Document:

Employment Agreement - David Davis

 Exhibit 10.9 
  
 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 DAVID DAVIS 
  
 EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) dated as of December 2, 2004 by and between KRATON Polymers LLC, (“KRATON” or the “Company”), a Delaware limited liability company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Polymer Holdings LLC
(“Parent”), a Delaware limited liability company and David Davis (the “Executive”). 
  
 In consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows: 
  
 1. Term of Employment. Subject to the provisions of
Section 7 of this Agreement, Executive shall continue to be employed by the Company for a period commencing on November 22, 2004 (the “Effective Date”) and ending on the day before the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the
“Employment Term”) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement; provided, however, that commencing with the third anniversary of the Effective Date and on each anniversary thereafter (each an “Extension
Date”), the Employment Term shall be automatically extended for an additional one-year period, unless KRATON or Executive provides the other party hereto 30 days prior written notice before the next Extension Date that the Employment Term shall
not be so extended. 
  
 2. Position.

  
 a. During the Employment Term, Executive
shall serve as KRATON’s Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer. In such position, Executive shall have the duties and authority commensurate with the position as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of KRATON
(“Board”) which will include at a minimum the Corporate Treasury, Corporate Accounting and Tax functions. Executive shall report to the President & Chief Executive Officer of KRATON. 
  
 b. During the Employment Term, Executive will devote
Executive’s full business time and best efforts to the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder and will not engage in any other business, profession or occupation for compensation or otherwise which would conflict or interfere with the
rendition of such services either directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Board; provided that nothing herein shall preclude Executive, subject to the prior approval of the Board, from accepting appointment to or continue to
serve on any board of directors or trustees of any business corporation or any charitable organization; provided in each case, and in the aggregate, that such activities do not conflict or interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties
hereunder or conflict with Section 9. 
  
 3.
Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay Executive a base salary (the “Base Salary”) at the annual rate of $325,000, payable in regular installments in accordance with the Company’s usual payment
practices. 

  

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Executive shall be entitled to annual reviews and increases in Executive’s Base Salary, if any, as may be determined in the sole discretion of the
Board. 
  
 4. Incentive Compensation.

  
 a. Annual Bonus. With respect to the first partial
fiscal year and each full fiscal year during the Employment Term, Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual bonus award (an “Annual Bonus”) equal to (i) 50 % of Executive’s Base Salary (the “Target”) based upon the
achievement of performance objectives established by the Board, and (ii) up to 100 % of the Target if such performance objectives are exceeded due to extraordinary performance, as determined by the Board, provided that, the Annual Bonus with respect
to fiscal year 2005 shall be no less than $100,000 and shall be paid in the form of a grant on April 1, 2006 of an award of Notional Units (“Notional Units”) with a notional value of $100,000 based on the value of membership unit(s) of TJ
Chemical Holdings LLC (each Notional Unit will be the equivalent of one notional membership unit of TJ Chemical Holdings LLC) and provided further that if Executive’s 2005 Annual Bonus is greater than $100,000 (based upon the achievement of
performance objectives established by the Board), the amount of the 2005 Annual Bonus in excess of $100,000 shall be payable in cash. These Notional Units will be 100% vested on April 1, 2006, provided that the Executive remains employed by the
Company through the vesting date. Distribution of membership units representing the portion of vested Notional Units shall occur as soon as practicable after the earlier of a Change in Control (as defined in the TJ Chemical 2004 Option Plan) or
termination of the Executive’s employment, provided that following a Change in Control, unvested Notional Units shall remain outstanding and continue to vest as provided above until the Executive’s employment terminates. Executive shall
execute documentation requested by the Company in connection with such award of the Restricted Units. 
  
 The Company has established a deferred compensation plan, under which Executive may elect to defer, no later than July 1st (or such later date as is provided in the plan) of the year in which the affected Annual Bonus is earned, up to 50% of such Annual Bonus which may be paid at a later date in shares or units through
KRATON Management LLC. The terms and conditions of the deferred compensation plan shall be provided in a separate plan document, which will provide, among other things, that the Board shall determine the value of the shares or units as applicable
for purposes of the deferred compensation plan. 
  
 (b) As soon as
practicable after the date hereof, the Company shall grant the Executive Restricted Units with a current value of $100,000 (the “Restricted Units”), based on the buy-in price of membership units of TJ Chemical Holdings LLC by the initial
investors in connection with the Transaction, as determined by the Board. As soon as practicable after the grant date, these Restricted Units will be recorded on the books of TJ Chemical Holdings LLC or KRATON Management LLC, as applicable, in the
Executive’s name, subject to restrictions on transferability and subject to forfeitability (as described below). These Restricted Units will vest as to 20% of such shares on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date, provided that
Executive remains employed with the Company through the applicable vesting date. Upon a termination of 

  

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Executive’s employment for any reason, any unvested Restricted Units will be forfeited. Unvested Restricted Units will become vested upon a termination
of employment without Cause or resignation for Good Reason within the two-year period following a “Change in Control” as defined in the TJ Chemical Holdings LLC 2004 Option Plan. Executive shall execute the limited liability company
operating agreements for KRATON Management LLC and/or TJ Chemical Holdings LLC or such other documentation requested by the Company in connection with such award of the Restricted Units. The Executive shall be permitted to make an election pursuant
to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended with respect to his Restricted Units. 
  
 5. Employee Benefits. 
  
 a. General. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans, as
amended from time to time, (other than bonus, incentive or severance plans) as in effect from time to time (collectively “Employee Benefits”), on the same basis as those benefits are generally made available to other senior executives of
the Company. 
  
 b. Other. During the
Employment Term, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the equity incentive plans of the Company, its Parent and TJ Chemical Holdings LLC. 
  
 c. Relocation. In this position you will be expected to relocate to Houston, Texas and will be eligible for reimbursement for
certain relocation expenses in accordance with the KRATON Experienced New Employee Relocation Policy. 
  
 6. Business Expenses. During the Employment Term, reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of
Executive’s duties hereunder shall be reimbursed by the Company in accordance with Company policies. 
  
 7. Termination. The Employment Term and Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by either party at any time and for
any reason; provided that Executive will be required to give KRATON at least 60 days advance written notice of any resignation of Executive’s employment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the provisions of this Section 7
shall exclusively govern Executive’s rights upon termination of employment with the Company and its affiliates. 
  
 a. By KRATON For Cause or By Executive Resignation without Good Reason. 
  
 (i) The Employment Term and Executive’s employment
hereunder may be terminated by KRATON for Cause (as defined below) and shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s resignation without Good Reason (as defined below), provided that Executive will be required to give KRATON at least 60 days
advance written notice of any such resignation, and provided further that KRATON may elect to waive such notice period and to pay Executive in lieu of such notice. 
  

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 (ii) For purposes of this Agreement “Cause” shall mean (A) Executive’s continued failure
substantially to perform Executive’s duties hereunder (other than as a result of total or partial incapacity due to physical or mental illness) for a period of 30 days following written notice by KRATON to Executive of such failure; provided
that it is understood that this clause (A) shall not permit KRATON to terminate Executive’s employment for Cause because of dissatisfaction with the quality of services provided by or disagreement with the actions taken by Executive in the good
faith performance of Executive’s duties to KRATON, (B) failure of Executive to maintain his principal residence in the same metropolitan area as KRATON’s principal headquarters, which is currently located in Houston, Texas, or elsewhere as
mutually agreed to by Executive and Company, (C) theft or embezzlement of Company property, (D) Executive’s conviction of or plea of guilty or no contest to (x) a felony or (y) a crime involving moral turpitude, (E) Executive’s willful
malfeasance or willful misconduct in connection with Executive’s duties hereunder or any act or omission which is materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or
(F) Executive’s breach of the provisions of Sections 9 or 10 of this Agreement. 
  
 (iii) If Executive’s employment is terminated by KRATON for Cause, or if Executive resigns without Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to receive, within 30 days following such termination with respect to
(A)-(C) below and at such time, if any, as the Employee Benefits under (D) below become due in accordance with the applicable terms thereof: 
  
 (A) the Base Salary through the date of termination, to the extent not already paid; 
  
 (B) any Annual Bonus earned but unpaid as of the date of
termination for any previously completed fiscal year; 
  
 (C) reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by Executive in accordance with KRATON policy prior to the date of Executive’s termination; and 
  
 (D) such vested Employee Benefits, if any, as to which Executive may be entitled under the employee benefit
plans of the Company as described in Section 5(a) (including, without limitation, any retirement benefits, medical, life insurance or disability benefits, accrued but unpaid vacation or other benefits Executive is entitled to pursuant to the terms
of the applicable plans then in effect (the amounts described in clauses (A) through (D) hereof being referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”). 
  

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 Following such termination of Executive’s employment by KRATON for Cause or
resignation by Executive without Good Reason, except as set forth in this Section 7(a)(iii), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits in the nature of severance or termination pay or in connection with the
termination of his employment. 
  
 b.
Disability or Death. 
  
 (i) The Employment Term and
Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon Executive’s death and may be terminated by KRATON if Executive becomes physically or mentally incapacitated and is therefore unable for a period of six (6) consecutive months or for an
aggregate of nine (9) months in any twenty-four (24) consecutive month period to perform Executive’s duties (such incapacity is hereinafter referred to as “Disability”); provided that a termination on the basis of a Disability must
occur within 90 days of the date when Executive is subject to termination due to Disability. Any question as to the existence of the Disability of Executive as to which Executive and KRATON cannot agree shall be determined in writing by a qualified
independent physician mutually acceptable to Executive and KRATON. If Executive and KRATON cannot agree as to a qualified independent physician, each shall appoint such a physician and those two physicians shall select a third who shall make such
determination in writing. The determination of Disability made in writing to the Company and Executive shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of the Agreement. 
  
 (ii) Upon termination of Executive’s employment hereunder for either Disability or death, Executive or
Executive’s estate (as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive: 
  
 (A) at the times set forth in Section 7(a)(iii) hereof, the Accrued Obligations; 
  
 (B) a pro rata portion of any Annual Bonus that Executive would have been entitled to receive pursuant to Section 4 hereof in such year
based upon the percentage of the fiscal year that shall have elapsed through the date of Executive’s termination of employment, payable when such Annual Bonus would have otherwise been payable had Executive’s employment not terminated.

  
 Following Executive’s termination of
employment due to death or Disability, except as set forth in this Section 7(b)(ii), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits in the nature of severance or termination pay or in connection with the termination
of his employment. 
  

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 c. By KRATON Without Cause or Resignation by Executive for Good Reason.

  
 (i) The Employment Term and Executive’s employment
hereunder may be terminated by KRATON without Cause or by Executive’s resignation for Good Reason. 
  
 (ii) If Executive’s employment is terminated by KRATON without Cause (other than by reason of death or Disability) or by
Executive’s resignation for Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to receive: 
  
 (A) At the times set forth in Section 7(a)(iii) hereof, the Accrued Obligations; 
  
 (B) continuation of Executive’s annual Base Salary for
a period of twelve (12) months following such termination date, (the “Severance Continuation Period”), provided that such Severance Continuation Period will be extended for an additional six (6) months if Executive has not secured
employment within such initial twelve (12) month Severance Continuation Period (“Additional Severance Continuation Period”). Such salary continuation shall be paid at the same time and in the same manner as if Executive had remained
employed by KRATON during such period; and 
  
 (C) medical benefits for Executive and his eligible dependents comparable to those medical benefits Executive participated in on the date of termination during the Severance Continuation Period, provided in any case such medical benefits
shall cease if Executive becomes entitled to medical benefits from a new employer. KRATON may provide such medical benefits by paying the Executive’s COBRA continuation coverage through such Severance Continuation Period. 
  
 (iii) For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean
(A) the failure of the Company to pay or cause to be paid Executive’s Base Salary or Annual Bonus (if any) when due, (B) a reduction in Executive’s Base Salary, the Target Annual Bonus opportunity described in Section 4 herein, or Employee
Benefits other than an across-the-board reduction in salary or bonus opportunity for all of the members of the Company’s management team and other than a decrease in Employee Benefits that applies to all employees otherwise eligible to
participate in the affected plan, (C) a relocation of Executive’s primary work location more than 50 miles from the work location on the date hereof, without written consent, or (D) a material reduction in Executive’s duties and
responsibilities as described in Section 2(a) of this 

  

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Agreement; provided that none of these events shall constitute Good Reason unless the Company fails to cure such event within 30 days after receipt from
Executive of written notice specifying in reasonable detail the event which constitutes Good Reason; provided, further, that “Good Reason” shall cease to exist for an event on the 60th day following the later of its occurrence or Executive’s knowledge thereof, unless Executive has given KRATON written notice thereof prior to such date.

  
 The payments and benefits described in
subparagraphs (B) - (C) above shall be subject to and conditioned upon the Executive’s execution and delivery of a valid and effective general release and waiver, in a form satisfactory to the Company, waiving all claims the Executive may have
against the Company, its affiliates and their respective executives, directors, partners, members, shareholders, successors and assigns. Following Executive’s termination of employment by the Company without Cause (other than by reason of
Executive’s death or Disability) or by Executive’s resignation for Good Reason, except as set forth in Section 7(c)(ii), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits in the nature of severance or
termination pay or in connection with the termination of his employment. 
  
 d. Expiration of Employment Term. 
  
 (i) Election Not to Extend the Employment Term. In the event either party elects not to extend the Employment Term pursuant to Section 1, unless Executive’s employment is earlier terminated pursuant to
paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 7, Executive’s termination of employment hereunder (whether or not Executive continues as an employee of the Company thereafter) shall be deemed to occur on the close of business on the day immediately
preceding the next scheduled Extension Date. If Executive’s employment is terminated due to Executive’s election not to extend the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Obligations. If Executive’s
employment is terminated by KRATON other than for Cause following KRATON ‘s election not to extend the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to receive (1) at the times set forth in Section 7(a)(iii) hereof, the Accrued Obligations, (2)
continuation of Executive’s annual Base Salary during the Severance Continuation Period at the same time and in the same manner as if Executive had remained employed by KRATON during such period, and (3) medical benefits for Executive and his
eligible dependents comparable to those medical benefits Executive participated in on the date of termination during the Severance Continuation Period, provided in any case such medical benefits shall cease if Executive becomes entitled to medical
benefits from a new employer. KRATON may provide such medical benefits by paying the Executive’s COBRA continuation coverage through such Severance Continuation Period. 
  
 The payments and benefits described in this subparagraph (i) shall be subject to and conditioned upon the Executive’s
execution and delivery 

  

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of a valid and effective general release and waiver, in a form satisfactory to the Company, waiving all claims the Executive may have against the Company,
its affiliates and their respective executives, directors, partners, members, shareholders, successors and assigns. Following such termination of Executive’s employment hereunder as a result either party’s election not to extend the
Employment Term, except as set forth in this Section 7(d)(i), Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits in the nature of severance or termination pay or in connection with the termination of his
employment. 
  
 (ii) Continued Employment Beyond the
Expiration of the Employment Term. Unless the parties otherwise agree in writing, continuation of Executive’s employment with the Company beyond the expiration of the Employment Term shall be deemed an employment at-will and shall not be
deemed to extend any of the provisions of this Agreement and Executive’s employment may thereafter be terminated at will by either Executive or the Company; provided that the provisions of Sections 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement (and the
Company’s potential severance obligation under Section 7(d)(i) if applicable) shall survive any termination of this Agreement or Executive’s termination of employment hereunder. 
  
 e. Notice of Termination. Any purported termination
of employment by the Company or by Executive (other than due to Executive’s death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 11(h) hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, a
“Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of employment under the provision so indicated. 
  
 f. Equity Investment. Nothwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon a termination of employment, the Executive shall have such rights and obligations with respect to any options to purchase membership
units of TJ Chemical Holdings LLC (“TJ Chemical”) then held by the Executive and with respect to Executive’s investment in TJ Chemical and/or KRATON Management LLC (including with respect to profits units and/or membership units, as
applicable) in accordance with the applicable governing documents thereof. 
  
 8. Non-Competition. 
  
 a. Executive acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of the businesses of the Company and accordingly agrees as follows: 
  
 (i) During the Employment Term and, for a period of one year following the date Executive ceases to be employed by the
Company (the “Restricted Period”), Executive will not, whether on Executive’s own 

  

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behalf or on behalf of or in conjunction with any person, company, business entity or other organization engaged in a Competitive Business (as defined
below), directly or indirectly solicit or assist in soliciting on behalf of any entity engaged in a Competitive Business, the business of any client or prospective client: 
  
 (A) with whom Executive had personal contact or dealings on behalf of the Company during the one year
period preceding Executive’s termination of employment; 
  
 (B) with whom employees reporting to Executive have had personal contact or dealings on behalf of the Company during the one-year period immediately preceding the Executive’s termination of employment; or

  
 (C) for whom Executive had direct or
indirect responsibility during the one-year period immediately preceding Executive’s termination of employment. 
  
 (ii) During the Restricted Period, Executive will not directly or indirectly: 
  
 (A) engage in a Competitive Business; 
  
 (B) enter the employ of, or render any services to, any
person or entity (or any division of any person or entity) who or which engages in a Competitive Business; provided that Executive shall not be prohibited from rendering any services to any company that derives less than 10% of its revenues from a
Competitive Business (a “Permitted Company”), if such services or employment relate solely to a business of the Company that is not in competition with a Competitive Business; 
  
 (C) acquire a financial interest in, or otherwise become actively involved with, any Competitive Business,
directly or indirectly, as an individual, partner, shareholder, officer, director, principal, agent, trustee or consultant; provided, however, a Competitive Business shall not include a Permitted Company, or 
  
 (D) interfere with, or attempt to interfere with, business
relationships (whether formed before, on or after the date of this Agreement) between the Company and customers, clients, suppliers partners, members or investors of the Company of which it is reasonable to expect that Executive is aware.

  
 (iii) For purposes of this Agreement, “Competitive
Business” means the development, manufacture, license, sale or provision of products or services that the Company currently, or at any time during the 

  

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Employment Term, sells, manufactures, licenses or provides, or has specific plans to do so, including without limitation styrenic block copolymers made by
anionic polymerization. 
  
 (iv) Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Agreement, Executive may, directly or indirectly own, solely as an investment, securities of any person engaged in a Competitive Business which is publicly traded on a national or regional stock exchange or on the over-the-counter
market if Executive (i) is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such person and (ii) does not, directly or indirectly, own 5% or more of any class of securities of such person. 
  
 (v) During the Restricted Period, Executive will not, whether on
Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of or in conjunction with any person, company, business entity or other organization whatsoever, directly or indirectly: 
  
 (A) solicit or encourage any employee of the Company to leave the employment of the Company or 

 
 (B) hire any such employee who was employed by the
Company as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment with the Company or who left the employment of the Company coincident with, or within six months prior to or after, the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, following a Change in Control, Executive will not be restricted from hiring any employee who is terminated without Cause following such Change in Control. 
  
 (vi) During the Restricted Period, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, solicit or encourage to cease to work with
the Company any individual consultant then under contract with the Company. 
  
 b. It is expressly understood and agreed that although Executive and the Company consider the restrictions contained in this Section 8 to be reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a court of
competent jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other restriction contained in this Agreement is an unenforceable restriction against Executive, the provisions of this Agreement shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed amended to
apply as to such maximum time and territory and to such maximum extent as such court may judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable. Alternatively, if any court of competent jurisdiction finds that any restriction contained in this Agreement
is unenforceable, and such restriction cannot be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall not affect the enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained herein. 
  

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 9. Confidentiality; Inventions. 
  
 a. Confidentiality. During the Employment Term and
thereafter, Executive will not disclose or use for Executive’s own benefit or purposes or the benefit or purposes of any other person, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation or other business organization, entity or
enterprise other than the Company, any trade secrets, or other confidential information or data of the Company relating to the Company’s customers, development programs, costs, marketing, trading, investment, sales activities, promotion, credit
and financial data, manufacturing processes, financing methods, plans, or the business and affairs of the Company generally; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to information which is not unique to the Company or which is generally known to
the industry or the public other than as a result of Executive’s breach of this covenant. Except as required by law, Executive will not disclose to anyone, other than his immediate family, legal or financial advisors or any subsequent employer,
the contents of this Agreement. Executive agrees that upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, he will return to the Company immediately all memoranda, books, papers, plans, information, letters and other
data, and all copies thereof or therefrom, in any way relating to the business of the Company, except that he may retain personal notes, notebooks and diaries and personally owned books, reference material or information of a similar nature, that do
not contain confidential information of the type described in the preceding sentence of this section. Executive further agrees that he will not retain or use for Executive’s account at any time any trade names, trademark or other proprietary
business designation used or owned in connection with the business of the Company. 
  
 b. Prior Inventions. Executive has attached hereto, as Exhibit A, a list describing all material creations, inventions, and
developments which were created or contributed to by Executive either solely or jointly with others prior to Executive’s employment with the Company which relate to the Company’ proposed or current business, services, products or research
and development (collectively referred to as “Prior Inventions”). If no such list is attached, Executive either will advise the Company that Prior Inventions exist but cannot be disclosed because of prior existing confidentiality
obligations or, absent such advice, will be understood to represent that there are no such Prior Inventions. If in the course of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive uses or relies upon a Prior Invention, or any works of
authorship (including software, related items, data bases, documentation, site content, text or graphics), developments, improvements or trade secrets which were created or contributed to by Executive either solely or jointly with others prior to
Executive’s employment with the Company (“Prior Intellectual Property”) in Executive’s creation or contribution to any work of authorship, invention, product, service, process, machine or other property of the Company, Executive
will inform the Company promptly and, upon request, use Executive’s best efforts to procure any consents of third parties necessary for the Company’ use of such Prior Intellectual Property. To the fullest extent permissible by law, and to
the extent not in contravention of any prior legal obligation of Executive to others all of which are disclosed to KRATON on Exhibit B, attached hereto, Executive hereby grants the Company a non-exclusive royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual,
worldwide license under all of Executive’s Prior Inventions to make, have made, copy, 

  

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modify, distribute, use and sell works of authorship, products, services, processes and machines and to otherwise operate the Company’ current and
future business. 
  
 c. Ownership of
Inventions. Executive agrees that Executive will promptly make full written disclosure to the Company, and hereby assigns to the Company, or its designee, all of Executive’s right, title, and interest in and to any and all creations,
inventions or developments, whether or not patentable, which Executive may solely or jointly conceive or develop or reduce to practice, during the period of time Executive is in the employ of the Company (collectively referred to as “the
Company Inventions”), other than (and the Company Inventions shall not include) any such creations, inventions or developments which demonstrably bear no relationship whatsoever to the business of the Company, the chemical industry, or the
application of technologies, ideas, or processes directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the chemical industry to any other industries or disciplines. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company Inventions shall include any
creations, inventions or developments that relate directly or indirectly to a Competitive Business. Executive further acknowledges that all original works of authorship which are created or contributed to by Executive (solely or jointly with others)
within the scope of and during the period of Executive’s employment with the Company (“the Company Copyrights”) are to be deemed “works made for hire,” as that term is defined in the United States Copyright Act, and the
copyright and all intellectual property rights therein shall be the sole property of the Company. To the extent any of such works are deemed not to be “works made for hire,” Executive hereby assigns the copyright and all other intellectual
property rights in such works to the Company. 
  
 d. Contracts with the United States. Executive agrees to execute any licenses or assignments of the Company Inventions or the Company Copyrights as required by any contract between the Company and the United States or any of its
agencies. 
  
 e. Maintenance of Records.
Executive agrees to keep and maintain adequate and current written records of all the Company Inventions made by Executive (solely or jointly with others) during the term and within the scope of Executive’s employment with the Company. The
records will be in the form of notes, sketches, drawings, and any other format that may be specified to Executive or within the Company’ policies, manuals or procedures by the Company. The records will be available to and remain the sole
property and intellectual property of the Company at all times. 
  
 f. Further Assurances. Executive covenants to take all requested actions and execute all requested documents to assist the Company, or its designee, at the Company’ expense, in every way; consistent with
applicable law, (1) to secure the Company’s above rights in the Prior Intellectual Property and Company Inventions and any of the Company’s Copyrights, patents, mask work rights or other intellectual property rights relating thereto in any
and all countries, and (2) to pursue any patents or registrations with respect thereto. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement. If the Company is unable for any reason, after reasonable efforts, to 

  

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secure Executive’s signature on any document for this purpose, then Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly
authorized officers and agents as Executive’s agent and attorney in fact, for the limited purpose of acting for and in Executive’s behalf and stead to execute such documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts in connection with
the execution of such documents. 
  
 10.
Specific Performance. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company’s remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Sections 8 through 10 would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact,
Executive agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, temporary
restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available and in the event of a breach of Sections 8 through 10, shall be entitled to cease making any payments or providing any benefit otherwise
required by this Agreement. 
  
 11.
Miscellaneous. 
  
 a. Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. 
  
 b. Entire Agreement/Amendments. Except for the documents related to the Company and its
affiliates’ equity incentive plans, this Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the employment of Executive by the Company, there are no restrictions, agreements, promises, warranties, covenants or
undertakings between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein other than those expressly set forth herein. This Agreement may not be altered, modified, or amended except by written instrument signed by the parties hereto. 
  
 c. No Waiver. The failure of a party to insist upon
strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such party’s rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this
Agreement. 
  
 d. Severability. In the
event that any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected
thereby. 
  
 e. Assignment. This Agreement
shall not be assignable by Executive. This Agreement may be assigned by the Company to a person or entity which is an affiliate or a successor in interest to substantially all of the business operations of the Company. Upon such assignment, the
rights and obligations of the Company hereunder shall become the rights and obligations of such affiliate or successor person or entity. 
  

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 f. Set Off. The Company’s obligation to pay Executive the amounts provided
and to make the arrangements provided hereunder shall be subject to set-off, counterclaim or recoupment of amounts owed by Executive to the Company or its affiliates. 
  
 g. Successors; Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributes, devises and legatees. 
  
 h. Notice. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand or overnight courier or three days after it has been mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses
set forth below Agreement, or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt. 
  
 If to the Company: 
  
 KRATON Polymers LLC 
 c/o Texas Pacific Group 
 301 Commerce
Street, suite 3300 
 Fort Worth, Texas 76102 
  
 With copy to: 
 KRATON Polymers LLC

 700 Milam Street, North Tower, 13th Floor 
 PO Box 61070 
 Houston, TX 77208 
 Attention: Vice
President & General Counsel 
  
 If to Executive: 

To the most recent address of Executive set forth in the personnel records of the Company. 
  
 i. Executive Representation. Executive hereby
represents to the Company that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Executive and the Company and the performance by Executive of Executive’s duties hereunder shall not constitute a breach of, or otherwise contravene, the terms of
any employment agreement or other agreement or policy to which Executive is a party or otherwise bound. 
  
 j. Cooperation. Executive shall at the Company’s expense provide his reasonable cooperation in connection with any action or
proceeding (or any appeal from any action or proceeding) which relates to events occurring during 

  

 14 

 
Executive’s employment hereunder. This provision shall survive any termination of this Agreement. 
  
 k. Withholding Taxes. The Company may withhold from
any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. 
  
 l. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. 
  
 m. Insurance. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein: 
  
 (i) All rights the Executive has to indemnification as a director, officer or fiduciary pursuant to any agreement, applicable statue, Company by-laws or
articles of organization as in effect from time to time shall not be impacted by the provisions of this Agreement and all such rights, if any, shall survive the termination and/or expiration of this Agreement and/or the termination of the
Executive’s employment with the Company; and 
  
 (ii) So
long as the Executive is employed by the Company and for a period of six (6) years following the Executive’s termination of employment, the Company agrees to purchase and maintain insurance for the Executive’s benefit, covering director,
officer and fiduciary liability on the same basis as active directors, officers and/or fiduciaries, as applicable, of the Company. 
  
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written. 
  

									
	 KRATON POLYMERS LLC
	 	 	 	 David Davis

			
	/s/ Joseph J. Waiter	 	 	 	/s/ David Davis
	 By:
	 	 Joseph J. Waiter
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 Title:
	 	 Vice President & General Counsel
	 	 	 	 	 	 

  

 15Restricted Notional Unit Award Agreement

 Exhibit 10.10 
  
 RESTRICTED UNIT AWARD GRANT AGREEMENT 
  
 THIS RESTRICTED UNIT AWARD GRANT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), made as of the 2d day of December, 2004 between KRATON
Polymers LLC (the “Company”) and David Davis (the “Participant”).  
  
 WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 4.02 of the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of TJ Chemical Holdings LLC, each of the Voting Members of TJ Chemical Holdings LLC (“T J
Chemical”) has approved the grant of restricted shares on membership units of TJ Chemical (the “Restricted Unit Award”) with a current value of $100,000 to KRATON Management LLC (“Management LLC”), which in
turn will grant the same number of Membership Units in Management LLC to the Participant pursuant to his employment agreement with the Company dated December 2, 2004 (the “Employment Agreement”);  
  
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set
forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows: 
  
 1. Grant of
Restricted Units. Pursuant to, and subject to, the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company hereby grants to the Participant the Restricted Unit Award of 100,000 restricted units of Management LLC (“Restricted
Units”) with a current value of $100,000 based on the buy-in price of membership unit(s) of TJ Chemical by the initial investors in connection with the transaction pursuant to which the Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of TJ
Chemical. 
  
 2. Grant Date. The Grant Date of the Restricted Unit
Award hereby granted is December 2, 2004. 
  
 3. Vesting Date. The
Restricted Unit Award shall vest as follows: Twenty percent of the Restricted Units shall vest on each of the first five anniversaries of the Effective Date, as defined in the Employment Agreement, provided that the Participant remains employed with
the Company on each such anniversary. Except as provided in the next succeeding sentence, upon termination of employment for any reason all unvested Restricted Units shall immediately and automatically be forfeited. In the event of a Change in
Control (as defined in the TJ Chemical 2004 Option Plan), if the Participant’s employment is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason (as those terms are defined in the Employment Agreement) during the two-year period immediately following
the date of the Change in Control, all unvested Restricted Units shall become immediately vested. 
  
 4. Limitations on Transfer of Membership Units; Permissible Assignments; Termination of Employment. 
  
 4.1 Limitations on Transfer. The Participant acknowledges that upon becoming a member of Management LLC, the Participant will be subject to
all the terms and conditions 

  

 
provided in the Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of KRATON Management LLC (“Management LLC Operating Agreement”).
Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Management LLC Operating Agreement to the contrary, the Participant shall not sell or transfer any Membership Unit acquired pursuant to the distribution of this Restricted Unit A ward, except (i) to the
Participant’s beneficiaries or estate upon the Participant’s death, (ii) upon consent of the Company pursuant to Section 4.2, or (iii) pursuant to Article IX of the Management LLC Operating Agreement. 
  
 4.2 Permissible Assignments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Participant may request authorization from the Company to assign his Restricted Unit A ward granted herein to a trust or custodianship, the beneficiaries of which may include only the Participant, the Participant’s spouse or the
Participant’s lineal descendants (by blood or adoption), and, if the Company grants such authorization, the Participant may assign his rights accordingly. In the event of any such assignment, such trust or custodianship shall be subject to all
the restrictions, obligations, and responsibilities as apply to the Participant under this Agreement and shall be entitled to all the rights of the Participant under this Agreement; provided that upon such assignment in accordance with this Section
4.2, all references in this Agreement to the “Participant, “ except for such references contained in Section 4.1 and 4.3 of this Agreement, shall be deemed to be replaced by a reference to the transferee of the Restricted Unit Award.

  
 4.3 Termination of Services. In
the event of a termination of a Participant’s Services (as defined in the TJ Chemical 2004 Option Plan), TJ Chemical shall have the right to purchase the Participant’s Membership Units acquired pursuant to the Restricted Unit Award in
accordance with Article X of the Management LLC Operating Agreement. Any Membership Units acquired pursuant to the distribution of the Restricted Unit A ward shall be subject to certain tag-along and drag-along rights in accordance with Article IX
of the Management LLC Operating Agreement. 
  
 5. Delays or
Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party hereto upon any breach or default of any party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such party nor shall it be
construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default
theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party or any provisions or conditions of
this Agreement, shall be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. 
  
 6. Indemnification. The Participant agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, TJ Chemical and Management
LLC and any director, officer, or employee thereof against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, and expenses of any nature whatsoever (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement)
(collectively, “Losses”) arising out of or based upon any breach or failure by the Participant to comply with his obligations made herein. This Section 6 shall survive any termination or execution of this Agreement. 
  

 7. Representations 
  

7.1 Participant Representations. In addition to any representations made by the Participant in the Management LLC Operating Agreement, as
a Member of Management LLC, the Participant hereby represents and warrants to Management LLC and the Company that: (a) the Membership Units are being acquired for his own account, for investment purposes only and not with a view to or in connection
with any distribution, reoffer, resale, public offering or other disposition thereof not in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable United States federal or state securities laws or regulations;
(b) the Participant is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act, provided that the Company may, in its discretion and subject to compliance with all applicable securities laws, waive the foregoing
representation with respect to a limited number of Participants; (c) the Participant, alone or together with his representatives, possesses such expertise, knowledge, and sophistication in financial and business matters generally, and in the type of
transactions in which the Company proposes to engage in particular; (d) the Participant has had access to all of the information with respect to his Membership Units that he or it, as the case may be, deems necessary to make a complete evaluation
thereof and has had the opportunity to question the Company concerning such Membership Units; (e) the Participant’s decision to acquire his Membership Units for investment has been based solely upon the evaluation made by the Participant; (1)
the Participant is aware that the Management LLC Operating Agreement provides significant restrictions on the ability of a Participant to sell, transfer, assign, mortgage, hypothecate, or otherwise encumber his Membership Units; (g) the Participant
has duly executed and delivered this Agreement; and (h) the Participant’s authorization, execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement do not conflict with any other agreement or arrangement to which the Participant is a party or by
which it is bound. 
  
 7.2 Truth of Representations and
Warranties. The Participant represents and warrants that all of his representations set forth in Section 7.1 of this Agreement are true and correct as of the date hereof. 
  
 8. Integration. This Agreement, and the other documents referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto (including, without
limitation, the Management LLC Operating Agreement) which form a part hereof contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and there are no restrictions, agreements, promises, representations, warranties,
covenants or undertakings with respect to the subject matter hereof other than those expressly set forth in such documents. This Agreement and the Management LLC Operating Agreement supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the
parties with respect to its subject matter. 
  
 9. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. 
  
 10. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware without regard to the provisions thereof governing conflict of laws. 
  
 11. Participant Acknowledgment. The Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Management LLC Operating Agreement. The Participant hereby acknowledges 

  

 
that all decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Board of Directors of the Company in respect of this Agreement shall be final and conclusive.

  
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be duly executed
by its duly authorized officer and said Participant has hereunto signed this Agreement on his own behalf, thereby representing that he has carefully read and understands this Agreement and the Management LLC Operating Agreement as of the day and
year first written above. 
  

	
	 KRATON POL YMERS LLC

	
	 /s/ Joseph J. Waiter

	 By: Joseph J. Waiter

	 Title: Vice President & General Counsel

	
	 /s/ David Davis

	DAVID DAVIS

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