ARTRA GROUP INC
8-K, 1998-09-02
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K


                            Current Report Pursuant
                         to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934


        Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): August __, 1998





                            ARTRA GROUP INCORPORATED
              ----------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



                                  Pennsylvania
                  --------------------------------------------
                  State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation




                  1-3916                             25-1095978
         ----------------------                  -----------------
         Commission File Number                   I.R.S. Employer
                                                 Identification No.








  500 Central Avenue, Northfield, IL                        60093
- --------------------------------------                    --------
Address of principal executive offices                    Zip Code


 Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (847) 441-6650



                                 Not Applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report
<PAGE>

Item  5.          Other Events


                  As of August 26, 1998,  ARTRA GROUP  Incorporated  ("ARTRA" or
                  the   "Registrant")   and  its  wholly-owned   subsidiary  BCA
                  Holdings, Inc. ("BCA"),  entered into an agreement to sell the
                  business assets,  subject to the buyer's assumption of certain
                  liabilities,   of  BCA's  wholly-owned  subsidiary,   Bagcraft
                  Corporation of America ("Bagcraft"). Bagcraft is a producer of
                  sandwich wraps, window bags,  microwave popcorn bags and waxed
                  bags with  manufacturing  facilities in Chicago,  Illinois and
                  Baxter   Springs,   Kansas.   The  purchase   price  shall  be
                  $91,500,000 consisting of cash of $89,000,000 and a three-year
                  $2,500,000   promissory   note   bearing   interest   at  10%.
                  Consumation   of  the   transaction   is  subject  to  certain
                  conditions,  including  regulatory  approval  and  approval of
                  ARTRA's shareholders.

<PAGE>
Item  7.          Exhibits


                  99.1     Assets  Purchase  Agreement,  dated as of August  26,
                           1998,  by and among  ARTRA  GROUP  Incorporated,  BCA
                           Holdings,   Inc.,  Bagcraft  Corporation  of  America
                           ("Bagcraft"),   ("Sellers")  and  Packaging  Dynamics
                           Dynamics    L.L.C.    and    Bagcraft     Acquisition
                           L.L.C.("Buyers")  regarding  purchase of the business
                           assets,  subject  to  Buyer's  assumption  of certain
                           liabilities, of Bagcraft.

                  99.2     Press Release dated August 27, 1998.


<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES



Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunder duly authorized.






                            ARTRA GROUP INCORPORATED
                                   Registrant







Dated:   September 2, 1998                /S/ JAMES D. DOERING          
                                   ------------------------------------------
                                              JAMES D. DOERING
                                    Vice President and Chief Financial Officer




                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1




                            ASSETS PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                  by and among

                            ARTRA GROUP INCORPORATED,
                               BCA HOLDINGS, INC.,
                        BAGCRAFT CORPORATION OF AMERICA,
                     THE PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS NAMED HEREIN
                                       and
                           PACKAGING DYNAMICS, L.L.C.

                                       and

                           BAGCRAFT ACQUISITION, L.L.C


                          Dated: As of August 26, 1998

<PAGE>




                             Table of Contents


                                 Headings                            Page No.
                                 --------                            --------

1.       Sale of Assets......................................................1
2.       Assumption of Liabilities...........................................4
3.       Purchase Price..................................................... 8
4.       Closing; Closing Date..............................................12
5.       Representations and Warranties With
           Respect to Artra, BCA and Seller.................................12
6.       Representations and Warranties of Buyer............................39
7.       Covenants and Agreements...........................................41
8.       Employment and Employee Benefit Arrangements.......................51
9.       Condition precedent to the Obligation of Buyer.....................54
10.      Condition Precedent to the Obligation of Seller....................56
11.      Survival of Representations and Warranties.........................57
12.      General Indemnification............................................58
13.      Termination........................................................64
14.      Miscellaneous......................................................67



<PAGE>



SCHEDULES

Schedule 2.1(c)            Assumed Contracts
Schedule 3.3                        Working Capital Schedule
Schedule 5.2                        Subsidiaries and other Affiliates
Schedule 5.3                        Qualification
Schedule 5.5                        Consents and Approvals
Schedule 5.6                        No Breach
Schedule 5.7(a)            Audited Financial Statements
Schedule 5.7(b)            Unaudited Financial Statements
Schedule 5.7(c)            Liabilities
Schedule 5.9(a)            Compliance with Laws
Schedule 5.9(b)            Permits
Schedule 5.10                       Actions and Proceedings
Schedule 5.11                       Contracts
Schedule 5.12(a)(1)                 Owned Real Property
Schedule 5.12(b)           Real Property Leases
Schedule 5.12(c)           Real Property
Schedule 5.13(a)           Tangible Property
Schedule 5.13(b)           Title to Tangible Property
Schedule 5.14(a)           Intangible Property
Schedule 5.14(b)           Title to Intangible Property
Schedule 5.15                       Benefit Plans and Related Matters
Schedule 5.16                       Employee Relations Matters
Schedule 5.17                       Insurance
Schedule 5.18                       Officers, Directors and Key Employees
Schedule 5.19                       Operations of Seller
Schedule 5.20                       Potential Conflicts of Interest
Schedule 5.21                       Banks and Powers of Attorney
Schedule 5.22(a)           Suppliers
Schedule 5.22(b)           Customers
Schedule 5.25                       Tax Matters
Schedule 5.26                       Environmental Matters
Schedule 7.1(i)            Seller's Capital Expenditure Budget
Schedule 9.6                        Equity and Debt Financing Commitments
Letters
Schedule 10.5                       Nonoperating Lease Spread

Exhibits

         Exhibit A                  Trademark Assignment
         Exhibit B                  Form of Subordinated Promissory Note



<PAGE>


                            ASSETS PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                  ASSETS PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of August 26, 1998, by and
among  ARTRA GROUP  INCORPORATED,  a  Pennsylvania  corporation  ("Artra"),  BCA
HOLDINGS,  INC., a Delaware  corporation and a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Artra
("BCA"),   BAGCRAFT  CORPORATION  OF  AMERICA,  a  Delaware  corporation  and  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  BCA  ("Seller"),  PACKAGING  DYNAMICS,  L.L.C.,  a
Delaware limited liability  corporation (the "Company"),  BAGCRAFT  ACQUISITION,
L.L.C.  ("Buyer"),  a Delaware limited liability  corporation and a wholly-owned
subsidiary  of the Company,  and solely for the purposes of Section 7.16 hereof,
the Principal Shareholders.

                  Seller   wishes  to  sell,   and  Buyer  wishes  to  purchase,
substantially  all of Seller's  assets and properties used by or in the business
conducted  by Seller  (the  "Business"),  all upon the terms and  subject to the
conditions hereinafter set forth.

                  Accordingly,   the  parties   hereto  each   intending  to  be
contractually bound, hereby agree as follows:

1.    Sale of Assets.

         1.1 Assets to Be Sold. Except as otherwise  provided in Section 1.2, at
the  closing  provided  for in Section 4 (the  "Closing"),  Seller  shall  sell,
assign,  transfer,  convey and deliver to Buyer all of Seller's  interest in all
assets  and  properties  owned by  Seller,  or in which  Seller  has any  rights
whatsoever,  as of the  Closing  Date,  of  every  type and  description,  real,
personal or mixed,  and wherever  located,  tangible and  intangible,  choate or
inchoate, known or unknown, fixed or unfixed, accrued,  absolute,  contingent or
otherwise,  and whether or not  reflected  on the books and records of Seller or
specifically referred to in this Agreement, including, without limitation,

         (a) those assets reflected on the unaudited  balance sheet of Seller as
of July 4, 1998  referred to in Section 5.5 (the  "Balance  Sheet")  (subject to
transactions  and  adjustments in the ordinary course of the Business after July
4, 1998);

         (b) all of the goodwill relating to the Business as a going concern;

         (c) all of Seller's rights to any customer and inquiry lists;

         (d) all of  Seller's  right to use the name  "Bagcraft  Corporation  of
America",  "Bagcraft"  or  any  derivative  or  similar  name  (subject  to  the
provisions of Section 7.9);

         (e) all of Seller's  rights to its  patents,  trademarks,  trade names,
copyrights,  service  marks  (including  all  registrations,   applications  for
registration   thereof  and  all  goodwill   associated   therewith)  and  other
intellectual property of any type whatsoever;

         (f) all of  Seller's  rights to its  processes,  software,  inventions,
know-how, formulas and trade secrets;

         (g) all of Seller's real property, plant and equipment,  including, all
buildings and improvements thereon, all water rights,  easements,  rights of way
and other rights appurtenant to the real property;

         (h)  all  of  Seller's  right,  title  and  interest  under  all of the
Business' contracts, agreements, licenses, leases and other similar documents;

         (i) all of Seller's accounts and notes receivable;

         (j) all of Seller's insurance policies; and

         (k) all of the Seller's  inventories,  raw materials,  work-in-process,
supplies, books and records,  information files, records and other data relating
to the Business;

         (l) all of Seller's tooling, equipment, machinery, spare parts, stores,
dies, molds, vehicles, furniture,  fixtures, leasehold and building improvements
and other tangible property;

         (m) all guaranties, warranties, indemnities and similar rights in favor
of the Business;

         (n) all permits,  licenses,  authorizations  and other  similar  rights
relating to the Business;

         (o) all advertising, sales and promotional materials, catalogues, price
lists,  mailing  lists,  lists of customers,  lists of  suppliers,  distribution
lists, and production data of Seller; and

         (p) all computerized  records and other computerized  storage media and
all software and user manuals and documentation relating thereto.

(All of the  foregoing  interests of Seller in such assets or  properties  to be
sold,  assigned,  transferred,  conveyed and  delivered to Buyer  hereunder  are
hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the "Assets"), and Buyer shall
purchase the Assets for the consideration set forth in Section 3.1.

         1.2  Excluded   Assets.   Anything  in  Section  1.1  to  the  contrary
notwithstanding,  there shall be excluded from the Assets as of the Closing Date
to be sold,  assigned,  transferred  and  conveyed  to Buyer  hereunder  and not
included  within the  meaning of the term Assets  (such  excluded  assets  being
referred to as the "Retained Assets")

         (a) all rights of Seller under this Agreement;

         (b) all  rights  to  refunds,  rebates  or  credits  of any  Taxes  (as
hereinafter defined) for all periods prior to the Closing;

         (c) all amounts due or payable to the Business  from Artra,  BCA or any
of their affiliates;

         (d) the corporate minute books of Seller;

         (e) the receivable of  approximately  $850,000  payable to Seller under
Seller's health insurance policy;

         (f) the stock of Rescuers, Inc.; and

         (g) the leases,  the leasehold  interests and the subleases relating to
the  property  leased by Seller in Edison,  New  Jersey,  Hialeah,  Florida  and
Medley, Florida (collectively, the "Nonoperating Leases").

         1.3  Instruments  of  Conveyance.  In order  to  effectuate  the  sale,
assignment,  transfer and conveyance  contemplated  by Section 1.1, Seller shall
execute  and  deliver at the  Closing,  (a) a bill of sale,  in a form  mutually
acceptable to the parties,  (b) deeds,  in the appropriate  form,  conveying the
Owned Real  Property (as  hereinafter  defined),  (c)  assignment(s)  of Assumed
Contracts,  in a form mutually  acceptable  to the parties,  (d) a trademark and
service mark assignment,  substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto
and (e) other documents or instruments of assignment, transfer or conveyance, as
Buyer shall  reasonably  deem  necessary or appropriate to vest in or confirm to
Buyer title to all of the Assets to the extent provided for herein.

2.  Assumption of Liabilities

         2.1  Liabilities  of Seller  Assumed by Buyer.  Buyer agrees,  upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, to assume, at the Closing,
and to perform or satisfy thereafter only the following liabilities:

         (a) all  liabilities  and  obligations  of the Business  that are fully
reserved  for on the  Balance  Sheet to the extent  the same shall  exist on the
Closing Date (other than the Retained Liabilities (as defined in Section 2.2));

         (b) all liabilities and obligations of the Business  incurred after the
Balance  Sheet Date (as defined in Section 5.7) in the ordinary and usual course
of business  relating to the  Business  and that are of a type  consistent  with
those  accrued  for on the  Balance  Sheet  that are fully  reserved  for on the
Closing Balance Sheet (other than the Retained Liabilities);

         (c)  all  liabilities  and  obligations  of  Seller  under  all  of the
Business' agreements,  leases, commitments,  purchase orders and other contracts
listed on  Schedule  2.1(c)  hereto or entered  into in the  ordinary  and usual
course  of  Seller's  business  after  the  date  hereof  and on or prior to the
Closing, in each case, to the extent that such liabilities and obligations first
arise  after the  Closing  and do not result  from a breach or default by Seller
thereunder  on or prior to the  Closing  (other than the  Retained  Liabilities)
("Assumed Contracts");

         (d) all  liabilities  of the Business  for accrued and unused  vacation
existing as of the Closing Date to the extent of the applicable  reserves on the
Closing Balance Sheet and, to the extent of the Closing Bonus Escrow Accrual (as
hereinafter defined),  unpaid bonuses for any Continued Employee (as hereinafter
defined);

         (e) all liabilities of the Business for short-term  disability payments
required to be made on or after the Closing Date to the Continued  Employees and
the Severed Employees (as hereinafter  defined) with respect to events occurring
prior to the Closing  Date but only to the extent of the  coverage  contained in
Seller's short-term  disability  insurance plan which will be transferred to and
assumed by Buyer hereunder; and

         (f)  all  liabilities   and   obligations   (other  than  the  Retained
Liabilities) under  Environmental Laws (as hereinafter  defined in Section 5.26)
which arise as a result of Buyer's  ownership,  use or operation on or after the
Closing Date of the Real  Property (as  hereinafter  defined in Section  5.12(c)
hereof) or events or  circumstances on the Real Property which first occur on or
after the Closing Date (the  liabilities  assumed by Buyer under this clause (e)
are  hereinafter  collectively  referred  to as "Assumed  On-Site  Environmental
Liabilities").

All of the  foregoing  liabilities  and  obligations  of Seller to be assumed by
Buyer  hereunder  are  hereinafter  collectively  referred  to as  the  "Assumed
Liabilities."

         2.2 Liabilities Not Assumed by Buyer.  Notwithstanding  anything to the
contrary  set forth in Section  2.1,  Buyer shall not  assume,  or in any way be
liable or  responsible  for any other  liability or  obligation of Seller or the
Business, including without limitation, the following:

         (a) any  liability or obligation of Seller or the Business for foreign,
federal,  state, local and other taxes relating to, or otherwise with respect to
the Seller or Seller's or the  Business'  income,  profits,  estimated,  excise,
sales,  use,  franchise,  ad valorem,  capital,  transfer,  payroll  related and
property taxes and governmental charges including,  any deficiencies,  interest,
or penalties relating thereto (collectively "Taxes");

         (b) any liability of the Seller or the Business to Artra, BCA or any of
the Seller's other direct or indirect stockholders or affiliates or to any third
party on behalf of any such entities;

         (c) any liability or obligation of Seller or the Business based upon or
arising under this Agreement;

         (d) all liabilities,  obligations,  claims, costs,  damages,  costs and
expenses  with respect to employees of Seller  (whether  arising  before,  on or
after the Closing Date) relating to, arising out of, or in connection with their
employment  with  Seller at any time on or before the Closing  Date,  including,
without  limitation,  any  claims  to  rights or  benefits  under any  contract,
document,  policy or understanding with any such employees,  or under any stock,
option, phantom stock, incentive,  pension, death benefit, retirement,  medical,
retiree,  insurance,  vacation or workers'  compensation  plan or other  Benefit
Plans (as hereinafter  defined)  (except for (x) the accrued and unpaid vacation
obligation and the unpaid bonus obligation set forth in Section 2.1(d),  (y) the
short-term  disability  obligation  set  forth in  Section  2.1(e),  and (z) the
obligations  and  liabilities  first required to be performed  after the Closing
Date under the Assumed Contracts);

         (e) all  claims  for  severance  or other  moneys or  damages  (whether
arising before, on or after the Closing Date),  including,  without  limitation,
claims under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, from
any of the  Employees  of Seller  who are  employed  by Seller at any time on or
prior to the Closing  Date (other than with respect to the  Continued  Employees
and the Severed  Employees),  or from any federal,  state or local  governmental
agency or  authority  on behalf of such  employees  or relating to such  claims,
involving an alleged  employment  loss or termination on or prior to the Closing
Date,  including without limitation,  those which are based upon or arise out of
the  execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement  or any  of the  transactions
contemplated hereby;

         (f) all  indebtedness  for money borrowed and all interest,  penalties,
fees and other amounts payable with respect thereto;

         (g) all liabilities,  obligations,  claims, damages, costs and expenses
(whether  arising  before,  on or after the  Closing  Date) with  respect to any
litigation,  claim,  action or other proceeding of any type whatsoever  relating
to,  arising out of, or in  connection  with the Seller or the  operation of the
Business on or prior to the Closing Date  (including,  without  limitation those
claims identified on Schedules 5.16(b) and 5.17);

         (h) all liabilities,  obligations,  claims, damages, costs and expenses
relating to,  arising out of, or in connection  with any contracts or agreements
of Seller or of the Business (other than the  obligations and liabilities  first
required to be performed after the Closing Date under the Assumed Contracts);

         (i) all liabilities,  obligations,  claims, damages, costs and expenses
arising  (whether  arising  before,  on or after  the  Closing  Date)  under any
warranty that covered any of the products  manufactured  or sold by Seller on or
prior to the Closing Date;

        (j) all liabilities,  obligations,  claims,  damages, costs and expenses
with respect to any product liability claim (whether arising before, on or after
the Closing  Date)  relating to  products  manufactured  or sold by Seller on or
prior to the Closing Date;

         (k) all liabilities,  obligations,  claims, damages, costs and expenses
(whether arising before, on or after the Closing Date) with respect to any claim
relating to,  arising out of, or in  connection  with  Seller's or the Business'
ownership,  use or  operation  of any  Seller  Property  (as  defined in Section
14.1(vii))  or the  property  leased by Seller in Edison,  New Jersey,  Hialeah,
Florida and Medley, Florida;

         (l)  all  liabilities,  obligations,  claims,  damages,  costs,  fines,
penalties,  expenses and capital  expenditures  (whether  arising before,  on or
after the Closing Date) under any  Environmental  Laws or in connection with any
Remedial  Action as (such terms are  hereinafter  defined in Section 5.26) or in
connection  with  any  claim,  action,  proceeding,  citation  or  fine  by  any
governmental or regulatory body or by any third party that, in any case,  arises
with respect to, as a result of, or in connection with Seller's  ownership,  use
or  operation  on or  prior to the  Closing  Date of all or any part of the Real
Property or the Business or events that have occurred on or prior to the Closing
Date, or are in respect of or as a result of the existence of  circumstances  on
or prior to the Closing Date,  including,  without  limitation,  any Release (as
hereinafter  defined in Section  5.26(a))  occurring  on or prior to the Closing
Date, on, about, above all or under any Real Property,  regardless of whether or
not such Release  migrates to the Environment  beyond the boundaries of any Real
Property  (all  liabilities  retained  by  Seller  under  this  clause  (l)  are
hereinafter   collectively   referred  to  as  "Retained  On-Site  Environmental
Liabilities");

         (m) all liabilities,  obligations, claims, damages, costs, expenses and
capital  expenditures  (whether  arising  before,  on or after the Closing Date)
under any  Environmental  Laws or in connection  with any Remedial  Action or in
connection  with  any  claim,  action,  proceeding,  citation  or  fine  by  any
governmental or regulatory body or by any third party that, in any case,  arises
with respect to, as a result of, or in connection with, the removal or disposal,
on or prior to the  Closing  Date,  of any  waste,  special  waste or  Hazardous
Substance (as hereinafter defined in Section 5.26) from any Real Property or any
Company  Property to any off-site  waste  disposal or treatment  site,  off-site
waste storage site or any other off-site  facility or location (all  liabilities
retained by Seller under this clause (m) are hereinafter  collectively  referred
to as, "Off-Site Environmental Liabilities");

         (n) any liability or obligation of the Business or Seller to Artra, BCA
or any of Artra's direct or indirect stockholders or affiliates; and

         (o) all other liabilities and obligations of the Business which are not
fully and  accurately  reserved  for in the  Balance  Sheet,  or which  were not
incurred  after the  Balance  Sheet  Date in the  ordinary  and usual  course of
business  of a type  consistent  with past  practice  and  fully and  accurately
reserved for on the Closing Balance Sheet.

All of the foregoing  liabilities  and obligations of Seller which are not being
assumed by Buyer hereunder are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as
the "Retained  Liabilities."  The Seller shall  completely and fully perform and
discharge all of the Retained Liabilities.

         2.3  Instruments of Assumption In order to effectuate the assumption of
liabilities  contemplated  by this Section 2, Buyer shall execute and deliver at
the Closing, dated as of the Closing Date (a) an instrument of assumption,  in a
form mutually acceptable to the parties,  and (b) such other documents as Seller
shall reasonably deem necessary or appropriate to confirm Buyer's  assumption of
the Assumed Liabilities to the extent provided for herein.


 3.      Purchase Price, Allocation and Adjustments

         3.1  Purchase  Price  (a)  Buyer  shall  pay to  Seller  the  amount of
Ninety-One   Million  Five  Hundred   Thousand   Dollars   ($91,500,000.00)   in
consideration  of the  Assets  (such sum is  hereinafter  called  the  "Purchase
Price").  At the  Closing,  Buyer  shall  deliver  to Seller (i) in cash by wire
transfer of  immediately  available  funds an amount  equal to the excess of (x)
Eighty-Nine Million Dollars  ($89,000,000) over (y) the sum of (A) the amount of
Seller's overdraft balance on the business day immediately preceding the Closing
Date (the "Closing Overdraft Escrow Balance")as certified by the chief financial
officer of Seller and (B) the amount of Seller's bonus accrual as of the Closing
Date (the "Closing  Bonus Escrow  Accrual") as certified by the chief  financial
officer  of Seller,  and (ii) a  non-transferable,  non-negotiable  subordinated
promissory note of Packaging  Holdings,  L.L.C. (the sole member of the Company)
in the aggregate  principal  amount of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($2,500,000),  payable in full on the third  anniversary  of the  Closing  Date,
bearing interest at 10.0% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears, substantially
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the  "Subordinated  Promissory Note"),
and Buyer shall  deliver to LaSalle  National Bank or to such other escrow agent
that is  mutually  acceptable  to Buyer  and  Seller  (the  "Escrow  Agent")  in
accordance with the terms of escrow agreement(s) that are mutually acceptable to
Buyer and Seller  (the  "Escrow  Agreement")  an amount  equal to the sum of the
Closing   Overdraft   Escrow  Balance  and  the  Closing  Bonus  Escrow  Accrual
(collectively, the "Escrow Account").

         (b) The  parties  hereto  agree that in the event  that  Buyer  assumes
Seller's  indebtedness  to the  City of  Baxter  Springs,  Kansas  (the  "Kansas
Indebtedness"),  (i) the cash portion of the Purchase  Price shall be reduced in
an amount equal to the outstanding aggregate obligation, as of the Closing Date,
that is assumed by Buyer, (ii) the agreements evidencing the Kansas Indebtedness
shall be Assumed  Contracts  for  purposes of Schedule  2.1(c),  (iii)  Seller's
repayment  obligations  under Section 9.9 hereof shall exclude the obligation to
repay the Kansas  Indebtedness  and to release the liens relating  thereto,  and
(iv) the Kansas  Indebtedness  shall be excluded from Section  2.2(f) hereof and
shall be deemed to be an Assumed Liability for purposes of this Agreement.

         3.2 Allocation of Purchase Price. The Purchase Price shall be allocated
among the Assets  (including the Assumed  Liabilities) in the manner required by
Treasury  Regulations  1.1060-1T and shall be reasonably agreed to in writing by
the parties on or before the Closing Date.  Buyer and Seller agree that,  except
as  otherwise  required  by law (i) the  allocations  to be  agreed to as herein
described shall be binding on Seller and Buyer for all federal,  state and local
tax purposes and (ii) Buyer and Seller shall file with their respective  federal
income tax returns consistent IRS Forms 8594-Asset  Acquisition Statements Under
Section 1060,  including any required amendments thereto which shall reflect the
allocations set forth in their written agreement.




         3.3 Purchase Price Adjustment

         (a) The Purchase Price shall be adjusted after the Closing as follows:

                           If the  "Closing  Working  Capital"  (as  hereinafter
defined) is:

                                    (A) greater than  $21,000,000,  the Purchase
Price shall  be  increased by  an  amount  equal to  the difference obtained  by
subtracting $21,000,000 from the Closing Working Capital; or

                                    (B)  less  than  $19,500,000,  the  Purchase
Price shall be  reduced  by  an  amount  equal  to  the  difference  obtained by
subtracting  the Closing  Working Capital from $19,500,000.

(This   adjustment  is   hereinafter   referred  to  as  the  "Working   Capital
Adjustment").

         Buyer  shall pay to Seller an amount in cash equal to any  increase  in
Purchase Price  resulting from the Working  Capital  Adjustment  within five (5)
days  after the  finalization  of the  Closing  Balance  Sheet  (as  hereinafter
defined) or Seller shall pay to Buyer an amount in cash equal to any decrease in
Purchase Price  resulting from the Working  Capital  Adjustment  within five (5)
days  after the  finalization  of the  Closing  Balance  Sheet  (as  hereinafter
defined),  as the case may be, in either case by wire  transfer  of  immediately
available funds.

         (b) As soon as practicable  following the Closing Date, Buyer shall, at
Buyer's expense, cause to be prepared an unaudited balance sheet of Seller as of
the close of business on the Closing Date (the "Draft  Closing  Balance  Sheet")
containing the working capital items listed on Schedule 3.3 hereto (the "Working
Capital  Schedule").  The Draft Closing  Balance  Sheet will fairly  present the
financial position,  assets and liabilities of Seller as of the Closing Date and
shall be prepared in accordance with generally  accepted  accounting  principles
and practices applied on a basis consistent with that of the Audited  Financials
(as defined in Section  5.7),  the Financial  Statements  (as defined in Section
5.7) and the Working  Capital  Schedule.  Buyer and Seller  shall use their best
efforts to complete a physical  count of the inventory on or before the close of
business on the Closing Date. Buyer's  independent  certified public accountants
("Buyer's  Accountants") and Seller's  independent  certified public accountants
("Seller's Accountants") shall be entitled to participate in, observe and review
such audit of the inventory.  The Draft Closing Balance Sheet (together with any
work  papers  or other  such  items as  Seller's  Accountants  shall  reasonably
request)  shall be delivered in written form to Seller and Seller's  Accountants
and shall become final and binding upon the parties  unless Seller gives written
notice of its disagreement (a "Notice of  Disagreement")  to Buyer within thirty
(30) days  following  Seller's  receipt  of the  Draft  Closing  Balance  Sheet,
specifying Seller's and Seller's Accountants disagreement with the Draft Closing
Balance  Sheet.  If a Notice of  Disagreement  is  received by Buyer in a timely
manner, then the Draft Closing Balance Sheet shall become final and binding upon
the parties on the earlier of (x) the date the parties hereto resolve in writing
any differences they may have with respect to any matter specified in the Notice
of Disagreement and (y) the date any Disputed  Matters (as hereinafter  defined)
are finally resolved in writing by the Arbitrator (as hereinafter defined).  Any
such Notice of Disagreement  shall state in reasonable  detail the nature of any
disagreement  so asserted.  During a period of fifteen (15) days  following  the
expiration  of the  aforesaid  thirty  (30) day period,  Buyer and Seller  shall
attempt to resolve in writing any differences that they may have with respect to
any  matter  specified  in the  Notice  of  Disagreement.  If at the end of such
fifteen (15) day period, Buyer and Seller have failed to reach written agreement
with respect to all of such  matters,  then all such matters as specified in the
Notice of Disagreement  as to which such written  agreement has not been reached
(the  "Disputed  Matters")  shall be submitted to and reviewed by an  arbitrator
(the  "Arbitrator"),  which shall be one of the "Big-Five"  accounting firms and
having no significant relationship with any party hereto during the past two (2)
years. The identity of the Arbitrator  shall be determined  mutually by Seller's
Accountants and Buyer's Accountants,  and if such accountants cannot agree as to
the  identity of the  Arbitrator,  then each  accounting  firm shall  select one
nominee and the Arbitrator shall be chosen by lot. The Arbitrator shall consider
only the Disputed Matters and shall be instructed to act promptly to resolve all
Disputed Matters, and its decision with respect to all Disputed Matters shall be
final and binding upon Buyer and Seller. The fees and expenses of the Arbitrator
with respect to the settlement of all Disputed Matters shall be borne equally by
Buyer and Seller.

         (c) As used herein,  "Closing  Balance  Sheet" shall refer to the Draft
Closing  Balance Sheet in the form in which it becomes final in accordance  with
the foregoing  procedures.  Further,  as used herein,  the term "Closing Working
Capital" shall mean the sum of (x) "Net Accounts Receivable" of Seller reflected
on the Closing Balance Sheet (except for the receivable from Seller's  insurance
carrier  referred to in Section 1.2(e) hereof and the receivables  classified as
"Other Receivables") less an adequate reserve for doubtful accounts and (y) "Net
Inventories" (valued on a  first-in-first-out  basis and net an adequate reserve
for obsolete  inventory in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past
practices)  of Seller  reflected  on the Closing  Balance  Sheet,  minus (z) the
amount  of  Seller's  "Accounts   Payable",   "Accrued  Employee   Compensation"
(excluding  Seller's  accrual for bonuses in an amount not to exceed the Closing
Bonus Escrow  Accrual and Seller's  accrual  classified  as "Accrued  Payroll"),
"Accrued Other  Expenses"  (excluding  Seller's  accrual  classified as workers'
compensation,  healthcare insurance claims, 401K deductions, in each case, in an
amount  not to  exceed  the  amount of such  accruals  on the date  hereof)  and
"Accrued Other Taxes"  reflected on the Closing Balance Sheet,  which components
of the "Closing Working Capital" definition the parties hereto have attempted to
further describe on Schedule 3.3 hereto.

4.  Closing;  Closing  Date.  Subject  to the  satisfaction  of  the  conditions
contained  in Sections 9 and 10 hereof,  the Closing of the sale and purchase of
the  Assets and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  shall take place at the
offices of Skadden,  Arps, Slate,  Meagher & Flom at 10:00 a.m. Chicago time, on
the first (1st)  business  day  following  the  approval of Artra'  shareholders
described in Section 5.31 hereof or such other time,  date or place as Buyer and
Seller  agree in writing;  provided,  however that in no event shall the Closing
take place  after  November  16,  1998 (or  December  18, 1998 in the event that
Artra's Proxy Statement (as  hereinafter  defined) is reviewed by the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission).  The time and date upon which the Closing  occurs is
herein called the "Closing Date."

5. Representations and Warranties with Respect to Artra, BCA and Seller.  Artra,
BCA and  Seller,  jointly  and  severally,  represent  and  warrant  to Buyer as
follows:

         5.1 Due Incorporation and Authority. Each of Artra, BCA and Seller is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the state of its  incorporation  and has all  requisite  corporate  power and
lawful  authority to own, lease and operate its assets,  properties and business
and to carry on its business as now being and heretofore conducted.

         5.2 Subsidiaries and Other Affiliates.  Except as set forth on Schedule
5.2,  Seller does not own directly or indirectly any debt or equity  interest in
any other corporation, joint-venture or person.

         5.3  Qualification.  Each of Artra,  BCA and Seller is duly  qualified,
licensed or otherwise  authorized as a foreign  corporation to transact business
and is in good  standing  under the laws of each state  where its  ownership  or
lease of property or the conduct of its business  requires it to be qualified to
do business as are set forth on Schedule 5.3 hereto.

         5.4 Authority to Execute and Perform Agreement.  Each of Artra, BCA and
Seller has, subject to obtaining the approval of Artra's shareholders  described
in Section 5.31 hereof, the full corporate power and authority required to enter
into, execute and deliver this Agreement and, to the extent a party thereto, the
deeds,  the bill of sale and the other documents and  certificates to be entered
into in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (collectively,  the
"Transaction  Documents"),  and to perform  fully their  respective  obligations
hereunder and  thereunder.  This  Agreement  has been and the other  Transaction
Documents to be delivered at the Closing will be, duly authorized,  executed and
delivered by Artra, BCA and Seller, to the extent a party thereto, and (assuming
the due  authorization,  execution and delivery hereof or thereof by Buyer) each
is, or upon execution by Artra,  BCA and Seller,  to the extent a party thereto,
will be, the valid and binding  obligation of Artra, BCA or Seller,  as the case
may  be,  enforceable  in  accordance  with  its  respective  terms,  except  as
enforceability   may  be   limited   by   applicable   bankruptcy,   insolvency,
reorganization,  moratorium or other similar laws  affecting the  enforcement of
creditors' rights generally or general principles of equity.

         5.5  Consents  and  Approvals.  Except  for  the  approval  of  Artra's
shareholders  described  in  Section  5.31  hereof  and  the  expiration  of the
applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrusts Improvement Act
(the "HSR  Act") and  except as set forth on  Schedule  5.5  (collectively,  the
"Required  Consents"),  the execution  and delivery by Artra,  BCA and Seller of
this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the performance by Artra,
BCA and Seller of their respective  obligations  hereunder and thereunder do not
require  Artra,  BCA or Seller to obtain any consent,  approval or action of, or
make  any  filing  with or give  any  notice  to,  any  court,  governmental  or
regulatory body or other third party whether governmental or private.

         5.6 No Breach.  Except for Seller's contracts which require third party
consents  prior to the  assignment  thereof as set forth on  Schedule  5.6,  the
execution,  delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents  to be entered into in  connection  herewith by, to the extent a party
thereto,  Artra,  BCA  and  Seller  and  the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby,  will not (i) violate,  conflict with or result
in the breach of any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of
Artra,  BCA or the Seller;  (ii) except as set forth on Schedule  5.6,  violate,
result in the breach of, or default (or an event which,  with notice or lapse of
time or  both,  would  constitute  a  default)  under,  any of the  terms of any
contract, lease, agreement,  Permit or other instrument to which Artra, BCA, the
Seller or the Business is a party or to which Seller, the Business or any of the
Assets may be bound or subject,  (iii) result in the creation or  imposition  of
any  lien,  security  interest  or  other  encumbrance  upon the  Assets  or the
Business; (iv) violate any order, writ, judgment, injunction, award or decree of
any court,  arbitrator or governmental  or regulatory  body against,  or binding
upon,  Artra,  BCA, the Seller,  the Business or the Assets;  or (v) violate any
statute, law or regulation applicable to Artra, BCA, the Seller or the Business.

         5.7 Financial  Statements.  (a) The audited balance sheets of Seller as
of December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and the related audited statements of income
and  retained  earnings  and cash flow for the years then ended,  including  the
footnotes  thereto,  with the opinion thereon of Coopers and Lybrand,  copies of
which are attached as Schedule 5.7(a),  fairly present the financial position of
Seller as at such  dates  and the  results  of  operations  of  Seller  for such
periods,   in  each  case  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles  consistently applied for the periods covered thereby. (The foregoing
audited Financial  Statements of Seller as of December 31, 1997 and for the year
then ended, are sometimes herein called the "Audited Financials".)

         (b) The  unaudited  balance  sheet of Seller as of July 4, 1998 and the
related  unaudited  statements of income and retained earnings and cash flow for
the  six-month  period  then  ended as  certified  by the  President  and  Chief
Financial  officer of Seller,  copies of which are attached as Schedule  5.7(b),
fairly present the financial  condition,  assets and liabilities of Seller as of
July 4, 1998 and the results of  operations  of the Business  for the  six-month
period then ended in accordance with generally  accepted  accounting  principles
consistently  applied  consistent  with past  practices,  except  for normal and
customary year end adjustments and except for the absence of notes thereto. (The
foregoing  unaudited  financial  statements of Seller as of July 4, 1998 and for
the  six-months  then  ended,   are  sometimes   herein  called  the  "Financial
Statements.")  The  balance  sheet  included  in  the  Financial  Statements  is
sometimes herein called the "Balance Sheet" and July 4, 1998 is sometimes herein
called the "Balance Sheet Date."

         (c) As of the date of the Financial Statements,  except as set forth in
Schedule 5.7(c), Seller does not have any material liabilities or obligations of
any kind,  whether  accrued,  absolute,  contingent or otherwise,  which are not
disclosed on the Financial Statements or disclosed in the notes thereto.  Except
as set forth on the  Financial  Statements  and as set forth on Schedule  5.7(c)
hereto, Seller does not have outstanding any material  indebtedness,  obligation
or liability of any type whatsoever.  Except for liabilities  incurred since the
date of the Financial  Statements in the ordinary course of business  consistent
with past  practices  (none of which such  liabilities  is a liability for tort,
breach of contract, warranty,  infringement or violation of law), Seller has not
incurred any such  liabilities  since the Balance Sheet Date,  and except as set
forth on Schedule  5.7(c),  there is no basis for the  assertion of any material
claim or  liability  of any  nature  against  Seller  in any  amount  not  fully
reflected or reserved  against on the  Financial  Statements or disclosed in the
notes thereto.

         5.8 No Material Adverse Change. Since the Balance Sheet Date, there has
been no material adverse change in the "condition of the Business" (as such term
is defined in Section  14.1(ii))  nor has there been any  condemnation,  damage,
destruction or loss to any of Seller's assets since such date that could have or
has had a material  adverse effect on the condition of the Business,  whether or
not  covered  by  insurance,  and to  Seller's  knowledge,  no  such  change  is
threatened.

         5.9  Compliance  with Laws;  Permits.  Except as set forth on  Schedule
5.9(a),  there are no material  violations by Seller or the Real Property of any
applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, ordinance,  regulation,  order,
judgment,  injunction, award, decree or other requirement of any governmental or
regulatory  body,  court or  arbitrator,  including  any zoning laws or building
codes.  Except as set forth on Schedule  5.9(b),  Seller possesses all licenses,
permits,  orders  or  approvals  of  any  applicable  federal,  state  or  local
governmental  or  regulatory  body that are  necessary  to conduct the  Business
(collectively, "Permits") and each such permit is identified on Schedule 5.9(b).
Except as set forth on Schedule 5.9(b),

                  (i)       all such Permits are in full force and effect,

                  (ii) no  violations  are,  or have been within the last twelve
months, recorded or observed in respect of such Permit,

                  (iii)  there  are  no  proceedings  pending  or,  to  Seller's
knowledge,  threatened,  which  would  result in the  revocation,  cancellation,
limitation or suspension thereof,

                  (iv) none of the rights of the Business  under any such Permit
will be subject to termination or modification  as a result of the  consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and

                  (v) no consent or approval of any person is required under any
material  Permit  in  connection  with  the  consummation  of  the  transactions
contemplated hereby.

         5.10  Actions and  Proceedings.  Except as set forth on  Schedule  5.10
hereof, there are no (i) outstanding orders, judgments,  injunctions,  awards or
decrees of any court,  arbitrator or  governmental  or  regulatory  body against
Seller, the Business or the Assets, or to Seller's knowledge, against any person
whom the Seller  has agreed to  indemnify  or any  current or former  officer or
director of Seller  relating to the  Business or the Assets,  and (ii)  actions,
litigations, suits or claims or legal, administrative or arbitral proceedings of
any type whatsoever pending, or to the Seller's knowledge,  threatened,  against
or involving Seller, the Business, the Assets, or to Seller's knowledge, against
any person  whom the Seller has  agreed to  indemnify  or any  current or former
officer or director of Seller relating to the Business or the Assets.

         5.11 Certain  Contracts.  Except for the Real Property  Leases (if any)
listed on Schedule  5.12, the Benefit Plans and Benefit  Arrangements  listed on
Schedule  5.15 and the  contracts  listed on Schedule  5.20,  Schedule 5.11 sets
forth the following  contracts  (whether oral or written) to which Seller or the
Business is a party or by or to which any of the Assets may be bound or subject:

         (i) contracts with any current or former officer, director, employee or
consultant of Seller;

         (ii)  contracts with any labor union or  association  representing  any
employee of Seller;

         (iii)  contracts  for the sale,  transfer  or lease of any of  Seller's
assets other than in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to which Seller
sold or  transferred,  during the last five (5) years,  any assets other than in
the ordinary course of business;

         (iv)  contracts  under which Seller agrees to indemnify any party or to
share any tax or environmental liability of any party;

         (v) contracts  under which Seller  purchases or sells goods or services
in excess of $100,000 per year  (except for  invoices or purchase  orders in the
ordinary course of business);

         (vi) lease  agreements for equipment and other  personal  property with
rental costs in excess of $100,000 per year;

         (vii)  contracts  containing  covenants of Seller not to compete in any
line of business or with any person in any geographical area or covenants of any
other  person  not to  compete  with  Seller in any line of  business  or in any
geographical   area  or  covenants   of  Seller  to  hold  certain   information
confidential;

         (viii)  contracts  relating  to  the  borrowing  or  lending  of  money
(including guaranties);

         (ix) material contracts with customers, distributors,  brokers, vendors
or suppliers;

         (x) contracts  relating to the  acquisition  by Seller of any operating
businesses  or the capital stock of any other person at any time during the last
five (5) years;

         (xi)  contracts  requiring  the  payment to any person of an  override,
rebate or similar  commission or fee except for those contracts of Seller which,
in the ordinary course of business,  require commissions,  rebates or fees to be
paid;

         (xii)  options  for  the  purchase  of any  property  for an  aggregate
purchase price in excess of $100,000 (except for purchase orders in the ordinary
course of business);

         (xiii)  management  contracts,  consulting  contracts and other similar
agreements with any person;

         (xiv) joint-venture, partnership or other similar agreements;

         (xv)  contracts  with BCA,  Artra or any other  affiliate or officer or
director of Seller, BCA or Artra;

         (xvi)  any other  contracts  pursuant  to the  terms of which  there is
either a current or future  obligation  or right of Seller to make  payments  in
excess of $50,000 or receive payments in excess of $50,000;

         (xvii) contracts with any governmental or regulatory body;

         (xviii)  contracts  which can be canceled only upon sixty (60) days' or
more notice or only upon the payment of a fee or penalty;

         (xix)  contracts  with respect to any  intellectual  property  owned or
licensed by the Company; and

         (xx) any other contract that is material to the Business.

Except as set forth on  Schedule  5.11,  (i) all of such  contracts  are in full
force and effect,  are binding upon Seller,  and after the Closing Date, will be
enforceable by Buyer,  in accordance with their terms without the consent of any
other  party,  (ii)  all  liabilities  and  obligations   thereunder   requiring
performance by Seller on or prior to the Closing Date have been fully  satisfied
in all respects,  (iii)  neither  Seller nor, to Seller's  knowledge,  any other
party is in breach or default  (whether,  with  notice or lapse of time or both)
under  any  such  contract  which  breach  or  default,  individually  or in the
aggregate,  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on the  condition  of the
Business,  (iv) no written claim of any such breach or default has been received
by Seller,  and (v) none of Seller's  rights  under any such  Contracts  will be
subject to termination or  modification  as a result of the  consummation of the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement. True and correct copies of each of
the  documents  identified on Schedule 5.11 have  previously  been  delivered to
Buyer or Buyer's representatives.

         5.12  Real Estate.

         (a) Owned Real Property.  Schedule  5.12(a)(1) contains an accurate and
complete list of all fee interests in real property and buildings and structures
currently  owned  by  the  Seller  (the  "Owned  Real  Property"),  including  a
description  reasonably  sufficient  to identify  each such  parcel,  the record
titleholder  of such  property and a summary of any leases or other  instruments
which pertain to the possession or use of such Owned Real  Property.  The Seller
has good and  marketable  title in fee to all of the  Owned  Real  Property  and
buildings and structures  thereon,  free and clear of all liens and encumbrances
of any type  whatsoever  except (i) for the  security  interests of the Seller's
lenders that will be released simultaneously with the Closing; (ii) as disclosed
by the title  commitments to be obtained by Sellers within  forty-five (45) days
after the date  hereof (the "Title  Commitments")  to issue the title  insurance
policies  with  respect to the Owned Real  Property to be  delivered at Closing;
(iii) liens for current taxes and assessments not yet due and payable;  (iv) any
liens or  other  encumbrances  that do not,  individually  or in the  aggregate,
materially detract from the value of or materially impair the current use of the
Owned  Real  Property;  and (v) such  liens and  encumbrances  disclosed  in the
surveys  of the Owned Real  Property  certified  within six (6) months  prior to
Closing prepared by a surveyor  licensed by the state in which the Real Property
is located (the "Surveys")  obtained by Seller in  contemplation  of the Closing
hereunder (collectively, the "Permitted Owned Real Property Exceptions").

         (b) Leased Real Property.  Schedule  5.12(b)  attached hereto is a true
and  complete  list of all  leases,  subleases,  licenses  and other  agreements
(collectively,  the "Real Property Leases") under which Seller currently uses or
occupies  or has the  right to use or  occupy,  now or in the  future,  any real
property and all amendments and modifications thereto (the land, buildings,  and
other  improvements  covered by the Real Property Leases being herein called the
"Leased  Real  Property").  Seller owns all  leasehold  estates and other rights
purported  to be granted  by the Real  Property  Leases  and has such  leasehold
estates as is required for the conduct of its  business.  Seller has  heretofore
delivered to Buyer or Buyer's  representatives true, correct and complete copies
of all of the Real Property Leases.

                  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.12(b),  (i) Seller is not in
default  under any Real  Property  Lease  and no  written  claim of any  default
thereunder has been received by Seller which has not been cured and, to Seller's
knowledge,  each  landlord  named in any of the Real  Property  Leases is not in
default  thereunder  and  no  defaults  by any  such  landlord  (whether  or not
subsequently  cured) by such  landlord  have been alleged by Seller  thereunder,
(ii) there  exists no event  which with the passage of time will become an event
of default under any of the Real Property Leases,  (iii) all rent and other sums
and charges payable by Seller under any of the Real Property Leases are current,
(iv) the Real  Property  Leases are  assignable  to Buyer without the consent or
approval of the landlord thereof or any other third party, (v) the Real Property
Leases are in full force and effect,  (vi) there are no  agreements,  written or
oral,  between  Seller and any third  parties  claiming  an interest in Seller's
interest in the Real Property  Leases or otherwise  relating to Seller's use and
occupancy thereof, (vii) Seller has not waived any obligation or right in any of
the Real Property  Leases which would  materially  affect its interest as tenant
under any of the Real Property Leases,  and (viii) there are no mechanic's liens
affecting the Leased Real Property  caused by acts of Seller and all services or
materials  which have been  furnished to the Seller at the Leased Real  Property
within the past twelve months have been fully paid for.

                  Seller  shall  assign  and  deliver  to Buyer on or before the
Closing,  any service contracts,  warranties or guaranties  covering the roof or
any building systems which Seller has the power to assign.

         (c)  Entire  Premises.  The  Leased  Real  Property  and the Owned Real
Property  are  sometimes  hereinafter  collectively  referred  to as  the  "Real
Property." All of the land, buildings, structures and other improvements used by
Seller  are  included  in the Real  Property.  Except as set  forth on  Schedule
5.12(c),  all of the buildings  and  structures to the extent owned or leased by
Seller are in good condition,  ordinary wear and tear excepted, and are suitable
for the purposes  for which they are being used and each has adequate  rights of
ingress and egress for the  operation  of the business of Seller in the ordinary
course of  business.  No building or  structure to the extent owned or leased by
Seller, or any appurtenance  thereto or equipment  therein,  or the operation or
maintenance thereof, violates any restrictive covenants or any provisions of any
federal,  state,  local or  foreign  law,  ordinance  or  zoning  regulation  or
encroaches  on any property  owned by others,  which  violation or  encroachment
materially  interferes  with  the use or  adversely  affects  the  value of such
building,  structure or appurtenance.  No condemnation proceeding is pending or,
to the knowledge of Seller,  threatened with respect to any of the Real Property
or of any sale or other  disposition of the Real Property or any part thereof in
lieu of condemnation. Upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement,  Buyer  will be  entitled  to  continue  to use or  possess  all Real
Property currently owned or leased by Seller and used in the Business.

         (d) Space Leases and Options.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.12(d),
there are no leases, subleases, licenses and other agreements (collectively, the
"Space  Leases")  granting  to any  person  any  right to the  possession,  use,
occupancy or enjoyment of the Real Property. Seller does not own or hold, and is
not obligated  under or a party to, any option,  right of first refusal or other
contractual right to purchase, acquire, sell or dispose of any real property.

         5.13 Title to Tangible  Property.  Schedule  5.13(a) hereto contains an
accurate and complete list of all items of tangible  personal  property owned or
used by Seller and having a net book value of more than $100,000.  Except as set
forth on Schedule 5.13(b),

         (a) Seller has good and  marketable  title to all of Seller's  tangible
assets,  including without limitation,  the tangible personal property listed on
Schedule 5.13(a)  (collectively,  the "Tangible Property") free and clear of any
lien or other encumbrance  except for (i) liens or other  encumbrances  securing
taxes,   assessments,   governmental   charges  or  levies,  or  the  claims  of
materialmen,  carriers, landlords and like persons, all of which are not yet due
and  payable;  (ii) assets held or used  pursuant to any lease,  or (iii) assets
sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business;

         (b) all of the items of tangible  personal property not owned by Seller
but used in the  Business  are in such  condition  that upon the  return of such
property to their owners in the current condition of such property,  normal wear
and tear  excepted,  at the end of the  relevant  lease  terms  or as  otherwise
contemplated  by  the  applicable   agreements  with  the  owners  thereof,  the
obligations of Seller to such owners will be discharged  without further action;
and

         (c) the Assets  include  all  property,  plant,  equipment,  intangible
assets and other  rights  (other than the  Retained  Assets) used to conduct the
Business  by  Seller  and  necessary  for  Buyer  to  conduct  the  Business  in
substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted by Seller.  Rescuers, Inc.
(the "Subsidiary") does not own any property,  plant,  equipment or other assets
used to conduct the Business or any other asset of any type whatsoever.

         5.14 Intangible  Property.  Schedule 5.14(a) sets forth an accurate and
complete list of all of Seller's patents,  patent  applications,  registered and
unregistered  trademarks,   copyrights,  service  marks  and  trade  names,  all
registrations and applications for any of the foregoing and all permits,  grants
and licenses running to or from Seller relating to any of the foregoing, that in
each  case,  are  utilized  in or  incident  to  the  conduct  of  the  Business
(collectively,  the  "Intangible  Assets").  Except  as set  forth  on  Schedule
5.14(b),  Seller  has the right to use,  free and clear of any rights of others,
and has good and  marketable  title to, all  Intangible  Assets and to all trade
secrets, know-how, inventions, formulae, processes and technology utilized in or
incident to the conduct of the  Business as presently  conducted  (collectively,
"Trade  Secrets").  Except  as set  forth on  Schedule  5.14(b),  Seller  has no
knowledge and has not received  written notice of (i) any adversely held patent,
invention,  trademark, copyright, service mark, trade name or other right of any
other  person,  or of any  claim of any  other  person,  relating  to any of the
Intangible  Assets or the Trade Secrets,  or (ii) any  infringement by others of
any Intangible Assets,  Trade Secrets or other  intellectual  property rights of
Seller.  Except as set forth on Schedule  5.14(b),  Seller (i) has not  asserted
during  the past two (2) years any claim of  infringement,  misappropriation  or
misuse with  respect to any of the  Intangible  Assets or the Trade  Secrets and
(ii) is not in breach or default under any permit,  grant or license  running to
or from Seller relating to any of the foregoing.

         5.15 Employee Benefit Plans.

                  5.15.1  Schedule  5.15 sets forth a true and complete  list of
all  "Benefit  Plans" (as such terms are  defined  in  Article  8).  None of the
Benefit Plans is a  multi-employer  plan as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA or
is a plan which  covers  any  employees  of any trade or  business  (other  than
Seller's  Business)  under common  control with Seller and which,  together with
Seller,  are  treated  as a single  employer  within  the  meaning  of  Sections
414(b),(c),(m) or (o) of the Code.

                  5.15.2  Seller has  delivered or made  available to Buyer true
and  complete  copies  of: (i) all plan texts and  agreements  relating  to each
Benefit Plan;  (ii) annual  reports (Forms 5500) and periodic  reports,  if any,
with  respect  to each  Benefit  Plan for the last year;  (iii) the most  recent
actuarial  valuation  report and  financial  statement for the last year and the
most recent determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service with
respect to each Benefit Plan that is a "pension  plan," as defined under Section
3(2) of ERISA or is intended to be qualified  under Section  403(a) of the Code;
(iv)  the most  recent  summary  plan  description,  each  summary  of  material
modifications,   the  most  recent   employee   handbooks  and  other   material
communications to its employees;  (v) any forms 5310 filed by Seller in the last
three (3) years;  (vi) the most recent PBGC Form 1 for each Benefit Plan that is
a pension plan; and (vii) the form of notice under Section 4980B of the Code and
a list of the  employees  who were  eligible to receive  such notice  during the
18-month period prior to the Closing Date.

                  5.15.3 Except as noted on Schedule 5.15,  with respect to each
Benefit Plan: (i) Seller has timely made all required payments and contributions
due from it to date,  and all amounts  required to be accrued to date (under the
terms of such Benefit Plans and in accordance with law) as liabilities of Seller
which have not been paid have been  properly  recorded on the books of Seller if
required by generally accepted accounting  principles,  including,  any required
accruals  under any Benefit Plan that is a pension plan for any period up to and
including the Closing  Date;  (ii) Seller and the  administrators,  trustees and
other  fiduciaries  have complied  with,  and each such Benefit Plan  materially
conforms  to,  in form and  operations,  all  applicable  laws and  regulations,
including,   without   limitation,   ERISA,  the  Consolidated   Omnibus  Budget
Reconciliation  Act of 1986 and the Code (as such term is  defined in Article 8)
and each such plan or arrangement that is intended to be "qualified"  within the
meaning  of  Section  401(a) or 403(a)  of the Code has been  determined  by the
Internal Revenue Service to be qualified (or the time for making  application to
the Internal Revenue Service for such  determination  and making any retroactive
amendment required for the issuance thereof has not expired); (iii) there are no
actions,  suits or claims or proceedings  pending (other than routine claims for
benefits)  before any court or  governmental  or regulatory body or, to Seller's
knowledge,  threatened,  with respect to any Benefit Plan, against the assets of
any such plan or  arrangement or against the plan  sponsors,  administrators  or
fiduciaries;  (iv) Seller has not incurred,  and does not  reasonably  expect to
incur,  any liability with respect to any Benefit Plan that is or was subject to
Title IV of ERISA,  whether  to the  Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  or
otherwise;  and (v) there has been no act or  omission  of  Seller  which  would
constitute a "prohibited transaction" under Section 406 of ERISA or section 4975
of the Code that would  subject  Seller or the Benefit Plans to an excise tax or
civil penalty under section 4975 of the Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA.

                  5.15.4  Except as set forth in Schedule  5.15, no Benefit Plan
that is a "pension  plan" (as  defined in Section  3(2) of ERISA) that is or was
subject to Title IV of ERISA has been  terminated or merged;  no proceeding  has
been  initiated to terminate  any such plan;  no  "reportable  event" within the
meaning of Section  4043(b) of ERISA has occurred or is expected to occur (other
than  as a  result  of this  transaction);  and  Seller  has  not  incurred  any
liability,  whether to the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation or otherwise,
except for required premium payments, which payments have been made when due. To
Seller's knowledge,  no event has occurred, and there exists no condition or set
of  circumstances  which presents a material risk of the partial  termination of
any such plan.

                  5.15.5  No such  plan has  incurred  an  "accumulated  funding
deficiency"  (as  defined in Section  302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code),
whether or not waived.  For each Benefit  Plan subject to either  section 412 of
the Code or section 302 of ERISA,  (i) such plan is fully  funded in  accordance
with the  actuarial  assumptions  used by the  PBGC to  determine  the  level of
funding  required in the event of termination of such Benefit Plan and such plan
uses a funding method permissible under ERISA and the actuarial assumptions used
in connection therewith are individually and in the aggregate  reasonable,  (ii)
other than any fluctuation in market value of readily tradeable  securities,  to
the  knowledge of Seller,  there is no reason to believe that as of the Closing,
the  relationship  between the assets and  liabilities  of any such Benefit Plan
will  have  materially  worsened  since  the date of its most  recent  actuarial
valuation  report,  and (iii) each such valuation report was based on census and
trust  data  furnished  by the  Seller,  which was  substantially  complete  and
accurate.

                  5.15.6 With  respect to each  Benefit Plan which is a "welfare
plan" (as  described  in  section  3(1) of  ERISA):  (i)  except as set forth on
Schedule  5.15, no such plan provides  medical or death benefits with respect to
current or former  employees of Seller  beyond their  termination  of employment
other  than  coverage  mandated  by law,  and  (ii)  each  such  plan  has  been
administered in compliance with COBRA,  Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA
and 4980B(f) of the Code.

                  5.15.7 The  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement by itself and without consideration of subsequent events will not
(i)  entitle  any  current  or  former  employee  of Seller  to  severance  pay,
unemployment compensation or any similar payment, or (ii) accelerate the time of
payment or vesting,  or increase the amount of any  compensation or benefits due
to any such employee or former employee.

                  5.15.8 No Benefit Plan is a "multiple  employer  plan," within
the meaning of the Code or ERISA or the regulations promulgated thereunder, or a
"multi-employer  plan" as defined in section 4001(a)(3) or ERISA, and Seller has
never made any contributions to or participated in any "multiple  employer plan"
or  "multi-employer  plan" (as  defined  above).  Neither  Seller  nor any ERISA
affiliate has withdrawn a complete or partial withdrawal from any multi-employer
plan,  nor has any of them  incurred any  liability  due to the  termination  or
reorganization  of a  multi-employer  plan or  otherwise  which  have  not  been
completely  satisfied.  Seller  will  not have any  withdrawal  liability  under
Section 4201 of ERISA or other  liability  due to any such  multi-employer  plan
which it would not have had the transactions not occurred in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement.

         5.16  Employee Relations.

         (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.16,  Seller is not a party to nor
in any way bound by any union or collective bargaining contract relating to it's
employees.  Seller has not during the last three (3) years had,  nor to Seller's
knowledge,  is there  now or has there  been  threatened,  any union  organizing
efforts, strikes, pickets, work stoppages,  work slowdowns,  lockouts,  material
arbitrations,  material  charges of unfair labor practice or grievances or other
material labor disputes against Seller.

         (b) Except as set forth in Schedule 5.16,  there are no written charges
or written  complaints  of  discrimination  pending or, to  Seller's  knowledge,
threatened  before any court or the Equal Employment  Opportunity  Commission or
any state or local  agency,  and to  Seller's  knowledge,  no basis for any such
claim  exists.  There  are no  unfair  labor  practice  charges,  grievances  or
complaints  pending or  threatened in writing by or on behalf of any employee or
group of employees of the Business which if resolved against Seller could result
in a  material  liability.  Except as set forth in  Section  5.16,  there are no
pending  complaints,  charges or claims made against Seller,  or to the Seller's
knowledge,  no such claims  threatened by any public or governmental  authority,
arbitrator or court based on,  arising out of, in connection  with, or otherwise
relating  to the  employment  or  termination  of  employment  by  Seller of any
individual.  Except as set forth in Schedule 5.16, there has been no mass layoff
or "plant closing" as defined by Workers Adjustment and Retraining  Notification
Act of 1988 with respect to Seller within the six (6) months prior to Closing.

         (c) To Seller's knowledge,  Seller does not presently employ, and at no
time during the past year did Seller employ, any illegal alien.

         (d) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.16, no unions or other collective
bargaining  units have been or are  required to be certified  or  recognized  by
Seller as representing any of its employees and to Seller's  knowledge there are
no existing union organizing efforts with respect to any of it's employees.

         (e)  Seller  has  complied  with all  applicable  laws  (including  the
Immigration  Reform and Control Act of 1986)  respecting  employment,  hours and
wages, social security, withholding and payment of taxes, discrimination, safety
and health  with  respect  to  employees  and  employment  practices,  terms and
conditions except for immaterial non-compliance.

         (f) Schedule 5.16 sets forth the name,  job title or position and total
compensation paid by Seller to each employee of as of the date set forth in such
schedule.

         5.17  Insurance.  Schedule 5.17 sets forth a complete and accurate list
(specifying the insurer,  describing each pending claim  thereunder of more than
$100,000 and setting forth the aggregate amounts paid out under each such policy
through  the date  hereof) of all  policies  of  property,  life,  fire,  theft,
business interruption,  employee fidelity, health, casualty, liability, workers'
compensation,  products liability,  vehicular and other forms of insurance owned
or held by or  beneficially  for Seller.  All premiums that have become due with
respect to such  policies  with respect to the period ending on the Closing Date
have been paid or will be paid prior to Closing.  With respect to the  Business:
(a) all  insurance  listed on  Schedule  5.17 has been  issued  under  valid and
enforceable policies or binders for the benefit of Seller, (b) all such policies
or  binders  are in full  force and  effect  and no notice  of  cancellation  or
termination  or  non-renewal  has been received with respect to any such policy,
and insure  against all risks of a character  and in amounts as are  customarily
insured against by enterprises in operations similar to the Business,  (c) there
are no pending or asserted  material  claims against such insurance by Seller to
which the insurers have denied liability, (d) none of the rights of Seller under
any of such  insurance  policies or binders  will be subject to  termination  or
modification as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement,  and (e) such policies are in amounts customary for the industry
in which Seller operates.

         5.18 Officers,  Directors and Key  Employees.  Schedule 5.18 sets forth
the name of each  person who is now (i) an officer or  director of BCA or Seller
and (ii) an employee,  consultant, agent or other representative of Seller whose
annual  rate of  compensation  (including  bonuses and  commissions)  exceeds or
exceeded $150,000 (and the amount of such compensation of such employee). Except
as set  forth on  Schedule  5.18,  Seller  is not a party to any  commitment  or
agreement to increase the  compensation  or to modify the conditions or terms of
employment of any person.  None of the persons referred to in clause (ii) of the
first  sentence of this  Section  5.18  currently  holding  such a position  has
indicated  that he or she is  unwilling to continue  employment  under terms and
conditions substantially similar to those under which such employee is currently
employed  or that he or she will cancel or  otherwise  terminate  such  person's
relationship upon the sale of the Business.

         5.19 Operations of Seller.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.19, since
December  31, 1997,  Seller has  operated  the Business in the ordinary  course,
managed it's working capital  consistent  with it's historical  practices of the
past  three (3) years,  made  substantially  all  planned  capital  expenditures
required to support the existing operations of the Business,  and since December
31, 1997, neither the Seller nor the Business has

         (i) waived any material right under any contract or other agreement;

         (ii) made any change in its accounting methods or practices or made any
change in depreciation, amortization or reserve policies or rates;

         (iii)  changed  any of its  material  business  policies  or  practices
(including,  without limitation,  credit, advertising,  marketing, inventory and
stocking, pricing, sales, capital or strategic policies and practices);

         (iv) made any wage or salary increase,  or any payment or commitment to
pay any  severance  or benefits to any of its  officers,  directors or employees
other than in the ordinary course of business,  nor entered into any employment,
severance or consulting  contract with any  director,  officer or employee,  nor
made any change in the terms of any Benefit Plan;

         (v) received notice from any customer as to such  customer's  intention
not to conduct  business  with  Seller,  the results of which loss of  business,
individually  or in the  aggregate,  were, or may  reasonably be expected to be,
material;  or lost or canceled any customer or customers to which Seller  either
sold goods in excess of  $100,000 or to which,  together  with all other lost or
canceled  customers it sold goods in excess of an  aggregate of $500,000  during
the last fiscal year; or

         (vi)  incurred  or  assumed  any debt,  obligation,  trade  payable  or
liability for which Seller is liable (whether absolute or contingent and whether
or  not  currently  due  and  payable)  except  for  normal  trade  or  business
obligations   consistent  with  past  practices  or  obligations  under  Assumed
Contracts;

         (vii) except for inventory or equipment acquired in the ordinary course
of business and as consistent with past  practices,  made any acquisition of all
or any part of the assets,  properties,  capital  stock or business of any other
person;

         (viii) paid, directly or indirectly, any of Seller's liabilities before
the same  became  due in  accordance  with  their  terms or,  other  than in the
ordinary course of business,  deferred the payment of any liabilities or changed
its payable levels;

         (ix) accelerated the collection,  directly or indirectly, of any of its
accounts  receivable  other than in the ordinary  course of business or deferred
the  collection  of any such  accounts  other  than in the  ordinary  course  of
business;

         (x) deferred or delayed the purchase of any raw  materials or inventory
other than in the ordinary course of business or changed its inventory levels;

         (xi) made any  payments  from Seller to or for the benefit of, or enter
into any  transactions  with,  Artra,  BCA, the  Subsidiary  or any affiliate of
Seller or declared any dividend or made any other payment or other  distribution
in respect of Seller's capital stock;

         (xii)  purchased,  redeemed,  issued,  sold or  otherwise  acquired  or
disposed  of any  shares of  Seller's  capital  stock or  granted  any  options,
warrants or other rights to purchase or convert any  obligations  into shares of
capital stock, warrants or options;

         (xiii) transferred any assets, properties or rights of Seller to Artra,
BCA,  the  Subsidiary  or any of their  respective  stockholders,  employees  or
affiliates;

         (xiv) other than in the  ordinary  course of business  consistent  with
past practices,  permitted or allowed any of Seller's  property or assets (real,
personal or mixed,  tangible or  intangible)  to be subjected  to any  mortgage,
pledge, lien, security interest, encumbrance, restriction or charge of any kind,
except for liens permitted under Sections 5.12 and 5.13;

         (xv) other than in the ordinary  course of business and consistent with
past practices,  written down the value of any inventory (including  write-downs
by reason of shrinkage or mark-down) or written off as  uncollectible  any notes
or accounts receivable;

         (xvi) other than in the ordinary course of business, canceled any debts
or waived any claims or rights of substantial value;

         (xvii)  other than in the  ordinary  course of business  at prices,  on
terms and in quantities consistent with past practices,  sold,  transferred,  or
otherwise disposed of any of its properties or assets (real,  personal or mixed,
tangible or intangible);

         (xviii) other than in the ordinary course of business,  disposed of any
rights to the use of any  Intangible  Asset or Trade Secret,  or disposed of, or
disclosed to any person (other than  representatives of Buyer), any Trade Secret
not theretofore a matter of public knowledge;

         (xix) made any loan or advance to Artra,  BCA, the Subsidiary or any of
their respective  officers,  directors,  employees,  consultants or stockholders
(other than travel advances made in the ordinary course of business) or made any
other loan or advance otherwise than in the ordinary course of business;

         (xx)  deferred or delayed any  maintenance  on any of the Assets or any
planned capital expenditures;

         (xxi) failed to maintain  its  insurance in full force and effect other
than in the ordinary course of business,  entered into any material  contract or
other agreement or other material transaction;

         (xxii)  engaged in any other  transaction  other  than in the  ordinary
course of business; or

         (xxiii) agreed to do any of the foregoing.

         5.20 Potential  Conflicts of Interest.  Except as described on Schedule
5.20, neither Artra, BCA, the Seller nor any of their respective  affiliates nor
any of their respective officers, directors,  employees, nor to the knowledge of
Seller,  any of the family members of any such person or any entity in which any
such person has any equity interest (i) owns,  directly or indirectly,  in whole
or in part, any tangible or intangible property or any of the assets, properties
or rights or real property  that Seller uses in the conduct of its business,  or
(ii) has an interest in any  contract,  agreement or  arrangement  pertaining to
Seller or the Business, or (iii) owes any money to Seller or the Business or has
any  cause  of  action  against  Seller  or the  Business,  or (iv) to  Seller's
knowledge,  owns, directly or indirectly,  any person which is, or is engaged in
business as, a competitor,  lessor,  lessee,  customer or supplier of Seller, or
(v) has  purchased  products  or services  from  Seller or provided  products or
services to Seller.

         5.21 Banks,  Powers of Attorney.  Schedule 5.21 sets forth (i) the name
of each bank, trust company or other financial institution with which Seller has
an account,  credit line or safe deposit box or vault; and (ii) the name of each
person  authorized  by  Seller  to draw  thereon  or to have  access to any safe
deposit box or vault.  At the Closing,  Seller shall  deliver to Buyer copies of
all records, including signature or authorization cards, pertaining to such bank
accounts.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.21,  Seller has not given any power
of attorney  which is currently in effect,  whether  limited or general,  to any
person, firm, corporation or otherwise.

         5.22  Suppliers and Customers.

         (a) Schedule  5.22(a) sets forth a true,  complete and accurate list of
the ten (10) largest suppliers of Seller in terms of purchases during the twelve
(12) month period ended June 30, 1998 showing the approximate total purchases by
Seller  from each such  supplier  during such  period.  Except to the extent set
forth in Schedule 5.22(a),  during such twelve-month  period, there has not been
any significant change in the business  relationship of Seller with any supplier
named in Schedule  5.22(a) and Seller is not engaged in any dispute  with any of
such suppliers. Seller has no indication, and has no reason to believe, that any
of its suppliers will modify or terminate their  relationship as a result of the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         (b) Schedule  5.22(b) sets forth a true,  complete and accurate list of
the twenty (20) largest  customers  of Seller in terms of  purchases  during the
twelve (12) month  period  ended June 30, 1998,  showing the  approximate  total
sales by Seller to each such customer  during such period.  Except to the extent
set forth in Schedule  5.22(b),  during such  twelve-month  period there has not
been any  significant  change in the  business  relationship  of Seller with any
customer named in Schedule 5.22(b) and Seller is not engaged in any dispute with
any such customers. Seller has no indication, and has no reason to believe, that
any of its customers will materially modify or terminate their relationship with
Seller as of result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         5.23     Assets and Inventory.

         (a) The assets and properties  owned,  operated or leased by Seller and
used in its  businesses  are,  in the  aggregate,  in a good state of repair and
operating condition,  and are fit for their intended purposes and constitute all
of the assets and properties necessary to operate the business.

         (b) Net of the reserve  applicable  to  inventory,  as set forth on the
Financial  Statements,  the  inventory  of  Seller  is in  good  and  marketable
condition,  and is salable in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with
past practices.

         (c)  Seller  has no  reason to  believe  that any of the  inventory  of
Seller,  net of the reserve  applicable  thereto,  as set forth on the Financial
Statements,  will not be salable or returnable by Seller in the ordinary  course
of business in accordance with past practices.

         (d) The quantities of all lines of inventory and supplies of Seller are
reasonable and warranted in the present set of circumstances.

         5.24     Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable.

         (a) The  accounts  and notes  receivable  of Seller,  reflected  on the
Financial  Statements  or arising  after the date thereof arose from the sale of
inventory,  assets,  or other  services,  in each case in the ordinary course of
business of Seller,  are not subject to any  counterclaim or set-off and reflect
extensions of credit consistent with past practices of Seller.  The reserves for
accounts and notes  receivable of Seller set forth in the  Financial  Statements
are adequate to reserve for all such existing  receivables of Seller that are or
become uncollectible in the ordinary course of business,  and such reserves were
calculated in a manner  consistent  with past  practices and in accordance  with
generally accepted  accounting  principles,  consistently  applied.  The current
average age of all such accounts and notes receivable is not materially  greater
than the average age of those receivables reflected on the Financial Statements.

         (b)  The  accounts   payable  of  Seller  reflected  on  the  Financial
Statements  or  arising  after  the date  thereof  are the  result  of bona fide
transactions  in the ordinary  course of business,  and were paid or are not yet
due and payable, or will be paid in the ordinary course of business. The current
average age of all such payables is not materially  greater than the average age
of those payables reflected on the Financial Statements.

         5.25 Taxes.  (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.25,  Seller has duly
and timely filed, and Seller will duly and timely file prior to the Closing, all
Tax  Returns  required to be filed on or prior to the date hereof or the Closing
Date, respectively,  which Tax Returns are or will be true, correct and complete
in all material respects.  Seller has duly and timely paid, and Seller will duly
and timely pay, all Taxes due and payable by Seller in respect of all periods up
to and including the date of this  Agreement and the Closing Date,  respectively
(whether  or not  shown on any tax  return).  Seller  has  properly  accrued  on
Seller's books and records,  including the Audited  Financials and the Financial
Statements,  all Taxes  payable  by  Seller  but not yet due in  respect  of all
periods up to and including the date of this Agreement and will properly  accrue
all Taxes  payable by Seller but not yet due for all periods up to and including
the Closing Date. The reserves for Taxes (not including any reserve for deferred
Taxes  established  to reflect timing  differences  between book and tax income)
reflected on Seller's  books and records,  including the Audited  Financials and
the Financial  Statements,  are sufficient for the payment of all Taxes incurred
or that may be incurred  through  the date  thereof  and,  as  adjusted  for the
passage of time, through the Closing Date in accordance with the past custom and
practice  of Seller in filing its Tax  Returns.  Except as set forth on Schedule
5.25,  no claim has ever been made by any  Taxing  Authority  in a  jurisdiction
where  Seller does not file Tax Returns  that Seller is or may be subject to Tax
by that  jurisdiction.  There are no security  interests on any of the assets of
Seller that arise in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any
Tax.

                  (b)  Except  as set  forth in  Schedule  5.25,  (i) no  Taxing
Authority  has  asserted  in writing  any  adjustment  that  could  result in an
additional  Tax for which  Seller is or may be liable,  (ii) there is no pending
proceeding  relating  to any Tax for which  Seller  is or may be  liable  and no
written  notification  has been  received  that a proceeding  is  threatened  or
contemplated  by any Taxing  Authority,  (iii) no statute  of  limitations  with
respect  to any Tax for  which  Seller is or may be  liable  has been  waived or
extended,  (iv) there is no outstanding power of attorney  authorizing anyone to
act on behalf of Seller in  connection  with any Tax,  Tax Return or  proceeding
relating to any Tax,  (v) there is no  outstanding  closing  agreement,  written
ruling  request,  written  request for consent to change a method of accounting,
subpoena or written request for information with or by any Taxing Authority with
respect to Seller, its income, assets or business or any Tax for which Seller is
or may be  liable,  (vi)  Seller  is not a  party  to  any  Tax  sharing  or Tax
allocation  agreement,  arrangement or  understanding,  (vii) since December 31,
1997, Seller has not changed any method of accounting or accounting  practice or
procedure,  (viii) Seller is not the beneficiary of any extension of time within
which to file any Tax  Return,  (ix)  neither  the  Seller nor any  director  or
officer (or employee  responsible  for Tax Matters) of Seller expects any Taxing
Authority  to assess any  additional  Taxes for any period for which Tax Returns
have  been  filed,  and (x)  there is no  dispute  or claim  concerning  any Tax
Liability of Seller as to which Seller has knowledge based upon personal contact
with any agent of such Taxing Authority.

                  (c) Schedule 5.25 sets forth the status of federal  income tax
audits of the  returns  for Seller for each fiscal year for which the statute of
limitations  has not expired.  Each return filed by Seller for which the federal
income tax audit has not been  completed  accurately  reflects the amount of its
tax  liability for such period.  Seller has made  available to Buyer correct and
complete  copies of all  examination  reports  and  statements  of  deficiencies
assessed against or agreed to by Seller since December 31, 1996.

                  (d) Schedule 5.25 sets forth the status of state and local tax
audits of the  returns  for Seller for each fiscal year for which the statute of
limitations has not expired. Each return filed by Seller for which the state and
local tax audit has not been completed accurately reflects the amount of its tax
liability for such period.

                  (e) Schedule 5.25 sets forth all federal tax  elections  under
the Code that are in effect  with  respect to Seller for the fiscal  years ended
December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1997.

                  (f)  Seller  has   properly   withheld  and  timely  paid  all
withholding  and  employment  taxes which it was  required  to withhold  and pay
relating to salaries,  compensation  and other  amounts  heretofore  paid to its
employees  and other  persons.  All Forms W-2 and 1099  required  to be filed by
Seller have been timely and properly filed.

                  (g) Seller is and has always been taxable as a corporation for
Tax purposes.

                  (h)  Seller  has not  filed a  consent  under  Code  ss.341(f)
concerning  collapsible  corporations.  Seller has not made any payments, is not
obligated to make any payments,  and is not a party to any agreement  that under
certain  circumstances  could  obligate it to make any payments that will not be
deductible under Code ss.280G. Seller has not been a United States real property
holding  company within the meaning of Code  ss.897(c)(2)  during the applicable
period  specified  in Code  ss.897(c)(1)(A)(ii).  Seller  has  disclosed  on its
federal income Tax Returns all positions taken therein that could give rise to a
substantial  understatement  of federal  income  Tax within the  meaning of Code
ss.6662.  Seller  (A) has not  been a member  of an  affiliated  group  filing a
consolidated federal income Tax Return and (B) has no liability for the Taxes of
any person (other than Seller) under Reg.  ss.1.1502-6 (or any similar provision
of state, local, or foreign law), as a transferee or successor,  by contract, or
otherwise.

         5.26  Certain Environmental Conditions.

         (a) For the purposes of this Agreement,  the following terms shall have
the meanings hereinafter specified:

                  "Environment" includes, without limitation,  navigable waters,
waters of the contiguous zone, ocean waters, natural resources,  surface waters,
ground water,  drinking water supply, land surface,  subsurface strata,  ambient
air, plant life and animal life of the earth;

                  "Environmental Laws" means federal,  state and local laws, and
the rules, regulations, codes, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, licenses
and permits  issued,  promulgated,  approved or entered  thereunder  relating to
pollution or protection of the Environment,  including,  but not limited to, the
1990 Clean Air Act Amendments,  common law (including,  without limitation,  the
common law  relating to nuisance  and strict  liability),  laws  relating to the
Release or threatened  Release of Hazardous  Substances  into the Environment or
otherwise relating to the presence, manufacture,  processing, distribution, use,
treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Substances;

                  "Hazardous  Substance"  means any  pollutant  or  contaminant,
hazardous or toxic  substance,  hazardous or toxic waste,  or hazardous or toxic
constituent,  including,  without  limitation,  petroleum  or  petroleum-derived
substance or waste, asbestos,  urea formaldehyde and polychlorinated  biphenyls,
or any constituent of any such substance or waste;

                  "Release"  means  any  release,   spill,  emission,   leaking,
pumping, injection,  deposit, discharge,  dispersal,  leaching or migration into
the indoor or outdoor Environment or into or out of any property,  including the
movement of Hazardous  Substances  through or in the air,  soil,  surface water,
ground water or property; and

                  "Remedial Action" means all actions necessary to (a) clean up,
remove,  treat or in any other way adjust Hazardous  Substances in the indoor or
outdoor  Environment,  (b) prevent the Release of Hazardous  Substances  so that
they do not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare
or the indoor or outdoor  Environment,  or (c) perform  pre-remedial studies and
investigations  and  post-remedial   monitoring  with  respect  to  the  matters
described in clause (a) and (b).

         (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.26 hereto:

                           (i) There are no waste disposal  sites located on the
Real Property and there are no underground storage tanks currently or previously
located on the Real Property and there are no polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs")
or  asbestos-containing  materials  ("ACMs") present at the Real Property except
for those PCBs which are contained in  transformers  that comply with applicable
Environmental   Laws  and  except  for  those  ACMs  that  have  been   properly
encapsulated or otherwise remediated in compliance with applicable Environmental
Laws;

                           (ii)  There  have   been   no  Releases of  Hazardous
Substances occurring on or from the Real Property; and

                           (iii) There  are   no  off-site   waste  disposal  or
treatment sites which are or have been used by Seller.

         (c) Seller and the Real Property are in compliance  with all applicable
Environmental  Laws and Seller has not received any written  communication  from
any  governmental  or regulatory body or third party that alleges that Seller or
the Real Property is not in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws.

         (d) Seller has obtained and is in  compliance  with all  environmental,
health and safety permits,  approvals,  certificates and authorizations required
for  its  operations  (collectively,  the  "Environmental  Permits")  and all of
Seller's  Environmental  Permits are in good  standing and full force and effect
and Seller is in compliance  with all terms and conditions of the  Environmental
Permits and no proceeding for the suspension or  cancellation  of any of them is
pending, or to the knowledge of Seller, threatened.

         (e) No notice, citation, summons or order has been issued, no complaint
has been filed, no penalty has been assessed and no  investigation  or review is
pending,  or to the knowledge of Seller,  threatened,  by any federal,  state or
local  governmental  or  regulatory  agency or authority (i) with respect to any
alleged  violation by Seller of any  Environmental  Law or any alleged violation
relating to any Real  Property;  or (ii) with respect to any alleged  failure by
Seller to have or comply with any Environmental Permit; or (iii) with respect to
any use, possession,  generation, treatment, storage, recycling,  transportation
or arrangement for  transportation or disposal  (collectively,  "Management") of
any Hazardous Substances by or on behalf of Seller.

         (f) Seller has not  received  any  request for  information,  notice of
claim,  complaint,  demand or  notification  that it is or may be responsible or
potentially  responsible  or liable  with  respect to any  threatened  or actual
Release  of  any  Hazardous  Substance.  To  Seller's  knowledge,  no  Hazardous
Substance  Managed by Seller is located at any site which is listed or  proposed
for listing under the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation and
Liability  Act,  42  U.S.C.  9601  et  seq.,  as  amended  ("CERCLA"),   on  the
Comprehensive  Environmental  Response  Compensation  and Liability  Information
System  ("CERCLIS")  or on any similar  state  list,  or which is the subject of
federal,  state or local enforcement actions or other assertion that remediation
may be required.  No written notification of a Release or threat of Release of a
Hazardous  Substance  has been filed by or on behalf of Seller or in relation to
any real property included in the Real Property.

         (g) No Hazardous Substances have been Managed on any Real Property in a
manner which is in violation of any Environmental Law.

         (h) There are no environmental  liens on any properties owned or leased
by  Seller  and no  actions  by any  federal,  state  or local  governmental  or
regulatory agency or authority have been taken or are in process or pending that
could subject any of such properties to such liens.

         (i) Seller has delivered to Buyer true, complete and correct copies (i)
of all reports, studies, site assessments, audits, analyses, tests or monitoring
possessed  by Seller  pertaining  to  Hazardous  Substances  in, on,  beneath or
adjacent to any Real Property  conducted  since January 1, 1993 pertaining to or
regarding  the  compliance  of  Seller  or any  Real  Property  with  applicable
Environmental  Laws,  and (ii) of all  known  material  correspondence  from any
governmental   or  regulatory   body  or  any  other  third  party  relating  to
environmental matters since January 1, 1993.

         5.27 Certain Business  Practices.  To Seller's  knowledge,  no officer,
director, employee or stockholder of Seller has, directly or indirectly,  within
the past five (5) years,  given or agreed to give  (other  than in the  ordinary
course of business and not in  violation of law) any gift or similar  benefit to
any customer, supplier or governmental employee.

         5.28 Minute Books. All material  corporate actions which has heretofore
been taken by the  shareholders of Seller or the board of directors of Seller or
by any committee of any such board,  is properly and accurately  recorded in the
corporate  minutes of Seller.  Complete and accurate records with respect to the
issuance,  transfer,  redemption and  cancellation of shares of capital stock of
Seller are contained in the stock record books of Seller.  Such minute books and
stock  records  books have been made  available  to Seller and its  counsel  for
review and copying.

         5.29 Conduct of Business.  The only  business or  activities  presently
conducted  by  Seller is the paper  sheet  and paper bag  converting  operations
conducted  primarily out of the Seller's  Chicago,  Illinois and Baxter Springs,
Kansas manufacturing facilities.

         5.30 Full  Disclosure.  To the  knowledge  of  Seller,  all  documents,
contracts, instruments,  certificates,  notices, consents, statements, schedules
(including  Schedules to this Agreement),  exhibits  (including Exhibits to this
Agreement) and any other papers whatsoever (collectively, "Documents") delivered
by or on behalf of Seller in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated  hereby are true,  complete and authentic.  To the knowledge of the
Seller, no statement, representation or warranty of the Seller contained in this
Agreement  and no  Document  furnished  by or on behalf  of the  Seller to Buyer
pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with the  transactions  contemplated
hereby or thereby,  contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material  fact  required to be stated  therein or  necessary to make the
statements  made,  in the  context  in  which  made,  not  materially  false  or
misleading.

5.31 Vote Required.  The affirmative  vote of the holders of at least a majority
of the votes cast by all  shareholders  of Artra entitled to vote thereon is the
only  vote of the  holders  of any class or  series  of  capital  stock or other
securities of Artra,  BCA or Seller  necessary to approve this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         5.32 Content of Proxy Statement and Other Filings

                  (a) Neither the Proxy  Statement  (as  hereinafter  defined in
Section 7.14) nor any  amendments  thereof or  supplements  thereto will, on the
date the same is first  mailed  to the  Shareholders  and at the time the  Artra
Special Meeting (as hereinafter defined in Section 7.14) is convened, contain an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements  therein,  in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

                  (b) None of the information with respect to Artra, BCA, Seller
or any of their  affiliates that has been supplied by Artra,  BCA, Seller or any
of their  affiliates or any of their  accountants,  counsel or other  authorized
representatives  in writing  specifically  for use in any other  filing with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the  "SEC")  that  may  be  required  in
connection  with this  Agreement  will,  at the time of such filing,  contain an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements  therein,  in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

                  (c) The Proxy Statement shall comply in all material  respects
with the  applicable  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

         5.33 Ownership of Stock. On the date of this  Agreement,  the Principal
Shareholders (as hereinafter defined) own beneficially and are the record owners
of, and are entitled to vote in  accordance  with  applicable  provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation  of Artra,  831,380 shares of Artra's common stock.
The  Principal   Shareholders  have  not  pledged  or  otherwise  encumbered  or
transferred  any shares of Artra's  common  stock owned by them in a manner that
would prevent them from satisfying their obligations under this Agreement.

6.  Representations  and Warranties of Buyer.  Buyer  represents and warrants to
Seller as follows:

         6.1 Due Formation and Authority.  Buyer is a limited  liability company
duly formed,  validly  existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
of Delaware, and has all requisite limited liability company power and authority
to own,  lease and operate its assets,  properties  and business and to carry on
its business as now being and as heretofore conducted.

         6.2  Authority  to Execute  and Perform  Agreement.  Buyer has the full
limited  liability company power and authority  required to enter into,  execute
and deliver this  Agreement  and the other  Transaction  Documents to be entered
into in connection with the Closing of the transactions contemplated hereby, and
to perform fully its obligations  hereunder and  thereunder.  This Agreement has
and the other Transaction Documents to be delivered at the Closing will be, duly
authorized, executed and delivered by Buyer and (assuming the due authorization,
execution  and  delivery  hereof  by  Seller,   BCA,  Artra  and  the  Principal
Shareholders) each is, or upon execution by Buyer will be, the valid and binding
obligation of Buyer enforceable in accordance with its respective terms,  except
as  enforceability  may  be  limited  by  applicable   bankruptcy,   insolvency,
reorganization,  moratorium or other similar laws  affecting the  enforcement of
creditors' rights generally or general principles of equity.

         6.3  No  Breach.  The  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of  this
Agreement by Buyer and the performance of its obligations hereunder will not (i)
violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any provision of the operating
agreement or other organization  documents;  (ii) violate,  result in the breach
of, or default (or an event which,  with notice or lapse of time or both,  would
constitute a default) under, any of the terms of any material  contract (written
or oral) or other material agreement to which Buyer is a party or to which it or
any of its assets or  properties  may be bound or subject;  (iii)  result in the
creation or imposition of any lien,  security interest or other encumbrance upon
the assets or the  properties  of Buyer (other than pursuant to the terms of any
credit  agreement or any  collateral  document  relating to the financing of the
Purchase  Price (the  "Financing  Documents"));  (iv)  violate any order,  writ,
judgment,  injunction,  award or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental
or regulatory body against,  or binding upon, Buyer or upon the assets of Buyer;
or (v)  violate  any  statute,  law or  regulation  of any  jurisdiction,  which
violation could have a material adverse effect on the condition of Buyer.

         6.4 Approval of  Transaction.  Except for the expiration of the waiting
period under the HSR Act, no other approval,  authorization,  license, permit or
other  action  by,  or filing  with,  any  federal,  state,  municipal  or other
governmental  or regulatory  body is required,  which has not been obtained,  in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer.

7. Covenants and Agreements. The parties covenant and agree as follows:

         7.1  Conduct of  Business  Prior to the  Closing.  From the date hereof
through the Closing Date,  Artra,  BCA and Seller,  jointly and severally agree,
that Seller shall:

         (a) operate its business only in the usual, regular and ordinary manner
consistent  with  past  practices  and,  to  the  extent  consistent  with  such
operation,  use its best  efforts to preserve its present  business  operations,
organization  and goodwill  intact,  keep  available the services of its present
officers  and  employees  and preserve  its present  relationships  with Persons
having business dealing(s) with it;

         (b)  maintain  all  of its  assets  and  properties  in  their  current
condition and maintain insurance upon all of such assets and properties and with
respect  to the  conduct  of its  business  in such  amounts  and of such  kinds
comparable  to that in effect on the date  hereof  on such  properties  and with
respect to such business;

         (c) maintain all of its licenses and Permits in full force and effect;

         (d) maintain its books,  accounts and records in the usual, regular and
ordinary manner, on a basis consistent with prior year; comply with all laws and
contractual obligations applicable to it and to the conduct of its business; and
perform all of its obligations without default;

         (e) not amend its Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws; not
enter or agree to enter into any merger or consolidation with, or sale of all or
a substantial  part of its assets to, any  corporation or other entity;  and not
change the character of its business in any manner;

         (f) not make any  change in the number of shares of its  capital  stock
authorized, issued or outstanding; and not grant or issue any option, warrant or
other  right to  purchase,  or to convert  any  obligation  into,  shares of its
capital stock;

         (g) not declare,  pay or make any  dividend,  whether  payable in cash,
stock or property,  and not make any other distribution or payment in respect of
shares of its capital  stock;  and not  purchase or redeem any of such shares or
dispose of any evidence of indebtedness or other security of Seller;

         (h) (i) not  increase  in any  manner  the  compensation  of any of its
directors,  officers or other  employees,  except increases under existing union
contracts  and  except as  otherwise  in the  ordinary  course of  business  and
consistent  with  past  practices,  (ii) not pay or  agree  to pay any  pension,
retirement  allowance or other employee  benefit not required or contemplated by
any existing  Benefit Plan,  any agreement or  arrangement to any such director,
officer or employee,  whether past or present,  (iii) not grant any severance or
termination pay to, or enter into any employment or severance agreement with any
director,  officer or other  employee of Seller and except as  otherwise  in the
ordinary course of business and consistent  with past practices,  or (iv) except
as may be required to comply with applicable law, not become obligated under any
new pension plan,  welfare plan,  multi-employer  plan,  employee  benefit plan,
benefit arrangement, or similar plan or arrangement,  which was not in existence
on the date hereof, including any bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, stock
purchase,  stock option,  stock appreciation  right, group insurance,  severance
pay,  retirement  or other  benefit plan,  agreement or  arrangement,  or to any
employment or consulting  agreement  with or for the benefit of any person,  and
not to amend any of such plans or any of such  agreements  in  existence  on the
date hereof;

         (i) (i) not incur,  assume,  or acquire  any  obligation  or  liability
(contingent or otherwise) except normal trade or business  obligations  incurred
in the  ordinary  course  of  Seller's  business  and  consistent  with its past
practices,  (ii) not discharge or satisfy any lien or other encumbrance,  or pay
any obligation or liability (fixed or contingent), except in the ordinary course
of  business,  (iii)  not  mortgage,  pledge  or  subject  to any  lien or other
encumbrance, any of its assets (whether tangible or intangible),  (iv) not sell,
assign,  transfer,  convey,  lease  or  otherwise  dispose  of or agree to sell,
assign,  transfer,  convey,  lease or  otherwise  dispose  of any of its  assets
properties (other than its products pursuant to routine invoices in the ordinary
course of  business)  or any other  material  right,  without the prior  written
consent of Buyer,  (v) not cancel or compromise  any debt or claim,  or waive or
release any right, without the prior written consent of Buyer, (vi) not transfer
or grant any right under any of its concessions,  leases, licenses,  agreements,
patents,   inventions,  trade  names,  trademarks,   servicemarks,   brandmarks,
copyrights  or the like,  or with  respect to any  know-how,  (vii) not  modify,
change or terminate  any existing  license,  lease,  contract or other  document
referred  to in  Schedule  5.11,  5.12 and  5.14,  (viii)  not make any  capital
expenditures,  except as provided in Seller's  capital budget attached hereto as
Schedule  7.1(i) or except in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with
past practices,  aggregating in excess of $250,000, or enter into any commitment
therefore,  (ix) not enter into any collective  bargaining agreement or, through
negotiation  (the status of which will be  regularly  communicated  to Buyer) or
otherwise,  make any commitment or incur any liability to any labor organization
without  the  prior  written  consent  of  Buyer,  (x) not make  any  charitable
contribution,  (xi) not  introduce  any  material  change  with  respect  to the
operation  of the  Business,  including  its method of  accounting  (either  for
financial or tax  reporting),  and (xii) not enter into any  transaction or make
any  contract or  commitment  which by reason of its size or otherwise is not in
the ordinary course of business;

         (j) not make any change in the  banking and safe  deposit  arrangements
reflected in Schedule  5.21 without prior  written  notice to Buyer,  giving the
details of such change;

         (k) conduct the Business on a basis consistent with the ordinary course
of business and not inconsistent with the past practices;

         (l) not make any  renovation  of  property  involving  any  substantial
obligation on the part of Seller;

         (m) not take any of the actions  described  in Section 5.19 without the
Buyer's prior written consent; and

         (n)  not  agree  to  take  any  of the  actions  specified  in  clauses
(e),(f),(g),(h),(i),(j) or (l) above.

         7.2 No Breach of  Warranties.  From the date hereof through the Closing
Date,  each of the  parties  hereto  agrees  that it shall  not  enter  into any
transaction,  and shall use all  reasonable  efforts  not to permit any event to
occur which would result in any of the  representations  and  warranties of such
party  contained  in this  Agreement  not being true and correct in any material
respect  at and  as of  the  time  immediately  after  the  occurrence  of  such
transaction or event.

         7.3 Updating of  Information.  From the date hereof through the Closing
Date, each of the parties hereto shall promptly deliver to the other parties any
information  concerning events subsequent to the date of this Agreement which is
necessary  to  supplement  the  information  contained  in or make a part of the
representations and warranties contained herein, including the Schedules hereto,
in order that the  information  herein be complete  and accurate in all material
respects,  it being  understood and agreed that the delivery of such information
shall not in any manner be deemed to cure or  constitute  a waiver of (or affect
the right of any  party  with  respect  to) any  breach  of any  representation,
warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement or have any effect for purposes
of determining satisfaction of the conditions precedent hereto.

         In addition,  until the Closing,  Seller will promptly  notify Buyer of
any lawsuits,  claims,  proceedings or  investigations,  which are threatened or
commenced against Seller,  or against any officer or director,  which may relate
to, or affect,  the Business or this Agreement or the transactions  contemplated
hereby.

         In addition,  until the Closing,  Seller shall promptly notify Buyer of
any event, occurrence,  condition or circumstance occurring from the date hereof
through the Closing Date that would  constitute a material adverse change in the
condition of the Business.

         7.4 Acquisition Proposal.

         (a) Prior to the Closing Date, Artra, BCA and Seller agree that none of
them, nor any of their  respective  subsidiaries  or affiliates,  nor any of the
respective  directors,  officers,  employees,  agents or  representatives of the
foregoing, will, directly or indirectly,  (i) solicit,  initiate,  facilitate or
encourage (including by way of furnishing or disclosing non-public  information)
any  inquiries  or the  making  of any  proposal  with  respect  to any  merger,
consolidation  or other business  combination  involving Artra, BCA or Seller or
the sale or other  disposition of all or any  significant  part of the assets or
capital stock of Artra,  BCA or Sellers (an "Acquisition  Transaction")  (except
that Artra and BCA may engage in  discussions  relating  to (x) Artra's or BCA's
acquisition  of the assets,  business or capital stock of a  third-party  or (y)
sale of any of Artra's or BCA's assets which are  unrelated to the Seller or the
Business,  provided that such  transactions do not in any way delay or interfere
with the  approval of Artra's  shareholders  described in Section 5.31 hereof or
with  the  closing  of  the   transactions   contemplated   by  this   Agreement
(collectively,  a "Permitted  Transaction")),  or (ii) except in connection with
Permitted  Transactions,  negotiate,  explore or otherwise engage in discussions
with any person (other than Buyer and its  representatives)  with respect to any
Acquisition  Transaction,  or which  may  reasonably  be  expected  to lead to a
proposal for an Acquisition Transaction or enter into any agreement, arrangement
or understanding with respect to any such Acquisition Transaction or which would
require  it  to  abandon,  terminate  or  fail  to  consummate  the  transaction
contemplated by this Agreement;  provided,  however,  that Artra, BCA and Seller
may, in response to an unsolicited written proposal from a third party regarding
a Superior Proposal (as hereinafter defined),  furnish information to and engage
in discussions and negotiations  with such third party, but only if the Board of
Directors  of  Artra  determines  in good  faith,  after  consultation  with its
financial  advisors and based upon the written  advice of  independent  Delaware
counsel,  that  failing  to take  such  action  would  result in a breach of the
fiduciary  duties  of such  Board  of  Directors  under  applicable  law.  It is
understood  and  agreed,  without  limitation  of  Artra's,  BCA's and  Seller's
obligations,  that any violation of this Section 7.4 by any  director,  officer,
attorney or other advisor or representative of Artra, BCA or Seller,  whether or
not such  person is  purporting  to act on behalf of Artra,  BCA or  Seller,  or
otherwise, shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 7.4.

         (b) From and after the date  hereof,  Artra,  BCA and Seller agree that
each of them, their subsidiaries and affiliates,  and the representatives of the
foregoing,  shall  immediately  cease and cause to be  terminated  any  existing
activities, discussion or negotiations with any person (other than the Buyer and
its  representatives)  conducted  heretofore  with  respect  to any  Acquisition
Transaction.  Artra agrees to promptly  advise Buyer in writing of the existence
of (x) any inquiries or proposals (or desire to make a proposal) received by (or
indicated  to), any such  information  requested  from, or any  negotiations  or
discussions sought to be initiated or continued with, Artra, BCA, Seller,  their
subsidiaries  or  affiliates  or  any  of the  respective  directors,  officers,
employees,  agents  or  representatives  of the  foregoing,  in each case from a
person (other than Buyer and its representatives) with respect to an Acquisition
Transaction,  and (y) the terms  thereof,  including  the identity of such third
party and the terms of any  financing  arrangement  or  commitment in connection
with such Acquisition Transaction, and to update on an ongoing basis or upon the
Buyer's  reasonable  request,  the status  thereof.  As used  herein,  "Superior
Proposal" means a bona fide, written and unsolicited proposal or offer made by a
person (or group) (other than Buyer or any of its subsidiaries)  with respect to
an  Acquisition  Transaction  on terms  which,  as  determined  by the  Board of
Directors  of Artra in good faith and in the  exercise  of  reasonable  judgment
(based on the advice of independent  financial advisors and independent Delaware
counsel),  would  be more  favorable  to  Artra  and its  shareholders  than the
transactions contemplated hereby.

         7.5 Further  Actions.  Each of the parties hereto agrees to (a) execute
and deliver such  instruments  and take such other actions as may  reasonably be
required to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement, and (b) use its
reasonable best efforts, so that the conditions  precedent to the obligations of
the other parties hereto set forth in this Agreement are satisfied. In addition,
each of the  parties  hereto  shall use its  reasonable  best  efforts to obtain
consents of all third parties and governmental  bodies  (including under the HSR
Act)necessary  for the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement.  Seller  agrees  to  (i)  provide  Buyer  with a  copy  of the  Title
Commitments within forty-five (45) days after the date hereof and (ii) repay the
indebtedness  and release the liens described in Section 9.9 hereof  immediately
prior to Closing.

         7.6 Due Diligence.

         (a) Prior to the Closing  Date,  Seller  shall (i) give to Buyer and to
Buyer's  counsel,  accountants and other  representatives  (including  financing
sources), during normal business hours or otherwise as mutually agreed to by the
parties,  and subject to the supervision of Seller, all reasonable access to all
of the properties,  personnel, books, contracts,  commitments, records and files
of  or  relating  to  the   Business,   and  (ii)  furnish  to  Buyer  and  such
representatives,  subject  to the  supervision  of Seller,  all such  additional
documents  and financial and other  information  concerning  Seller as Buyer may
from time to time reasonably request (collectively,  the "Information").  Seller
and  Buyer  agree  to  cooperate  with  each  other in  connection  with the due
diligence process in order to minimize unnecessary interruption to the Business.
As a condition to the furnishing of the  Information  to Buyer,  Buyer agrees to
use all reasonable  efforts to treat the  Information in confidence and to limit
the  dissemination of the Information to the officers and employees of the Buyer
who need to know such  Information  for the purpose of  evaluating it and to its
consultants,  lawyers, lenders and other advisors who are assisting the Buyer in
evaluating this transaction.

         (b) Prior to the Closing,  Buyer,  and Buyer's agents and  consultants,
shall have the right to enter upon the Real Property and the  buildings  thereon
to take  photographs,  make  topographic  and boundary  surveys,  determine  the
location of utilities,  inspect the structural  components of such buildings and
all building systems, including plumbing, electrical,  heating, ventilating, air
conditioning and other systems and to conduct an environmental audit of the Real
Property and the area surrounding the Real Property. All inspections shall be at
Buyer's expense and at reasonable times as mutually agreed to by the parties.

         (c) If this Agreement  terminates,  (i) Buyer and its affiliates  shall
keep  confidential  and  shall not use in any  manner  for a period of three (3)
years  after  the date of  termination  any  Information  obtained  from  Seller
(whether  before or after the date hereof)  concerning its assets,  business and
operations,  unless such information is (A) ascertainable from published, public
or industry  information,  (B) known by Buyer independently of any investigation
of Seller or hereafter  obtained by Buyer  independent of any  investigation  of
Seller,  or (C) becomes public through no fault of Buyer or Buyer's  affiliates,
and (ii) any  documents or copies of documents  obtained from Seller or Seller's
representatives shall be returned to Seller or destroyed by Buyer.

         7.7 Expenses. The parties to this Agreement shall bear their respective
expenses incurred in connection with the preparation,  execution and performance
of this  Agreement,  including,  without  limitation,  all fees and  expenses of
agents,  representatives,  counsel and  accountants,  and Seller and Buyer shall
share 50%/50% the costs and expenses  associated  with obtaining the surveys and
title  insurance  (if any)  referred  to in  Section  9.4,  any sales or use tax
payable by either party as a result of the transactions  contemplated hereby and
the fees associated with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Notification and Report Form.

         7.8  Indemnification  of Brokerage.  Seller  represents and warrants to
Buyer that no broker,  finder, agent or similar intermediary has acted on behalf
of Seller in connection  with this  Agreement  and that,  there are no brokerage
commissions,  finder's fees or similar fees or commissions payable in connection
herewith.  Seller agrees to indemnify and save Buyer  harmless from any claim or
demand for  commission or other  compensation  by any broker,  finder,  agent or
similar  intermediary  claiming to have been employed by or on behalf of Seller,
and to bear the cost of legal  expenses  incurred in defending  against any such
claim. Buyer represents and warrants to Seller that no broker,  finder, agent or
similar intermediary other than Mr. M. Rodin (the "Buyer's Broker") has acted on
behalf of Buyer in connection with this Agreement and that,  other than a fee to
Buyer's Broker that Buyer will pay in full, there are no brokerage  commissions,
finders' fees or similar fees or  commissions  payable in  connection  herewith.
Buyer agrees to indemnify and save Seller  harmless from any claim or demand for
commission  or other  compensation  by any  broker,  finder,  agent  or  similar
intermediary claiming to have been employed by or on behalf of Buyer and to bear
the cost of legal expenses incurred in defending against any such claim.

         7.9 Power of Attorney.  Seller agrees,  at the Closing,  to execute and
deliver  to Buyer a  limited  power  of  attorney  solely  to  collect  accounts
receivable,  enforce  claims under Assumed  Contracts and to exercise its rights
with  respect  to  any  other  assets  conveyed  to  Buyer  hereunder  in a form
reasonably acceptable to Seller.

         7.10  Access to  Records.  After the  Closing,  Buyer and Seller  shall
afford to each other and their respective representatives the opportunity,  upon
reasonable  request,  to examine and make copies of the books and records of the
Business  sold to Buyer or of the books and records  retained by Seller,  as the
case  may  be,  and  to  consult  with  their  respective  officers,  employees,
directors,  accountants and other  representatives,  in connection with any bona
fide business purposes,  including,  without limitation,  the preparation of tax
and financial  reporting  matters and the  conducting of any audits with respect
thereto,  the  preparation or review of the Closing Balance Sheet and the review
of any materials,  books,  records or  circumstances  relating to either party's
ongoing  obligations under this Agreement.  Buyer and Seller shall each maintain
all such books and records for a period of three (3) years and shall not destroy
or dispose of any such books and records  during such period without the written
consent of the other.

         7.11 Use of Name.  After the Closing,  neither Artra, BCA or Seller nor
any of their  affiliates  shall use the name "Bagcraft  Corporation of America",
"Bagcraft" or any  derivative  or variation  thereof  except in connection  with
ordinary  course  reporting  or filing  obligations  nor  authorize,  license or
otherwise permit any other person or entity to use any of these names.

         7.12 No  Liquidation  or  Dissolution  of  Seller.  After the  Closing,
neither Artra, BCA or Seller shall liquidate,  dissolve or otherwise directly or
indirectly  terminate  its legal  existence  until the later to occur of (x) the
Survival  Termination  Date (as  hereinafter  defined in Section 11), or (y) the
date that any dispute  concerning  any breach of any  representation,  warranty,
covenant or agreement is fully and finally  resolved;  provided,  however,  that
prior to such time, the Seller may make distributions to its stockholders to the
extent that such distributions are properly authorized by the Board of Directors
of Seller,  do not violate any  applicable law and do not result in the de facto
dissolution or liquidation of Seller or leave Seller with insufficient  funds to
satisfy any of its liabilities or obligations hereunder.

         7.13 Bulk Sales.  Seller and Buyer waive compliance with the provisions
of the "Bulk Sales Law" or similar  provision  of law of any state  ("Bulk Sales
Laws") insofar as it may be applicable to the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement.

         7.14 Special Meeting of Shareholders of Artra

                  (a) Artra agrees to promptly take all steps necessary to cause
a special meeting of the shareholders of Artra (the "Artra Special  Meeting") to
be duly  called,  noticed,  convened  and  held as soon as  practicable  for the
purpose  of voting to  approve  this  Agreement.  In  connection  with the Artra
Special  Meeting,  the Board of  Directors  of Artra  shall,  subject to Section
13.1(viii)   hereof,   unanimously   recommend  to  the  Shareholders  that  the
Shareholders vote in favor of the approval of this Agreement.

                  (b) In connection with the Artra Special Meeting, Artra agrees
to  promptly  prepare  and  cause to be filed  with  the SEC and  mailed  to the
Shareholders  a notice of the  Artra  Special  Meeting  and a  definitive  proxy
statement (the "Proxy Statement") as soon as practicable and in any event, shall
cause such notice to be mailed no later than the time required by applicable law
and the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Artra.

         7.15 Public Announcements. Any public announcement made by or on behalf
of either the  Buyer,  Artra,  BCA or Seller  prior to the  termination  of this
Agreement  concerning this Agreement,  the transactions  described herein or any
other aspect of the dealings  heretofore had or hereafter to be had between such
parties  must first be approved by the other party (any such  approval not to be
unreasonably  withheld),  subject to either party's obligations under applicable
law as a public  company  (but such party shall use its best  efforts to consult
with the other party as to all such public announcements).

         7.16  Principal  Shareholders  Proxy.  Messrs.  John  Harvey,  Peter R.
Harvey,  Gerard M. Kenny,  Maynard K. Louis, Howard R. Conant,  Edward A. Celano
and Robert L. Johnson (collectively,  the "Principal Shareholders") hereby agree
that during the period  commencing on the date hereof and  continuing  until the
termination  of this  Agreement  in  accordance  with its terms,  at any meeting
(whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned or postponed meeting)
of the holders of the Artra common stock (the "Artra Stock"), however called, or
in  connection  with any  written  consent of the  holders of Artra  Stock,  the
Principal  Shareholders  shall  vote (or cause to be voted)  the shares of Artra
Stock held of record or  beneficially  owned by them or their  affiliates (i) in
favor of the  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement  and the  approval and
adoption of the terms thereof and each of the other actions provided for in this
Agreement  and any actions  required  in  furtherance  thereof and hereof;  (ii)
against any action or agreement  that would result in a breach in any respect of
any covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of
Artra, BCA or Seller under this Agreement;  and (iii) except as otherwise agreed
to in writing in advance by the Buyer,  against the following  actions:  (A) any
extraordinary  corporate transaction,  such as a merger,  consolidation or other
business  combination  involving Artra, BCA, Seller or their subsidiaries (other
than a  Permitted  Transaction);  (B) any sale,  lease or transfer of a material
amount  of  assets  of  Artra,   BCA,  Seller  or  their   subsidiaries,   or  a
reorganization,  restructuring,  recapitalization, special dividend, dissolution
or  liquidation  of Artra,  BCA,  Seller  or their  subsidiaries  (other  than a
Permitted  Transaction);  or (C) (1) any change in a majority of who  constitute
the board of  directors of Artra,  BCA or Seller;  (2) any change in the present
capitalization  of  Artra,  BCA or Seller  (including  without  limitation,  any
proposal to sell a substantial  equity  interest in Artra,  BCA, Seller or their
subsidiaries);  (3) any amendment of Artra's,  BCA's or Seller's  certificate of
incorporation  or by-laws;  (4) any other  change in Artra's,  BCA's or Seller's
corporate  structure or business;  or (5) any other action which, in the case of
each of the matters referred to in clauses (C) (1), (2), (3) or (4) is intended,
or could reasonably be expected, to impede,  interfere with, delay, postpone, or
materially adversely affect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The
Principal Sharehholders shall not enter into any agreement or understanding with
any  Person  the  effect of which  would be  inconsistent  or  violative  of the
provisions and agreements contained in this Section 7.16.

         7.17 Implementation of Escrows. The parties hereto agree that (i) on or
before the thirtieth  (30th) day after the Closing Date, Buyer shall be entitled
to utilize  the  Closing  Overdraft  Escrow  Balance to pay any checks of Seller
issued   prior  to  Closing   which  have  not  been  paid  by   Seller's   bank
(notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  in the event that any checks paid pursuant to
the Closing  Overdraft Escrow involve items for which Buyer receives a credit or
a set-off for other amounts due, on or before February 15, 1999, Seller shall be
reimbursed by Buyer for such set-offs or credits) and (ii) on or before February
15, 1999, Buyer shall be entitled to utilize the Closing Bonus Escrow Accrual to
pay  bonuses  to  the  Continued  Employees,  to the  extent  such  bonuses  are
reasonably  required  to be paid under  Seller's  applicable  bonus  plans.  The
parties  hereto agree that the unused  balances of the Escrow  Accounts shall be
returned to Seller as promptly as possible after the resolution of these issues.

8.   Employment and Employee Benefits Arrangements.

         8.1  Definitions.  (a) The term  "Employees"  shall mean all  full-time
permanent employees (including those on lay-off,  workers' compensation leave or
leave  of  absence,  whether  paid or  unpaid,  but  excluding  seasonal  and/or
part-time employees,  all employees on disability leave and all former employees
and retired  employees of Seller) and the term "Employee"  shall mean any of the
Employees.

         (b) The term  "Benefit  Plans"  shall  mean (i) all  "employee  benefit
plans" as defined in section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974,  as amended  ("ERISA"),  currently  or at any time during the past five
years maintained or contributed to by Seller or any other  organization which is
a member of a controlled group of  organizations  (within the meaning of Section
414(b),  (c) and (m) of the Code) of which  Seller is a member (the  "Controlled
Group") and covering  Employees  including (i) any such plans that are "employee
welfare  benefit  plans" as defined  in section  3(1) of ERISA and (ii) any such
plans that are "employee  pension  benefit  plans" as defined in section 3(2) of
ERISA, and (ii) all life and health insurance, hospitalization,  savings, bonus,
deferred compensation, incentive compensation, holiday, vacation, severance pay,
stock option,  stock purchase,  performance,  sick pay, sick leave,  disability,
retiree,  tuition refund,  service award, company car, scholarship,  relocation,
patent  award,  fringe  benefit  or other  employee  benefit  plans,  contracts,
policies,  practices  or  arrangements  of  the  Seller  providing  employee  or
executive compensation or benefits to Employees, other than the Benefit Plans.

         8.2   Employee Matters.

         (a) On the Closing Date,  Seller shall  terminate the employment of all
the Employees  employed by Seller,  and Buyer shall either (i) offer employment,
on an  at-will  basis,  to all of such  Employees  of Seller  on such  terms and
conditions  as  Buyer  may  determine  or (ii)  offer  severance  to any of such
Employees who are not offered  employment  with Buyer.  The Employees who accept
such  offer of  employment  from  Buyer are  referred  to  herein as  "Continued
Employees"  and the  Employees  who are  offered  severance  from the  Buyer are
referred to herein as the "Severed Employees".

         (b)  Assuming  Seller  complies  with  the  provisions  of the  Workers
Adjustment and Retraining  Notification Act, Buyer shall reimburse and indemnify
and hold harmless Seller for all  liabilities  and obligations  which Seller may
incur relating to Seller's termination of the Employees as provided in paragraph
(a)  above,  and  Buyer's  employment  of or  failure  to employ  the  Continued
Employees  or Buyer's  failure to offer  employment  to the  Severed  Employees.
Otherwise, Artra, BCA and Seller, jointly and severally, agree that Seller shall
remain  liable  for all wages and  salaries  earned  by  Employees  prior to the
Closing Date,  as well as all benefits  earned by such  Employees  (specifically
excluding the severance  benefits  referred to above) or to which such Employees
are entitled  under the Benefit  Plans prior to the Closing Date (other than for
the accrued and unused  vacation and the unpaid  bonuses  assumed by Buyer under
Section 2.1(d) hereof and other than for short-term  disability payments assumed
by Buyer under  Section  2.1(e)  hereof).  In addition,  Artra,  BCA and Seller,
jointly and severally, agree that Seller shall remain liable for all liabilities
to former and  retired  employees  of the  Business  whose  employment  with the
Business terminated prior to the Closing Date.

         (c) Artra,  BCA and Seller,  jointly and  severally,  agree that Seller
will be  responsible  for and will pay all  long-term  disability  and  workers'
compensation  benefits with respect to claims (i) that have been asserted by any
Employee  prior to the Closing Date or (ii) that are asserted by any Employee on
or after the  Closing  Date but only to the extent  that they arise from  events
occurring prior to the Closing Date.  Buyer will be responsible for and will pay
(i) all long-term disability and workers'  compensation benefits with respect to
claims that are asserted by any  Continuing  Employee after the Closing Date but
only to the extent that they arise from events occurring on or after the Closing
Date, and (ii) all short-term disability claims arising from events prior to the
Closing Date to the extent set forth in Section 2.1(e).

         (d)  Immediately  following  the Closing  Date,  Buyer shall make (i) a
group medical and life insurance  plan available to each Continued  Employee who
was covered under Seller's group medical and life insurance plans at the Closing
(it being Buyer's intention to assume Seller's group life insurance plan), which
plans shall not, to the extent  possible,  subject any  Continued  Employee to a
pre-existing  condition  limitation,  (ii) a defined  contribution  401(k)  plan
available to each Continued  Employee who was covered under Seller's 401(k) plan
at the Closing,  and (iii) such other Benefit  Plans  available to the Continued
Employees as Buyer shall determine.

         (e) For  purposes  of  determining  eligibility  and  vesting  (but not
benefits)  under Buyer's 401(k) plan,  group medical plan,  group life insurance
plan,  vacation  and  sick pay  policies,  such  policies  shall  recognize  the
Continued Employee's employment with the Business as employment with Buyer.

         (f) On the Closing Date,  Seller shall freeze the  participation by the
Continued  Employees in Seller's 401(k) plan, and use all reasonable  efforts to
provide assistance to the Continued  Employees to enable them to roll-over their
plan assets from Seller's 401(k) plan to Buyer's 401(k) plan.

         8.3 Seller's  Benefit  Plans.  Without  limiting the  generality of the
provisions of Section 2.2 hereof, Artra, BCA and Seller,  jointly and severally,
agree that Seller shall retain all liabilities and obligations of Seller and its
affiliates under all Benefit Plans (other than such liabilities that are assumed
by Buyer under Sections  2.1(c) and 2.1(d) hereof and Sections 8.2(a) and 8.2(b)
hereof) with respect to the Continued Employees and their dependents, including,
but not limited to, (i) liabilities and obligations for benefits,  compensation,
contributions,  insurance premiums and administrative expenses, whether incurred
or accrued  before,  on or after the Closing Date and whether or not reported as
of the  Closing  Date,  (ii)  liabilities  and  obligations  arising  under  the
continuation  coverage  requirements  of Section 4980B of the Code and Part 6 of
Title I of ERISA with respect to all Employees (or any  beneficiary or dependent
of any Employee) who, as of the Closing Date,  have exercised or are eligible to
exercise their right to such  continuation  coverage and (iii)  liabilities  and
obligations to provide  post-retirement  health and life  insurance  benefits to
Employees (whether or not currently  retired),  and Seller shall indemnify Buyer
and its affiliates and hold each of them harmless for any loss which any of them
may incur in respect of any of the foregoing.

9. Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of Buyer to Close.

         The  obligation  of Buyer to enter  into and  complete  the  Closing is
subject to the  fulfillment  on or prior to the  Closing  Date of the  following
conditions, any one or more of which may be waived by it:

         9.1  Representations, Warranties and Covenants.

         (a) The  representations  and  warranties  of  Artra,  BCA  and  Seller
contained in this Agreement shall be true and complete in all material  respects
when made and on and as of the Closing Date.

         (b)  Artra,  BCA,  Seller  and the  Principal  Shareholders  shall have
performed  and  complied  in  all  material  respects  with  all  covenants  and
agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by Artra,
BCA,  Seller and the  Principal  Shareholders  on or prior to the  Closing  Date
(including,  without  limitation,  Seller's execution and delivery of the deeds,
the bills of sale, assignments and other Transaction Documents).

         (c) Artra,  BCA and Seller  shall have  delivered to Buyer an officer's
certificate,  dated  the  date  of the  Closing,  to the  foregoing  effect  and
certifying  that the  conditions  precedent to the  obligation of Buyer to close
have been fulfilled on or prior to the Closing Date.

         9.2 Consents and Approvals.  (a) All Required Consents, shall have been
obtained and be in full force and effect.

         (b) This Agreement and the transaction  contemplated  hereby shall have
received the requisite vote and approval of the shareholders of Artra.

         9.3  Opinion  of  Counsel to Seller.  Buyer  shall  have  received  the
opinions  of Kwiatt & Ruben,  Ltd.,  counsel  to  Seller,  dated the date of the
Closing,  addressed to Buyer,  in form and  substance  reasonably  acceptable to
Buyer.

         9.4  Real Estate.

         (a) Leasehold Mortgages. Buyer shall have received from the landlord of
the Leased Real Property such certificates,  lease extensions, estoppel letters,
non-disturbance  agreements or other consents as shall be reasonably required by
the Buyer.

         (b) Title  Insurance.  Buyer shall have received an owner and mortgagee
title insurance policy on each of the parcels of Owned Real Property in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and its senior lender containing such
endorsements as shall be reasonably required by Buyer and its senior lender.

         (c) Updated  Surveys.  Buyer shall have received an updated ALTA survey
on each of the parcels of Real Property reasonably satisfactory to Buyer showing
all improvements,  rights of way, easements,  servitudes and encroachments,  the
contiguity  of all  parcels of land  constituting  the Real  Property,  that all
buildings  and  structures  are located  within the property  lines and that the
acreage of the Real  Property is as set forth  therein,  which  survey  shall be
sufficient  to cause the title  insurance  company to omit the  standard  survey
exception,  taking only such  specific  survey  exceptions  as shall  constitute
Permitted Owned Real Property Exceptions.

         9.5 Material  Adverse  Change.  Between the date hereof and the Closing
Date,  there shall have been no material  adverse change in the condition of the
Business.

         9.6 Financing.  On or before the Closing, the equity and debt financing
described in the  commitment  letters  attached  hereto as Schedule 9.6 shall be
available to Buyer on terms and conditions reasonably  satisfactory to Buyer and
in an amount which shall be sufficient  to pay the Purchase  Price to Seller and
to provide Buyer with a line of credit for working capital purposes.

         9.7 Buyer's Environmental Audit. On or before the later to occur of (x)
September  30,  1998 or (y) the date that  Artra  mails the Proxy  Statement  to
Artra's Shareholders, Buyer shall have completed its environmental due diligence
of the Business and received an  environmental  audit  reasonably  acceptable to
Buyer in its discretion (the "Environmental Audit").

         9.8  Secretary's  Certificate.  Seller shall have  delivered to Buyer a
certificate  from  Artra,  BCA and  Seller,  in form  and  substance  reasonably
satisfactory to Buyer,  signed by the respective  secretaries of Artra,  BCA and
Seller,  dated the date of the  Closing,  certifying  the  truth,  accuracy  and
completeness  of the following  documents to be delivered  therewith:  (i) their
respective  Certificates of  Incorporation  and By-laws as in effect on the date
hereof and the  Closing  Date;  (ii)  resolutions  duly  adopted by the board of
directors and  shareholders of Artra,  BCA and Seller  authorizing and approving
the transactions contemplated hereby; and (iii) the incumbency and signatures of
the officers of Artra, BCA and Seller.

         9.9 Repayment of Indebtedness for Borrowed Money.  Simultaneously  with
the Closing, Seller shall have repaid in full the principal of, accrued interest
on, and any other penalties,  fees or other amounts payable with respect to, all
of Seller's  indebtedness  for borrowed money and the lenders thereto shall have
delivered to the Buyer releases and other similar documents  (including  without
limitation,  UCC-3  termination  statements in applicable  form for filing) in a
form reasonably acceptable to Buyer and its lenders.

         9.10 No Claims. No Claims shall be pending,  or to the knowledge of the
Buyer, the Seller,  Artra or BCA,  threatened,  before any court,  arbitrator or
governmental or regulatory body to restrain or prohibit, or to obtain damages or
a discovery  order in respect  of, this  Agreement  or the  consummation  of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or which has had or may have, in the
reasonable  judgment of the Buyer, a materially  adverse effect on the condition
of the Business.

10.Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of Seller to Close.
         The  obligation  of Seller to enter into and  complete  the  Closing is
subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions, any one or more of which
may be waived by Seller:

         10.1 Representations and Covenants.

         (a) The  representations  and  warranties  of Buyer  contained  in this
  Agreement shall be true and complete in all material respects when made and on
  and as of the Closing Date;

         (b) Buyer shall have  performed  and complied in all material  respects
with all covenants and agreements  required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied  with  by it on or  prior  to  the  Closing  Date,  including,  without
limitation, the delivery of the Purchase Price; and

         (c) Buyer shall have delivered to Seller a certificate,  dated the date
of the Closing and signed by an officer of Buyer, to the foregoing effect.

         10.2  Opinion of  Counsel to Buyer.  Seller  shall  have  received  the
opinion of Skadden,  Arps, Slate,  Meagher & Flom,  counsel to Buyer,  dated the
date of the  Closing,  addressed to Seller,  in form  reasonably  acceptable  to
Seller.

         10.3  Consents and  Approvals.  All Required  Consents  shall have been
obtained and be in full force and effect.

         10.4  Secretary's  Certificate.  Buyer shall have delivered to Seller a
certificate from Buyer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Seller,
signed by the secretary of Buyer, dated the date of the Closing,  certifying the
truth,  accuracy and  completeness  of the  following  documents to be delivered
therewith:  (i) Buyer's Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws as in effect on
the date hereof and the Closing Date; (ii) resolutions duly adopted by the board
of directors of Buyer  authorizing and approving the  transactions  contemplated
hereby; and (iii) the incumbency of the officers of Buyer.

         10.5  Reimbursement  for Negative Spread on Nonoperating  Leases. On or
before the Closing,  Buyer shall  reimburse  Seller for the  difference  between
Seller's monthly rental payments and Seller's  monthly  sublease  payments under
the Nonoperating  Leases,  to the extent set forth on Schedule 10.5 hereof,  for
any of three Nonoperating Leases that are still in effect on the Closing Date.

11.   Survival of Representations and Warranties.

         Notwithstanding  the right of Buyer fully to investigate the affairs of
Seller and the Business and notwithstanding any knowledge of facts determined or
determinable  by Buyer  pursuant to such  investigation,  Buyer has the right to
rely fully upon the  representations,  warranties,  covenants and  agreements of
Artra,  BCA  and  Seller  contained  in  this  Agreement  or in any  Transaction
Documents. All representations,  warranties,  covenants and agreements contained
herein  shall  survive the  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement  and the
Closing  hereunder,  and  except  as  otherwise  specifically  provided  in this
Agreement,  the representations and warranties contained herein shall thereafter
terminate  and  expire at the  close of  business  on  September  30,  2001 (the
"Survival  Termination  Date") with respect to any claim based upon, arising out
of or otherwise in respect of any fact,  circumstance,  action or  proceeding of
which the party  asserting such claim shall not have given notice on or prior to
the Survival  Termination Date to the party against which such claim is asserted
(in which case, each  representation and warranty shall survive until such claim
is  finally  resolved  and  all  obligations  with  respect  thereto  are  fully
satisfied).

12.   General Indemnification.

         12.1 Obligation of Artra,  BCA and Seller to Indemnify.  Artra, BCA and
Seller,  jointly and  severally,  agree to  indemnify,  defend and hold harmless
Buyer  (and its  directors,  officers,  employees,  affiliates,  successors  and
assigns) from and against all losses, liabilities,  damages, deficiencies, costs
or expenses  (including  without limitation  interest,  penalties and reasonable
attorneys' fees and disbursements and all compliance and remediation obligations
under  Environmental  Laws and all costs and expenses of enforcing the indemnity
obligations in this Section 12.1)  (collectively,  "Losses")  incurred by any of
them based upon, arising out of or otherwise in respect of:

         (a)  subject to the  limitations  contained  in Article 11 and  Section
12.4(a),  any inaccuracy in or any breach of any  representation  or warranty of
Artra, BCA or Seller contained in this Agreement, the Schedules hereto or any of
the other documents or closing  certificates  delivered in connection  herewith,
and

         (b) Artra's,  BCA's or Seller's  breach of the  covenants or agreements
contained in this Agreement, or

         (c) any Retained Liability.

         For  purposes  of  indemnification  under  Section  12.1,  a breach  or
inaccuracy of a representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in any
other  document  delivered in  connection  herewith  shall be deemed to occur or
exist  either if such  representation  or  warranty is  actually  inaccurate  or
breached  (including,  without limitation,  due to any  misrepresentation  in or
omission of any item  required to be disclosed on any schedule  hereto or on any
certificate,  schedule or other agreement, instrument or document required to be
delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) or if such  representation or
warranty  would have been so breached  orinaccurate  if such  representation  or
warranty had not contained any limitation or  qualification  as to  materiality,
material  adverse  effect,  material  adverse change or knowledge,  it being the
intention of the parties hereto that, subject to the provisions of Section 12.3,
the parties and their  officers,  directors,  employees,  agents and affiliates,
shall be  indemnified  and held  harmless  from and  against  any and all Losses
resulting  from,  arising out of, relating to or imposed upon or incurred by the
failure of any such representation,  warranty, certificate, schedule, exhibit or
other agreement,  instrument or document to be true, correct and complete in any
respect, determined in each case without regard to materiality, material adverse
effect, material adverse change, knowledge, or the failure by the other party to
duly and  punctually  perform any of its covenants,  agreements or  undertakings
contained  in this  Agreement  or any other  document  delivered  in  connection
herewith.

         12.2  Obligation  of Buyer to  Indemnify.  Buyer  agrees to  indemnify,
defend and hold harmless Artra, BCA and Seller (and their  directors,  officers,
employees,  affiliates,  successors  and  assigns)  from and  against any Losses
actually  incurred by any of them based upon,  arising  out of or  otherwise  in
respect of:

         (a)  subject to the  limitations  contained  in Article 11 and  Section
12.4(b),  any inaccuracy in or any breach of any  representation  or warranty of
Buyer  contained in this Agreement,  the Schedules  hereto or any of the closing
certificates delivered in connection herewith,

         (b) Buyer's  breach of the  covenants or  agreements  contained in this
Agreement, or

         (c) any Assumed Liability.

         12.3  Notice and Opportunity to Defend.

                  12.3.1 Notice of Asserted Liability. Promptly after receipt by
any  party  hereto  (the  "Indemnitee")  of  notice  of  any  demand,  claim  or
circumstances  which  would  give  rise  to a  claim  or  the  commencement  (or
threatened  commencement)  of  any  action,   proceeding  or  investigation  (an
"Asserted  Liability")  that may  result in a Loss,  the  Indemnitee  shall give
notice thereof (the "Claims  Notice") to any other party (or parties)  obligated
to provide  indemnification  or payment  pursuant  to Section  12.1 or 12.2 (the
"Indemnifying  Party"),  subject to the procedures  contained in Section 12.3.3.
The Claims Notice shall describe the Asserted Liability in reasonable detail and
shall indicate the amount  (estimated,  if necessary and to the extent feasible)
of the Loss  that has been or may be  suffered  by the  Indemnitee.  In no event
shall the Indemnitee's failure to give a Claims Notice to the Indemnifying Party
relieve the Indemnifying  Party of any liability under this Section 12 except to
the extent the Indemnifying Party can establish that the Indemnitee's failure to
give such Claims Notice materially  prejudiced the Indemnifying  Party's ability
to adequately defend such claim.

                  12.3.2  Opportunity to Defend.  Subject to Section 12.3.3, the
Indemnifying  Party may,  upon  acknowledging  its  obligation  to  indemnify in
writing,  elect to  compromise  or defend at its own expense  (and with  counsel
reasonably  satisfactory to the Indemnitee) any Asserted Liability asserted by a
third party,  and if the  Indemnifying  Party so elects to compromise or defend,
the  Indemnifying  Party shall have the right (except as hereafter  provided) to
control the defense of such Asserted Liability. If the Indemnifying Party elects
to  compromise or defend such  Asserted  Liability,  it shall within 15 days (or
sooner,  if the nature of the Asserted  Liability so requires) notify in writing
the Indemnitee of its intent to do so, and the Indemnitee  shall  cooperate,  at
the expense of the Indemnifying Party, in the compromise of, or defense against,
such Asserted Liability.

         If the  Indemnifying  Party  elects  not to  compromise  or defend  the
Asserted  Liability,  fails to notify the  Indemnitee  of its election as herein
provided or contests its  obligation  to  indemnify  under this  Agreement,  the
Indemnitee  may pay,  compromise  or  defend  such  Asserted  Liability  and the
Indemnitee  shall  have the  right  to  control  the  defense  of such  Asserted
Liability  and recover the entire cost and expense  thereof  (including  without
limitation,  reasonable  attorneys'  fees  and all  compliance  and  remediation
obligations under Environmental  Laws),  subject to the limitations on liability
contained  in  Section  12.4,  from the  Indemnifying  Party.  In the  event the
Indemnifying  Party and the  Indemnitee  are named  parties in or are subject to
such  Asserted  Liability  and either such party  determines  with the advice of
counsel  that there may be one or more legal  defenses  available to it that are
different  from or  additional  to those  available to the other party or that a
material  conflict of interest between such parties may exist in respect of such
action,  the  Indemnifying  Party may decline to assume the defense on behalf of
the Indemnitee or the Indemnitee may retain the defense on its own behalf and in
either  such case the  Indemnifying  Party shall be required to pay any legal or
other expenses,  including  without  limitation  reasonable  attorneys' fees and
disbursements,  incurred by the Indemnitee in such defense (subject in all cases
to the limitations of liability contained in Section 12.4 hereof).

         Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  neither the Indemnifying Party nor the
Indemnitee may settle or compromise any Asserted Liability over the objection of
the other  party,  unless  such  settlement  includes as an  unconditional  term
thereof,  the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such  objecting  party of a
full and  complete  release  from all  liability  in  respect  of such  Asserted
Liability.

         In  any  event,   the  Indemnitee  and  the   Indemnifying   Party  may
participate, at their own expense, in the defense of any Asserted Liability.

         Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary set forth in this  Agreement,
from and after the time when the  aggregate  amount of Losses paid or payable by
an   Indemnifying   Party  under  this  Agreement   which  are  subject  to  the
indemnification  limits  set  forth  in  Section  12.4  hereof,  exceed,  or are
reasonably  likely to exceed,  the  indemnification  limits set forth in Section
12.4 hereof,  the Indemnitee  shall have the right, at its own cost and expense,
to assume the control,  defense and settlement of any remaining  indemnification
claims the liability for which could potentially  result in the aggregate claims
exceeding the indemnification limits set forth in Section 12.4 hereof.

         12.3.3  Management Procedures for On-Site Environmental Liabilities.

         (a) Buyer  shall  have the right to manage  and  control  all  Retained
On-Site Environmental Liabilities (as defined in Section 2.2(l)) with respect to
the Real Property, including without limitation, the right to retain consultants
and counsel, to control all investigations,  clean-up, response, remediation and
associated activities, and the right to negotiate,  litigate,  otherwise contest
or settle any claim relating thereto.

         (b) Until the amount of Losses paid or payable by Artra, BCA and Seller
exceed the indemnification limits set forth in Section 12.4 hereof, Buyer agrees
to provide to Seller such information as may be reasonably  requested in writing
by Seller regarding all Retained On-Site Environmental  Liabilities with respect
to the Real Property,  including  without  limitation,  providing the other with
access to and the right to copy (at the Seller's  expense),  all relevant  data,
records, studies, reports or other documents.

         12.4 Limitations on Indemnification.  (a) The indemnification  provided
for in Section 12.1 shall be subject to the following limitations:

                  (i) Artra,  BCA and Seller  shall not be  obligated to pay any
amounts for  indemnification  under  Section  12.1(a)  (except those based upon,
arising out of or otherwise in respect of Sections 3.3, 5.4, 5.13, 5.15.5, 5.19,
5.20,  and  5.25,(collectively,  the "Basket  Exclusions"))  until the aggregate
Losses  incurred by Buyer  thereunder  equals  $200,000  (the "Basket  Amount"),
whereupon Artra, BCA and Seller shall be jointly and severally  obligated to pay
all  amounts of Losses  incurred by Buyer in excess of the Basket  Amount  under
Section 12.1(a) in full up to the limit set forth in clause (ii) below.

                  (ii) Artra,  BCA and Seller  shall not be obligated to pay any
amount for  indemnification  under  Section  12.1(a)  in excess of the  Purchase
Price, other than for breaches of Artra's,  BCA's, Seller's  representations and
warranties of which Artra, BCA or Seller had knowledge at Closing.

                  (iii) Artra,  BCA and Seller shall be obligated to pay any and
all amounts for indemnification  with respect to the Basket Exclusions and under
Sections  12.1(b) and 12.1(c) in full without  regard to the Basket  Amount.  In
addition,  the limitation set forth in the immediately  preceding paragraph (ii)
and the time  limitation set forth in Section 11 shall in no event be applicable
to Artra's,  BCA's and Seller's  obligation  to  indemnify  pursuant to Sections
12.1(b)  and  12.1(c)  and any  amounts  paid by  Artra,  BCA or Seller to Buyer
pursuant  to  Section  12.1(b)  and  12.1(c)  shall not be applied  against  the
limitation set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph (ii).

         (b) The  indemnification  provided for in Section 12.2 shall be subject
to the following limitations:

                  (i)  Buyer  shall  not be  obligated  to pay any  amounts  for
indemnification  under Section  12.2(a) until the aggregate  Losses  incurred by
Artra, BCA or Seller thereunder equals $200,000 (the "Buyer Basket"),  whereupon
Buyer  shall be  obligated  to pay all  amounts of Losses  incurred by Seller in
excess of the Buyer  Basket  under  Section  12.2(a) in full up to the limit set
forth in clause (ii) below.

                  (ii)  Buyer  shall  not be  obligated  to pay any  amount  for
indemnification under Section 12.2(a) in excess of the Purchase Price other than
for breaches of which Buyer had knowledge at Closing.

                  (iii) Buyer shall be  obligated to pay any and all amounts for
indemnification  under  Sections  12.2(b) and (c) in full without  regard to the
Buyer Basket.  The limitation set forth in the immediately  preceding  paragraph
(ii) shall in no event be applicable to Buyer's obligation to indemnify pursuant
to Sections 12.2(b) and (c).

         12.5 Set-Off  Rights.  Artra,  BCA,  Seller and Buyer hereby agree that
Buyer  shall have the right,  but not the  obligation,  to set-off  against  its
payment  obligations under the Subordinated  Promissory Note, the full amount of
any Losses  required to be paid  pursuant to Section  12.1 after  delivering  to
Seller the "Claims  Notice"  required  under Section  12.3.1 hereof and allowing
Seller the  opportunity to defend as provided for in Section  12.3.2 hereof.  If
Buyer elects to exercise its set-off rights  hereunder  against the Subordinated
Promissory Note, Buyer will, in the Claims Notice, give Seller written notice of
such election and specify the amount to be set-off, and after complying with the
provisions of Sections  12.3.1 and 12.3.2,  the amount of obligations  under any
such Subordinated  Promissory Note shall  automatically be reduced by the amount
set forth in such  notice.  In the event there is a "final  determination"  by a
court of competent  jurisdiction that Buyer was not entitled to  indemnification
under  Section 12 with  respect to the  set-off  amount,  Buyer  shall  promptly
thereafter  repay  to  Seller  the  amount  which  is  determined  to have  been
wrongfully set-off.  For purposes of this Section 12.5, a determination shall be
"final" if any and all appeals  therefrom  shall have been resolved or if thirty
(30) days shall have passed from the rendering of such  determination (or of any
determination  on appeal  therefrom)  and no party shall have commenced any such
appeal therefrom.

13.   Termination of Agreement.

         13.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing
(whether  before or after the approval of this Agreement by the  shareholders of
Artra), as follows:

                  (i) by mutual written agreement of the Buyer and Seller;

                  (ii) by the Buyer if any one or more of the  conditions to the
obligation of the Buyer to close set forth in Article 9 of this Agreement  shall
not have been  fulfilled by November 16, 1998 (or by the latter of the dates set
forth in Section 9.7 with respect to Section 9.7) or by December 18, 1998 if the
SEC shall have reviewed Artra's Proxy Statement (except that the Buyer shall not
have the right to terminate this Agreement  pursuant to this Section 13.1(ii) if
the  basis  therefor  is  attributable  to a breach  by the  Buyer of any of its
obligations hereunder);

                  (iii) by Seller if any one or more of its  conditions to close
set forth in  Article  10 of this  Agreement  shall not have been  fulfilled  by
December 18, 1998 (except that Seller shall not have the right to terminate this
Agreement   pursuant  to  this  Section  13.1(iii)  if  the  basis  therefor  is
attributable  to a breach by Artra,  BCA,  Seller or their  affiliates of any of
their obligations hereunder);

                  (iv) by the Buyer or Seller if this  Agreement  shall not have
received the requisite  approval and  authorization of the shareholders of Artra
by November  16, 1998,  or by December  18, 1998 if the SEC shall have  reviewed
Artra's Proxy Statement;

                  (v) at the  election  of the  Buyer or  Seller,  if any  legal
proceeding  is commenced or threatened by any  governmental  or regulatory  body
directed against the consummation of the Closing or any transaction contemplated
by this Agreement and either the Buyer or Seller, as the case may be, reasonably
and in good faith deems it impractical or inadvisable to proceed in view of such
legal proceeding or threat thereof;

                  (vi) by the Buyer if (A) the Board of Directors of Artra,  BCA
or Seller  (or the  shareholders  of Seller or BCA)  shall  have  withdrawn,  or
modified  or  changed  in a  manner  adverse  to the  Buyer  their  approval  or
recommendation of this Agreement or shall have recommended  another  transaction
or other business  combination,  or Artra, BCA or Seller shall have entered into
an  agreement  in  principle  (or similar  agreement)  or  definitive  agreement
providing for a transaction  with a person other than the Buyer (or the Board of
Directors of Artra,  BCA or Seller resolves to do any of the foregoing);  or (B)
it shall have been  publicly  disclosed or the Buyer shall have learned that any
person or "group" (as that term is defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act") (an "Acquiring Person"), other
than the Buyer,  after receiving the approval of the Board of Directors of Artra
contemplated by Section 203 of the GCL, shall have acquired beneficial ownership
(determined  pursuant to Rule 13d-3  promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more
than  14.9% of any class or  series  of  capital  stock of  Artra,  through  the
acquisition of stock, the formation of a group or otherwise,  or shall have been
granted  any option,  right or warrant,  conditional  or  otherwise,  to acquire
beneficial  ownership of more than 14.9% of any class or series of capital stock
of Artra;

                  (vii)  by  the  Buyer  upon  the  failure  of  the   Principal
Shareholders to perform their obligations under Section 7.16 hereof;

                  (viii) by Artra,  BCA and Seller if the Board of  Directors of
Artra shall have (A)  withdrawn,  or modified or changed in a manner  adverse to
the Buyer its approval or  recommendation  of this Agreement in order to approve
and permit Artra, BCA or Seller to execute a definitive agreement relating to an
Acquisition Transaction,  and (B) determined,  after having received the written
advice of independent Delaware counsel,  that the failure to take such action as
set forth in the  preceding  clause (A) would result in a breach of the Board of
Directors' fiduciary duties under applicable law; provided,  however, that Artra
shall have given the Buyer at least  thirty-six  hours advance  actual notice of
any termination  pursuant to this Section 13.1(viii) and shall make concurrently
with such termination the $5,000,000 payment referred to in Section 13.3 hereof;
or

                  (ix) by the Seller,  pursuant to a written notice delivered to
the Buyer on or before  September 11, 1998, if Buyer shall not have delivered to
Seller a fully executed copy of the Assets  Purchase  Agreement by and among the
Company,  IPMC  Acquisition,  L.L.C.,  IPC,  Inc.  and IPMC,  Inc.  on or before
September 4, 1998.

 . In the event of  termination  and  abandonment  of this Agreement by any party
pursuant to Section 13.1, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the
other parties and this  Agreement  shall  terminate  and the other  transactions
contemplated  hereby shall be abandoned,  without  further  action by any of the
parties   hereto.   If  this  Agreement  is  terminated  and  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby  are  not  consummated  pursuant  to  Section  13.1 of this
Agreement,  this Agreement shall become void and of no further force and effect,
except for the provisions of Sections 13.1 and 13.3 relating to the  obligations
to make certain payments to the Buyer.

         13.3  Termination  Fee  Payable  to  the  Buyer.   Notwithstanding  any
provision  to the  contrary  contained  herein,  Artra,  BCA and Seller shall be
jointly  and  severally  liable  to  immediately  pay to  Buyer  the  amount  of
$5,000,000 in cash if

                           (A) this  Agreement is terminated  by Buyer  pursuant
to:

         (a) Section  13.1(ii) for failure of any of the conditions set forth in
Section 9.8 or 9.9;

         (b) Section 13.1(ii) for failure of any of the conditions set forth (1)
in  Section  9.1(b),  9.2(a),  9.2(b),  9.3 or 9.4 as a result of Artra,  BCA or
Seller  doing  any act or  omitting  to take any act that  would  result  in the
failure to perform or comply with their  obligations under this Agreement or (2)
in  Section  9.1(a)  as  a  result  of  Artra,  BCA  or  Seller  doing,   either
intentionally,  wrongfully or in bad faith,  any act or omitting to take any act
that would result in the  representations  and warranties made in this Agreement
being not true and correct on and as of the Closing Date;

      (c) Section 13.1(iv);

 (d) Section 13.1(vi);

 (e) Section 13.1(vii), or

                           (B) if this Agreement is terminated by Artra pursuant
to Section 13.1(viii) above with the $5,000,000 to be paid concurrently with the
occurrence of the event referred to in clauses (A) or (B) above. In addition, in
the event that Buyer terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 13.1(ii) (for
failure of the  condition  set forth in Section  9.2(b)),  then  Artra,  BCA and
Seller jointly and severally  will  immediately  pay to Buyer all  out-of-pocket
expenses  reasonably  incurred by the Company and Buyer in connection  with this
Agreement  unless Buyer is entitled to receive the  $5,000,000  termination  fee
hereunder.  Upon  receipt of such  payments,  Buyer shall not be entitled to and
shall waive the right to seek damages or other  amounts or remedies  from Artra,
BCA or Seller for breach of, or otherwise in connection with, this Agreement.

         13.4 Other  Remedies.  Notwithstanding  any  provision  to the contrary
contained  herein,  if this Agreement is terminated  pursuant to Section 13.1 or
otherwise by Artra,  BCA or Seller,  on the one hand, or the Buyer, on the other
hand,  and  non-terminating  party is not entitled to receive the payments under
Section  13.3,  then the  non-terminating  party shall be entitled to pursue any
available legal rights to recover actual damages, including, without limitation,
its reasonable costs and expenses incurred in pursuing such recovery (including,
without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) resulting from the other party's
willful or wrongful breach hereof.

14.  Miscellaneous.

         14.1 Certain  Definitions.  As used in this  Agreement,  the  following
terms have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:

         (i) "affiliate" means with respect to any person,  (i) any other person
controlling,  controlled by or under common control with,  such person,  or (ii)
any stockholder of such person holding directly,  or indirectly  through trusts,
partnerships or otherwise,  beneficial ownership of more than 5.0% of the common
equity of such person.

         (ii)  "condition  of  the  Business"  means  the  assets,  liabilities,
properties, business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects of
the Business.

         (iii)  "governmental  or  regulatory  body"  means  any  government  or
political subdivision thereof,  whether federal, state, local or foreign, or any
agency or instrumentality of any such government or political subdivision.

         (iv)  "knowledge"  with  respect  to  Artra,  BCA or  Seller  means the
knowledge of any of the officers, directors, vice presidents or general managers
of Artra, BCA or Seller or the Business after due inquiry.

         (v)  "lien or other  encumbrance"  means any  lien,  pledge,  mortgage,
security  interest,  claim,  lease,  charge,  option,  right of  first  refusal,
easement,  servitude,  transfer  restriction  under any  shareholder  or similar
agreement, encumbrance or any other restriction or limitation whatsoever.

         (vi) "person" means any  individual,  corporation,  partnership,  firm,
joint  venture,   association,   joint-stock  company,   trust,   unincorporated
organization, governmental or regulatory body or other entity.

         (vii)  "Seller  Property"  shall mean all real  property  previously or
heretofore owned,  leased or used by or on behalf of Seller (including,  without
limitation,  the real properties  previously owned, leased or operated in Forest
Park, Georgia, Carteret, New Jersey, Joplin, Missouri and Hialeah, Florida). For
purposes of this definition, the term "Seller" shall mean and include the Seller
and any of its predecessors or any person whose liability for any  Environmental
claim the Seller or any of its  predecessors  has  retained  or  assumed  either
contractually or by operation of law.

         (viii) "Tax  Return"  means any return,  amended  return,  declaration,
report,  estimate,  information return,  claim for refund or credit or statement
regarding Taxes  including any schedule or attachment  thereto and any amendment
thereof,  which is filed or required to be filed under applicable Law whether on
a consolidated, combined, unitary or separate basis or otherwise.

         (ix)  "Taxing  Authority"  means the Internal  Revenue  Service and any
other  domestic  or  foreign   Governmental   Authority   responsible   for  the
administration of any Tax.

         14.2 Publicity.  No publicity  release or announcement  concerning this
Agreement or the transactions  contemplated hereby shall be made without advance
approval  thereof by Seller and Buyer,  except as required by law, in which case
the party issuing the release will endeavor to get the other party's consent.

         14.3 Notices.  Any notice or other communication  required or permitted
hereunder  shall be in writing and shall be delivered  personally,  telegraphed,
telexed,  sent by facsimile  transmission  or sent by  certified  return-receipt
requested, registered or express mail, postage prepaid. Any such notice shall be
deemed  given  when so  delivered  personally,  telegraphed,  telexed or sent by
facsimile transmission or, if mailed, five (5) days after the date of deposit in
the United  States  mails,  or if express  mailed,  one (1)  business  day after
delivery to a reputable over-night express mail courier, as follows:

                             (i)    If to Artra, BCA or Seller, to:

                                    c/o Artra Group Incorporated
                                    500 Central Avenue
                                    Northfield, Illinois 60093
                                    Attention: President
                                    Telephone: (847) 441-6650
                                    Telecopy: (847) 441-6959
                                    with a copy to:

                                    Kwiatt & Ruben, Ltd.
                                    500 North Central Avenue
                                    Northfield, Illinois 60093
                                    Attention: Philip E. Ruben, Esq.
                                    Telephone:  (847) 441-7676
                                    Telecopy:   (847) 441-7696

                  (ii)     if to Buyer, to:

                                    Packaging Dynamics, L.L.C.
                                    c/o Ivex Packaging Corporation
                                    100 Tri-State Drive, Suite 200
                                    Lincolnshire, Illinois  60069
                                    Attention:  Mr. Frank V. Tannura
                                    Telephone:  (708) 945-9100
                                    Telecopy:   (708) 945-9249

                           with a copy to:

                                    Packaging Dynamics, L.L.C.
                                    c/o Ivex Packaging Corporation
                                    100 Tri-State Drive, Suite 200
                                    Lincolnshire, Illinois  60069
                                    Attention:  G. Douglas Patterson, Esq.
                                    Telephone:  (708) 945-9100
                                    Telecopy:   (708) 945-2355

Any party may by  notice  given in  accordance  with this  Section  to the other
parties designate another address or person for receipt of notices hereunder.

         14.4 Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  (including  the  Exhibits and
Schedules)  and the  collateral  agreements  executed  in  connection  with  the
consummation  of  the  transactions   contemplated  hereby  contain  the  entire
agreement  among the parties  with  respect to the  purchase of the Business and
supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

         14.5 Waivers and Amendments;  Non-Contractual Remedies; Preservation of
Remedies.  This  Agreement  may be  amended,  superseded,  canceled,  renewed or
extended,  and the terms  hereof  may be  waived,  only by a written  instrument
signed by Buyer and  Seller  or, in the case of a waiver,  by the party  waiving
compliance.  No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or
privilege  hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof.  Nor shall any waiver on
the part of any party of any such right,  power or privilege,  nor any single or
partial  exercise of any such right,  power or  privilege,  preclude any further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or privilege.

         14.6 Governing  Law. This Agreement  shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois  applicable to agreements made
and to be performed entirely within such State.

         14.7 Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process.  Any legal action,
suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement,  each and every
agreement and instrument contemplated hereby or the transactions contemplated by
this  Agreement may be instituted in any Federal court of the Northern  District
of Illinois or any state court  located in Cook County,  State of Illinois,  and
each party agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in
any such action, suit or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally
to the  jurisdiction  of such court,  that the  action,  suit or  proceeding  is
brought  in an  inconvenient  forum,  that  the  venue  of the  action,  suit or
proceeding is improper or that this Agreement,  or each such other agreement and
instrument or the subject  matter hereof or thereof may not be enforced in or by
such court. Each party further  irrevocably  submits to the jurisdiction of such
court in any such action, suit or proceeding. Any and all service of process and
any other  notice in any such  action,  suit or  proceeding  shall be  effective
against any party if given personally or by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, or by any other means of mail that requires a signed receipt,
postage  prepaid,  mailed  to such  party as  herein  provided.  Nothing  herein
contained  shall be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve  process in
any manner  permitted  by law or to  commence  legal  proceedings  or  otherwise
proceed against any other party in any other jurisdiction.

         14.8 Binding  Effect;  No Assignment.  This Agreement  shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and
legal  representatives.  This Agreement is not assignable except by operation of
law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer may assign its rights hereunder to any
direct  or  indirect  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  Buyer  or to any  subsequent
transferee of the Business or to the banks providing financing to the Buyer.

         14.9  Variations in Pronouns.  All pronouns and any variations  thereof
refer to the masculine,  feminine or neuter,  singular or plural, as the context
may require.

         14.10  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  by the parties
hereto in separate  counterparts,  each of which when so executed and  delivered
shall be an original,  but all such counterparts  shall together  constitute one
and the same  instrument.  Each  counterpart  may  consist of a number of copies
hereof each signed by less than all, but  together  signed by all of the parties
hereto.

         14.11 Schedules. The Schedules are a part of this Agreement as if fully
set forth  herein.  All  references  herein to Sections and  Schedules  shall be
deemed  references  to such parts Of this  Agreement,  unless the context  shall
otherwise require.

         14.12 Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for reference only,
and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

         14.13  Severability  of Provisions.  If any provision or any portion of
any provision of this Agreement, or the application of any such provision or any
portion  thereof  to any  person  or  circumstance,  shall  be held  invalid  or
unenforceable,  the  remaining  portion  of such  provision  and  the  remaining
provisions of this  Agreement,  and the application of such provision or portion
of  such  provision  as  is  held  invalid  or   unenforceable   to  persons  or
circumstances  other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable,
shall not be affected thereby.


<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have executed  this  Agreement on the
date first above written.

                    BAGCRAFT ACQUISITION, L.L.C.



                     By:___________________________________
                                     Title:


                                    PACKAGING DYNAMICS, L.L.C.


                     By: __________________________________
                                     Title:


                                    ARTRA GROUP INCORPORATED



                     By:___________________________________
                                     Title:



                     BAGCRAFT HOLDINGS, INC.



                     By:___________________________________
                                     Title:



                     BAGCRAFT CORPORATION OF AMERICA



                     By:___________________________________
                                     Title:


<PAGE>


         The  undersigned  have signed this Agreement only with respect to their
obligations under Section 7.16 hereof


                                    SIGNATURES OF PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS


                                    -----------------------------------
                                            Peter R. Harvey


                                    -----------------------------------
                                            John Harvey


                                    -----------------------------------
                                            Gerard M. Kenny


                                    -----------------------------------
                                            Maynard K. Louis


                                    -----------------------------------
                                            Howard R. Conant


                                    -----------------------------------
                                            Edward A. Celano


                                    -----------------------------------
                                            Robert L. Johnson







<PAGE>






                                                                       Exhibit A



                     TRADE MARK AND SERVICE MARK ASSIGNMENT



         WHEREAS, , a _________ corporation having a principal place of business
at (the "Seller"), owns and has used the following mark (the "Mark"):


Serial No.                          Servicemark               Filing Date

______________                      ______________            ___ __, 19__



         AND WHEREAS,  _______________________,  a Delaware corporation having a
principal  place of  business at  _______________________________  wishes to buy
from Seller certain assets, including without limitation the Mark;

         NOW  THEREFORE,  for One Dollar and other good valuable  consideration,
the receipt and  sufficiency  of which are hereby  acknowledged,  Seller  hereby
sells,  assigns,  transfers and conveys to Buyer,  its  successors,  assigns and
legal  representatives,  Seller's entire right, title and interest in and to the
Mark, together with any appurtenant goodwill of the Seller's business symbolized
by the Mark. This grant specifically  includes,  without limitation,  all common
law rights that may have been  acquired by Seller with respect to the Mark,  all
applications and registrations  therefore that it may have, as well as any right
of Seller to recover for any third party  infringement  thereof,  regardless  of
whether  such  infringement  occurred  before or  occurs  after the date of this
Assignment.


<PAGE>



                           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, an authorized officer or agent of
                  Seller hereby  executes this  Servicemark  Assignment this ___
                  day of ___________, 1995.



                                            BAGCRAFT CORPORATION OF AMERICA


                                            By:____________________________

STATE OF ______________)
                                       )  ss:
COUNTY OF ____________ )


On this ____ day of _______________,  1998, appeared  _________________________,
to me  personally  known,  and  on  behalf  of ,  being  authorized  to  do  so,
acknowledged said instrument to be the free act and deed of said corporation.


- -----------------------------------
Notary Public, State of
(Seal)
My Commission:_____________________










                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2

FOR:     ARTRA GROUP INCORPORATED
         500 CENTRAL AVENUE                          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
         NORTHFIELD, ILLINOIS 60093
         Contact:  Mr. Robert S. Gruber, Vice President (212) 628-2554


                           ARTRA GROUP AGREES TO SELL
                               BAGCRAFT SUBSIDIARY



         Northfield,  Ill,  August 27,  1998  ------  ARTRA  GROUP  INCORPORATED
(NYSE:ATA)  today  announced  that it has entered  into an agreement to sell its
wholly-owned  Bagcraft  Corporation  of America  subsidiary  for $91.5  million,
comprised of $89 million in cash and a three-year,  $2.5 million promissory note
bearing a 10% interest  rate.  A portion of the  proceeds  from the sale will be
used to retire Bagcraft senior debt and certain liabilities.

         The buyer is Packaging Dynamics, a new,  non-consolidated joint venture
of Ivex Packaging Corporation (NYSE:IXX).

         The Bagcraft transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of
ARTRA and Ivex. The agreement,  subject to customary regulatory approvals,  will
be   consummated   pending  the   approval  of  ARTRA   shareholders,   expected
approximately October 31, 1998.

         After the sale is completed, ARTRA will consist of cash and securities.
The Company is presently evaluating various business opportunities.

         Bagcraft  is a producer  of  sandwich  wraps,  window  bags,  microwave
popcorn bags and waxed bags with manufacturing  facilities in Chicago,  Illinois
and Baxter Springs, Kansas.

         Statements  contained in this press  release  which are not  historical
facts  are  forward-looking  statements.  Such  forward-looking  statements  are
necessary  estimates  reflecting  the best  judgment  of the party  making  such
statements  based upon  current  information  and  involve a number of risks and
uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements contained in this press release or in
other public  statements  of the parties  should be considered in light of those
factors.  There can be no assurance  that such factors or other factors will not
affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements.


                                      ###




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