.

    3.43(a)*      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake NG V LLC (now known as Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC), dated April 5, 2016.


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT

NUMBER

       DESCRIPTION
    3.43(b)*      Amendment to Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake NG V LLC (now known as Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC), dated April 11, 2016.
  †3.44      Certificate of Formation of North American Specialty Products LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 1, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.26(a) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 9, 2013, File. No. 333-177119).
  †3.45      Limited Liability Company Agreement of North American Specialty Products LLC, dated April 1, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.26(b) of Westlake’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on September 30, 2011, File No. 333-177119).
    3.46*      Certificate of Formation of Lagoon LLC as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 1, 2016.
    3.47*      Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Lagoon LLC, dated August 1, 2016.
  †3.48      Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Axiall Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Axiall Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 31, 2016 File No. 333-109753).
  †3.49      Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of Axiall Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Axiall Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 31, 2016 File No. 333-109753).
  †3.50      Certificate of Incorporation of Axiall Holdco, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.11 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.51      By-laws of Axiall Holdco, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.12 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
    3.52*      Certificate of Incorporation of Axiall Noteco, Inc. as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 20, 2014.
    3.53*      By-Laws of Axiall Noteco, Inc., dated November 20, 2014.
  †3.54      Certificate of Incorporation of Eagle Controlled 2 Ohio Spinco, Inc. (now known as Axiall Ohio, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.55      By-laws of Eagle Controlled 2 Ohio Spinco, Inc. (now known as Axiall Ohio, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.56      Certificate of Formation of Georgia Gulf Chemical & Vinyls, LLC (now known as Axiall, LLC) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.57      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Georgia Gulf Chemical & Vinyls, LLC (now known as Axiall, LLC) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.10 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed with the SEC on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.58      Certificate of Formation of Eagle Holdco 3 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.13 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.59      Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Eagle Holdco 3 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.14 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.60      Certificate of Formation of Eagle Natrium LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.15 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT

NUMBER

       DESCRIPTION
  †3.61      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Eagle Natrium LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.16 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.62      Certificate of Incorporation of PPG Pipeline, Inc. (now known as Eagle Pipeline, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.17 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.63      By-laws of PPG Pipeline, Inc. (now known as Eagle Pipeline, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.18 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.64      Certificate of Incorporation of Eagle Spinco Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.65      By-laws of Eagle Spinco Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.66      Certificate of Formation of Eagle US 2 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.19 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.67      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Eagle US 2 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.20 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.68      Certificate of Formation of George Gulf Lake Charles, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.23 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.69      Limited Liability Company Agreement of Georgia Gulf Lake Charles, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.24 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.70      Articles of Organization of PHH Monomers, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.25 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.71      Operating Agreement by and between PPG Industries, Inc. (now known as Eagle US 2 LLC), Vista Chemical Company (now known as Axiall, LLC) and PHH Monomers, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.26 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.72      Articles of Incorporation of Plastic Trends, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.27 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.73      By-laws of Plastic Trends, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.28 of Axiall Corporation’s Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.74      Certificate of Incorporation of Rome Delaware Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.29 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.75      By-laws of Rome Delaware Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.30 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
    3.76(a)*      Certificate of Incorporation of RBS (U.S.A.) Limited (now known as Royal Building Products (USA) Inc.) as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 7, 1997.
    3.76(b)*      Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of RBS (U.S.A.) Limited (now known as Royal Building Products (USA) Inc.) as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 17, 2014.


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT

NUMBER

        DESCRIPTION
    3.77*       By-Laws of RBS (U.S.A.) Limited (now known as Royal Building Products (USA) Inc.), dated August 7, 1997.
  †3.78       Certificate of Incorporation of Royal Plastics Group (U.S.A.) Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.35 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †3.79       By-laws of Royal Plastics Group (U.S.A.) Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.36 of Axiall Corporation’s Form S-4 filed on March 25, 2014, File No. 333-194802).
  †4.1       Indenture dated as of January 1, 2006 by and among Westlake, the potential subsidiary guarantors listed therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Westlake’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 13, 2006, File No. 1-32260).
  †4.2       Eighth Supplemental Indenture (including the form of the Notes), dated as of August 10, 2016, among Westlake Chemical Corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Westlake’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 10, 2016, File No. 001-32260).
  †4.3       Ninth Supplemental Indenture (including the form of the Notes) as of September 7, 2016, among Westlake Chemical Corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Westlake’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 7, 2016, File No. 001-32260).
  †4.4       Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 25, 2016, among the Company, the Guaranteeing subsidiaries (as defined therein) and the other subsidiary guarantors (as defined therein) and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 to Westlake’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 22, 2017, File No. 1-32260).
  †4.5       Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 10, 2016, among Westlake Chemical Corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as representatives of the Initial Purchasers (as defined therein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Westlake’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 10, 2016, File No. 001-32260).
  †4.6       Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 7, 2016, among Westlake Chemical Corporation, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as dealer managers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Westlake’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 7, 2016, File No. 001-32260).
      Westlake and its subsidiaries are party to other long-term debt instruments not filed herewith under which the total amount of securities authorized does not exceed 10% of the total assets of Westlake and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Pursuant to paragraph 4(iii)(A) of Item 601(b) of Regulation S-K, Westlake agrees to furnish a copy of such instruments to the SEC upon request.
    5.1*       Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.
    5.2*       Opinion of Scofield, Gerard, Pohorelsky, Gallaugher & Landry, LLC.
    5.3*       Opinion of Dykema Gossett PLLC.
†12.1       Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12.1 to Westlake’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 22, 2017, File No. 1-32260).


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT

NUMBER

        DESCRIPTION
  23.1*       Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
  23.2*       Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
  23.3*       Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  23.4*       Consent of Scofield, Gerard, Pohorelsky, Gallaugher & Landry, LLC (included in Exhibit 5.2).
  23.5*       Consent of Dykema Gossett PLLC (included in Exhibit 5.3).
  24.1*       Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages).
  25.1*       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as Trustee with respect to the Indenture, dated as of January 1, 2006.
  99.1*       Form of Letter of Transmittal
  99.2*       Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees
  99.3*       Form of Letter to Clients

 

Incorporated by reference as indicated.
* Filed herewith.

Exhibit 3.23(b)

AMENDMENT

TO

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

WESTLAKE POLYMERS LLC

THIS AMENDMENT (this “Amendment”) to the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Polymers LLC (the “Company”) dated as of December 31, 2007 (the “LLC Agreement”) is entered into as of July 27, 2010 by Westlake Chemical Investments, Inc., as the sole manager of the Company (the “Manager”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise herein defined are used as defined in the LLC Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Manager desires to amend the LLC Agreement in accordance with the further terms of this Amendment to change the registered agent of the Company; and

WHEREAS, Section 19 of the LLC Agreement provides in relevant part that the LLC Agreement may be amended only upon the written consent of all Managers.

NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound, the undersigned does hereby certify as follows:

1. Registered Agent. Section 4(b) of the LLC Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“(b) The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware is located at the Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The registered agent of the Company for service of process at such address is The Corporation Trust Company. The Managers may change such registered office and/or registered agent from time to time.”

2. Other Terms and Conditions. Except as modified pursuant to this Amendment, the LLC Agreement is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects.

3. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Amendment as of the date first set forth above.

 

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL INVESTMENTS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen Wallace

Name:   Stephen Wallace

 

2

Exhibit 3.29(b)

FIRST AMENDMENT TO LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

WESTLAKE STYRENE LLC

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT (this “Amendment”) to the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Styrene LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), dated as of December 31, 2007 (the “LLC Agreement”) is made and entered into as of December 31, 2007 by Westlake Olefins Corporation (“Olefins”), a Delaware corporation and successor by merger to Westlake Chemical Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise herein defined are used as defined in the LLC Agreement.

WHEREAS, pursuant to the LLC Agreement, Holdings was the sole member of the Company;

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Holdings was merged with and into Olefins, with Olefins surviving the merger;

WHEREAS, by operation of such merger, Olefins, as the successor by merger to Holdings, became the sole member of the Company; and

WHEREAS, Olefins, in its capacity as the sole member of the Company, desires to amend the LLC Agreement in accordance with the terms of this Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound, the undersigned does hereby certify as follows:

1. Each reference to “Westlake Chemical Holdings, Inc.” in the LLC Agreement is hereby amended to refer to “Westlake Olefins Corporation”.

2. Schedule I of the LLC Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto.

3. Except as amended pursuant to this Amendment, the LLC Agreement is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects.

4. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

[Signature Page Follows]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Amendment as of this 31st day of December, 2007.

 

WESTLAKE OLEFINS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

Name:   Albert Chao
Title:   Director and President

Consented and Agreed to by Westlake Chemical Investments, Inc., in its capacity as Manager of the Company

 

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL INVESTMENTS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

Name:   Albert Chao
Title:   Director and President

 

2


EXHIBIT A

SCHEDULE I

Identification of Members,

Capital Contributions and Percentage Interests

 

Name & Address

  

Capital Contribution

   Percentage Interest  

Westlake Olefins Corporation

2801 Post Oak Boulevard

Suite 600

Houston, Texas 77056

   The money, property or services previously contributed by the Initial Member to the Converted Limited Partnership, the identified and agreed value of which are recorded in the books and records of the Company.      100

 

3

Exhibit 3.29(c)

SECOND AMENDMENT

TO

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

WESTLAKE STYRENE LLC

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT (this “Amendment”) to the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Styrene LLC (the “Company”) dated as of December 31, 2007 (the “LLC Agreement”) is entered into as of July 27, 2010 by Westlake Chemical Investments, Inc., as the sole manager of the Company (the “Manager”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise herein defined are used as defined in the LLC Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Manager desires to amend the LLC Agreement in accordance with the farther terms of this Amendment to change the registered agent of the Company; and

WHEREAS, Section 19 of the LLC Agreement provides in relevant part that the LLC Agreement may be amended only upon the written consent of all Managers.

NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound, the undersigned does hereby certify as follows:

1. Registered Agent. Section 4(b) of the LLC Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“(b) The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware is located at the Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The registered agent of the Company for service of process at such address is The Corporation Trust Company. The Managers may change such registered office and/or registered agent from time to time.”

2. Other Terms and Conditions. Except as modified pursuant to this Amendment, the LLC Agreement is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects.

3. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Amendment as of the date first set forth above.

 

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL INVESTMENTS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen Wallace

Name:   Stephen Wallace
Title:   Assistant Secretary

 

2

Exhibit 3.30(b)

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

WESTLAKE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, and as duly authorized by the consent of the sole shareholder of Westlake International Corporation (“Company”), the Company adopts this Certificate of Amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation, such that ARTICLE IV thereof shall read as follows:

“The total number of shares of stock which the corporation shall have authority to issue is two million one thousand (2,001,000) shares of common stock at a par value of One and No/100 Dollars ($1.00) each (“Common Stock’’), and 1,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value.

The corporation may issue one or more series of Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is hereby vested with authority from time to time to establish and designate such series, and to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of the shares of any series, and to increase or decrease the number of shares within each series; provided that the Board of Directors may not decrease the number of shares within a series below the number of shares within such series that is then issued and outstanding. The voting powers, designations, preferences, rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of any series of Preferred Stock may be set forth in a certificate of designations provided for in a resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors.”

The number of shares of common stock in the Company authorized, issued and outstanding at the time of such adoption was one thousand (1,000) shares of common stock at a par value of One and No/100 Dollars ($1.00) each. The resolution adopting such amendment was adopted by unanimous written consent of the sole shareholder of the Company.

THUS DULY AUTHORIZED AND ADOPTED, effective the 23rd day of March, 1999.

 

WESTLAKE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Albert Chao, President

  Albert Chao, President

Exhibit 3.30(d)

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

WESTLAKE SUPPLY AND TRADING COMPANY

Westlake Supply and Trading Company (the “Company”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), hereby adopts this Certificate of Amendment, which amends its Certificate of Incorporation, does hereby certify that:

 

  1. The name of the Company is Westlake Supply and Trading Company.

 

  2. The Board of Directors of the Company duly adopted resolutions proposing and declaring advisable the amendments as set forth in this Certificate of Incorporation is effecting, and the Company’s stockholders have duly adopted those amendments, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL.

 

  3. Article IV of the Certificate of Incorporation is hereby deleted in its entirety and substituted with:

“ARTICLE IV

The total number of shares of common stock which the corporation is authorized to issue is one thousand (1,000), at a par value of one dollar ($1.00) per share.”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed this 22nd day of April, 2016.

 

By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

Name:   Albert Chao
Title:   President & Secretary

Exhibit 3.39(b)

AMENDMENT TO

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

WPT LLC

THIS AMENDMENT (this “Amendment”) to the Limited Liability Company Agreement of WPT LLC (the “Company”) dated as of December 31, 2007 (the “LLC Agreement”) is entered into as of July 27, 2010 by Westlake Chemical Investments, Inc., as the sole manager of the Company (the “Manager”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise herein defined are used as defined in the LLC Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Manager desires to amend the LLC Agreement in accordance with the further terms of this Amendment to change the registered agent of the Company; and

WHEREAS, Section 19 of the LLC Agreement provides in relevant part that the LLC Agreement may be amended only upon the written consent of all Managers.

NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound, the undersigned does hereby certify as follows:

1. Registered Agent. Section 4(b) of the LLC Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“(b) The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware is located at the Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The registered agent of the Company for service of process at such address is The Corporation Trust Company. The Managers may change such registered office and/or registered agent from time to time.”

2. Other Terms and Conditions. Except as modified pursuant to this Amendment, the LLC Agreement is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects.

3. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Amendment as of the date first set forth above.

 

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL INVESTMENTS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen Wallace

Name:   Stephen Wallace
Title:   Assistant Secretary

 

2

Exhibit 3.41(b)

AMENDMENT

TO

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

WESTLAKE PETROCHEMICALS LLC

THIS AMENDMENT (this “Amendment”) to the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake Petrochemicals LLC (the “Company”) dated as of December 31, 2007 (the “LLC Agreement”) is entered into as of July 27, 2010 by Westlake Chemical Investments, Inc., as the sole manager of the Company (the “Manager”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise herein defined are used as defined in the LLC Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Manager desires to amend the LLC Agreement in accordance with the further terms of this Amendment to change the registered agent of the Company; and

WHEREAS, Section 19 of the LLC Agreement provides in relevant part that the LLC Agreement may be amended only upon the written consent of all Managers.

NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound, the undersigned does hereby certify as follows:

1. Registered Agent. Section 4(b) of the LLC Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“(b) The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware is located at the Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The registered agent of the Company for service of process at such address is The Corporation Trust Company. The Managers may change such registered office and/or registered agent from time to time.”

2. Other Terms and Conditions. Except as modified pursuant to this Amendment, the LLC Agreement is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects.

3. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Amendment as of the date first set forth above.

 

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL INVESTMENTS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen Wallace

Name:   Stephen Wallace
Title:   Assistant Secretary

 

2

Exhibit 3.42(b)

STATE OF DELAWARE

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION

FROM A CORPORATION TO A

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY PURSUANT TO

SECTION 18-214 OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY ACT

 

1.) The jurisdiction where the Corporation first formed is Delaware.

 

2.) The jurisdiction immediately prior to filing this Certificate is Delaware

 

3.) The date the corporation first formed is March 24, 2008.

 

4.) The name of the Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate is Westlake NG V Corporation.

 

5.) The name of the Limited Liability Company as set forth in the Certificate of Formation is Westlake NG V LLC.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate on the 5th day of April, A.D. 2016.

 

By:  

/s/ Julia Feng

  Authorized Person(s)
Name:  

Julia Feng, Assistant Secretary

  Print or Type

Exhibit 3.42(c)

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

Westlake NG V LLC

1. The name of the limited liability company is Westlake NG V LLC.

2. The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is: Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate of Formation of Westlake NG V LLC this 5th day of April, 2016.

 

/s/ Julia Feng

Assistant Secretary

Julia Feng

Exhibit 3.42(d)

STATE OF DELAWARE

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

1. Name of Limited Liability Company: Westlake NG V LLC

 

2. The Certiflcate of Formation of the limited liability company is hereby amended as follows:

The name of the limited liability company is Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate on the 7th day of April, A.D., 2016

 

By:  

/s/ L. Benjamin Ederington

  Authorized Person(s)
Name:  

L. Benjamin Ederington

  Print or Type

Exhibit 3.43(a)

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

WESTLAKE NG V LLC

THE UNDERSIGNED is executing this Limited Liability Company Agreement (this “Agreement”) for the purpose of forming a limited liability company (the “Company”) pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. §§ 18-101 et seq. (as amended and in effect from time to time, the “Delaware Act”), and does hereby certify as follows:

1. Name; Formation. The name of the Company shall be Westlake NG V LLC, or such other name as the Manager( s) may from time to time hereafter designate. The Company shall be formed upon the execution and filing by the Manager( s), by any person designated by the Manager(s) or by any officer, agent or employee of the registered agent of the Company in the State of Delaware (any such person being hereby authorized to take such action) of a certificate of formation of the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware setting forth the information required by Section 18-201 of the Delaware Act.

2. Definitions; Rules of Construction. In addition to terms otherwise defined herein, the following terms are used herein as defined below:

“Initial Member” means Westech Building Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

“Interest” means the ownership interest of a Member in the Company (which shall be considered personal property for all purposes), consisting of (i) such Member’s Percentage Interest in profits, losses, allocations and distributions, (ii) such Member’s right to vote or grant or withhold consents with respect to Company matters as provided herein or in the Delaware Act and (iii) such Member’s other rights and privileges as provided herein or in the Delaware Act.

“Majority in Interest of the Members” means Members whose Percentage Interests aggregate to greater than fifty percent (50%) of the Percentage Interests of all Members.

“Manager” means a manager .of the Company as designated in, or selected pursuant to, Section 8(d) hereof. Each Manager shall constitute a ‘manager’, as such term is defined in Section 18-101 of the Delaware Act.

“Members” means the Initial Member and all other persons or entities admitted as additional or ·substituted Members pursuant to this Agreement, so long as they remain Members. Reference to a “Member” means any one of the Members.


“Percentage Interest” means a Member’s share of the profits and losses of the Company and the Member’s percentage right to receive distributions of the Company’s assets. The Percentage Interest of each Member shall be the percentage set forth opposite such Member’s name on Schedule I, as such Schedule shall be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof. The combined Percentage Interest of all Members shall at all times equal one hundred percent (100%).

Words used herein, regardless of the number and gender used, shall be deemed and construed to include any other number, singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine, feminine or neuter, as the context requires, and, as used herein, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “hereof,” “herein,” and “hereunder” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provisions hereof.

3. Purpose. The business and purpose of the Company shall be to invest Company assets in, and to acquire, hold, dispose of, manage or otherwise exercise rights with respect to, property of any nature, real or personal, and to engage in such other activities as may be necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the foregoing. The Company may engage in such activities directly or through partnerships, funds, joint ventures or other business structures. The Company may also engage in any other businesses or activities that may be engaged in by a limited liability company formed under the Delaware Act, as such other activities may be approved from time to time by the Managers.

4. Offices.

(a) The principal office of the Company, and such additional offices as the Managers may determine to establish, shall be located at such place or places inside or outside the State of Delaware as the Managers may designate from time to time.

(b) The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware is located at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The registered agent of the Company for service of process at such address is The Corporation Trust Company. The Managers may change such registered office and/or registered agent from time to time.

5. Members. The name and business or residence address of each Member of the Company is as set forth on Schedule I, as the same may be amended from time to time.

6. Term. The term of the Company shall be perpetual unless the Company is dissolved and terminated in accordance with Section 13 of this Agreement.

7. Capital Accounts; Administrative Matters.

(a) As of the date of this Agreement, the Initial Member is the sole Member of the Company. At all times that the Company has only one Member, the Company

 

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shall be disregarded for federal and, where applicable, state, local and foreign income tax purposes and all items of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit or the like of the Company shall be treated as items of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit or the like of the Member.

If at any time the Company has more than one Member, it is the intention of the Members that the Company shall be taxed as a “partnership” for federal and, where applicable, state, local and foreign income tax purposes. The Members agree to amend this Agreement prior to the occurrence of such an event.

(b) The fiscal year of the Company shall be a calendar year. Unless otherwise determined by the Manager( s), the books and records of the Company shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

(c) (i) Each Member’s Interest shall be recorded on the books of the Company and, unless otherwise determined by the Manager(s), no certificate evidencing a Member’s Interest in the Company (each, a “Certificate”) shall be issued. The Company shall keep or cause to be kept a register in which, subject to such regulations as the Managers may adopt, the Company will provide for the registration of Interests and the registration of transfers of Interests. The Company shall maintain such register and provide for such registration. The books of the Company shall be conclusive evidence of the ownership of all Interests in the Company. Subject to the further terms of this Agreement, including the restrictions and limitations on transfer set forth in Section 10 hereof, the Interests in the Company shall be transferable on the books of the Company by the record holder thereof or by its duly authorized agent upon delivery to the Company of a duly executed instrument of transfer, a written agreement of the transferee to be bound by all terms and conditions hereof and such other instruments as the Managers may reasonably require and such evidence of the genuineness of the execution and authorization of the foregoing as may be required by the Managers. Subject to the further terms of this Agreement, including the restrictions and limitations on transfer set forth in Section 10 hereof, upon delivery of the foregoing instruments and compliance with the foregoing conditions, the transfer shall be recorded on the books of the Company. Until a transfer is so recorded, the owners of record of Interests shall be deemed to be the owners for all purposes hereunder and neither any Member nor the Company shall be affected by any notice of a proposed transfer.

(ii) In the event that the Manager(s) determine to issue Certificates, the following shall apply:

(A) Each Certificate shall be executed by such persons as are designated by the Manager(s).

(B) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Certificate, and subject to the further provisions of this Section 7(e) and the limitations on transfer contained elsewhere in this Agreement, the Company will cause the execution, in the name of the registered holder or the designated transferee, of one or more new Certificates, evidencing the same aggregate Percentage Interest as did the Certificate surrendered. Every Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Managers duly executed, by the registered holder thereof or such holder’s authorized attorney.

(C) The Company shall issue a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued if the record holder of the Certificate (w) makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the Managers, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen, (x) requests the issuance of a new Certificate before the Company has received notice that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser .for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim, (y) if requested by the Managers, delivers to the Company a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the Managers, with such surety or sureties and with fixed or open liability as the Managers may direct, to indemnify the Company, as registrar, against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate, and (z) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Managers.

 

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8. Management of the Company.

(a) Subject to the delegation of rights and powers as provided for herein and except as otherwise herein provided, management of the Company is vested in the Manager( s) and the Manager(s) shall have the sole right and authority to manage and conduct the business and affairs of the Company and shall have all powers and rights necessary, appropriate or advisable to effectuate and carry out the purposes, powers, business and other activities of the Company. The Manager(s) may appoint, employ or otherwise contract with any persons or entities for the transaction of the business of the Company or the performance of services for or on behalf of the Company, and the Manager(s) may delegate to any such person (who may be designated an officer of the Company) or entity such authority to act on behalf of the Company as the Manager(s) may from time to time deem appropriate. No Member, by reason of its status as such, shall have any authority to act for or bind the Company or otherwise take part in the management of the business or affairs of the Company.

(b) Without limitation of Section 8(a), the powers of the Manager(s) shall include the power to do or cause the Company to do any of the following:

(i) expend Company funds in connection with the operation of the business of the Company or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement;

(ii) employ and dismiss from employment any and all officers, employees, agents, independent contractors, attorneys and accountants;

(iii) prosecute, settle or compromise all claims against third parties, defend, compromise, settle or accept judgment on claims against the Company and execute all documents and make all representations, admissions and waivers in connection therewith;

(iv) borrow money on behalf of the Company from any person, issue promissory notes, drafts and other negotiable and non-negotiable instruments and evidences of indebtedness, secure payment of any such indebtedness by mortgage, pledge or assignment of property of the Company, whether at the time owned or thereafter acquired, or guarantee the obligations of others;

 

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(v) hold, receive, mortgage, pledge, lease, transfer, exchange, otherwise dispose of, grant options with respect to, and otherwise deal in and exercise all rights, powers, privileges and other incidents of ownership or possession with respect to all property of whatever nature held or owned by, or licensed to, the Company;

(vi) have and maintain one or more offices at such place or places as is determined by the Manager(s);

(vii) open, maintain and close bank accounts, money market accounts or investment, custody or other financial accounts and draw checks and other orders for the payment of monies;

(viii) engage accountants, custodians, consultants and attorneys and any and all other agents and assistants (professional and nonprofessional) and pay such compensation in connection with such engagements that the Managers determine is appropriate;

(ix) maintain such insurance relating to the business of the Company, upon such terms, as the Managers determine is appropriate; and

(x) enter into, execute, make, amend, supplement, acknowledge, deliver and cause the Company to perform any and all contracts, agreements, licenses and other instruments, undertakings and understandings that the Managers determine are necessary, appropriate or incidental to carrying on the business and affairs of the Company.

(c) The Manager(s) may authorize any Manager(s), Member(s), officer(s), agent(s) or employee(s) to enter into any contract, to execute any instrument or certificate (including any certificate to be filed on behalf of the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware under the Delaware Act) or to take any other action in the name of and on behalf of the Company, and this authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the Manager(s) or within the agency power of an officer, no Manager, Member, officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Company by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

(d) The number of Manager( s) of the Company shall be as set forth on Schedule II or such other number as the Manager( s) shall determine from time to time. The initial Manager or Managers are identified on Schedule II. Manager(s) shall serve until their respective successors are duly elected by the Members or until their earlier death, retirement, incapacity or removal. The Manager(s) may be removed with or without cause by a vote of a Majority in Interest of the Members. Vacancies in the number of Manager(s) from whatever cause shall be filled by a vote of a Majority in Interest of the Members. The Manager(s) shall amend Schedule II from time to time to reflect changes in the number or identity of Manager( s) made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8(d).

 

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(e) In the event there is more than one manager appointed, then except as to actions herein specified to be taken by all of the Managers or by the Managers acting unanimously, the duties and powers of the Managers may be exercised by a majority in number of all Managers (or by any Manager acting pursuant to authority delegated by a majority in number of the Managers). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, at any time that there is only one Manager, (i) any and all actions provided for herein to be taken or approved by the “Managers” shall be taken or approved by the sole Manager and (ii) the taking of any lawful action by the Manager on behalf of the Company, including the execution and/or delivery of any instrument, certificate, filing or document by the Manager on behalf of the Company, or the adoption by the Manager of authorizing resolutions with respect to any matter, shall constitute and evidence the due authorization of such action or matter on behalf of the Company.

(f) A Manager shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Company by any of its other Managers or its Members, officers, employees or committees, or by any other person as to matters the Manager reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the ·Company (including, without limitation, information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and the amount of the assets, liabilities, profits or losses of the Company or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions to Members might properly be paid). In addition, the Managers may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisors selected by them, and any opinion of any such person as to matters which the Managers reasonably believe to be within such person’s professional or expert competence shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by the Managers hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.

9. Member Approvals; Meetings of Members.

(a) Members shall have no right to vote or consent to any matters, including, without limitation, any merger, consolidation, conversion or other reorganization of the Company, except to the extent required by applicable law or as specifically set forth in this Agreement.

(b) Any action required to be taken by the Members under applicable law may be taken by vote of the Members. Meetings may be called by the Manager(s) upon not less than five (5) days prior written notice to all other Members. The !lotice shall specify the place and time of the meeting and the general nature of the business to be transacted. A written waiver of notice, signed by a Member, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice to such Member. Unless otherwise determined by the Managers, meetings of Members shall be held at the principal place of business of the Company. Meetings of the Members may be held by conference telephone or similar communication equipment so long as all Members participating in the meeting can hear one another, and all Members participating by telephone or similar communication equipment shall be deemed to be present in person at the meeting. At any meeting of Members, a Majority in Interest of the Members,

 

6


present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, except that the presence of all Members shall be required as to actions to be taken by all of the Members or by the Members acting unanimously. In lieu of a meeting, any action to be taken by the Members may be taken by a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken signed by a Majority in Interest of the Members (or Members holding such higher aggregate Percentage Interest as is required to authorize or take such action under applicable law). Any such written consent may be executed and delivered by telecopy or similar electronic means and may be signed in multiple counterparts.

10. Additional Members. The Manager(s) shall have the right to admit additional Members, subject to the requirements of Section 7(b), upon such terms and conditions, at such time or times, and for such Capital Contributions as shall be determined by such Members; and in connection with any such admission, the Managers shall amend Schedule I to reflect the name, address and Capital Contribution of the additional Member and any agreed upon changes in Percentage Interests.

11. Distributions. Distributions of cash or other assets of the Company shall be made at such times and in such amounts as the Manager(s} acting unanimously may determine. Distributions shall be made to the Members pro rata in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

12. Return of Capital. No Manager or Member shall have any liability for the return of any Member’s Capital Contribution, which Capital Contribution shall be payable solely from the assets of the Company.

13. Dissolution. The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs wound up and terminated upon the first to occur of the following:

(a) The determination of the Manager(s) to dissolve the Company; or

(b) The occurrence of any event causing a dissolution of the Company under Section 18-801 of the Delaware Act, unless the Company is continued as permitted under the Delaware Act.

14. Winding Up of the Company.

(a) If the Company is dissolved pursuant to Section 13, the Manager(s) shall proceed to wind up the business and affairs of the Company in accordance with the requirements of the Delaware Act. A reasonable amount of time shall be allowed for the period of winding up in light of prevailing market conditions and so as to avoid undue loss in connection with any sale of Company assets. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and continue to govern the rights and obligations of the Manager(s) and Member(s) and the conduct of the Company during the period of winding up the Company’s affairs. The Manager(s) shall liquidate the assets of the Company, and apply and distribute the proceeds of such liquidation in the following order of priority, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable law:

(i) to creditors, including Managers and Members who are creditors, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, in satisfaction of the liabilities of the Company (whether by payment, by the establishment of reserves of cash or other assets of the Company or by other reasonable provision for payment), other than liabilities for distributions to Members and former Members under Sections 18-601 or 18-604 of the Delaware Act;

 

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(ii) to Members and former Members satisfaction of liabilities for distributions under 18-601 or 18-604 of the Delaware Act; and

(iii) thereafter to the Member, if only one, or if more than one, to the Members in proportion to the positive balances of their respective Capital Accounts (determined after allocating all income, gain, deduction, loss and other like items arising in connection with the liquidation of Company assets ·and otherwise making all Capital Account adjustments required by Section 7(c)).

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13(a) which require the liquidation of the assets of the Company, if on dissolution of the Company, the Manager(s) determine that a prompt sale of part or all of the Company’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the value of Company assets, the Manager(s) may defer for a reasonable time (up to three (3) years) the liquidation of any assets, except those necessary to timely satisfy liabilities of the Company (other than those to Members), and/or may distribute to the Members, in lieu of cash, as tenants in common, undivided interests in such Company assets as the Managers deems not suitable for liquidation. Any such in-kind distributions (i) shall be made in accordance with the priorities referenced in Section 16(a) as if cash equal to the fair market value of the distributed assets were being distributed and (ii) shall be subject to such conditions relating to the disposition and management of the distributed properties as the Managers deems reasonable and equitable and to any joint operating agreements or other agreements governing the operation of such properties at such time. The Manager(s) shall determine the fair market value of any property distributed in kind using such reasonable methods of valuation as they may adopt.

(c) Upon the completion of the distribution of the assets of the Company as provided in this Section 14, the Company shall be terminated, and the Manager(s) shall cause the cancellation of the Certificate of Formation and all qualifications of the Company as a foreign limited liability company and shall take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Company.

15. Limitation on Liability. The debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Manager, Member or officer of the Company shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a Manager, Member or officer.

 

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  16. Standard of Care; Indemnification of Managers, Officers, Employees and Agents

(a) No Manager or officer shall have any personal liability whatsoever to the Company or any Member on account of such Manager’s or officer’s status as a Manager or officer or by reason of such Manager’s or officer’s acts or omissions in connection with the conduct of the business of the Company; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall protect any Manager or officer against any liability to the Company or the Members to which such Manager or officer would otherwise be subject by reason of (i) any act or omission of such Manager or officer that involves actual fraud or willful misconduct or (ii) any transaction from which such Manager or officer derived improper personal benefit.

(b) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Managers and each officer and the affiliates of any Managers or officer (each an “Indemnified Person”) against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses and liabilities (including, but not limited to, any investigation, legal and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with, and any amounts paid in settlement of, any action, suit, proceeding or claim) of any kind or nature whatsoever that such Indemnified Person may at any time become .subject to or liable for by reason of the formation, operation or termination of the Company, or the Indemnified Person’s acting as a Manager or officer under this Agreement, or the authorized actions of such Indemnified Person in connection with the conduct of the affairs of the Company (including, without limitation, indemnification against negligence, gross negligence or breach of duty); provided, however, that no Indemnified Person shall be entitled to indemnification if and to the extent that the liability otherwise to be indemnified for results from (i) any act or omission of such Indemnified Person that involves actual fraud or willful misconduct or (ii) any transaction from which such Indemnified Person derived improper personal benefit. The indemnities provided hereunder shall survive termination of . the Company and this Agreement. Each Indemnified Person shall have a claim against the property and assets of the Company for payment of any indemnity amounts from time to time due hereunder, which amounts shall be paid or properly reserved for prior to the making of distributions by the Company to Members. Costs and expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder shall, at the request of any Indemnified Person, be advanced by the Company to or on behalf of such Indemnified Person prior to final resolution of a matter, so long as such Indemnified Person shall have provided the Company with a written undertaking to reimburse the Company for all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that the Indemnified Person is not entitled to indemnification hereunder.

(c) The contract rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Section 16 shall not be .exclusive of any other right that any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, agreement, vote of the Managers or otherwise.

(d) The Company may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Member, officer, employee or agent of the Company or another limited liability company, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware Act.

 

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(e) The Company may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Managers, grant rights to indemnification and to advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Company to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Section 16 with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of the Managers and officers of the Company.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 16, the Company shall indemnify an Indemnified Person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnified Person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Manager(s); provided, however, that an Indemnified Person shall be entitled to reimbursement of his or her reasonable counsel fees with respect to a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnified Person to enforce his or her right to indemnity or advancement of expenses under the provisions of this Section 16 to the extent the Indemnified Person is successful on the merits in such proceeding (or part thereof).

17. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended only upon the written consent of all Managers.

18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. This Agreement constitutes an agreement of or among the Member(s) and between the Company and each Member.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Agreement as of this 5th day of April, 2016.

 

WESTECH BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Robert Buesinger

Name:   Robert Buesinger
Title:   President

 

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SCHEDULE I

Identification of Members,

Percentage Interests

 

Name & Address

   Percentage Interest  

Westech Building Products, Inc., with its principal office at 2801 Post Oak Blvd. Houston, Texas 77056

     100

 

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SCHEDULE II

Manager(s)

 

A. Number of Managers: 1

 

B. Identification of Manager(s): Westech Building Products, Inc.

 

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Exhibit 3.43(b)

AMENDMENT TO

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDMENT (this “Amendment”) to the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Westlake NG V LLC (the “Company”) dated as of April 5, 2016 (the “LLC Agreement”) is entered into as of April 11, 2016 by Westlake Building Products, Inc. as the sole manager of the Company (the “Manager”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein are used as defined in the LLC Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Manager desires to amend the LLC Agreement in accordance with the further terms of this Amendment to change the name of the Company; and

WHEREAS, Section 17 of the LLC Agreement provides in relevant part that the LLC Agreement may be amended only upon the written consent of all Managers;

NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound, the undersigned does hereby certify as follows:

 

  1. Name; Formation. Section 1 of the LLC Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“The name of the Company shall be Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC, or such other name as the Manager(s) may from time to time hereafter designate. The Company shall be formed upon the execution and filing by the Manager(s), by any person designated by the Manager(s) or by any officer, agent or employee of the registered agent of the Company in the State of Delaware (any such person being hereby authorized to take such action) of a certificate of formation of the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware setting forth the information required by Section 18-201 of the Delaware Act.”

 

  2. Other Terms and Conditions. Except as modified pursuant to this Amendment, the LLC Agreement is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects.

 

  3. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Amendment as of the date first set forth above.

 

WESTLAKE BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
By:  

/s/ L. Benjamin Ederington

Name:   L. Benjamin Ederington
Title:   Secretary

Exhibit 3.46

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

LAGOON LLC

This Certificate of Formation of Lagoon LLC (the “LLC”), dated as of August 1 , 2016, has been duly executed and is being filed by Jonah Abramowitz, as an authorized person, to form a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101 et. seq.

FIRST. The name of the limited liability company formed hereby is Lagoon LLC.

SECOND. The address of the registered office of the LLC in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19801.

THIRD. The name and address of the registered agent for service of process on the LLC in the State of Delaware is The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19801.

 

By:  

/s/ Jonah Abramowitz

  Name:   Jonah Abramowitz
  Title:   Authorized Person(s)

Exhibit 3.47

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

OPERATING AGREEMENT

OF

LAGOON LLC

This Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement (the “Agreement”) of Lagoon LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), is made, entered into and effective as of August 1, 2016 by Westlake Chemical Corporation, a Delaware corporation, as the sole member (the “Member”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Member desires to form a limited liability company pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del C. § 18-101 et seq.), as amended (the “Act”).

NOW, THEREFORE, the Member hereby creates a limited liability company for the purposes and on the terms set forth in this Agreement.

ARTICLE I

ORGANIZATION

1.01 Formation of the Company. An authorized representative of the Member has executed and caused to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware the Certificate of Formation (the “Certificate”) of Lagoon LLC on August 1, 2016 in order to form a limited liability company pursuant to the Act.

1.02 Office of the Company. The Company shall have its principal office at 2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600, Houston, Texas, 77056 and may establish such other offices or places of business for the Company as the Member may deem appropriate.

1.03 Registered Office and Registered Agent. The Company shall have its registered office in the State of Delaware at 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

1.04 Purposes of the Company. In furtherance of its purposes, but subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall have all powers necessary and appropriate for the accomplishment of such purposes that are conferred to limited liability companies under the Act. The purposes of the Company shall be to engage in any lawful business the Company may undertake.

1.05 Term of the Company. The existence of the Company commenced as of the date that the Certificate was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and shall continue until dissolution thereof in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate or this Agreement.

1.06 Name of the Company. The name of the Company is Lagoon LLC. The business of the Company may be conducted, upon compliance with all applicable laws, under any other name designated by the Member; provided that such name contains the words “Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.” or the designation “LLC”.


ARTICLE II

MANAGEMENT OF COMPANY

2.01 Management. The full and exclusive right, power and authority to manage the Company is retained by, and reserved to, the Member. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to designate or appoint, or authorize the designation or appointment, of any “managers” as such term is defined in the Act. The business and affairs of the Company shall be conducted, and its capital, assets and funds shall be managed, dealt with and disposed of, and all decisions to be made by the Company’s members shall be made, solely by the Member.

2.02 Officers. (a) The Member may, from time to time, designate one or more Persons to be officers of the Company. No officer need be a resident of the State of Delaware. Any officers so designated shall have such authority and perform such duties as the Member may from time to time delegate to them. The Member may assign titles to particular officers. Unless the Member decides otherwise, if the title is one commonly used for officers of a business corporation formed under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), the assignment of such title shall constitute the delegation to such officer of the authority and duties that are normally associated with that office, subject to any restrictions on such authority imposed by the Member. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any delegation pursuant to this Section 2.02 may be revoked at any time by the Member.

(b) Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor shall be duly designated and qualified or until his or her death or until he or she shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.

(c) Any officer may resign as such at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the Member. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless expressly so provided in the resignation.

(d) Any officer may be removed as such, either with or without cause, by the Member at any time. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Company may be filled by the Member.

(e) The following persons are hereby appointed officers of the Company:

Albert Chao, President

Steven Mark Bender, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer

Benjamin L. Ederington, General Counsel, Secretary

David Chao, Vice President - Business Development-Asia/Middle East

Lawrence Schubert, Vice President - Corporate Business Development

Bruce Robertson, Assistant Treasurer

Julia Feng, Assistant Secretary

George Mangieri, Chief Accounting Officer


2.03 Certain Transactions. The fact that the Member or any of its affiliates is directly or indirectly interested in or connected with any person, firm or corporation employed by the Company to render or perform a service, or from which or to whom the Company may buy or sell any property, shall not prohibit the Company from employing or dealing with such person, firm or corporation.

2.04 Tax Election. Any officer of the Company is hereby authorized to cause the Company to make an entity classification election for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

ARTICLE III

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION; RESIGNATION; DISTRIBUTIONS

3.01. Initial Capital Contribution; Membership Interests. The Member has contributed all of the capital of the Company (each, a “Capital Contribution”). The Member shall own all of the membership interests in the Company (the “Membership Interest”).

3.01 Additional Capital Contributions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3.02, the Member shall not be obligated to make any additional contribution to the capital of the Company. If additional Capital Contributions are called for, the Member shall make additional Capital Contributions at such times and in such amounts as may be determined by the Member.

3.02 Capital Accounts. The Company shall maintain a capital account (the “Capital Account”) for the Member that shall consist of (a) the sum of the Member’s Capital Contributions paid to the Company as of any given time, less (b) the sum of (A) all distributions made by the Company to the Member pursuant to Sections 3.05 and 4.03, and (B) the amount of any liabilities of the Member assumed or paid by the Company by action of the Member.

3.03 No Interest on Capital Contribution. The Member shall not be paid interest on any of its Capital Contributions or on its Capital Account.

3.04 Distributions. Distributions shall be made to the Member at the times and in the aggregate amounts determined by the Member. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not make a distribution to the Member on account of its interest in the Company if such distribution would violate Section 18-607 of the Act or other applicable law. Distributions may be made in cash or in-kind. The Member may reserve amounts for anticipated expenses or contingent liabilities of the Company.

ARTICLE IV

DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF THE COMPANY

4.01 Events Causing Termination. The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs shall be wound up upon the first occurrence of either of the following:

(i) termination hereof by the Member; or

(ii) the occurrence of any of the events set forth in Section 18-801(4) of the Act that affects the Member and thereby results in the dissolution of the Company.


4.02 Winding Up. Upon dissolution of the Company, the Member shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and distribute its assets.

4.03 Liquidation and Termination. Upon dissolution of the Company, as expeditiously as is reasonable, the liabilities of the Company shall be paid out of the assets of the Company and, in furtherance thereof, distributions shall be made in the following manner and order:

(i) first, to creditors, including the Member if it is a creditor, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, in satisfaction of liabilities of the Company (whether by payment or by establishment of reserves); and

(ii) second, to the Member.

At such time as the distributions provided for in (i) and (ii) above have been made, the Company shall terminate.

4.04 Accounting on Liquidation. Upon liquidation, a proper accounting shall be made by the Company’s accountants of the Company’s assets, liabilities and results of operations through the last day of the month in which the Company is terminated.

ARTICLE V

COMPANY EXPENSES, BOOKS AND RECORDS

5.01 Operating Expenses. The Company shall pay all current expenses, including administrative expenses and fees, before any allocations may be made to the Member. Appropriate reserves may be determined and charged to the capital account of the Member (in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) for (i) contingent liabilities, if any, as of the date any such contingent liabilities become known to the Member and/or (ii) amounts needed to pay the Company’s operating expenses, including administrative expenses and fees, before any allocations are made to the Member.

5.02 Fiscal Year and Method of Accounting. The Company shall select the appropriate method of accounting and the beginning and end of its fiscal year (except for the first fiscal year of the Company, which shall begin on the date of the formation of the Company).

5.03 Records. The books and records of the Company shall be maintained at the principal office and place of business of the Company.

5.04 Financial Statements and Reports. The Member shall oversee the accounting, tax and record keeping matters of the Company.


ARTICLE VI

LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

6.01 Liability. (a) Liability to Company. Neither the Member, nor any employee, director, officer, agent, shareholder, limited partner or general partner of the Member, shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Company or any other persons by reason of acts, omissions, errors in judgment, or otherwise. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, the provisions of this Section 6.01 shall not be construed so as to relieve (or attempt to relieve) a person of any liability to the extent (but only to the extent) that such liability may not be waived, modified or limited under applicable law, but shall be construed so as to effectuate the provisions of this Section 6.01 to the fullest extent permitted by law.

(b) No Personal Liability of the Member. The Member shall not be subject in such capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to any person in connection with the Company assets or the acts, obligations or affairs of the Company. The Member shall have the same limitation of personal liability as is extended to stockholders of a private corporation for profit incorporated under the DGCL. The rights accruing to the Member under this Section 6.01 shall not exclude any other right to which such Member may be lawfully entitled nor shall anything herein contained restrict the right of the Company to indemnify or reimburse the Member in any appropriate situation even though not specifically provided herein.

(c) Liability to Third Parties. Except as provided in this Section 6.01, neither the Member nor any employee, director, officer, agent, shareholder, limited partner or general partner of the Member in his, her or its capacity as such, shall be liable under a judgment, decree or order of a court, or in any other manner, for any debt, obligation or liability of the Company.

6.02 Indemnification of the Member. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Member of the Company and each employee, director, officer, agent, shareholder, limited partner and general partner of the Member (each, an “Indemnified Person”) from and against any loss, liability, damages, cost or expense (including legal fees and expenses and any amounts paid in settlement) (each a “Loss” and collectively “Losses”) resulting from a claim, demand, lawsuit, action or proceeding by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person on behalf of the Company; provided that such acts or omissions of such Indemnified Person are not found by a court of competent jurisdiction to constitute fraud. Expenses, including legal fees, incurred by an Indemnified Person and relating to any claim, demand, lawsuit, action or proceeding for which indemnification is sought under this Section shall be paid by the Company upon demand by the Indemnified Person; provided that the Indemnified Person shall reimburse the Company for such expenses if it is ultimately determined that such Indemnified Person is not entitled to indemnification hereunder.

ARTICLE VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

7.01 Amendments; Waivers. This instrument may not be amended, supplemented or discharged, and no provision hereof may be modified or waived, except


expressly by an instrument in writing signed by the Member. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be deemed a waiver of any other provision nor shall any such waiver by any party be deemed a continuing waiver of any matter. No amendment, modification, supplement, discharge or waiver hereof or hereunder shall require the consent of any person not a party to this Agreement.

7.02 Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. This instrument contains the entire agreement with respect to such subject matter.

7.03 GOVERNING LAW; VENUE. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

7.04 Future Actions. The Company and the Member shall execute and deliver all such future instruments and take such other and further action as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.

7.05 Limitation on Rights of Others. None of the provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, Sections 3.02 and 5.03, shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditor of the Company. Furthermore, the Member shall not have any duty or obligation to any creditor of the Company to make any contribution to the Company or to issue any call for capital pursuant to this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim in any person not a party hereto (other than an Indemnified Person).

7.06 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Member and its successors and assigns.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Member has executed this Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION
By  

/s/ Albert Chao

  Name:   Albert Chao
  Title:   President

[Signature Page for Lagoon LLC Operating Agreement]


SCHEDULE A

NAME AND ADDRESS OF MEMBER

 

Name

  

Address

Westlake Chemical Corporation    2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600 Houston, Texas 77056

Exhibit 3.52

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

AXIALL NOTECO, INC.

November 20, 2014

The undersigned, for the purpose of incorporating and organizing a corporation under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

FIRST: The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is Axiall Noteco, Inc.

SECOND: The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, New Castle County. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

FOURTH: The total number of shares which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is five thousand (5,000) shares of Common Stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share.

FIFTH: Elections of directors need not be by written ballot except and to the extent provided in the by-laws of the Corporation.

SIXTH: To the full extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or any other applicable laws presently or hereafter in effect, no director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for or with respect to any acts or omissions in the performance of his or her duties as a director of the Corporation. Any repeal or modification of this Article Sixth shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing immediately prior to such repeal or modification.

SEVENTH: Each person who is or was or had agreed to become a director or officer of the Corporation shall be indemnified by the Corporation to the full extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or any other applicable laws as presently or hereafter in effect. Without limiting the generality or the effect of the foregoing, the Corporation may enter into one or more agreements with any person which provide for indemnification greater or different than that provided in this Article. Any repeal or modification of this Article Seventh shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder immediately prior to such repeal or modification.

EIGHTH: The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation,


and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein or by applicable law; and all rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to this reservation.

NINTH: The name and mailing address of the incorporator are:

Todd King

1000 Abernathy Road NE

Suite 1200

Atlanta, GA 30328

[Signature Appears On Following Page]


[Signature to Certificate of Incorporation of Axiall Noteco, Inc.]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Incorporation of Axiall Noteco, Inc. is executed as of the date first above written.

 

/s/ Todd King

Todd King

lncorporator

Exhibit 3.53

AXIALL NOTECO,

INC.

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Time and Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by the Board of Directors, or by the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Secretary in the absence of a designation by the Board of Directors, and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.

Section 2. Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of the stockholders, shall be held on the 1st day of May at such place as the Board of Directors may elect, if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday, then on the next business day following, at 10:00 a.m., or at such other date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, at which meeting the stockholders shall elect by a plurality vote the directors to succeed those whose terms expire and shall transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by law or by Certificate of Incorporation, may be called by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board, and shall be called by the President or the Secretary at the request in writing of stockholders owning a majority in


interest of the entire capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Such request shall be sent to the President and the Secretary and shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.

Section 4. Notice of Meetings. Written notice of every meeting of the stockholders, stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or by law.

Section 5. Quorum. The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented.

Section 6. Voting. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder shall be entitled at every meeting of the stockholders to one vote for each share of stock having voting power standing in the name of such stockholder on the books of the Corporation on the record date for the meeting and such votes may be cast either in person or by written proxy. Every proxy must be duly executed and filed with the


Secretary of the Corporation. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the Corporation. The vote upon any question brought before a meeting of the stockholders may be by voice vote, unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of all classes of stock entitled to vote thereon present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall so determine. Every vote taken by written ballot shall be counted by one or more inspectors of election appointed by the Board of Directors. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock which has voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question properly brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these by-laws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

ARTICLE II

DIRECTORS

Section 1. Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.


Section 2. Number and Term of Office. The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members. The number of directors shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors or by the stockholders at the annual meeting or a special meeting. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as provided in Section 3 of this Article, and each director elected shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified, except as required by law. Any decrease in the authorized number of directors shall not be effective until the expiration of the term of the directors then in office, unless, at the time of such decrease, there shall be vacancies on the Board which are being eliminated by such decrease.

Section 3. Vacancies and New Directorships. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors which occur between annual meetings of the stockholders may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified, except as required by law.

Section 4. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders or at such other time and place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board on one day’s written notice to each director by whom such notice is not waived, given either personally or by mail, by telegram, by private courier or by facsimile transmission and shall be called by the President or the Secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of any two directors.


Section 6. Quorum. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total number of directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time to another place, time or date, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

Section 7. Written Action. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes or proceedings of the Board or Committee.

Section 8. Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone. Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any such committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 9. Compensation. Members of the Board of Directors shall render services to the Corporation in such capacity without compensation.


ARTICLE III

NOTICES

Section 1. Generally. Whenever by law or under the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these by-laws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail, addressed to such director or stockholder, at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Notice to directors may also be given by telegram, telecopy, or telephone.

Section 2. Waivers. Whenever any notice is required to be given by law or under the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these by-laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to such notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.


ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1. Generally. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall consist of a President and Secretary. The Board of Directors may also choose any or all of the following: a Chairman of the Board of Directors, one or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, and one or more Assistant Secretaries. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

Section 2. Compensation. The compensation of all officers and agents of the Corporation who are also directors of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may delegate the power to fix the compensation of other officers and agents of the Corporation to an officer of the Corporation.

Section 3. Succession. The officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are elected and qualified. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Authority and Duties. Each of the officers of the Corporation shall have such authority and shall perform such duties as are customarily incident to their respective offices, or as may be specified from time to time by the Board of Directors in a resolution which is not inconsistent with these by-laws.


Section 5. Chairman. If elected by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board shall be an officer of the Corporation. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and he shall have such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors. The Chairman may delegate to any qualified person authority to chair any meeting of the stockholders, either on a temporary or a permanent basis.

Section 6. President. The President shall be responsible for the active management and direction of the business and affairs of the Corporation. In case of the inability or failure of the Chairman to perform the duties of that office, the President shall perform the duties of the Chairman, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Execution of Documents and Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations. The President and the Chairman shall each have and is hereby given, full power and authority, except as otherwise required by law or directed by the Board of Directors, (a) to execute, on behalf of the Corporation, all duly authorized contracts, agreements, deeds, conveyances or other obligations of the Corporation, applications, consents, proxies and other powers of attorney, and other documents and instruments, and (b) to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders (or with respect to any action of such stockholders) of any other corporation in which the Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which the Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities of such other corporation. In addition, the President may delegate to other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation the power and authority to take any action which the President is authorized to take under this Section 7, with such limitations as the President may specify; such authority so delegated by the President shall not be re-delegated by the person to whom such execution authority has been delegated.


Section 8. Vice President. Each Vice President, however titled, shall perform such duties and services and shall have such authority and responsibilities as shall be assigned to or required from time to time by the Board of Directors or the President.

Section 9. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. (a) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders and all meetings of the Board of Directors and record all proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when requested by the Board of Directors or the President. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and meetings of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President. The Secretary shall have charge of the seal of the Corporation and authority to affix the seal to any instrument. The Secretary or any Assistant Secretary may attest to the corporate seal by handwritten or facsimile signature. The Secretary shall keep and account for all books, documents, papers and records of the Corporation except those for which some other officer or agent has been designated or is otherwise properly accountable. The Secretary shall have authority to sign stock certificates.

(b) Assistant Secretaries, in the order of their seniority, shall assist the Secretary and, if the Secretary is unavailable or fails to act, perform the duties and exercise the authorities of the Secretary.


Section 10. Treasurer. If elected by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Treasurer with the prior approval of the Board of Directors or the President. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds and pledge the credit of the Corporation as may be directed by the Board of Directors and shall render to the Board of Directors and the President, as and when required by them, or any of them, an account of all transactions by the Treasurer.

ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 1. Certificates. Certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be determined by the Board of Directors, subject to applicable legal requirements. Such certificates shall be numbered and their issuance recorded in the books of the Corporation, and such certificate shall exhibit the holder’s name and the number of shares and shall be signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board or the President and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer of the Corporation and shall bear the corporate seal. Any or all of the signatures and the seal of the Corporation, if any, upon such certificates may be facsimiles, engraved or printed.

Section 2. Transfer. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the Corporation to issue, or to cause its transfer agent to issue, a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.


Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Secretary may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon the making of an affidavit of that fact, satisfactory to the Secretary, by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. As a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates the Secretary may require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates to give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Secretary may direct as indemnity against any claims that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed or the issuance of the new certificate.

Section 4. Record Date. (a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting. If no record is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.


(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record


date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal and use the same by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

Section 3. Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records. Each director, each member of a committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation’s officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors, or by any other person as to matters the director, committee member or officer believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.


Section 4. Time Periods. In applying any provision of these by-laws which requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded and the day of the event shall be included.

Section 5. Dividends. The Board of Directors may from time to time declare and the Corporation may pay dividends upon its outstanding shares of capital stock, in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and the Certificate of Incorporation.

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments. These by-laws may be altered, amended or repealed, or new by-laws may be adopted, by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors.

Exhibit 3.76(a)

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

RBS (U.S.A.) LIMITED

A STOCK CORPORATION

I, the undersigned, for the purpose of incorporating and organizing a corporation under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, do hereby certify as follows:

FIRST: The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is RBS (U.S.A.) Limited.

SECOND: The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1013 Centre Road, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is Corporation Service company.

THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

FOURTH: The total number of shares which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 1,000 shares of Common Stock, par value of $1.00 per share.

FIFTH: Elections of directors need not be by written ballot except and to the extent provided in the by-laws of the Corporation.

SIXTH: To the full extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or any other applicable laws presently or hereafter in effect, no director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for or with respect to any acts or omissions in the performance of his or her duties as a director of the Corporation. Any repeal or modification of this Article Sixth shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing immediately prior to such repeal or modification.


SEVENTH: Each person who is or was or had agreed to become a director or officer of the Corporation, or each such person who is or was serving or who had agreed to serve at the request of the Board of Directors or an officer of the Corporation as an employee or agent of the Corporation or as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of such person), shall be indemnified by the Corporation to the full extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or any other applicable laws as presently or hereafter in effect. Without limiting the generality or the effect of the foregoing, the Corporation may enter into one or more agreements with any person which provide for indemnification greater or different than that provided in this Article. Any repeal or modification of this Article Seventh shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder immediately prior to such repeal or modification.

EIGHTH: In furtherance and not in limitation of the rights, powers, privileges and discretionary authority granted or conferred by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or other statutes or laws of the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal the by-laws of the Corporation, without any action on the part of the stockholders, but the stockholders may make additional by-laws and may alter, amend or repeal any by-law whether adopted by them or otherwise, The Corporation may in its by-laws confer powers upon its Board of Directors in addition to the foregoing and in addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred upon the Board of Directors by applicable law.

NINTH: The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in

 

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force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein or by applicable law; and all rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to this reservation.

TENTH: The name and mailing address of the incorporator is Vik Puri, 77 West Wacker, Suite 3400, Chicago, Illinois 60601-1692.

ELEVENTH: The name and mailing address of the person who is to serve as director of the Corporation until the first annual meeting of stockholders or until his successor is elected and qualified is as follows:

 

NAME

  

MAILING ADDRESS

Vic DeZen   

Royal Group Technologies Limited

1 Royal Gate Boulevard

Woodbridge, Ontario

Canada L4L 8Z7

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I the undersigned, being the incorporator hereinabove named, do hereby execute this Certificate of Incorporation this 5th day of August, 1997.

 

/s/ Vik Puri

Vik Puri

 

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Exhibit 3.76(b)

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

RBS (U.S.A.) LIMITED

RBS (U.S.A.) Limited, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify:

 

  1. The name of the corporation is RBS (U.S.A.) Limited.

 

  2. Article First of the Certificate of Incorporation of RBS (U.S.A.) Limited (the “Corporation”) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following new Article First:

“FIRST: The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is Royal Building Products (USA) Inc.”

 

  3. The amendment was adopted by written consent of the Board of Directors of the Corporation as of the 17th day of September, 2014.

 

  4. The sole Stockholder of the Corporation adopted the amendment by written consent dated as of the 17th day of September, 2014.

 

  5. The amendment was duly adopted in accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

  6. The amendment shall be effective upon the filing of this Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of Delaware.

[SIGNATURE APPEARS ON FOLLOWING PAGE]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officer, as of the 17th day of September, 2014.

 

RBS (U.S.A.) LIMITED
By:   /s/ Bradley K. Reynolds
Name:   Bradley K. Reynolds
Title:   Assistant Secretary

 

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Exhibit 3.77

RBS (U.S.A.) LIMITED

BY-LAWS


RBS (U.S.A.) LIMITED

BY-LAWS

Table of Contents

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

     1  

Section 1.

  Time and Place of Meetings      1  

Section 2.

  Annual Meeting      1  

Section 3.

  Special Meetings      1  

Section 4.

  Notice of Meetings      2  

Section 5.

  Quorum      2  

Section 6.

  Voting      2  

ARTICLE II DIRECTORS

     3  

Section 1.

  Powers      3  

Section 2.

  Number and Term of Office      3  

Section 3.

  Vacancies and New Directorships      4  

Section 4.

  Regular Meetings      4  

Section 5.

  Special Meetings      4  

Section 6.

  Quorum      4  

Section 7.

  Written Action      5  

Section 8.

  Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone      5  

Section 9.

  Committees      5  

Section 10.

  Compensation      6  

ARTICLE III NOTICES

     6  

Section 1.

  Generally      6  

Section 2.

  Waivers      6  

ARTICLE IV OFFICERS

     7  

Section 1.

  Generally      7  

Section 2.

  Compensation      7  

Section 3.

  Succession      7  

Section 4.

  Authority and Duties      7  

Section 5.

  Chairman      7  

Section 6.

  President      8  

 

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Section 7.

  Execution of Documents and Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations      8  

Section 8.

  Vice President      8  

Section 9.

  Secretary      9  

Section 10.

  Treasurer      9  

ARTICLE V STOCK

     9  

Section 1.

  Certificates      9  

Section 2.

  Transfer      10  

Section 3.

  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates      10  

Section 4.

  Record Date      10  

ARTICLE VI GENERAL PROVISIONS

     12  

Section 1.

  Fiscal Year      12  

Section 2.

  Corporate Seal      12  

Section 3.

  Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records      12  

Section 4.

  Time Periods      13  

Section 5.

  Dividends      13  

ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS

     13  

Section 1.

  Amendments      13  

 

ii


RBS (U.S.A.) LIMITED

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Time and Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by the Board of Directors, or by the President or the Secretary in the absence of a designation by the Board of Directors, and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.

Section 2. Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of the stockholders, commencing with the year 1998, shall be held on the 15th in January, if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday, then on the next business day following, at 10:00 a.m., or at such other date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, at which meeting the stockholders shall elect by a plurality vote the directors to succeed those whose terms expire and shall transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by law or by Certificate of Incorporation, may be called by the Board of Directors, the President or the Secretary, and shall be called by the President or the Secretary at the request in writing of stockholders owning a majority in interest of the entire capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Such request shall be sent to the President and the Secretary and shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.


Section 4. Notice of Meetings. Written notice of every meeting of the stockholders, stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or by law. When a meeting is adjourned to another place, date or time, written notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the place, date and time thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, written notice of the place, date and time of the adjourned meeting shall be given in conformity herewith. At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

Section 5. Quorum. The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented.

Section 6. Voting. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder shall be entitled at every meeting of the stockholders to one vote for each share of stock having voting power standing in the name of such stockholder on the books of the Corporation on the record date for the meeting and such votes may be cast either in

 

2


person or by written proxy. Every proxy must be duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the Corporation. The vote upon any question brought before a meeting of the stockholders may be by voice vote, unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of all classes of stock entitled to vote thereon present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall so determine. Every vote taken by written ballot shall be counted by one or more inspectors of election appointed by the Board of Directors. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock which has voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question properly brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these by-laws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

ARTICLE II

DIRECTORS

Section 1. Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

Section 2. Number and Term of Office. The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members. The number of directors shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors or by the stockholders at the annual meeting or a special meeting. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as provided in Section 3 of this Article, and each director elected shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified, except as

 

3


required by law. Any decrease in the authorized number of directors shall not be effective until the expiration of the term of the directors then in office, unless, at the time of such decrease, there shall be vacancies on the Board which are being eliminated by such decrease.

Section 3. Vacancies and New Directorships. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors which occur between annual meetings of the stockholders may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified, except as required by law.

Section 4. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders and at such other time and place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President on one day’s written notice to each director by whom such notice is not waived, given either personally or by mail or telegram, and shall be called by the President or the Secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of any director.

Section 6. Quorum. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total number of directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time to another place, time or date, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

 

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Section 7. Written Action. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes or proceedings of the Board or Committee.

Section 8. Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone. Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any such committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 9. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation and each to have such lawfully delegable powers and duties as the Board may confer. Each such committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Except as otherwise provided by law, any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Any committee or committees so designated by the Board shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise prescribed by the Board of Directors, a majority of the members of the committee shall constitute

 

5


a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the members present at a meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of such committee. Each committee shall prescribe its own rules for calling and holding meetings and its method of procedure, subject to any rules prescribed by the Board of Directors, and shall keep a written record of all actions taken by it.

Section 10. Compensation. The Board of Directors may establish such compensation for, and reimbursement of the expenses of, directors for attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors or committees, or for other services by directors to the Corporation, as the Board of Directors may determine.

ARTICLE III

NOTICES

Section 1. Generally. Whenever by law or under the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these by-laws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail, addressed to such director or stockholder, at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Notice to directors may also be given by telegram, telephone or facsimile.

Section 2. Waivers. Whenever any notice is required to be given by law or under the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these by-laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to such notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

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ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1. Generally. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall consist of a President, Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also choose any or all of the following: a Chairman of the Board of Directors, one or more Vice Presidents, a Controller, a General Counsel, and one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

Section 2. Compensation. The compensation of all officers and agents of the Corporation who are also directors of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors may delegate the power to fix the compensation of other officers and agents of the Corporation to an officer of the Corporation.

Section 3. Succession. The officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are elected and qualified. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Authority and Duties. Each of the officers of the Corporation shall have such authority and shall perform such duties as are customarily incident to their respective offices, or as may be specified from time to time by the Board of Directors in a resolution which is not inconsistent with these by-laws.

Section 5. Chairman. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and he shall have such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors. The Chairman may delegate to any qualified person authority to chair any meeting of the stockholders, either on a temporary or a permanent basis.

 

7


Section 6. President. The President shall be responsible for the active management and direction of the business and affairs of the Corporation. In case of the inability or failure of the Chairman to perform the duties of that office, the President shall perform the duties of the Chairman, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Execution of Documents and Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations. The President shall have and is hereby given, full power and authority, except as otherwise required by law or directed by the Board of Directors, (a) to execute, on behalf of the Corporation, all duly authorized contracts, agreements, deeds, conveyances or other obligations of the Corporation, applications, consents, proxies and other powers of attorney, and other documents and instruments, and (b) to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders (or with respect to any action of such stockholders) of any other corporation in which the Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which the Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities of such other corporation. In addition, the President may delegate to other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation the power and authority to take any action which the President is authorized to take under this Section 7, with such limitations as the President may specify; such authority so delegated by the President shall not be re-delegated by the person to whom such execution authority has been delegated.

Section 8. Vice President. Each Vice President, however titled, shall perform such duties and services and shall have such authority and responsibilities as shall be assigned to or required from time to time by the Board of Directors or the President.

 

8


Section 9. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders and all meetings of the Board of Directors and record all proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when requested by the Board of Directors or the President. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and meetings of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President. The Secretary shall have charge of the seal of the Corporation and authority to affix the seal to any instrument. The Secretary or any Assistant Secretary may attest to the corporate seal by handwritten or facsimile signature. The Secretary shall keep and account for all books, documents, papers and records of the Corporation except those for which some other officer or agent has been designated or is otherwise properly accountable. The Secretary shall have authority to sign stock certificates.

Section 10. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Treasurer with the prior approval of the Board of Directors or the President. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds and pledge the credit of the Corporation as may be directed by the Board of Directors and shall render to the Board of Directors and the President, as and when required by them, or any of them, an account of all transactions by the Treasurer.

ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 1. Certificates. Certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be determined by the Board of Directors, subject to applicable legal requirements. Such certificates shall be numbered and their issuance recorded in the books of

 

9


the Corporation, and such certificate shall exhibit the holder’s name and the number of shares and shall be signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by the President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Any signature and the seal of the Corporation, if any, upon such certificates may be facsimiles, engraved or printed.

Section 2. Transfer. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the Corporation to issue, or to cause its transfer agent to issue, a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Secretary may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon the making of an affidavit of that fact, satisfactory to the Secretary, by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. As a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates the Secretary may require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates to give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Secretary may direct as indemnity against any claims that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed or the issuance of the new certificate.

Section 4. Record Date. (a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such

 

10


meeting. If no record is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

11


(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal and use the same by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

Section 3. Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records. Each director, each member of a committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation’s officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors, or by any other person as to matters the director, committee member or officer believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

 

12


Section 4. Time Periods. In applying any provision of these by-laws which requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded and the day of the event shall be included.

Section 5. Dividends. The Board of Directors may from time to time declare and the Corporation may pay dividends upon its outstanding shares of capital stock, in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and the Certificate of Incorporation.

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments. These by-laws may be altered, amended or repealed, or new by-laws may be adopted, by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors.

 

13

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO      

ONE SHELL PLAZA

910 LOUISIANA

HOUSTON, TEXAS

77002-4995

 

TEL +1 713.229.1234

FAX +1 713.229.1522

BakerBotts.com

    

AUSTIN

BEIJING

BRUSSELS

DALLAS

DUBAI

HONG KONG

HOUSTON

    

LONDON

MOSCOW

NEW YORK

PALO ALTO

RIYADH

SAN FRANCISCO

WASHINGTON

March 13, 2017

Westlake Chemical Corporation

2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600

Houston, Texas 77056

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As set forth in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) by Westlake Chemical Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its wholly owned subsidiaries — Geismar Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, GVGP, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Westlake Chemical Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Westlake Geismar Power Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Westlake Longview Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Westlake Management Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Westlake NG I Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Westlake Olefins Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Westlake Pipeline Investments LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Westlake Polymers LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Westlake PVC Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Westlake Resources Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Westlake Styrene LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Westlake Supply and Trading Company, a Delaware corporation, Westlake Vinyl Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Westlake Vinyls Company LP, a Delaware limited partnership, Westlake Vinyls, Inc., a Delaware corporation, WPT LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Westlake Petrochemicals LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, North American Specialty Products LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Lagoon LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Axiall Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Axiall Holdco, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Axiall Noteco, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Axiall Ohio, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Axiall, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Eagle Holdco 3 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Eagle Natrium LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Eagle Pipeline, Inc., a Louisiana corporation, Eagle Spinco Inc., a Delaware corporation, Eagle US 2 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Georgia Gulf Lake Charles, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, PHH Monomers, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company, Plastic Trends, Inc., a Michigan corporation, Rome Delaware Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Royals Building Products (USA) Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Royal Plastics Group (U.S.A.) Limited, a Delaware corporation (collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), relating to the registration under the Act of the offering and issuance of (i) up to $624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Exchange Notes”) to be offered by the Company in exchange for a like principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Outstanding 2021 Notes”), (ii) up to $433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “2023 Exchange Notes”) to be offered by the Company in exchange for a like principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 4.875% Senior Notes due


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2023 (the “Outstanding 2023 Notes”), (iii) up to $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Exchange Notes”) to be offered by the Company in exchange for a like principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Outstanding 2026 Notes”), (iv) up to $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 (the “2046 Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2021 Exchange Notes, the 2023 Exchange Notes and the 2026 Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes”) to be offered by the Company in exchange for a like principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 (the “Outstanding 2046 Notes” and, together with the Outstanding 2021 Notes, the Outstanding 2023 Notes and the Outstanding 2026 Notes, the “Outstanding Notes” and, the exchange by the Company of the Exchange Notes for the Outstanding Notes, the “Exchange Offer”), and (v) the guarantees (the “Guarantees”) of the Subsidiary Guarantors of the Company’s obligations under the Exchange Notes, certain legal matters in connection with the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees are being passed upon for you by us. The 2021 Exchange Notes and the 2023 Exchange Notes and the related Guarantees are to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of January 1, 2006 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the Ninth Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of September 7, 2016 (the “Ninth Supplemental Indenture”), and the Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 25, 2016 (the “October Supplemental Indenture”). The 2026 Exchange Notes and the 2046 Exchange Notes and the related Guarantees are to be issued under the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Eighth Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of August 10, 2016 (the “Eighth Supplemental Indenture” together with the Ninth Supplemental Indenture and the October Supplemental Indenture, the “Supplemental Indentures” and the Supplemental Indentures, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), and the October Supplemental Indenture.

In our capacity as your counsel in connection with the matters referred to above, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified, of the Registration Statement, the Base Indenture, the Supplemental Indentures, certificates of public officials and of representatives of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, statutes and other instruments and documents as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In giving the opinions below, we have relied, to the extent we deemed proper, without independent investigation, upon the certificates, statements and other representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors and of governmental and public officials with respect to the accuracy and completeness of the material factual matters contained therein or covered thereby. In giving the opinions below, we have assumed, without independent investigation, that all signatures on documents examined by us are genuine, all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete, all documents submitted to us as copies are true and correct copies of the originals of such documents and such original copies are authentic and complete. In giving the opinions below, we also have assumed that (i) the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee, (ii) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will have become effective under the Act and the Indenture will have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (iii) the


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Exchange Notes and the Guarantees will have been duly executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and issued in exchange for Outstanding Notes pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of, the Exchange Offer as contemplated in the Registration Statement, (iv) each of the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors (other than the Subsidiary Guarantors listed on Schedule 1 hereto (the “Opinion Guarantors”)) has all requisite power and authority under all applicable laws, regulations and governing documents to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Indenture, the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees and that the Trustee has complied with all applicable laws and regulations, including all legal requirements pertaining to its status as such status relates to its rights to enforce the Indenture, the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors and (v) each of the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors (other than the Opinion Guarantors) is validly existing and in good standing in all necessary jurisdictions.

On the basis of the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

  1. The Exchange Notes will, when they have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and issued in exchange for the Outstanding Notes pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of, the Exchange Offer as contemplated in the Registration Statement, constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and remedies and to general principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (b) public policy, applicable law relating to fiduciary duties and indemnification and contribution and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

  2. The Guarantees will, upon the issuance of the Exchange Notes pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of, the Exchange Offer as contemplated in the Registration Statement, constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors, enforceable against each Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and remedies and to general principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (b) public policy, applicable law relating to fiduciary duties and indemnification and contribution and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

The opinions set forth above are limited in all respects to matters of the contract law of the State of New York, the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, the Louisiana Business Corporation Law, the Louisiana Limited Liability Company Act, the Michigan Business Corporation Act, and the applicable federal laws of the United States, each as in effect on the date hereof.


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Insofar as the opinions expressed herein relate to or are dependent upon matters governed by (i) the laws of the State of Louisiana, we have relied upon the opinion of Scofield, Gerard, Pohorelsky, Gallaugher & Landry, LLC and (ii) the laws of the State of Michigan, we have relied upon the opinion of Dykema Gossett PLLC, each dated as of the date hereof, and our opinions are subject to the qualifications, assumptions and exceptions set forth therein.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion of counsel as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

   

Very truly yours,

   

/s/ Baker Botts L.L.P.

TST/TJW/NAT/SHJ

   


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Schedule 1

 

Exact Name of Opinion Guarantor

  

State of other jurisdiction of
incorporation or  organization

Geismar Holdings, Inc.

   Delaware

GVGP, Inc.

   Delaware

Westlake Chemical Investments, Inc.

   Delaware

Westlake Geismar Power Company LLC

   Delaware

Westlake Longview Corporation

   Delaware

Westlake Management Services, Inc.

   Delaware

Westlake NG I Corporation

   Delaware

Westlake Olefins Corporation

   Delaware

Westlake Pipeline Investments LLC

   Delaware

Westlake Polymers LLC

   Delaware

Westlake PVC Corporation

   Delaware

Westlake Resources Corporation

   Delaware

Westlake Styrene LLC

   Delaware

Westlake Supply and Trading Company

   Delaware

Westlake Vinyl Corporation

   Delaware

Westlake Vinyls Company LP

   Delaware

Westlake Vinyls, Inc.

   Delaware

WPT LLC

   Delaware

Westlake Petrochemicals LLC

   Delaware

Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC

   Delaware

North American Specialty Products LLC

   Delaware

Lagoon LLC

   Delaware

Axiall Corporation

   Delaware

Axiall Holdco, Inc.

   Delaware

Axiall Noteco, Inc.

   Delaware

Axiall Ohio, Inc.

   Delaware

Axiall, LLC

   Delaware

Eagle Holdco 3 LLC

   Delaware

Eagle Natrium LLC

   Delaware

Eagle Spinco Inc.

   Delaware

Eagle US 2 LLC

   Delaware

Georgia Gulf Lake Charles, LLC

   Delaware

Rome Delaware Corporation

   Delaware

Royals Building Products (USA) Inc.

   Delaware

Royal Plastics Group (U.S.A.) Limited

   Delaware

Exhibit 5.2

SCOFIELD, GERARD, POHORELSKY, GALLAUGHER & LANDRY, LLC

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

POST OFFICE DRAWER 3028

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA 70602

 

SCOTT J. SCOFIELD

JOHN R. POHORELSKY

PATRICK D. GALLAUGHER, JR.

ROBERT E. LANDRY

PHILLIP W. DeVILBISS

KEVIN P. FONTENOT

PETER J. POHORELSKY

ANDREA ALBRIGHT CRAWFORD

 

WILLIAM B. SWIFT, LLC

Of Counsel

    

JOHN B. SCOFIELD    Emeritus

RICHARD E. GERARD, JR.    Emeritus

 

901 LAKESHORE DRIVE, SUITE 900

LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601

TELEPHONE: (337) 433-9436

FACSIMILE: (337) 436-0306

 

www.sgpgl.com

March 13, 2017

Westlake Chemical Corporation

2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600

Houston, Texas 77056

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-4

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As set forth in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) by Westlake Chemical Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its wholly owned subsidiaries under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), relating to the registration under the Act of the offering and issuance of (i) up to $624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Exchange Notes”) to be offered by the Company in exchange for a like principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Outstanding 2021 Notes”), (ii) up to $433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “2023 Exchange Notes”) to be offered by the Company in exchange for a like principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Outstanding 2023 Notes”), (iii) up to $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Exchange Notes”) to be offered by the Company in exchange for a like principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Outstanding 2026 Notes”), (iv) up to $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 (the “2046 Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2021 Exchange Notes, the 2023 Exchange Notes and the 2026 Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes”) to be offered by the Company in exchange for a like principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 (the “Outstanding 2046 Notes” and, together with the Outstanding 2021 Notes, the Outstanding 2023 Notes and the Outstanding 2026 Notes, the “Outstanding Notes” and, the exchange by the Company of the Exchange Notes for the Outstanding Notes, the “Exchange Offer”), and (v) the guarantees (collectively, the


Guarantee”) of the Subsidiary Guarantors of the Company’s obligations under the Exchange Notes. The 2021 Exchange Notes and the 2023 Exchange Notes and the related Guarantee are to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of January 1, 2006 (the “Base Indenture”), between The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the Ninth Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of September 7, 2016 (the “Ninth Supplemental Indenture”), and the Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 25, 2016 (the “October Supplemental Indenture”). The 2026 Exchange Notes and the 2046 Exchange Notes and the related Guarantee are to be issued under the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Eighth Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of August 10, 2016 (the “Eighth Supplemental Indenture” together with the Ninth Supplemental Indenture and the October Supplemental Indenture, the “Supplemental Indentures” and the Supplemental Indentures, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), and the October Supplemental Indenture.

At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you for filing as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement.

For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified, of the (i) the Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and the Bylaws of Eagle Pipeline, Inc., a Louisiana corporation, (ii) the Articles of Organization and the Operating Agreement of PHH Monomers, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company, (iii) the Indenture, (iv) originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified, of the corporate and company records of Eagle Pipeline, Inc. and PHH Monomers, LLC, respectively, (vi) originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified, of certificates of public officials and of representatives of Eagle Pipeline, Inc. and PHH Monomers, LLC, (vii) statutes and such other instruments and documents as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of the opinions hereinafter expressed, and (viii) the Registration Statement as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. Eagle Pipeline, Inc. and PHH Monomers, LLC are sometimes referred to separately as a “Louisiana Opinion Guarantor” and collectively as “Louisiana Opinion Guarantors”.

In giving the opinions below, we have relied, to the extent we deemed proper, without independent investigation, upon the certificates, statements and other representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and the Louisiana Opinion Guarantors and of governmental and public officials with respect to the accuracy and completeness of the material factual matters contained therein or covered thereby. In giving the opinions below, we have assumed, without independent investigation, that all signatures on documents examined by us are genuine, all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete, all documents submitted to us as copies are true and correct copies of the originals of such documents and such original copies are authentic and complete.

In giving the opinions below, we also have assumed that (i) the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee, (ii) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will have become effective under the Act and the Indenture will have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (iii) the Exchange Notes will have been duly executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and issued in exchange for Outstanding Notes pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of, the Exchange Offer as contemplated in the Registration Statement, (iv) each of the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors (other than the Louisiana Opinion Guarantors) has all requisite power and authority under all applicable laws,


regulations and governing documents to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Indenture, the Exchange Notes and the Guarantee and that the Trustee has complied with all applicable laws and regulations, including all legal requirements pertaining to its status as such status relates to its rights to enforce the Indenture, the Exchange Notes and the Guarantee against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors and (v) each of the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors (other than the Louisiana Opinion Guarantors) is validly existing and in good standing in all necessary jurisdictions.

On the basis of the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

 
  1. Each Louisiana Opinion Guarantor is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Louisiana.
 
  2. Each Louisiana Opinion Guarantor has the requisite power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform all of its obligations under, the October 2016 Supplemental Indenture and the Guarantee.
 
  3. Each Louisiana Opinion Guarantor has taken all necessary action to duly authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the October 2016 Supplemental Indenture and the Guarantee.
 
  4. Each of the October 2016 Supplemental Indenture and the Guarantee has been duly executed and delivered by each Louisiana Opinion Guarantor.
 
  5. The execution, delivery and performance of the October 2016 Supplemental Indenture and the Guarantee by each Louisiana Opinion Guarantor did not and will not violate any provision of (i) the organizational documents of such Louisiana Opinion Guarantor, (ii) any Louisiana law applicable to such Louisiana Opinion Guarantor and applicable to transactions similar to the Exchange Offer or, (iii) to our knowledge, violate or conflict with any judgment, order or decree applicable to such Louisiana Opinion Guarantor of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body or other authority of the State of Louisiana having jurisdiction over such Louisiana Opinion Guarantor.

The foregoing opinions are subject to the following additional assumptions, exceptions, qualifications and limitations:

(a)    The opinions set forth above are limited in all respects to matters of the applicable laws of the State of Louisiana, and applicable federal law of the United States of America, in each case as in effect on the date hereof, and we express no opinion as to the law of any other jurisdiction.

(b)     In rendering the opinions set forth in paragraph 1 above, to the extent such opinions relate to the valid existence and good standing of each Louisiana Opinion Guarantor in the State of Louisiana, we have relied solely upon certificates issued as of a recent date by public officials of the State of Louisiana, which statements indicate that, as of a recent date, the right of each Louisiana Opinion Guarantor to transact business in Louisiana is “active”.


This opinion may be relied upon by Baker Botts L.L.P. in connection with the issuance of its opinion letter in connection with the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, including any post-effective amendments to be filed by the Company with the Commission under the Act.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion of counsel as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

                Very truly yours,

                 /s/ Scofield, Gerard, Pohorelsky,

                Gallaugher & Landry, LLC

JRP/AAC

Exhibit 5.3

 

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March 13, 2017

Westlake Chemical Corporation

2801 Post Oak Boulevard

Suite 600

Houston, Texas 77056

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special Michigan counsel for Plastic Trends, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the “Guarantor”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) by Westlake Chemical Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Registration Statement”). The Registration Statement relates to the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) of the offering and issuance of (i) up to $624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Exchange Notes”) to be offered by the Company in exchange for a like principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Outstanding 2021 Notes”), (ii) up to $433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “2023 Exchange Notes”) to be offered by the Company in exchange for a like principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Outstanding 2023 Notes”), (iii) up to $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Exchange Notes”) to be offered by the Company in exchange for a like principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Outstanding 2026 Notes”), (iv) up to $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 (the “2046 Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2021 Exchange Notes, the 2023 Exchange Notes and the 2026 Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes”) to be offered by the Company in exchange for a like principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 (the “Outstanding 2046 Notes” and, together with the Outstanding 2021 Notes, the Outstanding 2023 Notes and the Outstanding 2026 Notes, the “Outstanding Notes” and, the exchange by the Company of the Exchange Notes for the Outstanding Notes, the “Exchange Offer”), and (v) the guarantee (the “Guarantee”) of the Guarantor of the Company’s obligations under the Exchange Notes. The 2021 Exchange Notes and the 2023 Exchange Notes and the Guarantee are to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of January 1, 2006 (the “Base Indenture”), between The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the Ninth Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of September 7, 2016 (the “Ninth Supplemental

 

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Indenture”), and the Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 25, 2016 (the “October 2016 Supplemental Indenture”). The 2026 Exchange Notes and the 2046 Exchange Notes and the Guarantee are to be issued under the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Eighth Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of August 10, 2016 (the “Eighth Supplemental Indenture” together with the Ninth Supplemental Indenture and the October 2016 Supplemental Indenture, the “Supplemental Indentures” and the Supplemental Indentures, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), and the October 2016 Supplemental Indenture.

In such capacity, we have reviewed the Registration Statement, the Base Indenture and the Supplemental Indentures, each of which has been provided to us by counsel to the Company. We have not reviewed any other supplemental indentures to the Base Indenture and have assumed that none of such other supplemental indentures would alter or affect the opinions expressed below. We have also examined originals or copies of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Guarantor, resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Guarantor dated October 6, 2016, which have been furnished to us by counsel to the Company, and a certificate of a public official of the State of Michigan concerning the legal existence, qualification or good standing of the Guarantor. In all such examinations and for purposes of rendering these opinions, we have assumed the authenticity of all original and certified documents and conformity to original or certified documents of all copies submitted to us as conformed or facsimile, electronic or photostatic copies. As to various questions of fact relevant to the opinions expressed herein, we have relied upon, and assume the accuracy of, representations and warranties contained in the Indenture, and any instruments related thereto and written statements and other information of or from public officials, officers or representatives of the Company and the Guarantor, and assume compliance on the part of all parties to the Indenture and the Exchange Notes, and the instruments related thereto, with the covenants and agreements contained therein. With your permission, all assumptions and statements of reliance herein have been made without any independent investigation or verification on our part except to the extent otherwise expressly stated, and we express no opinion with respect to the subject matter or accuracy of such assumptions or items relied upon. In addition, we reviewed such questions of law as we considered appropriate.

In connection with this opinion, we have assumed that (i) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) have become effective, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing the use of any prospectus or prospectus supplement has been or will be issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been or will be instituted or threatened by the Commission; (ii) the Indenture will have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (iii) the Exchange Notes will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal law in exchange for the Outstanding Notes in the manner and in accordance with the terms stated in the Registration Statement; (iv) the Exchange Notes will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the

 

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parties thereto in substantially the form described in the Registration Statement and in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture; (v) the Exchange Notes will be duly authenticated by the Trustee in the manner provided in the Indenture; (vi) the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto (other than the Guarantor); (vii) the Indenture constitutes the legal, valid binding obligation of the Trustee, (viii) the Guarantee has been duly executed by the Guarantor, and (ix) all signatures are genuine.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

1.    Guarantor is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Michigan.

2.    Guarantor has the requisite power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform all of its obligations under, the October 2016 Supplemental Indenture and the Guarantee.

3.    Guarantor has taken all necessary action to duly authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the October 2016 Supplemental Indenture and the Guarantee.

4.    Each of the October 2016 Supplemental Indenture and the Guarantee has been duly executed and delivered by Guarantor.

5.    The execution, delivery and performance of the October 2016 Supplemental Indenture and the Guarantee by Guarantor did not and will not violate any provision of (i) the articles of incorporation or bylaws of Guarantor, (ii) any Michigan law applicable to Guarantor and applicable to transactions similar to the Exchange Offer or, (iii) violate or conflict with any judgment, order or decree, of which we are aware, applicable to Guarantor of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body or other authority of the State of Michigan having jurisdiction over Guarantor.

Our opinion as to the existence and good standing of the Guarantor is based solely on certificates of public officials and our use of the term “good standing” refers to whatever specific status those certificates confirm.

The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the State of Michigan as currently in effect and no opinion is expressed with respect to any other laws or any effect that such other laws may have on the opinions expressed herein. The opinions expressed herein are limited to the matters stated herein, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein. The opinions expressed herein are given as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to supplement this letter if any applicable laws change after the date hereof or if we become aware of any facts that might change the opinions expressed herein or for any other reason.

 

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This opinion may be relied upon by Baker Botts L.L.P. in connection with the issuance of its opinion letter in connection with the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, including any post-effective amendments to be filed by the Company with the Commission under the Act.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus that forms a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of such persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Dykema Gossett PLLC

DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC

 

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Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated February 22, 2017 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Westlake Chemical Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas

March 13, 2017

Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” and to the use of our report dated February 26, 2016, except for Note 3 and Note 20, as to which the date is August 29, 2016, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Axiall Corporation included in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Axiall Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 30, 2016 and incorporated by reference into Westlake Chemical Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on September 8, 2016, which is incorporated by reference into Westlake Chemical Corporation’s Prospectus and Registration Statement related to the registration of 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021, 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023, 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026, and 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 filed on March 13, 2017.

 

    /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Atlanta, Georgia    
March 13, 2017    

Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

  95-3571558

(Jurisdiction of incorporation

if not a U.S. national bank)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

400 South Hope Street

Suite 500

Los Angeles, California

  90071
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

 

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   76-0346924

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

Table of Additional Guarantor Co-Registrants

 

Exact Name of Additional Registrant as

Specified in its Charter

  

State of other jurisdiction of
incorporation or 
organization

  

I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.

Geismar Holdings, Inc.

   Delaware    33-1036002

GVGP, Inc.

   Delaware    71-0921650

Westlake Chemical Investments, Inc.

   Delaware    76-0664309

Westlake Geismar Power Company LLC

   Delaware    35-2330798

Westlake Longview Corporation

   Delaware    61-1496835

Westlake Management Services, Inc.

   Delaware    76-0321065

Westlake NG I Corporation

   Delaware    30-0343980

Westlake Olefins Corporation

   Delaware    52-1629821

Westlake Pipeline Investments LLC

   Delaware    27-3400646

Westlake Polymers LLC

   Delaware    76-0144230

Westlake PVC Corporation

   Delaware    76-0346192

Westlake Resources Corporation

   Delaware    76-0321064

Westlake Styrene LLC

   Delaware    76-0294926

Westlake Supply and Trading Company

   Delaware    76-0377613

Westlake Vinyl Corporation

   Delaware    76-0414632

Westlake Vinyls Company LP

   Delaware    06-1641487

Westlake Vinyls, Inc.

   Delaware    76-0542667

WPT LLC

   Delaware    76-0469048

Westlake Petrochemicals LLC

   Delaware    76-0553330

Westech Building Products (Evansville) LLC

   Delaware    81-2373646

North American Specialty Products LLC

   Delaware    46-2429042

Lagoon LLC

   Delaware    81-3419020

Axiall Corporation

   Delaware    58-1563799

Axiall Holdco, Inc.

   Delaware    46-4153802

Axiall Noteco, Inc.

   Delaware    47-2798878

Axiall Ohio, Inc.

   Delaware    46-1252288

Axiall, LLC

   Delaware    06-1559253

Eagle Holdco 3 LLC

   Delaware    46-1726321

Eagle Natrium LLC

   Delaware    46-1260242

Eagle Pipeline, Inc.

   Louisiana    74-2446833

Eagle Spinco Inc.

   Delaware    46-0769929

Eagle US 2 LLC

   Delaware    46-1269681

Georgia Gulf Lake Charles, LLC

   Delaware    06-1559251

PHH Monomers, LLC

   Louisiana    52-1930252

Plastic Trends, Inc.

   Michigan    38-1869628

Rome Delaware Corporation

   Delaware    20-5546010

Royals Building Products (USA) Inc.

   Delaware    98-0186359

Royal Plastics Group (U.S.A.) Limited

   Delaware    51-0398456

 

2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600

Houston, Texas

   77056
(Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip code)

 

 

4.625% Senior Notes due 2021

Guarantees of 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021

4.875% Senior Notes due 2023

Guarantees of 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023

3.600% Senior Notes due 2026

Guarantees of 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026

5.000% Senior Notes due 2046

and Guarantees of 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 


1. General information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

  (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Name

  

Address

Comptroller of the Currency United States Department of the Treasury

  

Washington, DC 20219

Federal Reserve Bank

  

San Francisco, CA 94105

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

  

Washington, DC 20429

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes.

 

2. Affiliations with Obligor.

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None.

 

16. List of Exhibits.

Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Act”) and 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).

 

  1. A copy of the articles of association of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948 and Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).

 

  2. A copy of certificate of authority of the trustee to commence business. (Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

 

  3. A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers (Exhibit 3 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).

 

- 2 -


  4. A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-162713).

 

  6. The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).

 

  7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

- 3 -


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Houston, and State of Texas, on the 8th day of March, 2017.

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
By:  

/s/ Rafael Martinez

  Name:   Rafael Martinez
  Title:   Vice President

 

- 4 -


EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

of 400 South Hope Street, Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90071

At the close of business December 31, 2016, published in accordance with Federal regulatory authority instructions.

 

     Dollar amounts
in thousands
 

ASSETS

  

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

  

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

     1,645  

Interest-bearing balances

     278,360  

Securities:

  

Held-to-maturity securities

     0  

Available-for-sale securities

     719,638  

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

  

Federal funds sold

     0  

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     0  

Loans and lease financing receivables:

  

Loans and leases held for sale

     0  

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

     0  

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

     0  

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

     0  

Trading assets

     0  

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

     11,405  

Other real estate owned

     0  

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

     0  

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

     0  

Intangible assets:

  

Goodwill

     856,313  

Other intangible assets

     50,819  

Other assets

     187,830  

Total assets

   $ 2,106,010  

 

1


LIABILITIES

  

Deposits:

  

In domestic offices

     616  

Noninterest-bearing

     616  

Interest-bearing

     0  

Not applicable

  

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

  

Federal funds purchased

     0  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     0  

Trading liabilities

     0  

Other borrowed money:

  

(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

     0  

Not applicable

  

Not applicable

  

Subordinated notes and debentures

     0  

Other liabilities

     292,769  

Total liabilities

     293,385  

Not applicable

  

EQUITY CAPITAL

  

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

     0  

Common stock

     1,000  

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

     1,122,729  

Not available

  

Retained earnings

     690,002  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     -1,106  

Other equity capital components

     0  

Not available

  

Total bank equity capital

     1,812,625  

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

     0  

Total equity capital

     1,812,625  

Total liabilities and equity capital

     2,106,010  

I, Matthew J. McNulty, CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that the Reports of Condition and Income (including the supporting schedules) for this report date have been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

Matthew J. McNulty   )    CFO

We, the undersigned directors (trustees), attest to the correctness of the Report of Condition (including the supporting schedules) for this report date and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

Antonio I. Portuondo, President   )   
William D. Lindelof, Director   )    Directors (Trustees)
Alphonse J. Briand, Director   )   

 

2

Exhibit 99.1

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

Letter of Transmittal

Offer to Exchange

$624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021

for

$624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)

$433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023

for

$433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 that have been registered under the Securities Act

$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026

for

$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 that have been registered under the Securities Act

$700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046

for

$700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 that have been registered under the Securities Act

Pursuant to the Exchange Offer and Prospectus dated             , 2017

The exchange agent for the exchange offer is:

Global Bondholder Services Corporation

By Regular, Registered or Certified Mail, By Overnight Courier or By Hand

Global Bondholder Services Corporation

65 Broadway – Suite 404

New York, New York 10006

 

By Facsimile:

(212) 430-3775 or

(212) 430-3779

  

For Information, Call:

Banks and Brokers: (212) 430-3774

Toll Free: (866) 470-3800

The exchange offer and withdrawal rights for each series of notes will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on             , 2017, unless extended (the “Expiration Date”). Tenders of a series of notes may be withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date for that series of notes.


Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal to an address other than as set forth above, or transmission of instructions via a facsimile to a number other than as listed above, will not constitute a valid delivery.

The instructions contained herein should be read carefully before this Letter of Transmittal is completed.

The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the prospectus, dated             , 2017 (the “Prospectus”), of Westlake Chemical Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and this Letter of Transmittal (the “Letter of Transmittal”), which together describe the Company’s offer (the “exchange offer”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), to exchange: (i) up to $624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (CUSIP Nos. 960413 AL6 (Rule 144A) U96060 AD7 (Regulation S)) (the “Outstanding 2021 Notes”) for a like principal amount of the Company’s new 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021, the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act (the “2021 Exchange Notes”), (ii) up to $433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (CUSIP Nos. 960413 AN2 (Rule 144A) U96060 AE5 (Regulation S)) (the “Outstanding 2023 Notes”) for a like principal amount of the Company’s new 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023, the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act (the “2023 Exchange Notes”), (iii) up to $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 (CUSIP Nos. 960413 AH5 (Rule 144A) U96060 AC9 (Regulation S)) (the “Outstanding 2026 Notes”) for a like principal amount of the Company’s new 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026, the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act (the “2026 Exchange Notes”), and (iv) up to $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding unregistered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 (CUSIP Nos. 960413 AG7 (Rule 144A) U96060 AB1 (Regulation S)) (the “Outstanding 2046 Notes” and, together with the Outstanding 2021 Notes, the Outstanding 2023 Notes and the Outstanding 2026 Notes, the “Outstanding Notes”) for a like principal amount of the Company’s new 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046, the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act (the “2046 Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2021 Exchange Notes, the 2023 Exchange Notes and the 2026 Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes” and, the Exchange Notes, together with the Outstanding Notes, the “Notes”). The exchange offer consists of separate, independent offers to exchange the Exchange Notes of each series for Outstanding Notes of the corresponding series. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meaning given to them in the Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented.

The Company reserves the right, at any time or from time to time, to extend the period of time during which the exchange offer for any series of Outstanding Notes is open, at its discretion, in which event the term “Expiration Date” shall mean the latest date to which the exchange offer for such series of Outstanding Notes is extended. The Company reserves the right to extend such period for each series of Outstanding Notes independently. The Company will notify the Exchange Agent of any such extension. The Company will notify the holders of Outstanding Notes of any such extension via a press release issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.

This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by a holder of Outstanding Notes either if (a) certificates for such Outstanding Notes are to be forwarded herewith or (b) a tender of Outstanding Notes is to be made by book-entry transfer to the account of Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the Exchange Agent for the exchange offer, at The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth under “The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering” in the Prospectus. Certificates or book-entry confirmation of the transfer of Outstanding Notes into the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC, as well as this Letter of Transmittal or a facsimile hereof, properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date for the applicable series of Outstanding Notes. Tenders by book-entry transfer may also be made by delivering an agent’s message in lieu of this Letter of Transmittal. The term “book-entry confirmation” means a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Outstanding

 

2


Notes into the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC. The term “agent’s message” means a message to the Exchange Agent by DTC which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment that the tendering holder agrees to be bound by the Letter of Transmittal and that the Company may enforce the Letter of Transmittal against such holder. The agent’s message forms a part of a book-entry transfer.

If Outstanding Notes are tendered pursuant to book-entry procedures, the Exchange Agent must receive, no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date for the applicable series of Outstanding Notes, book-entry confirmation of the tender of the Outstanding Notes into the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC, along with a completed Letter of Transmittal or an agent’s message.

By crediting the Outstanding Notes to the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC and by complying with the applicable procedures of DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program, or ATOP, with respect to the tender of the Outstanding Notes, including by the transmission of an agent’s message, the holder of Outstanding Notes acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the terms of this Letter of Transmittal, and the participant in DTC confirms on behalf of itself and the beneficial owners of such Outstanding Notes all provisions of this Letter of Transmittal as being applicable to it and such beneficial owners as fully as if such participant and each such beneficial owner had provided the information required herein and executed and transmitted this Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent.

THERE ARE NO GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER.

Delivery of documents to DTC does not constitute delivery to the Exchange Agent.

The undersigned has completed the appropriate boxes below and signed this Letter of Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect to the exchange offer.

List below the Outstanding Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relates. If the space provided below is inadequate, the certificate numbers and principal amount of Outstanding Notes should be listed on a separate, signed schedule affixed hereto.

DESCRIPTION OF OUTSTANDING NOTES

Name(s) and Address(es) of Record Holder(s) or Name of DTC Participant and Participant’s DTC Account Number in which Notes are Held (Please fill in, if blank):

 

Title of Series

   Certificate Number(s)*      Aggregate Principal
Amount Represented
     Principal Amount
Tendered**
 

4.625% Senior Notes due 2021

        

4.875% Senior Notes due 2023

        

3.600% Senior Notes due 2026

        

5.000% Senior Notes due 2046

        
        Total Principal Amount:     

 

* Need not be completed if Outstanding Notes are being tendered by book-entry transfer.
** Unless otherwise indicated in this column, a holder will be deemed to have tendered ALL of the Outstanding Notes represented by the Outstanding Notes indicated in the second column. See Instruction 4. Outstanding notes tendered hereby must be in denominations of $2,000 and any higher integral multiple of $1,000.

 

3


☐ CHECK HERE IF CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING TENDERED OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE ENCLOSED HEREWITH.

☐ CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

Name of Tendering Institution:                                         

DTC Account Number:                                                      

Transaction Code Number:                                                

Date Tendered:                                                                  

☐ CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.*

Name:                                                                                

Address:                                                                            

 

* You are entitled to as many copies as you reasonably believe necessary. If you require more than 10 copies, please indicate the total number required in the following space:                     .

 

4


PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the principal amount of Outstanding Notes indicated above, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the exchange offer. Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or any portion of the Outstanding Notes tendered herewith in accordance with the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including, if the exchange offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment, the undersigned hereby irrevocably sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the order of the Company all right, title and interest in and to such Outstanding Notes.

The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact, with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent is also acting as agent of the Company in connection with the exchange offer, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest) subject only to the right of withdrawal described in the Prospectus, to (1) deliver certificates representing such Outstanding Notes, together with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of the Company upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the undersigned’s agent, of the Exchange Notes to be issued in exchange for such Outstanding Notes, (2) present certificates for such Outstanding Notes for transfer on the books of the Company and (3) receive for the account of the Company all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Outstanding Notes, all in accordance with the terms and conditions of the exchange offer.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (1) the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, exchange, sell, assign and transfer the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, (2) the Company will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to the tendered Outstanding Notes, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and other encumbrances, and (3) the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby are not subject to any adverse claims or proxies. The undersigned warrants and agrees that the undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents requested by the Company or the Exchange Agent to complete the exchange, sale, assignment and transfer of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby. The undersigned agrees to all of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer.

The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby should be printed above, if they are not already set forth above, as they appear on the certificates representing such Outstanding Notes. The certificate number(s) and the Outstanding Notes that the undersigned wishes to tender should be indicated in the appropriate boxes above.

If any tendered Outstanding Notes are not exchanged pursuant to the exchange offer for any reason, or if certificates are submitted for more Outstanding Notes than are tendered or accepted for exchange, certificates for such non-exchanged or non-tendered Outstanding Notes will be returned, or, in the case of Outstanding Notes tendered by book-entry transfer, such Outstanding Notes will be credited to an account maintained at DTC, without expense to the tendering holder, promptly following the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

The undersigned agrees that tenders of Outstanding Notes pursuant to any one of the procedures described in “The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering” in the Prospectus and in the instructions attached hereto will, upon the Company’s acceptance for exchange of such tendered Outstanding Notes, constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the exchange offer. The Exchange Notes of a series will bear interest from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Outstanding Notes of the corresponding series, or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance of the Outstanding Notes of the corresponding series.

 

5


If your Outstanding Notes are accepted for exchange, then you will receive interest on the Exchange Notes (including any accrued but unpaid additional interest on the Outstanding Notes ) and not on the Outstanding Notes. The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in the Prospectus, the Company may not be required to accept for exchange any of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby.

Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” below, the undersigned hereby directs that the Exchange Notes be issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Outstanding Notes, that such Exchange Notes be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. If applicable, substitute certificates representing Outstanding Notes not exchanged or not accepted for exchange will be issued to the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Outstanding Notes, will be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under “Special Delivery Instructions,” the undersigned hereby directs that the Exchange Notes be delivered to the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned’s signature. The undersigned recognizes that the Company has no obligation pursuant to “Special Delivery Instructions” to transfer any Outstanding Notes from a registered holder thereof if the Company does not accept for exchange any of the principal amount of such Outstanding Notes so tendered.

By tendering Outstanding Notes and executing this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned, if not a participating broker-dealer, as defined below, hereby represents that: (1) the Exchange Notes acquired in the exchange offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving the Exchange Notes, whether or not that person is the holder; (2) neither the holder nor any other person receiving the Exchange Notes is engaged in, intends to engage in or has an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a “distribution” (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Notes; and (3) neither the holder nor any other person receiving the Exchange Notes is an “affiliate” (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Company or the Guarantors of the Exchange Notes.

The undersigned acknowledges that this exchange offer is being made in reliance on interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC,” as set forth in no action letters issued to third parties, that the Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the exchange offer in exchange for the corresponding series of Outstanding Notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than any such holder that is an “affiliate” of the Company or the Guarantors of the Exchange Notes within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act), without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders’ business and such holders have no arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes.

However, the SEC has not considered the exchange offer in the context of a no action letter, and there can be no assurance that the staff of the SEC would make a similar determination with respect to the exchange offer as in other circumstances. If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange Notes and has no arrangement or understanding to participate in a distribution of Exchange Notes. If any holder is an affiliate of the Company or the Guarantors of the Exchange Notes, or is engaged in or intends to engage in or has any arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the Exchange Notes to be acquired pursuant to the exchange offer, such holder (i) could not rely on the applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC and (ii) must comply with the registration and Prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.

If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes of the corresponding series, it represents that the Outstanding Notes to be exchanged for the Exchange Notes were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any offer to resell, resale or other retransfer of such Exchange Notes pursuant to the exchange offer. However, by so acknowledging and delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” (within the meaning of the Securities Act). Any such broker-dealer is referred to as a participating broker-dealer.

 

6


The Company has agreed that, for a period ending 120 days after the date the registration statement of which the Prospectus forms a part is declared effective, subject to extension under limited circumstances, it will make the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with such resales. The Company will advise each participating broker-dealer (i) when a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed or has become effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to the registration statement or the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification of the Exchange Notes for offering or sale in any jurisdiction and (iv) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the exchange offer registration statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to exchanges in the exchange offer registration statement in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

Any participating broker-dealer by tendering Outstanding Notes and executing this Letter of Transmittal or effecting delivery of an agent’s message in lieu thereof, agrees that, upon receipt of notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in (iii) and (iv) above, such participating broker-dealer will discontinue disposition of the Exchange Notes pursuant to the exchange offer registration statement until receipt of the amended or supplemented Prospectus or until the Company has given notice that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, as the case may be.

As a result, a participating broker-dealer that intends to use the Prospectus in connection with offers to resell, resales or retransfers of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Outstanding Notes pursuant to the exchange offer must notify the Company, or cause the Company to be notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date for the applicable series of Outstanding Notes, that it is a participating broker-dealer. Such notice may be given in the space provided above or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at the address set forth in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer—Exchange Agent.”

The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby.

All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred herein and every obligation of the undersigned under this Letter of Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned, and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer—Withdrawal of Tenders,” this tender is irrevocable.

THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED “DESCRIPTION OF OUTSTANDING NOTES” ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE OUTSTANDING NOTES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX.

TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS (See Instructions 2 and 6)

 

7


PLEASE SIGN HERE

(Please Complete Form W-9 on Page 19 or a Form W-8; See Instruction 10)

 

Signature(s) of Holder(s) 

 

 

 

 

Date: 

 

 

 

(Must be signed by the registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on certificate(s) for the Outstanding Notes tendered or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become the registered holder(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please provide the following information and see Instruction 6.)

 

Name(s): 

 

 

 

(Please Print)

 

Capacity (full title): 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Area Code and Telephone No.: 

 

 

 

 

Taxpayer Identification Number: 

 

 

 

GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)

(Only if Required — See Instruction 2)

 

Authorized Signature: 

 

 

 

 

Name: 

 

 

 

(Please Type or Print)

 

Title: 

 

 

 

 

Name of Firm: 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Area Code and Telephone No.: 

 

 

 

 

Date: 

 

 

 

 

8


SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS

(Signature Guarantee Required — See Instructions 2, 7 and 14)

TO BE COMPLETED ONLY if Exchange Notes or Outstanding Notes not tendered or not accepted are to be issued in the name of someone other than the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes whose signature(s) appear(s) above, or if Outstanding Notes delivered by book-entry transfer and not accepted for exchange are to be returned for credit to an account maintained at DTC other than the account indicated above.

Issue (check appropriate box(es))

 

Outstanding Notes to:

 

Exchange Notes to:

 

Name  

 

 

 

(Please Print)

 

Address:

 

 

 
 

 

 
  (Zip Code)  

 

Taxpayer Identification No. 

 

 

 

 

9


SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

(Signature Guarantee Required — See Instructions 2, 7 and 14)

TO BE COMPLETED ONLY if Exchange Notes or Outstanding Notes not tendered or not accepted are to be sent to someone other than the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes whose signature(s) appear(s) above, or to such registered holder at an address other than that shown above.

Deliver (check appropriate box(es))

 

Outstanding Notes to:

 

Exchange Notes to:

 

Name  

 

 

 

(Please Print)

 

Address:

 

 

 
 

 

 
  (Zip Code)  

 

10


INSTRUCTIONS

Forming Part Of The Terms And Conditions Of The Exchange Offer

1. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and certificates. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by a holder of outstanding notes to tender such holder’s Outstanding Notes either if (a) certificates are to be forwarded herewith or (b) tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in “The Exchange Offer—Book-Entry Transfers” in the Prospectus and an agent’s message, as defined on page 2 hereof, is not delivered. Certificates or book-entry confirmation of transfer of Outstanding Notes into the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC, as well as this Letter of Transmittal or a facsimile hereof, properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date for the applicable series of Outstanding Notes. If the tender of Outstanding Notes is effected in accordance with applicable ATOP procedures for book-entry transfer, an agent’s message may be transmitted to the Exchange Agent in lieu of an executed Letter of Transmittal. Outstanding Notes may be tendered in whole or in part in denominations of $2,000 and any higher integral multiple of $1,000.

For purposes of the exchange offer, the term “holder” includes any participant in DTC named in a securities position listing as a holder of Outstanding Notes. Only a holder of record may tender Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer. Any beneficial owner of Outstanding Notes who wishes to tender some or all of such Outstanding Notes should arrange with DTC, a DTC participant or the record owner of such Outstanding Notes to execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal or to send an electronic instruction effecting a book-entry transfer on his or her behalf. See Instruction 6.

The method of delivery of certificates for the Outstanding Notes, this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents is at the election and sole risk of the tendering holder. If delivery is by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, or overnight delivery service is recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to ensure timely delivery. No letters of transmittal or Outstanding Notes should be sent to the Company. Delivery is complete when the Exchange Agent actually receives the items to be delivered. Delivery of documents to DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures does not constitute delivery to the Exchange Agent.

The Company will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent tenders. Each tendering holder, by execution of a Letter of Transmittal or a facsimile hereof or by causing the transmission of an agent’s message, waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of such tender.

2. Guarantee of Signatures. No signature guarantee on this Letter of Transmittal is required if:

 

a. this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Outstanding Notes) of Outstanding Notes tendered herewith, unless such holder has completed either the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” or the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” above; or

 

b. such Outstanding Notes are tendered for the account of a firm that is an eligible institution.

In all other cases, an eligible institution must guarantee the signature(s) on this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 6.

3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided in the box captioned “Description of Outstanding Notes” is inadequate, the certificate number(s) and/or the principal amount of Outstanding Notes and any other required information should be listed on a separate, signed schedule which is attached to this Letter of Transmittal.

 

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4. Partial Tenders (Not Applicable To Holders Who Tender By Book-Entry Transfer). If less than all the Outstanding Notes evidenced by any certificate submitted are to be tendered, fill in the principal amount of Outstanding Notes which are to be tendered in the “Principal Amount Tendered” column of the box entitled “Description of Outstanding Notes” on page 4 of this Letter of Transmittal. In such case, new certificate(s) for the remainder of the Outstanding Notes that were evidenced by your old certificate(s) will be sent only to the holder of the Outstanding Notes as promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date for the applicable series of Outstanding Notes. All Outstanding Notes represented by certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated. Tender of Outstanding Notes will be accepted only in denominations of $2,000 and any higher integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

5. Withdrawal Rights. Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Outstanding Notes may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date for the applicable series of Outstanding Notes. In order for a withdrawal to be effective on or prior to that time, a written notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth above and in the Prospectus on or prior to the Expiration Date for the applicable series of Outstanding Notes. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the Outstanding Notes to be withdrawn, identify the Outstanding Notes to be withdrawn, including the total principal amount of Outstanding Notes to be withdrawn, and where certificates for Outstanding Notes are transmitted, the name of the registered holder of the Outstanding Notes, if different from that of the person withdrawing such Outstanding Notes. If certificates for the Outstanding Notes have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers of the Outstanding Notes to be withdrawn and the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an eligible institution, except in the case of Outstanding Notes tendered for the account of an eligible institution. If Outstanding Notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer—Book-Entry Transfers,” the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn Outstanding Notes and the notice of withdrawal must be delivered to the Exchange Agent. Withdrawals of tenders of Outstanding Notes may not be rescinded; however, Outstanding Notes properly withdrawn may again be tendered at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date for the applicable series of Outstanding Notes by following any of the procedures described in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering.”

All questions regarding the form of withdrawal, validity, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance of withdrawal notices will be determined by the Company, in its sole discretion, which determination of such questions and terms and conditions of the exchange offer will be final and binding on all parties. Neither the Company, any of its affiliates or assigns, the Exchange Agent nor any other person is under any obligation to give notice of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal, nor will they be liable for failing to give any such notice.

Outstanding Notes tendered by book-entry transfer through DTC that are withdrawn or not exchanged for any reason will be credited to an account maintained with DTC. Withdrawn Outstanding Notes will be returned to the holder after withdrawal. The Outstanding Notes will be returned or credited to the account maintained at DTC as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange offer. Any Outstanding Notes which have been tendered for exchange but which are withdrawn or not exchanged for any reason will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder.

6. Signatures On Letter Of Transmittal, Assignments And Endorsements. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s) without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

If any Outstanding Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

 

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If any tendered Outstanding Notes are registered in different name(s) on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate letters of transmittal or facsimiles hereof as there are different registrations of certificates.

If this Letter of Transmittal, any certificates or bond powers or any other document required by this Letter of Transmittal are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and, unless waived by the Company, must submit proper evidence satisfactory to the Company, in its sole discretion, of each such person’s authority so to act.

When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the Outstanding Notes listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsement(s) of certificate(s) or separate bond power(s) are required unless exchange notes are to be issued in the name of a person other than the registered holder(s).

Signature(s) on such certificate(s) or bond power(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible institution.

If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the Outstanding Notes listed, the certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed exactly as the name or names of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the certificates, and also must be accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as the Company or the trustee for the Outstanding Notes may require in accordance with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Outstanding Notes. Signatures on such certificates or bond powers must be guaranteed by an eligible institution.

7. Special Issuance And Delivery Instructions. If Exchange Notes are to be issued in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal, or if Exchange Notes are to be sent to someone other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed. In the case of issuance in a different name, the U.S. taxpayer identification number of the person named must also be indicated. A holder of Outstanding Notes tendering outstanding notes by book-entry transfer may instruct that Outstanding Notes not exchanged be credited to such account maintained at DTC as such holder may designate. If no such instructions are given, certificates for Outstanding Notes not exchanged will be returned by mail to the address of the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or, if the Outstanding Notes not exchanged were tendered by book-entry transfer, such Outstanding Notes will be returned by crediting the account indicated on page 4 above maintained at DTC. See Instruction 6.

8. Irregularities. The Company will determine, in its sole discretion, all questions regarding the form of documents, validity, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance for exchange of any tendered Outstanding Notes, which determination and interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer will be final and binding on all parties. The Company reserves the absolute right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to reject any tenders determined to be in improper form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for which, may, in the view of counsel to the Company, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive any of the conditions of the exchange offer set forth in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer” or any condition or irregularity in any tender of Outstanding Notes by any holder, whether or not similar conditions or irregularities are waived in the case of other holders. The Company’s interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto, will be final and binding on all parties. A tender of Outstanding Notes is invalid until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. Neither the Company, any of its affiliates or assigns, the Exchange Agent nor any other person is under any obligation to give notice of any defects or irregularities in tenders nor will they be liable for failure to give any such notice.

 

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9. Questions, Requests For Assistance And Additional Copies. Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address and telephone number set forth on the front of this Letter of Transmittal. Additional copies of the Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal and Forms W-9 and W-8 may be obtained from the Exchange Agent at the address and telephone/facsimile numbers indicated above, or from your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.

10. Backup Withholding; Form W-9; Form W-8. Under the United States federal income tax laws, interest paid to holders of Exchange Notes received pursuant to the exchange offer may be subject to backup withholding. Generally, such payments will be subject to backup withholding unless the holder (i) is exempt from backup withholding or (ii) furnishes the payer with its correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) and provides certain certifications. If backup withholding applies, the Company may be required to withhold at the applicable rate on interest payments made to a holder of Exchange Notes. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of backup withholding is treated as an advance payment of a tax liability, and a holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained by the holder from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”).

To avoid backup withholding, a holder should notify the Exchange Agent of its correct TIN by completing the Form W-9 below and certifying on Form W-9 that the TIN provided is correct (or that the holder is awaiting a TIN). In addition, a holder is required to certify on Form W-9 that (i) the holder is exempt from backup withholding, or (ii) the holder has not been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (iii) the IRS has notified the holder that the holder is no longer subject to backup withholding. Consult the enclosed Form W-9 General Instructions for instructions on completing the Form W-9. If a holder does not have a TIN, such holder should consult the Form W-9 General Instructions for instructions on applying for a TIN AND write “Applied For” in the space reserved for the TIN. Note: Writing “Applied For” on the Form W-9 means that such holder has already applied for a TIN or that such holder intends to apply for one soon. If such holder does not provide its TIN to the Depositary prior to the time the payments are made to the holder, backup withholding may apply to such payments. If the Exchange Agent is provided with an incorrect TIN or the holder makes false statements resulting in no backup withholding, the holder may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.

Certain holders (including, among others, corporations and certain foreign individuals) may be exempt from these backup withholding requirements. See the enclosed Form W-9 General Instructions for further information regarding exempt holders. Exempt holders should furnish their TIN, check the box in Part 4 of the Form W-9, and sign, date and return the Form W-9 to the Exchange Agent. If the holder is a nonresident alien or foreign entity not subject to backup withholding, such holder should submit an appropriate completed IRS Form W-8 (such as a Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable), signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to the holder’s foreign status, instead of the Form W-9. The appropriate Form W-8 can be obtained from the Exchange Agent upon request.

11. Waiver Of Conditions. The Company reserves the absolute right to waive satisfaction of any or all conditions, completely or partially, enumerated in the Prospectus.

12. No Conditional Tenders. No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders of Outstanding Notes, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal, shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of Outstanding Notes for exchange.

None of the Company, the Exchange Agent or any other person is obligated to give notice of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of Outstanding Notes nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such notice.

 

14


13. Mutilated, Lost, Destroyed Or Stolen Certificates. If any certificate(s) representing Outstanding Notes have been mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen, the holder should promptly notify the Exchange Agent. The holder will then be instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the certificate(s). This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen certificate(s) have been followed.

14. Security Transfer Taxes. Except as provided below, holders who tender their Outstanding Notes for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith. If, however, (i) Exchange Notes are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Outstanding Notes tendered, (ii) tendered Outstanding Notes are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal, or (iii) a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Outstanding Notes in connection with the exchange offer, then the amount of any such transfer tax (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. The Exchange Agent must receive satisfactory evidence of the payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom or the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to the tendering holder.

Except as provided in this Instruction 14, it is not necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Outstanding Notes specified in this Letter of Transmittal.

15. Incorporation Of Letter Of Transmittal. This Letter of Transmittal shall be deemed to be incorporated in any tender of Outstanding Notes by any DTC participant effected through procedures established by DTC and, by virtue of such tender, such participant shall be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted this Letter of Transmittal on behalf of itself and the beneficial owners of any Outstanding Notes so tendered.

 

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Exhibit 99.2

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

Offer to Exchange

$624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021

for

$624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)

$433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023

for

$433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 that have been registered under the Securities Act

$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026

for

$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 that have been registered under the Securities Act

$700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046

for

$700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 that have been registered under the Securities Act

Pursuant to the Exchange Offer and Prospectus dated             , 2017

The exchange offer and withdrawal rights for each series of notes will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on             , 2017, unless extended (the “Expiration Date”). Tenders of a series of notes may be withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date for that series.

To Securities Dealers, Brokers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees:

Westlake Chemical Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), is offering to exchange (i) up to $624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding unregistered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (CUSIP Nos. 960413 AL6 (Rule 144A) U96060 AD7 (Regulation S)) (the “Outstanding 2021 Notes”) for a like principal amount of its new 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Exchange Notes”), the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (ii) up to $433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding unregistered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (CUSIP Nos. 960413 AN2 (Rule 144A) U96060 AE5 (Regulation S)) (the “Outstanding 2023 Notes”) for a like principal amount of its new 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023, the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act (the “2023 Exchange Notes”), (iii) up to $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding unregistered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 (CUSIP Nos. 960413 AH5 (Rule 144A) U96060 AC9 (Regulation S)) (the “Outstanding 2026 Notes”) for a like principal amount of its new 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026, the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act (the “2026 Exchange Notes”), and (iv) up to $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding unregistered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 (CUSIP Nos. 960413 AG7 (Rule 144A) U96060 AB1 (Regulation S)) (the “Outstanding 2046 Notes” and, together with the Outstanding 2021 Notes, the Outstanding 2023 Notes and the Outstanding 2026 Notes, the “Outstanding Notes”) for a like principal amount of its new 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046, the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act (the “2046 Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2021 Exchange Notes, the 2023 Exchange Notes and the 2026 Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes” and, the Exchange Notes, together with the Outstanding Notes, the “Notes”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer and Prospectus


dated             , 2017 and in the related Letter of Transmittal and the instructions thereto, which offer consists of separate, independent offers to exchange the Exchange Notes of each series for Outstanding Notes of the corresponding series (collectively, the “Exchange Offer”).

Enclosed herewith are copies of the following documents:

 

1. The Prospectus;

 

2. The Letter of Transmittal for your use and for the information of your clients, including a substitute Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 for collection of information relating to backup federal income tax withholding;

 

3. A form of letter which may be sent to your clients for whose account you hold the Outstanding Notes in your name or in the name of a nominee, with space provided for obtaining such clients’ instructions with regard to the Exchange Offer; and

 

4. Return envelopes addressed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer.

Please note that the Exchange Offer for each series of Outstanding Notes will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on             , 2017, unless extended. We urge you to contact your clients as promptly as possible.

The Company has not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the Exchange Offer and will not pay any fee or commission to any broker, dealer, nominee or other person, other than the Exchange Agent, for soliciting tenders of the Outstanding Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. You will be reimbursed by the Company for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by you in forwarding the enclosed materials to your clients and for handling or tendering Outstanding Notes for your clients.

Additional copies of the enclosed materials may be obtained by contacting the Exchange Agent as provided in the enclosed Letter of Transmittal.

Very truly yours,

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

Enclosures

NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON AS AN AGENT OF THE COMPANY OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO USE ANY DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER OTHER THAN THOSE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED HEREWITH.

The Exchange Offer is not being made to, and the tender of Outstanding Notes will not be accepted from or on behalf of, holders in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance of the Exchange Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction.

Exhibit 99.3

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

Offer to Exchange

$624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021

for

$624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)

$433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023

for

$433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 that have been registered under the Securities Act

$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026

for

$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 that have been registered under the Securities Act

$700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its unregistered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046

for

$700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 that have been registered under the Securities Act

Pursuant to the Exchange Offer and Prospectus dated             , 2017

The exchange offer and withdrawal rights for each series of notes will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on             , 2017, unless extended (the “Expiration Date”). Tenders of a series of notes may be withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date for that series.

To Our Clients:

Enclosed for your consideration is an Exchange Offer and Prospectus dated             , 2017 and the related Letter of Transmittal and instructions thereto in connection with the offer of Westlake Chemical Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), to exchange (i) up to $624,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding unregistered 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (CUSIP Nos. 960413 AL6 (Rule 144A) U96060 AD7 (Regulation S)) (the “Outstanding 2021 Notes”) for a like principal amount of its new 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Exchange Notes”), the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (ii) up to $433,793,000 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding unregistered 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (CUSIP Nos. 960413 AN2 (Rule 144A) U96060 AE5 (Regulation S)) (the “Outstanding 2023 Notes”) for a like principal amount of its new 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023, the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act (the “2023 Exchange Notes”), (iii) up to $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding unregistered 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026 (CUSIP Nos. 960413 AH5 (Rule 144A) U96060 AC9 (Regulation S)) (the “Outstanding 2026 Notes”) for a like principal amount of its new 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026, the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act (the “2026 Exchange Notes”), and (iv) up to $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding unregistered 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046 (CUSIP Nos. 960413 AG7 (Rule 144A) U96060 AB1 (Regulation S)) (the “Outstanding 2046 Notes” and, together with the Outstanding 2021 Notes, the Outstanding 2023 Notes and the Outstanding 2026 Notes, the “Outstanding Notes”) for a like principal amount of its new 5.000% Senior Notes due 2046, the offer and issuance of which have been registered under the Securities Act (the “2046 Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2021 Exchange Notes, the 2023 Exchange Notes and the 2026 Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes” and, the Exchange Notes, together with the Outstanding Notes, the


“Notes”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer and Prospectus dated             , 2017 and in the related Letter of Transmittal and the instructions thereto, which offer consists of separate, independent offers to exchange the Exchange Notes of each series for Outstanding Notes of the corresponding series (collectively, the “Exchange Offer”).

We are the registered holder of Outstanding Notes held by us for your account. A tender of any such Outstanding Notes can be made only by us as the registered holder and pursuant to your instructions. The Outstanding Notes may be tendered only in minimum denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Letter of Transmittal is furnished to you for your information only and cannot be used by you to tender Outstanding Notes held by us for your account.

Accordingly, we request instructions as to whether you wish us to tender any or all such Outstanding Notes held by us for your account pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal. We urge you to read the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal carefully before instructing us to tender your Outstanding Notes.

Your instructions to us should be forwarded as promptly as possible in order to permit us to tender Outstanding Notes on your behalf in accordance with the provisions of the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on             , 2017, unless extended as described in the Prospectus. Outstanding Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn only under the circumstances described in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal.

Your attention is directed to the following:

1. The Exchange Offer is for the entire aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes.

2. Consummation of the Exchange Offer is conditioned upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus under the captions “The Exchange Offer—Terms of the Exchange Offer” and “The Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer.”

3. Tendering holders may withdraw their tender at any time until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date for the applicable series of Outstanding Notes.

4. Any transfer taxes incident to the transfer of Outstanding Notes from the tendering holder to the Company will be paid by the Company, except as provided in the Prospectus and the instructions to the Letter of Transmittal.

5. The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will the surrender of Outstanding Notes for exchange be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of Outstanding Notes in any jurisdiction in which the Exchange Offer or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.

6. The acceptance for exchange of Outstanding Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn and the issuance of Exchange Notes will be made as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date for the applicable series of Outstanding Notes.

7. The Company expressly reserves the right, in its reasonable discretion and in accordance with applicable law, (i) to delay accepting any Outstanding Notes, (ii) to terminate the Exchange Offer for any series of Outstanding Notes and not accept any Outstanding Notes of such series for exchange if it determines that any of the conditions to the Exchange Offer, as set forth in the Prospectus, have not occurred or been satisfied, (iii) to extend the expiration date of the Exchange Offer for any series of Outstanding Notes and retain all Outstanding Notes of such series tendered in the Exchange Offer other than those Outstanding Notes properly withdrawn, or (iv) to waive any condition or to amend the terms of the Exchange Offer for any series of Outstanding Notes in any manner. In the event of any extension, delay, non-acceptance, termination, waiver or amendment, the Company will as promptly as practicable give oral or written notice of the action to the Exchange Agent and


make a public announcement of such action. In the case of an extension, such announcement will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.

8. Consummation of the Exchange Offer may have adverse consequences to non-tendering Outstanding Notes holders, including that the reduced amount of Outstanding Notes of a given series as a result of the Exchange Offer may adversely affect the trading market, liquidity and market price of the Outstanding Notes of such series.

9. If you wish to have us tender any or all of the Outstanding Notes held by us for your account, please so instruct us by completing, executing and returning to us the instruction form that follows.

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE EXCHANGE OFFER

WITH RESPECT TO THE

$624,793,000 OF UNREGISTERED 4.625% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2021

$433,793,000 OF UNREGISTERED 4.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2023

$750,000,000 OF UNREGISTERED 3.600% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2026

AND

$700,000,000 OF UNREGISTERED 5.000% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2046

(THE “OUTSTANDING NOTES”)

THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF YOUR LETTER AND THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO THEREIN RELATING TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER OF WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION WITH RESPECT TO THE OUTSTANDING NOTES.

THIS WILL INSTRUCT YOU WHETHER TO TENDER THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING NOTES INDICATED BELOW HELD BY YOU FOR THE ACCOUNT OF THE UNDERSIGNED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE PROSPECTUS AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

Please tender the Outstanding Notes held by you for my account, as indicated below.

Please do not tender any Outstanding Notes held by you for my account.

 

Type

  Aggregate Principal Amount Held
for Account of Holder(s)
    Principal Amount to be Tendered*  

4.625% Senior Notes due 2021

   

4.875% Senior Notes due 2023

   

3.600% Senior Notes due 2026

   

5.000% Senior Notes due 2046

   

 

* UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, SIGNATURE(S) HEREON BY BENEFICIAL OWNER(S) SHALL CONSTITUTE AN INSTRUCTION TO THE NOMINEE TO TENDER ALL OUTSTANDING NOTES OF SUCH BENEFICIAL OWNER(S).

SIGN HERE

 

Signature(s)

Please print name(s)

Address

Area Code and Telephone Number

Tax Identification or Social Security Number

My Account Number with You

Date