GOODRICH B F CO
8-K, 1997-10-27
CHEMICALS & ALLIED PRODUCTS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                ---------------


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


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


      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)   AUGUST 15, 1997
                                                         ---------------



                            THE B.F.GOODRICH COMPANY
               --------------------------------------------------
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)



   New York                        1-892                       34-0252680
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other                 (Commission                  (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of                 File Number)               Identification No.)
incorporation)



        4020 Kinross Lakes Parkway, Richfield, Ohio            44286-9368
        -----------------------------------------------------------------
         (Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)



       Registrant's telephone number, including area code     330-659-7600
                                                              ------------



                                 Not Applicable
         ---------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former address,  if changed since last report.)




<PAGE>




Item 2.  Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
- -------  ------------------------------------


         On August 15, 1997, the Company completed the disposition of its chlor-
alkali  and  olefins  (CAO)  business.   This  transaction  was  reported in the
Company's Form  10-Q  for  the Quarter Ended June 30, 1997 and in Form 8-K dated
October 16, 1997.




Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Statements and Exhibits
- -------  -----------------------------------------------------------------


         Exhibit 2    Plan of Disposition:   Purchase and Sale Agreement between
                      The B.F.Goodrich Company and Westlake Monomers Corporation
                      dated July 16, 1997.

         Exhibit 99   Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet as of  June
                      30, 1997






                                    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.


                                              THE B.F.GOODRICH COMPANY




                                              By     /s/Nicholas J. Calise
                                                 -----------------------------
                                                 Nicholas J. Calise, Secretary



Dated:   October 27, 1997


                                                                     EXHIBIT 2






                           PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT



                                     between



                            THE B.F.GOODRICH COMPANY



                                       and



                          WESTLAKE MONOMERS CORPORATION


                                  July 16, 1997




<PAGE>



                                Table of Contents

                                                                           Page

1.     Purchase and Sale of Assets..........................................1
       1.1.       Purchase and Sale.........................................1
       1.2.       Assets to be Conveyed.....................................2
       1.3.       Assets Not to be Conveyed.................................5
       1.4.       Conveyance Instruments and Related Matters................7

2.     Purchase Price - Funds...............................................9
       2.1.       Purchase Price............................................9

3.     The Closing..........................................................9
       3.1.       Closing and Closing Date..................................9
       3.2.       Title, Possession, Risk of Loss..........................10
       3.3.       Mechanics of Closing.....................................10

4.     Conduct Prior to the Closing and Certain Covenants 
       and Other Matters...................................................10
       4.1.       Conduct of Business......................................10
       4.2.       FTC Proceedings..........................................13
       4.3.       Environmental Permits....................................14
       4.4.       Access to Properties and Records.........................14
       4.5.       .........................................................15

5.     Personnel Employment Arrangements and Employee Benefits.............15
       5.1.       Personnel................................................15
       5.2.       Covenant re Personnel....................................17
       5.3.       Benefits.................................................17
       5.4.       Cooperation of the Parties...............................25
       5.5.       Employee Rights..........................................25
       5.6.       Wage Reporting...........................................26
       5.7.       Collective Bargaining Agreement..........................26

6.     Certain Contracts...................................................26
       6.1.       Termination of Agreements................................26
       6.2.       Services Agreement.......................................27
       6.3.       Technology License Agreement.............................27
       6.4.       Propane Dock Usage Agreement.............................27
       6.5.       Access and Easement Agreements...........................27
       6.6.       Environmental Services Agreement.........................28

7.     Representations and Warranties......................................28
       7.1.       Representations and Warranties of BFG....................28
                  (a)    Corporate Existence and Authority.................28

                                       -i-

<PAGE>



                  (b)    Execution and Delivery............................29
                  (c)    Consents and Approvals............................29
                  (d)    Title.............................................29
                  (e)    No Violations.....................................30
                  (f)    Kentucky Location.................................30
                  (g)    Technology........................................30
                  (h)    Employee Matters..................................31
                  (i)    Complete Assets; No Misrepresentation.............32
                  (j)    Business Arrangements.............................33
                  (k)    Taxes.............................................33
                  (l)    Compliance with Laws..............................33
                  (m)    Prepaid Expenses..................................35
                  (n)    No Default........................................35
                  (o)    Absence of Certain Changes........................35
                  (p)    Litigation........................................36
                  (q)    Anti-Sandbagging..................................36
                  (r)    Ethylene Supply...................................36
       7.2.       Representations and Warranties of Westlake...............37
                  (a)    Corporate Existence and Authority.................37
                  (b)    Execution and Delivery............................37
                  (c)    No Default........................................37
                  (d)    Claims............................................38
                  (e)    Consents and Approvals............................38
                  (f)    Anti-Sandbagging..................................38
       7.3.       Updated Exhibits.........................................38

8.     Survival; Indemnifications..........................................39
       8.1.       Survival.................................................39
       8.2.       Indemnification by BFG...................................39
       8.3.       Indemnification by Westlake..............................40
       8.4.       Limitation of Liability..................................41
       8.5.       Notice of Claim..........................................43
       8.6.       Amicable Resolution......................................44
9.     Conditions to Closing...............................................44
       9.1.       Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Westlake..........44
                  9.1.1.     Representations, Warranties 
                             and Covenants of BFG..........................44
                  9.1.2.     No Casualty, Loss or Damage...................45
                  9.1.3.     Title Insurance...............................45
                  9.1.4.     Documents.....................................45
                  9.1.5.     Ad Valorem and Other Taxes....................45
                  9.1.6.     Governmental Approvals........................45
                  9.1.7.     Opinions; Corporate Authority.................45
                  9.1.8.     Ethylene Supply...............................46
                  9.1.9.     Westlake's Board Approval.....................46

                                      -ii-

<PAGE>



       9.2.       Conditions Precedent to Obligations of BFG...............46
                  9.2.1.     Representations, Warranties and 
                             Covenants of Westlake.........................46
                  9.2.2.     Payment.......................................46
                  9.2.3.     Corporate Authority...........................47
                  9.2.4.     Documents.....................................47
                  9.2.5.     Governmental Approvals........................47
                  9.2.6.     BFG's Board Approval..........................47
                  9.2.7.     Ethylene Supply...............................47
       9.3.       No Waiver................................................47

10.    Termination.........................................................48
       10.1.      Grounds for Termination..................................48
       10.2.      Effect of Termination....................................48

11.    Receivables, Payables, Apportionment................................48
       11.1.      Apportionment; Payment Terms.............................49
       11.2.      Other Taxes..............................................49

12.    Additional Covenants................................................49
       12.1.      Consents to Assignments..................................49
       12.2.      Books and Records........................................50
       12.3.      Financial Information and Other Assistance...............51
       12.4.      Remedial Investigations and Measures ....................53
       12.5.      Efforts to Comply With Preconditions.....................54
       12.6.      Efforts of Closing.......................................54
       12.7.      Services for Geon........................................55
       12.8.      Option on Weld Shop......................................55

13.    Miscellaneous.......................................................55
       13.1.      Notice...................................................55
       13.2.      Bulk Sales Laws..........................................56
       13.3.      Further Documents........................................56
       13.4.      Assignability............................................56
       13.5.      Exhibits.................................................57
       13.6.      Sections and Articles....................................57
       13.7.      Entire Agreement.........................................57
       13.8.      Headings.................................................58
       13.9.      Controlling Law and Jurisdiction.........................58
       13.10.     Public Announcement......................................58
       13.11.     Finder's Fees and Commissions; Sellers'
                  Closing Expenses.........................................58
       13.12.     Responsible Care.........................................59
       13.13.     Confidentiality..........................................59



                                      -iii-

<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBITS

Exhibit 1.2(a)                  Real Property
Exhibit 1.2(b)                  Equipment
Exhibit 1.2(c)                  Rolling Stock
Exhibit 1.2(f)                  Permits
Exhibit 1.2(i)                  Business Arrangements
Exhibit 1.2(k)                  Critical Spares and Miscellaneous Raw Materials
Exhibit 1.2(l)                  Stores
Exhibit 1.2(n)                  Inventory
Exhibit 1.3(d)                  Certain Non-Disclosure Agreements
Exhibit 1.3(e)                  Certain Permits
Exhibit 1.3(f)                  Excluded Equipment
Exhibit 1.3(i)                  Office Equipment
Exhibit 1.3(k)                  Certain Retained Assets
Exhibit 1.4(a)                  Form of Warranty Deed
Exhibit 1.4(b)(i)               Surveys
Exhibit 1.4(b)(ii)              Permitted Exceptions
Exhibit 1.4(b)(iii)             Retained Rights
Exhibit 1.4(c)                  Form of Bill of Sale
Exhibit 1.4(d)                  Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Exhibit 4.3                     Environmental Permits
Exhibit 5.1                     Business Employees and Severance Amounts
Exhibit 5.3(b)(i)               Pension Plans
Exhibit 5.3(b)(ii)              Plan Amendments
Exhibit 5.3(d)(iii)(a)          Westlake's Opinion of Counsel
Exhibit 5.3(d)(iii)(b)          BFG's Opinion of Counsel
Exhibit 6.2                     Services Agreement
Exhibit 6.3                     Technology License Agreement
Exhibit 6.4                     Propane Dock Usage Agreement
Exhibit 6.5                     Form of Access and Easement Agreement
Exhibit 6.6                     Environmental Services Agreement
Exhibit 7.1(g)                  License
Exhibit 7.1(h)                  Employee Benefit Plans
Exhibit 7.1(j)                  Defaults
Exhibit 7.1(k)                  Taxes
Exhibit 7.1(l)                  Compliance with Laws
Exhibit 8.2                     Litigation
Exhibit 9.1.2                   Casualty Loss or Damage
Exhibit 10.2                    Global Release - Termination of Agreement
Exhibit 12.6                    Global Release - Closing
Exhibit 13.12                   CMA Principles of Responsible Care

                                       -iv-

<PAGE>



                                   DEFINITIONS

Accounting Records:  Section 1.3(n)
Assets:   Section 1.1
Assignment and Assumption Agreement:   Section 1.4(d)
BFG:   Intro
BFG Pension Plans:   Section 5.3(b)(i)
BFG Plant: Section 1.3(o)
BFG RPSP:   Section 5.3(c)(i)
Books and Records:   Section 1.2(j)
Business Arrangements:   Section 1.2(i)
Business Employees:   Section 5.1
CA&O Plant:   Section 1.1
Capital Project Plans:   Section 1.2(f)
Closing:   Section 3.1
Closing Date:   Section 3.1
Code:   Section 5.3(c)(i)
Company Plans:   Section 7.1(h)
Controlled Group:   Section 7.1(h)
Critical Spares:   Section 1.2(j)
Customer Data:   Section 1.2(c)
Entity:   Section 4.1.2
Environmental and Safety Records:   Section 1.2(g)
Equipment:   Section 1.2(b)
ERISA:   Section 5.3(c)(iii)(D)
Excluded Assets:   Section 1.3
Final Order:   Section 4.3
Frozen Benefit Obligation:   Section 5.3(b)(ii)
FTC:   Section 4.3
Geon:  Section 12.7
Governmental Authority:   Section 1.2(e)
HSR Act:   Section 4.5
Information:   Section 12.2(c)
Inventory:   Section 1.2(n)
KDEP:   Section 4.4
Legal Requirements:   Section 4.1.10
Liability or Liabilities:   Section 8.2
Miscellaneous Raw Materials:   Section 1.2(j)
Net Proceeds:  Section 3.2(iv)
Permits:   Section 1.2(e)
Permitted Exceptions:   Section 1.4(b)
Person:   Section 4.1.2
Plant Employees:   Section 5.1
Proprietary Rights:   Section 1.2(h)
Purchase Price:  Section 2.1
Real Property:   Section 1.2(a)
Retained Liabilities:   Section 1.4(d)
Retained Rights:   Section 1.4(b)
Stores:   Section 1.2(b)
Supplier Data:   Section 1.2(d)
Survival Period:   Section 8.1
Title Insurance Property:   Section 1.4(b)
Transaction Documents:   Section 1.4(d)
VCM Plant 8.2(c)
Westlake:   Intro
Westlake's Pension Plans:   Section 5.3(b)(ii)
Westlake's Savings Plan:   Section 5.3(c)(i)

                                       -v-

<PAGE>






                           PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT


         THIS PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT is made and entered into this 16th day
of July, 1997,  between Westlake Monomers  Corporation,  a Delaware  corporation
("Westlake") and The B.F.Goodrich Company, a New York corporation ("BFG").
                              W I T N E S S E T H:
         WHEREAS, BFG owns and operates an ethylene plant, a chlor-alkali plant,
and related plant utilities  located at Calvert City,  Kentucky and the on-going
business activities associated therewith including,  but not limited to, caustic
resales and external propane  transactions  (hereafter  referred to as the "CA&O
Plant"); and
         WHEREAS,  BFG desires to sell and Westlake desires to purchase,  either
directly  or  through  an  affiliated  entity,  the CA&O  Plant on the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, BFG and Westlake do hereby covenant and agree, as follows:
1.     Purchase and Sale of Assets.
       1.1.  Purchase and Sale.  BFG hereby  agrees to sell,  convey,  transfer,
assign and deliver to Westlake,  or an affiliated  entity,  and Westlake  hereby
agrees to purchase from BFG,  either  directly or through an affiliated  entity,
the assets and  properties  described in Section 1.2 hereof (all such assets and
properties   being  herein   collectively   referred  to  as  the  "Assets"  and
individually referred to as an "Asset"),  such purchase and sale to be effective
on the Closing Date, as defined  below.  The Assets shall not include the assets
described in Section 1.3 hereof (such excluded assets being herein  collectively
referred to as the "Excluded Assets").

       1.2.       Assets to be Conveyed.   The  Assets  to  be  sold,  conveyed,
transferred, assigned and delivered to Westlake by BFG on the Closing Date shall
consist of the following:
                  (a) All real property, including all riparian rights attendant
thereto,  identified  in the metes  and  bounds  legal  description  and  survey
attached hereto as Exhibit 1.2(a);  all buildings,  structures,  fixtures (other
than the fixtures and other items which are subject to personal  property leases
otherwise scheduled under this Agreement) and improvements located thereon; and,
all easements,  hereditaments,  rights and appurtenances thereto  (collectively,
the "Real Property");
                  (b) all machinery,  equipment,  tools, accessories,  reactors,
material handling equipment, all the river docking and wharf facilities, testing
equipment,   non-certificated   vehicles  and  other  transportation  equipment,
including barges and railcars,  maintenance and janitorial  equipment;  computer
and data  processing  equipment and  software,  office  machines,  furniture and
fixtures and all other  tangible  personal  property of every kind and character
which is either (i)  located  on the Real  Property,  or (ii)  listed in Exhibit
1.2(b) hereto and associated with the operation of the CA&O Plant  (collectively
referred  to as the  "Equipment")  but  excluding  (x)  all  engineering  stores
(hereinafter referred to as "Stores"), (y) Critical Spares and Miscellaneous Raw
Materials  (as  hereinafter  defined) and (z) the fixtures and other items which
are  subject  to  personal  property  leases  otherwise   scheduled  under  this
Agreement;
                  (c) (i) all  certificated  vehicles  listed in Exhibit  1.2(c)
(the "Rolling  Stock");  and (ii) all catalyst  installed in the operating units
("Installed Catalyst");


                                       -1-

<PAGE>



                  (d)  all  customer  records  and  files  in  BFG's  possession
relating to merchant sales since January 1, 1994 of products manufactured at the
CA&O Plant, caustic resales and external propane transactions ("Customer Data");
                  (e) current  supplier  lists and supplier  data related to the
purchase of raw  materials,  utilities and supplies used at the CA&O Plant or in
connection with caustic resales (the "Supplier Data");
                  (f) the licenses,  permits and  approvals  related to the CA&O
Plant or Assets issued by any  Governmental  Authority  listed in Exhibit 1.2(f)
(collectively, the "Permits") (as used in this Agreement, the term "Governmental
Authority"  means  the  United  States  of  America,  any  state,  commonwealth,
territory or  possession  thereof and any political or judicial  subdivision  or
instrumentality  of any of the  foregoing,  including but not limited to courts,
departments, commissions, boards, bureaus or agencies);
                  (g) all  existing  plans  or  designs  for  capital  and  cost
reduction  projects  in process or planned  for at the CA&O Plant (the  "Capital
Project Plans");
                  (h) a paid up  license,  as  more  specifically  described  in
Section 6.3 herein,  to practice  the  technology  being used by BFG at the CA&O
Plant on the Closing  Date,  technology  formerly used at the CA&O Plant by BFG,
and  technology  developed  for use at the CA&O  Plant by BFG,  to the extent it
relates to operations at the CA&O Plant (the "Proprietary Rights");
                  (i) all of BFG's  rights  under the  equipment  leases,  waste
disposal  agreements,  servicing  contracts,  maintenance  agreements,  docking,
loading and tariff  agreements  and all other  agreements  of  whatever  kind or
character relating solely to the use, ownership or  operation of the CA&O Plant,
the Assets or caustic resale and external  propane transactions,  and  listed in
Exhibit 1.2(i) hereto (the "Business Arrangements");
                  (j)  all  other   books,   records  and   documents   relating
exclusively  to the Assets or CA&O Plant  ("Books and  Records")  not  otherwise
covered by the defined terms Customer Data, Accounting Records and Environmental
and Safety Records;
                  (k)  certain  critical  spares  as well as  miscellaneous  raw
materials located at, used in or necessary for use in the operations of the CA&O
Plant or Assets ("Critical Spares" and "Miscellaneous Raw Materials") identified
generically in Exhibit 1.2(k) hereto, but for the purposes of this Agreement the
terms  "Critical  Spares" and  "Miscellaneous  Raw Materials"  shall exclude the
items described in Exhibit 1.3(k) or otherwise  retained pursuant to Section 1.3
hereof;
                  (l) the  Stores  described  in  Exhibit  1.2(l)  or  otherwise
exclusively  associated  with  the  CA&O  Plant,  but for the  purposes  of this
Agreement the term "Stores" shall exclude the engineering stores items described
in Exhibit 1.3(k) or otherwise retained pursuant to Section 1.3 hereof;
                  (m)   all   machinery,    equipment,    tools,    accessories,
transportation  equipment,  leases,  contracts,  business arrangements,  and all
other  property,  agreements  and  other  assets  related  to the  purchase  and
reselling of diaphragm  grade  caustic soda  ("Caustic  Resale") and the propane
trade  arrangements  with  Warren  Petroleum  ("Propane  Resale")  as  currently
practiced by BFG; and
                  (n)    all  feedstock  and  product  inventories ("Inventory")
described in Exhibit 1.2(n).


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



       1.3.       Assets Not to be Conveyed.   The  provisions  of  Section  1.2
notwithstanding, the  Assets  to be  conveyed  hereunder  shall  not include the
following (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excluded Assets"):
                  (a)  accounts and notes receivable;
                  (b)  prepayments  and  deposits of any kind including but  not
limited to those for utility services applicable to periods prior to the 
Closing Date;
                  (c)  any claims or suits  arising  prior to  the Closing  Date
which BFG may have against  third parties for refunds or credits or offsets from
third parties  arising out of any matters  occurring  prior to the Closing Date,
except to the extent such claims are  attributable to expenses borne by Westlake
in accordance with this Agreement;
                  (d)  customer  and  supplier  information  which  can  not  be
disclosed under confidentiality agreements, as listed in Exhibit 1.3(d);
                  (e)  Permits to the extent not transferable  by law, as listed
in Exhibit 1.3(e); 
                  (f)  all equipment listed in Exhibit 1.3(f);
                  (g)  all  cash, securities  and  bank  deposits,  of  whatever
description;  
                  (h)  [intentionally omitted];  
                  (i)  BFG's  portion  of  all  safety  equipment located in the
EDC vinyl technical building at the Westlake VCM  Plant and computers and office
equipment/supplies located in the administration building  and listed in Exhibit
1.3(i); 
                  (j)  title to BFG's chlor-alkali and ethylene technology,
including patents and know-how;
                  (k)  any equipment, Stores, critical spares, miscellaneous raw
materials or inventory used in connection with the operation of the BFG Plant as
of the Closing Date, which are  retained by BFG and not transferred  to Westlake
in  connection  with the  transactions  contemplated  herein  including  without
limitation  the property identified in Exhibit 1.3(k);
                  (l)  any equipment, machinery and tools used for environmental
remedial   investigations  and  measures  conducted  by  BFG  pursuant  to  this
Agreement, including without limitation the groundwater remediation system;
                  (m)  all  environmental, health,  safety and  hygiene  records
relating  to the CA&O  Plant or the  Assets  or the  employees  engaged  in work
primarily  in  connection  with the CA&O  Plant (the  "Environmental  and Safety
Records"); and,
                  (n)  all  books,  ledgers, records,  and  information  used or
maintained  by BFG  in  connection  with  its  preparation  and  maintenance  of
accounting and financial systems and records (the "Accounting Records").
                  (o)  those  portions of the Calvert City, Kentucky plant owned
and/or operated by BFG as of the Closing Date,  generally  contained  within the
area  indicated  as such on the  plot  plan  attached  hereto  as  Exhibit  1.2,
including all real and personal  property,  whether tangible or intangible,  and
all of the business activities  associated  therewith  (hereafter referred to as
the "BFG Plant")

It is the  intention  of the parties  that by virtue of the purchase and sale of
the Assets  herein,  Westlake shall have acquired from BFG all of the assets and
business  associated with the CA&O Plant other than those specifically  excepted
herein,  but not the assets of BFG which are solely  involved  in or utilized in
connection with the BFG Plant and the businesses associated therewith.  Anything
contained  in this  Agreement  to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  the  Excluded
Assets,  including  any assets of BFG which are solely of or  associated  solely
with


                                       -3-

<PAGE>



any business other than the Assets or CA&O Plant,  shall not be sold,  assigned,
transferred or delivered to Westlake under this Agreement.
       1.4.       Conveyance Instruments  and Related Matters.   At the Closing,
the Assets shall be conveyed by BFG to Westlake as follows:
                  (a) BFG  shall  convey  to  Westlake  the  Real  Property  and
Business  Arrangements  (to the extent any of the same  constitute  interests in
real property) by special  warranty deed in the form set forth in Exhibit 1.4(a)
hereto, subject to the "Permitted Exceptions", as defined below.
                  (b) BFG shall  arrange to provide to Westlake,  at  Westlake's
expense,  commitments  for title  insurance  issued by  Commonwealth  Land Title
Insurance Company of Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, or other reasonably acceptable
title insurance  company,  with respect to the Real Property  ("Title  Insurance
Property"),  surveys  prepared  by  Florence  and  Hutcheson,  Inc.  of Paducah,
Kentucky dated May 24, 1994 and January 4, 1996  (reduction  copies of which are
attached  hereto  as  Exhibit  1.4(b)(i)),  a new  survey  to be  prepared  by a
qualified  surveyor  to  reflect  the metes and  bounds  description  in Exhibit
1.2(a),  and duplicate sets of legible copies of title exception  documents with
respect  thereto.  At Closing,  BFG shall  provide to  Westlake,  at  Westlake's
expense,  title insurance policies with respect to the Title Insurance Property,
in an amount designated by Westlake within seven days from the date of execution
hereof, issued by Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company, or other reasonably
acceptable   title  insurance   company,   subject  only  to  those   easements,
reservations, restrictions, covenants, conditions, safe harbor leases, and other
matters therein  specified in Exhibit  1.4(b)(ii)  ("Permitted  Exceptions") and
containing  all  reasonable  and usual  endorsements  as  requested by Westlake,
including comprehensive, zoning and land  use,  contiguity,  public  access  and
affirmative insurance of easements, options and rights that  run with the  land.
Reinsurance shall be provided in  amounts requested by Westlake upon reinsurance
agreements  providing  for  direct  access.  At its  expense,  BFG  shall obtain
surveys of the Title Insurance Property and as are necessary to enable the title
insurance  company  to delete  the  survey exception from  such  title policies.
Title to be granted by BFG shall be good and  marketable  subject  to exceptions
hereinabove  provided and such retained rights ("Retained  Rights")  as  may  be
provided  pursuant to the general  principles set  forth in Exhibit 1.4(b)(iii).
                  (c) BFG shall convey to Westlake the Equipment, Rolling Stock,
Installed  Catalyst,  Inventory,  Stores,  caustic  and propane  resale  assets,
Critical  Spares  and  Miscellaneous  Raw  Materials  (to the  extent  the items
constitute  tangible personal property) and all other tangible personal property
included in the Assets by a bill of sale in the form set forth in Exhibit 1.4(c)
hereto; provided, however, that with respect to any Rolling Stock or property as
to which ownership is evidenced by a certificate of title or similar  instrument
required  to be filed to evidence a transfer of title,  such  transfer  shall be
effected  by the  execution  by BFG and  delivery  to  Westlake  of  appropriate
endorsements,  certificates, affidavits and other instruments required to effect
transfer of ownership to Westlake.
                  (d) BFG shall convey to Westlake  the  Business  Arrangements,
Capital Project Plans, Environmental and Safety Records, Permits, Customer Data,
Supplier  Data,  Books  and  Records  which  constitute  contractual  rights  or
intangibles  by  an  assignment  and  assumption   agreement   ("Assignment  and
Assumption  Agreement")  in the form set forth in Exhibit  1.4(d)  hereto.  This
Agreement,  the  Assignment  and  Assumption  Agreement,  the  other  agreements
referenced  in the  preceding  subsections  of this  Section  1.4, and all other
agreements,

                                       -4-

<PAGE>



documents,  certificates  or instruments to be delivered in connection  with the
transactions  referenced herein are hereinafter  collectively referred to as the
"Transaction  Documents".  Westlake,  however, shall not assume any liability or
obligation, known or unknown, fixed, contingent or otherwise of BFG, and BFG and
its affiliates shall retain all liabilities and obligations,  whether primary or
secondary, direct or indirect, or fixed, absolute or contingent, with respect to
or arising out of the use,  operation  or  ownership  of the CA&O Plant,  or the
ownership, possession or use of the Assets, or the employment or compensation of
any of the employees,  prior to the Closing, unless expressly provided otherwise
herein,  all of such liabilities or obligations  being herein referred to as the
"Retained Liabilities".
                  (e)    BFG shall deliver to Westlake a FIRPTA Affidavit,  duly
executed by BFG, stating that BFG is not a "foreign person" as  defined  in  the
Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 and the 1984 Tax Reform Act.
2.     Purchase Price - Funds.
       2.1.       Purchase Price.  The purchase price (the "Purchase Price") for
the Assets shall be Ninety-Two Million,  Seven  Hundred  Fifty  Thousand  United
States Dollars ($92,750,000). The  parties  agree to  endeavor in good  faith to
agree upon the allocation of the Purchase Price among the Assets.
3.     The Closing.
       3.1.       Closing and Closing Date.  The  closing  of  the  transactions
contemplated hereby (the "Closing") shall be held on  September 1,  1997  at the
offices of BFGoodrich in Brecksville, Ohio, or such other  place  as the parties
mutually agree.  Provided however, that in the event the  conditions to  Closing
as set forth in Article 9 hereof have been satisfied or waived on or before such
date, then the Closing shall be rescheduled  for August 15,  1997.   The Closing
shall be effective as of 12:01 a.m., Calvert City,  Kentucky time on the date of
the Closing (the "Closing Date").
       3.2. Title, Possession,  Risk of Loss. Title, possession and risk of loss
or  destruction or damage to the Assets shall pass to Westlake as of the Closing
Date;  provided,  however,  that this Section 3.2 shall not  diminish,  limit or
otherwise impair in any manner  Westlake's  rights under the other provisions of
this Agreement or the other  Transaction  Documents  which  apportion  liability
among the  parties  with  respect to  events,  occurrences,  omissions  or other
matters arising or occurring during specified periods.
       3.3        Mechanics of Closing. The Closing shall occur in the following
sequence of steps, all of which shall be deemed to have occurred simultaneously:
                  (i)    All conditions precedent shall be satisfied;
                  (ii)   All  documents  relating to the Closing as provided for
herein shall be executed and delivered; and
                  (iii)  Westlake shall cause the Purchase Price to be delivered
on the Closing Date by wire transfer of  immediately  available  funds to a bank
account  which will be  identified  by BFG in writing not less than one (1) week
prior to the Closing.  4. Conduct Prior to the Closing and Certain Covenants and
Other Matters.
       4.1.       Conduct of Business.   BFG covenants and agrees, from the date
hereof and through the Closing Date, that:
                  4.1.1.      The Assets will be maintained and repaired  in the
usual and ordinary course and operated in a good, workmanlike and prudent manner
until the Closing Date;
                  4.1.2.      BFG will  use  its  best  efforts to  preserve for
Westlake the goodwill of all Persons dealing with the Assets  and the CA&O Plant
until the Closing Date (as used in this


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



Agreement,  the term "Person"  shall mean an individual or Entity,  and the term
"Entity"  shall  mean  a  corporation,   partnership,   joint  venture,   trust,
unincorporated  organization  or  association,  Governmental  Authority or other
entity);
                  4.1.3.       The business  and operations  of the  CA&O  Plant
will be conducted in a prudent, businesslike  manner  until  the  Closing  Date,
consistent with past practice;
                  4.1.4.       From the date hereof to  the  Closing  Date,  BFG
will cooperate fully with  Westlake as  to  arrangements  for  the  transfer  of
the Assets to Westlake in an orderly fashion to be made on or after the  Closing
Date;
                  4.1.5.  From the date  hereof to the  Closing  Date,  BFG will
maintain  in full  force and  effect  all  insurance  now in effect or  renewals
thereof  covering  all of the  Assets  and the CA&O  Plant and their  respective
operations and employees,  and not default with respect to any provision of, and
give all notices and present all claims under,  all insurance  policies in a due
and timely fashion;
                  4.1.6.  From the date  hereof to the  Closing  Date,  BFG will
promptly  notify  Westlake  of its receipt of any  significant  notice or claim,
written or oral,  of default or breach by BFG under,  or of any  termination  or
cancellation, or threat of termination or cancellation, of any material contract
or other material  instrument  relating to the Assets or the CA&O Plant or their
operations;
                  4.1.7.  From the date  hereof to the  Closing  Date,  BFG will
promptly  notify Westlake of any material loss of or damage to any of the Assets
(other  than the sale or use of  inventory  and raw  materials  in the  ordinary
course of  business)  and BFG will not transfer any Asset other than the sale or
use  of  inventory  and  raw  materials  in the  ordinary  course  of  business,
consistent with past practice;
                  4.1.8.  From the date  hereof to the  Closing  Date,  promptly
after receipt of notice  thereof by BFG, BFG will give notice to Westlake of any
material  claim or litigation,  threatened or instituted,  or any other material
adverse event or  occurrence  known to BFG involving or affecting the CA&O Plant
or the Assets;
                  4.1.9. From the date hereof to the Closing Date, BFG will take
all actions which are  reasonably  necessary to lawfully  transfer the Assets to
Westlake on the Closing Date including taking such actions as are appropriate to
work with  Westlake  in  obtaining  the Permits  listed in Exhibit  1.2(f) at no
additional cost to Westlake,  except for filings in connection with approvals or
consents  of Persons  customarily  made or  obtained  subsequent  to transfer of
title;
                  4.1.10.  From the date  hereof to the Closing  Date,  BFG will
comply  with or cause to be complied  with in all  material  respects  all Legal
Requirements  affecting  or relating to the Assets or the CA&O Plant (as used in
this  Agreement,  the term  "Legal  Requirement"  shall  mean any law,  statute,
ordinance,  decree,  requirement,   order,  judgment,  rule  or  regulation  of,
including  the  terms of any  license  or permit  issued  by,  any  Governmental
Authority);
                  4.1.11. From the date hereof to the Closing Date, BFG will not
increase the compensation of its Business Employees,  including benefits, except
in the reasonable and ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.
                  4.1.12.      No Shopping.  From  the date of this Agreement to
the earlier of (i) the Closing Date or (ii) termination  of  this Agreement, BFG
shall  not itself, and  shall  cause  its affiliates  and  all of  its  and  its
affiliates' respective  officers,  directors, employees,  partners,  agents  and
advisors  not  to,  directly  or  indirectly,  encourage,  solicit  or engage in
discussions


                                       -6-

<PAGE>




or negotiations with, or provide any information to, or consider any proposal or
offer  presented by, any party  concerning any sale or any other  disposition of
the Assets or the CA&O Plant.  From the date of this Agreement to the earlier of
(i) the Closing Date or (ii)  termination of this Agreement,  Westlake shall not
itself,  and  shall  cause  its  affiliates  and all of its and its  affiliates'
respective officers, directors, employees, partners, agents and advisors not to,
directly  or  indirectly,   encourage,  solicit  or  engage  in  discussions  or
negotiations  with, or provide any  information  to, or consider any proposal or
offer  presented by, any party  concerning any sale or any other  disposition of
the Assets, the CA&O Plant or its VCM Plant at Calvert City, Kentucky.
                  4.1.13  Inventories.   On  the  Closing  Date,  the  value  of
Engineering Stores (excluding Carbopol items),  finished goods inventories,  raw
materials  inventories  and in-process  material,  to the extent included in the
Assets,  shall be  determined  by physical  inventory,  and BFG shall report the
value thereof to Westlake  within five (5) business days after the Closing Date.
Such  value  shall be  determined  in  accordance  with the  books  and  records
maintained  by BFG for the CA&O Plant in the  ordinary  course of  business,  in
accordance  with past  practice  consistently  applied.  In the event such value
shall exceed U.S.  $15,517,436  (the "Target Level") then Westlake shall pay BFG
an amount  equal to the  excess  thereof.  In the event  such value is less than
Target Level then BFG shall pay Westlake an amount  equal to the  shortfall.  No
action  or  decision  of  BFG  undertaken  solely  in  order  to  maintain  such
inventories  at the Target Level shall form the basis for any claim of breach of
any applicable representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this
agreement.
       4.2.       FTC Proceedings.  BFG will make such  filings or notifications
with the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") as  may  be  appropriate in respect of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement relative to the  Stipulation and
Final Order entered July 25, 1989 issued by the United  States  Court of Appeals
for the Second Circuit in Docket No. 88-4065  styled  The  B.F.Goodrich  Company
v. The  Federal  Trade Commission  (the "Final  Order").  BFG agrees promptly to
notify Westlake of any communications it  submits  to or  receives  from the FTC
with  respect to such transactions  and  to  furnish copies thereof  to Westlake
contemporaneously  with their  submission  or  receipt.  BFG and  Westlake shall
promptly file any required notifications  under the Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust
Improvement  Act  of  1976, as  amended  (the "HSR Act")  with  respect  to  the
transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement.
       4.3.  Environmental  Permits.  Prior to  Closing,  BFG shall  notify  the
Kentucky  Department of  Environmental  Protection  ("KDEP") of the transactions
contemplated  herein. BFG and Westlake shall cooperate in effecting the transfer
of the  environmental  permits  listed in Exhibit 4.3 to Westlake in  accordance
with the applicable laws and regulations. From and after Closing, Westlake shall
continue  to treat  wastewater  from the BFG Plant in the  wastewater  treatment
system included in CA&O Plant,  in accordance with the Services  Agreement which
is attached hereto and made part hereof as Exhibit 6.2.
       4.4 Access to Properties and Records. From the date of this Agreement and
through the Closing  Date,  BFG will (i) keep  Westlake  advised of all material
developments  relevant  to the  consummation  of this  Agreement  and CA&O Plant
operations; (ii) cooperate, both in permitting Westlake and its representatives,
advisers,  consultants,  appraisers,  engineers and other experts to make a full
investigation of the business, properties, operations and financial condition of
the  Assets;  and  (iii)  afford  Westlake  and its  representatives,  advisers,
consultants,  appraisers,  engineers and other experts  reasonable access to the
offices,  buildings,  real  properties,  machinery and equipment,  inventory and
supplies, records, files, books of account,


                                       -7-

<PAGE>




agreements and commitments and personnel  of  BFG  related to the Assets and the
CA&O Plant.
       4.5 Westlake agrees to promptly undertake negotiations in good faith with
Geon (and with BFG's involvement and cooperation at BFG's request) to consummate
the execution of the ethylene  supply  agreement  contemplated in Section 7.1(r)
hereof. It is Westlake's  intention to give priority to consummating an ethylene
supply  agreement with Geon on the terms  contemplated  in Section  7.1(r).  The
parties intend that the average  acquisition price referred to in Section 7.1(r)
shall be equal to the  Ethylene  Price as defined  in  Article 7 of the  current
ethylene sale agreement  between BFG and Geon (excluding the price floor and the
banked ethylene credit).  Westlake,  to the extent within its control,  will not
allow discussions regarding an ethylene supply agreement involving a longer term
or greater quantities to operate to the detriment of or to otherwise prevent the
execution  of the  ethylene  supply  agreement  contemplated  in Section  7.1(r)
hereof. 5. Personnel Employment Arrangements and Employee Benefits.
       5.1. Personnel. Exhibit 5.1 is a list of hourly and salaried employees of
BFG who are employed on a full-time  basis (or on long term  disability)  in the
operation  of the  CA&O  Plant  as of the  date of this  Agreement.  (All of the
employees  listed on  Exhibit  5.1,  shall  hereinafter  be  referred  to as the
"Business  Employees.")  Westlake  shall  identify the number of wage and salary
employees to whom it wishes to offer employment and make offers of employment to
selected Business Employees on the Closing Date.  Westlake will offer employment
to not less than 165 of the  Business  Employees.  A  Business  Employee  who is
"actively"  employed  immediately prior to the Closing Date who accepts an offer
of employment by Westlake shall become an employee of Westlake at the opening of
business on the  Closing  Date.  A  Business  Employee shall be considered to be
"actively" employed if such employee was either at work  (whether  on or off the
CA&O Plant  premises)  as of the day prior to or  on  the  Closing  Date, or was
temporarily  absent  at  such  time  because  of illness, disability (other than
disabilities which are reasonably anticipated  to  be long term or of indefinite
duration),  vacation, or other excused absence. The  employment  by  Westlake of
any Business Employee who  is  not  actively employed  immediately  prior to the
Closing  Date  shall  commence  at such  time as such Business Employee actually
returns to work. Until  that  time, any  such Business Employee  shall remain an
employee of BFG,  and BFG shall retain  responsibility for all benefits to which
such Business Employee is entitled. Westlake agrees to notify  BFG when any such
Business Employee returns to work.
       Each salaried Business  Employee offered  employment by Westlake shall be
offered  compensation  which  may  include  base and  incentive  pay  provisions
generally equivalent to such Business Employee's  compensation level immediately
prior to the  Closing  Date,  and  benefits  consistent  with those  provided to
similarly situated Westlake employees. Each offer of employment made by Westlake
shall be for either the same position as such  Business  Employee held with BFG,
or for a  position  which  would  clearly  be  reasonable  for a person  of that
Business Employee's  qualifications and skills to accept under the circumstances
existing at the time of the offer.
       The Business  Employees  who accept  offers of  employment  from Westlake
shall be  referred  to  hereinafter  as "Plant  Employees."  BFG  shall  provide
Westlake  with  information  as to the title,  employment  history  and  current
compensation  level of all  Business  Employees  and shall  assist  Westlake  in
effecting  an  orderly  change  of  employment  for  Plant  Employees.  Business
Employees who decline offers of employment will, unless  they  are provided with


                                       -8-

<PAGE>



other  employment  by BFG,  be treated as having  voluntarily  terminated  their
employment  with BFG. BFG shall request  Business  Employees to accept offers of
employment from Westlake.

       5.2.  Covenant  re  Personnel.  For a period of two (2)  years  after the
Closing Date, BFG and Westlake agree that they will not, without first obtaining
the written consent of the other,  which consent may be withheld for any reason,
offer  employment  to any  employee of the other party who is employed by or who
has  voluntarily  terminated  employment from such other party after the Closing
Date except that Westlake may offer employment to the Business Employees.
       5.3.       Benefits.
                  (a)  Recognition  of  Prior  Service.  With  respect  to Plant
Employees,  Westlake shall recognize all credited  service and the entire period
of plan participation  recognized under the BFG Pension Plans (as defined below)
in which the  Plant  Employees  were  participating  as  employees  of BFG,  for
purposes of determining  benefit  eligibility  and vesting,  and calculating the
benefits of Plant  Employees,  under the Pension Plans of Westlake  described in
Article 5.3(b) herein.
                  (b)    Pension Plans.
                         (i)   Except as otherwise set forth in this  Section 5,
BFG shall retain responsibility and complete liability for  all benefits accrued
up to the Closing Date by the Plant Employees under the  pension  plans in which
such Business Employees were participating as employees of BFG (the "BFG Pension
Plans").  The BFG  Pension  Plans and the  categories  of  employees  covered by
each plan are listed on Exhibit 5.3(b)(i).
                         (ii)  Westlake  shall  maintain  tax-qualified  defined
benefit  pension plans  ("Westlake's  Pension  Plans")  for all  salaried  Plant
Employees,  which  plans  shall  be  consistent  with plans provided to Westlake
Monomers  Employees,  and  which  plans  shall  provide for the accrued  benefit
payable  monthly  thereunder to a Plant  Employee  to be reduced by  the  amount
of such Plant  Employee's  "Frozen Benefit  Obligation", as defined below, under
the  BFG  Pension Plans;  provided, however,  that  Westlake's  obligation  with
respect to employees presently subject to collective bargaining agreements shall
be limited to obligations  Westlake agrees to with  the  appropriate  collective
bargaining agents. The Frozen Benefit Obligation  of each Plant  Employee  shall
be  calculated  by BFG as  soon as practicable after the Closing Date, and shall
be promptly delivered to Westlake.  The  Frozen  Benefit  Obligation  of a Plant
Employee  shall  be  the monthly  pension  payment  which  such  Plant  Employee
would be entitled to receive  from the applicable BFG Pension Plan if such Plant
Employee  commenced  receipt  of pension payments at age 65. If a Plant Employee
retires from Westlake prior to reaching age 65, the  Frozen  Benefit  Obligation
of  such  Plant  Employee shall be actuarially  adjusted from the amount payable
commencing  at  age  65  to  equal  the monthly  pension  amount that such Plant
Employee  would  have  received   from  the  applicable  BFG  Pension  Plan  had
pension payments commenced on the date on which such Plant Employee retires from
Westlake.   In  actuarially  adjusting  the   amount  of   the   Frozen  Benefit
Obligation for Plant Employees, BFG shall  use the actuarial  assumptions  which
are  consistent with current plan  provisions and applicable ERISA  requirements
with  respect  to  the  applicable  BFG  Pension  Plan,  which  assumptions have
previously been furnished in writing to Westlake.

                                       -9-

<PAGE>



                         (iii) All Plant Employees will be fully vested in their
accrued benefits under the BFG Pension Plans as of the Closing Date,  regardless
of their  length of service at that time.
                  (c)    Savings and Investment Plan.
                         (i)   Within 180 days after the Closing Date, Westlake,
if  it  does  not already maintain  such  a  plan,  shall  establish  and  shall
thereafter maintain a tax-qualified defined contribution  plan  (the "Westlake's
Savings Plan")  under  Section  401(k)  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended  ("the Code") for all of those Plant  Employees  who  were  eligible  to
participate  in  The B.F.Goodrich  Company  Retirement Plus Savings  Plan or The
B.F.Goodrich   Company   Retirement   Plus   Savings  Plan  for  Wage  Employees
collectively  the  "BFG RPSP")  immediately  prior  to  the  Closing  Date.  The
parties  agree to work together to facilitate a  trust-to-trust  transfer  under
the  requirements of the Code for those Plant Employees who elect to do so as of
a given date,  whereby all assets in  the  trust  established under the BFG RPSP
attributable to all Plant Employees electing  to do so  will be  transferred  to
the trust established under the Westlake's  Savings Plan.  Westlake  shall grant
past service  credit  for service  recognized by BFG for purposes of determining
eligibility  to  participate  and vesting in Westlake's Savings Plan.
                         (ii)  All  Plant  Employees  shall  be  fully vested in
their account balances in the BFG RPSP as  of  the  Closing  Date, regardless of
their length of service at that time.
                         (iii) Transfer of Plan Assets.  In connection with  the
trust-to-trust transfer of assets from the trust  established under the BFG RPSP
to the trust established under Westlake's Savings Plan:
                               (A)    BFG and Westlake each warrant to the other
that  all  applicable  provisions  of  the  Code  and  regulations   promulgated
thereunder will be complied with in effecting such asset transfer,  and Westlake
does  further  warrant, conditioned  on BFG's  warranty that it is  transferring
to Westlake's Savings Plan  the  entire  accrued  benefit of each Plant Employee
electing to do so, that  the Plant Employees'  accrued benefits under Westlake's
Savings Plan immediately after such  transfer  of assets  shall not be less than
such  Plant  Employees' accrued  benefits  transferred  from the BFG RPSP to the
trust under  Westlake's  Savings  Plan  immediately  prior  to such  transfer or
funding.  This warranty is limited to the accrued benefits transferred;
                               (B)    At  least  thirty  (30)  days prior to any
scheduled transfer of trust assets, BFG and Westlake agree to provide each other
copies of their respective savings plans;
                               (C)    At least  seven  (7)  days  prior  to  any
transfer  of  trust  assets,  Westlake  shall  provide  BFG  with  an opinion of
Westlake's counsel, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit 5.3(d)(iii)(a)
hereto,  and  BFG  shall  provide  Westlake  with  an  opinion  of  its counsel,
who may be an employee of The B.F.Goodrich Company,  in  substantially  the form
attached  hereto as Exhibit 5.3(d)(iii)(b);
                               (D)    Westlake and BFG shall, in connection with
such transfer, cooperate  in  making  all  appropriate  filings  required  under
the Code or the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act  of 1974, as amended
("ERISA"),  and the regulations thereunder;
                               (E)    Any  qualified  domestic  relations orders
(as defined in Code Section 414(p))  received  by BFG with respect to any assets
transferred to Westlake's Savings

                                       -10-

<PAGE>



 
Plan shall be transferred to Westlake at the time such assets are transferred or
at the time such order is received by BFG if later, to the extent allowed by and
in compliance with applicable law; and
                               (F)    It is contemplated by the parties that the
trust-to-trust transfer will occur within 180 days from the Closing.
                         (iv)  After  the  trust-to-trust  transfer  referred to
above is complete Westlake shall permit Plant Employees to voluntarily roll-over
their balances in the BFG RPSP into Westlake's Savings Plan from time to time.
                  (d)  Welfare  and  Other  Non-Pension  Benefits.  As  soon  as
practicable after the date hereof,  Westlake shall maintain group health,  life,
disability  and other  welfare and fringe  benefit  programs for salaried  Plant
Employees,  with coverage  commencing as of the Closing Date.  BFG agrees to pay
for all charges  reimbursable  under its group health plans  applicable to Plant
Employees,  which are attributable to medical services which were rendered prior
to the  Closing  Date,  and BFG agrees to cover,  to the extent set forth in its
applicable  group health plans,  the costs  incurred  after the Closing Date for
services  rendered due to any hospital  confinement which commenced prior to the
Closing  Date,  until  the  covered  Plant  Employee  or  covered  dependent  is
discharged.  Except  for the  specific  circumstance  set forth in the  previous
sentence or elsewhere in this  Agreement,  BFG shall not be liable for any costs
relating to medical  conditions  which  existed  prior to, but for which medical
services were  rendered on or after the Closing Date,  regardless of whether BFG
had knowledge of such  conditions as of the Closing  Date.  Plant  Employees and
their dependents who are covered under or eligible to participate immediately in
a BFG basic  medical and  hospitalization  plan as of the Closing  Date shall be
offered participation in a basic medical and hospitalization plan of Westlake as
of the Closing Date, with  exclusions for preexisting  conditions  only  to  the
extent so excluded under BFG's plan.
                  (e)  Retiree  Life and  Medical.  BFG  shall  provide  retiree
medical and life  insurance  coverage  for Plant  Employees  who are eligible to
retire on the Closing  Date.  Westlake  shall provide  retiree  medical and life
insurance  coverage to other Plant Employees,  which coverage for salaried Plant
Employees  shall be  generally  comparable  to that  provided by Westlake to its
similarly-situated  employees.  In the event a Plant Employee  receives  retiree
medical and/or life insurance  coverage from BFG and active employee  medical or
life insurance coverage, as the case may be, from Westlake, Westlake agrees that
its  coverage  shall be  primary,  and any  coverage  provided  by BFG  shall be
secondary.  If a Plant Employee who is eligible to retire on the Closing Date is
eligible  for  retiree  medical  and/or  life  insurance  coverage  from BFG and
Westlake,  BFG agrees that BFG's coverage shall be primary, and any such primary
coverage provided by Westlake shall be secondary.
                  (f)  Vacation.   Westlake  shall  adopt  vacation  entitlement
policies for the salaried Plant  Employees  which are generally  consistent with
the policies of similarly situated Westlake employees. Westlake will permit such
salaried  Plant  Employees  an  opportunity  to  schedule,  in the  same  manner
previously  available to such Plant  Employees  under the BFG  vacation  policy,
vacation time off with pay for the unused vacation to which such Plant Employees
were entitled under the BFG vacation policy applicable to them as of the Closing
Date,  provided such request for vacation time off do not  materially  adversely
affect the  Westlake's  operation of the CA&O Plant.  An employee shall not lose
vacation accrued as of the Closing Date if he has timely requested  vacation and
time off has been denied by Westlake. BFG shall


                                       -11-

<PAGE>




reimburse Westlake for the value of (1) unused,  earned vacation and (2) accrued
vacation for Plant Employees as of the Closing Date.
                  (g)  Severance  and Other  Items.  Westlake  agrees to pay any
salaried Plant Employee the severance  amount opposite such Business  Employee's
name as listed on Exhibit 5.1 if such salaried  Plant  Employee's  employment is
terminated  by  Westlake,  other  than for  "cause",  during  the  period  which
commences on the Closing Date and ends one (1) year thereafter.  For purposes of
this section,  "cause" shall mean failure of an employee to perform those duties
in the scope of his employment as a person of ordinary  prudence would have done
under  the  same or  similar  circumstances,  or the  commission  of acts by the
employee  in the scope of his  employment  which a person of  ordinary  prudence
would not have done under the same or similar  circumstances,  including but not
limited  to (i) the  misappropriation  of funds or  property  of  Westlake  or a
subsidiary  of the  Westlake by a Plant  Employee,  (ii)  commission  by a Plant
Employee  of an act  of  fraud  upon,  or a  material  evidence  of  bad  faith,
dishonesty  or  disloyalty  towards  Westlake  or its  subsidiary,  or (iii) any
conduct on the part of the Plant Employee which would,  in Westlake's  sole good
faith  judgment,  result in  prejudice  to the best  interest of Westlake or its
subsidiary if he were retained as an employee.
       After receipt of the employee information  furnished by Westlake pursuant
to Section 5.1  hereof,  BFG will work with  Westlake  to  formulate a voluntary
separation program with features and employee eligibility mutually determined by
BFG and Westlake.  In formulating such a program,  BFG will consider  reasonable
and flexible approaches which do not increase or decrease the amount of risk and
financial exposure agreed to by BFG herein,  regardless of the timing and nature
of the  program.  This  program  would be offered to the  eligible  employees in
connection  with the  closing of the  transactions  contemplated  herein.  After
determination of the number of eligible employees who will accept the  voluntary
separation program,  the balance of  the number of the wage and salary employees
will either be offered employment by Westlake or severed at the time of closing.
       Westlake shall reimburse BFG for voluntary separation and severance costs
paid by BFG in respect of all Business Employees who accept the early retirement
program or are otherwise severed,  in excess of an amount calculated as follows:
fifty-percent  times  Average  Cost  (as  hereinafter   defined)  multiplied  by
twenty-three (23). For the purposes of the foregoing sentence, the term "Average
Cost" means the total amount of severance  payments  identified  in Schedule 5.1
for all of the Business Employees who accept the voluntary separation program or
are  otherwise  severed,  times one hundred ten (110%)  percent,  divided by the
total number of such Business Employees.
                  (h) Scope and Term of  Certain  Obligations.  Westlake  agrees
that its  obligations  (i) to maintain  Westlake's  Pension  Plans  described in
Section  5.3(b)(ii),  (ii) to  maintain  Westlake's  Plan  described  in Section
5.3(c)(i),  (iii) to provide certain welfare and other  non-pension  benefits as
described in Section  5.3(d),  (iv) to provide  certain retiree life and medical
coverage as described in Section  5.3(e) and (v) to adopt  vacation  entitlement
policies as described  in Section  5.3(f) shall  include the  obligation  to not
reduce benefits under such  arrangements  which  obligation shall continue for a
period ending on the first to occur of (A) the  expiration of twelve (12) months
from the Closing Date or (B) any of the  following:  (i) the effective date of a
requirement  that Westlake incur increased costs with respect to the pension and
benefit plans provided to those of its employees in the United States other than
Plant   Employees   (Other   Plans),   in  order  to   satisfy   the  so  called
Anti-discrimination  rules under the applicable provisions of the Code and ERISA
(in which case Westlake may reduce benefits


                                       -12-

<PAGE>




after twelve (12) months,  or such shorter  period as is required to comply with
applicable law or regulations, have elapsed from the Closing Date, to the extent
necessary to comply with such provisions without incurring  increased costs with
respect to such Other Plans),  (ii) with respect to Plant  Employees as a result
of a collective bargaining process, different benefit programs, plans, practices
or  arrangements  are required to be  established  with respect to such group of
employees,  (iii)  mutual  agreement  of Westlake  and BFG or (iv)  termination,
modification  or reduction by BFG of its  benefits  available  under its similar
plans, programs or arrangements, in which case Westlake may only make reductions
comparable to those made by BFG.  Westlake's  obligation  hereunder shall extend
only with respect to Business Employees who become actively employed by Westlake
as of a time immediately after the Closing Date.
                  (i) The parties  hereto agree that it is not intended that any
Plant Employees will, by reason of their employment by Westlake,  be entitled to
duplicative benefits from BFG and Westlake,  and do agree that the provisions of
this Agreement shall not be construed by either party so as to entitle the Plant
Employees to duplicative benefits. This provision shall not, however, be read to
limit in any way the provisions of Section 5.3(a).
       5.4.  Cooperation  of the  Parties.  BFG  and  Westlake  agree  to  fully
cooperate  with  respect to each of the filings and  calculations  necessary  to
effect the  transactions  contemplated  by this Article 5 and in  obtaining  any
governmental approvals required hereunder.
       5.5.       Employee Rights.  Nothing  herein  expressed  or implied shall
confer upon any employee of BFG, any  Plant  Employee  or  any other employee or
legal representatives thereof any  rights  or  remedies,  including any right to
employment, or continued employment for any specified period, of any  nature  or
kind whatsoever under or by any reason of this Agreement.
       5.6.       Wage Reporting.  Wages paid by  BFG  to Plant Employees during
the year in which the  Closing Date occurs shall be considered  attributable  to
Westlake for purposes  of Code  Section  3121(a)(1)  and Income Tax  Regulations
promulgated thereunder.  BFG shall furnish each Plant  Employee one Wage and Tax
Statement (IRS  Form W-2) for  wages  paid by BFG from  January 1 of the year in
which the Closing Date occurs to the Closing Date.  Westlake shall furnish  each
Plant  Employee  one Form W-2  covering the period from the Closing Date through
the end of the year in which the Closing Date occurs.  Both parties shall comply
with the provisions of Section 4 of Rev. Proc. 84-77.
       5.7.       Collective Bargaining Agreement.   Westlake agrees to offer to
recognize the IAM as the present collective bargaining agents of Plant Employees
and  to  assume  the  present  collective  bargaining  agreement.   Westlake may
negotiate with the IAM to modify the current collective  bargaining agreement as
related  to  all  provisions  of  the  agreement;  however,  failing to reach an
agreement  prior  to  the  Closing  Date,  Westlake  will  accept  the  existing
collective bargaining agreement provisions; provided, however, that if, prior to
the Closing, the Union seeks to enjoin the  Closing in aid of arbitration or BFG
experiences any strike, slowdown, or any other form  of interference with normal
operations  as  a  direct and proximate result of such negotiations by Westlake,
Westlake shall cooperate with BFG in order to promptly and  effectively  resolve
such matters.
6.     Certain Contracts.  At the Closing, BFG and Westlake shall enter into the
agreements referred to in Sections 6.2 through 6.6.
       6.1.       Termination  of  Agreements.  All ancillary agreements entered
into between the parties in  connection  with  the  Amended  and Restated Master
Conveyance Agreement dated


                                       -13-

<PAGE>




March 1, 1990,  other than the Agreement on Licensing of EDC and VCM Technology,
the Access and  Easement  Agreement  and the  Catalyst  Supply  Agreement  shall
terminate upon completion of the Closing.
       6.2 Services Agreement.  A Services Agreement,  substantially in the form
attached  hereto as Exhibit 6.2,  covering  such items as (i)  deliveries of raw
materials,  air,  water,  steam,  nitrogen and natural gas,  (ii)  treatment and
discharge of certain  substances,  (iii) the provision of electricity,  (iv) the
installation of meters, (v) general site administrative,  accounting, laboratory
and construction  support, (vi) dispensary,  fire and emergency services,  (vii)
docking and railcar services,  (viii) transitional and occasional services to be
provided by the parties to each other,  and (ix)  maintenance  of the facilities
required to provide the services and utilities  contemplated  by such  agreement
(the  "Services  Agreement").  It is  understood  and agreed  that the  Services
Agreement  may be entered  into by either  Westlake or by an  affiliated  entity
formed for the purpose of acquiring the Assets and CA&O Plant.
       6.3.       Technology License Agreement.  A Technology License Agreement,
substantially in the form  attached  hereto  as Exhibit 6.3, granting Westlake a
license to practice the technology described therein.
       6.4.       Propane Dock Usage Agreement.  A Propane Dock Usage Agreement
containing  terms  set  forth  on  Exhibit  6.4  hereto (the "Propane Dock Usage
Agreement").
       6.5.  Access  and  Easement  Agreements.  A  joint  easement  and  access
agreement pursuant to which Westlake and BFG are granted access to and easements
on the other's  property in  connection  with the operation of the CA&O Plant by
Westlake and the BFG Plant by BFG,  substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit 6.5.
       6.6.       Environmental  Services  Agreement.  An Environmental Services
Agreement substantially  in  the form attached hereto as Exhibit 6.6 hereto (the
"Environmental Services Agreement").
7.     Representations and Warranties.
       7.1.  Representations  and  Warranties of BFG. BFG MAKES NO WARRANTY THAT
ANY OF THE ASSETS,  PROPERTIES  OR  PRODUCTS  OF THE CA&O PLANT OR BUSINESS  ARE
MERCHANTABLE  OR FIT FOR ANY PARTICULAR  PURPOSE NOR IS THERE ANY OTHER WARRANTY
OR  CONDITION  WITH  RESPECT  THERETO,  EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,  EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY
STATED  IN THIS  AGREEMENT  WITH  RESPECT  TO SUCH  ASSETS,  INCLUDING,  WITHOUT
LIMITATION,  ANY  WARRANTIES  OR  CONDITIONS  WITH  RESPECT TO THE  MERCHANTABLE
QUALITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH ASSETS, PROPERTIES AND
PRODUCTS WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE BE IMPLIED BY THE UNIFORM  COMMERCIAL CODE OR ANY
OTHER LAW. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT,  WESTLAKE  SPECIFICALLY
ACKNOWLEDGES  THAT THE ASSETS BEING  TRANSFERRED  AND CONVEYED  PURSUANT TO THIS
AGREEMENT ARE BEING SOLD AND PURCHASED ON AN "AS IS" AND "WHERE IS" BASIS.
       BFG hereby expressly  represents and warrants to Westlake that, as of the
date hereof and the Closing Date, and except as set forth in any Exhibit hereto:
                  (a) Corporate  Existence and  Authority.  BFG is a corporation
duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good  standing  under the laws of the
State  of New  York and is duly  qualified  or  licensed  and  authorized  to do
business in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.


                                       -14-

<PAGE>



                  (b) Execution and Delivery.  BFG has full right,  power, legal
capacity and  authority to execute,  deliver and perform this  Agreement and the
other  Transaction  Documents and to consummate  the  transactions  contemplated
therein and  thereby,  subject  only to receipt of the  approval  referred to in
Section  9.2.6  hereof.  This  Agreement,  and each other  Transaction  Document
required to be executed and  delivered by BFG  pursuant to this  Agreement,  has
been duly executed and delivered by BFG and, when duly executed and delivered by
BFG, will constitute legal, valid and binding  obligations of BFG enforceable in
accordance  with  their  respective   terms  and  conditions,   except  as  such
enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'  rights  generally
and by general  principles of equity (whether  applied in a proceeding at law or
in equity).
                  (c)  Consents  and  Approvals.  Except  for the  consents  and
approvals for the transfer of the Permits,  any approvals related to the RCRA or
HSWA permits,  the approval  referred to in Section 9.2.6 hereof and  compliance
with  the  HSR  Act  with  respect  to the  transactions  contemplated  by  this
Agreement,  no approval,  consent or other order or action of or filing with any
Person is required for the  execution,  delivery or  performance  by BFG of this
Agreement or the other Transaction  Documents.  There are no preferential rights
of purchase or rights of first  refusal  held or claimed by third  parties  with
respect to the Assets.
                  (d)  Title.  Except  for the  Permitted  Exceptions,  BFG owns
outright, or has a valid license or lease for, and has, and shall at the Closing
have, and upon Closing  Westlake shall receive,  full legal and beneficial title
to all of the Assets (other than the Real Property interests, as to which BFG is
giving a special  warranty  of title as herein  provided)  free and clear of all
liens, pledges,  mortgages,  security interests, conditional sales contracts and
encumbrances.  The Permitted  Exceptions do not materially  adversely affect the
ownership and operation of the CA&O Plant as currently operated by BFG.
                  (e) No  Violations.  The execution and delivery by BFG of this
Agreement  and the other  Transaction  Documents,  and the  consummation  of the
transactions  contemplated thereby and the performance by BFG of its obligations
thereunder,  will not (i) constitute a violation of, conflict with, or result in
a breach or constitute a default under any mortgage, indenture, charter or bylaw
provision,  contract,  agreement,  commitment or other instrument of any kind to
which  BFG is a party or by which  BFG or any of its  respective  properties  or
assets may be bound or affected or (ii) violate any Legal  Requirement  or (iii)
result in the creation or  imposition of any lien,  charge or other  encumbrance
upon the Assets.
                  (f) Kentucky Location. The Assets are primarily located in the
Commonwealth of Kentucky,  Marshall County, Calvert City, and will be so located
when conveyed to Westlake at the Closing.  The transaction  contemplated by this
Agreement constitutes an occasional sale and is not a transaction  sufficient in
number, scope and character to constitute an activity requiring the holding of a
Kentucky Sales Tax Seller's Permit.  All tangible personal property  transferred
to Westlake  hereunder  consists  solely of  inventories  held for resale in the
normal course of business and manufacturing assets held or used in the course of
an activity for which BFG is not required to hold a Kentucky  Sales Tax Seller's
Permit.
                  (g) Technology.  The  Proprietary  Rights will afford Westlake
the rights to use all technology,  proprietary information, know-how or patented
ideas,  designs or inventions  owned by BFG or others,  if and to the extent BFG
has the right to grant such rights  owned by Persons  other than BFG,  necessary
for the  present  operation  of the CA&O  Plant  or  Assets  and the  marketing,
distribution, and sale (whether by Westlake or Westlake's direct or indirect


                                       -15-

<PAGE>




customers)  of the  products  produced  at the CA&O  Plant.  Neither the use nor
practice of the  Proprietary  Rights by BFG infringes on the rights of any third
party.  No license fees and royalties are payable in connection with the use and
practice of the Proprietary Rights, except as set forth in Exhibit 7.1(g).
                  (h) Employee Matters.  Except as identified in Exhibit 7.1(h),
the Plant Employees are not subject to any collective  bargaining  agreements or
other contracts with a labor union,  contingent or otherwise,  nor are any Plant
Employees represented by any labor union.
                  Except as disclosed in Exhibit 7.1(h) hereto,  neither BFG nor
any other  organization which is a member of a controlled group of organizations
(within the meaning of Code Sections 414(b),  (c), (m) or (o)) of which BFG is a
member (the "Controlled Group"), has any obligation, contingent or otherwise, to
any Plant  Employees  under any employment or consulting  agreement or under any
executive or employee  compensation  or benefit plan,  agreement or arrangement,
sponsored by BFG or such other organization,  including, without limitation, any
pension,  retirement,  profit  sharing,  stock option,  stock  purchase,  bonus,
savings,  medical, life insurance, and other welfare benefit plans (collectively
referred to herein as "Company Plans"). With respect to Plant Employees,  except
as disclosed in Exhibit 7.1(h) hereto,  BFG has not breached or otherwise failed
to comply in any material way with any provision of any Company Plan.
                  With respect to each Company Plan: (i) each Company Plan which
is an "employee  pension benefit plan" (as such term is defined in ERISA Section
3(2)) is  "qualified"  within the meaning of Section  401(a) of the Code and has
received a  favorable  determination  letter as to its  qualification  under the
Code; (ii) to the best of BFG's knowledge, no member of the Controlled Group nor
any other party has, with respect to any Company Plan, engaged  in a  prohibited
transaction,  as such term is  defined in Code  Section  4975 or any  applicable
sections of ERISA,  which would  subject BFG or Westlake to any taxes, penalties
or other liabilities resulting from prohibited transactions  under  Code Section
4975 or under any applicable  sections  of  ERISA; (iii)  to  the  best of BFG's
knowledge,  no event has  occurred  and no condition  exists that would  subject
BFG or  Westlake  to any taxes under any  applicable sections  of the Code or to
a fine under ERISA Section 502(c);  and (iv) each member of the Controlled Group
has substantially complied with the reporting  and  disclosure  requirements  of
ERISA.  Except as disclosed in Exhibit 7.1(h), BFG does not  presently  maintain
any  "multi-employer  plan" (within  the meaning  of  Section   3(37)  of ERISA)
applicable  to Plant  Employees.  With  respect to any Company  Plan which is an
employee  welfare  benefit plan (within the  meaning  of  ERISA  Section  3(1)),
such plan  complies in all  material  respects with all applicable federal laws.
Except as disclosed in Exhibit 7.1(h),  neither  BFG  nor the  Controlled  Group
maintains any  post-retirement  health and life insurance  plans  for  employees
and  retirees of BFG.  Except as listed in Exhibit  7.1(h)  hereto,  BFG  has no
commitment,  whether formal or informal and whether  legally binding  or not, to
create any additional  Company Plan or to amend or modify any Company  Plans and
no benefits  will become  payable  under  any  Company Plan as a result  of  the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
                  (i)  Complete  Assets;  No  Misrepresentation.  Other than any
Permits or governmental approvals, the Assets are all of the material assets and
properties,  real, personal, tangible and intangible, which are owned by BFG and
which are necessary for the operation of the CA&O Plant as currently operated by
BFG.


                                       -16-

<PAGE>



                  (j)  Business  Arrangements.  Exhibit  1.2(l)  sets  forth all
Business  Arrangements,  each of which is in full  force and  effect.  Except as
disclosed in Exhibit 7.1(j) hereto,  BFG is not in material  default under,  nor
does any event,  circumstance or situation exist which, with the passage of time
will  cause  a  material  default  under  any  Business   Arrangement  or  Legal
Requirement relating to any of the Assets or the businesses or operations of the
CA&O Plant  under  which any Person is or may be  entitled  to assert any rights
against any of the Assets or the business,  operations,  or products produced or
used at the CA&O Plant.
                  (k) Taxes. Except for the Permitted Exceptions or as disclosed
in Exhibit 7.1(k), BFG has either discharged or caused to be discharged,  as the
same have become due,  all taxes,  costs,  expenses,  charges and debts of every
kind and  character,  attributable  or relating to the Assets,  the business and
operations of the CA&O Plant,  or revenues or income  derived  therefrom for all
periods through the Closing Date, the nonpayment of which would result in a lien
or encumbrance on any Asset; and the assessment of any additional taxes, that by
law should have been reported or paid or in accordance  with generally  accepted
accounting principles should have been accrued, is not expected.
                  (l)    Compliance with Laws. Except as set forth in Exhibit 7.
1(l):
                         (i)  BFG is in compliance in all material respects with
all Legal Requirements applicable to the Assets and/or the  ownership, operation
and  use  thereof  (except  with  respect  to  any  non-compliance  caused by or
resulting from Westlake's operations),  and  BFG has  not received notice of any
noncompliance or alleged  noncompliance  with any Legal Requirement  relating or
applicable to any of  the  Assets  or  to  the  operation  of  the  CA&O  Plant,
the existence  or enforcement of which would have a material adverse effect upon
Westlake's ability to operate the CA&O Plant subsequent to the Closing  Date  on
substantially  the  same  basis  as  currently  conducted  and operated or which
would require the payment of fines or penalties in respect of matters  occurring
prior to the Closing Date including,  without limitation,  any Legal Requirement
relating to (A) wages, hours, hiring, non-discrimination, promotion, retirement,
benefits,  pensions or working conditions,  (B) air, water, noise, odor or solid
or liquid waste  (including  the  generation,  treatment,  storage,  disposal or
transportation  thereof), (C) health and safety, (D) zoning, (E) the production,
processing,  advertising,  sales or warranty of products or services of the CA&O
Plant or (F) trade or antitrust regulations.
                         (ii)  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
to the best of the knowledge  of  BFG,  there exists no noncompliance or alleged
noncompliance  with,  or  any  condition  caused  by BFG which  would  result in
liability  under,  any  applicable  Legal  Requirement  relating  to air, water,
noise,  odor,  solid or liquid  waste  (including  the  generation,   treatment,
storage,  disposal  or transportation  thereof)  or  health  and  safety,  which
would  have  a  material  adverse  effect on  Westlake's  ability to operate the
CA&O Plant and/or  Assets subsequent to the Closing  Date on  substantially  the
same basis as  currently  conducted  and  operated or would  require the payment
of fines,  penalties  or remedial  expenditures in respect of facts,  conditions
or matters  occurring or existing prior to the Closing Date.
                         (iii) BFG has  not handled, treated, stored or disposed
of, or  arranged  for the handling, treatment, storage or disposal of any wastes
or toxic or hazardous substances  on  the  Real  Property  or,  as to wastes and
substances generated at the CA&O Plant or in connection with Caustic Resale,  of
the Real Property except in  compliance  with  all  Legal Requirements in effect
at the time such activity was undertaken.


                                       -17-

<PAGE>




                         (iv)  The  Permits  are  in  full  force and effect and
constitute all permits or approvals from any Governmental Authority necessary to
permit the lawful use and operation of the CA&O Plant and Assets by  Westlake on
substantially  the  same  basis  as  currently  conducted  and  operated by BFG;
provided,  however,  BFG makes no  representation  with respect to any permit or
approval that may be required due to Westlake's ownership or  operation  of both
the VCM Plant and the CA&O Plant.
                  (m)    Prepaid Expenses.  The  prepaid expenses related to the
operations and  businesses  of  the  CA&O  Plant  have been and will be incurred
solely for the benefit of the CA&O Plant.
                  (n) No Default.  BFG is not in default under, and no condition
exists  that with  notice or lapse of time or both  would  constitute  a default
under, (i) any mortgage, indenture, loan, credit agreement or other agreement or
instrument evidencing indebtedness for borrowed money to which BFG is a party or
by which it is bound or to which any of the Assets are subject or (ii) any other
agreement,  contract,  lease,  license  or other  instrument,  which  default or
potential default might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on the Assets or the ownership, use or operation thereof.
                  (o) Absence of Certain Changes. Since January 1, 1996, BFG has
operated the Assets in the ordinary  course of business and in  accordance  with
BFG's past  management,  operating  and  accounting  practices and there has not
been:
                         (a)   any material adverse change affecting the Assets,
which change  was not the result of an industry-wide development affecting other
companies in the ethylene and chlor-alkali businesses;
                         (b)   any  damage,  destruction  or loss  to  or of the
Assets, whether or not covered  by  insurance, that has had, or might reasonably
be expected to have, a material adverse effect;
                         (c)   any  sale,  lease  or  other  disposition  of the
Assets  other  than  the  sale of  products  in the ordinary course of business,
consistent with past  practice;  or (d) any contract or commitment  to do any of
the foregoing.
                  (p)  Litigation.  Except for matters shown on Exhibit  8.2(p),
there  is no  action,  investigation,  suit or  proceeding  pending  or,  to the
knowledge of BFG, threatened against or affecting the Assets claiming any relief
which,  if granted,  would have a material  adverse effect or that would prevent
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
                  (q) Anti-Sandbagging.  Except for facts and circumstances that
BFG has brought to the attention of Westlake,  there is no fact or  circumstance
known to BFG that gives it reason to believe that any representation or warranty
of Westlake  contained in this Agreement  (including any Exhibits hereto) or the
other Transaction Documents is not true and correct in any material respect.
                  (r) Ethylene  Supply.  BFG hereby  represents  and warrants to
Westlake  that BFG has  obtained  a  proposal  from Geon that Geon is willing to
execute an ethylene  supply  agreement with Westlake for a term beginning on the
Closing Date and expiring on December 31, 1998,  with an  obligation to purchase
350  million  pounds + 10% of  ethylene  per year for a purchase  price  (Geon's
average  acquisition  price) for  ethylene  each month which for all purposes of
this  Agreement must be consistent  with pricing in the current sales  agreement
between BFG and Geon other than the price floor and bank mechanism)


                                       -18-

<PAGE>




       7.2.     Representations and Warranties of Westlake.  Westlake represents
and warrants to BFG that, as of the date hereof and the Closing Date:
                  (a)  Corporate   Existence  and   Authority.   Westlake  is  a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware and is, or on the Closing Date will be, duly  qualified
or licensed  and  authorized  to do business in Kentucky and all other states in
which any of the Assets may be situated and where such  qualification or license
is required.  Westlake CA&O Corporation is, or upon its incorporation will be, a
corporation duly organized  validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware and is, or on the Closing Date will be, duly  qualified
or licensed  and  authorized  to do business in Kentucky and all other states in
which any of the Assets may be situated and where such  qualification or license
is required.
                  (b)  Execution  and  Delivery.  Westlake  has full  power  and
authority  to execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  and the other  Transaction
Documents and to carry out the terms and obligations thereof. This Agreement and
each of the other Transaction  Documents has been duly executed and delivered by
Westlake and, when  executed and  delivered by Westlake will  constitute  legal,
valid and binding obligations of Westlake,  enforceable in accordance with their
respective  terms and conditions  except as such  enforcement  may be limited by
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,   moratorium  or  other  similar  laws
affecting  the  enforcement  of  creditors'  rights  generally  and  by  general
principles of equity (whether applied in a proceeding at law or in equity).
                  (c)    No Default.  The execution, delivery and performance by
Westlake  of  this  Agreement  and  the  other  Transaction  Documents,  and the
consummation of the transaction  contemplated  thereby  and  the  performance by
Westlake of  its  obligations  thereunder will  not  constitute a violation  of,
conflict with, or result in a default under,  any mortgage,  indenture,  charter
or bylaw provision, contract, agreement, commitment or  other instrument  of any
kind to  which  Westlake  is a party or by which Westlake is bound, or any Legal
Requirement  or  any  valid  and  enforceable  order of a Governmental Authority
having jurisdiction over Westlake.
                  (d)  Claims.  There  are no  claims,  actions  or  suits by or
against Westlake which may affect the transactions contemplated hereby at law or
in equity or before or by any Governmental Authority.
                  (e) Consents and Approvals.  Except as otherwise  contemplated
by this Agreement and except for compliance with the HSR Act with respect to the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  no further  consent,  approval,
license,  permit or  authorization  of, or  declaration,  filing or registration
with,  any third party or any public body or authority is required in connection
with (i) the execution and delivery by Westlake of this Agreement,  and (ii) the
consummation by Westlake of the transactions contemplated hereby.
                  (f) Anti-Sandbagging.  Except for facts and circumstances that
Westlake has brought to the attention of BFG,  there is no fact or  circumstance
known to Westlake  that gives it reason to believe  that any  representation  or
warranty of BFG contained in this Agreement  (including any Exhibits  hereto) or
the other Transaction Documents is not true and correct in any material respect.
       7.3 Updated  Exhibits.  All of the Exhibits  set forth in this  Agreement
shall be updated to reflect any changes  from the  Exhibits  delivered as of the
date of  execution  hereof  and the  Closing  Date by the  delivery  of  updated
Exhibits at the Closing, with updated Exhibits subject to reasonable approval of
the parties.  Any liability,  default,  violation of law,  damage or destruction
identified in the updated Exhibits which has a material adverse effect upon the


                                       -19-

<PAGE>




Assets  or CA&O  Plant  shall be  cured  or  otherwise  retained  by BFG  unless
otherwise agreed in an amendment to this Agreement.
 8.    Survival; Indemnifications.
       8.1.  Survival.  The  representations  and  warranties  set forth in this
Agreement  shall  survive the Closing  for the  maximum  period  provided by law
except as hereinafter provided. The representations and warranties of BFG herein
other than those relating to title to the Assets or environmental matters, shall
survive  until  December 31, 1998.  Westlake's  representations  and  warranties
herein shall survive until  December 31, 1998.  The  liabilities  of the parties
under their  respective  representations  and warranties  shall expire as of the
expiration of the  applicable  Survival  Period;  provided,  however,  that such
expiration  shall  not  include  or  extend  or apply to any  representation  or
warranty, the breach of which shall give rise to a claim by either party against
any other as to which written  notice shall have been given to the party against
which the claim is asserted,  on or before such  expiration.  The  covenants and
agreements of the parties herein shall survive for the maximum period  permitted
by law.  The periods of  survival  of the  representations  and  warranties  and
covenants  and  agreements as  contemplated  by this Section 8.1 are referred to
herein as the "Survival Period".
       8.2.  Indemnification  by BFG.  From and  after  the  Closing,  BFG shall
indemnify  and save Westlake  harmless from and against any and all loss,  cost,
damage, claim, judgment,  fine, penalty, debt, liability or expense,  including,
without  limitation,  reasonable fees and  disbursements  of counsel incurred by
Westlake in investigating  and defending any such claim with  reimbursement on a
current basis (herein collectively  referred to as "Liability" or "Liabilities")
which results from or arises out of or occurs in connection with:
                  (a)    the Retained Liabilities;
                  (b) subject to the  Survival  Periods  established  in Section
8.1,  any  breach  of  any  covenant,  representation,  warranty,  agreement  or
obligation of BFG contained herein (other than any inaccuracies  which are known
to Westlake prior to the Closing Date and not brought to the attention of BFG in
writing prior to the Closing Date);
                  (c) any  injury,  sickness,  disease  or death of any  person,
damage to any property or the investigation or remediation of any soil,  surface
water and/or  groundwater  resulting from or attributable to events occurring or
any condition  existing prior to the Closing Date and arising from or in any way
incident to the ownership,  use and/or  operation of the CA&O Plant by BFG prior
to the Closing Date, but excluding any condition or event  existing,  arising or
occurring  at, on, over or under the CA&O Plant for which  Westlake  indemnified
BFG  pursuant to Section  8.3(c) of the Amended and Restated  Master  Conveyance
Agreement  dated March 1, 1990 among BFG, BFG  Intermediates  Company,  Inc. and
Westlake  whereby Westlake  acquired the ethylene  dichloride and vinyl chloride
monomer plant at Calvert City, Kentucky (the "VCM Plant");
                  (d)    the matters referenced on Exhibit 8.2 hereto; or,
                  (e)    any breach of  any  covenant, representation, warranty,
agreement, or obligation  of BFG contained  in the Services  Agreement or in the
Environmental Services Agreement,  respectively,  in  the form of such documents
as are executed and delivered by the parties hereto at the Closing.
       8.3.       Indemnification by Westlake.  From and after the Closing Date,
Westlake shall indemnify  and  save  BFG harmless from and against any Liability
which results from, arises out of or occurs in connection with:


                                       -20-

<PAGE>



                  (a)    any  assigned  or  assumed  liability  or obligation of
Westlake contained herein;
                  (b) subject to the Survival Periods  established in Section 8.
1,  any  breach  of  any  covenant,  representation,   warranty,  agreement,  or
obligation of Westlake  contained herein (other than any inaccuracies  which are
known to BFG prior to the  Closing  Date and not  brought  to the  attention  of
Westlake in writing prior to the Closing Date); or
                  (c) any  injury,  sickness,  disease  or death of any  person,
damage to any property or the investigation or remediation of any soil,  surface
water and/or groundwater resulting from or attributable to events occurring from
and  after the  Closing  Date and  arising  from or in any way  incident  to the
ownership,  use and/or operation of the CA&O Plant by Westlake after the Closing
Date, or
                  (d) any  breach  of any  covenant,  representation,  warranty,
agreement,  or obligation of Westlake  contained in the Services Agreement or in
the  Environmental  Services  Agreement,  respectively,  in  the  form  of  such
documents as are executed and delivered by the parties hereto at the Closing.
       8.4.       Limitation of Liability.
                  (a) The liability of the parties under this Section 8 shall be
limited  to actual  damages  and shall not  include  incidental,  consequential,
indirect loss of profits, or punitive or exemplary damages.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, however, any incidental,  consequential, indirect loss of profits, or
punitive or exemplary  damages alleged or recovered by a third party  (including
Governmental  Authorities  and employees)  against a party entitled to indemnity
hereunder shall be included in the damages recoverable under such indemnity.
                  (b)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
                         (i)  except as provided in Section 8.4(b)(iii), neither
party shall be entitled to  indemnification   pursuant hereto unless the damages
and costs which  have  been  incurred  by such party by reason of those  matters
specified  herein  equal or  exceed in the aggregate  during any 24-month period
One  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars ($100,000),  except  as   provided   in  Section
8.4(b)(iii)  hereof,  and  for  all  purposes of this  Agreement  the  foregoing
amounts  shall be  considered to be material;
                         (ii)  the  sum  of  either  party's obligations arising
under  and relating  to  Sections  8.2(b) and 8.3(b) (breach of  representations
or  warranties)  herein shall not exceed the amount of the Purchase  Price.  The
limitation  set  forth  in  this Section  8.4(b)(ii) shall in no event limit the
obligations of either party under Sections 8.2(a), (c) or (d) and 8.3(a) or (c);
                         (iii) Westlake shall not be entitled to indemnification
pursuant to Section 8.2(c)  hereof  unless the damages and costs which have been
incurred by Westlake by reason  of  the  matters  specified  therein during  any
24-month period equal or exceed  Ten  Thousand  Dollars  ($10,000)  individually
or Twenty Five  Thousand Dollars ($25,000) in the aggregate.
                  (c) The right of indemnification  herein provided for shall be
the sole  remedy  of each of the  parties  hereto  with  respect  to any  action
relating  to or arising out of this  Agreement,  except in the event of fraud or
willful misrepresentation by the other party hereto.
                  (d)  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary included in
this Article 8, Westlake and BFG each hereby waive the right,  for either itself
or its  subsidiaries,  to be  indemnified  by the other party  hereunder  to the
extent  of any  insurance  proceeds  or  other  recovery  received  by it or its
subsidiaries  with respect to the  Liabilities for which  indemnification  would
otherwise be required hereunder, but such party reserves the right to

                                       -21-

<PAGE>



be indemnified  for amount of the deductibles  under such  applicable  insurance
policies of each party and its subsidiaries.
                  (e)  Notwithstanding  any  provision  to the  contrary in this
Agreement,  should  Westlake  desire to undertake  to perform any  environmental
remedial  investigations  or measures,  which Westlake  reasonably  believes are
covered  by  Section  8.2 of  this  Agreement  and  necessitated  by  any  Legal
Requirement,  Westlake  shall  consult  in good  faith  with BFG in  advance  of
performing such remedial  investigations or measures.  Such  consultation  shall
include,  but not be limited to,  providing BFG with work plans for the proposed
remedial investigations or measures.
       8.5 Notice of Claim. If either party hereto (the "Indemnitee") desires to
assert an indemnity claim ("Claim") against the other  ("Indemnitor") under this
Article 8,  respectively,  the  Indemnitee  shall give  notice in writing to the
Indemnitor  setting forth the amount,  nature and circumstances of the Claim. No
communication  between the parties  shall be deemed to  constitute  valid notice
under  this  Section  8.5  unless:  (i) the  notice is  provided  in  writing in
accordance with Section 13.1, and (ii) a specific Claim for  indemnification  is
asserted with reference to particular facts and circumstances described therein.
In the event of the assertion by any third party of circumstances giving rise to
a Claim with  respect to which  Westlake or BFG is  entitled to  indemnification
hereunder,  the Indemnitor and its legal representatives shall have the right to
compromise or defend any such Claim (and the  Indemnitee  shall  cooperate  with
respect to any such compromise or defense);  provided that, the Indemnitor shall
indemnify Indemnitee against any loss resulting from the Indemnitor's failure to
pay  any  such  liability  as  may  finally  be  determined.   Upon  payment  of
indemnification by the Indemnitor,  the Indemnitee will assign to Indemnitor its
right against  any  applicable account debtor or other responsible  party to the
extent of the  indemnification  payment.  The parties hereto mutually agree that
the  remedies  provided by this  Article 8 shall  be exclusive  with  respect to
the  matters  described  herein  and  the  transactions  contemplated   by  this
Agreement, and that such  remedies may be protected  and enforced to the fullest
extent  permitted  at  law  and  equity,  including  the  right to seek specific
performance of affirmative obligations contained herein. 
       8.6 Amicable Resolution.  In the event any dispute or controversy arising
under this Agreement cannot be resolved through reasonable discourse between the
managements  of the parties  hereto,  then such dispute or  controversy  will be
submitted  to the senior  executive  management  of the  respective  parties for
amicable  resolution.  It is understood and agreed that such process is intended
to facilitate the prompt and efficient  resolution of disputes and controversies
between the parties,  but is not intended to serve as exclusive or binding or to
otherwise  restrain  the parties  from  taking such  measures or actions as they
consider  appropriate  to enforce  the  rights,  duties and  obligations  of the
parties as set forth herein.
 9.    Conditions to Closing.
       9.1.     Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Westlake.  The obligation
of Westlake to  consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
be subject to satisfaction prior to the Closing Date or at the Closing of all of
the following conditions:
                  9.1.1.  Representations,  Warranties and Covenants of BFG. BFG
shall have  complied in all material  respects  with all of its  agreements  and
covenants  contained herein to be performed at or prior to the Closing,  and all
the  representations and warranties of BFG contained herein shall be accurate in
all material respects at and as of the Closing Date and through the Closing with
the same effect as though such  representations  and warranties had been made at
and as of the Closing Date.


                                       -22-

<PAGE>



                  9.1.2.  No  Casualty,  Loss or Damage.  Except as disclosed in
Exhibit 9.1.2, no material casualty, loss or damage shall have occurred prior to
the Closing Date to any Assets unless BFG shall have either repaired or replaced
such lost or damaged property.
                  9.1.3.      Title Insurance.  Westlake shall have received the
commitment  for  title  insurance  and  the  Owner's Policies of Title Insurance
required under Section 1.4(b).
                  9.1.4.       Documents.  All Transaction Documents required to
be executed and delivered by BFG or third parties at the Closing as contemplated
hereby shall have been duly  executed and delivered by BFG and any other parties
required and shall have been received.
                  9.1.5.       Ad  Valorem  and Other Taxes.  All ad valorem and
other taxes (excluding income)  assessed and due against the Assets for the year
1996 and all prior years shall have been paid.
                  9.1.6. Governmental Approvals. All filings required to be made
under the HSR Act and any  approvals  related  to the RCRA and HSWA  permits  in
respect of the  transactions  contemplated  herein  shall have been made and all
waiting periods thereunder shall either have expired or have been terminated.
                  9.1.7. Opinions; Corporate Authority. On the Closing Date, (i)
BFG shall have  delivered  to Westlake  and such other  parties as Westlake  may
direct in connection  with  financing  its purchase,  in such form as Westlake's
legal  counsel may  reasonably  request,  opinions of BFG's  counsel as to BFG's
corporate  authority  for  the  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of  this
Agreement  and the other  Transaction  Documents to be executed and delivered by
BFG pursuant hereto and the transactions contemplated thereby, and (ii) Westlake
shall have received  from its local  counsel,  in such form as Westlake's  legal
counsel may reasonably request,  opinions  regarding  the enforceability of this
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
                  9.1.8.  Ethylene Supply. In the event Westlake has been unable
prior to the Closing Date to secure the execution of the agreement  contemplated
under Section 4.5 hereof,  Westlake shall have no obligation to close hereunder,
so long as Westlake has fully  complied with the covenants  contained in Section
4.5 hereof.  However, if Westlake and Geon execute any ethylene supply agreement
prior to Closing,  this  condition of  Westlake's  obligation  to close shall be
deemed satisfied.
                  9.1.9  Westlake's  Board  Approval.  The Board of Directors of
Westlake  shall have approved the execution and delivery of this Agreement on or
before  July  18,  1997,  and any  agreement  required  by or  under  it and the
performance  by  Westlake  of its  obligations  under  this  Agreement  and  any
agreements required by or under it.
       9.2. Conditions Precedent to Obligations of BFG. The obligation of BFG to
consummate the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to
satisfaction prior to the Closing Date or at the Closing of all of the following
conditions:
                  9.2.1. Representations,  Warranties and Covenants of Westlake.
Westlake shall have complied in all material respects with all of its agreements
and covenants  contained herein to be performed at or prior to the Closing,  and
all of the  representations and warranties of Westlake contained herein shall be
accurate in all material  respects at and as of the Closing Date and through the
Closing with the same effect as though such  representations  and warranties had
been made at and as of the Closing Date.
                  9.2.2.       Payment. Westlake shall have delivered to BFG the
payments required to be made at the Closing pursuant to Section 2 hereof.


                                       -23-

<PAGE>



                  9.2.3.  Corporate  Authority.  On the Closing  Date,  Westlake
shall have delivered to BFG in such form as legal counsel for BFG may reasonably
request, opinions of Westlake's counsel as to Westlake's corporate authority for
the execution,  delivery and  performance of this Agreement and the  Transaction
Documents to be  delivered  pursuant  thereto by Westlake  and the  transactions
contemplated thereby.
                  9.2.4.       Documents.  All Transaction Documents required to
be  executed  and  delivered  by  Westlake  or  third  parties  at   Closing  as
contemplated hereby shall have been duly executed  and delivered by Westlake and
any other parties required and shall have been received.
                  9.2.5. Governmental Approvals. All filings required to be made
under the HSR Act and any  approvals  related  to the RCRA and HSWA  permits  in
respect of the  transactions  contemplated  herein  shall have been made and all
waiting periods thereunder shall either have expired or have been terminated.
                  9.2.6  BFG's Board  Approval.  The Board of  Directors  of BFG
shall have approved the  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement on or before
July 21, 1997, and any agreement  required by or under it and the performance by
BFG of its  obligations  under this Agreement and any agreements  required by or
under it.
                  9.2.7        Ethylene Supply.  In the event  Westlake has been
unable  prior  to  the  Closing  Date  to  secure the execution of the agreement
contemplated  under  Section 4.5  hereof,  BFG shall have no obligation to close
hereunder.
       9.3.       No Waiver. The consummation of the Closing shall not be deemed
to be a waiver by a party hereto  of any of its rights or remedies hereunder for
breach of warranty, covenant or agreement herein by another  party  hereto or by
Westlake  for any defects in title to any of the Assets.
 10.   Termination.
       10.1.      Grounds for Termination.   This Agreement may be terminated by
Westlake and BFG as follows:
                  (a) by BFG if the Closing has not  occurred by  September  30,
1997;  
                  (b) by Westlake if the  Closing  has not  occurred by December
31,  1997;  
                  (c) by Westlake or BFG  in the  event Westlake has been unable
prior to September 1, 1997 to secure the execution of the agreement contemplated
under Section  7.1(r) hereof, and in the case of  Westlake,  so long as Westlake
has fully complied with the covenants contained in Section 4.5 hereof; or,
                  (d)    by mutual written agreement.
Any right of  termination  existing  hereunder may be exercised by the giving of
written notice to the other party.  In the event the Closing has not occurred by
March 1, 1998 and neither party has terminated  this Agreement on or before that
date  pursuant  to  the  foregoing   provisions,   then  this  Agreement   shall
automatically terminate on that date.
       10.2.      Effect  of  Termination.   If  this Agreement is terminated as
permitted:
                  (a)    Such termination shall  be  without liability of either
party;
                  (b)    This Agreement shall be terminated; and
                  (c)    The   release   contained   in   Exhibit   10.2   shall
automatically become effective as of the date of the termination.
 11.   Receivables, Payables, Apportionment.


                                       -24-

<PAGE>



       11.1. Apportionment; Payment Terms. Ad valorem and similar taxes and paid
utility  charges  applicable to periods both prior to and after the Closing Date
with respect to the Assets shall be prorated as of the Closing Date. At or about
the Closing Date,  Westlake and BFG shall take readings or other measurements of
gas, water,  electricity  and other  utilities;  such readings and  measurements
shall be binding, conclusive and used for purposes of the apportionment provided
in this  Section.  All  amounts  owing to BFG by Westlake or to Westlake by BFG,
resulting from such  prorations or otherwise due and payable under the terms and
conditions of this Agreement,  shall be settled and paid within thirty (30) days
unless otherwise expressly provided herein.
       11.2.      Other Taxes.
                  (a)  Transfer  or  documentary  taxes  assessed  upon  or with
respect  to  the  documents  required  to  transfer  the  Real  Property  to  be
transferred  hereunder  to Westlake and  recording  and filing fees with respect
thereto shall be the responsibility of BFG.
                  (b) To the extent there are any sales,  use, or similar  taxes
payable to any taxing  authority in any state arising from this transaction they
shall be borne by  Westlake  and  Westlake  agrees to  indemnify  BFG  therefor,
including any interest and penalties  assessed in connection  therewith.  In the
event any taxing authority in any state assesses any such taxes against BFG, the
provisions of Section 8.3 shall apply with respect thereto.
12.    Additional Covenants.
       12.1.      Consents  to  Assignments.   With  respect  to those  Business
Arrangements requiring the  consent  to  assignment  by third parties, BFG shall
take such actions as are appropriate to  work with Westlake to effect assignment
of such contracts to Westlake at Closing  at no additional cost to Westlake, but
BFG shall  not  be  required to pay any consideration or expense,  or assume any
obligation with respect thereto. Each party shall assist the other in attempting
to obtain any consents  required for the  assignment of any Permits requested by
Westlake prior to the Closing Date to be included in the Assets; provided,  that
all expenses  incurred in connection with the obtaining of such  consents  shall
be borne by BFG. If such consents or  permits  cannot be  obtained  prior to the
Closing Date,  BFG and Westlake  shall  cooperate  in any arrangement reasonably
satisfactory to the  parties,  including  BFG  retaining  any  such  contract or
entering into an agreement to supply material to be supplied under such contract
to  Westlake  at  no  greater  cost  to  Westlake,  designed  to  fulfill  BFG's
obligations  thereunder  and to afford  Westlake the benefits thereof.
       12.2.      Books and Records.
                  (a) BFG Copies.  Prior to the Closing, BFG may make and retain
copies of any of the Books and Records or Customer Data.  Following the Closing,
Westlake  shall give BFG access to the Books and  Records or  Customer  Data for
reasonable  and  lawful  business  purposes  related  to events  or  occurrences
affecting BFG pursuant to this Agreement and pertaining to the Assets, including
the right to make copies thereof,  during normal business hours.  Westlake shall
keep such Books and  Records  and  Customer  Data safely and in good order for a
reasonable  period  of  time  and in  accordance  with  all  legal  requirements
following  the  Closing  Date.  Prior  to any  destruction  or  other  permanent
retirement of any such  materials,  Westlake will notify BFG and provide BFG the
option,  at its expense,  to take possession and control thereof.  Should BFG so
elect, then Westlake will deliver any such Books and Records or Customer Data to
BFG, and Westlake shall thereafter have access thereto in the same manner as set
forth below.


                                       -25-

<PAGE>



                  (b)   Westlake   Copies.   BFG  will   retain   the   original
Environmental and Safety Records and Accounting Records.  Following the Closing,
BFG shall give  Westlake  access  thereto  for  reasonable  and lawful  business
purposes related to events or occurrences  affecting  Westlake  pursuant to this
Agreement  and  pertaining  to the  Assets,  including  the right to make copies
thereof,  during normal business hours.  BFG shall keep such books,  records and
documents  safely  and in good  order  for a  reasonable  period  of time and in
accordance with all legal requirements  following the Closing Date. Prior to any
destruction or other permanent retirement of any such materials, BFG will notify
Westlake  and  provide  Westlake  the option,  at  Westlake's  expense,  to take
possession and control thereof.  Should Westlake so elect, then BFG will deliver
any such materials to Westlake,  and BFG shall thereafter have access thereto in
the same manner as set forth above.
       12.3.      Financial Information and Other Assistance.
                  (a) Financial Services. It is recognized that either party may
need financial or other data or information  after the Closing Date with respect
to the  operation  of the CA&O Plant and  production  of the  products  covering
fiscal  periods  prior to the Closing Date in order to comply with the rules and
regulations  of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  the courts or other
governmental  organizations  and  agencies.  Each party shall render  reasonable
cooperation to the other and such party's  auditors for such purposes,  it being
understood  and agreed  that BFG is  responsible  for all  periods  prior to and
ending  on the  Closing  Date  and  Westlake  is  responsible  for  all  periods
commencing  on or after the Closing Date. In  particular,  it is understood  and
agreed that BFG will require  support and effort by Westlake  employees in order
to accomplish normal  period-end  financial closing for periods ending prior to,
on or after the Closing Date, and Westlake specifically agrees to make available
appropriate  Business   Employees  who  have  become   Westlake   employees   to
support such requirements of BFG on a priority  basis.  In  addition,  the party
requesting  assistance  from  the other party shall bear all  reasonable  direct
and indirect  costs  and  expenses  incurred  by such assisting party (excluding
salaries or wages of  its  employees)  and such  assistance  shall be subject to
compliance by the  requesting  party  with  the  assisting  party's  regulations
regarding security and confidential information.
                  (b) Other  Assistance.  Westlake  shall also make available to
BFG and its  representatives  from time to time as may be  reasonably  required,
access to the CA&O Plant,  in  connection  with claims or actions  brought by or
against third parties based upon events or circumstances  occurring prior to the
Closing Date. In addition to the rights of access provided hereinabove, Westlake
shall, at the request of BFG, provide reasonable assistance in the collection of
information or documents and make  Westlake's  employees  available as witnesses
when  reasonably  requested  by  BFG.  BFG  shall  reimburse  Westlake  for  all
reasonable  out-of-pocket  costs and  expenses  incurred by Westlake  (excluding
salaries or wages of Westlake's employees) in providing said assistance.
                  (c) Transition Services.  As soon as practicable from the date
of this  Agreement,  and in order for Westlake to establish prior to the Closing
Date,  any  necessary  accounting,  payroll,   environmental,   human  resources
(including safety and health), and management systems,  Westlake shall designate
the name(s) of the employees or representatives  with whom it wishes to have BFG
consult.  BFG  shall  designate  one or  more  of its  employees  in each of the
specified  areas who will advise and consult  with  Westlake's  designees.  Each
party  from time to time may by  written  notice to the  other  party  designate
replacement employees or representatives.


                                       -26-

<PAGE>



       12.4.      Remedial Investigations and Measures.
                  (a) BFG covenants to perform or cause to be  performed,  prior
to and after the Closing Date, all remedial investigations and measures designed
to address soil and groundwater conditions existing on the Closing Date that are
required by any Legal  Requirement  and that BFG is responsible  for pursuant to
Section 8.2. BFG may also voluntarily conduct additional remedial investigations
and measures.  For remedial measures performed after the Closing Date, BFG shall
consult with Westlake for planning  purposes  prior to performing  such remedial
measures.  Such consultation  shall include providing  Westlake with a work plan
for the  planned  remedial  measures.  BFG shall use all  reasonable  efforts to
design and conduct the  remedial  investigations  and  measures in a manner that
will avoid or minimize  interference  with  Westlake's  operation of the Assets.
Westlake  shall provide  reasonable  access to BFG and its  contractors  for the
conduct of the remedial investigations and measures,  including the installation
and operation of groundwater  monitoring or recovery wells and collecting lines.
Any such remedial  investigations and measures performed by Westlake pursuant to
a BFG work plan shall be  subject to  indemnification  by BFG  pursuant  to this
Agreement.  Both BFG and Westlake  acknowledge  that some or all of the remedial
investigations and measures will be performed by third parties on behalf of BFG,
and that no such arrangements  shall operate to amend or relieve the obligations
of BFG under this  Agreement.  BFG will notify  Westlake as to the operations or
activities  to be  undertaken  by such  third  parties,  and  Westlake  shall be
entitled  to  rely  upon  the  communications,   instructions  or  notifications
furnished  to it by  such  third  parties  in  relation  to such  operations  or
activities.
                  (b) BFG and  Westlake  shall  each  notify  the  other  of any
meetings with any applicable  Governmental  Agency in which it will  participate
(together  with  copies  of  correspondence)  in relation  to any  environmental
investigations  or  remedial  measures  to  be  conducted  by or for such party.
Representatives  of the other party  shall have the opportunity to be present at
and to participate in any such  meetings,  at  its  own  expense.  With  respect
to  meetings  with  the  State of  Kentucky  regarding  this  transaction,   the
parties agree to  cooperate  in formulating  a common  strategy  and  presenting
their  positions in a mutually agreed format.
                  (c) It is understood and agreed that BFG has retained, and has
not transferred to Westlake, responsibility for ongoing compliance with the RCRA
and HSWA permits  applicable to the CA&O Plant,  in accordance  with their terms
and applicable laws and regulations,  regarding investigation and remediation of
conditions  at, on or in the CA&O Plant which were  caused by or  resulted  from
BFG's  ownership or operation  thereof prior to the Closing Date. On the Closing
Date the parties shall enter into the Environmental  Services Agreement referred
to in Section  6.6,  and each party  shall be  responsible  for  performing  the
obligations  set forth  therein in  accordance  with their  terms.  The  parties
further  agree  that,   notwithstanding   any  action  or  determination  by  an
Governmental Agency, the obligations and liabilities of the parties with respect
to environmental  conditions  existing at, on or in the CA&O Plant site shall be
determined  exclusively  by the terms of this  Agreement  and the  Environmental
Services Agreement.
       12.5.  Efforts to Comply With  Preconditions.  BFG and Westlake  covenant
that they will each use their  best  efforts  to comply in good  faith  with all
preconditions  to Closing set forth in Section 9 hereof in a timely  manner,  in
order to close the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement by August 15,
1997 if practicable.
       12.6.      Effect of Closing.   Upon  Closing  the  release  contained in
Exhibit 12.6 shall automatically become effective.  Upon  the  request of either
party, both parties covenant and


                                       -27-

<PAGE>




agree to execute and deliver a document in executed form  containing the release
set forth in Exhibit 12.6.  The failure of such execution and delivery shall not
affect the effectiveness of the release.
       12.7.  Services for Geon.  Effective upon completion of the Closing,  BFG
shall  assign to Westlake and Westlake  shall  assume  BFG's  obligations  under
Amended and Restated  Plant  Services  Agreement  relating to the  manufacturing
facilities  located in Calvert City,  Kentucky  dated April 28, 1993 between BFG
and The Geon Company  ("Geon")  relating to provision of services by BFG to Geon
at the CA&O  Plant.  Westlake  and  Geon may  enter  into a  separate  agreement
relating to these  services.  In  addition,  the parties  shall allow Geon to be
added as a party to the Environmental Services Agreement.
       12.8.      Option on Weld Shop.  Part  of  the  Assets  being acquired by
Westlake is the weld shop, laborer building and land thereunder, as reflected on
Exhibit 1.2  (the "Weld Shop").  Westlake hereby grants BFG an option to acquire
the Weld Shop, by making an election  to  do  so and  by having  a new weld shop
comparable to the existing  weld  shop  facility  (but not the laborer building)
constructed  at  BFG's  expense  on  a site  to  be  designated  by  Westlake on
Westlake's property in Calvert City, Kentucky.
13.    Miscellaneous.
       13.1.  Notice.  Any notice  required or  permitted to be given under this
Agreement  shall be in  writing,  and shall be deemed  sufficiently  given  when
delivered in person or transmitted by telegram,  or when deposited in the United
States mail (registered or certified)  postage  prepaid,  to the addresses given
below or sent by fax to the fax numbers set forth below:

                  BFG:           The B.F.Goodrich Company
                                 9911 Brecksville Road
                                 Cleveland, Ohio  44141-3247
                                 Attention:  Vice President, Legal
                                 Fax No.:  (216) 447-5730

        
                  Westlake:      Westlake Monomers Corporation
                                 Westlake Center
                                 2801 Post Oak Blvd.
                                 Houston, Texas 77056
                                 Attention:  President
                                 Fax No:  (713) 960-8738

       13.2.      Bulk Sales Laws.   The parties hereby waive compliance, to the
extent possible, with  the  Bulk Sales Laws of any state in which the Assets are
located or in which operations relating to the CA&O Plant are conducted.
       13.3.  Further  Documents.  BFG shall,  at any time and from time to time
after the Closing,  upon request by Westlake and without further  consideration,
execute and deliver such  instruments  of transfer or other  documents  and take
such further action as may be reasonably required in order to convey,  transfer,
assign and deliver to Westlake the Assets in accordance  with this  Agreement or
to perfect any other undertaking made by BFG hereunder.
       13.4.  Assignability.  Neither  party shall assign this  Agreement or any
Transaction  Document (as ultimately executed and delivered on the Closing Date)
in whole or in part without the prior written  consent of the other party except
for collateral  assignments  to lenders;  provided,  however,  that either party
shall be entitled  to assign this  Agreement  or any  Transaction  Document to a
parent,  sister  corporation,  or subsidiary,  if the  relationship  between the
assignee  and  assignor  exists by virtue of 85 %  ownership  interest,  whether
through the ownership of voting securities or otherwise.  Any assignment made or
attempted in  violation of this Section 13.4 shall be void and of no effect.  No
assignment of rights or duties under this Agreement or any Transaction Documents
shall relieve such party of liability  hereunder or thereunder  unless and until
such party is released in writing by the other party. The terms

                                       -28-

<PAGE>




of this Agreement  shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their successors and permitted assigns.
       13.5.      Exhibits.   The  Exhibits  and  Schedules  (and any appendices
thereto) inclusive,  referred  to  in  this Agreement and all amendments thereto
from the time of agreement thereto, are and  shall  be  incorporated  herein and
made a part hereof.
       13.6.      Sections and Articles.   All Sections and Articles referred to
herein  are  sections  and  articles  of  this  Agreement  and  all Exhibits and
Schedules  referred  to  herein  are  exhibits  and  schedules  attached to this
Agreement.
       13.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents
constitute the full understanding of the parties, a complete allocation of risks
between them and complete and exclusive statement of the terms and conditions of
their agreement relating to the subject matter thereof and supersede any and all
prior  agreements,  whether  written or oral, that may exist between the parties
with respect thereto.  Except as otherwise  specifically  provided herein and in
the Transaction Documents,  no conditions,  usage of trade, course of dealing or
performance,  understanding or agreement  purporting to modify, vary, explain or
supplement  the  terms  or  conditions  of this  Agreement  and the  Transaction
Documents  shall be binding  unless  hereafter made in writing and signed by the
party to be bound, and no modification  shall be effected by the  acknowledgment
or acceptance of documents containing terms or conditions at variance with or in
addition to those set forth herein and in the Transaction  Documents.  No waiver
by either  party with respect to any breach or default or of any right or remedy
and no course of dealing,  shall be deemed to constitute a continuing  waiver of
any other breach of default or of any other right or remedy,  unless such waiver
be expressed  in  writing  signed by the party to be bound.  Failure  of a party
to exercise  any right  shall not be  deemed a waiver of such right or rights in
the future.
       13.8.      Headings.  Headings as  to the contents of particular articles
and sections are for  convenience only and are in no way to be construed as part
of this Agreement or as a limitation  of the scope of the particular articles or
sections to which they refer.
       13.9.      Controlling Law and Jurisdiction. The validity, interpretation
and performance of  this  Agreement  and any dispute connected herewith shall be
governed and construed  in  accordance  with  the  laws  of the  Commonwealth of
Kentucky without regard to choice-of-law principles.
       13.10.  Public  Announcement.  No  press  release,  public  announcement,
confirmation  or other  information  regarding  this  Agreement  or the contents
hereof shall be made by either party without the prior consultation of the other
party,  except as may be  necessary in the opinion of counsel of either party to
meet the requirements or regulations of any applicable law, governmental unit or
agency or stock  exchange on which the  securities  of such party may be listed.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties will provide prior notice of all such
public announcements.
       13.11. Finder's Fees and Commissions;  Sellers' Closing Expenses. BFG and
Westlake  agree to indemnify  each other and hold each other  harmless  from any
liability, cost or expense (including but not limited to, fees and disbursements
of legal counsel)  resulting from any  agreement,  arrangement or  understanding
made or alleged to be made by the  indemnifying  party with any third  party for
brokerage  or  finder's  fees or  other  commissions  in  connection  with  this
agreement, the documents and instruments referred to herein, or the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby.


                                       -29-

<PAGE>




       13.12.     Responsible Care.  Each party covenants and agrees that in all
of its operations hereunder after the Closing Date it will operate in accordance
with  the  principles  of  Responsible  Care  from  time  to time adopted by the
Chemical Manufacturers Association. A copy of the current principles is attached
hereto as Exhibit 13.12.
       13.13      Confidentiality.
                  (a) In connection with the activities contemplated herein, BFG
and Westlake  will  disclose or make  available to the  receiving  party certain
confidential or proprietary  information and data  ("Proprietary  Information").
This  Agreement and its  contents,  as well as all  information  relating to the
status and  contents of  discussions  and  actions  hereunder,  are  Proprietary
Information.
                  (b)  Proprietary  Information  communicated  by the disclosing
party to the receiving  party shall not be disclosed by the  receiving  party to
any other person or entity (i) unless  authorized  in writing by the  disclosing
party,   except  to  employees  or  agents  of  the  receiving  party  having  a
need-to-know,   provided   that  such   employees  are  bound  to  maintain  the
confidentiality  thereof,  or (ii)  except as may be required by law or order of
any governmental body or tribunal.
                  (c) The receiving party shall,  for a period of five (5) years
from the date of this Agreement,  protect and maintain in confidence Proprietary
Information  received by it and use the same effort to avoid disclosure  thereof
to others as it employs with respect to information of its own which it does not
desire to be disclosed to others.
       IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto on the date first hereinabove
written.



                                             THE B.F.GOODRICH COMPANY


                                             By:        /s/ David L. Burner
                                             -------------------------------
                                             Name:      David L. Burner
                                             Title:     C.E.O.





                                             WESTLAKE MONOMERS CORPORATION


                                             By:        /s/ Albert Chao
                                             -------------------------------
                                             Name:      Albert Chao
                                             Title:     President


                                       -30-





INTRODUCTION TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET


On August 15,  1997,  The  BFGoodrich  Company  (the  "Company")  completed  the
disposition of its  chlor-alkali  and olefins business to The Westlake Group for
$92.75 million.  The  accompanying  unaudited pro forma  condensed  consolidated
balance  sheet  presents  the  financial  position  of  the  Company  as if  the
divestiture occurred at June 30, 1997.

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 99


                              THE B.F.GOODRICH COMPANY
                 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                    JUNE 30, 1997
                                (Dollars in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                           Pro Forma
                                                                   Historical             Adjustments            Pro Forma
                                                                   ----------             -----------            ---------
<S>                                                              <C>                    <C>                  <C>          
ASSETS
- ------
Current Assets
       Cash and cash equivalents                                 $      174.9           $      105.0         $       279.9
       Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance                  367.5                  (26.7)                340.8
       Inventories                                                      350.0                  (13.5)                336.5
       Other current assets                                              94.5                   (0.8)                 93.7
                                                                 ---------------       ---------------       --------------
              Total Current Assets                                      986.9                   64.0               1,050.9
                                                                 ---------------       ---------------       --------------

Property
       Land, buildings and machinery and equipment                    1,551.0                 (142.4)              1,408.6
       Allowance for depreciation and amortization                     (676.4)                  99.0                (577.4)
                                                                 ---------------       ---------------       --------------
              Total Property                                            874.6                  (43.4)                831.2
                                                                 ---------------       ---------------       --------------

Goodwill                                                                504.3                    -                   504.3
Other Non-current Assets                                                251.6                   (2.1)                249.5
                                                                 ---------------       ---------------       --------------
                                                                 $    2,617.4          $        18.5         $     2,635.9
                                                                 ===============       ===============       ==============


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
- ------------------------------------
Current Liabilities
       Accounts payable                                          $     227.2           $       (7.5)         $      219.7
       Accrued expenses                                                233.2                    -                   233.2
       Other current liabilities                                        53.7                   11.5                  65.2
                                                                 ---------------       ---------------       --------------
              Total Current Liabilities                                514.1                    4.0                 518.1
                                                                 ---------------       ---------------       --------------

Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations                           391.8                    -                   391.8
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions                            341.4                    -                   341.4
Other Non-current Liabilities                                           81.5                    -                    81.5

Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities of Trust                   122.9                    -                   122.9

Shareholders' Equity
       Common stock                                                    276.2                    -                   276.2
       Additional capital                                              367.3                    -                   367.3
       Income retained in the business                                 564.8                   14.5                 579.3
       Other shareholders' equity                                      (42.6)                   -                   (42.6)
                                                                 ---------------       ---------------       --------------
              Total Shareholders' Equity                             1,165.7                   14.5               1,180.2
                                                                 ---------------       ---------------       --------------
                                                                 $   2,617.4           $       18.5          $    2,635.9
                                                                 ===============       ===============       ==============
</TABLE>


See accompanying note to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance 
Sheet.

<PAGE>


NOTE TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET


On August 15,  1997,  The  BFGoodrich  Company  (the  "Company")  completed  the
disposition of its  chlor-alkali  and olefins business to The Westlake Group for
$92.75 million.  The  accompanying  unaudited pro forma  condensed  consolidated
balance  sheet  presents  the  financial  position  of  the  Company  as if  the
divestiture occurred at June 30, 1997. In addition to the cash proceeds from the
sale,  the  settlement  of accounts  receivable  and accounts  payable have been
presented as a pro forma adjustment to cash.





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