Exhibit 4.1
CHINA XD PLASTICS COMPANY
LIMITED
2009 STOCK OPTION/STOCK
ISSUANCE PLAN
ARTICLE ONE
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
This Plan is
intended to promote the interests of China XD Plastics Company
Limited (the “Corporation”), by providing
eligible persons employed by or serving the Corporation or any
Subsidiary or Parent with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary
interest, or otherwise increase their proprietary interest, in the
Corporation as an incentive for them to continue in such employ or
service.
Capitalized terms herein shall have the meanings
assigned to such terms in the attached Appendix.
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II.
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STRUCTURE OF
THE PLAN
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A. The Plan shall be divided into two separate
equity programs:
(1) the Option Grant Program under which
eligible persons may, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator,
be granted options to purchase shares of Common Stock,
and
(2) the Stock Issuance Program under which
eligible persons may, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator,
be issued shares of Common Stock directly, either through the
immediate purchase of such shares or as a bonus for services
rendered the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).
B. The provisions of Articles One and Four shall
apply to both equity programs under the Plan and shall accordingly
govern the interests of all persons under the Plan.
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III.
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ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
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A. The Board shall administer the Plan. However,
any or all administrative functions otherwise exercisable by the
Board may be delegated to the Committee. Members of the Committee
shall serve for such period of time as the Board may determine and
shall be subject to removal by the Board at any time. The Board may
also at any time terminate the functions of the Committee and
reassume all powers and authority previously delegated to the
Committee.
B. The Plan Administrator shall have full power
and authority (subject to the provisions of the Plan) to establish
such rules and procedures as it may deem appropriate for proper
administration of the Plan and to make such determinations under,
and issue such interpretations of, the Plan and any outstanding
options or stock issued under the Plan as it may deem necessary or
advisable. Decisions of the Plan Administrator shall be final and
binding on all parties who have an interest in the Plan or any
option grant or stock issued under the Plan.
C. The Plan Administrator shall have full
authority to determine, (1) with respect to the grants made under
the Option Grant Program, which eligible persons are to receive
such grants, the time or times when those grants are to be made,
the number of shares to be covered by each such grant, the status
of the granted option as either an Incentive Option or a
Non-Statutory Option, the time or times when each option is to
become exercisable, the vesting schedule (if any) applicable to the
option shares and the maximum term for which the option is to
remain outstanding, and (2) with respect to stock issuances made
under the Stock Issuance Program, which eligible persons are to
receive such issuances, the time or times when those issuances are
to be made, the number of shares to be issued to each Participant,
the vesting schedule (if any) applicable to the issued shares and
the consideration to be paid by the Participant for such shares.
Each option grant or stock issuance approved by the Plan
Administrator shall be evidenced by the appropriate
documentation.
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IV. ELIGIBILITY
A. The persons eligible to participate in the
Plan are as follows:
(2) members of the Board and the members of the
board of directors of any Parent or Subsidiary; and
(3) independent contractors who provide services
to the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).
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V.
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STOCK
SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
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A. The shares issuable under the Plan shall be
shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of Common
Stock. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be
issued and outstanding or subject to options outstanding under the
Plan shall not exceed 7,800,000 shares.
B. Shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding
options shall be available for subsequent issuance under the Plan
to the extent (1) the options expire or terminate for any reason
prior to exercise in full or (2) the options are cancelled in
accordance with the cancellation-regrant provisions of Article Two.
Unvested Shares issued under the Plan and subsequently repurchased
by the Corporation, at a price per share not greater than the
option exercise or direct issue price paid per share, pursuant to
the Corporation’s repurchase rights under the Plan shall be
added back to the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance under the Plan and shall accordingly be available for
reissuance through one or more subsequent option grants or direct
stock issuances under the Plan.
C. Should any change be made to the Common Stock
by reason of any stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock split,
recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or
other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class
without the Corporation’s receipt of consideration,
appropriate adjustments shall be made to (1) the maximum number
and/or class of securities issuable under the Plan and (2) the
number and/or class of securities and the exercise price per share
in effect under each outstanding option in order to prevent the
dilution or enlargement of benefits thereunder. The adjustments
determined by the Plan Administrator shall be final and binding. In
no event shall any such adjustments be made in connection with the
conversion of one or more outstanding shares of the
Corporation’s preferred stock into shares of Common
Stock.
D. The grant of options or the issuance of
shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall in no way affect the
right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or
otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge,
consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any
part of its business or assets.
ARTICLE
TWO
OPTION
GRANT PROGRAM
A. Exercise Price .
(1) The Plan Administrator shall fix the
exercise price per share. However, (a) if the option is granted to
a 10% Stockholder, the exercise price per share must not be less
than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the
date the option is granted, (b) if a Non-Statutory Option is
granted to an Optionee who is not a 10% Stockholder, the exercise
price per share must not be less than 85% of the Fair Market Value
per share of Common Stock on the date the option is granted and (c)
if an Incentive Option is granted to an Optionee who is not a 10%
Stockholder, the exercise price per share shall not be less than
100% of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the date
the option is granted.
(2) The exercise price shall become immediately
due upon exercise of the option and shall, subject to the
provisions of Section I of Article Four and the documents
evidencing the option, be payable in cash or check made payable to
the Corporation. Should the Common Stock be registered under
Section 12 of the 1934 Act at the time the option is exercised,
then the exercise price (and any applicable withholding taxes) may
also be paid as follows:
(a) in shares of Common Stock held for the
requisite period, if any, necessary to avoid a charge to the
Corporation’s earnings for financial reporting purposes and
valued at Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date, or
(b) to the extent the option is exercised for
Vested Shares, through a special sale and remittance procedure
pursuant to which the Optionee shall concurrently provide
irrevocable instructions (i) to a Corporation-designated brokerage
firm to effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares and remit
to the Corporation, out of the sale proceeds available on the
settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise
price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable income
and employment taxes required to be withheld by the Corporation by
reason of such exercise and (ii) to the Corporation to deliver the
certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage
firm in order to complete the sale.
Except to the extent such sale and remittance
procedure is utilized, payment of the exercise price for the
purchased shares must be made on the Exercise Date.
B. Exercise and Term of Options .
Each option shall be exercisable at such time or times, during such
period and for such number of shares as shall be determined by the
Plan Administrator and set forth in the documents evidencing the
option grant. However, no option shall have a term in excess of ten
years measured from the option grant date.
C. Effect of Termination of
Service .
(1) The following provisions shall govern the
exercise of any options granted to the Optionee that remain
outstanding at the time the Optionee’s Service
ceases:
(a) Should the Optionee cease to remain in
Service for any reason other than death, Disability or Misconduct,
then each option shall be exercisable for the number of shares
subject to the option that were Vested Shares at the time the
Optionee’s Service ceased and shall remain exercisable until
the close of business on the earlier of (i) the three month
anniversary of the date Optionee’s Service ceased or (ii) the
expiration date of the option.
(b) Should the Optionee cease to remain in
Service by reason of death or Disability, then each option shall be
exercisable for the number of shares subject to the option which
were Vested Shares at the time of the Optionee’s Service
ceased and shall remain exercisable until the close of business on
the earlier of (i) the twelve month anniversary of the date
Optionee’s Service ceased or (ii) expiration date of the
option.
(c) No additional vesting will occur after the
date the Optionee’s Service ceases, and the option shall
immediately terminate with respect to the Unvested Shares. Upon the
expiration of any post-Service exercise period or (if earlier) upon
the expiration date of the term of the option, the option shall
terminate with respect to the Vested Shares.
(d) Should the Optionee’s Service be
terminated for Misconduct or should the Optionee otherwise engage
in Misconduct, then each outstanding option granted to the Optionee
shall terminate immediately with respect to all shares.
(2) Understanding that there may be adverse tax
and accounting consequences to doing so, the Plan Administrator
shall have the discretion, exercisable either at the time an option
is granted or at any time while the option remains outstanding,
to:
(a) extend the period of time for which the
option is to remain exercisable following the Optionee’s
cessation of Service for such period of time as the Plan
Administrator shall deem appropriate, but in no event beyond the
expiration of the option, and/or
(b) permit the option to be exercised, during
the applicable post-Service exercise period, not only with respect
to the number of Vested Shares for which such option is exercisable
at the time of the Optionee’s cessation of Service but also
with respect to one or more additional installments in which the
Optionee would have vested under the option had the Optionee
continued in Service.
D. Stockholder Rights . The holder
of an option shall have no stockholder rights with respect to the
shares subject to the option until such person shall have exercised
the option, paid the exercise price and become the recordholder of
the purchased shares.
E. Unvested Shares . The Plan
Administrator shall have the discretion to grant options that are
exercisable for Unvested Shares. Should the Optionee’s
Service cease while the shares issued upon the early exercise of
the Optionee’s option are still unvested, the Corporation
shall have the right to repurchase, any or all of those Unvested
Shares at the lower of (1) the exercise price paid per
share, or (2) the Fair Market Value per share on the date the
Optionee’s Service ceased. Once the Corporation exercises its
repurchase right, the Optionee shall have no further stockholder
rights with respect to those shares. The terms upon which such
repurchase right shall be exercisable (including the period and
procedure for exercise and the appropriate vesting schedule for the
purchased shares) shall be established by the Plan Administrator
and set forth in the document evidencing such repurchase right. Any
such repurchase must be made in accordance with applicable
corporate law. The Plan Administrator may not impose a vesting
schedule upon any option grant or the shares of Common Stock
subject to that option which is more restrictive than 20% per year
vesting, with the initial vesting to occur not later than one year
after the option is granted. However, such limitation shall not
apply to options granted to individuals who are officers,
independent consultants or directors of the Corporation.
F. Limited Transferability of
Options . An Incentive Option shall be exercisable only by
the Optionee during his or her lifetime and shall not be assignable
or transferable other than by will or by the laws of inheritance
following the Optionee’s death. A Non-Statutory Option may be
assigned in whole or in part during the Optionee’s lifetime
to one or more members of the Optionee’s family (as defined
in Rule 701 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission)
or to a trust established exclusively for one or more such family
members or to the Optionee’s former spouse, to the extent
such assignment is in connection with the Optionee’s estate
plan or pursuant to a domestic relations order. The terms
applicable to the assigned portion shall be the same as those in
effect for the option immediately prior to such assignment and
shall be set forth in such documents issued to the assignee as the
Plan Administrator may deem appropriate.
The terms specified below shall be applicable to
all Incentive Options. Except as modified by the provisions of this
Section II, all the provisions of Articles One, Two and Four shall
be applicable to Incentive Options. Options that are specifically
designated as Non-Statutory Options shall not be subject to the
terms of this Section II.
A. Eligibility . Incentive Options
may only be granted to Employees.
B. Dollar Limitation . The
aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock
(determined as of the respective date or dates of grant) for which
one or more options granted to any Employee under the Plan (or any
other option plan of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary)
may for the first time become exercisable as Incentive Options
during any one calendar year shall not exceed $100,000.
C. Term of Option Granted to a 10%
Stockholder . If any Employee to whom an Incentive Option
is granted is a 10% Stockholder, then the option term shall not
exceed five years measured from the date the option is
granted.
A. The shares subject to each option outstanding
under the Plan at the time of a Change in Control shall
automatically become Vested Shares, and each such option shall,
immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control,
become exercisable for all of the shares of Common Stock at the
time subject to that option. However, the shares subject to an
outstanding option shall not become Vested Shares on an
accelerated basis if and to the extent: (1) such option is assumed
by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise
continued in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the
Change in Control transaction or (2) such option is to be replaced
with a cash incentive program of the Corporation or any successor
corporation which preserves the spread existing on the Unvested
Shares at the time of the Change in Control and provides for
subsequent payout of that spread no later than the time the
Optionee would vest in those Unvested Shares or (3) the
acceleration of such option is subject to other limitations imposed
by the Plan Administrator.
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B. All outstanding repurchase rights under the
Option Grant Program shall also terminate automatically, and the
shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights shall
immediately become Vested Shares, in the event of any Change in
Control, except to the extent: (1) those repurchase rights are
assigned to the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or
otherwise continued in effect pursuant to the terms of the Change
in Control transaction, (2) the property (including cash payments)
issued with respect to Unvested Shares is to be held in escrow and
released in accordance with the vesting schedule in effect for the
Unvested Shares pursuant to the Change in Control transaction or
(3) such accelerated vesting is precluded by other limitations
imposed by the Plan Administrator.
C. Immediately following the consummation of the
Change in Control, all outstanding options shall terminate, except
to the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent
thereof) or otherwise continued in effect pursuant to the terms of
the Change in Control transaction.
D. Each option that is assumed in connection
with a Change in Control or otherwise continued in effect shall be
appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Change in Control,
to apply to the number and class of securities which would have
been issuable to the Optionee in consummation of such Change in
Control, had the option been exercised immediately prior to such
Change in Control. Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to
(1) the number and class of securities available for issuance under
the Plan following the consummation of such Change in Control and
(2) the exercise price payable per share under each outstanding
option, provided the aggregate exercise price payable for
such securities shall remain the same. To the extent the holders of
the Common Stock receive cash consideration for their Common Stock
in consummation of the Change in Control, the successor corporation
may, in connection with the assumption of the outstanding options
under this Plan, substitute one or more shares of its own common
stock with a fair market value equivalent to the cash consideration
paid per share of Common Stock in such Change in
Control.
E. The Plan Administrator shall have the
discretion, exercisable either at the time the option is granted or
at any time while the option remains outstanding, to structure one
or more options so that the option shall become immediately
exercisable and some or all of the shares subject to those options
shall automatically become Vested Shares (and some or all of the
repurchase rights of the Corporation with respect to the Unvested
Shares subject to those options shall immediately terminate) upon
the occurrence of a Change in Control or another specified event,
or the Optionee’s Involuntary Termination within a designated
period following a specified event.
F. In addition, the Plan Administrator may
provide that one or more of the Corporation’s outstanding
repurchase rights with respect to some or all of the shares held by
the Optionee at the time of a Change in Control or other specified
event, or the Optionee’s Involuntary Termination following a
specified event, shall immediately terminate on an accelerated
basis, and the shares subject to those terminated rights shall
become Vested Shares at that time.
G. The portion of any Incentive Option
accelerated in connection with a Change in Control shall remain
exercisable as an Incentive Option only to the extent the
applicable $100,000 limitation set forth in Section II.C. of
Article Two is not exceeded. To the extent such dollar limitation
is exceeded, the accelerated portion of such option shall be
exercisable as a Non-Statutory Option under the federal tax
laws.
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IV.
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CANCELLATION
AND REGRANT OF OPTIONS
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The Plan Administrator shall have the authority
to effect, at any time and from time to time, with the consent of
the affected option holders, the cancellation of any or all
outstanding options under the Plan and to grant in substitution
therefor new options covering the same or different number of
shares of Common Stock.
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ARTICLE THREE
STOCK ISSUANCE
PROGRAM
A. Purchase Price .
(1) The Plan Administrator shall fix the
purchase price per share. However, if shares are issued under the
Stock Issuance Program to a 10% Stockholder, then the purchase
price per share shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market
Value per share of Common Stock on the date of issuance or (b) if
shares are issued under the Stock Issuance Program to a Participant
who is not a 10% Stockholder, then the purchase price per share
shall not be less than 85% of the Fair Market Value per share of
Common Stock on the date of issuance.
(2) Shares of Common Stock may be issued under
the Stock Issuance Program for any of the following items of
consideration which the Plan Administrator may deem appropriate in
each individual instance:
(a) cash or check made payable to the
Corporation,
(b) past services rendered to the Corporation
(or any Parent or Subsidiary), or
(c) a promissory note to the extent permitted by
Section I of Article Four.
B. Vesting Provisions .
(1) Shares of Common Stock issued under the
Stock Issuance Program may, in the discretion of the Plan
Administrator, be Vested Shares or may vest in one or more
installments over the Participant’s period of Service or upon
attainment of specified performance objectives. However, the Plan
Administrator may not impose a vesting schedule upon any shares of
Common Stock issued under the Stock Issuance Program which is more
restrictive than 20% per year vesting, with the initial vesting to
occur no later than one year after the shares are issued. Such
limitation shall not apply to shares issued to individuals who are
officers, independent consultants or directors of the
Corporation.
(2) Any new, substituted or additional
securities or other property (including money paid other than as a
regular cash dividend) which the Participant may have the right to
receive with respect to the Participant’s Unvested Shares by
reason of any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split,
recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or
other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class
without the Corporation’s receipt of consideration shall be
issued subject to (a) the same vesting requirements applicable to
the Participant’s Unvested Shares treated as if acquired on
the same date as the Unvested Shares and (b) such escrow
arrangements as the Plan Administrator shall deem
appropriate.
(3) The Participant shall have full stockholder
rights with respect to any shares of Common Stock issued to the
Participant under the Stock Issuance Program, whether or not the
Participant’s interest in those shares is vested.
Accordingly, the Participant shall have the right to vote such
shares and to receive any regular cash dividends paid on such
shares.
(4) Should the Participant cease to remain in
Service while holding one or more Unvested Shares issued under the
Stock Issuance Program or should the performance objectives not be
attained with respect to one or more such Unvested Shares, then the
Corporation shall have the right to repurchase the Unvested Shares
at the lower of (a) the purchase price paid per share or (b)
the Fair Market Value per share on the date Participant’s
Service ceased or the performance objective was not attained. The
terms upon which such repurchase right shall be exercisable shall
be established by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the
document evidencing such repurchase right. Any repurchase must be
made in compliance with the relevant provisions of New York
law.
(5) The Plan Administrator may in its discretion
waive the surrender and cancellation of one or more Unvested Shares
(or other assets attributable thereto) which would otherwise occur
upon the non-completion of the vesting schedule applicable to those
shares. Such waiver shall result in the immediate vesting of the
Participant’s interest in the shares of Common Stock as to
which the waiver applies. Such waiver may be effected at any time,
whether before or after the Participant’s Service ceases or
he or she attains the applicable performance objectives.
A. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control,
all outstanding repurchase rights under the Stock Issuance Program
shall terminate automatically, and the shares of Common Stock
subject to those terminated rights shall immediately become Vested
Shares, except to the extent: (1) those repurchase rights are
assigned to the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or
otherwise continued in effect pursuant to the terms of the Change
in Control transaction, (2) the property (including cash payments)
issued with respect to the Unvested Shares is held in escrow and
released in accordance with the vesting schedule in effect for the
Unvested Shares pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control
transaction, or (3) such accelerated vesting is precluded by other
limitations imposed by the Plan Administrator.
B. The Plan Administrator shall have the
discretionary authority, exercisable either at the time the
Unvested Shares are issued or any time while the
Corporation’s repurchase rights with respect to those shares
remain outstanding, to provide that those rights shall
automatically terminate in whole or in part on an accelerated
basis, and some or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to
those terminated rights shall immediately become Vested Shares, in
the event of a Change of Control or other event or the
Participant’s Service is terminated by reason of an
Involuntary Termination within a designated period following a
Change in Control or any other specified event.
ARTICLE FOUR
MISCELLANEOUS
The Plan Administrator may permit any Optionee
or Participant to pay the option exercise price under the Option
Grant Program or the purchase price for shares issued under the
Stock Issuance Program by delivering a full-recourse, interest
bearing promissory note secured by the purchased shares. The Plan
Administrator, after considering the potential adverse tax and
accounting consequences, shall set the remaining terms of the note.
In no event may the maximum credit available to the Optionee or
Participant exceed the sum of (A) the aggregate option exercise
price or purchase price payable for the purchased shares (less the
par value of those shares) plus (B) any applicable income and
employment tax liability incurred by the Optionee or the
Participant in connection with the option exercise or share
purchase.
The Corporation shall have the right of first
refusal with respect to any proposed disposition by the Optionee or
Participant (or any successor in interest) of any shares of Common
Stock issued under the Plan. Such right of first refusal shall be
exercisable and lapse in accordance with the terms established by
the Plan Administrator and set forth in the document evidencing
such right.
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III.
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SHARE
ESCROW/LEGENDS
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Unvested Shares may, in the Plan
Administrator’s discretion, be held in escrow by the
Corporation until the Unvested Shares vest or may be issued
directly to the Participant or Optionee with restrictive legends on
the certificates evidencing the fact that the Participant or
Optionee does not have a vested right to them.
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IV.
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EFFECTIVE
DATE AND TERM OF PLAN
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A. The Plan shall become effective when adopted
by the Board, but no option granted under the Plan may be
exercised, and no shares shall be issued under the Plan, until the
Corporation’s stockholders approve the Plan. If such
stockholder approval is not obtained within twelve months after the
date of the Board’s adoption of the Plan, then all options
previously granted under the Plan shall terminate, and no further
options shall be granted and no shares shall be issued under the
Plan. Subject to such limitation, the Plan Administrator may grant
options and issue shares under the Plan at any time after the
effective date of the Plan and before the date fixed herein for
termination of the Plan.
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B. The Plan shall terminate upon the
earlier of (1) the expiration of the ten year period
measured from the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or (2)
termination by the Board. All options and unvested stock issuances
outstanding at the time of the termination of the Plan shall
continue in effect in accordance with the provisions of the
documents evidencing those options or issuances.
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V.
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AMENDMENT OR
TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
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A. The Board shall have complete and exclusive
power and authority to amend or terminate the Plan or any awards
made thereunder in any or all respects. However, no such amendment
or termination shall adversely affect the rights and obligations
with respect to options or unvested stock issuances at the time
outstanding under the Plan unless the Optionee or the Participant
consents to such amendment or termination. In addition, certain
amendments may require stockholder approval pursuant to applicable
laws and regulations.
B. Although there may be adverse accounting
consequences to doing so, options may be granted under the Option
Grant Program and shares may be issued under the Stock Issuance
Program which are in each instance in excess of the number of
shares of Common Stock then available for issuance under the Plan,
provided any excess shares actually issued under those programs
shall be held in escrow until there is obtained stockholder
approval of an amendment sufficiently increasing the number of
shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan. If
such stockholder approval is not obtained within twelve months
after the date the first such excess grants or issuances are made,
then (1) any unexercised options granted on the basis of such
excess shares shall terminate and (2) the Corporation shall
promptly refund to the Optionees and the Participants the exercise
or purchase price paid for any excess shares issued under the Plan
and held in escrow, together with interest (at the applicable Short
Term Federal Rate) for the period the shares were held in escrow,
and such shares shall thereupon be automatically
cancelled.
Any cash proceeds received by the Corporation
from the sale of shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be
used for any corporate purpose.
The Corporation’s obligation to deliver
shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of any options granted
under the Plan or upon the issuance or vesting of any shares issued
under the Plan shall be subject to the satisfaction of all
applicable income and employment tax withholding
requirements.
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VIII.
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REGULATORY
APPROVALS
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The implementation of the Plan, the granting of
any options under the Plan and the issuance of any shares of Common
Stock (A) upon the exercise of any option or (B) under the Stock
Issuance Program shall be subject to the Corporation’s
procurement of all approvals and permits required by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction over the Plan, the options granted
under it and the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to
it.
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IX.
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NO
EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE RIGHTS
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Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon the
Optionee or the Participant any right to continue in Service for
any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise
restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation (or any Parent or
Subsidiary employing or retaining such person) or of the Optionee
or the Participant, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by
each, to terminate such person’s Service at any time for any
reason, with or without cause.
The Corporation shall deliver a balance sheet
and an income statement at least annually to each individual
holding an outstanding option granted or shares issued under the
Plan, unless such individual is a key Employee whose duties in
connection with the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary)
assure such individual access to equivalent information.
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The maximum number of shares of Common Stock
that may be issued over the term of the Plan together with the
total number of shares of Common Stock provided for under any stock
bonus or similar plan of the Corporation shall not exceed
30’% of the then outstanding shares (on an as if converted
basis) of the Corporation unless a percentage higher than 30% is
approved by at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the
Corporation entitled to vote on such matter.
APPENDIX
The following definitions shall be in effect
under the Plan:
A. Board shall mean the
Corporation’s Board of Directors.
B. Change in Control shall mean a
change in ownership or control of the Corporation effected through
any of the following transactions:
(i) a stockholder-approved merger, consolidation
or other reorganization in which securities representing more than
50% of the total combined voting power of the Corporation’s
outstanding securities are beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by a person or persons different from the person or
persons who beneficially owned those securities immediately prior
to such transaction;
(ii) a stockholder-approved sale, transfer or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the
Corporation’s assets; or
(iii) the acquisition, directly or indirectly,
by any person or related group of persons (other than the
Corporation or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with, the Corporation),
of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13-d3 of the
1934 Act) of securities possessing more than 50% of the total
combined voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding
securities from a person or persons other than the
Corporation.
In no event shall any public offering of the
Corporation’s securities be deemed to constitute a Change in
Control. In no event shall a merger of the Corporation’s
Parent with the Corporation constitute a Change in
Control.
C. Code shall mean the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
D. Committee shall mean a
committee of one or more Board members appointed by the Board to
exercise one or more administrative functions under the
Plan.
E. Common Stock shall mean the
Corporation’s common stock.
F. Corporation shall mean China XD
Plastics Company Limited, a Nevada corporation, or the successor to
all or substantially all of the assets or the voting stock of China
XD Plastics Company Limited which has assumed the Plan.
G. Disability shall mean the
inability of the Optionee or the Participant to engage in any
substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically
determinable physical or mental impairment that is expected to
result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for a
continuous period of twelve months or more.
H. Employee shall mean an
individual who is in the employ of the Corporation (or any Parent
or Subsidiary), subject to the control and direction of the
employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner
and method of performance.
I. Exercise Date shall mean the
date on which the option has been exercised in accordance with the
applicable option documentation.
J. Fair Market Value per share of
Common Stock on any relevant date shall be determined in accordance
with the following provisions:
(i) If the Common Stock is at the time listed on
the Nasdaq Stock Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be the
closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in
question, as such price is reported by the National Association of
Securities Dealers on the Nasdaq Stock Market and published in
The Wall Street Journal . If there is no closing selling
price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair
Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last
preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(ii) If the Common Stock is at the time listed
on any stock exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the
closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in
question on the stock exchange determined by the Plan Administrator
to be the primary market for the Common Stock, as such price is
officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on such
exchange and published in The Wall Street Journal . If there
is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in
question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling
price on the last preceding date for which such quotation
exists.
(iii) If the Common Stock is at the time neither
listed on any stock exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, then the
Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Plan Administrator
after taking into account such factors as the Plan Administrator
shall deem appropriate but shall be determined without regard to
any restriction other than a restriction which, by its term will
never lapse.
K. Incentive Option shall mean an
option that satisfies the requirements of Code Section
422.
L. Involuntary Termination shall
mean the termination of the Service of any individual which occurs
by reason of:
(i) such individual’s involuntary
dismissal or discharge by the Corporation (or any Parent or
Subsidiary) for reasons other than Misconduct, or
(ii) such individual’s voluntary
resignation following (A) a change in his or her position with the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) which materially reduces
his or her duties and responsibilities, (B) a reduction in his or
her base salary by more than 15%, unless the base salaries of all
similarly situated individuals are reduced by the Corporation or
any Parent or Subsidiary employing the individual, or (C) a
relocation of such individual’s place of employment by more
than fifty miles, provided and only if such change,
reduction or relocation is effected without the individual’s
written consent.
M. Misconduct shall mean the
commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty by the
Optionee or Participant, any unauthorized use or disclosure by such
person of confidential information or trade secrets of the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), or any other intentional
misconduct by such person adversely affecting the business or
affairs of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in a
material manner; provided , however , that if the
term or concept has been defined in an employment agreement between
the Corporation and the Optionee or Participant, then Misconduct
shall have the definition set forth in such employment agreement.
The foregoing definition shall not in any way preclude or restrict
the right of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) to
discharge or dismiss any Optionee, Participant or other person in
the Service of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) for
any other acts or omissions, but such other acts or omissions shall
not be deemed, for purposes of the Plan, to constitute grounds for
termination for Misconduct.
N. 1934 Act shall mean the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
O. Non-Statutory Option shall mean
an option that does not satisfy the requirements of Code Section
422.
P. Option Grant Program shall mean
the option grant program in effect under the Plan.
Q. Optionee shall mean any person
to whom an option is granted under the Plan.
R. Parent shall mean any
corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of
corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each corporation
in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the
time of the determination, stock possessing 50% or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the
other corporations in such chain.
S. Participant shall mean any
person who is issued shares of Common Stock under the Stock
Issuance Program.
T. Plan shall mean the China XD
Plastics Company Limited 2009 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, as
set forth in this document.
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U. Plan Administrator shall mean
either the Board or the Committee acting in its capacity as
administrator of the Plan.
V. Service shall mean the
provision of services to the Corporation (or any Parent or
Subsidiary) by a person in the capacity of an Employee, a member of
the board of directors or an independent contractor, except to the
extent otherwise specifically provided in the documents evidencing
the option grant.
W. Stock Issuance Agreement shall
mean the agreement entered into by the Corporation and the
Participant at the time of issuance of shares of Common Stock under
the Stock Issuance Program.
X. Stock Issuance Program shall
mean the stock issuance program in effect under the
Plan.
Y. Subsidiary shall mean any
corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of
corporations beginning with the Corporation, provided each
corporation (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain
owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing 50% or
more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in
one of the other corporations in such chain.
Z. 10% Stockholder shall mean the
owner of stock (after taking into account the constructive
ownership rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) possessing more than
10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of
the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).
AA. Unvested Shares shall mean
shares of Common Stock have not vested in accordance with the
vesting schedule applicable to those shares or any special vesting
acceleration provisions and which are subject to the
Corporation’s repurchase right.
BB. Vested Shares shall mean
shares of Common Stock which have vested in accordance with the
vesting schedule applicable to those shares or any special vesting
acceleration provisions and which are no longer subject to the
Corporation’s repurchase right.
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CHINA XD PLASTICS COMPANY
LIMITED
NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK
OPTION
Notice is hereby given of the following option
grant (the “Option”) to purchase shares of the Common
Stock of the Corporation:
Optionee : «Optionee»
Grant Date : «Grant Date»
Vesting Commencement Date: «Vesting
Date»
Exercise Price : $«Exercise Price» per
share
Number of Option Shares : «Number of Shares» shares of
Common Stock
Expiration Date : «Expiration Date»
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Type of Option:
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o
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Incentive Stock
Option
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Non-Statutory
Option
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Date Exercisable : Immediately Exercisable
Vesting Schedule : «Vesting Schedule»
Optionee understands and agrees that the Option
is granted subject to and in accordance with the terms of the China
XD Plastics Company Limited 2009 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan
(the “Plan”). Optionee further agrees to be bound by
the terms of the Plan and the terms of the Option as set forth in
the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A .
Optionee understands that any Option Shares purchased under the
Option will be subject to the terms set forth in the Stock Purchase
Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B . Optionee hereby
acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit C and a copy of the Questions and Answers
About Stock Option Grants in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
D .
Repurchase Rights . Optionee hereby agrees that the Option Shares
acquired upon the exercise of the Option may be subject to certain
repurchase rights and rights of first refusal exercisable by the
Corporation and its assigns. The terms of such rights are specified
in the attached Stock Purchase Agreement.
Representation . Optionee represents that this Option and the
Option Shares are being acquired for Optionee’s own account,
and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any
distribution.
Prior Agreements . This Notice and the Stock Option Agreement,
and the Stock Purchase Agreement when executed will, constitute the
entire agreement and understanding of the Corporation and Optionee
with respect to the terms of the Option and supersede all prior and
contemporaneous written or verbal agreements and understandings
between Optionee and the Corporation relating to such subject
matter. Any and all prior agreements, understandings or
representations relating to the Option are terminated and cancelled
in their entirety and are of no further force or effect.
At Will Service Arrangement
. Nothing in this Notice or in the
attached Stock Option Agreement, Stock Purchase Agreement or Plan
shall confer upon Optionee any right to continue in Service for any
period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict
in any way the rights of the Corporation (or any Parent or
Subsidiary employing or retaining Optionee) or of Optionee, which
rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate
Optionee’s Service at any time for any reason, with or
without cause.
Definitions . All capitalized terms in this Notice shall
have the meaning assigned to them in this Notice or in the attached
Stock Option Agreement.
Dated :
«Dated»
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CHINA XD PLASTICS COMPANY LIMITED
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By:
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OPTIONEE
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Attachments:
Exhibit
A – Stock
Option Agreement (with Addendum)
Exhibit
B – Stock
Purchase Agreement (with Addendum)
Exhibit
C – 2009
Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan
Exhibit
D –
Questions and Answers About Stock Option Grants
EXHIBIT A
CHINA XD PLASTICS COMPANY
LIMITED
STOCK OPTION
AGREEMENT
(Incentive Stock
Option)
A. The Board has adopted the Plan for the
purpose of retaining the services of selected Employees, members of
the Board or the board of directors of any Parent or Subsidiary and
independent contractors in the service of the Corporation (or any
Parent or Subsidiary).
B. Optionee is to render valuable services to
the Corporation (or a Parent or Subsidiary), and this Agreement is
executed pursuant to, and is intended to carry out the purposes of,
the Plan in connection with the Corporation’s grant of an
option to Optionee.
C. All capitalized terms in this Agreement shall
have the meaning assigned to them in the attached
Appendix.
NOW, THEREFORE , it is hereby agreed as follows:
1. Grant of Option . The
Corporation hereby grants to Optionee, as of the Grant Date, an
option to purchase the number of Option Shares specified in the
Grant Notice. The Option Shares shall be purchasable from time to
time during the option term specified in Paragraph 2 at the
Exercise Price.
2. Option Term . This option shall
expire on the Expiration Date, unless sooner terminated in
accordance with this Agreement.
3. Limited Transferability
.
(a) This option shall be neither transferable
nor assignable by Optionee other than by will or the laws of
inheritance following Optionee’s death and may be exercised,
during Optionee’s lifetime, only by Optionee.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this
option is designated a Non-Statutory Option in the Grant Notice,
then this option may be assigned in whole or in part during
Optionee’s lifetime to one or more members of
Optionee’s family (as defined in Rule 701 promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission) or to a trust established for
the benefit of one or more such family members or to
Optionee’s former spouse, to the extent such assignment is in
connection with the Optionee’s estate plan or pursuant to a
domestic relations order. The terms applicable to the assigned
portion shall be the same as those in effect for this option
immediately prior to such assignment.
4. Dates of Exercise . This option
shall become exercisable for the Option Shares as specified in the
Grant Notice. If the option is exercisable in installments, then as
the option becomes exercisable for such installments, those
installments shall accumulate, and the option shall remain
exercisable for the accumulated installments until the Expiration
Date or sooner termination of the option under this
Agreement.
5. Cessation of Service . The
option term specified in Paragraph 2 shall terminate (and this
option shall cease to be outstanding) prior to the Expiration Date
should any of the following provisions become
applicable:
(a) Should Optionee cease to remain in Service
for any reason (other than death, Disability or Misconduct), then
this option shall be exercisable for the number of Option Shares
which were Vested Shares at the time of Optionee’s cessation
of Service and shall remain exercisable until the earlier of
(i) the close of business on the three month anniversary of the
date Optionee’s Service ceases or (ii) the Expiration
Date.
(b) Should Optionee cease to remain in Service
by reason of death or Disability, then this option shall be
exercisable for the number of Option Shares which were Vested
Shares at the time of Optionee’s cessation of Service and
shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the close
of business on the twelve month anniversary of the date
Optionee’s Service ceases or (ii) the Expiration
Date.
(c) No additional vesting will occur after the
date the Optionee’s Service ceases, and this option shall
immediately terminate with respect to the Unvested Shares. Upon the
expiration of any post-Service exercise period or (if earlier) upon
the Expiration Date, this option shall terminate with respect to
the Vested Shares.
(d) Should Optionee’s Service be
terminated for Misconduct or should Optionee otherwise engage in
Misconduct while this option is outstanding, then this option shall
terminate immediately with respect to all Option Shares.
(a) Immediately prior to the effective date of
the Change in Control, the Unvested Shares subject to this option
shall automatically become Vested Shares, and this option shall
become exercisable for all of the Option Shares. However, the
Unvested Shares shall not vest on such an accelerated basis
if and to the extent: (i) this option will be assumed by the
successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continued in
effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction
or (ii) this option is to be replaced with a cash incentive program
of the successor corporation which preserves the spread existing on
the Unvested Shares at the time of the Change in Control (the
excess of the Fair Market Value of those Unvested Shares over the
Exercise Price payable for such shares) and provides for subsequent
payout of that spread no later than the time Optionee would
otherwise vest in the Option Shares as set forth in the Grant
Notice.
(b) Immediately following the Change in Control,
this option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to
the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof)
or otherwise continued in effect pursuant to the terms of the
Change in Control transaction.
(c) If this option is assumed in connection with
a Change in Control or otherwise continued in effect, then this
option shall be appropriately adjusted, upon such Change in
Control, to apply to the number and class of securities which would
have been issuable to Optionee in consummation of such Change in
Control had the option been exercised immediately prior to such
Change in Control, and appropriate adjustments shall also be made
to the Exercise Price, provided the aggregate Exercise Price
shall remain the same. To the extent that the holders of Common
Stock receive cash consideration for their Common Stock in
consummation of the Change in Control, the successor corporation
(or its parent) may, in connection with the assumption of this
option, substitute one or more shares of its own common stock with
a fair market value equivalent to the cash consideration paid per
share of Common Stock in such Change in Control.
(d) This Agreement shall not in any way affect
the right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or
otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge,
consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any
part of its business or assets.
7. Adjustment in Option Shares .
Should any change be made to the Common Stock by reason of any
stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of
shares, exchange of shares or other change affecting the
outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Corporation’s
receipt of consideration, appropriate adjustments shall be made to
(a) the total number and/or class of securities subject to this
option and (b) the Exercise Price in order to reflect such change
and thereby preclude a dilution or enlargement of benefits
hereunder.
8. Stockholder Rights . The holder
of this option shall not have any stockholder rights with respect
to the Option Shares until such person shall have exercised the
option, paid the Exercise Price and become the record holder of the
purchased Option Shares.
9. Manner of Exercising Option
.
(a) In order to exercise this option with
respect to all or any part of the Option Shares for which this
option is at the time exercisable, Optionee (or any other person or
persons permitted to exercise the option) must take the following
actions:
(i) Execute and deliver to the Corporation a
Stock Purchase Agreement for the Option Shares for which the option
is exercised;
(ii) Pay the aggregate Exercise Price for the
purchased shares in one or more of the following forms:
(A) cash or check made payable to the
Corporation; or
(B) a promissory note payable to the
Corporation, but only to the extent authorized by the Plan
Administrator in accordance with Paragraph 14. Should the Common
Stock be registered under Section 12 of the 1934 Act at the time
the option is exercised, then the Exercise Price may also be paid
as follows:
(C) in shares of Common Stock (1) held by
Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) for
the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the
Corporation’s earnings for financial reporting purposes and
(2) valued at Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date; or
(D) to the extent the option is exercised for
Vested Shares, through a special sale and remittance procedure
pursuant to which Optionee (or any other person or persons
exercising the option) shall concurrently provide irrevocable
instructions (1) to a Corporation-designated brokerage firm to
effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares and remit to the
Corporation, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement
date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate Exercise Price
payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable income and
employment taxes required to be withheld by the Corporation by
reason of such exercise and (2) to the Corporation to deliver the
certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage
firm in order to complete the sale;
Except to the extent the sale and remittance
procedure is utilized in connection with the option exercise,
payment of the Exercise Price must accompany the Stock Purchase
Agreement delivered to the Corporation in connection with the
option exercise.
(iii) Furnish to the Corporation appropriate
documentation that the person or persons exercising the option (if
other than Optionee) have the right to exercise this
option;
(iv) Execute and deliver to the Corporation such
written representations as may be requested by the Corporation in
order for it to comply with the applicable requirements of
applicable securities laws; and
(v) Make appropriate arrangements with the
Corporation (or Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining
Optionee) for the satisfaction of all applicable income and
employment tax withholding requirements applicable to the option
exercise.
(b) As soon as practical after the Exercise
Date, the Corporation shall issue to or on behalf of Optionee (or
any other person or persons exercising this option) a certificate
for the purchased Option Shares, with the appropriate legends
affixed thereto.
(c) In no event may this option be exercised for
any fractional shares.
10. REPURCHASE RIGHTS . ALL OPTION
SHARES ACQUIRED UPON THE EXERCISE OF THIS OPTION SHALL BE SUBJECT
TO CERTAIN RIGHTS OF THE CORPORATION AND ITS ASSIGNS TO REPURCHASE
THOSE SHARES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS SPECIFIED IN THE STOCK
PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
11. Compliance with Laws and
Regulations .
(a) The exercise of this option and the issuance
of the Option Shares upon such exercise shall be subject to
compliance by the Corporation and Optionee with all applicable
requirements of law relating thereto and with all applicable
regulations of any applicable stock exchange or quotation system on
which the Common Stock may be traded at the time of such exercise
and issuance.
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(b) The inability of the Corporation to obtain
approval from any regulatory body having authority deemed by the
Corporation to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any
Common Stock pursuant to this option shall relieve the Corporation
of any liability with respect to the non-issuance or sale of the
Common Stock as to which such approval shall not have been
obtained.
12. Successors and Assigns .
Except to the extent otherwise provided in Paragraphs 3 and 6, the
provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be
binding upon, the Corporation and its successors and assigns and
Optionee, Optionee’s permitted assigns and the legal
representatives, heirs and legatees of Optionee’s estate,
whether or not any such person shall have become a party to this
Agreement or has agreed in writing to join herein and be bound by
the terms hereof.
13. Notices . Any notice required
to be given or delivered to the Corporation under the terms of this
Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Corporation at
its principal corporate offices. Any notice required to be given or
delivered to Optionee shall be in writing and addressed to Optionee
at the address indicated below Optionee’s signature line on
the Grant Notice. All notices shall be deemed effective upon
personal delivery or on the third day following deposit in the U.S.
mail, postage prepaid and properly addressed to the party to be
notified.
14. Financing . The Plan
Administrator may, in its absolute discretion and without any
obligation to do so, permit Optionee to pay the Exercise Price for
the purchased Option Shares (to the extent such Exercise Price is
in excess of the par value of those shares) by delivering a
full-recourse, interest-bearing promissory note secured by those
Option Shares. The payment schedule and other terms of any such
promissory note shall be established by the Plan Administrator in
its sole discretion. However, any promissory note delivered by a
consultant or independent contractor must be secured by collateral
in addition to the purchased shares of Common Stock.
15. Construction . This Agreement
and the option evidenced hereby are made and granted pursuant to
the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event
of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, the terms and conditions of
this Agreement shall prevail. All decisions of the Plan
Administrator with respect to any question or issue arising under
the Plan or this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on all
persons having an interest in this option.
16. Governing Law . The
interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall
be governed by the laws of the State of New York without giving
effect to that State’s choice of law or conflict-of-laws
rules.
17. Stockholder Approval . If the
Option Shares covered by this Agreement exceed, as of the Grant
Date, the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued
under the Plan as last approved by the stockholders, then this
option shall be void with respect to such excess shares, unless
stockholder approval of an amendment sufficiently increasing the
number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan is
obtained in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. The
inability of the Corporation to obtain stockholder approval shall
relieve the Corporation of any liability with respect to the
non-issuance or sale of the Common Stock as to which such approval
shall not have been obtained.
18. At Will Employment . Nothing
in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon Optionee any
right to continue in Service for any period of specific duration or
interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining
Optionee) or of Optionee, which rights are hereby expressly
reserved by each, to terminate Optionee’s Service at any time
for any reason, with or without cause.
19. Additional Terms Applicable to an
Incentive Option . In the event this option is designated
an Incentive Option in the Grant Notice, the following terms and
conditions shall also apply to the grant:
(a) This option shall cease to qualify for
favorable tax treatment as an Incentive Option if (and to the
extent) this option is exercised for one or more Option Shares: (i)
more than three months after the date Optionee ceases to be an
Employee for any reason other than death or Disability or (ii) more
than twelve months after the date Optionee ceases to be an Employee
by reason of Disability.
(b) This option shall not become exercisable in
the calendar year in which granted if (and to the extent) the
aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the Grant Date) of the
Common Stock for which this option would otherwise first become
exercisable in such calendar year would, when added to the
aggregate value (determined as of the respective date or dates of
grant) of the Common Stock and any other securities for which one
or more other Incentive Options granted to Optionee prior to the
Grant Date (whether under the Plan or any other option plan of the
Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary) first become exercisable
during the same calendar year, exceed $100,000 in the aggregate. To
the extent the exercisability of this option is deferred by reason
of the foregoing limitation, the deferred portion shall become
exercisable in the first calendar year or years thereafter in which
the $100,000 limitation of this Paragraph 19(b) would not be
contravened, but such deferral shall in all events end immediately
prior to the effective date of a Change in Control in which this
option is not to be assumed or otherwise continued in effect,
whereupon the option shall become immediately exercisable as a
Non-Statutory Option for the deferred portion of the Option
Shares.
(c) Should Optionee hold, in addition to this
option, one or more other options to purchase Common Stock which
become exercisable for the first time in the same calendar year as
this option, then the foregoing limitations on the exercisability
of such options as Incentive Options shall be applied to the option
granted second.
APPENDIX
The following definitions shall be in effect
under the Agreement:
A. Agreement shall mean this Stock
Option Agreement.
B. Board shall mean the
Corporation’s Board of Directors.
C. Change in Control shall mean a
change in ownership or control of the Corporation effected through
any of the following transactions:
(i) a stockholder-approved merger, consolidation
or other reorganization in which securities representing more than
50% of the total combined voting power of the Corporation’s
outstanding securities are beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by a person or persons different from the person or
persons who beneficially owned those securities immediately prior
to such transaction;
(ii) a stockholder-approved sale, transfer or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the
Corporation’s assets; or
(iii) the acquisition, directly or indirectly,
by any person or related group of persons (other than the
Corporation or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with, the Corporation),
of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13-d3 of the
1934 Act) of securities possessing more than 50% of the total
combined voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding
securities from persons other than the Corporation.
In no event shall any public offering of the
Corporation’s securities be deemed to constitute a Change in
Control. In no event shall a merger of the Corporation’s
Parent with the Corporation constitute a Change in
Control.
D. Code shall mean the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
E. Common Stock shall mean the
common stock of the Corporation.
F. Corporation shall mean China XD
Plastics Company Limited, a Nevada corporation, or any successor
corporation to all or substantially all of the assets or the voting
stock of China XD Plastics Company Limited that has assumed this
option.
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G. Disability shall mean the
inability of Optionee to engage in any substantial gainful activity
by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental
impairment that is expected to result in death or has lasted or can
be expected to last for a continuous period of twelve months or
more.
H. Employee shall mean an
individual who is in the employ of the Corporation (or any Parent
or Subsidiary), subject to the control and direction of the
employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner
and method of performance.
I. Exercise Date shall mean the
date on which the option shall have been exercised in accordance
with this Agreement.
J. Exercise Price shall mean the
exercise price payable per Option Share as specified in the Grant
Notice.
K. Expiration Date shall mean the
close of business on the date on which the option expires as
specified in the Grant Notice.
L. Fair Market Value per share of
Common Stock on any relevant date shall be determined in accordance
with the following provisions:
(i) If the Common Stock is at the time listed on
the Nasdaq Stock Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be the
closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in
question, as the price is reported by the National Association of
Securities Dealers on the Nasdaq Stock Market and published in
The Wall Street Journal . If there is no closing selling
price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair
Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last
preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(ii) If the Common Stock is at the time listed
on any stock exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the
closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in
question on the stock exchange determined by the Plan Administrator
to be the primary market for the Common Stock, as such price is
officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on such
exchange and published in The Wall Street Journal . If there
is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in
question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling
price on the last preceding date for which such quotation
exists.
(iii) If the Common Stock is at the time neither
listed on any stock exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, then the
Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Plan Administrator
after taking into account such factors as the Plan Administrator
shall deem appropriate.
M. Grant Date shall mean the date
of grant of the option as specified in the Grant Notice.
N. Grant Notice shall mean the
Notice of Grant of Stock Option accompanying this Agreement,
pursuant to which Optionee has been informed of the basic terms of
the option evidenced hereby.
O. Incentive Option shall mean an
option that satisfies the requirements of Code Section
422.
P. Misconduct shall mean the
commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty by
Optionee, any unauthorized use or disclosure by Optionee of
confidential information or trade secrets of the Corporation (or
any Parent or Subsidiary), or any other intentional misconduct by
Optionee adversely affecting the business or affairs of the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in a material manner;
provided , however , that if the term or concept has
been defined in an employment agreement between the Corporation and
Optionee, then Misconduct shall have the definition set forth in
such employment agreement. The foregoing definition shall not in
any way preclude or restrict the right of the Corporation (or any
Parent or Subsidiary) to discharge or dismiss any Optionee or other
person in the Service of the Corporation (or any Parent or
Subsidiary) for any other acts or omissions, but such other acts or
omissions shall not be deemed, for purposes of the Plan or this
Agreement, to constitute grounds for termination for
Misconduct.
Q. 1934 Act shall mean the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
R. Non-Statutory Option shall mean
an option that is not intended to satisfy the requirements of Code
Section 422.
S. Option Shares shall mean the
shares of Common Stock subject to the option.
6
T. Optionee shall mean the person
to whom the option is granted as specified in the Grant
Notice.
U. Parent shall mean any
corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of
corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each corporation
in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the
time of the determination, stock possessing 50% or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the
other corporations in such chain.
V. Plan shall mean the China XD
Plastics Company Limited 2009 Stock Option/Stock Issuance
Plan.
W. Plan Administrator shall mean
either the Board or a committee of the Board acting in its capacity
as administrator of the Plan.
X. Purchase Agreement shall mean
the stock purchase agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit B
to the Grant Notice.
Y. Service shall mean the
Optionee’s performance of services for the Corporation (or
any Parent or Subsidiary) in the capacity of an Employee, a member
of the board of directors or an independent contractor.
Z. Stock Purchase Agreement shall
mean the stock purchase agreement in substantially the form of
Exhibit B to the Grant Notice.
AA. Subsidiary shall mean any
corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of
corporations beginning with the Corporation, provided each
corporation (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain
owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing 50% or
more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in
one of the other corporations in such chain.
BB. Unvested Shares shall mean the
Option Shares which have not vested in accordance with the Vesting
Schedule applicable to those shares or any special vesting
acceleration provisions and which are subject to the
Corporation’s right to repurchase those shares upon
termination of Service.
CC. Vested Shares shall mean the
Option Shares which have vested in accordance with the Vesting
Schedule applicable to those shares or any special vesting
acceleration provisions and which are no longer subject to the
Corporation’s right to repurchase those shares upon
termination of Service.
DD. Vesting Schedule shall mean
the vesting schedule specified in the Grant Notice.
7
CHINA XD PLASTICS COMPANY
LIMITED
STOCK OPTION STATUTORY
AGREEMENT
(Non-Qualified Stock
Option)
A. The Board has adopted the Plan for the
purpose of retaining the services of selected Employees, members of
the Board or the board of directors of any Parent or Subsidiary and
independent contractors in the service of the Corporation (or any
Parent or Subsidiary).
B. Optionee is to render valuable services to
the Corporation (or a Parent or Subsidiary), and this Agreement is
executed pursuant to, and is intended to carry out the purposes of,
the Plan in connection with the Corporation’s grant of an
option to Optionee.
C. All capitalized terms in this Agreement shall
have the meaning assigned to them in the attached
Appendix.
NOW, THEREFORE , it is hereby agreed as follows:
1. Grant of Option . The
Corporation hereby grants to Optionee, as of the Grant Date, an
option to purchase the number of Option Shares specified in the
Grant Notice. The Option Shares shall be purchasable from time to
time during the option term specified in Paragraph 2 at the
Exercise Price.
2. Option Term . This option shall
expire on the Expiration Date, unless sooner terminated in
accordance with this Agreement.
3. Limited Transferability
.
(a) This option shall be neither transferable
nor assignable by Optionee other than by will or the laws of
inheritance following Optionee’s death and may be exercised,
during Optionee’s lifetime, only by Optionee.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this
option is designated a Non-Statutory Option in the Grant Notice,
then this option may be assigned in whole or in part during
Optionee’s lifetime to one or more members of
Optionee’s family (as defined in Rule 701 promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission) or to a trust established for
the benefit of one or more such family members or to
Optionee’s former spouse, to the extent such assignment is in
connection with the Optionee’s estate plan or pursuant to a
domestic relations order. The terms applicable to the assigned
portion shall be the same as those in effect for this option
immediately prior to such assignment.
4. Dates of Exercise . This option
shall become exercisable for the Option Shares as specified in the
Grant Notice. If the option is exercisable in installments, then as
the option becomes exercisable for such installments, those
installments shall accumulate, and the option shall remain
exercisable for the accumulated installments until the Expiration
Date or sooner termination of the option under this
Agreement.
5. Cessation of Service . The
option term specified in Paragraph 2 shall terminate (and this
option shall cease to be outstanding) prior to the Expiration Date
should any of the following provisions become
applicable:
(a) Should Optionee cease to remain in Service
for any reason (other than death, Disability or Misconduct), then
this option shall be exercisable for the number of Option Shares
which were Vested Shares at the time of Optionee’s cessation
of Service and shall remain exercisable until the earlier of
(i) the close of business on the three month anniversary of the
date Optionee’s Service ceases or (ii) the Expiration
Date.
(b) Should Optionee cease to remain in Service
by reason of death or Disability, then this option shall be
exercisable for the number of Option Shares which were Vested
Shares at the time of Optionee’s cessation of Service and
shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the close
of business on the twelve month anniversary of the date
Optionee’s Service ceases or (ii) the Expiration
Date.
(c) No additional vesting will occur after the
date the Optionee’s Service ceases, and this option shall
immediately terminate with respect to the Unvested Shares. Upon the
expiration of any post-Service exercise period or (if earlier) upon
the Expiration Date, this option shall terminate with respect to
the Vested Shares.
(d) Should Optionee’s Service be
terminated for Misconduct or should Optionee otherwise engage in
Misconduct while this option is outstanding, then this option shall
terminate immediately with respect to all Option Shares.
(a) Immediately prior to the effective date of
the Change in Control, the Unvested Shares subject to this option
shall automatically become Vested Shares, and this option shall
become exercisable for all of the Option Shares. However, the
Unvested Shares shall not vest on such an accelerated basis
if and to the extent: (i) this option will be assumed by the
successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continued in
effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction
or (ii) this option is to be replaced with a cash incentive program
of the successor corporation which preserves the spread existing on
the Unvested Shares at the time of the Change in Control (the
excess of the Fair Market Value of those Unvested Shares over the
Exercise Price payable for such shares) and provides for subsequent
payout of that spread no later than the time Optionee would
otherwise vest in the Option Shares as set forth in the Grant
Notice.
(b) Immediately following the Change in Control,
this option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to
the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof)
or otherwise continued in effect pursuant to the terms of the
Change in Control transaction.
(c) If this option is assumed in connection with
a Change in Control or otherwise continued in effect, then this
option shall be appropriately adjusted, upon such Change in
Control, to apply to the number and class of securities which would
have been issuable to Optionee in consummation of such Change in
Control had the option been exercised immediately prior to such
Change in Control, and appropriate adjustments shall also be made
to the Exercise Price, provided the aggregate Exercise Price
shall remain the same. To the extent that the holders of Common
Stock receive cash consideration for their Common Stock in
consummation of the Change in Control, the successor corporation
(or its parent) may, in connection with the assumption of this
option, substitute one or more shares of its own common stock with
a fair market value equivalent to the cash consideration paid per
share of Common Stock in such Change in Control.
(d) This Agreement shall not in any way affect
the right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or
otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge,
consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any
part of its business or assets.
7. Adjustment in Option Shares .
Should any change be made to the Common Stock by reason of any
stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of
shares, exchange of shares or other change affecting the
outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Corporation’s
receipt of consideration, appropriate adjustments shall be made to
(a) the total number and/or class of securities subject to this
option and (b) the Exercise Price in order to reflect such change
and thereby preclude a dilution or enlargement of benefits
hereunder.
8. Stockholder Rights . The holder
of this option shall not have any stockholder rights with respect
to the Option Shares until such person shall have exercised the
option, paid the Exercise Price and become the record holder of the
purchased Option Shares.
9. Manner of Exercising Option
.
(a) In order to exercise this option with
respect to all or any part of the Option Shares for which this
option is at the time exercisable, Optionee (or any other person or
persons permitted to exercise the option) must take the following
actions:
(i) Execute and deliver to the Corporation a
Stock Purchase Agreement for the Option Shares for which the option
is exercised;
(ii) Pay the aggregate Exercise Price for the
purchased shares in one or more of the following forms:
(A) cash or check made payable to the
Corporation; or
(B) a promissory note payable to the
Corporation, but only to the extent authorized by the Plan
Administrator in accordance with Paragraph 14. Should the Common
Stock be registered under Section 12 of the 1934 Act at the time
the option is exercised, then the Exercise Price may also be paid
as follows:
(C) in shares of Common Stock (1) held by
Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) for
the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the
Corporation’s earnings for financial reporting purposes and
(2) valued at Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date; or
(D) to the extent the option is exercised for
Vested Shares, through a special sale and remittance procedure
pursuant to which Optionee (or any other person or persons
exercising the option) shall concurrently provide irrevocable
instructions (1) to a Corporation-designated brokerage
firm