cbt-ex101_455.htm



 

 

 Exhibit 10.1

 

 

Cabot Corporation 

2017 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN 

(effective March 9, 2017) 


	
1.
	
DEFINED TERMS 




Exhibit A, which is incorporated by reference, defines the terms used in the Plan and sets forth certain operational rules related to those terms. 


	
2.
	
PURPOSE 




The Plan has been established to advance the interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing for the grant to Participants of Stock-based and other incentive Awards to (i) enhance the Company’s ability to attract and retain employees, consultants, advisors and others who are in a position to make significant contributions to the success of the Company and its subsidiaries and (ii) encourage Participants to take into account the long-term interests of the Company and its stockholders through ownership of shares of Stock. 


	
3.
	
ADMINISTRATION 




The Administrator has discretionary authority, subject only to the express provisions of the Plan, to interpret the Plan; determine eligibility for and grant Awards; determine, modify or waive the terms and conditions of any Award; determine the form of settlement of Awards (whether in cash, shares of Stock or other property); prescribe forms, rules and procedures under the Plan and for Awards; and otherwise do all things necessary to carry out the purposes of the Plan. Determinations of the Administrator made under the Plan will be conclusive and will bind all parties. 


	
4.
	
LIMITS ON AWARDS UNDER THE PLAN 




(a) Number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Section 7(b), the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered in satisfaction of Awards under the Plan shall be 5,375,000, plus the number of shares of Stock that as of the effective date of the Plan are subject to awards under the Company’s 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan”) (which shall not exceed 2,769,538 shares) and that on or after the effective date of the Plan expire or are terminated, surrendered or canceled without the delivery of any shares of Stock, or are forfeited or reacquired by the Company, in accordance with the terms of such plan. Up to 5,375,000 shares of Stock set forth in the preceding sentence may be issued in satisfaction of ISOs, but nothing in this Section 4(a) will be construed as requiring that any, or any fixed number of, ISOs be awarded under the Plan. For purposes of this Section 4(a), the number of shares of Stock delivered in satisfaction of Equity Awards will be determined (i) by including shares of Stock withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price or purchase price of the Award or an award granted under the 2009 Plan or in satisfaction of tax withholding requirements with respect to the Award or an award granted under the 2009 Plan, (ii) by including the full number of shares covered by a SAR any portion of which is settled in Stock (and not only the number of shares of Stock delivered in settlement of such Award), and (iii) by excluding any shares of Stock underlying Awards settled in cash or that otherwise expire or become unexercisable without having been exercised or that terminate or are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to failure to vest. For the avoidance of doubt, the number of shares of Stock available for delivery under the Plan will not be increased by any shares of Stock subject to Equity Awards that are withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price or purchase price of the Award or in satisfaction of tax withholding requirements with respect to the Award, any shares of Stock covered by a SAR any portion of which is settled in stock, or any shares of Stock that have been delivered under the Plan and that are subsequently repurchased using proceeds directly attributable to Stock Option exercises. The limits set forth in this Section 4(a) shall be construed to comply with Section 422. To the extent consistent with the requirements of Section 422 and the regulations thereunder, and other

 

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applicable legal requirements (including applicable stock exchange requirements), Stock issued under Substitute Awards will not reduce the number of shares available for Awards under the Plan. The number of shares of Stock that may be delivered under Substitute Awards will be in addition to the limitations set forth in this Section 4(a) on the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan, and such Substitute Awards will not be subject to the per-Participant Award limits described in Section 4(c) below. 

(b) Fungible Share Plan. Each share of Stock subject to an Award consisting of Stock Options and/or SARs shall be counted against the limits set forth in Section 4(a) as one share. Each share of Stock subject to any other Award to be settled in Stock shall be counted against the limits set forth in Section 4(a) as 2.4 shares. 

(c) Type of Shares. Stock delivered by the Company under the Plan may be authorized but unissued Stock or previously issued Stock acquired by the Company. No fractional shares of Stock will be delivered under the Plan. 

(d) Individual Limits. The following additional limits will apply to Awards of the specified type granted or, in the case of Cash Awards, payable to any person in any fiscal year: 

(1) Stock Options: 500,000 shares of Stock. 

(2) SARS: 500,000 shares of Stock. 

(3) Awards other than Stock Options, SARS or Cash Awards: 500,000 shares of Stock. 

(4) Cash Awards: $10 million. 

In applying the foregoing limits, (i) all Awards of the specified type granted to the same person in the same fiscal year will be aggregated and made subject to one limit; (ii) the limits applicable to Stock Options and SARs refer to the number of shares of Stock underlying such Awards; (iii) the share limit under clause (3) refers to the maximum number of shares of Stock (determined without regard to Section 4(b)) that may be delivered, or the value of which could be paid in cash or other property, under an Equity Award or Awards of the type specified in clause (3) assuming a maximum payout; (iv) Awards other than Cash Awards that are settled in cash will count against the applicable share limit under clause (1), (2) or (3) and not against the dollar limit under clause (4); and (v) the dollar limit under clause (4) refers to the maximum dollar amount payable under an Award or Awards of the type specified in clause (4) assuming a maximum payout. The foregoing provisions will be construed in a manner consistent with Section 162(m), including, without limitation, where applicable, the rules under Section 162(m) pertaining to permissible deferrals of exempt awards. 


	
5.
	
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION 




The Administrator will select Participants from among those key Employees, consultants and advisors to the Company or its Affiliates who, in the opinion of the Administrator, are in a position to make a significant contribution to the success of the Company and its Affiliates, or to other individuals who would otherwise meet the eligibility conditions set forth above in this Section 5 but for the fact that they are not yet an Employee, consultant or advisor if the Company reasonably anticipates that such individuals will begin providing direct services to the Company or its Affiliates within twelve (12) months after the date of grant of the Award to such individual (and such individuals do in fact begin providing such services within that time period); provided, that for so long as the Company’s 2015 Directors’ Stock Compensation Plan (or any successor plan) (the “Directors’ Plan”) is in effect, non-employee members of the Board shall not be eligible to participate in this Plan and instead shall participate in the Directors’ Plan. Eligibility for ISOs is limited to employees of the Company or of a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” of the Company as those terms are defined in Section 424 of the Code. 


	
6.
	
RULES APPLICABLE TO AWARDS 




(a) All Awards 

(1) Award Provisions. The Administrator will determine the terms of all Awards, subject to the limitations provided herein. By accepting (or, under such rules as the Administrator may prescribe, being deemed to have accepted) an Award, the Participant agrees to the terms of the Award and the Plan. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, Substitute Awards may contain terms and conditions that are inconsistent with the terms and conditions specified herein, as determined by the Administrator.

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 (2) Term of Plan. No Awards may be made after the tenth anniversary of the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders, but previously granted Awards may continue beyond that date in accordance with their terms. 

(3) Transferability. Neither ISOs nor, except as the Administrator otherwise expressly provides in accordance with the second sentence of this Section 6(a)(3), other Awards may be transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during a Participant’s lifetime ISOs (and, except as the Administrator otherwise expressly provides in accordance with the second sentence of this Section 6(a)(3), other Awards requiring exercise) may be exercised only by the Participant. The Administrator may permit Awards other than ISOs to be transferred by gift, subject to applicable securities and other laws and such limitations as the Administrator may impose. 

(4) Vesting; Termination of Employment. The Administrator may determine the time or times at which an Award will vest or become exercisable, the terms on which an Award requiring exercise will remain exercisable and the effect of a termination of a Participant’s Employment on Awards then held by the Participant. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator may at any time accelerate the vesting or exercisability of an Award, regardless of any adverse or potentially adverse tax consequences resulting from such acceleration. Unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, however, the following rules will apply: immediately upon the cessation of the Participant’s Employment, each Award requiring exercise that is then held by the Participant or by the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, that is then not vested and/or exercisable will terminate, and all other Awards that are then held by the Participant or by the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, to the extent not already vested will be forfeited.  

(5) Taxes. The Administrator will make such provision for the withholding of taxes as it deems necessary. The Administrator may, but need not, hold back shares of Stock from an Award (but not in excess of the maximum withholding amount consistent with the Award being subject to equity accounting treatment under applicable accounting rules (including FASB ASC Topic 718 (or any successor provision))) or permit a Participant to tender previously owned shares of Stock in satisfaction of tax withholding requirements, in each case, to the extent and in such amounts as determined by the Administrator. 

(6) Dividend Equivalents, Etc. The Administrator may provide for the payment of amounts (on terms and subject to conditions established by the Administrator) in lieu of cash dividends or other cash distributions with respect to Stock subject to an Award whether or not the holder of such Award is otherwise entitled to share in the actual dividend or distribution in respect of such Award. Any entitlement to dividend equivalents or similar entitlements will be established and administered either consistent with an exemption from, or in compliance with, the requirements of Section 409A. Dividends or dividend equivalent amounts payable in respect of Awards that are subject to restrictions may be subject to such limits or restrictions as the Administrator may impose. 

(7) Rights Limited. Nothing in the Plan will be construed as giving any person the right to continued employment or service with the Company or its Affiliates, or any rights as a stockholder except as to shares of Stock actually issued under the Plan. The loss of existing or potential profit in Awards will not constitute an element of damages in the event of termination of Employment for any reason, even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or any Affiliate to the Participant. 

(8) Section 162(m). This Section 6(a)(8) applies to any Performance Award intended to qualify as performance-based for the purposes of Section 162(m) other than a Stock Option or SAR. In the case of any Performance Award to which this Section 6(a)(8) applies, the Plan and such Award shall be construed and administered in a manner consistent with the exemption of such Award as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m). With respect to such Performance Awards, the Administrator will establish, in writing, one or more specific Performance Criteria no later than 90 days after the commencement of the period of service to which the performance relates (or at such earlier time as is required to qualify the Award as performance-based under Section 162(m)). Prior to grant, vesting or payment of the Performance Award, as the case may be, the Administrator shall take such steps as are sufficient to satisfy the certification requirement of the regulations under Section 162(m) as to whether and to what extent, if at all, the Performance Criterion or Criteria applicable to such Performance Award have been satisfied. The Administrator shall then determine the actual payment, if any, under each Performance Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the


		
	
 
	
 




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Administrator may, subject to the other terms of the Plan, amend a previously granted Performance Award or take any other action that disqualifies such Award from the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m). 

(9)  Coordination with Other Plans. Awards under the Plan may be granted in tandem with, or in satisfaction of or substitution for, other Awards under the Plan or awards made under other compensatory plans or programs of the Company or its Affiliates. For example, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, awards under other compensatory plans or programs of the Company or its Affiliates may be settled in Stock (including, without limitation, Unrestricted Stock) if the Administrator so determines, in which case the shares delivered shall be treated as awarded under the Plan (and shall reduce the number of shares thereafter available under the Plan in accordance with the rules set forth in Section 4). In any case where an award is made under another plan or program of the Company or its Affiliates and such award is intended to qualify for the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m), and such award is settled by the delivery of Stock or another Award under the Plan, the applicable Section 162(m) limitations under both the other plan or program and under the Plan shall be applied to the Plan as necessary (as determined by the Administrator) to preserve the availability of the Section 162(m) performance-based compensation exception with respect thereto. 

(10) Additional Restrictions. The Administrator may cancel, rescind, withhold or otherwise limit or restrict any Award at any time if the Participant is not in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Award agreement and the Plan, or if the Participant breaches any agreement with the Company or its Affiliates with respect to non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator may recover Awards made under the Plan and payments or shares of Stock delivered under or gain in respect of any Award in accordance with any applicable Company clawback or recoupment policy, as such policy may be amended and in effect from time to time, or as otherwise required by applicable law or applicable stock exchange listing standards, including, without limitation, Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

(b) Awards Requiring Exercise 

(1) Time and Manner of Exercise. Unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, an Award requiring exercise by the holder will not be deemed to have been exercised until the Administrator receives a notice of exercise (in form acceptable to the Administrator), which may be an electronic notice, signed (including electronic signature in a form acceptable to the Administrator) by the appropriate person and accompanied by any payment required under the Award. Any attempt to exercise a Stock Option or SAR by any person other than the Participant will not be given effect unless the Administrator has received such evidence as it may require that the person exercising the Stock Option or SAR has the right to do so. 

(2) Exercise Price. The exercise price (or the base value from which appreciation is to be measured) of each Award requiring exercise shall be 100% (in the case of an ISO granted to a ten-percent shareholder within the meaning of subsection (b)(6) of Section 422, 110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Stock subject to the Award, determined as of the date of grant, or such higher amount as the Administrator may determine in connection with the grant. Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, or exchange of shares) or as otherwise contemplated by Section 7 below, the Company may not, without obtaining stockholder approval, (A) amend the terms of outstanding Stock Options or SARs to reduce the exercise price or base value of such Stock Options or SARs, (B) cancel outstanding Stock Options or SARs in exchange for Stock Options or SARs with an exercise price or base value that is less than the exercise price or base value of the original Stock Options or SARs, or (C) cancel outstanding Stock Options or SARs that have a per-share exercise price or base value greater than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of such cancellation in exchange for cash or other consideration. 

(3) Payment of Exercise Price. Where the exercise of an Award is to be accompanied by payment, payment of the exercise price shall be by cash or check acceptable to the Administrator, or, if so permitted by the Administrator and if legally permissible, (i) through the delivery of shares of Stock that have a Fair Market Value equal to the exercise price, (ii) through a broker-assisted exercise program acceptable to the Administrator, (iii) by other means acceptable to the Administrator, or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing permissible forms of payment. The delivery of shares

 


		
	
 
	
 

	
A-4
	
CABOT CORPORATION 




 



 

 

in payment of the exercise price under clause (i) above may be accomplished either by actual delivery or by constructive delivery through attestation of ownership, subject to such rules as the Administrator may prescribe. 

(4) Maximum Term. Awards requiring exercise will have a maximum term not to exceed ten (10) years from the date of grant (or five years from the date of grant in the case of an ISO granted to a 10-percent stockholder described in Section 6(b)(2) above). 


	
7.
	
EFFECT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS 




(a) Mergers, Etc. Except as otherwise provided in an Award or by the Administrator, the following provisions shall apply in the event of a Covered Transaction and Awards may be treated as set forth in subsections (1), (2) and/or (3) below, in the discretion of the Administrator: 

(1) Assumption or Substitution. If the Covered Transaction is one in which there is an acquiring or surviving entity, the Administrator may provide (A) for the assumption or continuation of some or all outstanding Awards or any portion thereof or (B) for the grant of new awards in substitution therefor by the acquiror or survivor or an affiliate of the acquiror or survivor. 

(2) Cash-Out of Awards. Subject to Section 7(a)(5), the Administrator may provide for payment (a “cash-out”), with respect to some or all Awards or any portion thereof, equal in the case of each affected Award or portion thereof to the excess, if any, of (A) the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock times the number of shares of Stock subject to the Award or such portion, over (B) the aggregate exercise or purchase price, if any, under the Award or such portion (in the case of an SAR, the aggregate base value above which appreciation is measured), in each case on such payment terms (which need not be the same as the terms of payment to holders of Stock) and other terms, and subject to such conditions, as the Administrator determines; it being understood that if the exercise or purchase price (or base value) of an Award is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock, the Award may be cancelled with no payment due hereunder in respect of such Award. 

(3) Acceleration of Certain Awards. Subject to Section 7(a)(5), the Administrator may provide that some or all Awards requiring exercise will become fully exercisable and/or that the delivery of any shares of Stock remaining deliverable under some or all outstanding Awards of Stock Units (including Restricted Stock Units and Performance Awards to the extent consisting of Stock Units) will be accelerated in full and such shares will be delivered, prior to the Covered Transaction, in each case on a basis that gives the holder of the Award a reasonable opportunity, as determined by the Administrator, following exercise of such Award or the delivery of the shares underlying such Award, as the case may be, to participate as a stockholder in the Covered Transaction. 

(4) Termination of Awards Upon Consummation of Covered Transaction. Each Award will terminate upon consummation of the Covered Transaction, other than the following: (i) Awards assumed pursuant to Section 7(a)(1) above; (ii) outstanding shares of Restricted Stock (which shall be treated in the same manner as other shares of Stock, subject to Section 7(a)(5) below) and (iii) Cash Awards that by their terms, or as a result of action taken by the Administrator, continue following such Covered Transaction. 

(5) Additional Limitations. Any share of Stock and any cash or other property delivered pursuant to Section 7(a)(2) or Section 7(a) (3) above with respect to an Award may, in the discretion of the Administrator, contain such restrictions, if any, as the Administrator deems appropriate to reflect any performance or other vesting conditions to which the Award was subject and that did not lapse (and were not satisfied) in connection with the Covered Transaction. For purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, a cash-out under Section 7(a)(2) or Section 7(a)(3) will not, in and of itself, be treated as the lapsing (or satisfaction) of a performance or other vesting condition. In the case of Restricted Stock that does not vest in connection with the Covered Transaction, the Administrator may require that any amounts delivered, exchanged or otherwise paid in respect of such Stock in connection with the Covered Transaction be placed in escrow or otherwise made subject to such restrictions as the Administrator deems appropriate to carry out the intent of the Plan. 

(b) Changes in and Distributions With Respect to Stock 

(1) Basic Adjustment Provisions. In the event of a stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares (including a reverse stock split), recapitalization or other change in the Company’s capital structure that constitutes an equity

 


		
	
 
	
 




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restructuring within the meaning of FASB ASC Topic 718 (or any successor provision), the Administrator shall make appropriate adjustments to the maximum number of shares specified in Section 4(a) that may be delivered under the Plan and to the maximum share limits described in Section 4(d), and shall also make appropriate adjustments to the number and kind of shares of stock or securities subject to Awards then outstanding or subsequently granted, any exercise prices relating to Awards and any other provision of Awards affected by such change. 

(2)  Certain Other Adjustments. The Administrator may also make adjustments of the type described in Section 7(b)(1) above to take into account distributions to stockholders other than those provided for in Section 7(a) and 7(b)(1), or any other event, if the Administrator determines that adjustments are appropriate to avoid distortion in the operation of the Plan and to preserve the value of Awards made hereunder. 

(3) Continuing Application of Plan Terms. References in the Plan to shares of Stock will be construed to include any stock or securities resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 7. 


	
8.
	
LEGAL CONDITIONS ON DELIVERY OF STOCK 




The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove any restriction from shares of Stock previously delivered under the Plan until: (i) the Company is satisfied that all legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been addressed and resolved; (ii) if the outstanding Stock is at the time of delivery listed on any stock exchange or national market system, the shares to be delivered have been listed or authorized to be listed on such exchange or system upon official notice of issuance; and (iii) all conditions of the Award have been satisfied or waived. If the sale of Stock has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Company may require, as a condition to the exercise or settlement of the Award, such representations or agreements as counsel for the Company may consider appropriate to avoid violation of such Act. The Company may require that certificates evidencing Stock issued under the Plan bear an appropriate legend reflecting any restriction on transfer applicable to such Stock, and the Company may hold the certificates pending lapse of the applicable restrictions. 


	
9.
	
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION 




The Administrator may at any time or times amend the Plan or any outstanding Award for any purpose which may at the time be permitted by law, and may at any time terminate the Plan as to any future grants of Awards; provided, that except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan the Administrator may not, without the Participant’s consent, alter the terms of an Award so as to affect materially and adversely the Participant’s rights under the Award, unless the Administrator expressly reserved the right to do so at the time of the Award. Any amendments to the Plan shall be conditioned upon stockholder approval only to the extent, if any, such approval is required by law (including the Code and applicable stock exchange requirements), as determined by the Administrator. 


	
10.
	
OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS 




The existence of the Plan or the grant of any Award will not in any way affect the Company’s right to award a person bonuses or other compensation in addition to Awards under the Plan. 


	
11.
	
MISCELLANEOUS 




(a) Waiver of Jury Trial. By accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant waives any right to a trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim concerning any rights under the Plan and any Award, or under any amendment, waiver, consent, instrument, document or other agreement delivered or which in the future may be delivered in connection therewith, and agrees that any such action, proceedings or counterclaim shall be tried before a court and not before a jury. By accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant certifies that no officer, representative, or attorney of the Company has represented, expressly or otherwise, that the Company would not, in the event of any action, proceeding or counterclaim, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers. 

(b) Limitation of Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, neither the Company, nor any Affiliate, nor the Administrator, nor any person acting on behalf of the Company, any Affiliate, or the Administrator, shall be liable to any Participant or to the estate or beneficiary of any Participant or to any other holder of an Award by reason of any acceleration of income, or any additional tax, asserted by reason of the failure of an Award to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 or Section 409A or by reason of Section 4999 of the Code.

 

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(c) Section 409A of the Code. The Plan as well as payments and benefits under the Plan are intended either to be exempt from or, to the extent subject thereto, to comply with, the requirements under Section 409A, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted in accordance therewith. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, to the extent required in order to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A, the Participant shall not be considered to have terminated employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate for purposes of the Plan until the Participant would be considered to have incurred a “separation from service” from the Company and its Affiliates within the meaning of Section 409A (after giving effect to the presumptions contained therein). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent that any Awards (or any other amounts payable under any plan, program or arrangement of the Company or any of its Affiliates) are payable upon a separation from service and such payment would result in the imposition of any individual tax and penalty interest charges imposed under Section 409A, the settlement and payment of such Awards (or other amounts) shall instead be made on the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following such separation from service (or death, if earlier). Each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided under the Plan shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Section 409A and the right to a series of installment payments under the Plan is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. The Company makes no representation that any or all of the payments or benefits described in the Plan will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A from applying to any such payment. The Participant shall be solely responsible for the payment of any taxes and penalties incurred under Section 409A or any corresponding state or local law. 


	
12.
	
ESTABLISHMENT OF SUB-PLANS 




The Administrator may from time to time establish one or more sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying applicable blue sky, securities or tax laws of various jurisdictions. The Administrator will establish such sub-plans by adopting supplements to the Plan setting forth (i) such limitations on the Administrator’s discretion under the Plan as it deems necessary or desirable and (ii) such additional terms and conditions not otherwise inconsistent with the Plan as it deems necessary or desirable. All supplements so established will be deemed to be part of the Plan, but each supplement will apply only to Participants within the affected jurisdiction (as determined by the Administrator). 


	
13.
	
GOVERNING LAW 




(a) Certain Requirements of Corporate Law. Equity Awards shall be granted and administered consistent with the requirements of applicable Delaware law relating to the issuance of stock and the consideration to be received therefor, and with the applicable requirements of the stock exchanges or other trading systems on which the Stock is listed or entered for trading, in each case as determined by the Administrator. 

(b) Other Matters. Except as otherwise provided by the express terms of an Award agreement, under a sub-plan described in Section 12 or as provided in Section 13(a) above, the provisions of the Plan and of Awards under the Plan and all claims or disputes arising out of our based upon the Plan or any Award under the Plan or relating to the subject matter hereof or thereof will be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule that would cause the application of the domestic substantive laws of any other jurisdiction. 

(c) Jurisdiction. By accepting an Award, each Participant will be deemed to (a) have submitted irrevocably and unconditionally to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located within the geographic boundaries of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon the Plan or any Award; (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon the Plan or an Award, except in the federal and state courts located within the geographic boundaries of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts; and (c) waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion as a defense or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that he or she is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that his or her property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that the Plan or an Award or the subject matter thereof may not be enforced in or by such court.

 

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EXHIBIT A 

Definition of Terms 

The following terms, when used in the Plan, will have the meanings and be subject to the provisions set forth below: 

“Administrator”: The Compensation Committee; provided, that the Compensation Committee may delegate (i) to one or more of its members or to one or more members of the Board such of its duties, powers and responsibilities as it may determine; (ii) to one or more officers of the Company the power to grant rights or options to the extent permitted by Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law; (iii) to one or more officers of the Company the authority to allocate other Awards among such persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan as such delegated officer or officers determine consistent with such delegation; provided, that with respect to any delegation described in this clause (iii) the Compensation Committee (or a properly delegated member or members of such Committee) shall have specified the class of persons eligible under the Plan to receive such Awards, the number of shares of Stock under such Awards and the consideration, if any, to be paid therefor; and (iv) to such Employees or other persons as it determines such ministerial tasks as it deems appropriate. In the event of any delegation described in the preceding sentence, the term “Administrator” shall include the person or persons so delegated to the extent of such delegation. 

“Affiliate”: Any corporation or other entity that stands in a relationship to the Company that would result in the Company and such corporation or other entity being treated as a single employer under Sections 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code, except that such Sections shall be applied by substituting “at least 50%” for “at least 80%” wherever applicable; provided, however, that in determining eligibility for the grant of a Stock Option or SAR by reason of service for an Affiliate, “Affiliate” shall mean any corporation or other entity in a chain of corporations all of which have a controlling interest in another corporation or other entity in the chain, beginning with the parent entity and ending with the entity for which the Award recipient was providing (or was expected to provide, in accordance with Section 5 of the Plan) services on the grant date of the Award (defining the term “controlling interest” based on “at least 50 percent” rather than “at least 80 percent”). The Company may at any time by amendment provide that different ownership thresholds apply (consistent with Section 409A, where applicable). 

“Award”: Any or a combination of the following: 


	
 
	
(i)
	
Stock Options. 





	
 
	
(ii)
	
SARs. 





	
 
	
(iii)
	
Restricted Stock. 





	
 
	
(iv)
	
Unrestricted Stock. 





	
 
	
(v)
	
Stock Units, including Restricted Stock Units. 





	
 
	
(vi)
	
Performance Awards. 





	
 
	
(vii)
	
Cash Awards. 





	
 
	
(viii)
	
Awards (other than Awards described in (i) through (vii) above) that are convertible into or otherwise based on Stock. 




“Board”: The Board of Directors of the Company. 

“Cash Award”: An Award denominated in cash. 

“Change in Control”: Upon the following event or events: 

(A) an event in which any “person” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) (other than (i) the Company, (ii) any subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company, or (iv) any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act), together with all affiliates and Associates (as such terms are used in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the 1934 Act) of such person, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

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 (B) the consummation of the merger or consolidation of the Company with any other company, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, at least 65% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) after which no “person” (with the method of determining “beneficial ownership” used in clause (A) of this definition) owns more than 25% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation; 

(C) if during any period of two consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of the Plan), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has conducted or threatened a proxy contest, or has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (A), (B) or (D) of this definition) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office, who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof; or 

(D) the complete liquidation of the Company or the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any case where the occurrence of a Change in Control could affect the vesting of or payment under an Award subject to the requirements of Section 409A, to the extent required to comply with Section 409A, the term “Change of Control” shall mean an occurrence that both (i) satisfies the requirements set forth above in this definition and (ii) is a “change in control event” as that term is defined in the regulations under Section 409A. If all or a portion of any Award constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A and such Award (or portion thereof) is to be settled, distributed or paid on an accelerated basis due to a Change in Control that is not a “change in control event” under Section 409A, if such settlement, distribution or payment would result in additional tax under Section 409A, such Award (or portion thereof) shall vest at the time of the Change of Control (provided such accelerated vesting will not result in additional tax under Section 409A), but settlement, distribution or payment, as the case may be, shall only be accelerated to the maximum extent possible without resulting in a violation of Section 409A. 

“Code”: The U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as from time to time amended and in effect, or any successor statute as from time to time in effect. 

“Compensation Committee”: The Compensation Committee of the Board. 

“Company”: Cabot Corporation. 

“Covered Transaction”: Any of (i) a consolidation, merger, or similar transaction or series of related transactions, including a sale or other disposition of stock, in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or which results in the acquisition of all or substantially all of the Company’s then outstanding common stock by a single person or entity or by a group of persons and/or entities acting in concert, (ii) a sale or transfer of all or substantially all the Company’s assets, or (iii) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company. Where a Covered Transaction involves a tender offer that is reasonably expected to be followed by a merger described in clause (i) (as determined by the Administrator), the Covered Transaction shall be deemed to have occurred upon consummation of the tender offer. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any case where the occurrence of a Covered Transaction could affect the vesting of or payment under an Award subject to the requirements of Section 409A, to the extent required to comply with Section 409A, the term “Covered Transaction” shall mean an occurrence that both (i) satisfies the requirements set forth above in this definition and (ii) is a “change in control event” as that term is defined in the regulations under Section 409A. If all or a portion of any Award constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A and such Award (or portion thereof) is to be settled, distributed or paid on an accelerated basis due to a Covered Transaction that is not a “change in control

 

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event” under Section 409A, if such settlement, distribution or payment would result in additional tax under Section 409A, such Award (or portion thereof) shall vest at the time of the Covered Transaction (provided such accelerated vesting will not result in additional tax under Section 409A), but settlement, distribution or payment, as the case may be, shall only be accelerated to the maximum extent possible without resulting in a violation of Section 409A. 

“Disability”: means the Participant meets one of the following requirements: (1) the Award recipient is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, (2) the Award recipient is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits under a disability plan of the Company, or (3) the Award recipient has been determined by the Social Security Administration to be totally disabled. 

“Employee”: Any person who is employed by the Company or an Affiliate. 

“Employment”: A Participant’s employment or other service relationship with the Company and its Affiliates. Employment will be deemed to continue, unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, so long as the Participant is employed by, or otherwise is providing services in a capacity described in Section 5 to, the Company or an Affiliate. If a Participant’s employment or other service relationship is with an Affiliate and that entity ceases to be an Affiliate, the Participant’s Employment will be deemed to have terminated when the entity ceases to be an Affiliate unless the Participant transfers Employment to the Company or its remaining Affiliates or the Administrator expressly determines otherwise. 

“Equity Award”: An Award other than a Cash Award. 

“Fair Market Value”: As of a particular date, (i) the closing price for a share of Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange (or on any other national securities exchange on which the Stock is then listed) for that date or, if no closing price is reported for that date, the closing price on the next preceding date for which a closing price was reported or (ii) in the event that the Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange or as otherwise determined by the Administrator, the fair market value of a share of Stock determined by the Administrator consistent with the rules of Section 422 and Section 409A to the extent applicable. 

“ISO”: A Stock Option intended to be an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422. Each option granted pursuant to the Plan will be treated as providing by its terms that it is to be a non-incentive stock option unless, as of the date of grant, it is expressly designated as an ISO. 

“Participant”: A person who is granted an Award under the Plan. 

“Performance Award”: An Award subject to Performance Criteria. The Committee in its discretion may grant Performance Awards that are intended to qualify for the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) and Performance Awards that are not intended so to qualify. 

“Performance Criteria”: Specified criteria, other than the mere continuation of Employment or the mere passage of time, the satisfaction of which is a condition for the grant, exercisability, vesting or full enjoyment of an Award. For purposes of Awards that are intended to qualify for the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m), a Performance Criterion will mean an objectively determinable measure of performance relating to any or any combination of the following (measured either absolutely or by reference to an index or indices or a peer group or select group of companies and determined either on a consolidated basis or, as the context permits, on a divisional, subsidiary, line of business, project or geographical basis or in combinations thereof and subject to such adjustments, if any, as the Administrator specifies, consistent with the requirements of 162(m)): sales; revenues; assets; costs; earnings before or after deduction for all or any portion of interest, taxes, depreciation or amortization, whether or not on a continuing operations or an aggregate or per share basis; return on equity, investment, capital or assets; one or more operating ratios or metrics; borrowing levels, leverage ratios or credit rating; market share; capital expenditures; cash flow; productivity measures; one or more working capital measures; stock price; or stockholder return or shareholder value; sales of particular products or services; customer acquisition or retention; collection of outstanding accounts or debts; safety,

 

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health or environmental affairs performance; compliance; acquisitions and divestitures (in whole or in part); joint ventures and strategic alliances; spin-offs, split-ups and the like; reorganizations; recapitalizations, restructurings, financings (issuance of debt or equity); or refinancings. A Performance Criterion and any targets with respect thereto need not be based on an increase, a positive or improved result or avoidance of loss. An Award may specify more than one Performance Goal and, with respect to any Performance Goal, may specify levels of achievement at which different levels of payment may be earned. To the extent consistent with the requirements of Section 162(m), the Administrator may establish, by the deadline that otherwise applies to the establishment of the terms of an Award, that one or more of the Performance Criteria applicable to such Award will be adjusted in an objectively determinable manner to reflect events (for example, the impact of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, mergers, acquisitions, other unusual or infrequently occurring items, and the cumulative effects of tax or accounting changes, each as defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles) occurring during the applicable performance period that affect the applicable Performance Criterion or Criteria. 

“Plan”: The Cabot Corporation 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan as from time to time amended and in effect. 

“Restricted Stock”: Stock subject to restrictions requiring that it be redelivered or offered for sale to the Company if specified conditions are not satisfied. 

“Restricted Stock Unit”: A Stock Unit that is, or as to which the delivery of Stock or cash in lieu of Stock is, subject to the satisfaction of specified performance or other vesting conditions. 

“SAR”: A right entitling the holder upon exercise to receive an amount (payable in cash or in shares of Stock of equivalent value) equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock subject to the right over the base value from which appreciation under the SAR is to be measured. 

“Section 409A”: Section 409A of the Code. 

“Section 422”: Section 422 of the Code. 

“Section 162(m)”: Section 162(m) of the Code. 

“Stock”: Common Stock of the Company, par value $1.00 per share. 

“Stock Option”: An option entitling the holder to acquire shares of Stock upon payment of the exercise price. 

“Stock Unit”: An unfunded and unsecured promise, denominated in shares of Stock, to deliver Stock or cash measured by the value of Stock in the future. 

“Substitute Awards”: Equity Awards issued under the Plan in substitution for equity awards of an acquired company that are converted, replaced or adjusted in connection with the acquisition. 

“Unrestricted Stock”: Stock not subject to any restrictions under the terms of the Award.

 


				
	



	
 
	
 
	
 




 

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