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DELAWARE
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001-32410
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98-0420726
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of incorporation)
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Number)
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Identification No.)
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Item 5.02
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Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
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| On September 7, 2011, the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors of Celanese Corporation (the “Company”) approved the Company’s annual long-term incentive equity awards consisting of (i) awards of performance-vesting restricted stock units (“Performance RSUs”) to all of the Company’s executive officers and certain other key employees (each, a “Participant”), (ii) awards of time-vesting restricted stock units (“Time RSUs”) to all of the Participants except the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and (iii) non-qualified options to purchase shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (“Stock Options”) to certain executive officers. The Performance RSUs, Time RSUs and Stock Options are granted under the Company’s 2009 Global Incentive Plan. The Committee approved awards to the Company’s named executive officers in the following amounts: |
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Named Executive Officer1
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Value of
Performance RSUs
at Target2
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Value of
Time RSUs2
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Value of
Stock Options2
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| David N. Weidman | $3,375,000 | --- | $1,125,000 | |
| Steven M. Sterin | $500,000 | $250,000 | $250,000 | |
| Douglas M. Madden | $600,000 | $300,000 | $300,000 | |
| Jacquelyn H. Wolf | $237,500 | $118,750 | $118,750 |
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In connection with the approval noted above, the Company will enter into a Performance-Vesting Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (in the form filed herewith, the “Performance RSU Agreement”) with each of the Participants entitled to receive Performance RSUs. The
percentage of the target number of Performance RSUs awarded that may vest on November 1, 2014 is subject to the achievement of specified levels of (i) Operating EBITDA during the 2012 and 2013 fiscal years and (ii) “Total Shareholder Return” as compared to a defined set of peer companies during the period that commences October 1, 2011 and that will be completed on October 31, 2014, and is set forth in the following schedule:
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Relative TSR Achieved
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Below Threshold
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Target
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Stretch
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Operating EBITDA Achieved
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Below Threshold
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0
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%
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0
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%
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0
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%
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Threshold
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25
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%
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50
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%
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75
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%
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Target
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50
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%
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100
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%
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150
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%
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Stretch
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75
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%
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150
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%
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225
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%
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For any Performance RSUs that become vested, after adjustment for the achievement of the performance goals outlined above, a portion (25% for the CEO and 55% for the other named executive officers) shall be immediately deliverable to the Participant and the remaining portion (i.e., 75% for the CEO and 45% for the other named executive officers) shall be subject to a holding period requirement. The Performance RSUs subject to a holding period requirement shall be deliverable to the Participant on the seventh anniversary of the grant date, or earlier upon the
Participant’s death or disability or the Company’s change in control. If during the holding period the Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company for cause (as defined in the award agreement) or the Participant breaches the Participant’s clawback agreement with the Company, the Performance RSUs subject to the holding period requirement shall be forfeited and cancelled without consideration.
Upon the termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company by reason of death or disability before November 1, 2014, Performance RSUs in an amount equal to (i) the target number of Performance RSUs granted multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of complete and partial months between November 1, 2011 and the date of such termination, and the denominator of which is the number of complete and partial months in
the vesting period, such product to be rounded up to the nearest whole number (the “PRSU Prorated Amount”), shall become vested and become deliverable to the Participant within thirty days. Upon the termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company without cause before November 1, 2014, Performance RSUs in an amount equal to the PRSU Prorated Amount, subject to adjustment for the achievement of the performance goals outlined above, shall vest and become deliverable to the Participant within 2½ months after the applicable vesting date (as to the portion of the RSUs not subject to the holding period) and at the end of the holding period described above (as to the
portion of the RSUs subject to the holding period). Upon the termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company for any other reason, the Performance RSU award shall be forfeited and cancelled without consideration.
If a Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated without cause within two years following a change in control, the target number of Performance RSUs will immediately vest and become payable to the Participant within 30 days of such termination. If the Performance RSU award is not assumed by the Participant’s new employer in connection with a change in control, or a substitute award is not made, the target number of Performance RSUs will fully
vest upon the change in control, and shall be paid to the Participant within 30 days after the change in control occurs, in accordance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”).
Prior to November 1, 2014, Performance RSUs shall not receive any dividend equivalents. After that date, any Performance RSUs subject to the holding period requirement described above shall receive dividend equivalents accumulated as cash and payable at the end of the holding period without interest.
The description of the Performance RSU Agreement contained herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Performance-Vesting Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement that is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Time-Vesting Restricted Stock Units
In connection with the approval noted above, the Company will enter into a Time-Vesting Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (in the form filed herewith, the “Time RSU Agreement”) with each of the Participants entitled to receive Time RSUs. Each award of Time RSUs
will vest 30% on October 1, 2012, 30% on October 1, 2013 and 40% on October 1, 2014.
For any Time RSUs that become vested on a vesting date, a portion (55%) shall be immediately deliverable to the Participant and the remaining portion (i.e., 45%) shall be subject to a holding period requirement. The Time RSUs subject to a holding period requirement shall be deliverable to the Participant on the seventh anniversary of the grant date, or earlier upon the Participant’s death or disability or the Company’s change in control. If during the holding period the
Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company for cause or the Participant breaches the Participant’s clawback agreement with the Company, the Time RSUs subject to the holding period requirement shall be forfeited and cancelled without consideration.
Upon the termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company by reason of death or disability or by the Company without cause, a pro rata portion of the Time RSUs, based on the portion of the applicable vesting period completed
through the date of termination and rounded up to the nearest whole number (the “RSU Prorated Amount”), shall become vested. In case of death or disability, such RSU Prorated Amount shall be deliverable to the Participant following the applicable vesting date. In case of termination by the Company without cause, a portion of the RSU Prorated Amount shall be deliverable to the Participant following the applicable vesting date and a portion shall be deliverable to the Participant at the end of the holding period, all in accordance with the holding period requirements described above. Upon the termination of a Participant’s employment with the
Company for any other reason, any unvested portion of the Time RSU award shall be forfeited and cancelled without consideration.
If a Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated without cause within two years following a change in control, the Time RSUs will immediately vest and become payable to the Participant within 30 days of such termination. If the Time RSU award is not assumed by the Participant’s new employer in connection with a change in control, or a substitute award is not made, the Time RSUs will fully vest upon the change in control, and shall be paid to the Participant within 30 days
after the change in control occurs, in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.
Prior to each vesting date, Time RSUs shall not receive any dividend equivalents. After each such date, any Time RSUs subject to the holding period requirement described above shall receive dividend equivalents accumulated as cash and payable at the end of the holding period without
interest. The description of the Time RSU Agreement contained herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Time-Vesting Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement that is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated herein by reference.
Stock Options
In connection with the approval noted above, the Company will enter into a Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement (in the form filed herewith, the “Stock Option
Agreement”) with each of the executive officers entitled to receive Stock Options. Each award of Stock Options will vest 25% on October 1, 2012, October 1, 2013, October 1, 2014, and October 1, 2015, and will expire on October 1, 2018. The exercise price for the Stock Option will be the average of the high and low trading prices of the Company's common stock on the start date, October 1, 2011, in accordance with the terms of the 2009 Global Incentive Plan.
Upon the termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company by reason of death or disability or by the Company without cause, a pro rata portion of the Stock Option, based on the portion of the applicable vesting period completed through the date of termination and rounded up to the nearest whole number, shall become vested and exercisable and (together with any vested but unexercised portion of the award) remain exercisable for a period of one year after termination of employment (not to
exceed the original expiration date). In case of voluntary resignation by the Participant, any unvested portion of the Stock Option award shall be forfeited and cancelled without consideration, and any vested but unexercised portion shall remain exercisable for a period of 90 days after termination of employment (not to exceed the original expiration date). Upon the termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company for cause, the entire unexercised Stock Option, whether vested or unvested, shall be forfeited and cancelled without consideration.
If a Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated without cause within two years following a change in control, the unvested Stock Options will immediately vest and become exercisable, and shall remain exercisable for a period to be established by the Committee (not to exceed the original expiration date). If the Stock Option award is not assumed by the Participant’s new employer in connection with a change in control, or a substitute award is not made, the Stock Options will fully
vest upon the change in control, and shall remain exercisable for a period to be established by the Committee (not to exceed the original expiration date).
When the Stock Option is exercised, the Participant must hold for one year the net shares received after covering the exercise price, taxes and any transaction costs. This hold period ends earlier upon the Participant’s death or disability or the Company’s change in control. If the Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company for cause during the holding period, any shares subject to the holding period requirement shall be forfeited and cancelled without
consideration.
The description of the Stock Option Agreement contained herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement that is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated herein by reference.
Departure of Named Executive Officer
On August 2, 2011, the Company announced that James S. Alder, Senior Vice President, Operations and Technical, had elected to retire effective October 31, 2011 after 37 years of service.
In connection with Mr. Alder's retirement from the Company, the Company and Mr. Alder entered into a Restrictive Covenant Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated September
7, 2011, pursuant to which Mr. Alder agreed to voluntarily resign from all positions he holds with the Company and any of its subsidiaries on October 31, 2011 (the “Retirement Date”). A summary of the material terms of the Agreement is set forth below:
• Restrictive Covenant: Mr. Alder has agreed (1) for a period of two years after the Retirement Date not to compete with the Company or to solicit or hire former employees of the Company, and (2) to keep confidential information concerning the Company.
• Cooperation Covenant: Mr. Alder has agreed to cooperate with the Company as necessary after the Retirement Date, including being available for conference calls and assisting with pending litigation and claims.
• Vesting and Settlement of Equity Awards: Mr. Alder will vest in a pro-rata portion of all Performance RSUs and Time RSUs outstanding on the Retirement Date, to be settled in accordance with the settlement provisions contained in the respective award agreements. Mr. Alder shall be entitled to continued vesting of his October 2010 stock option award, and shall be entitled to exercise such stock options from the applicable vesting dates through the stated expiration date subject to the applicable holding
period requirements. The terms of all remaining stock option agreements are unaffected by the Agreement.
• 2011 Bonus Payments: Mr. Alder will not be entitled to receive a cash incentive bonus payout for 2011.
The Agreement also provides for a release by Mr. Alder of any claims that he may have against the Company. In addition to the above terms, Mr. Alder is entitled to other benefits, including pension benefits, independent of the Agreement. The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement, a copy of which is attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 10.4 and is incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 9.01
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Financial Statements and Exhibits
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10.1
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Form of Performance-Vesting Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement
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10.2
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Form of Time-Vesting Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement
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10.3
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Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement
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10.4
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Restrictive Covenant Agreement with James S. Alder
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CELANESE CORPORATION
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By
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/s/ James R. Peacock III | |||
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Name:
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James R. Peacock III
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Title:
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Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary
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