AMERICAN PACIFIC CORP
8-K, 1998-03-03
INDUSTRIAL INORGANIC CHEMICALS
Previous: CAMELOT FUNDS /KY, N-30D, 1998-03-03
Next: RIGGS NATIONAL CORP, PRE 14A, 1998-03-03



                       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): February 19, 1998

                          American Pacific Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


     DELAWARE                   1-8137             59-6490478
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission       (IRS Employer
   of incorporation)            File Number)   Identification No.)

         3770 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 300, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Address of principal executive offices


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (702) 735-2200

                                       N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)



<PAGE>
Item 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

         As announced on February 19, 1998,  American  Pacific  Corporation (the
"Company")  intends to effect an  offering  (the  "Offering")  of $75.0  million
principal  amount of Senior Notes (the "Notes")  pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities  Act of 1933 during  March 1998.  The Company  intends to use the net
proceeds of the Offering  primarily to fund its acquisition (the  "Acquisition")
of  certain  intangible  assets and rights of  Kerr-McGee  Chemical  Corporation
("Kerr-McGee")  related to the production of ammonium  perchlorate ("AP") and to
repurchase or defease the Company's  outstanding  11%  noncallable  subordinated
secured  term notes (the  "Azide  Notes").  There can be no  assurance  that the
Offering or the Acquisition will be consummated.

                         PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

         The following unaudited pro forma financial information (the "Pro Forma
Financial Information") is based on the consolidated financial statements of the
Company  included as part of the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 (the "Consolidated  Financial  Statements")
and the Company's unaudited  consolidated  financial statements included as part
of the  Company's  Quarterly  Report  on Form 10-Q for the  three  months  ended
December 31, 1997 (the "Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements"),  adjusted
to give effect to (i) the  Acquisition,  (ii) the repurchase of the Azide Notes,
(iii) the Offering and (iv) certain other  adjustments  (collectively,  the "Pro
Forma Adjustments").  The Unaudited  Consolidated Financial Statements have been
prepared  by the  company  on a basis  consistent  with  the  audited  financial
statements  and  include,  in the opinion of the Company,  all normal  recurring
adjustments  necessary for a fair  presentation  of the  information.  Operating
results  for the  three  months  ended  December  31,  1997 are not  necessarily
indicative  of the results that will be achieved for future  periods,  including
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998.

         The Pro Forma  Statements of  Operations  and other data give effect to
the Pro Forma  Adjustments as if the events giving rise thereto had occurred (i)
for the twelve months ended  December 31, 1997, as of January 1, 1997,  (ii) for
the fiscal year ended  September 30, 1997, as of October 1, 1996,  and (iii) for
the three months ended  December 31, 1997, as of October 1, 1997.  The Pro Forma
Balance Sheet gives effect to the Pro Forma  Adjustments as if the events giving
rise thereto had occurred as of December 31, 1997. The Pro Forma Adjustments are
described in the accompanying  notes.  The Pro Forma  Adjustments are based upon
available  information  and certain  assumptions  and estimates that the Company
believes are reasonable,  including estimates as to the additional expenses that
the  Company  would have  incurred  and  revenues  that the  Company  would have
received in the  applicable  periods if the Company had produced the  additional
volumes of AP actually  produced by Kerr-McGee.  These assumptions and estimates
are based on management's judgments, including judgments as to the allocation of
fixed and variable costs.  These allocations are subject to material  variances,
are inherently  imprecise and are not subject to  verification.  There can be no
assurance  that  future   operating   results  will  be  consistent  with  these
assumptions or estimates.  In addition, the Pro Forma Financial Information does
not purport to represent  what the Company's  results of operations or financial
condition  would  actually have been had the events giving rise to the Pro Forma
Adjustments  in fact occurred on such dates or to project the Company's  results
of operations or financial  condition for any future period or date. The Company
does not issue forecasts of future results of operations or financial  condition
and the Pro Forma Financial Information should not be deemed such a forecast.

                                       -1-

<PAGE>
The Pro  Forma  Financial  Information  should be read in  conjunction  with the
Consolidated   Financial   Statements  and  Unaudited   Consolidated   Financial
Statements.


                                       -3-

<PAGE>
                PRO FORMA STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER DATA
                      TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        HISTORICAL      ADJUSTMENT      PRO FORMA
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------
                                                                     (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S>                                                                        <C>             <C>              <C>    
Sales and operating revenues...........................................    $ 46,922        $ 28,962(a)      $72,169
                                                                                             (3,715)(b)
Cost of sales..........................................................      37,443           6,127(c)       47,470
                                                                                              3,900(d)
                                                                       ------------    -------------  -------------
Gross profit...........................................................       9,479          15,220          24,699
Operating expenses.....................................................       9,329              --(e)        9,329
Fixed asset impairment charge (f)......................................      52,605              --          52,605
Employee separation and management reorganization costs (g)............       3,616              --           3,616
Equity in earnings of real estate venture..............................         500              --             500
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------
Operating income (loss)................................................     (55,571)         15,220        (40,351)
Interest and other income..............................................       1,046              --           1,046
Interest and other expense.............................................       2,405           5,711(h)        8,116
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------
Income (loss) before credit for income taxes...........................     (56,930)          9,509        (47,421)
Credit for income taxes................................................      (9,661)             --(i)      (9,661)
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------
Net income (loss)......................................................    $(47,269)         $9,509       $(37,760)
                                                                       =============   =============  =============
Basic net income (loss) per share......................................      $(5.83)          $1.18         $(4.65)
                                                                       =============   =============  =============
Diluted net income (loss) per share....................................      $(5.83)          $1.18         $(4.65)
                                                                       =============   =============  =============
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA (j).............................................................      $9,855         $19,120         $28,975
Depreciation and amortization..........................................       6,622           3,705(k)       10,327
Capital expenditures...................................................       1,164              --           1,614
Cash interest expense..................................................       3,378           4,309(l)        7,687
Ratio of EBITDA to cash interest expense...............................         2.9x                            3.8x
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (m).................................            (n)                             (n)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                                        HISTORICAL      ADJUSTMENT      PRO FORMA
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------
                                                                     (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S>                                                                        <C>             <C>              <C>    
Sales and operating revenues...........................................    $ 44,050        $ 28,962(a)      $70,299
                                                                                             (2,713)(b)
Cost of sales..........................................................      36,420           6,053(c)       46,373
                                                                                              3,900(d)
                                                                       ------------    -------------  -------------
Gross profit...........................................................       7,630          16,296          23,926
Operating expenses.....................................................       9,509              --(e)        9,509
Fixed asset impairment charge (f)......................................      52,605              --          52,605
Employee separation and management reorganization costs (g)............       3,616              --           3,616
Equity in earnings of real estate venture..............................         200              --             200
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------
Operating income (loss)................................................     (57,900)         16,296         (41,604)
Interest and other income..............................................       1,115              --           1,115
Interest and other expense.............................................       2,001           6,115(h)        8,116
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------
Income (loss) before credit for income taxes...........................     (58,786)         10,181         (48,605)
Credit for income taxes................................................     (10,101)             --(i)      (10,101)
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------
Net income (loss)......................................................    $(48,685)        $10,181        $(38,504)
                                                                       =============   =============  =============
Basic net income (loss) per share......................................      $(6.01)          $1.26          $(4.75)
                                                                       =============    ============   ============ 
Diluted net income (loss) per share....................................      $(6.01)          $1.26          $(4.75)
                                                                       =============    ============   =============

OTHER DATA:
EBITDA (j).............................................................      $8,009         $20,196         $28,205
Depreciation and amortization..........................................       7,685           3,719(k)       11,404
Capital expenditures...................................................       1,557              --           1,557
Cash interest expense..................................................       3,515           4,172(l)        7,687
Ratio of EBITDA to cash interest expense...............................         2.3x                            3.7x
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (m).................................            (n)                             (n)
</TABLE>

                                       -4-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                                        HISTORICAL      ADJUSTMENT      PRO FORMA
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------
                                                                     (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                                                  (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                                        <C>             <C>              <C>    
Sales and operating revenues...........................................    $ 11,268        $ 10,891(a)      $21,073
                                                                                             (1,086)(b)
Cost of sales..........................................................       8,106           2,147(c)       11,228
                                                                                                975(d)
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------

Gross profit...........................................................       3,162           6,683           9,845
Operating expenses.....................................................       2,183              --(e)        2,183
Equity in earnings of real estate venture..............................         300              --             300
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------

Operating income (loss)................................................       1,279           6,683           7,962
Interest and other income..............................................         270              --             270
Interest and other expense.............................................         983           1,046(h)        2,029
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------

Income (loss) before credit for income taxes...........................         566           5,637           6,203
Credit for income taxes................................................          --              --(i)           --
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------

Net income (loss)......................................................       $ 566         $ 5,637         $ 6,203
                                                                       =============   =============  =============

Basic net income (loss) per share......................................        $.07            $.69            $.76
                                                                       =============   =============  =============

Diluted net income (loss) per share....................................        $.07            $.69            $.76
                                                                       =============   =============  =============

OTHER DATA:
EBITDA (j).............................................................      $2,890          $7,658         $10,548
Depreciation and amortization..........................................         837             923(k)        1,760
Capital expenditures...................................................         969              --             969
Cash interest expense..................................................         825           1,097(l)        1,922
Ratio of EBITDA to cash interest expense...............................        3.5x                            5.5x
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (m).................................        1.5x                            4.0x
</TABLE>

         NOTES TO THE PRO FORMA STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER DATA

         (a) If the  Acquisition is  consummated,  the Company will  effectively
acquire the AP market share of Kerr-McGee.  For the twelve months ended December
31, 1997 and the Company's fiscal year 1997, revenues have been adjusted to give
effect  to the  sale  by the  Company  of the  volumes  of AP  actually  sold by
Kerr-McGee during Kerr-McGee's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 at the prices
received by Kerr-McGee.  For the three months ended December 31, 1997,  revenues
have been  adjusted  to give effect to the sale by the Company of the volumes of
AP actually sold by Kerr-McGee  during the three months ended  December 31, 1997
at the prices received by Kerr-McGee.

         (b) In connection with the Acquisition,  the Company entered into a new
agreement  with  Thiokol  Corporation  ("Thiokol")  and  extended  its  existing
agreement  with  Alliant  Techsystems,  Inc.  ("Alliant").  Revenues  have  been
adjusted to give effect to those agreements as follows:

                  (1) Revenues  related to AP sold to Thiokol have been adjusted
         to reflect the  applicable  volumes  referred to in note (a) above,  by
         both the Company and  Kerr-McGee  at the price  provided  for under the
         Company's  agreement  with  Thiokol  during  the  initial  year of such
         agreement, i.e., 1999. This price is less than the actual price paid by
         Thiokol for AP to either the Company or Kerr-McGee during 1997.

                  (2) Revenues  related to AP sold to Alliant have been adjusted
         to reflect the applicable AP volumes  referred to in note (a) above, by
         both the Company and  Kerr-McGee  at the price  provided  for under the
         Company's agreement with Alliant during the relevant period.

         (c) Cost of sales has been  adjusted to give  effect to the  additional
volumes of AP assumed to have been sold by the Company as  described in note (a)
above.  Management has estimated the additional costs of producing those volumes
based  on  certain  judgments  as to the  Company's  fixed  and  variable  costs
associated  with the  production  and sale of such  incremental  volumes.  These
estimates are subject to material variance and are inherently  imprecise.  There
can be no assurance that future  operating  costs will be consistent  with these
estimates.

                                       -5-

<PAGE>
         (d) Cost of sales has been adjusted to include additional  amortization
of $3.9  million for the twelve  months  ended  December 31, 1997 and the fiscal
year ended  September 30, 1997 and $975,000 for the three months ended  December
31, 1997 related to the $39.0 million  consideration to be paid to Kerr-McGee in
connection with the Acquisition (the "Acquisition Consideration") amortized on a
straight line basis over a 10-year period.

         (e) The Company  estimates that it would not have incurred any material
additional selling, general,  administrative or other operating expenses related
to the  additional  volumes of AP  assumed  to have been sold by the  Company as
described in note (a) above.

         (f) During the fourth  quarter of fiscal  1997,  the Company  concluded
that the cash  flows  associated  with  sodium  azide  operations  would  not be
sufficient  to recover the  Company's  investment  in sodium azide related fixed
assets  and,  accordingly,  a non-cash  impairment  charge of $52.6  million was
recognized  in  such  quarter.  See  Note  13  to  the  Consolidated   Financial
Statements.

         (g) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company  recognized a
charge of $3.6  million  to  account  for the  costs  associated  with  employee
separations  and  management  reorganizations.  See Note 16 to the  Consolidated
Financial Statements.

         (h) Represents (i) interest  expense  associated  with the Notes (at an
assumed interest rate of 10.25% per annum),  (ii) the amortization of debt issue
costs of the Notes  (estimated to be $3.0 million) on a straight line basis over
seven years and (iii) the elimination of the historical interest expense related
to the Azide Notes as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   TWELVE MONTHS ENDED         YEAR ENDED         THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                    DECEMBER 31, 1997      SEPTEMBER 30, 1997      DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                 ---------------------   ---------------------  ---------------------
<S>                                                           <C>                    <C>                     <C>   
Interest on the Notes...........................              $7,687                 $7,687                  $1,922
Amortization of the Notes debt issue costs......                 429                    429                     107
Interest on the Azide Notes.....................              (2,405)                (2,001)                   (983)
                                                              ------                 ------                  ------
                  Totals........................              $5,711                 $6,115                  $1,046
                                                              ======                 ======                  ======
</TABLE>

         A change in the interest rate of one-half  percent  (0.5%) with respect
to the Notes would  change pro forma  interest  expense and pro forma net income
(loss) by $375,000,  $375,000 and $94,000,  for the twelve months ended December
31, 1997,  the fiscal year ended  September  30, 1997 and the three months ended
December 31, 1997, respectively.

         (i) No provision for income taxes is recognized because the Company has
a deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

         (j)  "EBITDA" as used herein  means net income plus  interest  expense,
taxes,  depreciation,  amortization,  the basis for real estate  related to real
property sales,  which is non-cash expense,  and, for the relevant periods,  the
non-recurring  charges consisting of fixed asset impairment charges and employee
separation and management  reorganization costs. EBITDA is presented because the
Company believes that it is a widely accepted  indicator of a company's  ability
to incur and service indebtedness.  However,  EBITDA should not be considered as
an alternative to net income, as defined by U.S. generally  accepted  accounting
principles ("GAAP"),  as a measure of operating performance or as an alternative
to cash flows from operations (as measured by GAAP) as a measure of liquidity.

         (k)   Represents   (i)   amortization   related   to  the   Acquisition
Consideration  of $39.0  million on a straight  line basis over ten years,  (ii)
amortization of debt issue costs of the Notes  (estimated to be $3.0 million) on
a straight  line basis over seven years and (iii)  elimination  of  amortization
expense related to the Azide Notes, as follows:

                                      -6-

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    TWELVE MONTHS ENDED           YEAR ENDED           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                     DECEMBER 31, 1997        SEPTEMBER 30, 1997       DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                   --------------------     --------------------     --------------------

<S>                                                            <C>                      <C>                        <C> 
Amortization of the Acquisition                                
Consideration...................................               $3,900                   $3,900                     $975

Amortization of the Notes debt issue costs......                  429                      429                      107

Elimination of amortization associated with
   the Azide Notes..............................                 (624)                    (610)                    (159)
                                                               ------                   ------                   ------
                  Totals........................               $3,705                   $3,719                     $923
                                                               ======                   ======                     ====
</TABLE>

         (l) Pro forma cash interest expense is calculated  assuming an interest
rate of 10.25% on the Notes and excluding  non-cash  amortization  of debt issue
costs.

         (m) The ratio of  earnings  to fixed  charges is  computed  by dividing
pretax  income from  continuing  operations  before  fixed  charges  (other than
capitalized  interest)  by fixed  charges.  Fixed  charges  consist of  interest
expense,  amortization  of debt  expense  and  discount  or  premium  related to
indebtedness,  capitalized interest and such portion of rental expense as can be
demonstrated to be representative of the interest factor in a particular case.

         (n) The ratios for the twelve  months  ended  December 31, 1997 and the
fiscal year ended  September  30,  1997 and the pro forma  ratios for the twelve
months ended December 31, 1997 and the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 have
been omitted  because the earnings were not  sufficient to cover fixed  charges.
The  deficiency  was $58.7 million and $61.1 million for the twelve months ended
December 31, 1997 and the fiscal year ended  September  30, 1997,  respectively,
and $49.2  million  and $50.8  million  pro forma for the  twelve  months  ended
December 31, 1997 and the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, respectively.


                                       -7-

<PAGE>
                             PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET
                              AT DECEMBER 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        HISTORICAL      ADJUSTMENT      PRO FORMA
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------

                                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
ASSETS
<S>                                                                        <C>              <C>             <C>    
Cash...................................................................    $ 12,989         $ 6,994(a)      $19,983
Accounts and notes receivable..........................................      10,517              --          10,517
Inventories............................................................      10,880              --          10,880
Prepaid expenses.......................................................       1,511              --           1,511
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------

    Current assets.....................................................      35,897           6,994          42,891
Property, plant and equipment, net.....................................      19,632              --          19,632
Development property...................................................       7,053              --           7,053
Real estate equity investments.........................................      18,535              --          18,535
Other assets...........................................................          88              --              88
Restricted cash........................................................       6,408          (5,244)(b)       1,164
Azide Notes issue costs................................................         728            (728)(c)          --
Notes issue costs......................................................          --           3,000(d)        3,000
Acquisition intangibles................................................          --          39,000(e)       39,000
Intangible assets.....................................................        1,513              --           1,513
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------

    Total assets.......................................................     $89,854         $43,022        $132,876
                                                                       =============   =============  =============
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities...............................     $ 7,229          $   --         $ 7,229
The Notes..............................................................          --          75,000(f)       75,000
Azide Notes............................................................      28,842        (28,842)(g)           --
Indemnity obligation...................................................       1,164              --           1,164
Long-term payables.....................................................       2,933              --           2,933
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------

    Total liabilities..................................................      40,168          46,158          86,326
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------

Common Stock warrants..................................................       3,569              --           3,569
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock and capital in excess of par..............................      79,293              --          79,293
Treasury stock.........................................................      (1,035)             --          (1,035)
Accumulated deficit....................................................     (32,141)         (3,136)(h)     (35,277)
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------

    Total shareholders' equity.........................................      46,117          (3,136)         42,981
                                                                       -------------   -------------  -------------

        Total liabilities and shareholders' equity.....................    $ 89,854        $ 43,022        $132,876
                                                                       =============   =============  =============
</TABLE>
                                       -8-

<PAGE>
                      Notes to the Pro Forma Balance Sheet

         (a) Represents  the sum of (i) the difference  between the net proceeds
of the Offering (estimated to be $72.0 million) and the portion of such proceeds
expected to be applied to pay the Acquisition  Consideration ($39.0 million) and
to  repurchase  the Azide  Notes at an  assumed  price of 105% of the  principal
amount  thereof  ($26.2  million after giving effect to the scheduled  principal
payment  thereon made on February  21,  1998) and (ii) the amount of  restricted
cash ($244,000)  released upon repurchase of the Azide Notes. To the extent that
the Azide Notes are not  repurchased,  the Company  intends to defease the Azide
Notes in accordance with their terms. In the event that the Company defeases all
of the Azide  Notes,  the  Company  estimates  that the  additional  cost to the
Company to acquire the  securities to be deposited in the  defeasance  trust for
the  benefit  of the  holders  of the Azide  Notes  will be  approximately  $1.1
million.

         (b)  Represents  the  sum  of (i) a $5.0  million  scheduled  principal
payment the Company  made on February  21, 1998 with  respect to the Azide Notes
and (ii) the amount of restricted cash  ($244,000)  released upon the repurchase
of the Azide Notes.

         (c)  Represents  the write-off of the remaining  unamortized  amount of
debt issue costs associated with the issuance of the Azide Notes.

         (d) Represents  debt issue costs related to the Notes,  estimated to be
$3.0 million.

         (e) Represents the recognition of an intangible  asset of $39.0 million
related to the Acquisition Consideration.

         (f) Represents the issuance of the Notes.

         (g) Represents (i) the scheduled  principal  payment of $5.0 million on
the  Azide  Notes  made on  February  21,  1998 and (ii) the  repurchase  of the
remaining outstanding principal balance of the Azide Notes.

         (h)  Represents  a  reduction  in  shareholders'  equity  for the  debt
extinguishment  extraordinary  item consisting of (i) the cost to repurchase the
Azide  Notes  at 105%  of the  principal  amount  thereof  (approximately  $1.25
million),  (ii) the write-off of the remaining  unamortized  discount related to
certain warrants issued in conjunction with the Azide Notes (approximately $1.16
million) and (iii) the write-off of the remaining  unamortized  debt issue costs
associated with the issuance of the Azide Notes ($728,000).


                                       -9-

<PAGE>
  EXHIBIT NO.                                       EXHIBITS

     99.1          Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of October 10, 1997 between
                   AMPAC, Inc. and Kerr-McGee Chemical Corporation.


181744.
                                      -10-

<PAGE>
                                    SIGNATURE


         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 hereunto duly authorized.


                                            American Pacific Corporation


Dated: March 2, 1998                By:      /s/ David N. Keys
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                            Name:   David N. Keys
                                            Title:  Senior Vice President and
                                                    Chief Financial Officer

                                      -11-


                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                        KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

                                      AND

                                  AMPAC, INC.


<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE                                                               PAGE NO.

I        DEFINITIONS                                                       1
II       TRANSFERS                                                         6
III      PURCHASE PRICE                                                    7
IV       SELLER'S REPRESENTATIONS                                          9
V        PURCHASER'S REPRESENTATIONS                                      12
VI       CONDITION OF ASSETS AND WARRANTIES                               15
VII      INDEMNIFICATION                                                  16
VIII     TAXES                                                            21
IX       EMPLOYEES                                                        21
X        PRECLOSING ACTIVITY AND CONTINUATION OF BUSINESS                 22
XI       RISK OF LOSS                                                     27
XII      CLOSING                                                          27
XIII     THE STATUS OF REPRESENTATIONS AT AND CONDITIONS                  29
         TO CLOSING
XIV      RETAINED RIGHTS                                                  34
XV       CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS                                           37
XVI      TERMINATION AND DEFAULT                                          41
XVII     POST CLOSING NON-COMPETITION                                     43
XVIII    MISCELLANEOUS                                                    44
<PAGE>
     EXHIBITS

Attached hereto and made a part hereof are the following Exhibits:

Exhibit                  Exhibit Caption
- -------                  ---------------

A                        COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND FILES
A-1                      EXCLUDED ITEMS
B                        CONTRACTS
C                        PROCESS DESCRIPTION
D                        TECHNICAL INFORMATION
E                        WIRE INSTRUCTIONS
F                        PURCHASE PRICE ALLOCATION
G                        SCHEDULE OF SELLER'S EXCEPTIONS
H                        SCHEDULE OF PURCHASER'S EXCEPTIONS
I                        KEY EMPLOYEES
J                        BILL OF SALE
K                        FORM OF ASSIGNMENT - CONTRACTS
L                        FORM OF PARENT COMPANY GUARANTEE


<PAGE>

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and effective as of this day
10th day of October,  1997, by and between Kerr-McGee  Chemical  Corporation,  a
Delaware  corporation;  (hereinafter  sometimes  referred to as  "Seller"),  and
AMPAC,  INC.,  a  Nevada  corporation  (hereinafter  sometimes  referred  to  as
"Purchaser").

                                  WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS,  Seller owns those "Assets"  described more fully in Article I relating
to manufacture and sale of Ammonium Perchlorate; and

WHEREAS,  Purchaser  desires to acquire Seller's interest in the Assets pursuant
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein, and
other good and valuable consideration,  the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS

1.01 "AFFILIATE" shall mean any person, firm,  corporation or other legal entity
controlling  controlled by or under common control with the party in question. A
person shall be presumed to control any  corporation of which he, she or it owns
more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting  securities  or any  partnership  of
which he, she or it is a general partner.

                                      -1-

<PAGE>
1.02 "AP" means ammonium perchlorate, but excludes Reclaimed Product.

1.03 "AP  BUSINESS"  means the business of Seller  relating to the Assets and to
the manufacture and sale of AP.

1.04 "ASSETS" shall mean the Process, the Technical Information,  the Contracts,
the Option,  the Records and all other assets of Seller used primarily in the AP
Business,  such as good will,  customer lists and contacts,  marketing expertise
and assistance, and the computer software and data files described on Exhibit A,
but  excluding the  Production  Facilities  and  excluding  those items (if any)
described in Exhibit "A-1".

1.05  "ASSUMED  OBLIGATIONS"  shall  mean all  unfulfilled  written  obligations
arising  under  or in  connection  with  the  Contracts,  but  excluding  costs,
expenses, obligations, losses, claims and liabilities to the extent based on (i)
the performance or  nonperformance  of Seller prior to Closing,  or (ii) any and
all  obligations of Seller under such  Contracts  which are not set forth in the
written instruments evidencing the Contracts.

1.06 "CLOSING" shall have the meaning given at Section 12.01.

1.07 "CLOSING DATE" shall mean the date specified in Section 12.01.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

1.08 "CLOSING PAYMENT" shall have the meaning given at Section 3.01.

1.09 "CONTRACTS" shall mean all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to,
and duties and  obligations  under,  any and all of the contracts and agreements
described on Exhibit B, including all related amendments.

1.10 "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN" shall mean (i) any plan,  program or arrangement as
defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended ("ERISA") including, but not limited to, employee benefit plans, such
as  foreign  plans,  which are not  subject to the  provisions  of ERISA and any
multiemployer  plan as defined in Section  4001(a)(3) of ERISA or Section 414(f)
of the United States  Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended  ("Code");  and
(ii) any personnel policy,  stock option plan,  collective  bargaining agreement
(or  work  agreement),  bonus  plan  or  arrangement,  incentive  award  plan or
arrangement,  change in control plan or arrangement,  vacation policy, severance
pay plan, policy or agreement,  deferred compensation  agreement or arrangement,
executive compensation or supplemental income arrangement,  retiree benefit plan
or  arrangement,  fringe benefit  program or practice  (whether or not taxable),
employee loan, consulting agreement,  employment agreement (oral or written) and
each other employee benefit plan, agreement,  arrangement,  program, practice or
understanding which is not described in Subsection (i) above.

1.11 "FIRM  ORDER"  shall mean an order for AP  existing on the date hereof that
Seller is  contractually  obligated to honor,  but only to the extent such order
is, as of such date,  scheduled for delivery  after the Closing but on or before
March 31, 1998; provided that delay in actual delivery

                                      -3-

<PAGE>
beyond March 31, 1998 on account of  unavailability  of customer  furnished bins
shall not change the  character of what  otherwise  would be a Firm Order.  Firm
Orders shall not exceed a cumulative total maximum of 1,400,000 pounds of AP.

1.12 "H-S-R Act" shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino Anti-trust Improvements Act of
1976, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

1.13 "INVENTORY"  shall mean all Seller-owned AP finished and stored,  or in the
process of being  cross-blended,  at  Seller's  Henderson  and/or  Apex,  Nevada
facilities, on the Closing Date, other than any such AP that has been identified
to a Firm  Order or to a New  Order.  (For  purpose  of  clarification,  neither
Reclaimed  Product nor  customer-owned  product stored at Seller's Apex facility
shall be deemed to be Inventory.)

1.14 "INVENTORY  VALUE" shall mean the value of the Inventory,  as determined in
accordance with Section 3.02 to be paid to Seller as provided in that Section.

1.15 "NEW  ORDER"  shall  mean any order for AP that  becomes  binding on Seller
after the date hereof, that is not assignable to Purchaser and that is filled by
delivery after the Closing Date.

1.16 "OPTION" shall have the meaning given at Section 2.02.

1.17 "OPTION PERIOD" shall have the meaning given at Section 2.02.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
1.18 "PROCESS" shall mean the processes (and all Seller-owned technology related
primarily thereto),  used by Seller at its Henderson and Apex, Nevada facilities
to manufacture AP, as more particularly described on Exhibit C.

1.19 "Production Facilities" shall mean all of Seller's plant,  equipment,  real
property and fixed assets used in the production of AP,  comprised  primarily of
its manufacturing and cross blending  facilities in Henderson and Apex,  Nevada,
together with its water and power supply agreements therefor and its interest in
Basic Investments Inc. associated/herewith.

1.20  "PURCHASER'S  INVENTORY"  shall mean that  Inventory with respect to which
Purchaser has given notice of exercise of the Option in a timely manner,  all as
herein provided.

1.21 "RECLAIMED PRODUCT" shall have the meaning given at Section 14.02.

1.22 "RECORDS"  shall mean all of Sellers'  right,  title and interest in and to
all price lists, customer correspondence, mailing lists, sales records, customer
lists and other commercial data, in the actual  possession of Seller,  primarily
related to the Assets, but specifically excluding any information that Seller is
under a contractual or legal obligation not to disclose.

1.23  "RESERVED  LICENSE"  shall mean a perpetual,  royalty free,  nonexclusive,
irrevocable  right  and  license  in  favor of  Seller,  its  parent  Kerr-McGee
Corporation,  and  their  successors  and  assigns,  to  practice  and  use  any
inventions,  technology or intellectual  property  forming part of the Assets as

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
may  necessary or useful to use,  repair,  have repaired or sell, in whole or in
part, the Production Facilities.

1.24 "RESERVED RIGHT" shall have the meaning given at Section 14.03.

1.25  "TECHNICAL  INFORMATION"  shall mean all the technical  data,  proprietary
information,  unpatented inventions, trade secrets, processes, formulae, designs
and  know-how  relating  primarily  to the  Process  owned by Seller on the date
hereof including, without limitation, those items on Exhibit D.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   TRANSFERS

2.01 TRANSFER.  Effective as of 12:01 a.m.  Central Time on the Closing Date and
subject to the terms and conditions  contained in this Agreement,  Seller agrees
to sell and  transfer  the  Assets  and  substantially  all its AP  Business  to
Purchaser, and Purchaser agrees to buy and take the Assets and substantially all
the AP Business  from Seller.  From and after such time,  Seller will  terminate
substantially  all AP production  operations,  and (except as may be provided in
limited  circumstances  identified  in Article XIV and Section  15.05 and except
with regard to Reclaimed  Product)  shall not thereafter  manufacture,  sell, or
deliver any AP of any kind or type to any person,  firm, or  corporation,  or to
any  government  or  governmental  entity or  agency,  directly  or  indirectly.
However,  the Production  Facilities will not be transferred and Seller reserves
the Reserved License and Reserved Rights.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
2.02 OPTION  Rights.  Included in the Assets to be transferred as above provided
shall be the right and option for Purchaser to purchase at the  Inventory  Value
all or such  portion of the  Inventory as Purchaser  may elect,  exercisable  on
notice to Seller from time to time anytime within the 12 month period commencing
at the Closing.  Such right to purchase shall hereinafter  sometimes be referred
to as the "Option" and such 12 month exercise period shall hereinafter sometimes
be referred to as the "Option  Period".  Purchaser shall be entitled to exercise
the Option as to various  quantities  of Inventory  at various  times during the
Option Period.  Each notice of exercise shall specify the quantity and any other
relevant terms.


                                  ARTICLE III
                                 PURCHASE PRICE

3.01  PAYMENT OF  PURCHASE  PRICE.  As full  payment and  consideration  for the
transfers by Seller to Purchaser,  and Purchaser's acceptance thereof,  pursuant
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Purchaser shall pay to Seller the
sum of Thirty Nine Million Dollars ($39,000,000) (the "Purchase Price") plus the
Inventory  Value of Purchaser's  Inventory.  The Purchase Price shall be paid to
Seller at Closing.  The Inventory  Value will be paid in accordance with Section
3.02. Unless otherwise instructed in writing by Seller, the Purchase Price shall
be paid to Seller by wire transfer of immediately  available funds to the Seller
account  designated  in Exhibit E. The  Purchase  Price for the Assets  shall be
allocated hereunder in accordance with Section 1060 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as reflected on Exhibit G hereto, and IRS form 8594 and all tax returns
and reports

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
filed by Seller and Purchaser with respect to the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement shall be consistent with such allocation.

3.02 INVENTORY  VALUE. For purposes of this Agreement,  "Inventory  Value" shall
mean One and 50/100  Dollars  ($1.50)  per pound.  It is  understood  and agreed
Purchaser is acquiring  Purchaser's  Inventory solely and exclusively for resale
and for no other  purpose.  No later  than 30 days after  each  exercise  of its
Option,  Purchaser shall pay to Seller by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to the account  designated at Exhibit E a sum equal to the Inventory Value
multiplied  times the number of pounds of Inventory  covered by that exercise of
the Option.

3.03 PURCHASER  FINANCING.  Purchaser's  obligation to close is contingent on it
being  able to secure  financing  for not less than the  Purchase  Price,  to be
funded no later  than the  Closing  Date.  Purchaser  agrees  to use  reasonable
commercial  efforts in good faith in an attempt to secure such financing and, in
association therewith, will investigate obtaining private placement of debt with
or without the  possibility  of senior bank  financing,  and public "high yield"
debt financing. Purchaser agrees to keep Seller fully informed of its efforts to
secure  financing and its progress in  association  therewith.  Furthermore,  it
shall  immediately  notify  Seller of the date it has  confirmed the securing of
such financing.  For purposes of this Agreement,  such financing shall be deemed
to have been  "secured" (a) if a private  placement is used,  when the lender(s)
issue  a  commitment,   in  customary  commercial  form,  subject  to  customary
conditions;  and (b) if a public debt  financing  is used,  when the  investment
banking firm selected to manage the issue delivers its Underwriting Agreement in
customary commercial form, subject to customary conditions.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE IV
                            SELLER'S REPRESENTATIONS

Seller  hereby  makes  the  following  representations  as of the  date  of this
Agreement, each of which is material and is relied upon by Purchaser:

4.01  EXISTENCE.  It is duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good standing
under the laws of the  jurisdictions  where  incorporated  and  qualified  to do
business,  and it is so qualified in all  jurisdictions  where  ownership of the
Assets or the nature of its business requires it to be so qualified.

4.02  AUTHORIZATION.  It has the power to enter into and perform this  Agreement
and the transactions  contemplated hereby; except as authorization to consummate
the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement  requires further  approvals as
stated in Section  13.03(c),  the  execution,  delivery and  performance of this
Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby have been duly and validly
authorized by all requisite  corporate  action on its part;  this  Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered on its behalf;  and this Agreement  constitutes
the valid,  legal and binding  obligation of it and is enforceable in accordance
with its terms,  except as  enforcement  thereof  may be limited by  bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'  rights
in general or general principles of equity.

4.03  BROKERS.  It has  incurred  no  obligation  or  liability,  contingent  or
otherwise,  for brokers' or finders' fees with respect to the transfer  provided
for in this Agreement which will be the

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
responsibility  of Purchaser.  Any such brokers' or finders' fee,  obligation or
liability  that might exist shall be the sole  obligation of the party  creating
the same.

4.04 NO CONFLICTS.  Except as may be disclosed on Exhibit G, the consummation of
the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement will not be in conflict with or
constitute an event of default or give rise to any valid claim,  demand or cause
of action under:

(a)    Seller's Articles of Incorporation,  Seller's Bylaws, or any agreement or
       instruments  to which it is  subject  or by which  either  Seller  or the
       Assets are bound, or

(b)    any order, writ, judgment or decree applicable to it, or

(c)    any covenants imposed upon it by any bank or other financial institution.

4.05 LEGAL  ACTIONS.  To its knowledge,  there is (i) no suit,  action or claim,
(ii) no  investigation or inquiry by any  administrative  agency or governmental
body, and (iii) no legal,  administrative or arbitration  proceeding  pending or
threatened  against  the  Seller or any of the  property,  assets,  business  or
prospects  of it or to which it is or might  reasonably  be expected to become a
party  relating to the Assets  being  purchased  by  Purchaser  pursuant to this
Agreement,  or that seeks to prevent or prohibit,  or would have the effect,  if
successful,  of preventing or prohibiting,  any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement  except as may be specifically  set forth on Exhibit G. To its
knowledge,  there is no  outstanding  order,  writ,  injunction or decree of any
court,  administrative  agency  or  governmental  body or  arbitration  tribunal
against or affecting it which could materially affect the Assets being purchased
by Purchaser  pursuant to this Agreement,  except as may be specified in Exhibit
G.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
4.06  COMPLIANCE  WITH LAWS AND  AGREEMENTS.  To the best of its information and
belief, it is not in violation of any law, rule,  regulation,  ordinance,  code,
order,  license,  concession or permit of any federal,  state or local  entities
which have jurisdiction over Seller, relating to the Assets and the AP Business,
except as may be  disclosed  on Exhibit G. Seller has  performed in all material
respects all  obligations  required to be performed by it and is not in default,
nor in receipt of any claim or notice of default, defense, setoff, counterclaim,
termination, cancellation or acceleration, under any of the Contracts, except as
may be disclosed in Exhibit G.

4.07 CONSENTS.  Except under the H-S-R Act and as may be disclosed on Exhibit G,
no third party must consent to Seller's  transfer of the Assets and, to the best
of its  information  and  belief,  no  filing  with any  governmental  entity is
required relating to any of the transactions or asset transfers  contemplated by
this  Agreement.  Except as  reflected  on  Exhibit G, each  Contract  is freely
assignable, and will be validly assigned and transferred as of the Closing Date,
by Seller  without  requiring  any  payment to, or consent  from,  any person or
entity.

4.08 RIGHTS TO PURCHASE. Except as may be disclosed on Exhibit G, no third party
holds any right to purchase any of Seller's interest in the Assets.

4.09 AP BUSINESS AGREEMENTS. Except as may otherwise be noted thereon, Exhibit B
hereto  lists  specifically  each  of  the  following   contracts,   agreements,
commitments or other documents  relating to the AP Business  presently in effect
(and no others are necessary for the conduct of the AP Business of Seller as now
conducted):

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
(a)    Each  material  contract,   agreement  or  commitment   relating  to  any
       invention,  process, know how, formulae,  design or trade secret relating
       primarily to the AP Business.

(b)    Each partnership, joint venture, joint operating or similar agreement (if
       any) relating to the ownership, operation and use of the AP Business.

4.10 To the best of its  information  and belief,  Seller has  conducted  its AP
Business,  and as of the Closing Date will have  conducted  its AP Business,  in
such manner  that the  transactions  and asset  transfers  contemplated  by this
Agreement  will not subject  Purchaser to any valid claim,  demand,  or cause of
action, or any liability, under any environmental laws or regulations,  or under
any permits or licenses to which  Seller's  conduct of its AP Business is or has
been subject.

4.11 FULL DISCLOSURE. Except as may be disclosed on Exhibit G hereto, (i) to the
best of its  knowledge,  it has disclosed to Purchaser all material  information
regarding the  condition  and  operation of the AP Business and the Assets;  and
(ii)  the  representations  and  warranties  by it in  this  Agreement  and  the
statements  contained  in  those  documents,  certificates  and  other  writings
furnished to Purchaser  pursuant to this Agreement,  when considered as a whole,
to its knowledge,  do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact and do
not omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements  herein and
therein not misleading.

                                   ARTICLE V

                          PURCHASER'S REPRESENTATIONS

Purchaser  hereby  makes the  following  representations  as of the date of this
Agreement, each of which is material and is relied upon by Seller:

                                      -12-

<PAGE>
5.01  EXISTENCE.  It is duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good standing
under the laws of the  jurisdictions  where  incorporated  and  qualified  to do
business,  and it is so qualified in all  jurisdictions  where  ownership of the
Assets or the nature of its business requires it to be so qualified.

5.02  AUTHORIZATION.  It has the corporate  power to enter into and perform this
Agreement and the transactions  contemplated hereby;  except as authorization to
consummate the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement  requires  further
approvals as stated in Section 13.03(c), the execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby have been duly and
validly authorized by all requisite corporate action on its part; this Agreement
has  been  duly  executed  and  delivered  on its  behalf;  and  this  Agreement
constitutes the valid,  legal and binding obligation of it and is enforceable in
accordance  with its  terms,  except as  enforcement  thereof  may be limited by
bankruptcy,  insolvency  or other  similar laws  affecting  the  enforcement  of
creditors' rights in general or general principles of equity.

5.03  BROKERS.  It has  incurred  no  obligation  or  liability,  contingent  or
otherwise,  for brokers' or finders' fees with respect to the Transfer  provided
for in this  Agreement  which will be the  responsibility  of the Seller and any
such brokers' or finders' fee, obligation or liability that might exist shall be
the sole obligation of the party creating the same.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
5.04 NO CONFLICTS.  Except as may be disclosed on Exhibit H, the consummation of
the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  are not in conflict with or
constitute an event of default or give rise to any valid claim,  demand or cause
of action under:

(a)    Purchaser's  Articles  of  Incorporation,   Purchaser's  Bylaws,  or  any
       agreement or  instruments  to which it is subject or by which it is bound
       or

(b)    any order, writ, judgment or decree applicable to it, or

(c)    any covenants imposed upon it by any bank or other financial institution.

5.05 CONSENTS.  Except under the H-S-R Act and as may be disclosed on Exhibit H,
no third party must  consent to  Purchaser's  purchase of the Assets and, to the
best of its information and belief,  no filing with any  governmental  entity is
required relating to any of the transactions or asset transfers  contemplated by
this Agreement.

5.06 PURCHASER'S  FINANCIAL CAPACITY.  It has, subject to securing the financing
described in Section 3.04,  the  financial  capacity and resources to proceed to
the Closing and to meet all its obligations as set forth herein.

5.07 INVESTIGATION. It will, by tendering the Purchase Price at Closing, signify
it has conducted such investigation and due diligence review with respect to the
Assets and AP Business as it deems prudent.

5.08  FULL  DISCLOSURE.  Except as may be  disclosed  on  Exhibit  H hereto  the
representations  and warranties of it in this  Agreement,  when  considered as a
whole, to its knowledge, do not contain

                                      -14-

<PAGE>
any untrue  statement  of a material  fact and do not omit to state any material
fact necessary to make the statements herein and therein not misleading.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                       CONDITION OF ASSETS AND WARRANTIES

6.01  TITLE.  Seller  warrants  that  it owns  the  Inventory,  Records  and the
Technical Information;  and has valid and subsisting rights in, to and under the
Process and the  Contracts -- all free and clear of any lien,  charge,  security
interest,  adverse  claim or  encumbrance.  Upon the  Closing,  Purchaser  shall
receive good title in the Assets including,  without limitation, the Option, the
Records, and the Technical  Information,  and valid and subsisting rights in, to
and  under  the  Process  and the  Contracts  -- all free and clear of any lien,
charge, security interest, adverse claim or encumbrance.

6.02 CONDITION.  The Purchaser's Inventory and other personal property described
on Exhibit A, is sold in an "AS IS,  WHERE IS"  condition.  EXCEPT AS  OTHERWISE
SPECIFICALLY  PROVIDED  IN THIS  ARTICLE,  SELLER  MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND
WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO THE ASSETS.  ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF  MERCHANTABILITY
AND/OR FITNESS FOR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL SELLER BE
RESPONSIBLE,  OR HAVE ANY LIABILITY,  FOR SPECIAL,  INDIRECT,  CONSEQUENTIAL  OR
PUNITIVE DAMAGES  ASSOCIATED IN ANY WAY WITH THE PURCHASER'S  INVENTORY OR OTHER
PERSONAL  PROPERTY  TO BE  TRANSFERRED  HEREUNDER.  With  respect to Purchaser's
Inventory in bins stored at Seller's Apex facility that will be delivered to
                                      -15-

<PAGE>


customers  after  Closing with no further  finishing or cross  blending,  Seller
will,  at  Purchaser's  request  furnish  directly to the  customer its standard
warranty as to specification,  grade,  particle size etc., provided that damages
for any breach of such warranty would be limited to the Inventory Value received
by  Seller  for  the  material  in  question  and  that  no  special,  indirect,
consequential  or  punitive   damages  would  be  available.   With  respect  to
Purchaser's  Inventory  in  lined  drums  that  would  be  further  finished  or
cross-blended  by or on behalf  Purchaser  after Closing,  Seller is prepared to
certify to Purchaser the specification, grade, particle size etc., provided that
damages for any breach of such  certification  would be limited to the Inventory
Value  received  by Seller for the  material  in  question  and that no special,
indirect, consequential or punitive damages would be available.


                                  ARTICLE VII

                                INDEMNIFICATION

7.01 SELLER'S INDEMNITY.  Seller shall indemnify and hold Purchaser,  its parent
corporation and their  directors,  officers,  employees and agents harmless from
and  against  all  liability,  loss,  damage or  expense  (including  reasonable
attorney fees but excluding special,  indirect or consequent  damages) sustained
by the Purchaser:

(a)    arising   out  of  or   resulting   from  any   breach   of  any  of  the
       representations, warranties or covenants or made by Seller herein; or

(b)    arising  out  of or  resulting  from  legal  actions,  lawsuits,  claims,
       proceedings,  arbitration  or  investigations  associated  with ownership
       and/or  use  of  the  Assets  (including,  by  way  of  example  and  not
       limitation, the Inventory) prior to the Closing Date and, with respect to

                                      -16-

<PAGE>
Inventory only, after the Closing Date, except to the extent, and from and after
the time, the same becomes Purchaser's Inventory.

7.02  PURCHASER'S  INDEMNITY.  Purchaser  shall  indemnify and hold Seller,  its
parent  corporation,  and all their  directors,  officers,  employees and agents
harmless  from and against all  liability,  loss,  damage or expense  (including
reasonable  attorney  fees but  excluding  special,  indirect  or  consequential
damages) sustained by the Seller:

(a)    arising   out  of  or   resulting   from  any   breach   of  any  of  the
       representations, warranties or covenants made by Purchaser herein; or

(b)    arising  out  of or  resulting  from  legal  actions,  lawsuits,  claims,
       proceedings,  arbitration  or  investigations  associated  with ownership
       and/or use of the Assets  (excluding  Inventory)  on or after the Closing
       Date, or of the Inventory to the extent, and from and after the time, the
       same becomes Purchaser's Inventory.

7.03  LIMITATIONS.  The  indemnity  obligations  in Sections 7.01 and 7.02 shall
expire  and  be of no  further  force  and  effect  from  and  after  the  fifth
anniversary  of the Closing Date except for claims with respect to which written
notice was given hereunder prior to such fifth anniversary.

7.04     INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES.

(a)    A party  claiming  indemnification  under  this  Agreement  ("Indemnified
       Party") shall promptly (i) notify the party from whom  indemnification is
       sought  ("Indemnifying  Party") of any claim or claims ("Claim") asserted
       against the  Indemnified  Party  which it  believes

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
       could give rise to a right of  indemnification  under this  Agreement and
       (ii) transmit to the  Indemnifying  Party a written notice  describing in
       reasonable  detail the  nature of the Claim, a copy of all papers  served
       with respect to such claim (if any), an estimate of the amount of damages
       attributable to the Claim, if reasonably  possible,  and the basis of the
       Indemnified  Party's  request for  indemnification  under this Agreement;
       provided  however,  the omission so to notify the Indemnifying  Party (x)
       will  not  relieve  it  from  any  liability  that  it  may  have  to any
       Indemnified  Party under this Article VII unless the  Indemnifying  Party
       has been prejudiced in any material respect by such omission and (y) will
       not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability that it may have to
       any  Indemnified  Party other the under this Article VII.  Within  twenty
       days  after  receipt  of  notice of the Claim  ("Election  Period"),  the
       Indemnifying  Party shall  notify the  Indemnified  Party (i) whether the
       Indemnifying  Party disputes its potential  liability to the  Indemnified
       Party under this  Agreement  with  respect to such Claim and (ii) whether
       the  Indemnifying  Party desires,  at the sole  cost and  expense  of the
       Indemnifying Party, to defend the Indemnified Party against such Claim.

(b)    If the  Indemnifying  Party  notifies  the  Indemnified  Party within the
       Election  Period  that  the  Indemnifying  Party  does  not  dispute  its
       potential  liability to the  Indemnified  Party under this  Agreement and
       that the  Indemnifying  Party  elects to assume the  defense of the Claim
       then the Indemnifying  Party shall have the right to defend,  at its sole
       cost and  expense,  such  Claim  by all  appropriate  proceedings,  which
       proceedings shall be prosecuted diligently by the Indemnifying Party to a
       final conclusion or settled at the discretion of the  Indemnifying  Party
       in accordance with this Section 7.04(b).  Subject to the restrictions set
       forth in Section 7.04(d) below,  the  Indemnifying  Party shall have full
       control of such defense and

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
proceedings  including any compromise or settlement thereof. If requested by the
Indemnifying  Party, the Indemnified Party shall at the sole cost and expense of
the Indemnifying Party, reasonably cooperate with the Indemnifying Party and its
counsel in contesting any Claim which the Indemnifying  Party elects to contest.
The  Indemnified  Part may  participate  in,  but not  control,  any  defense or
settlement  of any  third  party  Claim  controlled  by the  Indemnifying  Party
pursuant to this Section  7.04(b) and,  except as permitted above or pursuant to
Section  7.04(c),  shall bear its own costs and  expenses  with  respect to such
participation.

(c)    If the  Indemnifying  Party fails to notify the Indemnified  Party within
       the  Election  Period that the  Indemnifying  Party  elects to defend the
       Indemnified  Party pursuant to Section  7.04(b),  or if the  Indemnifying
       Party elects to defend the Indemnified  Party pursuant to Section 7.04(b)
       but fails to diligently  and promptly  prosecute and defend or settle the
       Claim,  then the Indemnified Party shall have the right to defend, at the
       sole  cost  and  expense  of the  Indemnifying  Party,  the  Claim by all
       appropriate   proceedings,   which  proceedings  shall  be  promptly  and
       vigorously  prosecuted by the Indemnified  Party to a final conclusion or
       settled.  The  Indemnified  Party shall have full control of such defense
       and  proceedings  and may enter into any compromise or settlement of such
       Claim  without the  Indemnifying  Party's  consent.  Notwithstanding  the
       foregoing,  if the  Indemnifying  Party has delivered a written notice to
       the Indemnified Party to the effect that the Indemnifying  Party disputes
       its potential liability to the Indemnified Party under this Agreement and
       if such dispute is resolved in favor of the Indemnifying  Party by final,
       non  appealable  order  of  a  court  of  competent   jurisdiction,   the
       Indemnifying  Party shall not be required to bear the costs and  expenses
       of the Indemnified Party's defense pursuant to this Section 7.04(c) or of

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
       the Indemnifying Party's participation therein at the Indemnified Party's
       request and the Indemnified Party shall reimburse the Indemnifying  Party
       in  full  or  for  all  costs  and  expenses  of  such  litigation.   The
       Indemnifying  Party may participate  in, but not control,  any defense or
       settlement  controlled by the Indemnified  Party pursuant to this Section
       7.04(c) and the Indemnifying  Party shall bear its own costs and expenses
       with respect to such participation.

(d)    Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.04(c),  neither an Indemnifying
       Party nor an Indemnified  Party shall be liable for any settlement of any
       litigation  or proceeding  effected  without its written  consent  (which
       consent shall not be unreasonably withheld);  provided,  however, without
       the  Indemnified  Party's written  consent (at its sole  discretion),  an
       Indemnifying   Party  shall  not  settle  or  compromise  any  action  or
       proceeding  or consent to entry of any  judgment (i) that would impose an
       injunction or other equitable  relief upon the Indemnified  Party or (ii)
       that  would  impose  or  require  the  modification  of  any  contractual
       obligations  under the Contracts.  In any negotiations with third parties
       or any  litigation  relating  to  claims of  patent  infringement  or the
       infringement of other intellectual  property rights,  which claims relate
       to the AP  Business or the Assets,  both  Seller and  Purchaser  shall be
       entitled to participate, and no agreement, license or settlement shall be
       entered into with respect to any such claims without the written  consent
       of  Purchaser  and  Seller,  which  consent  shall  not  be  unreasonably
       withheld.


                                      -20-
<PAGE>
                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                     TAXES

8.01 TAXES. All taxes on the ownership of the Assets,  if any, (other than those
based on income) for the tax period in which the Closing  Date  occurs  shall be
apportioned and prorated as of the Closing Date between Seller and Purchaser. If
either party pays any such tax which is the  responsibility  of the other party,
it shall be  entitled to prompt  reimbursement  within  thirty  (30) days  after
issuance to the responsible party of evidence of such payment.

8.02 STATE SALES  TAXES.  At Closing  or, if  applicable,  with each  payment of
Inventory  Value, Purchaser  shall deliver to Seller,  as agent for the State of
Nevada, an amount equal to the Nevada state sales or use tax payment applicable,
if any,  to the  transaction  contemplated  hereby.  Seller  agrees to  promptly
forward such payment to the  appropriate  authorities  in the State of Nevada as
required by applicable law.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   EMPLOYEES

9.01  EMPLOYEES.  Seller has certain  employees  identified  on Exhibit H hereto
assigned to the AP Business.  Upon request,  Seller shall provide Purchaser with
information as to job title and compensation level of each such employee. Seller
will give the  Purchaser  reasonable  access  during  normal  business  hours to
interview any such employee that Purchaser  desires to interview.  It is clearly
understood  that  Purchaser  has no  obligation to employ or offer to employ any
such employee.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
9.02 NOTICE. Purchaser shall promptly notify Seller in writing the name of those
employees  of  Seller  to which it  makes  an offer of  employment  and a second
identifying notice promptly upon receipt of acceptance of such offer.  Purchaser
shall not enter into an employment  arrangement with any such employee that will
become effective prior to the second anniversary of the Closing.

9.03 ERISA.  Seller and its Affiliates  shall be responsible for (i) the payment
of all wages and other  remuneration  due to their  current or former  employees
with respect to their  services as employees of Seller or its  Affiliates,  (ii)
the  provision  of health  plan  continuation  coverage in  accordance  with the
requirements of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget  Reconciliation  Act of 1985, as
amended,  and Sections  601 through 608 of ERISA,  due to or with respect to the
employees of Seller whose  employment  with Seller is  terminated  in connection
with Seller's sale of the Assets, and (iii) any liability or other obligation of
Seller or any of its Affiliates  which in any way relate to or are  attributable
to any Employee  Benefit Plan  sponsored,  maintained or contributed to, for the
benefit of any employee with respect to their services as employees of Seller or
its  Affiliates. Neither  Seller nor its  Affiliates  will make any  transfer of
pension or other Employee Benefit Plan assets to the Purchaser.

                                   ARTICLE X

                            PRECLOSING ACTIVITY AND
                            CONTINUATION OF BUSINESS

10.01  ANTITRUST  NOTIFICATION.  The  parties  hereby  acknowledge  it is  their
understanding and belief that the transaction contemplated hereby is of the type
and  magnitude  requiring  submission of premerger  notification  to the Federal
Trade Commission and the Department of Justice under the

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
H-S-R Act.  The  parties  therefore  each agree to  prepare  and file  premerger
notification in accordance with the H-S-R Act.  However,  the parties agree such
filing  shall be made no earlier  than the date  Purchaser  has  confirmed  (and
advised  Seller of) the securing of the financing  described at Section 3.04 and
further  agree such filing  shall be made no later than ten (10) days after such
date or the date of this  Agreement,  whichever is later.  Both parties agree to
not request early  termination of any applicable  waiting period under the H-S-R
Act and to comply with agency requests for additional information concerning the
contemplated  transaction.  The parties  (including  their  outside  counsel and
consultants  where  appropriate)  agree to  cooperate  in the  preparation,  and
coordinate the filing,  of such  notifications.  Each party hereby  acknowledges
that,  as of the date  hereof,  it has made no filing  pursuant to the H-S-R Act
regarding the transactions contemplated hereby, and the waiting period specified
in the H-S-R Act has not yet expired.

10.02 ACCESS. Until Closing, Seller shall, during normal business hours and upon
prior written request,  afford Purchaser  reasonable access to its Henderson and
Apex,  Nevada  facilities  to view the Process  and to examine  the  documentary
portion  of the  Assets  (but with the right in  Seller to first  excise  market
sensitive,  competitive  or  confidential  data) so as to  enable  Purchaser  to
conduct such "due diligence"  review as it deems desirable.  Purchaser agrees to
comply  with  Seller's  health,  safety  and  other  rules  applicable  to  such
facilities of which it has been advised while at such facilities.

10.03  CONDUCT  OF  BUSINESS.  During  the  period  from the date  hereof to the
Closing,  Seller  shall  continue to conduct its business  and  operations  with
regard to the Assets in the same manner as they have been conducted  heretofore,
and shall maintain the books of account in accordance with

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
generally accepted accounting  principles  consistently  applied and in a manner
that  fairly  and  accurately   reflects  its  income,   expenses,   assets  and
liabilities.  Notwithstanding  anything  which  may  be to the  contrary  in the
preceding  sentence,  with respect to quotations it may make during such period,
Seller may vary its ordinary practice and bid in the alternative, dependent upon
whether or not the  transaction  contemplated  hereby  closes  and, furthermore,
Seller  agrees  to use  reasonable  efforts  to  obtain  the  right to assign to
Purchaser  any  orders  that  result  where  Seller  is the  successful  bidder;
provided,  however,  it shall not be obligated to take any action,  or condition
any bid,  in a way that  Seller,  in its sole  discretion,  determines  would be
nonresponsive  or otherwise lessen it chance of securing an award. To the extent
Seller  is the  successful  bidder,  the  order  is  assignable  and it has  not
commenced  production  of AP to fill such order as of the  Closing,  Seller will
assign to  Purchaser,  and  Purchaser  shall assume from  Seller,  such order at
Closing.  Also during such period  unless  Purchaser  shall have given its prior
written  consent thereto  (which  consent shall not be  unreasonably  withheld),
Seller will not do any of the following with respect to the Assets:

(a)    incur any indebtedness for borrowed money,  make any loans or advances to
       any individual, firm, or corporation, or assume,  guarantee,  endorse, or
       otherwise become responsible for the obligations of any other individual,
       firm or corporation;

(b)    subject the Assets to a mortgage, pledge, lien or any other encumbrance;

(c)    sell, lease or transfer any of the Assets (except this shall not prohibit
       sales of AP made in the regular, ordinary  manner  consistent  with prior
       practice for sale of AP; );

(d)    modify or amend in any material respect,  or cancel or terminate,  any of
       the Contracts; or

(e)    make any purchase or sale contract (except AP sales contracts made in the
       ordinary  course) or any other  commitments  that would be assumed by the
       Purchaser upon Closing, without the Purchaser's consent.
                                      -24-

<PAGE>
10.04  ADDITIONAL  INVENTORY.  The parties  recognize one or more customers may,
after the date hereof,  request  that Seller make  additional  quantities  of AP
available  as  Inventory.  Seller  agrees to consider  any such  request in good
faith,  but shall have no  obligation  to produce  additional  AP for  Inventory
unless  mutually  acceptable  terms and  conditions  relating  thereto have been
agreed in writing by Seller and Purchaser.

10.05 PUBLICITY. For a period beginning upon the execution of this Agreement and
running  through and including the Closing Date, (or date of termination if this
Agreement  earlier  terminates),  Purchaser  and Seller shall  consult with each
other with regard to all publicity and other releases  concerning this Agreement
and the transactions  contemplated  hereby and, except as required by applicable
law or the applicable  rules or regulations  of any  governmental  body or stock
exchange,  no party shall issue any  publicity  directly  related to the subject
matter of this  Agreement or other release  without first giving the other party
an  opportunity  to comment  thereon and  receiving  the approval of that party,
which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

10.06 PRE-CLOSING CUSTOMER CONTACTS. Before the Closing, the parties contemplate
that,  individually  or  jointly,  they will desire to contact AP  customers  to
advise them of, and explain the rationale behind, the transactions  contemplated
hereby,  in an effort to address and alleviate  whatever concerns such customers
may have and to seek their  active  support for (or at least their  assurance to
not  actively  object to) the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  The  parties
acknowledge it to be their mutual understanding and belief that customer support
- -- or at least the absence of active  customer  objection -- will be critical to
the successful completion of the transactions

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
contemplated  hereby and that  cooperation in conducting such customer  contacts
will be in their mutual  interest.  The parties  therefore agree to cooperate in
contacting  customers  about  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and shall
coordinate   their  contacts  to  the  maximum  extent   reasonable   under  the
circumstances.  Purchaser and Seller  mutually agree that, from the date of this
Agreement  through  the Closing  Date,  they shall not  directly  or  indirectly
discuss the transactions contemplated hereby with any AP customer without giving
the other prior notice of and an  opportunity  to comment upon such  discussion.
Furthermore,  from the date hereof until such time as it has confirmed  securing
of the  financing  described  as Section  3.03 and  advised  Seller of the same,
Purchaser shall not directly or indirectly  discuss this transaction with any AP
Customer without Seller's prior consent.

10.07 ANNOUNCEMENT. Both parties recognize that execution of this Agreement will
be an event of sufficient  magnitude and  materiality  that  Purchaser's  parent
company,  American  Pacific  Corporation,  will  have to  make  an  announcement
regarding  the same and file a Form 8K  Current  Report.  The  parties  agree to
cooperate  in  preparation  of such  announcement  and  Seller  shall be given a
reasonable  opportunity for prior review and comment upon such  announcement and
report.  The  making  of such  announcement  and  report,  and  confirmation  to
customers thereafter that the transaction is proceeding in a satisfactory matter
shall not be deemed a violation  of any  prohibition  contained in the final two
sentences of Section 10.05.

10.08  REASONABLE  COMMERCIAL  EFFORTS.  Each of the  parties  hereto  shall use
reasonable commercial efforts in good faith to fulfill all of the conditions set
forth in this  Agreement  over  which it has  control  or  influence  (including
obtaining any  authorizations,  consents,  approvals or

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
waivers necessary to the performance of such party's obligations  hereunder) and
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                                  RISK OF LOSS

The risk of loss to any of the Assets being  purchased  shall remain with Seller
until the  Closing.  In the event of fire or other  casualty as would be insured
against by a standard  extended coverage policy of property  insurance  (without
regard to  associated  deductibles)  shall  result in any loss, destruction,  or
damage to AP prior to the time such material becomes Purchaser's Inventory, such
material  shall be excluded  herefrom  and not deemed  Inventory  subject to the
Option and, hence, capable of becoming  Purchaser's  Inventory,  nor part of the
Assets. From and after the Closing,  the risk of loss to any of the Assets shall
reside with Purchaser.  Risk of loss to Inventory shall pass to Purchaser at the
time Inventory becomes Purchaser's Inventory by giving notice of Option exercise
with respect thereto.


                                  ARTICLE XII

                                    CLOSING

12.01 DATE AND PLACE OF CLOSING. The delivery of the Assets,  including executed
originals of bills of sale,  assignments and related  documents,  and payment of
the Purchase Price (the "Closing") shall take place at the Oklahoma City offices
of Seller at 10:00 a.m. on December  17, 1997 (the  "Closing  Date")  unless the
parties  mutually  agree to  another  date in  writing,  which  mutually  agreed
substitute date shall then become the Closing Date.

                                      -27-

<PAGE>
12.02 TRANSACTIONS AT CLOSING.

At the Closing:

(a)    Seller shall  execute,  acknowledge  and deliver to Purchaser  conveyance
       documents in  substantially the  form of those  documents as set forth in
       Exhibits J and K to this Agreement and such other instruments of transfer
       and assignment as are  reasonably  necessary to transfer to Purchaser the
       Assets in the manner contemplated by this Agreement;

(b)    Purchaser  shall  execute,  acknowledge  and  deliver to Seller a written
       assumption of the Assumed  Obligations  in a form mutually  acceptable to
       Purchaser and Seller;

(c)    Seller shall deliver to Purchaser possession of the Assets; and

(d)    Purchaser and Seller shall  execute,  acknowledge  and deliver such other
       instruments  and take such other  action as may be necessary to carry out
       their respective obligations under this Agreement.

12.03 FILES.  Seller shall at or as promptly as  reasonably  possible  after the
Closing provide to Purchaser at Seller's offices the originals of the Contracts,
the  Records and all other  documents  comprising  part of the Assets  including
those  computer  programs and computer data files set forth on Exhibit A hereto.
It shall be the  responsibility  of  Purchaser  to arrange  for the  delivery or
shipping of such originals.  Seller shall be entitled to make and retain, at its
own expense, such copies of the documents as it may desire.

                                      -28-

<PAGE>
                                  ARTICLE XIII
           THE STATUS OF REPRESENTATIONS AT AND CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

13.01  PURCHASER.  Purchaser's  obligation  hereunder are  conditioned  upon and
subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions, any one or more
which may be waived by Purchaser:

(a)    All  of  Seller's   representations  and  warranties  contained  in  this
       Agreement  shall be true and  correct as of the  Closing in all  material
       respects  with the same  effect  as if the same had been made or given on
       and as of the Closing;

(b)    Seller  shall have  performed  and complied  with all of its  obligations
       under this  Agreement  which are to be performed  and complied with by it
       prior to, at or contemporaneously with the Closing.

(c)    Between the date hereof and the  Closing,  there shall not have  occurred
       any material  adverse  change which  impairs the Assets or AP Business of
       Seller;

(d)    It  shall  have   closed,   prior  to  the   Closing   or   substantially
       contemporaneously therewith the financing described at Section 3.03;

(e)    It shall  have  concluded  a long  term  supply  agreement  with  Thiokol
       Corporation  for the sale and  purchase of AP to provide  comfort to such
       customer  as  to  the  future  price  of  A  after  the  Closing  of  the
       transactions contemplated herein IF the existence of such an Agreement is
       determined  by  Purchaser  in  good  faith  to  be  a  condition  to  the
       transactions  contemplated  hereunder  not  being  objected  to  by  such
       customers; and

                                      -29-
<PAGE>
(f)    It shall have received from Russell G. Horner,  Jr., the General  Counsel
       of  Seller,  a letter,  dated the  Closing  Date,  in form and  substance
       reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser to the effect that in his opinion:

       (i) Seller is a corporation duly organized,  validly existing and in good
       standing under the laws of the  jurisdiction  of its  incorporation,  has
       full corporate  power and authority to carry on its business as it is now
       being  conducted and to own or hold the Assets,  is duly  qualified to do
       business and in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the ownership
       or operation of the Assets  necessitates such  qualification and that the
       transfer of the Assets and consummation of the transactions  contemplated
       hereby,  including  execution and delivery of documents at Closing,  will
       not and shall have not violated the Articles of  Incorporation  or Bylaws
       of Seller;

       (ii) All corporate  action required to be taken by Seller to authorize it
       to execute, deliver and carry out this Agreement has been properly taken.
       This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Seller
       and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of Seller enforceable in
       accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy and other laws affecting
       creditors'  rights  generally and to general  principles  of equity;  and
       (iii)  All  consents,   approvals,   orders  or  authorizations   of,  or
       registrations, declarations or filings with, any  governmental  authority
       which are legally required on the part of Seller, for the consummation of
       the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement have been obtained or
       made.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>
In rendering  the  foregoing  opinions,  such counsel may rely, as to matters of
fact,  on  certificates  of public  officials  of officers of Seller and on such
other opinions of counsel as are reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser.

13.02 SELLER.  Seller's obligation hereunder are conditioned upon and subject to
the satisfaction of each of the following conditions,  any one or more which may
be waived by Seller:

(a)    All of  Purchaser's  representations  and  warranties  contained  in this
       Agreement  shall be true and  correct as of the  Closing in all  material
       respects  with the same  effect  as if the same had been made or given on
       and as of the Closing;

(b)    Purchaser  shall have performed and complied with all of its  obligations
       under this  Agreement  which are to be performed  and complied with by it
       prior to, at or contemporaneously with the Closing.

(c)    Seller shall have received from American Pacific Corporation, Purchaser's
       parent,   a  full  executed   parent  company   Guaranty  of  Purchaser's
       obligations  hereunder,  as provided  for at Section  18.10,  in the form
       attached hereto as Exhibit M;

(d)    It shall have concluded an agreement with NASA and/or Thiokol Corporation
       to hold the  Production  Facilities  in a standby,  back-up or "mothball"
       status for  production of AP to provide  comfort to such  customers as to
       the  future  availability  of AP after the  Closing  of the  transactions
       contemplated herein under one or more of the situations listed at Section
       14.03 (a) through (d) IF the existence of such an agreement is determined
       by  Seller  in good  faith  to be (i) a  condition  for the  transactions
       contemplated  hereunder not being objected to by such customer(s)  and/or
       (ii) reasonably necessary to facilitate a favorable

                                      -31-
<PAGE>
       review by the Federal  Trade  Commission  or Department of Justice of the
       transactions  contemplated hereby under the H-S-R Act or other applicable
       law; and

(e)    It shall have received  from Rooker & Gibson,  counsel for  Purchaser,  a
       letter,  dated  the  Closing  Date,  in  form  and  substance  reasonably
       satisfactory to Seller, to the effect that in their opinion:

       (i) Purchaser is a corporation  duly organized and validly existing under
       the laws of the jurisdiction of its  incorporation and has full corporate
       power and authority to own the  properties and to conduct the business it
       presently conducts and that consummation of the transactions contemplated
       hereby will not and shall have not violated the Articles of Incorporation
       or Bylaws of Purchaser;

       (ii) All corporate  action required to be taken by Purchaser to authorize
       it to execute,  deliver and carry out this  Agreement  has been  properly
       taken.  This  Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Purchaser
       and   constitutes   the  valid  and  binding   obligation  of  Purchaser,
       enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy and other
       laws affecting  creditors' rights generally and to general  principles of
       equality;

       (iii) All  corporate  action  required  to be taken by  American  Pacific
       Corporation  to  authorize  it to  execute,  deliver  and  carry  out the
       Guaranty described at Section 18.10 has been properly taken. The Guaranty
       has been duly executed and delivered by American Pacific  Corporation and
       constitutes  the  valid  and  binding   obligation  of  American  Pacific
       Corporation,  enforceable  in  accordance  with  its  terms,  subject  to
       bankruptcy and  other  laws affecting  creditors' rights generally and to
       general principles of equity; and

       (iv)  All  consents,   approvals,   orders  or   authorizations   of,  or
       registrations, declarations or filings with, any  governmental  authority
       which are legally required on the part of

                                      -32-
<PAGE>
       Purchaser for the consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by this
       Agreement have been obtained or made, as the case may be.

In rendering  the  foregoing  opinions,  such counsel may rely, as to matters of
fact, on  certificates  of public  officials and of officers of Purchaser and on
such other opinions of counsel as are reasonably satisfactory to Seller.

13.03 ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS. The obligation of the parties hereunder to Close is
further conditioned upon the following matters,  any one or more of which may be
waived by the parties:

(a)    Both parties have submitted  notification  under the H-S-R Act and either
       (i) the waiting  period  under the Act shall have expired with no adverse
       action or requests having been taken for further  information having been
       received or (ii) action on the notification  deemed  satisfactory by each
       of Purchaser and Seller in its sole discretion,  reasonably  exercised in
       good faith, shall have been received;

(b)    Closing of the  transaction  contemplated  hereby will not  constitute or
       cause a violation of any  applicable  covenant or condition  contained in
       any contract to which a party hereto is bound;

(c)    The Closing and all related actions  contemplated by this Agreement shall
       have been  approved  in all  respects by the board of  directors  of each
       party,  and by the respective  managements and boards of directors of the
       parent companies of Purchaser and Seller;

(d)    There shall have been concluded a long term supply agreement  between the
       parties whereby Seller would provide sodium chlorate as a raw material to
       Purchaser,  IF  Purchaser  and Seller  have  mutually  agreed by separate
       writing prior to Closing such long

                                      -33-
<PAGE>

term supply agreement is necessary for successful  completion of the transaction
contemplated hereby;

(e)    There shall be no suit or proceeding threatened or pending which seeks to
       restrain,  prohibit,  challenge  or  obtain  damages  or other  relief in
       connection  with  this  Agreement  or  consummation  of the  transactions
       contemplated hereby; and

(f)    Each party shall have  received  such  opinions  from its counsel  deemed
       satisfactory to it in its sole discretion,  reasonably  exercised in good
       faith, that consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not
       result in violation of any applicable law.

                                  ARTICLE XIV

                                RETAINED RIGHTS

14.01 USE AND MAINTENANCE OF PRODUCTION FACILITIES.  It is understood and agreed
the  Production  Facilities  are reserved by Seller and will not be  transferred
hereunder to Purchaser.  Together  with the  Reserved  License,  Seller shall be
freely entitled, in its sole and absolute discretion, to:

(a)    lease, sell,  dismantle,  demolish and/or scrap all or any portion of the
       Production Facilities;

(b)    retain the Production  Facilities for manufacture of Reclaimed Product in
       accordance with Section 14.02 and/or

(c)    maintain  the  Production  Facilities  in  a  "standby"  or  "mothballed"
       condition  so they will be  capable of being used to produce AP under the
       limited circumstances described at Section 14.03.

                                      -34-
<PAGE>
14.02  RECLAIMED  PRODUCT.  Seller  reclaims and  reprocesses  sludges and other
materials  at its  Henderson,  Nevada  facility  to  produce a  product  (herein
"Reclaimed   Product")   which,   while   technically  and  chemically  AP,  has
historically  been treated by Seller as a product separate and distinct from the
AP intended for use in solid rocket motors.  Such Reclaimed  Product is suitable
for, and has, some commercial uses, but is not considered by Seller suitable for
solid  rocket  motors.  Reclaimed  Product  shall  not,  for  purposes  of  this
Agreement,  be deemed to be AP and the manufacture and sale thereof shall not be
deemed to be part of the AP Business.  Seller reserves the right for itself, its
successors and assigns,  to continue to produce and sell Reclaimed Product after
the  Closing,  and to use the  Production  Facilities  and  Reserved  License in
association  therewith;  provided that Reclaimed  Product may not be produced or
sold  for  use in  solid  rocket  propellants  or for  any  solid  rocket  motor
application.

14.03  RESERVED  RIGHT.  Though Seller agrees herein to terminate from and after
Closing  substantially  all  its AP  production  and  sales  operations,  Seller
nevertheless  reserves  the right and ability unto itself,  its  successors  and
assigns,  to produce and sell AP after  Closing to anyone it may choose  (herein
sometimes  referred  to as  the  "Reserved  Right")  in  the  following  limited
circumstances:

(a)    If total AP demand shall exceed seventy million pounds  (70,000,000 lbs.)
       in any 12-month period (but only for so long as such condition persists);
       or

(b)    If  Purchaser  is unable for any  reason to  produce a quantity  of AP at
       least equal to the total AP  requirements  during any 3-month period (but
       only for so long as such condition persists) provided,  however, that the
       limited right of Seller to produce and sell AP during the persistence of


                                      -35-
<PAGE>
       this  condition  shall  be  limited  to the  production  and sale of that
       quantity of AP that Purchaser is unable to supply; or

(c)    If  Purchaser,  in its  sole  and  exclusive  discretion,  determines  to
       terminate its AP Business; or

(d)    If Purchaser shall have been determined by a final judgment of a court of
       competent  jurisdiction not subject to further review or modification (i)
       to have failed to pay the Inventory Value as provided in Section 3.02, or
       (ii) to have  breached any other term,  provision,  or obligation of this
       Agreement that is  specifically  herein stated to survive the Closing or,
       if not so  specifically  stated,  is  nevertheless  a duty or  obligation
       intended,  under an objective  interpretation  of this  Agreement,  to be
       performed by Purchaser  after Closing,  and if, but only if, such failure
       or breach shall have  continued  for at least thirty (30) days  following
       the entering of such final judgment; or

(e)    If  Purchaser  shall fail to exercise  the Option with respect to all the
       Inventory  within  the Option  Period;  provided,  however,  the right to
       freely  sell AP in  such  instance  shall  be  limited  to an  amount  of
       Inventory  no greater than the  difference  between  1,200,000  pounds of
       Inventory  and the  amount of  Inventory  for which the Option was timely
       exercised  hereunder.  (Inventory  greater  than the  difference  between
       1,200,000  pounds  and  the  amount  for  which  the  Option  was  timely
       exercised,  if any,  shall become,  and shall be sold only as,  Reclaimed
       Product;) or

(f)    If undertaken to fulfill any Firm Order or any New Order,  provided that,
       in regard to sales made to fulfill any such Order,  Seller shall remit to
       Purchaser,  within thirty (30) days after Seller  receives  payment there
       for, an amount equal to the net sales price  received on account  thereof
       less,  with  respect to a Firm Order,  the sum of One dollar ($ 1.00) per
       pound sold and less,  with  respect  to a New  Order,  the sum of one and
       50/100 dollars  ($1.50) per pound sold, such payment to be made by Seller
       to Purchaser at the latter's  address set out in Section 18.04 below,  or
       in such other manner as Purchaser may reasonably request.

                                      -36-
<PAGE>
Seller, its successors and assigns, shall be freely entitled to use the Reserved
License and the Production  Facilities in the exercise of the Reserved Right. It
is understood  and agreed,  however,  the Reserved Right shall be exercised only
if, and for so long as, one or more of the  conditions  set forth at clauses (a)
through (f) above exists.

                                   ARTICLE XV

                             CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS

15.01 FURTHER  ASSURANCES.  After the Closing Date, the parties agree to execute
and deliver to each other all such  instruments,  notices,  and other documents,
and to do all such  other  acts not  inconsistent  with this  Agreement,  as may
reasonably be necessary or advisable to carry out their  obligations  under this
Agreement.

15.02 MUTUAL COOPERATION WITH RESPECT TO TAXES AND OTHER FINANCIAL MATTERS. Each
of  Purchaser  and Seller  will  provide the other with such  assistance  as may
reasonably be requested by either of them in connection  with the preparation of
any  tax  return,  any  audit  or  other  examination  by any  taxing  or  other
governmental authority,  or any judicial or administrative  proceedings relating
to  liability  for  taxes  relating  to the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement.  Each party will  provide the other with any  records or  information
which may be relevant  to such  return,  audit or  examination,  proceedings  or
determination.  Such assistance  shall include making  employees  available on a
mutually  convenient basis to provide additional  information and explanation of
any  material  provided  hereunder  and shall  include  providing  copies of any
relevant tax returns and supporting work schedules.

                                      -37-
<PAGE>
15.03  COOPERATION  IN  LITIGATION.  In the event that,  after the Closing Date,
Seller or Purchaser  shall require the  participation  of officers and employees
employed by each other to aid in the defense or  prosecution  of  litigation  or
claims, and so long as there exists no conflict of interest between the parties,
each of Seller and Purchaser  shall make such officers and employees  reasonably
available to participate in such defense or prosecution, provided that the party
requiring  the  participation  of  such  officers  or  employees  shall  pay all
reasonable   out-of-pocket  costs,  charges,  and  expenses  arising  from  such
participation.

15.04 ASSIGNMENTS AND RECORDING.  At its sole discretion and cost, Purchaser may
record the Assignments  and Bill of Sale in all  appropriate  offices and Seller
shall cooperate with Purchaser by executing such  documentation as is reasonably
necessary to effect such recordations.

15.05 POST-CLOSING STORAGE OF INVENTORY.  The parties acknowledge that Purchaser
may deem it  necessary  and/or  desirable  to  store  Purchaser's  Inventory  at
Seller's Apex, Nevada facility for a period of time after Option exercise. As an
accommodation,  Seller will, upon  Purchaser's  request,  store such Purchaser's
Inventory  until (but in no event later than) ninety (90) days after  expiration
of the Option  Period.  The storage of  Purchaser's  Inventory  during this time
shall be in accordance with Seller's standard practices,  though (a) Seller will
attempt to  accommodate  reasonable  requests  of  Purchaser  regarding  storage
practices and (b) risk of loss from any cause will lie with Purchaser.

In  accordance  with a schedule  to be mutually  agreed  upon,  Purchaser  shall
proceed to remove from Seller's Apex, Nevada facility all Purchaser's  Inventory
and  relocate  the  same  to a site  of

                                      -38-
<PAGE>
Purchaser's choice.  Such Purchaser's  Inventory removal and relocation shall be
performed at Purchaser's  sole risk and expense.  Seller will afford  reasonable
access over its premises to Purchaser for such removal and relocation; provided,
Purchaser  agrees  to give  Seller  at least 72 hours  prior  written  notice of
desired  access  time(s),  complies  with the health,  safety and other rules of
Seller  applicable to the Apex,  Nevada  facility  (including  those relating to
indemnity and liability  insurance  requirements  for contractors) and agrees to
work with Seller to coordinate  activities  and minimize  disruption to Seller's
other activities. All or any part of Purchaser's Inventory remaining on Seller's
premises  after said date  falling  ninety days after  expiration  of the Option
Period  shall be deemed  abandoned by Purchaser  and Seller may,  without  being
obligated so to do, and without waiving any other remedy it may have, thereafter
sell to anyone  for any  purpose,  reclaim or  otherwise  dispose of the same at
Purchaser's risk and expense without any liability to Purchaser.

15.06 POST CLOSING ASSISTANCE. From and after Closing, upon Purchaser's request,
at reasonable times and upon reasonable prior notice, Seller agrees to:

(a)    introduce Purchaser to customers of Seller which were not previously also
       customers  of  Purchaser,  such  introductions  to  include  accompanying
       Purchaser on an initial visit to such  customers and use of Seller's good
       offices in encouraging such customers to become customers of Purchaser;

(b)    consult with Purchaser regarding the Process,  the Technical  Information
       and such other areas of AP production  where Seller has  expertise  which
       may be of assistance to Purchaser; and

(c)    consult with Purchaser regarding AP marketing.

                                      -39-
<PAGE>
15.07  MARKETING  RECLAIMED  PRODUCT.  Seller  presently uses the same marketing
department for its sales of both AP and Reclaimed  Product.  After Closing,  the
possibility  exists  Seller's  AP  marketing  group  will be  reduced in size or
reassigned. Such result could interfere with Seller's sale of Reclaimed Product.
Purchaser  however,  contemplates  a continued  and even  expanded  role for its
marketing  group.  Purchaser  agrees,  upon  request  of  Seller in the event it
produces  Reclaimed  Product after Closing and desires  marketing  assistance in
association therewith,  to use reasonable efforts to market Reclaimed Product on
behalf of, and in accordance with the reasonable instructions of, Seller. Seller
will,  unless otherwise  mutually agreed,  designate the customers and establish
the  sales  price  for  Reclaimed  Product  and be  responsible  for any and all
warranties regarding quality and performance thereof. Title to Reclaimed Product
shall pass  directly from Seller to its customers and never reside in Purchaser.
Purchaser  shall  perform  such  marketing  services  with  respect to Reclaimed
Product as an accommodation to Seller and for no additional  consideration.  The
gross proceeds of Reclaimed  Product sales shall be for Seller's account without
set off, deduction,  commission, or any fee whatsoever -- howsoever the same may
be  denominated.  Upon the earlier to occur of three (3) years after the Closing
Date or the date  Purchaser has remitted to Seller gross  proceeds from sales of
nine hundred (900) short tons of Reclaimed Product, Purchaser's obligation under
this Section 15.07 shall cease.

15.08  PRESERVATION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS.  For seven (7) years after the Closing
Date, the party in possession of the originals  will retain the original  books,
records and files (including,  without limitation,  the Contracts, the Licenses,
the Records and documentary  portions of the Assets),  relating to the period of
time prior to the Closing and will make such books, records and files

                                      -40-
<PAGE>
(including,  without limitation,  the Contracts,  the Licenses,  the Records and
documentary  portions  of  the  assets),  available  to  the  other  party  upon
reasonable  notice  at the  headquarters  of the  party in  possession  (or at a
mutually  agreed upon  location in the United  States) at  reasonable  times and
during regular office hours.

15.09 SURVIVAL OF INDEMNITIES, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

(a)    Except  as to  Sections  4.04,  4.05,  4.06,  4.07,  4.09 and  6.01,  the
       representation  and warranty  provisions of this Agreement  shall survive
       the Closing  and expire on the first  anniversary  of the  Closing  Date.
       Representations  and warranties  contained in Sections 4.04,  4.05, 4.06,
       4.07,  4.09 and 6.01 shall  survive  the  Closing and expire on the third
       anniversary of the Closing Date.

(b)    Obligations  which by their terms are to be  performed  after the Closing
       and the indemnity provisions of this Agreement shall survive the Closing.

                                  ARTICLE XVI

                            TERMINATION AND DEFAULT

This  Agreement  may, by written  notice  given at or prior to the  Closing,  be
terminated at or prior to Closing:

(a)    by either  Purchaser  or Seller if a material  default or breach shall be
       made by the  other  party  hereto  with  respect  to the  due and  timely
       performance of any of its covenants and agreements  contained  herein, or
       with  respect  to the due  compliance  with  any of its  representations,
       warranties  or  covenants,  and such default  cannot be cured and has not
       been waived;

                                      -41-
<PAGE>
(b)    (i) by Purchaser if all of the  conditions set forth in Section 13.01 and
       13.03  shall  not have  been  satisfied  at the time  the  Closing  would
       otherwise  occur or if  satisfaction  of such a  condition  is or becomes
       impossible,  other than through failure of Purchaser to fully comply with
       its obligations hereunder, and shall not have been waived by Purchaser on
       or before  such date;  or (ii) by Seller,  if all of the  conditions  set
       forth in Section  13.02 and 13.03  shall not have been  satisfied  at the
       time the  Closing  would  otherwise  occur or if  satisfaction  of such a
       condition is or becomes impossible,  other than through failure of Seller
       to fully comply with its obligations  hereunder,  and shall not have been
       waived by Seller on or before such date;

(c)    by mutual consent of Purchaser and Seller; or

(d)    by either  Purchaser  or Seller if the Closing  shall not have  occurred,
       other than through  failure of any such party to fulfill its  obligations
       hereunder, by March 31, 1998, or such later date as may be agreed upon in
       writing by the parties. Each party's right of termination hereunder is in
       addition to any other rights it may have  hereunder or otherwise  and the
       exercise of a right to termination  shall not be an election of or waiver
       of any remedies.


                                      -42-
<PAGE>
                                  ARTICLE XVII
                          POST CLOSING NON-COMPETITION

17.01 NON-COMPETITION. Except with respect to the Reserved Right or as otherwise
permitted at Sections 15.05 and 15.06, Seller agrees that from the Closing Date,
it shall not engage directly or indirectly in any business involving  licensing,
using, selling or promoting the AP Business nor engage directly or indirectly in
the AP Business which Seller has sold to Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.

       17.02 REASONABLENESS. Seller and Purchaser acknowledge and agree that the
       provisions of this Article XVII are reasonable  and,  specifically,  that
       the provisions  with respect to the duration and scope of the obligations
       of non-competition are reasonable. The obligations of non-competition are
       included as a part of the  purchase  of the Assets  (which  includes  the
       Process) and the AP Business which are currently  owned by Seller.  It is
       the intent of the parties,  pursuant to this Agreement, that Seller shall
       retain  the  Reserved  License,   the  Reserved  Rights,  the  Production
       Facilities  and its  businesses and assets other than the AP Business and
       the  Assets and that  Purchaser  will  acquire  the AP  Business  and the
       Assets.  Because of the nature of the  transactions  contemplated by this
       Agreement and the mutuality of the  obligations  set forth herein and the
       intent of the  parties,  all  parties  agree  that these  obligations  of
       non-competition  are  reasonable in scope and duration.  In the event any
       court of competent  jurisdiction  shall  determine that the provisions of
       this  Article XVI are  unreasonable  and therefore  unenforceable  in any
       respect,  such provisions shall not be invalidated  thereby, but shall be
       reformed to conform to such court's  determination of reasonableness.  It
       is the intent of the parties  that the  provisions  of this  Article XVII
       shall have the  permanent  duration and full scope stated in this Article
       XVII, but that if such duration and/or scope

                                      -43-
<PAGE>
       shall be determined to be  unreasonable,  the  provisions of this Article
       XVII  shall  have  the  maximum  duration  and  scope  permissible  under
       applicable law.

                                 ARTICLE XVIII

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

18.01  INTEGRATIONS;  AMENDMENT AND MODIFICATION.  Except as expressly set forth
herein, neither party makes to the other any warranty or representation, whether
expressed  or  implied,  of any  kind  whatsoever.  This  Agreement  may  not be
modified,  supplemented  or  changed  in any  respect  except by a writing  duly
executed by Purchaser and Seller.

18.02 DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS.  The headings of the paragraphs and subparagraphs of
this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not constitute a part
hereof.

18.03 BINDING EFFECT; ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement and the duties and obligations
hereunder  (including by way of example and not limitation,  those under Article
XVII) shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by each of the parties,  their successors and permitted assigns.  This Agreement
shall not be  assigned in whole or in part by Seller  without the prior  written
consent of Purchaser nor by Purchaser  without the prior written  consent of the
Seller,  which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld.  Notwithstanding  the
immediately  preceding sentence,  either party shall be entitled to transfer its
rights  hereunder  to an  Affiliate  upon  written  notice to such effect to the
other,  but without the necessity of securing its consent.  Furthermore,  Seller
shall be  entitled  to assign  its  rights  hereunder  on  notice,  but  without
Purchaser's consent, to (i) any purchaser or lessee of the Production Facilities
(ii) any purchaser of all or substantially all

                                      -44-
<PAGE>
Seller's  remaining  operations at its Henderson,  Nevada  facility or (iii) any
purchaser of all or substantially all of Seller; and Purchaser shall be entitled
to assign its rights  hereunder  on notice to but  without  Seller's  consent if
required as security for the financing  contemplated at Section 3.04. Delegation
of duties under the immediately  preceding  sentence shall be made only with the
prior written consent of the other party,  which consent shall not  unreasonably
be withheld.

18.04 NOTICES. All notices, demands, requests, or other instruments which may be
or are  required to be given  hereunder  shall be delivered in person or sent by
United States Mail,  postage prepaid or by FedEx or other  recognized  expedited
delivery service,  to the address referenced below, or by telecopy to the number
listed  below with a confirming  phone call.  Each party shall have the right to
change its address at any time,  and from time to time, by giving written notice
thereof to the other.

If to Seller:                        If to Purchaser:

Kerr-McGee Chemical Corporation      AMPAC, INC.
Kerr-McGee Center                    c/o American Pacific Corporation
Oklahoma City, OK 73102              3770 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 300
Attn: Mr. W.P. Woodward              Las Vegas, NV, 89109
                                     Attn: Mr. John R. Gibson, President and CEO

Fax No.: (405) 270-3977              Fax No.: (702) 735-2200
Phone No.: (405)270-3826             Phone No.: (702)794-0714

with a copy to:                      with a copy to:

Kerr-McGee Corporation               C. Keith Rooker, Esq.
Kerr-McGee Center                    Rooker & Gibson
Oklahoma City, OK 73102              3770 Howard Hughes Parkway Suite 360
Attention: Mr. Roger G. Addison      Las Vegas, Nevada 89108
Fax No. (405) 270-4101               Fax No. (702) 794-4463
Phone No. (405) 270-2869             Phone No. (702) 794-4504

Notices shall be deemed given upon delivery when delivered in person;  when sent
by United States Mail,  five (5) business days after deposit;  when by expedited
delivery  service,  two (2) business

                                      -45-
<PAGE>
days after deposit for delivery; and, when telecopied, 24 hours after receipt of
facsimile transmission confirmation.

18.05 EXHIBITS.  The exhibits attached to this Agreement are made a part of this
Agreement as if they were fully set forth herein.

18.06  COUNTERPARTS.  This  Agreement  may be executed in  duplicate,  both such
duplicates hereof shall be deemed to be an original,  and both of which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

18.07 CONFIDENTIALITY. In addition to the provisions dealing with publicity made
at Section 13.08 above,  the terms of this  Agreement  shall not be disclosed to
any person or party  except when the  disclosure  is (i)  required by law or the
rules  of  any  recognized  stock  exchange,   (ii)  requested  by  Seller's  or
Purchaser's  independent public  accountants;  (iii) required pursuant to a loan
agreement;  (iv) required to be disclosed in connection  with the prosecution or
defense of any litigation;  or (v) is otherwise  consented to in writing. To the
extent a disclosure is permitted by exception  (i) above,  a party will endeavor
to give the other at least five (5) days prior notice of, and an  opportunity to
comment on, such disclosure.

18.08  CHOICE OF LAW.  THIS  AGREEMENT  SHALL BE  GOVERNED BY AND  CONSTRUED  IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT
TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF.

                                      -46-
<PAGE>
18.09 EXPENSES.  Each party will pay all expenses incurred by or on behalf of it
in connection with the authorization, preparation, execution, and performance of
this  Agreement  including,  but not limited to, all filing fees and expenses of
agents, representatives, counsel, consultants and economists.

18.10  PARENT  GUARANTY. Contemporaneously  with  execution  of this  Agreement,
Purchaser  shall  secure  and  deliver  to  Seller  a  guaranty  of  Purchaser's
obligations under this Agreement from its parent,  American Pacific Corporation,
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit L.

18.11 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The terms and provisions contained herein constitute the
entire  agreement of the parties with respect to the  transactions  contemplated
hereby and, other than that certain  confidentiality  agreement dated August 28,
1997 which  survives  in  accordance  with its terms,  there are no  agreements,
understandings,  warranties, representations,  covenants, obligations, promises,
assurances  or conditions  precedent or  subsequent  or otherwise,  except those
expressly set out in this  Agreement.  The parties  covenant and agree that this
Agreement  shall be deemed and considered  for all purposes as prepared  through
the joint efforts of the parties and shall not be construed against one party or
the  other  as a  result  of  the  preparation,  submittal  or  other  event  or
negotiation, drafting or execution hereof.

                                      -47-
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.

AMPAC, INC.                             KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

By: /s/ John R. Gibson                  By: /s/ William D. Woodward
    ----------------------                  ---------------------------
Name: John R. Gibson                    Name: William D. Woodward
Title: President & CEO                  Title: Senior VP Chemical Operations
                                               Kerr-McGee Corp.


                                      -48-
<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT "A"

                                       to

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN

                                AMPAC, INC. and

                        KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

"Computer Software and Files"

1.  Those relating to the Technical Information described in Exhibit D.

<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT "A-1"


                                       to

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN

                                  AMPAC, INC.

                                      and

                        KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

"Excepted Items"

To the extent they are or could be deemed  covered by the defined term "Assets,"
there is excepted the  Reclaimed  Product,  the Reserved  License,  the Retained
Rights and sodium perchlorate.

<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT "B"

                                       to

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN

                                  AMPAC, INC.

                                      and

                        KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

"Contracts"

None as of the date  hereof:  (though the  Agreement  contemplates  that certain
additional  orders for AP may be secured by Seller prior to Closing and assigned
to Purchaser at Closing).

<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT "C"

                                       to

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                                  AMPAC, INC.

                                       and

                        KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

"Process Description"

                                  See attached
<PAGE>
                              AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE
                              PROCESS DESCRIPTION

Ammonium  perchlorate,  NH4C1O4 is produced from sodium  perchlorate,  anhydrous
ammonia, and hydrochloric acid, according to the double decomposition reaction:

                          NaClO4 + NH3   NH4C1O4 + NaC1

NaC1 is produced as a byproduct.

The  hydrochloric  acid and  anhydrous  ammonia used in this process are of high
purity and need no further  treatment before entering the system.  However,  the
sodium perchlorate solution contains some impurities in low concentrations which
are removed prior to use.

One impurity in the sodium  perchlorate  solution is sodium  dichromate which is
used as an additive in the electrolytic  cells. The chromate impurity is reduced
with SO2 and NaOH according to the reaction:

                Na2Cr2O7 + 3SO2 + 4NaOH + H2O  2Cr(OH)3 + 3Na2SO4

The chromic  hydroxide  is then  removed  from the treated  solution by pressure
filtration.

Another  impurity to be removed  from the NaClO4  solution  is sodium  chlorate.
Chromate-free  NaClO4  solution is pumped from  storage to the acid  destruction
vessel where the sodium chlorate impurity is removed by reaction with HCl in the
presence of ammonium chloride, according to the following basic reaction:

                   NaClO3 + 6HC1  3C12 + NaC1 + 3H2O Main Rx
                   NaClO3 + 2NH3 HC1 NaC1 + 3H2O + N2 Side Rx

The reaction  gases are  exhausted  through a wet scrubber  where  reaction with
sodium  hydroxide  solution  absorbs and neutralizes  any acid gases.  The inert
gases are vented to the atmosphere.

Feed streams of purified  NaCl04,  HC1, and ammonia are  carefully  metered to a
glass-lined reactor where ammonium  perchlorate and byproduct salt are produced.
Subsequently,  this reaction mixture passes to a large crystallizer where, under
vacuum, the solution cools, permitting ammonium perchlorate to crystallize while
the sodium  chloride  remains in  solution.  The  crystallizer  is designed  and
operated to produce the proper  particle  size  distribution  among the ammonium
perchlorate  crystals.  A centrifuge  separates  the crystals from the saturated
solution, or mother liquor, and washes them.

The mother  liquor  proceeds  to the salt  crystallizer  where  steam is used to
evaporate water under reduced  pressure,  thus causing salt to precipitate.  The
ammonium perchlorate which is present remains in solution because of its greatly
increased solubility at elevated temperatures. The sodium

<PAGE>
chloride  crystals are  separated  from the mother  liquor by  centrifuging  and
washed with water. The NaCl, thus separated, is dried in a direct-fired,  rotary
dryer and ultimately returned to the Sodium Chlorate Plant. The mother liquor is
recycled to the reactor.

The ammonium  perchlorate (AP) crystals which had been separated from the mother
liquor  are  reslurried  in a water  carrier  saturated  with AP and pumped to a
remote dryer building. Here, the crystals,  again, are separated by a centrifuge
and dried in a hot air stream.

The AP crystals then pass through a screening  system where those crystals which
are too coarse,  or too fine, are separated and returned to the  crystallization
step.

The AP discharging from the screening operation passes into double cone blenders
from which it is packed in lots of 20,000 pounds.  It can be packed  directly in
drums for shipment,  or it can be packed in drums as blend-transit  material for
subsequent  cross-blending.  Anti caking agents may be added to the blended lots
to  customer  specification.  All  material  packed in drums is packed  inside a
plastic liner with silica gel bags added for moisture and caking control.

Nearly all of the ammonium perchlorate shipped is cross-blended.  In the process
of  cross-blending,  several  20,000-pound  blend-transit  lots are combined and
reblended to produce one large finished lot having uniform chemical and physical
characteristics.

Certain  customers desire AP which is rounded,  i.e., is not made up of crystals
having sharp or jagged edges.  Such  material is produced by specially  handling
the AP leaving the  crystallizer  in "rounding  tanks" and by gently drying in a
rotary dryer. Screening and blending operations are similar to those for regular
AP.

<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT "D"

                                       to

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                                    BETWEEN

                                  AMPAC, INC.

                                      and

                        KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

"Technical Information"

Descriptions of and know how for the following:

I.       SODIUM PERCHLORATE

         cell design and  operating  parameters  (precious  metal anode vs. lead
         dioxide)

II.      AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE

         precipitation end filtration of impurities in purification

         one-step   chemical   process   (raw   material   directly   to   AP-no
         intermediates)

         particle  size control  (seed mill directs  crystallizer  particle size
         control)

         screen efficiency (limit amount of recycle)
         mathematical model for lot selection
         flash drying  equipment  and  technology
         finished  material storage design
         waste treatment  technology
         quality  engineering  support  services (to help qualify for current KM
         sole source customers)
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT "E"

                                       to

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                                  AMPAC, INC.

                                       and

                        KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

"Wire Instructions"

Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
New York, New York
ABA No. 021000238
For Account of Kerr-McGee Corporation
Account No. 03419860


<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT "F"

                                       to

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN

                                  AMPAC, INC.

                                      and

                        KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

"Purchase Price Allocation"

         TANGIBLE PROPERTY                  $3,900,000
         INTANGIBLE PROPERTY                $35,100,000
              Total Purchase Price          $39,000,000
              (excludes Inventory value)

<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT "G"

                                       to

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN

                                  AMPAC, INC.

                                      and

                        KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

"Schedule of Seller's Exceptions"

1. Seller, Thiokol and 56 other entities have been named as co-defendants in the
lawsuit  styled  Scott et al. v.  Thiokol et al.,  No.  97-0823,  71st  Judicial
District,  Harrison  County,  Texas which was filed in Marshall,  Texas, in late
August, 1997.  Generally,  the lawsuit claims that exposure to various chemicals
allegedly used in connection  with the operation of the Longhorn Army Ammunition
Plant in Karnack,  Texas caused  personal  injuries  and property  damage to the
plaintiffs.

2.  Numerous  investigations  and  inquiries  have been  announced or threatened
regarding  perchlorate  contamination of water in the Las Vegas,  Nevada area of
which both Purchaser and Seller are well acquainted.

3. Seller, along with others who now or in the past held an interest in or about
the Basic Management,  Inc. industrial complex at Henderson,  Nevada, is a party
to that certain "Consent  Agreement" dated April 25, 1991, as amended,  with the
State  of  Nevada,   Division  of   Environmental   Protection,   dealing   with
investigation,  testing an remediation of possible contamination on or about its
Henderson plant site.

<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT "H"

                                       to

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN

                                  AMPAC, INC.

                                      and

                        KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

"Schedule of Purchaser's Exceptions"

American  Pacific  Corporation is a party to that certain  Indenture dated as of
February 21, 1992 among American Pacific Corporation, American Azide Corporation
(a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of American  Pacific  Corporation),  and  Security
Pacific National Bank, as Trustee (the "Azide  Indenture").  The Azide Indenture
contains  certain  negative  covenants that, in the absence of either (a) waiver
and consent or, (b)  retirement  or defeasance of the notes that are the subject
of the Azide  Indenture,  may be violated by the financing  described at Section
3.03 of the Asset Purchase Agreement of which this Exhibit is a part.  Purchaser
anticipates that, effective  contemporaneously  with the Closing, the notes will
be retired or defeased,  or alternatively  that the requisite waiver and consent
will be obtained.
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT "I"

                                       to

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN

                                  AMPAC, INC.

                                      and

                        KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION


"Key Employees"

Superintendent AP Operations
General Supervisor
Maintenance Supervisor
Coordinator Maintenance
Production Supervisor
Production Supervisor
Production Supervisor
Maintenance Supervisor
General Supervisor
Quality Assurance Specialist
Staff Process Engineer
Sr. Process Engineer

<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT "J"

                                       to
                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN

                                  AMPAC, INC.

                                      and

                        KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

"Bill of Sale"

                                  See attached
<PAGE>

                                  BILL OF SALE
                                       TO

         BE  IT  KNOWN  that  KERR-McGEE   CHEMICAL   CORPORATION,   a  Delaware
corporation,  (hereinafter  referred to as "Seller") for the  consideration  and
upon the terms and conditions hereinafter expressed,  has sold and delivered and
does by these presents,  grant,  bargain,  sell assign,  transfer,  set over and
deliver unto _________________,  a Nevada corporation,  (hereinafter referred to
as  "Purchaser")  all of its right,  title and  interest in and to the  property
described and identified on Exhibit "A",  attached hereto and made a part hereof
for all purposes ("Property").

         This sale is made for good cause and in  consideration  of Ten  Dollars
($10.00) and other good and valuable consideration,  the receipt and adequacy of
which is hereby acknowledged by Seller and Purchaser.

         This Bill of Sale is made  subject to the terms and  conditions  of the
Asset  Purchase  Agreement  entered  into  between  Seller and  Purchaser  dated
__________, 1997 ("Asset Purchase Agreement"),  which terms and conditions shall
survive and not merge herein,  and in the event of a conflict between said Asset
Purchase  Agreement shall control.  All the agreements and  stipulations  herein
contained, and all the obligations herein assessed shall inure to the benefit of
and  be  binding  upon  the  representatives,  successors,  and  assigns  of the
respective parties hereto. This Bill of Sale may be executed in counterpart, and
each such counterpart  hereof shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have  executed  this Bill of Sale the
_____ day of ____________, 1997.

_____________________________      KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

By___________________________      By______________________________
Name_________________________      Name____________________________
Title________________________      Title___________________________

<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT "K"

                                       to

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                                  AMPAC, INC.

                                       and

                         KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

"Form of Assignment - Contracts"

                                  See attached
<PAGE>
                            ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACTS

         THIS ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACTS ("Assignment") is made and effective as of
this  ____  day  of  __________,   1997,  by  and  between  KERR-McGEE  CHEMICAL
CORPORATION,  a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Assignor") and
_______________, a Nevada corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Assignee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS,  Assignor has, in  association  with its ammonium  perchlorate
manufacturing and sales business,  entered into the various agreements listed on
Exhibit "A" hereto  (hereinafter  collectively  referred to as the "Contracts");
and

         WHEREAS,  Assignor desires to assign its right, title, interest, duties
and obligations  under the Contracts and Assignee  desires to assume such right,
title, interest, duties, and obligations of Assignor under the Contracts.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual  agreements  contained
herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

         1.  ASSIGNMENT. Subject to the provisions of Section 2 below,  Assignor
hereby assigns all of its right, title,  interest,  duties and obligations under
the  Contracts,  more  particularly  described on Exhibit "A", which is attached
hereto and made a party  hereof,  to Assignee and  Assignee  assumes such right,
title, interest, duties and obligations effective as of the date hereof.

         2. TERMS AND  CONDITIONS. This  Assignment is made subject to the terms
and conditions of the Asset Purchase Agreement entered into between Assignor and
Assignee dated  ___________,  1997, which terms and conditions shall survive and
not merge  herein,  and in the event of a conflict  between said Asset  Purchase
Agreement and this Assignment,  such Asset Purchase Agreement shall control. All
the agreements and stipulations herein contained, and all the obligations herein
assessed shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the  representatives,
successors, and assigns of all of the respective parties hereto.

<PAGE>
         3.  Counterparts  This Assignment may be executed in  counterpart,  and
each such  counterpart  hereof shall be deemed to be original and which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         EXECUTED effective the date first above written.

ASSIGNOR:                               ASSIGNEE:

KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION         ________________________________________

By:____________________________         By______________________________________
Name___________________________         Name____________________________________
Title__________________________         Title___________________________________
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT "L"

                                       to

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN

                                  AMPAC, INC.

                                      and

                        KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

                                    GUARANTY
                                    --------

         AMERICAN PACIFIC  CORPORATION  hereby  unconditionally  and irrevocably
guarantees  the due and punctual  performance  of each and every  obligation  of
AMPAC, INC. set forth in the ASSET PURCHASE  AGREEMENT to which this Guaranty is
attached.  In the event any  action is taken to  enforce  this  Guaranty  in any
respect,  it is understood and agreed that AMERICAN PACIFIC CORPORATION shall be
entitled  to assert,  and to have the full  benefit  of,  any and all  defenses,
claims, demands, or causes of action that would be available to AMPAC, INC. with
respect to any enforcement or attempted  enforcement of any obligation under the
ASSET  PURCHASE  AGREEMENT.  This  Guaranty  shall  survive  the Closing and the
dissolution, merger, acquisition,  bankruptcy,  liquidation or reorganization of
AMPAC, INC.

                                             AMERICAN PACIFIC CORPORATION

                                             By /s/ John R. Gibson
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Name: John R. Gibson
                                             Title:  President & CEO

ATTACHED  TO AND MADE A PART OF THAT ASSET  PURCHASE  AGREEMENT  BY AND  BETWEEN
KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND AMPAC, INC. DATED OCTOBER 10, 1997.


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission