UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC
10-K, 1998-04-15
ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIAL APPARATUS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                           --------------------------
                                    FORM 10-K
                  FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS PURSUANT TO
           SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                           --------------------------
      (MARK ONE)
      |X| ANNUAL  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13  OR  15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
          EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                       OR
      |_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR  15(d)  OF THE  SECURITIES
          EXCHANGE  ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM    TO

                        COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: (1-13888)

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

                             UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

         DELAWARE                                         06-1385548
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                        (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
 INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                      IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

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

         39 OLD RIDGEBURY ROAD                            06817-0001 
         DANBURY, CONNECTICUT                             (ZIP CODE)
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (203) 207-7700

                           --------------------------
           SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
        TITLE OF EACH CLASS                        NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON 
                                                       WHICH REGISTERED:
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE             NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE


                           --------------------------
           SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
                                      NONE

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

      INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE  REGISTRANT:  (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS
REQUIRED TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES  EXCHANGE  ACT OF
1934  DURING  THE  PRECEDING  12 MONTHS  (OR FOR SUCH  SHORTER  PERIOD  THAT THE
REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO FILE SUCH REPORTS),  AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH
FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS. YES |X| NO |_|

      Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant'S  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. |_|

      As of April 1, 1998,  44,956,725  shares of common stock were outstanding.
The aggregate  market value of the outstanding  common stock as of April 1, 1998
(based  upon the  closing  sale price of the common  stock on the New York Stock
Exchange  on  such  date)  held  by   non-affiliates   of  the   registrant  was
approximately $1,408 million.
                               _____________________

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

      The information  required under Part III is incorporated by reference from
the  UCAR  International,  Inc.  Proxy  Statement  for  the  Annual  Meeting  of
Stockholders  to be held on June 4, 1998,  which will be filed on or about April
30, 1998.

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                               Page
<S>      <C>                                                                 <C>    

PART I

Item 1.    Business..........................................................     2
           Introduction......................................................     2
           Corporate History.................................................     3
           Markets and Industry Overview.....................................     6
           Outlook for Graphite Electrodes Industry..........................     8
           Manufacturing Processes and International Operations..............     8
           Products..........................................................    10
           Raw Materials and Suppliers.......................................    10
           Sales and Customer Service; Research and Development..............    11
           Distribution......................................................    12
           Patents and Trademarks............................................    12
           Competition.......................................................    12
           Environmental Matters.............................................    13
           Insurance.........................................................    14
           Employees.........................................................    15
Item 2.    Properties........................................................    15
Item 3.    Legal Proceedings.................................................    16
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders...............    19

PART II
Item 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Stock and Related 
            Stockholder Matters..............................................    19
           Market Information................................................    19
           Dividend Policy...................................................    19
Item 6.    Selected Financial Data...........................................    20
Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
            Condition and Results of Operations..............................    23
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks.......    36
Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.......................    37
Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
            and Financial Disclosure.........................................    73

PART III
Items 10 to 13 inclusive........................................................ 73        
           Executive Officers and Directors..................................    73

PART IV
Item 14.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports
            on Form 8-K......................................................    75


</TABLE>
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      THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN
THE  MEANING OF  SECTION  27A OF THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933,  AS AMENDED  (THE
"SECURITIES  ACT"),  AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED (THE "EXCHANGE ACT"). THESE STATEMENTS INCLUDE STATEMENTS ABOUT ELECTRIC
ARC FURNACE  ("EAF")  STEEL  PRODUCTION,  PRICES,  SALES AND DEMAND FOR GRAPHITE
ELECTRODES AND OTHER PRODUCTS,  FUTURE OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL  PERFORMANCE OF
PRE-EXISTING  AND RECENTLY  ACQUIRED  BUSINESSES,  LEGAL FEES AND RELATED COSTS,
CONSULTING FEES AND RELATED PROJECTS, COSTS, MARGINS AND EARNINGS GROWTH. EXCEPT
AS OTHERWISE  REQUIRED TO BE DISCLOSED IN PERIODIC  REPORTS REQUIRED TO BE FILED
BY COMPANIES  REGISTERED  UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT BY THE RULES OF THE  SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION (THE  "COMMISSION"),  THE COMPANY HAS NO DUTY TO UPDATE
SUCH  STATEMENTS.  ACTUAL  FUTURE  EVENTS AND  CIRCUMSTANCES  (INCLUDING  FUTURE
PERFORMANCE, RESULTS AND TRENDS) COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE SET FORTH IN
SUCH  STATEMENTS DUE TO VARIOUS  FACTORS.  SUCH FACTORS  INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY
THAT ANNOUNCED  ADDITIONS TO EAF STEEL PRODUCTION CAPACITY MAY NOT OCCUR OR THAT
INCREASED EAF STEEL  PRODUCTION MAY NOT RESULT IN INCREASED DEMAND OR PRICES FOR
GRAPHITE  ELECTRODES,  THE OCCURRENCE OF  UNANTICIPATED  EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES
RELATING TO INVESTIGATIONS BY ANTITRUST AUTHORITIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE
EUROPEAN  UNION OR RELATED  ANTITRUST  CLASS ACTION,  SHAREHOLDER  DERIVATIVE OR
SECURITIES CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS, THE ASSERTION OF OTHER CLAIMS RELATING TO SUCH
INVESTIGATIONS  OR LAWSUITS OR THE SUBJECT  MATTER  THEREOF,  THE  OCCURRENCE OF
UNANTICIPATED EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES  RELATING TO RECENTLY ACQUIRED BUSINESSES,
THE  OCCURRENCE  OF  UNANTICIPATED  EVENTS OR  CIRCUMSTANCES  RELATING TO GLOBAL
INTEGRATION AND OTHER PROJECTS,  CHANGES IN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES,  CHANGES IN
ECONOMIC AND COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS, TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS, AND OTHER RISKS
AND UNCERTAINTIES, INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH HEREIN.

      NEITHER  THE  STATEMENTS  CONTAINED  HEREIN  NOR ANY  CHARGE  TAKEN BY THE
COMPANY  RELATING  TO ANY LEGAL  PROCEEDINGS  SHALL BE DEEMED TO  CONSTITUTE  AN
ADMISSION  AS TO ANY  WRONGDOING  OR LIABILITY  IN  CONNECTION  WITH THE SUBJECT
MATTER OF SUCH PROCEEDINGS.

      UNLESS  OTHERWISE  INDICATED  OR  THE  CONTEXT  OTHERWISE  REQUIRES,   ALL
REFERENCES  TO "UCAR" MEAN UCAR  INTERNATIONAL  INC. AND TO THE  "COMPANY"  MEAN
UCAR,  ITS  WHOLLY  AND  MAJORITY  OWNED  SUBSIDIARIES  (INCLUDING  UCAR  GLOBAL
ENTERPRISES  INC.  ("GLOBAL")  AND EMSA (PTY.) LTD.  ("EMSA")) AND ITS AND THEIR
PREDECESSORS  (INSOFAR AS A PREDECESSOR'S  ACTIVITIES  RELATED TO THE CARBON AND
GRAPHITE PRODUCTS  BUSINESS),  COLLECTIVELY,  EXCEPT THAT SUCH REFERENCES DO NOT
INCLUDE  UCAR  GRAFIT OAO  ("UCAR  GRAFIT"),  CARBONE  SAVOIE  S.A.S.  ("CARBONE
SAVOIE") OR UCAR  ELEKTRODEN  GMBH ("UCAR  ELEKTRODEN"  AND,  TOGETHER WITH UCAR
GRAFIT,  CARBONE SAVOIE AND EMSA, THE "ACQUIRED COMPANIES") WITH RESPECT TO TIME
PERIODS PRIOR TO THEIR RESPECTIVE ACQUISITIONS. SEPARATE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
GLOBAL  ARE NOT  PRESENTED  BECAUSE  THEY  WOULD NOT BE  MATERIAL  TO HOLDERS OF
SUBORDINATED NOTES (AS DEFINED HEREIN). REFERENCES TO COST IN THE CONTEXT OF THE
COMPANY'S STRATEGY AS A LOW-COST PRODUCER DO NOT INCLUDE THE $340 MILLION CHARGE
DESCRIBED HEREIN.  UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED,  ALL FINANCIAL INFORMATION REFERS
TO THAT OF THE COMPANY (INCLUDING THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES (OTHER THAN EMSA) SINCE
THEIR  RESPECTIVE  ACQUISITIONS  AND EMSA SINCE THE ACQUISITION IN APRIL 1997 OF
THE 50% OF ITS EQUITY NOT  PREVIOUSLY  OWNED BY THE  COMPANY) ON A  CONSOLIDATED
BASIS (USING THE EQUITY METHOD FOR FINANCIAL  INFORMATION ONLY FOR EMSA PRIOR TO
THE ACQUISITION OF SUCH EQUITY).

      UNLESS OTHERWISE  INDICATED,  ALL INFORMATION HAS BEEN ADJUSTED TO REFLECT
THE  RECLASSIFICATION  OF THE COMMON STOCK OF UCAR IN CONNECTION  WITH,  AND THE
STOCK SPLITS EFFECTED AFTER,  THE LEVERAGED  RECAPITALIZATION  OF THE COMPANY ON
JANUARY 26, 1995 (THE "RECAPITALIZATION").

      REFERENCES TO "HOME MARKETS" MEAN NORTH AMERICA,  WESTERN  EUROPE,  BRAZIL
AND SOUTH AFRICA AND TO "FREE WORLD" MEAN WORLDWIDE, EXCLUDING CHINA, THE FORMER
SOVIET UNION,  INDIA AND EASTERN  EUROPE.  UNLESS  OTHERWISE  INDICATED  HEREIN,
MARKET  SHARE  DATA IS GIVEN  FOR 1996,  WHICH IS THE LAST  YEAR FOR WHICH  SUCH
INFORMATION IS READILY AVAILABLE.

                                       1
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                                     PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

      INTRODUCTION

      The Company is the largest  manufacturer of graphite and carbon electrodes
in the world,  with sales in over 70 countries and  manufacturing  facilities on
four continents.  Graphite  electrodes,  the Company's  principal  product,  are
consumed  primarily in the  production of steel in an electric arc furnace,  the
steelmaking  technology  used by virtually all  "mini-mills,"  as well as in the
refining of steel using ladle furnaces. Carbon electrodes are consumed primarily
to produce silicon metal, which is used in the manufacture of aluminum. Graphite
electrodes  and  carbon  electrodes  accounted  for  approximately  72%  and 5%,
respectively,  of the Company's net sales in 1997. The Company also manufactures
other graphite and carbon products as well as cooling systems and components for
steelmaking furnaces and other high temperature applications.

      Electrodes  act as  conductors  of  electricity  in a furnace,  generating
sufficient  heat to melt  scrap  metal or other raw  materials  used to  produce
steel,  silicon metal or other materials.  The electrodes are gradually consumed
in the course of such production.  In the case of graphite electrodes in an EAF,
one electrode must be replaced,  on average,  every eight to ten operating hours
("a  stick a  shift").  Graphite  electrodes  are  presently  the only  products
available  that are capable of  sustaining  the levels of heat (as high as 5,000
degrees  Fahrenheit)  required  in an EAF and,  therefore,  demand for  graphite
electrodes is directly related to the amount of EAF steel produced.

      Over the past two decades,  EAF  steelmaking has become more efficient and
cost effective due to  technological  improvements in EAF steelmaking  processes
and equipment design and in graphite  electrodes.  This improved  efficiency has
resulted in a decrease  in the  quantity of  graphite  electrodes  consumed  per
metric  ton of steel  produced  (known  as  "Specific  Consumption").  From 1985
through  mid-1992,  this  decrease was offset by  increased  levels of EAF steel
production,  which resulted in relatively stable demand for graphite electrodes.
The  Company  believes  that,  since  mid-1992,  increased  levels  of EAF steel
production  have more than offset the  decrease in Specific  Consumption,  which
resulted in increased demand for graphite electrodes.  The Company believes that
worldwide demand for graphite  electrodes will increase over the long term at an
average  annual rate of 1% to 2%. The Company  has  experienced,  and expects to
continue to experience,  volatility in demand for graphite electrodes in various
geographic areas as general economic conditions in such areas fluctuate.

      The  rapid  growth  in EAF steel  production  through  the 1970s led to an
over-expansion in capacity for the manufacture of graphite electrodes. Beginning
in  the  early  1980s,   this  expansion,   together  with  declining   Specific
Consumption, resulted in downward pressure on pricing, significant consolidation
in the number of manufacturers and industry wide capacity  reduction in the Free
World. The Company  estimates that Free World capacity and Company capacity have
each been reduced by approximately one-third since 1985. Presently, there is one
global  manufacturer  of electrodes in the Free World other than the Company and
there are, in total, eight other Free World graphite electrode manufacturers.

      In 1997,  the Company  was served  with  subpoenas,  search  warrants  and
information  requests  by  antitrust  authorities  in the United  States and the
European Union in connection  with  investigations  as to whether there has been
any   violation  of  antitrust   laws  by  producers  of  graphite   electrodes.
Subsequently,  several  antitrust  class action civil  lawsuits  were  commenced
against UCAR and certain  other  producers of graphite  electrodes in the United
States.  These lawsuits have been consolidated  into a single lawsuit,  although
additional  similar lawsuits have been  subsequently  commenced.  As a result of
recent developments, the Company recorded a charge against results of operations
for 1997 in the amount of $340 million for estimated  potential  liabilities and
expenses in connection with antitrust  investigations  and related  lawsuits and
claims.  UCAR has also been named as a  defendant  in a  shareholder  derivative
lawsuit and a securities  class action lawsuit,  each of which is based, in part
on the subject  matter of such  antitrust  investigations.  It is possible  that
additional  civil  lawsuits  related  to the  subject  matter of such  antitrust
investigations   may  be  commenced.   It  is  also   possible  that   antitrust
investigations  in other  jurisdictions  could  be  commenced.  In  April  1998,
pursuant  to an  agreement  with the  Antitrust  Division  of the United  States
Department  of Justice (the  "DOJ"),  UCAR agreed to plead guilty to a one-count
charge  of  violating  antitrust  laws  in  the  sale  of  graphite  electrodes.
Additionally,  UCAR agreed to pay a  non-interest-bearing  fine in the aggregate
amount of $110 

                                       2
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million, payable in six annual installments. Under the plea agreement, UCAR will
not be  subject  to  prosecution  by  the  DOJ  with  respect  to any  antitrust
violations  occurring  prior to the date on which the agreement  receives  court
approval.  The fine payable pursuant to the plea agreement is within the amounts
used by the Company for purposes of  determining  the $340 million  charge.  The
plea  agreement has been  submitted for court  approval.  Although UCAR does not
expect such an  outcome,  it is  possible  that the court could  reject the plea
agreement.  In such event,  UCAR would be required to either  defend any charges
which could be brought or enter into a less favorable plea agreement. Regardless
of whether the plea agreement is accepted by the court, the plea agreement makes
it more difficult to defend against antitrust civil lawsuits.

      The Company is in the process of evaluating the potential impacts from the
$340 million charge,  antitrust  investigations and related lawsuits and claims.
Although the ultimate outcome of these matters is uncertain, the Company expects
the  potential  liabilities,  expenses and other  impacts of these matters to be
material  and  adverse.  Such impacts  could  require that the Company  limit or
discontinue,   temporarily  or  permanently,  certain  of  its  business  plans,
activities or  operations,  further  reduce or delay capital  expenditure,  sell
certain of its assets or businesses, restructure or refinance some or all of its
debt or  incur  additional  debt,  or sell  additional  common  stock  or  other
securities.  No assurance can be given that the Company will be able to take any
of such  actions  on  favorable  terms  or at all.  Further,  such  impacts  may
ultimately require that the Company seek protection under applicable  bankruptcy
laws.

      The Company's current plan is to continue its long-term  strategy of being
a low-cost  producer of high quality products and provider of superior  services
to  customers.  Consistent  with this  strategy  and in order to maximize  funds
available to meet its obligations,  the Company is focusing  significant efforts
on reducing operating expenses, capital expenditures and other cash requirements
and  commitments,   while   maintaining   necessary  and  appropriate   business
operations. The Company believes that the long-term fundamentals of its business
continue to be sound. Accordingly,  although no assurance can be given that such
will be the case,  the Company  believes,  based on its expected  cash flow from
operations  and taking into account its efforts to maximize  funds  available to
meet its obligations, that it will be able to restructure its capitalization and
manage its working capital and cash flow to permit it to meet its obligations as
they become due.

      CORPORATE HISTORY

      GENERAL.  The  Company's  business was founded in 1886 by National  Carbon
Company. In 1917, National Carbon Company,  along with Union Carbide Company and
three other  companies,  combined to form a new corporation  named Union Carbide
and Carbon Company,  now known as Union Carbide  Corporation  ("Union Carbide").
National  Carbon Company became the Carbon  Products  Division of Union Carbide.
Effective  January  1,  1989,  Union  Carbide  realigned  each of its  worldwide
businesses  into  separate  subsidiaries  (the  "Realignment").   In  connection
therewith, the business of the Carbon Products Division was separated from Union
Carbide's  other  businesses  and became  owned by the  Company,  which was then
wholly  owned by Union  Carbide.  On February 25,  1991,  Union  Carbide sold to
Mitsubishi Corporation ("Mitsubishi") 50% of the common equity of the Company.

      On January 26, 1995, the Company consummated the Recapitalization pursuant
to the  Recapitalization  and  Stock  Purchase  and Sale  Agreement  dated as of
November  14,  1994 (the  "Recapitalization  Agreement")  among  Union  Carbide,
Mitsubishi,  UCAR and a corporation  affiliated with Blackstone Capital Partners
II Merchant Banking Fund L.P. and its affiliates  (collectively,  "Blackstone").
Pursuant to the  Recapitalization:  (i) UCAR issued  common  stock  representing
approximately  75% of the then  outstanding  common stock to  Blackstone,  Chase
Equity  Associates (an affiliate of Chase Manhattan Bank) and certain members of
management  for $203  million;  (ii)  Global  and  certain  of its  subsidiaries
borrowed  $585 million  under senior  secured  bank credit  facilities  arranged
through  Chase  Manhattan  Bank in  connection  with the  Recapitalization  (the
"Recapitalization  Bank  Facility");  (iii)  Global  issued $375  million of 12%
senior subordinated notes due 2005 (the "Subordinated  Notes"); (iv) the Company
repaid  approximately  $250  million  of then  existing  indebtedness;  (v) UCAR
repurchased  and cancelled all of the common equity then held by Mitsubishi  for
$406 million; (vi) UCAR paid to Union Carbide a cash dividend of $347 million on
the  common  equity  then  held  by  Union  Carbide,  which  common  equity  was
reclassified and immediately  thereafter  represented  approximately  25% of the
then outstanding common stock; and (vii) certain members of management  received
restricted  stock  matching a portion of the common stock  purchased by them and
options to purchase up to an  aggregate  of 12% of the then  outstanding  common
stock on a fully  diluted  basis,  subject to  certain  vesting  provisions.  In
connection with the  Recapitalization,  the Company transferred all of the stock
of its  operating 

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subsidiaries  to Global or  subsidiaries  of  Global.  UCAR  currently  holds no
material assets other than common stock of Global.

      On August 15, 1995,  UCAR completed an initial  public  offering of common
stock (the "Initial  Offering").  In connection with the Initial Offering,  UCAR
sold common stock  representing 22% of the common stock outstanding  immediately
after the Initial  Offering for net  proceeds of $227 million and Union  Carbide
sold all of the common stock then owned by it. UCAR used net  proceeds  from the
Initial  Offering to  contribute  to Global an amount  sufficient to redeem $175
million aggregate  principal amount of Subordinated  Notes at a redemption price
equal to 110% of the aggregate  principal amount thereof,  plus accrued interest
thereon of $4 million  (the  "Redemption").  The Company used the balance of the
net proceeds  for general  corporate  purposes  and to reduce other  outstanding
indebtedness.

      On October 19, 1995,  the Company  refinanced  the  Recapitalization  Bank
Facility  with new senior  secured  bank credit  facilities  (the  "Senior  Bank
Facilities") at more favorable interest rates and with more favorable  covenants
(the "Refinancing").  The Refinancing resulted in a reduction of annual interest
expense by approximately $13 million (based on the principal amount  outstanding
and interest rates in effect at the time of the Refinancing).

      On March 7, 1996, Blackstone,  Chase Equity Associates and certain members
of management  sold shares of common stock in a secondary  public  offering (the
"1996 Secondary Offering"). After the 1996 Secondary Offering,  Blackstone owned
approximately 20% of the then outstanding shares of common stock.

      On March 19, 1997, the Senior Bank  Facilities  were amended to reduce the
interest  rates on  amounts  outstanding  thereunder,  to  increase  the  amount
available under the revolving  credit facility to $250 million from $100 million
and to change certain  covenants to allow more  flexibility in uses of free cash
flow for acquisitions, capital expenditures and restricted payments.

      On  April  8,  1997,   Blackstone  sold  approximately  14%  of  the  then
outstanding  shares of common stock in a secondary  public  offering  (the "1997
Secondary Offering"). Concurrently with the 1997 Secondary Offering, the Company
repurchased  1,300,000  shares of common stock from  Blackstone  for $48 million
(the "Blackstone  Share  Repurchase"),  which  repurchase  constituted part of a
previously announced stock repurchase program. After the 1997 Secondary Offering
and  the  Blackstone  Share  Repurchase,  Blackstone  ceased  to be a  principal
stockholder of UCAR.

      In 1997,  UCAR's Board of Directors  authorized a program to repurchase up
to $200  million of common stock at  prevailing  prices from time to time in the
open market or  otherwise  depending  on market  conditions  and other  factors,
without  any  established  minimum or maximum  time  period or number of shares.
Through  December 31, 1997, UCAR purchased an aggregate of $92 million of common
stock (including the Blackstone Share Repurchase) under such program.  UCAR does
not currently expect to continue to repurchase common stock under this program.

      ACQUISITION OF MINORITY INTERESTS AND INTEREST IN JOINT VENTURE AFFILIATE.
In 1995, the Company acquired  substantially  all of the shares of its Brazilian
subsidiary  that were owned by public  shareholders  in Brazil for an  aggregate
purchase price of $52 million.

      On April 22, 1997, the Company  purchased the  outstanding  shares of EMSA
held by Samancor  Limited,  the Company's  former 50% joint  venture  partner in
EMSA.  The purchase price was  approximately  $75 million,  plus expenses.  EMSA
currently  operates  a graphite  electrode  manufacturing  facility  and a sales
office in South  Africa.  Prior to the  purchase  of such  shares,  the  Company
managed all aspects of the operations of EMSA in  substantially  the same manner
and with  substantially the same business  objectives and strategies  (including
marketing,  human  resources,  technology,  engineering and sales activities and
implementation  of Company  policies  and  procedures)  as it managed  its other
subsidiaries.  In 1997, EMSA sold  substantially all of the graphite  electrodes
purchased in South Africa (which  represented  approximately  6% of all graphite
electrodes purchased in the Home Markets) and had net sales of $74 million.

      The  Company  believes  that these  acquisitions  have  enabled,  and will
enable, the Company to better integrate its worldwide  operations,  to recognize
production  efficiencies at various manufacturing  facilities,  to lower average
Companywide  cost of sales  and to better  capture  and  manage  cash flow from
operations of those subsidiaries.

                                       4
<PAGE>


      FOCUSED FACTORY PROJECT. During 1996, the Company began construction of an
integrated "focused factory" at its manufacturing  facility in Clarksburg,  West
Virginia (the "Focused Factory  Project").  The Focused Factory Project will add
additional  manufacturing  processes and new technology (developed and tested by
the Company at its U.S.  technology  center) to expand  capacity to  manufacture
"superfine  grain"  graphite  specialty  products.  The  Company  believes  that
worldwide  industry sales of such products approach $400 million annually,  that
demand for these  products has grown and will  continue to grow for at least the
next several years  (primarily  for use in  semiconductor,  continuous  casting,
non-ferrous metal extrusion and electrical discharge machining applications) and
that all of the  significant  Free World  manufacturers  of these  products  are
currently  operating at or near  capacity.  By the end of 1997,  the Company had
spent $12 million in connection  with the Focused Factory  Project.  The Company
expects to expend an additional $3 million in 1998. 

      ACQUISITIONS  IN RUSSIA AND GERMANY.  On November  10,  1996,  the Company
purchased 90% of the equity of UCAR Grafit,  which operates a graphite electrode
business  in  Vyazma,   Russia.  The  aggregate   investment  was  $50  million.
Thereafter,  the  Company  increased  its  ownership  to 96% of such  equity (at
December 31, 1997) for an additional  investment  of $7 million.  On February 1,
1997, the Company, through a newly formed 70% owned subsidiary, UCAR Elektroden,
purchased the graphite electrode business of Elektrokohle Lichtenberg AG ("EKL")
in Berlin,  Germany.  The 30% minority  interest in UCAR Elektroden is held by a
private  company  based in Germany  and not  engaged in the  graphite  electrode
industry.  The  aggregate  purchase  price paid by UCAR  Elektroden  for the EKL
assets was approximately $15 million, consisting of $3 million for equipment and
approximately  $12 million for working capital.  UCAR Elektroden and UCAR Grafit
work in tandem,  with UCAR Elektroden  manufacturing  green  electrodes and UCAR
Grafit baking,  pitch impregnating,  rebaking and graphitizing those electrodes.
The  graphitized  electrodes are then returned to UCAR  Elektroden for machining
and distribution.  In December 1997,  machining  equipment was installed in UCAR
Grafit to enable it to machine and ship product  directly to  customers  without
the need to return the graphitized electrodes to UCAR Elektroden. Together, UCAR
Elektroden  and UCAR Grafit have capacity to  manufacture  approximately  17,000
metric tons of finished graphite electrodes.

      The  Company   acquired   UCAR  Grafit  and  UCAR   Elektroden  to  expand
geographically. While the Company has been a supplier to Eastern Europe for over
25 years,  the  Company  believes  that these  acquisitions  will  increase  its
penetration of the large and potentially  growing graphite  electrode markets in
Eastern Europe,  Russia and the other countries of the former Soviet Union,  and
the Middle East. In addition,  many of the EAF steel  producers in these markets
consume lower quality graphite electrodes. Accordingly, sales by UCAR Grafit and
UCAR Elektroden of such types of electrodes are generally additive to sales made
by UCAR's other subsidiaries, which continue to export ultra-high-power graphite
electrodes to their existing  customer base in these regions.  While the Company
plans to use its process  technology to improve  operating  efficiency and gross
profit margins at UCAR Grafit and UCAR  Elektroden,  the Company does not intend
to  upgrade  the  quality of their  products  until  demand  for higher  quality
products in these regions increases.  The Company currently does not expect that
any significant  capital  expenditures  will be required to achieve such planned
improvements.

      ACQUISITION OF ALUMINUM  INDUSTRY  PRODUCT  MANUFACTURING  OPERATIONS.  On
January 2, 1997, the Company  acquired 70% of the outstanding  shares of Carbone
Savoie,  previously a wholly owned  subsidiary of Pechiney  S.A., for a purchase
price of $33 million.  As a result of the acquisition of Carbone  Savoie,  which
has facilities in Notre Dame and Venissieux,  France, the Company is the leading
worldwide  manufacturer  of cathodes,  with the capacity to  manufacture  40,000
metric tons annually.  Cathodes are consumed in the production of aluminum. This
acquisition creates an alliance between the Company and Aluminium Pechiney S.A.,
a wholly owned  subsidiary of Pechiney S.A., which is one of the world's leading
producers of aluminum  and the leading  supplier of smelting  technology  to the
aluminum  industry.  Aluminium  Pechiney S.A. is developing  the use of graphite
cathodes (instead of carbon cathodes) in its aluminum smelting technology, which
the Company believes allows for substantial  improvement in process  efficiency.
The new graphite  cathodes  will be used by Aluminium  Pechiney  S.A. in its own
plants and will be marketed to its  licensees as well as to third  parties.  The
Company believes that joint  development  efforts combining  Aluminium  Pechiney
S.A.'s smelting  technology and the Company's graphite  technology and expertise
in high  temperature  industrial  applications  should result in improvements in
aluminum process efficiencies. In 1997, the Company had net sales of $82 million
to the aluminum industry.

      RESTRUCTURING,   RE-ENGINEERING  AND  OTHER  PROJECTS.   The  Company  has
implemented several successful  restructuring and re-engineering  projects since
the mid-1980s,  which have eliminated work,  improved  operating 

                                       5
<PAGE>


efficiency  and  reduced  costs.  In January  1995,  UCAR's  Board of  Directors
approved an additional  modernization  project (the  "Rationalization  Project")
designed  to  close  certain  high-cost  manufacturing   operations  and  expand
lower-cost  manufacturing  operations at the Company's  North American  graphite
electrode  plants.  The  Rationalization  Project was completed in July 1996 and
yielded  approximately $8 million in annual cost savings in 1995, $20 million in
1996 and $22 million in 1997 (in each case as compared to 1994).

      The Company is currently  evaluating and undertaking,  with the assistance
of  consultants,  various  projects  to improve  operating  efficiency,  further
integrate  worldwide  operations  and  generate  earnings  growth.  The  Company
currently  estimates  that  costs  associated  with these  projects  will be $18
million  over a  two-year  period  ending  mid-1999  and  anticipates  that such
projects will have a pay-back period of one or two years.  The Company  believes
that such  projects will be accretive to earnings  commencing  in mid-1998.  The
Company also intends to continue to implement total quality  control  techniques
and pursue other opportunities for cost savings.

      MARKETS AND INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

      The worldwide market for graphite and carbon  electrodes was approximately
$3 billion in 1997,  according  to Company  estimates.  These  products are sold
primarily to  customers in the steel,  silicon  metal,  ferronickel  and thermal
phosphorous  industries.  Customers in these industries are located in virtually
every industrialized country in the world.

      GRAPHITE ELECTRODES.  The Company estimates that approximately  two-thirds
of EAF steelmakers in the Free World and approximately 85% of EAF steelmakers in
the Home Markets  purchased  graphite  electrodes  from the Company in 1996. The
Company further  estimates that, in each of 1996 and 1997, it supplied in excess
of  41%  of  all  graphite   electrodes   purchased  in  the  Home  Markets  and
approximately  31% of those  purchased  in the  Free  World.  Sales of  graphite
electrodes  in the Home Markets  accounted for 49% of the Company's net sales in
1997.  The  Company  estimates  that in 1997  (i)  sales  in the  United  States
accounted for 20% of the Company's  total net sales of graphite  electrodes  and
(ii) the Company sold graphite  electrodes  in over 70 countries,  with no other
country  accounting  for more than 10% of the  Company's  net sales of  graphite
electrodes.

      There are two primary  technologies for steelmaking:  basic oxygen furnace
("BOF") steel  production and EAF steel  production.  EAF steelmakers are called
"market mills" or "mini-mills"  because of their smaller capacity as compared to
BOF steelmakers.  Graphite electrodes,  which accounted for approximately 72% of
the  Company's net sales in 1997,  are consumed  primarily in, and are essential
to, EAF steel production,  and, to a lesser extent, are consumed in the refining
of steel using ladle furnaces.

      Electric arc  furnaces  typically  range in size from those which  produce
approximately  25 metric tons of steel per production cycle (or "Heat") to those
which produce approximately 150 metric tons per Heat. Graphite electrodes act as
conductors of electricity  in the furnace,  generating  sufficient  heat to melt
scrap metal or other material used to produce steel. The graphite electrodes are
gradually  consumed  in the course of such  production.  Each of those  furnaces
typically uses nine  electrodes (in three columns of three  electrodes  each) at
one  time.  The size of those  electrodes  varies  depending  on the size of the
furnace,  the  size  of the  furnace's  electric  transformer  and  the  planned
productivity of the furnace.  In a typical furnace operating at a typical number
of Heats per day, one of those nine electrodes is fully consumed  (requiring the
addition of a new electrode), on average, every eight to ten operating hours ("a
stick a shift"). The actual rate of consumption and addition of electrodes for a
particular  furnace depend  primarily on the efficiency and  productivity of the
furnace.  Graphite  electrodes  are  currently  the  only  products  capable  of
sustaining the high levels of heat required in an EAF and, therefore, the demand
for graphite electrodes is directly related to the amount of EAF steel produced.

      EAF steel  production  has been for many  years the  growth  sector of the
steel industry. There are currently in excess of 2,000 EAFs operating worldwide,
and  worldwide  EAF steel  production  has grown from 113  million  metric  tons
(approximately 18% of total steel production) in 1975 to 253 million metric tons
(approximately 34% of total steel production) in 1996,  according to Company and
industry  estimates.  The Company  estimates  that EAF steel  production was 270
million metric tons in 1997, a 7% increase over 1996. The Company estimates that
the net new EAF steel  production  capacity was  approximately 24 million metric
tons in 1996 and  approximately  21 million  metric  tons in 1997.  The  Company
estimates that it supplied all or a portion of the graphite  electrodes consumed
by approximately  50% of the new EAFs which commenced  operation during 1996 and
1997. As a result of recent 


                                       6
<PAGE>


advances in EAF steel  production,  EAF  steelmakers  are  capable of  producing
nearly  all of the  product  lines  available  from  BOF  steelmakers.  Although
worldwide  EAF  steel  production  has  experienced  only two  relatively  minor
downturns over the past 20 years,  the steel industry  generally is cyclical and
experiences  significant  fluctuations,  reflecting regional and global economic
conditions  and  other  factors.  Sales  of the  Company's  graphite  electrodes
historically  have been  somewhat  adversely  affected  by weakness in the steel
industry.  Although no  assurance  can be given that such will be the case,  the
Company believes that EAF steel production will continue to be the growth sector
of the worldwide steel industry for at least the next several years.

      The Company believes that the worldwide growth in EAF steel production has
been due primarily to the cost  effectiveness  and  operating  efficiency of EAF
steelmaking.  Technological improvements in EAF steelmaking equipment design and
production  processes (stemming from the now largely completed conversion of the
EAF base from a refractory  lined system to a water cooled  system which sharply
reduced the "burn rate" of electrodes in molten  steel),  use of higher  quality
scrap metals and other raw materials and improvements in the size,  strength and
quality of graphite electrodes  (including  improvements which were developed by
the Company) resulted,  on average,  in increased  efficiency and lower costs in
EAF steel  production.  This  improved  efficiency  resulted  in a  decrease  in
Specific  Consumption.  Specific  Consumption  in the Free World  declined  from
approximately  6.4  kilograms  of  graphite  electrodes  per metric ton of steel
produced  in 1974  to  approximately  2.7  kilograms  per  metric  ton in  1996,
according to Company estimates.

      The  rapid  growth  of EAF steel  production  through  the 1970s led to an
expansion in capacity for the manufacture of graphite  electrodes.  Beginning in
the  1980s,  there  was  significant  excess  graphite  electrode  manufacturing
capacity due to decreases in Specific Consumption and expansion of manufacturing
capacity in the late 1970s.  From 1985 through  mid-1992,  concurrently with the
consolidation  in the number of producers  and  reduction in capacity  described
below,  the decrease in Specific  Consumption was offset by increased  levels of
EAF steel production,  which resulted in a relatively stable demand for graphite
electrodes.  The Company believes that, since mid-1992,  increased levels of EAF
steel  production  have more than offset the  decrease in Specific  Consumption,
which  resulted in increased  demand for graphite  electrodes.  The Company also
believes that, on average,  as the costs (relative to the benefits) increase for
EAF  steelmakers to achieve  significant  further  efficiencies  in EAF graphite
electrode  consumption,  the decline in Specific  Consumption will continue at a
more gradual pace. The Company further believes that the rate of such decline in
the future will be impacted by the addition of net new EAF steelmaking capacity,
which has the effect of reducing  industrywide  graphite  electrode  consumption
rates  due to the  efficiency  of new  EAFs  while  at the  same  time  creating
additional demand for graphite electrodes.  There can be no assurance,  however,
that such will be the case.

      Since the mid-1980s,  there has been a consolidation in the number of Free
World  graphite  electrode  producers  and a  reduction  of Free World  graphite
electrode   manufacturing   capacity.  The  Company  believes  that,  since  the
mid-1990s,  Free World  capacity and demand have been in relative  balance.  The
Company is not aware of any construction of new graphite electrode manufacturing
facilities  anywhere in the Free World. If, for any reason,  demand for graphite
electrodes  were to decline  significantly  or  manufacturing  capacity  were to
materially exceed demand, the Company would be materially adversely affected. In
light of current  antitrust  investigations  and related lawsuits and claims, no
assurance can be given as to what the market  structure will be in the future in
meeting worldwide demand.

      The excess  graphite  electrode  manufacturing  capacity and  decreases in
Specific Consumption during the 1980s resulted in downward pressure on worldwide
pricing.  The Company  believes  that,  from 1982 to mid-1992,  the average Free
World  industry  wide price (in U.S.  dollars  and net of  changes  in  currency
exchange rates) for graphite electrodes declined by approximately one-third. The
Company  believes that, from mid-1992 through 1997, there has been a significant
improvement in Free World pricing of graphite electrodes.  The Company estimates
that the cost of graphite electrodes represents, on average, approximately 3% of
the cost of  producing  EAF steel in the Free World.  There can be no  assurance
that there will be  continued  improvement  or  stability in pricing of graphite
electrodes or that there will be no declines in such pricing.

      Many of the EAF steel  producers  in the  markets in which UCAR Grafit and
UCAR Elektroden  sell graphite  electrodes  consume lower quality  electrodes at
lower  prices  than those for the higher  quality  graphite  electrodes  sold by
UCAR's other  subsidiaries.  The Company believes that, as historically  managed
economies,  the changes in 

                                       7
<PAGE>


manufacturing  capacity,  Specific  Consumption and pricing described above were
not as significant factors in those markets as they were in the Free World.

      CARBON   ELECTRODES.   The  Company   estimates   that  in  1997  it  sold
approximately 36% of the carbon electrodes  purchased in the Free World.  Carbon
electrodes  are used primarily to produce  silicon  metal,  which is used in the
manufacture of aluminum.  The Company believes that Free World demand for carbon
electrodes has been relatively  stable over the past ten years at  approximately
75,000 metric tons  annually,  and the Company  expects demand to continue to be
relatively  stable over the next  several  years.  The Company is the only major
manufacturer of carbon electrodes in North and South America.

      ALUMINUM  INDUSTRY  PRODUCTS.  The Company  estimates that in 1997 it sold
approximately  27% of the carbon and graphite  cathodes  sold in the Free World.
Cathodes are used  primarily as lining for furnaces  used to smelt  aluminum and
are  consumed in the  smelting  process.  The Company  believes  that Free World
demand for such  cathodes  will grow over the long term at an annual growth rate
of approximately  3%, similar to the aluminum  industry growth rate. The Company
also believes  that the demand for graphite  cathodes will exceed that of carbon
cathodes as new smelters are built and existing  aluminum smelters are converted
from carbon to graphite cathodes.

      OTHER PRODUCTS.  The Company's other products  include  flexible  graphite
(which  is  marketed  under  the  tradename  GRAFOIL(R)),  graphite  and  carbon
specialty products and systems and components for steelmaking furnaces. Flexible
graphite  is used in the  manufacture  of  internal  combustion  engines for the
automotive  and  other   industries  and  in  the  chemical  and   petrochemical
industries. Volume of flexible graphite sold has grown at an average annual rate
in excess  of 10% over the past 10 years,  due  primarily  to demand  for a high
quality  sealing  material  to  replace  asbestos  and to a  decline  in  prices
resulting  from  reduced  manufacturing  costs as a result  of  improvements  in
manufacturing  processes.  The Company's graphite specialty products are used in
the metals,  chemicals,  transportation,  energy,  semiconductor  and  aerospace
industries.

      OUTLOOK FOR GRAPHITE ELECTRODES INDUSTRY

      Approximately  21  million  metric  tons of net new EAF  steel  production
capacity was added in 1997 and the Company is aware of another  approximately 65
million metric tons of announced net new EAF steel  production  capacity that is
scheduled to start-up through the year 2000.  Accordingly,  the Company believes
that, over the next several years,  worldwide EAF steel production will continue
to increase at the annual historical  trendline growth rate of approximately 4%.
As a result, the Company believes that, over the long term,  increased EAF steel
production  will lead to continued  increases  in worldwide  demand for graphite
electrodes  at an average  annual rate of 1% to 2%.  There can be no  assurance,
however, that the addition of such capacity will occur. In addition, the Company
believes that EAF steel production could be negatively affected in the near term
by the current economic  turmoil in the Asia Pacific region,  which has recently
resulted in a slow down in steel production in that region.

      The Company  believes that its  worldwide  manufacturing  facilities  have
positioned  it to benefit  from  anticipated  trends in the  graphite  electrode
industry  and that it  currently  has  adequate  manufacturing  capacity to meet
increased  graphite  electrode sales volume resulting from increased demand over
the near term, if any. Because of the recent nature of developments in antitrust
investigations  and related  lawsuits and claims and the  uncertainty  as to the
ultimate  outcomes  thereof,  the Company has been unable to evaluate all of the
potential  impacts which they could have on the market for graphite  electrodes.
The  Company  currently  believes,  however,  that the  market  will not  change
materially over the long term due to, among other things, the fact that graphite
electrodes  are  essential to  production  of steel in an EAF and the  Company's
belief that supply and demand for graphite  electrodes are in relative  balance,
that all producers of graphite  electrodes are operating at or near capacity and
that it is not likely that there will be any new facilities for the  manufacture
of graphite electrodes (other than as part of incremental  expansion of existing
facilities). No assurance can be given, however, that such will be the case.

      MANUFACTURING PROCESSES AND INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

      The manufacture of graphite  electrodes  takes, on average,  approximately
two months.  Graphite electrodes range in size from three inches to 30 inches in
diameter  and two feet to nine feet in length  and weigh  between  20 pounds and
4,800 pounds (2.2 metric tons).

                                       8
<PAGE>

      The  manufacture  of graphite  electrodes  involves the six main processes
described below.

     FORMING. Calcined petroleum coke is crushed, screened, sized and blended in
     a heated vessel with coal tar pitch. The resulting plastic mass is extruded
     through a forming press and cut into  cylindrical  lengths  (called "green"
     electrodes) before cooling in a water bath.

     BAKING.  The "green"  electrodes are baked at  approximately  1,700 degrees
     Fahrenheit in specially designed furnaces to  carbonize  the  pitch.  After
     cooling, the electrodes are cleaned, inspected and sample-tested.

     IMPREGNATION.  Baked  electrodes are impregnated  with a special pitch when
     higher  density,  mechanical  strength and  capability to withstand  higher
     electric currents are required.

     REBAKING.  The  impregnated  electrodes are rebaked to carbonize the pitch,
     thereby  adding  strength to the electrodes.

     GRAPHITIZING.  Using  a  process  developed  by the  Company,  the  rebaked
     electrodes  are heated in  longitudinal  electric  resistance  furnaces  at
     approximately  5,000 degrees  Fahrenheit to  restructure  the carbon to its
     characteristically  crystalline  form,  graphite.  After this process,  the
     electrodes are gradually cooled, cleaned, inspected and sample-tested.

     MACHINING.  After graphitizing,  the electrodes are machined to comply with
     international  specifications governing outside diameters,  overall lengths
     and joint details.  Tapered sockets are machine-threaded at each end of the
     electrode  to permit  the  joining  of  electrodes  in  columns by means of
     correspondingly double-tapered machine-threaded graphite nipples.

Carbon  electrodes  and  graphite  and carbon  cathodes  are  manufactured  by a
comparable  process  (excluding,  in the case of carbon electrodes and cathodes,
impregnation and graphitization).

      The  Company  uses   robotics   and   statistical   process   controls  in
manufacturing  processes and has a total quality  control program which involves
significant  in-house training.  The Company generally warrants to its customers
that  its  electrodes  will  meet the  Company's  specifications  therefor,  and
electrode  returns and replacements have aggregated less than 1% of net sales in
each of the last three years. The Company utilizes  "pipeline" or "just-in-time"
manufacturing systems at most of its electrode manufacturing  facilities.  These
controls,  programs and systems have improved product quality,  reduced waste in
the   manufacturing   process,   resulted  in  more  efficient   utilization  of
manufacturing  personnel and  equipment,  improved  efficiency in customer order
processing  and reduced  inventory  requirements.  The  Company is  implementing
similar  controls,  programs and  systems,  where  practicable,  with respect to
operations of the Acquired Companies.

      Major  maintenance on the Company's  facilities is conducted on an ongoing
basis. The Company intends to conduct similar major maintenance  programs at the
facilities of the Acquired Companies. In the near term, the Company may elect to
defer  certain   maintenance  to  maximize  cash  flow  available  to  meet  its
obligations,  including its debt service and its  obligations in connection with
antitrust   investigations  and  related  lawsuits  and  claims.   Manufacturing
operations at any facility may be subject to curtailment  due to new legislation
or  governmental  regulations.   The  Company  currently  has  the  capacity  to
manufacture  approximately  275,000 metric tons of graphite electrodes annually.
The Company has the capacity to manufacture  approximately 40,000 metric tons of
carbon electrodes annually and 40,000 metric tons of cathodes annually. In 1997,
1996 and 1995,  the Company sold 250,000  metric tons,  231,000 metric tons, and
244,000  metric tons,  respectively,  of graphite  electrodes  and 28,000 metric
tons,  30,000  metric  tons and  27,000  metric  tons,  respectively,  of carbon
electrodes.

      The Company  currently  operates  17  manufacturing  facilities  and three
machine shops  located in the United  States,  France,  Germany,  Italy,  Spain,
England,  Russia, Canada,  Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.  Graphite electrodes
are manufactured in each country (other than England) in which the Company has a
manufacturing facility. Carbon electrodes are manufactured in the United States.
Graphite and carbon  cathodes  are  manufactured  in France,  Brazil and Canada.
Graphite specialty products,  which are made by a process similar to the process
for  manufacturing  graphite  electrodes  but using  different  mixtures  of raw
materials and different  processing time periods, are manufactured in the United
States and France. Flexible graphite,  which is made from mined natural 

                                       9
<PAGE>


graphite  flake that is acid  treated,  heat  treated  and rolled into sheets of
desired thickness and width, is manufactured in the United States.

      As a result of its  international  operations,  the  Company is subject to
risks associated with operating in foreign countries, including devaluations and
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, imposition of limitations on conversion
of foreign  currencies  into U.S.  dollars or  remittance of dividends and other
payments by foreign  subsidiaries,  imposition  or increase of  withholding  and
other  taxes  on  remittances  and  other  payments  by  foreign   subsidiaries,
hyperinflation  in certain  foreign  countries  and  imposition  or  increase of
investment and other restrictions or requirements by foreign governments and, in
the case of  operations in Russia,  nationalization  and other risks which could
result from a change in government.  Although such risks have not had a material
adverse effect on the Company within the past decade,  no assurance can be given
that such risks will not have a material  adverse  effect on the  Company in the
future.

      PRODUCTS

      ELECTRODES.  The  principal  products  manufactured  by  the  Company  are
graphite and carbon  electrodes.  Graphite  electrodes are consumed primarily in
the  production of steel in EAFs as well as in the refining of steel using ladle
furnaces.  Carbon electrodes are consumed primarily in the production of silicon
metal and also in the production of  ferronickel  and thermal  phosphorous.  EAF
steel production requires significant heat (as high as 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit,
which  the  Company  believes  is  the  hottest  operating  temperature  in  any
industrial or commercial  manufacturing  process worldwide) to melt scrap metal,
iron ore or other raw  materials  for  processing  into ingots or  semi-finished
continuously  cast  shapes.  That heat is generated  by graphite  electrodes  as
electricity  (as much as  150,000  amps)  passes  through  them and  creates  an
electric arc between the graphite electrodes and the raw materials. The graphite
electrodes are gradually consumed in the production  process.  The production of
silicon metal involves similar processes, but at lower temperatures. The Company
believes that it provides the broadest range of sizes in graphite electrodes and
that the quality of its graphite  electrodes  is equal to or better than that of
comparable  products of any other  manufacturer.  The Company also believes that
there are presently no commercially  viable substitutes for graphite  electrodes
in EAF steelmaking.

      OTHER  PRODUCTS.  The Company  manufactures  carbon and graphite  cathodes
which are consumed in the production of aluminum. Cathodes are used primarily as
liners for, and act as conductors of  electricity  in,  smelting  furnaces.  The
Company  manufactures  GRAFOIL(R)  flexible  graphite which is used primarily to
make gaskets foR internal combustion engines,  pipe flanges and other industrial
applications.  The Company also manufactures graphite specialty products for use
in the metals, chemicals,  transportation,  energy,  semiconductor and aerospace
industries.  The Company's  graphite  specialty  products  consist  primarily of
molded and  extruded  graphite  shapes sold to specialty  machine  shops and end
users for machining and, to a lesser extent,  molds,  insulation  substrates and
other machined  products.  Most of these machined  products are manufactured for
specific applications or to meet customer specifications.

      The Company sells  proprietary  water spray cooling systems and components
for  steelmaking   furnaces,   exhaust   systems  and  other  high   temperature
applications.  These systems and components, designed by the Company, were first
sold in 1986 and are fabricated by third party  contractors in the United States
and various other countries.  The Company believes that its systems  represent a
significant  improvement over prior  technologies.  The improvement results from
both the  increased  life of  furnace  components  resulting  from the  improved
cooling  processes and the reduction in  maintenance  down time  resulting  from
various design improvements.

      RAW MATERIALS AND SUPPLIERS

      The primary raw materials for graphite  electrodes,  graphite cathodes and
graphite  specialty products are petroleum cokes (needle coke for electrodes and
regular  grades  for  cathodes  and  specialty  products),  coal tar  pitch  and
petroleum  pitch.  The  primary  raw  materials  for carbon  electrodes,  carbon
cathodes and carbon  specialty  products are anthracite  coal and coal tar pitch
and,  in some  instances,  a  petroleum  coke-based  material.  The  primary raw
material for flexible  graphite is natural graphite flake. The Company purchases
its raw  materials  from a variety  of  sources  and has no  material  long-term
purchase  contracts  with  respect to any raw  materials.  Over the past several
decades,  the  Company  has  purchased  a majority  of its  petroleum  coke from
multiple plants of a single major petroleum company and, since 1988, has done so
pursuant to  purchase  contracts  with one year  terms.  The Company


                                       10
<PAGE>


has a price  agreement with one of its major  suppliers  over a three-year  term
which was  initiated in 1977.  The Company  believes that the quality of its raw
materials is the highest available and that, under current  conditions,  its raw
materials are available in adequate quantities at market prices.  Electric power
or natural gas used in manufacturing processes is purchased from local suppliers
under short-term  contracts or in the spot market. The availability and price of
raw  materials  and  energy  may be  subject  to  curtailment  or change  due to
limitations   which  may  be  imposed  under  new  legislation  or  governmental
regulations,  suppliers'  allocations  to meet the  demands of other  purchasers
during periods of shortage (or, in the case of energy  suppliers,  extended cold
weather),  interruptions in production by suppliers, and market and other events
and  conditions.  Over the past several  years,  the Company has  mitigated  the
effect of raw material and energy price  increases on its results of  operations
through a combination of improved operating efficiency,  permanent on-going cost
savings and passing such price increases on to customers.  However, there can be
no assurance that such measures will  successfully  mitigate future increases in
the price of  petroleum  coke or other raw  materials or energy.  A  substantial
increase in raw material or energy prices which cannot be mitigated or passed on
to customers or a continued  interruption in supply,  particularly in the supply
of petroleum coke, would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

      SALES AND CUSTOMER SERVICE; RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

      Sales of the Company's products are made primarily by the Company's direct
sales force, which operates from the Company's 21 sales offices and is supported
by the Company's customer technical service personnel,  and, to a lesser extent,
by independent sales agents,  most of whom have worked with the Company for many
years, in various countries  outside the Home Markets.  The Company has a global
business with a diversified  customer base.  Sales of the Company's  products to
customers outside the United States accounted for 72% of the Company's net sales
in 1997. No single customer or group of affiliated  customers accounted for more
than 3% of the Company's net sales in 1997. The Company has had, for many years,
a strong  commitment to provide a high level of technical  service to customers,
which supports the Company's sales activities. The Company employs approximately
60  engineers  to provide  technical  assistance  to  customers  in, among other
things, all areas of EAF design and operation,  electrode  specification and use
and related matters to maximize customer production and minimize customer costs.
This technical  assistance includes  periodically  monitoring certain customers'
EAF efficiency  levels via computer modem.  The Company intends to integrate the
sales and customer  service  activities of EMSA, UCAR Grafit and UCAR Elektroden
into its overall sales and customer  technical service programs.  Carbone Savoie
has its own dedicated sales and customer  service groups which work closely with
Aluminium  Pechiney S.A.'s sales and customer  service groups to maximize use of
their respective products and technologies.

      The  Company's  sales of graphite  electrodes  fluctuate  from  quarter to
quarter due to such factors as scheduled plant shutdowns by customers,  national
vacation  practices,  changes in customer  production  schedules  in response to
seasonal changes in energy costs, weather conditions, strikes and work stoppages
at customer  plants and changes in  customer  order  patterns in response to the
announcement of price  increases.  The Company has  experienced,  and expects to
continue  to  experience,   volatility  with  respect  to  demand  for  graphite
electrodes in various  geographic areas as general  economic  conditions in such
areas fluctuate. These factors tend to affect the Company's quarterly as well as
annual  results of  operations.  In  addition,  during  the period  prior to the
effective date of a price increase,  customers tend to buy additional quantities
of graphite electrodes at the then lower pricing (known as "customer  buy-ins"),
which add to the  Company's  net sales  during  that  period.  During the period
following the effective  date of a price  increase,  customers tend to use those
additional quantities before placing further orders, which reduces the Company's
net sales during that period. Accordingly, results of operations for any quarter
are not  necessarily  indicative of the results of operations for a full year or
otherwise.

      The Company conducts, at its dedicated technology center located in Parma,
Ohio and its manufacturing facilities throughout the world, a focused technology
program to improve product quality and  manufacturing  processes.  This program,
which  is  conducted  both  independently  and in  conjunction  with  suppliers,
customers  and  others,  was  initiated  in  1984.  Approximately  80  technical
professionals are directly involved in this program in the United States.  These
activities  are  integrated  with  the  efforts  of over  100  engineers  at the
Company's  manufacturing  facilities who are focused on improving  manufacturing
processes.  Developments by the Company  include larger and stronger  electrodes
(increasing the Company's  ability to supply various  "supersized"  electrodes),
new chemical additives to enhance raw materials used in graphite  electrodes and
new  applications  for  water  spray  cooling   technology,   resulting  in  the
development  of safer,  more  cost-effective  and more  efficient  EAF steel and
graphite electrode production. The Company has received recognition for the high
quality of its products  under  several 


                                       11
<PAGE>


programs around the world and has been awarded  preferred or certified  supplier
status by many  major  steel and other  manufacturing  companies.  In  addition,
Carbone Savoie  operates a dedicated  cathode  technology  center in Notre Dame,
France employing  approximately  20  professionals.  The Company's  research and
development expenses (other than certain expenses at the Company's manufacturing
facilities,  which are included in cost of sales) in 1995, 1996 and 1997 were $8
million, $8 million and $9 million, respectively.

      DISTRIBUTION

      Customers  generally place orders for electrodes three to six months prior
to the specified  delivery date. Such orders are cancelable by the customer and,
therefore,  the Company manufactures  electrodes and manages electrode inventory
levels  to  meet  rolling  sales   forecasts.   Other   products  are  generally
manufactured  or fabricated to meet customer  orders.  Accordingly,  the Company
does not maintain significant  inventories of those finished products.  Finished
products are generally  stored at the Company's  manufacturing  facilities.  The
Company  ships its finished  products to customers  primarily by truck and ship,
using "just-in-time" techniques where practicable.

      Proximity  of   manufacturing   facilities  to  customers  can  provide  a
competitive  advantage in terms of cost of delivery of  electrodes to customers.
The  significance  of these costs is affected by fluctuations in exchange rates,
methods of shipment,  import duties and whether the manufacturing facilities are
located  in the same  economic  trading  region  as the  customer.  The  Company
believes that it is generally better  positioned in terms of such proximity than
its major  competitors  (other than Japanese  manufacturers  supplying  graphite
electrodes  to Japanese  customers)  to supply  graphite  electrodes to the Free
World.  The Company  believes that UCAR Grafit and UCAR Elektroden will increase
the  Company's  proximity  to  graphite  electrode  customers  in such large and
potentially growing markets as Eastern Europe, Russia and the other countries of
the former  Soviet  Union,  and the Middle East and will  enhance the  Company's
distribution capability.

      PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS

      The Company owns and has obtained licenses to various domestic and foreign
patents,  patent applications and trademarks related to its products,  processes
and  business.  These  patents  expire at various  times over the next 20 years.
While  these  patents and patent  applications,  and  certain  patents  owned by
Carbone  Savoie,  in the aggregate  are  important to the Company's  competitive
position, no single patent or patent application is material to the Company. The
tradename  and  trademark  UCAR are owned by Union  Carbide and  licensed to the
Company on a royalty-free  basis under a license expiring in 2015, which license
automatically  renews for successive ten-year periods and permits non-renewal by
Union  Carbide  commencing  after the first  ten-year  renewal  period upon five
years' notice of non-renewal.  In addition,  the tradename and trademark CARBONE
SAVOIE is a  registered  trademark  in Europe.  Those  names and marks,  and the
trademark  GRAFOIL(R),  are  important  to  the  Company's  business.  No  otheR
trademark or tradename is material to the Company.

      COMPETITION

      There are 10  manufacturers  of graphite  electrodes in the Free World. Of
these 10  manufacturers,  the  Company is the largest and SGL Carbon AG ("SGL"),
which operates  manufacturing  plants in North America and Europe, is the second
largest. The Company estimates that it supplied in excess of 41% of the graphite
electrodes  purchased  in the Home  Markets in each of 1996 and 1997 and that it
supplied  approximately  31% of those  purchased  in the Free  World in 1996 and
1997.  The Company  estimates  that SGL supplied  approximately  28% of graphite
electrodes  purchased  in the  Home  Markets  and  approximately  23%  of  those
purchased in the Free World in 1996. Other  manufacturers of graphite electrodes
include:  The  Carbide/Graphite  Group,  Inc.,  whose  plants are located in the
United  States  (which the Company  believes  supplied  approximately  6% of the
graphite electrodes purchased in the Free World in 1996); and four manufacturers
in Japan (which the Company believes collectively supplied  approximately 26% of
the  graphite  electrodes  purchased  in the Free World in 1996),  one of which,
Showa  Denko  Carbon,   Inc.,   has  a  plant  located  in  the  United  States.
Government-controlled  and independent  manufacturers in the non-Free World (the
"Non-Free World  Manufacturers")  generally  provide less reliable  delivery and
produce  lower  quality  products  (with  higher  rates of breakage and Specific
Consumption)  for use in their  respective  countries and in countries which are
their  traditional  trading  partners,  most of which countries and partners are
generally net importers of graphite electrodes.


                                       12
<PAGE>


      Although the Company has periodically  increased electrode prices over the
past several  years,  there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
increase  prices in the future.  In  addition,  further  price  increases by the
Company or price  reductions  by  competitors,  decisions  by the  Company  with
respect to maintaining  profit  margins  rather than market share,  the ultimate
outcome of  antitrust  investigations  and related  lawsuits and claims or other
competitive or market factors or strategies could adversely affect the Company's
market share or results of operations.  Such factors and  strategies  could also
affect the Company's ability to institute price increases or require the Company
to reduce prices or increase  spending on research and  development or marketing
and sales, all of which could adversely affect the Company.

      There are two significant  manufacturers of carbon electrodes in the world
(excluding the Non-Free World  Manufacturers).  The Company  believes that it is
the largest of these two  manufacturers  and SGL is the second  largest and that
together they supplied more than 80% of the carbon  electrodes  purchased in the
Free World in 1997.

      There are eight  manufacturers  of  cathodes in the world  (excluding  the
Non-Free World  Manufacturers).  The Company believes that it is the largest and
SGL is the second  largest and that,  together  with two  Japanese  producers of
carbon and  graphite  products,  Nippon  Carbon  Co.  Ltd.  and SEC Corp.,  they
supplied approximately 70% of the cathodes purchased in the Free World in 1997.

      The manufacture of high quality  graphite and carbon products is a mature,
capital intensive  business which requires  extensive process know-how developed
over years of  experience  working  with the  various  raw  materials  and their
suppliers,  furnace  manufacturers and steel or aluminum  producers or other end
users (including  working on the specific  applications for finished  electrodes
and  cathodes).  It also  requires  high  quality  raw  material  sources  and a
developed  energy  supply  infrastructure.  There have been no  significant  new
entrants in the  manufacture  of electrodes  since 1950.  Accordingly,  while no
assurance can be given that such will be the case, the Company  believes that it
is unlikely that there will be  significant  new entrants in the  manufacture of
electrodes and cathodes in the next several years.

      With  respect  to its other  products,  the  Company  competes  with other
graphite  and  carbon  product   manufacturers   as  well  as  manufacturers  of
non-graphite or carbon products used for similar purposes.

      ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

      Since the 1970s, a wide variety of federal,  state, local and foreign laws
and  regulations  relating  to the  storage,  handling,  generation,  treatment,
emission,  release, discharge and disposal of certain substances and wastes have
been  adopted.  These laws and  regulations  (and the  enforcement  thereof) are
periodically  changed.  The  Company  is  subject  to many  of  these  laws  and
regulations.  Certain of the Company's facilities have experienced some level of
regulatory  scrutiny,  have  been  required  to take  remedial  action  and have
incurred  related  costs  in the  past  and may  experience  further  regulatory
scrutiny, be required to take further remedial action and incur additional costs
in the future. Such costs could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

      The principal  United States laws and  regulations to which the Company is
subject  are  described  below.  The Clean Air Act,  the Clean  Water  Act,  the
Resource  Conservation and Recovery Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and similar
state or local laws regulate air emissions, water discharges and hazardous waste
generation,  treatment,  storage,  handling,  transportation  and disposal.  The
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended  by  the  Superfund   Amendments   and   Reauthorization   Act  of  1986
("Superfund"), and similar state laws provide for responses to and liability for
releases of hazardous  substances  into the  environment.  The Toxic  Substances
Control Act and related  laws are designed to assess the risk of new products to
health and to the environment at early developmental  stages. In addition,  laws
adopted or proposed in various states impose or may impose,  as the case may be,
reporting  or  remediation  requirements  if  operations  cease or  property  is
transferred or sold.

      The  Company's  manufacturing  operations  outside  the United  States are
subject to the laws and  regulations of the countries in which those  operations
are  conducted.  These  laws  and  regulations  primarily  relate  to  pollution
prevention and the control of risks arising from  industrial  activities  having
high potential impact on the  environmental  quality of the air, water and soil.
Regulated activities include,  among other things: use of hazardous  


                                       13
<PAGE>


substances;  packaging,  labeling and transportation of products; management and
disposal of toxic wastes;  discharge of industrial and sanitary wastewater;  and
emissions to the air.

      The Company believes that it is currently in material  compliance with the
federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations to which it
is subject.  As a result of  amendments  to the Clean Air Act,  enacted in 1990,
certain  of the  Company's  facilities  will be  required  to  comply  with  new
standards  for air  emissions to be adopted by the United  States  Environmental
Protection Agency (the "USEPA") and state environmental protection agencies over
the next several years pursuant to regulations  that are currently being drafted
or that have been promulgated.  The regulations which have been promulgated will
necessitate the  installation  of additional  controls and/or changes in certain
manufacturing  processes  in order for the  Company to achieve  compliance  with
these regulations.  Based on information  currently available to it, the Company
believes that compliance with such regulations  under the Clean Air Act will not
have a material adverse effect on the Company.

      The Company,  like other companies in the United States,  has received and
continues  periodically to receive notices from the USEPA or state environmental
protection agencies, as well as claims from others, alleging that the Company is
a potentially responsible party (a "PRP") under Superfund and similar state laws
for past and future  remediation  costs at hazardous  substance  disposal sites.
Although Superfund liability is joint and several, in general,  final allocation
of  responsibility  at sites where there are multiple PRPs is made based on each
PRPs  relative  contribution  of  hazardous  substances  to the  site.  Based on
information  currently  available to it, the Company believes that any potential
liability  associated  with being  named a PRP will not have a material  adverse
effect on the Company.

      The Company sold its Republic  plant in Niagara  Falls,  New York in 1986.
Adjacent to the  Republic  plant is a solid  waste  landfill.  Ownership  of the
landfill was retained by the Company, and the landfill was closed by the Company
in  1987  in  accordance  with a New  York  State  Department  of  Environmental
Conservation  (the "DEC")  closure  plan.  In early 1991,  the DEC  notified the
Company that it was  investigating  the landfill as a former inactive  hazardous
waste site. In September 1997, the site was reclassified from a class 2a site (a
site  for  which  the DEC has  insufficient  information  to  determine  whether
hazardous  wastes or substances  are present) to a class 4 site (a site properly
closed and requiring continued  management).  To date, the costs associated with
this site have not been, and the Company does not  anticipate  that future costs
will be, material to the Company.

      The Company has  established  and  continues  to  establish  accruals  for
environmental  liabilities  where  it is  probable  that a  liability  has  been
incurred  and the  amount of the  liability  can be  reasonably  estimated.  The
Company adjusts  accruals as new remediation and other  commitments are made and
as information becomes available which changes estimates previously made.

      Estimates  of future costs of  environmental  protection  are  necessarily
imprecise  due to numerous  uncertainties,  including the impact of new laws and
regulations,  the availability and application of new and diverse  technologies,
the extent of insurance coverage,  the identification of new hazardous substance
disposal  sites  at which  the  Company  may be a PRP and,  in the case of sites
subject to Superfund  and similar state laws,  the ultimate  allocation of costs
among PRPs and the final determination of remedial requirements.  Subject to the
inherent   imprecision  in  estimating  such  future  costs,   but  taking  into
consideration the Company's experience to date regarding  environmental  matters
of a similar nature and facts currently  known,  the Company believes that costs
and capital  expenditures  (in each case,  before  adjustment for inflation) for
environmental  protection  will not  increase  materially  over the next several
years.  Expenses  relating to environmental  protection were  approximately  $15
million,  $15 million and $14  million,  in 1995,  1996 and 1997,  respectively.
Capital expenditures relating to environmental  protection were approximately $6
million, $14 million and $15 million, in 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.

      INSURANCE

      The Company's  policy is to obtain  insurance  against  civil  liabilities
relating  to  personal  injuries  to third  parties,  for loss of or  damage  to
property,  and for  environmental  matters  to the extent  that it is  currently
available,  which provides  coverage that it believes is appropriate  upon terms
and conditions and at a price that it considers fair and reasonable. The Company
believes that it has  insurance for such coverage in amounts  sufficient to meet
its current needs in light of pending, threatened and anticipated future claims.
There can be no  assurance,  however,  that the  Company  will not incur  losses
beyond the limits of, or outside the  coverage  of, its  insurance.  The Company


                                       14
<PAGE>


currently  believes  that  recovery  under  its  insurance,  if any,  would  not
materially  offset  any  liabilities  which may become  due in  connection  with
antitrust investigations or related lawsuits and claims.

      EMPLOYEES

      At December 31, 1997, the Company had  approximately  5,563 employees,  of
which  approximately  1,389  were in the  United  States,  2,433  were in Europe
(including  Russia),  1,022 were in Mexico and Brazil, 431 were in South Africa,
284 were in Canada and 4 were in the Asia Pacific region.  At December 31, 1997,
the Company had approximately  3,999 hourly employees.  Approximately 66% of the
Company's  employees are covered by collective  bargaining or similar agreements
which expire at various times in each of the next several years. At December 31,
1997,  approximately  2,133, or 38%, of the Company's  employees were covered by
such agreements which expire, or are subject to renegotiation, at various times
during the remainder of 1998 or the first quarter of 1999. The Company  believes
that its relationships with its unions are satisfactory and that it will be able
to renew or extend its collective bargaining or similar agreements on reasonable
terms as they  expire.  There can be no  assurance,  however,  that  renewed  or
extended agreements will be reached without a work stoppage or strike or will be
reached on terms  satisfactory to the Company.  A prolonged work stoppage at any
one of its manufacturing  facilities could have a material adverse effect on the
Company.  The Company (excluding the Acquired Companies prior to the acquisition
thereof) has not had any  material  work  stoppages  or strikes  during the past
decade.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

      The Company currently operates the following  facilities,  which are owned
or leased as indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                    OWNED OR
         LOCATION OF FACILITY                      PRIMARY USE                                       LEASED
         --------------------                      -----------                                      --------
<S>                                                 <C>                                             <C> 

UNITED STATES

     Irvine, California.............    Machine Shop and Sales Office                                 Leased
     Danbury, Connecticut...........    Corporate Headquarters and Sale s Office                      Leased
     Niagara Falls, New York........    Coal Calcining Facility                                       Owned
     Lakewood, Ohio.................    Flexible Graphite Manufacturing Facility and Sales            Owned
                                        Office
     Parma, Ohio....................    Technology Center                                             Owned
     Clarksville, Tennessee.........    Electrode Manufacturing Facility and Sales Office             Owned
     Columbia, Tennessee............    Electrode Manufacturing Facility and Sales Office             Owned
     Lawrenceburg, Tennessee........    Carbon Specialty Product Manufacturing Facility               Owned
     Clarksburg, West Virginia......    Graphite Specialty Product Manufacturing Facility             Owned
                                        and Sales Office

INTERNATIONAL

     Salvador Bahia, Brazil.........     Electrode and Cathode Manufacturing Facility                 Owned
     Sao Paulo, Brazil..............     Sales Office                                                 Leased
     Welland, Canada................     Electrode and Cathode Manufacturing Facility and             Owned
                                         Sales Office
     Beijing, China.................     Sales Office                                                 Leased
     Hong Kong, China...............     Sales Office                                                 Leased
     Notre Dame, France.............     Electrode and Graphite Specialty Product                     Owned
                                         Manufacturing Facility and Sales Office
     Notre Dame, France.............     Cathode Manufacturing Facility and Sales Office              Leased
     Rungis, France.................     Sales Office                                                 Leased
     Venissieux, France.............     Cathode Manufacturing Facility and Technology                Owned
                                         Center
     Berlin, Germany................     Electrode Manufacturing Facility                             Leased
     Caserta, Italy.................     Electrode Manufacturing Facility                             Owned


                                       15
<PAGE>


<CAPTION>

                                                                                                    OWNED OR
         LOCATION OF FACILITY                      PRIMARY USE                                       LEASED
         --------------------                      -----------                                      --------
<S>                                                 <C>                                             <C> 

     Malonno, Italy.................     Machine Shop                                                 Owned
     Milano, Italy..................     Administration and Sales Office                              Leased
     Monterrey, Mexico..............     Electrode Manufacturing Facility and Sales Office            Owned
     Moscow, Russia.................     Sales Office                                                 Leased
     Vyazma, Russia.................     Electrode Manufacturing Facility                             Owned
     Singapore......................     Sales Office                                                 Leased
     Meyerton, South Africa.........     Electrode Manufacturing Facility and Sales Office            Owned
     Pamplona, Spain................     Electrode Manufacturing Facility and Sales Office            Owned
     Gland, Switzerland.............     Sales Office and European Headquarters                       Leased
     Sheffield, United Kingdom......     Machine Shop and Sales Office                                Owned

</TABLE>

      The Company  believes that its  facilities,  which are of varying ages and
types of  construction,  are in good  condition,  are suitable for the Company's
operations  and  generally  provide  sufficient  capacity to meet the  Company's
requirements for the foreseeable future.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

      PUERTO RICAN FACILITY LITIGATION. In 1978, a lawsuit entitled ORTIZ ET AL.
V. UNION CARBIDE  GRAFITO,  INC. was  commenced in the Superior  Court of Puerto
Rico by persons  residing  near the  Company's  Yabucoa,  Puerto  Rico  facility
alleging property damage and personal injury due to air emissions and noise from
the facility.  The defendant,  Union Carbide  Grafito,  Inc.  ("Grafito"),  is a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.  The Yabucoa facility ceased  operations
in 1989 and was demolished in 1994.  Grafito had no other  operations.  In 1986,
the complaint was dismissed as to approximately two-thirds of the 759 plaintiffs
for failure to provide discovery. In 1987, the complaint was dismissed as to the
remaining  plaintiffs  for  failure to  prosecute  the  lawsuit.  Certain of the
plaintiffs  thereafter  retained new counsel and filed a motion to set aside the
1986 and 1987  dismissals.  That  motion  was  denied by the trial  court and an
appeal was taken to the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico (the "Supreme  Court").  In
1992, the Supreme Court remanded the case to the Superior Court for a hearing on
whether the dismissals  should be vacated on the ground that plaintiffs'  former
counsel had allowed the  dismissals to occur due to fraud.  The hearing was held
in March and June 1995,  and a decision  was  rendered in favor of  Grafito.  On
March 8, 1996, the  plaintiffs  filed a writ of appeal with the Circuit Court of
Appeals;  such writ of appeal was dismissed on procedural  grounds.  On June 14,
1996,  the  plaintiffs  filed a petition for  certiorari to the Supreme Court of
Puerto Rico seeking review of the dismissal of such writ of appeal.  The Supreme
Court  issued  a writ of  certiorari  to  review  the  dismissal.  Such  writ of
certiorari is still pending before the Supreme Court.  The Company believes that
the ultimate disposition of this lawsuit will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company.  Pursuant to the Recapitalization  Agreement,  Union Carbide and
Mitsubishi  have agreed to indemnify UCAR and Blackstone for any  liabilities in
excess of $20 million arising out of the lawsuit.

      ANTITRUST  PROCEEDINGS.  On June 5, 1997,  the  Company  was  served  with
subpoenas issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania  (the  "District  Court")  to  produce  documents  to a grand  jury
convened by attorneys  for the DOJ and a related  search  warrant in  connection
with an  investigation  as to whether  there has been any  violation  of federal
antitrust   laws   by   producers   of   graphite   electrodes.    Concurrently,
representatives  of Directorate  General IV of the European Union, the antitrust
enforcement  authorities of the European Union (the "EU  authorities"),  visited
offices of the Company's French subsidiary for purposes of gathering information
to determine  whether there has been any violation of Article 85-1 of the Treaty
of Rome, the antitrust law of the European Union. In addition,  on June 5, 1997,
one  of the  Company's  competitors  in the  graphite  electrode  industry,  The
Carbide/Graphite Group, Inc. ("C/G"),  announced that the DOJ had granted it the
opportunity to participate in the DOJ's Corporate  Leniency  Program and that it
was cooperating with the government.  Subsequently,  the Company was served with
subpoenas  in the United  States to produce  documents  relating to, among other
things,  its carbon  electrode and bulk graphite  businesses.  In December 1997,
UCAR's Board of Directors  appointed a special  committee of outside  directors,
consisting  of John R. Hall and R. Eugene  Cartledge,  to exercise the power and
authority  of  UCAR's  Board  of  Directors   in   connection   with   antitrust
investigations  and related  lawsuits and claims.  On February 23, 1998, the DOJ
announced  that  it  had  charged  Showa  Denko  Carbon,  Inc.  ("SDC"),  a U.S.
subsidiary of Showa Financing K.K., a Japanese firm, and unnamed


                                       16
<PAGE>


co-conspirators   with   participating  from  1993  until  January  1997  in  an
international  conspiracy  involving meetings and conversations in the Far East,
Europe and the United States  resulting in agreements to fix prices and allocate
market shares worldwide, to restrict  co-conspirators'  capacity and to restrict
non-conspiring  producers'  access  to  manufacturing  technology  for  graphite
electrodes. The DOJ further announced that SDC has agreed to plead guilty, pay a
fine of $29 million and cooperate in its investigation and that other cases were
likely to be filed.

      On April 7, 1998,  pursuant to an agreement  with the DOJ,  UCAR agreed to
plead  guilty  to a one count  charge of  violating  federal  antitrust  laws in
connection with the sale of graphite electrodes.  Additionally,  UCAR has agreed
to pay a non-interest-bearing  fine in the  aggregate  amount of $110  million,
payable in six annual installments.  Under the plea agreement,  which is subject
to approval by the District Court, the Company will be required to make annual
payments of $20 million,  $15 million, $15 million, $18 million, $21 million and
$21 million, respectively,  commencing 90 days after the Company is sentenced by
the  District  Court (if such  sentence  is issued in  accordance  with the plea
agreement).  Under  the plea  agreement,  the  Company  will not be  subject  to
prosecution by the DOJ with respect to any antitrust  violations occurring prior
to the date the plea  agreement  is approved.  The fine payable  pursuant to the
plea  agreement  is within the  amounts  used by the  Company  for  purposes  of
determining the $340 million charge described below. The plea agreement has been
submitted for court approval.  Although UCAR does not expect such an outcome, it
is possible  that the District  Court could reject the plea  agreement.  In such
event,  it is possible  that UCAR could be required to either defend any charges
which could be brought or enter into a less favorable plea agreement. Regardless
of whether  the plea  agreement  is  accepted by the  District  Court,  the plea
agreement  makes it more difficult to defend against  antitrust  civil lawsuits.

         The Company has become aware that the Canadian  Competition  Bureau has
commenced  a criminal  investigation  under the  Canadian  Competition  Act (the
"Canadian Act").  Under Section 45 of the Canadian Act, the maximum fine for the
Company would be ten million Canadian dollars. It is possible that Section 46 of
the Canadian Act may be implicated in this matter.  Under Section 46, the amount
of the fine is discretionary,  and there is no maximum. The Company, through its
counsel,  is cooperating with the DOJ and the EU authorities in their continuing
investigations.  It is possible  that other  antitrust  investigations  could be
initiated by authorities in other jurisdictions.

      On June 17, 1997,  UCAR was served with a complaint  commencing a putative
class  action  lawsuit  in the  United  States  District  Court for the  Western
District  of  Pennsylvania.  Subsequently,  the  Company  was  served  with four
additional  complaints  commencing similar lawsuits in the District Court. UCAR,
SGL  Carbon  Corporation  ("SGL  Carbon"),  a U.S.  subsidiary  of SGL Carbon AG
("SGL"), a German firm, and C/G, are named as defendants in each complaint.  SGL
is named as a defendant in each of the four subsequently served complaints.  The
plaintiff  named in the first served  complaint was Erie Forge and Steel,  Inc.,
and the plaintiffs named in the other  complaints  respectively  were:  Kentucky
Electric  Steel   Corporation,   Koppel  Steel  Corporation  and  Newport  Steel
Corporation;  Al Tech Specialty  Steel  Corporation;  Caparo Steel Company;  and
Cascade Steel Rolling Mills, Inc. In each complaint, the plaintiffs alleged that
the defendants  violated federal  antitrust laws. Each complaint  sought,  among
other things, an award of treble damages resulting from such alleged violations.
On  August  5,  1997,  the four  complaints  filed in the  District  Court  were
consolidated  into a single  complaint  in the  District  Court  entitled IN RE:
GRAPHITE ELECTRODES ANTITRUST LITIGATION.  In the consolidated  litigation,  the
proposed class consists of all persons who purchased graphite  electrodes in the
United  States  directly from the  defendants  during the period from January 1,
1992 through August 15, 1997. On August 21, 1997, the first served complaint was
withdrawn  without  prejudice  to refile.  UCAR  filed a motion to  dismiss  the
consolidated  complaint,  which was denied in November  1997 with leave to renew
such motion after discovery is completed.  Discovery and depositions relating to
class certification have begun. The District Court,  however, has ordered a stay
of  non-class   depositions   and  certain  other  discovery  until  July  1998.
Accordingly, the consolidated lawsuit is still in its early stages. UCAR intends
to vigorously  defend against the  consolidated  lawsuit.  UCAR may at any time,
however, settle the lawsuit and any related possible unasserted claims. UCAR has
had discussions in this regard with plaintiffs'  counsel,  with those members of
the proposed  class who have  indicated that they intend to opt out of any class
which is certified as well as other potential plaintiffs.

      On each of  March  30,  1998 and  April 3,  1998,  UCAR  was  served  with
complaints  commencing  civil  lawsuits in the District  Court.  UCAR,  C/G, SGL
Carbon,  SGL and SDC are named as  defendants in each  complaint.  Additionally,
Showa Denko K.K., UCAR Global  Enterprises Inc., UCAR Carbon Company Inc., Union
Carbide and Mitsubishi are named as defendants in the complaint  served on March
30, 1998.  The  plaintiffs  named in the complaint  served on March 30, 1998 are
Ameristeel Corporation,  Atlantic Steel Industries,  Inc., Auburn Steel


                                       17
<PAGE>


Company,  Inc.,  Austeel Lemont Company,  Inc.,  Birmingham  Southeast,  L.L.C.,
Birmingham Steel Corporation,  Charter  Manufacturing Co., Inc.,  Citisteel USA,
Inc., Ipsco Steel Inc., Keystone Consolidated Industries Company, d/b/a Keystone
Steel and Wire Company, Laclede Steel Company, Latrobe Steel Company, The Marion
Steel Company,  North Star Steel Company,  North Star Steel Texas,  Inc.,  North
Star Steel,  L.L.C.,  Oregon Steel Mills,  Inc.,  Owen Electric Steel Company of
South Carolina, d/b/a SMI South Carolina, Sheffield Steel Corporation, SMI Steel
Inc.,  Structural  Metals,  Inc.,  Tamco and The Timken Company.  The plaintiffs
named in the  complaint  served  on April 3,  1998 were  Nucor  Corporation  and
Nucor-Yamato  Steel Corporation.  In each complaint,  the plaintiffs allege that
the defendants violated federal antitrust laws.  Additionally,  in the complaint
served on April 3, 1998, the plaintiffs allege that Union Carbide and Mitsubishi
violated  applicable state fraudulent transfer laws. Each complaint seeks, among
other things,  an award of treble damages  resulting from such alleged antitrust
violations.  The  complaint  served on April 3, 1998 also seeks to have payments
made  by  UCAR  to  Union  Carbide  and   Mitsubishi  in  connection   with  the
Recapitalization  declared to be fraudulent conveyances and returned to UCAR for
purposes of enabling UCAR to satisfy any judgments  resulting  from such alleged
antitrust violations.  The Company has not responded to either of these lawsuits
and intends to vigorously  defend against these lawsuits.  These lawsuits are in
their  earliest  stages.  The  Company  may at any time,  however,  settle  such
lawsuits  and any  related  possible  unasserted  claims.  The  Company  has had
discussions in this regard with certain of the plaintiffs and their counsel. The
Company anticipates that other lawsuits could be commenced against the Company.

      The Company anticipates that additional antitrust lawsuits seeking,  among
other things, to recover damages,  could be commenced against the Company in the
United States and in other jurisdictions.

      SHAREHOLDER  DERIVATIVE  LAWSUIT. On March 4, 1998, UCAR was served with a
complaint  commencing  a  shareholder  derivative  lawsuit  in  the  Connecticut
Superior Court (Judicial District of Danbury).  Robert P. Krass, former Chairman
of the Board,  President and Chief  Executive  Officer,  Robert J. Hart,  former
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, William P. Wiemels, then Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer,  Peter B. Mancino,  General Counsel, Vice
President and Secretary,  and Fred C. Wolf, then Vice President,  Administration
and Strategic Projects,  together with Robert D. Kennedy, and Messrs.  Cartledge
and Hall, current directors,  and Glenn H. Hutchins,  Howard A. Lipson, Peter G.
Peterson and Stephen A. Schwarzman,  former directors,  are named as defendants.
The  Company  is named as a  nominal  defendant.  On March 13,  1998,  effective
immediately,  Messrs.  Krass  and  Hart  retired  and Mr.  Krass  resigned  as a
director.  On March 18, 1998, Mr. Kennedy was elected  Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive  Officer,  Mr. Wiemels became Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer and Mr. Wolf became Vice  President  and Chief  Financial  Officer.  The
plaintiff  named in the complaint is David  Jaroslawicz.  The complaint  alleges
that the defendants  breached their fiduciary  duties in connection with alleged
non-compliance  by the  Company  and its  employees  with  antitrust  laws.  The
complaint also alleges that certain of the defendants sold common stock while in
possession  of  materially  adverse  non-public  information  relating  to  such
non-compliance  with antitrust  laws.  The complaint  seeks recovery for UCAR of
damages to the Company  resulting  from such  alleged  breaches  and sales.  The
complaint does not contain specific  allegations of the factual basis underlying
such  allegations  and appears to be based on the  existence  of the  previously
announced grand jury investigation,  the related  consolidated civil lawsuit and
the Company's public announcements and filings with the Commission. This lawsuit
is in its  earliest  stages.  UCAR  has  not  yet  responded  to the  complaint.
Accordingly,  no evaluation of potential liability has been made with respect to
this lawsuit.

      SECURITIES CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. On April 1, 1998, a complaint  commencing
a securities  fraud class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District
Court  for the  District  of  Connecticut.  UCAR,  David A.  Stockman,  a former
director,  and each of Messrs. Krass, Hart, Mancino,  Wiemels,  Wolf, Cartledge,
Hall,  Hutchins,   Kennedy,   Lipson,  Peterson  and  Schwarzman  are  named  as
defendants.  The  plaintiff  named in the  complaint is Solomon  Eisenberg.  The
proposed  class  consists of all persons who purchased  UCAR common stock during
the period from August 15, 1995 through March 13, 1998.  The  complaint  alleges
that during such period the defendants  violated  securities  laws by failing to
disclose alleged  violations of antitrust laws. The complaint seeks, among other
things, to recover damages resulting from such alleged violations.  UCAR has not
yet  responded  to  this  lawsuit.  This  lawsuit  is in  its  earliest  stages.
Accordingly,  no evaluation of potential liability has been made with respect to
this lawsuit.

      OTHER.  The  Company  is  involved  in  various  other  legal  proceedings
incidental to the conduct of its business. While it is not possible to determine
the  ultimate  disposition  of each of  these  other  proceedings,  the  Company
believes that the ultimate disposition of such other proceedings will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company.


                                       18
<PAGE>


      EARNINGS  CHARGE.  The  Company  recorded a charge of $340  million  ($310
million  after  tax)  against  results  of  operations  for 1997  for  potential
liabilities and expenses in connection with antitrust investigations and related
lawsuits and claims.  While such charge  reflects the Company's best estimate as
to the  amount of such  potential  liabilities  and  expenses  as of the date of
filing  of  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  with  the  Commission,  actual
liabilities and expenses could be materially higher or lower than such estimate.
In addition,  due to the fact such  lawsuits  are in the earliest  stages and no
evaluation  of  liability  can yet be made,  no amounts  have been  accrued with
respect  to  the  shareholder  derivative  and  securities  fraud  class  action
lawsuits.



ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

         None.


                                     PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

      MARKET INFORMATION

      The  common  stock is  listed  on the New York  Stock  Exchange  under the
trading  symbol  "UCR." The closing sale price of the common stock was $39 15/16
on December 31, 1997,  the last trading day of the  Company's  last fiscal year.
The  following  table sets forth,  for the periods  indicated,  the high and low
closing  sales  prices for the common  stock as  reported  by the New York Stock
Exchange:

                                              HIGH                     LOW
                                              ----                     ---
1996:
      First Quarter....................      $39 1/2                   $31
      Second Quarter...................      $44 7/8                   $39
      Third Quarter....................      $41 7/8                   $34 3/4
      Fourth Quarter...................      $41 1/8                   $32 5/8

1997:
      First Quarter.....................     $45                       $36 7/8
      Second Quarter....................     $49 1/8                   $38
      Third Quarter.....................     $48 11/16                 $42 1/2
      Fourth Quarter....................     $50 1/4                   $36 13/16

      As of December 31, 1997, there were 63 record holders of common stock. The
Company  estimates that  approximately  13,000  stockholders  are represented by
nominees.

     In August 1997, the common stock was added to Standard & Poor's 400 Mid-Cap
Index.


     DIVIDEND POLICY

      It is the current  policy of UCAR's Board of Directors to retain  earnings
to finance  operations,  meet  obligations  and repay debt. Any  declaration and
payment of cash  dividends  will be subject to the discretion of UCAR's Board of
Directors and will be dependent upon the Company's financial condition,  results
of operations, cash requirements and future prospects, the limitations contained
in the Senior Bank  Facilities  and the  Subordinated  Note  Indenture and other
factors deemed relevant by UCAR's Board of Directors.  There can be no assurance
that any cash dividends will be declared or paid.

                                       19
<PAGE>



      UCAR is a holding  company  that derives all of its cash flow from Global,
the common stock of which constitutes UCAR's only material asset.  Consequently,
UCAR's ability to pay dividends is dependent upon the earnings of Global and its
subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings by Global to UCAR.

      Under the Senior Bank  Facilities,  Global and UCAR are  permitted  to pay
dividends to their respective  stockholders only in an aggregate amount equal to
a  percentage,  ranging  from 50% to 65% based on certain  financial  tests,  of
cumulative  adjusted  consolidated net income, as defined therin (provided that,
in any event,  dividends  aggregating up to $15 million are permitted to be paid
in any twelve-month  period). In addition,  Global is permitted to pay dividends
to UCAR (i) in respect of UCAR's  administrative  fees and expenses and (ii) for
the specific purpose of the purchase or redemption by UCAR of capital stock held
by present or former  officers  of the  Company up to $5 million per year or $25
million in the aggregate. In general,  amounts which are permitted to be paid as
dividends in a year but are not so paid may be paid in  subsequent  years.  As a
result  of the  $340  million  charge  and  stock  repurchases,  UCAR  does  not
anticipate paying any dividends in the near term.

      The  Subordinated  Note  Indenture  restricts  the payment of dividends by
Global to UCAR if (a) at the time of such proposed dividend, Global is unable to
meet certain indebtedness incurrence and income tests or (b) the total amount of
the dividends paid exceeds specified  aggregate limits based on consolidated net
income, net proceeds from asset and stock sales and certain other  transactions.
Such restrictions are not applicable to dividends paid to UCAR (i) in respect of
UCAR's administrative fees and expenses and (ii) for the specific purpose of the
purchase  or  redemption  by UCAR of  capital  stock  held by  present or former
officers  of the  Company  in the  amount  of up to $5  million  per year or $25
million in the aggregate.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

      The following selected annual  consolidated  financial data (excluding the
"quantity of graphite  electrodes sold") have been derived from the Consolidated
Financial Statements at the dates and for the periods indicated, which have been
audited by KPMG Peat  Marwick LLP as  indicated in their  reports  thereon.  The
selected  consolidated  financial  data  set  forth  below  should  be  read  in
conjunction with  "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition
and Results of Operations" and the Consolidated Financial Statements at December
31,  1997  and 1996 and for each of the  years in the  three-year  period  ended
December 31, 1997 and the related notes thereto included elsewhere herein.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      -------------------------------
                                                          1997         1996          1995         1994        1993
                                                          ----         ----          ----         ----        ----
                                                               (Dollars in millions, except per share data)
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>        <C>

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
   Net sales........................................     $1,097       $ 948         $ 901        $ 758       $ 740
   Gross profit.....................................        411         365           345          243         203
   Selling, administrative and other expenses.......        115          90           115           79         203
   Restructuring costs(a)...........................          -           -            30            -          33
   Antitrust investigations                                 
         and related lawsuits and claims(b).........        340           -             -            -           -
   Operating profit (loss)(c).......................        (58)        268           189          162          80
   Interest expense.................................         64          61            93           19          21
   Income (loss) before extraordinary charge and
     cumulative effect of changes in accounting
     principles(c)..................................       (160)        145            25          100          50
   Extraordinary charge, net of tax(d)..............          -           -            37            -           -
   Cumulative effect of changes in accounting
      principles....................................          -           7             -            -         (20)
   Net income (loss)................................       (160)        152           (12)         100          30


                                       20
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      -------------------------------
                                                          1997         1996          1995         1994        1993
                                                          ----         ----          ----         ----        ----
                                                               (Dollars in millions, except per share data)
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>        <C>

   Earnings (loss) per common share(e):
        Basic: Income (loss) before cumulative
               effect of change in accounting
               principles...........................     $(3.49)        $3.15        $1.98
               Cumulative effect on prior years of
                 change in accounting for
                 inventories(f).....................          -          0.15            -
                                                         ---------      ------       -------
               Net income (loss)....................     $(3.49)        $3.30         $1.98
                                                         =========      ======       =======
               Weighted average common shares
                 outstanding (in thousands)(g)......     45,963        46,274        45,960
        Diluted:Income (loss) before cumulative
               effect of change in accounting
               principles...........................     $(3.49)        $3.00         $1.87
               Cumulative effect on prior years of
                 change in accounting for
                 inventories (f) ...................          -          0.15             -
                                                          ------        ------       ------
               Net income (loss)....................     $(3.49)        $3.15         $1.87
                                                         =======        ======       ======
               Weighted average common shares
                 outstanding (in thousands)(g)......     45,963        48,469        48,763

BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD END):
   Cash and cash equivalents........................   $     58     $    95        $   53       $   60       $  54
   Total assets.....................................      1,233         988           864          778         831
   Total debt.......................................        732         635           668          247         268
   Stockholders' equity (deficit)...................       (246)         (2)         (167)         192         188
   Working capital..................................         64         234           175          195          30

OTHER DATA:
    Gross profit margin.............................         37.5%       38.5%         38.3%        32.1%       27.4%
    Operating profit (loss) margin..................         (5.3)       28.3          21.0         21.4        10.8
    Depreciation and amortization...................    $    49     $    36       $    38        $  39       $  39
    Capital expenditures............................         79          62            65           34          26
    EBITDA(h).......................................         (9)        304           249          201         147
    Cash flow from operations.......................        172         172           130          174          64
    Cash flow used in investing.....................       (221)       (104)         (116)         (56)        (25)
    Quantity of graphite electrodes sold
         (thousands of metric tons)(i)(j)...........        242         205           217          196         217

</TABLE>

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

(a)  Represents  costs  recorded  in  connection  with  closing  or  downsizing
     operations at certain locations as part of the Company's restructuring and
     re-engineering  projects. These costs consisted primarily of write-offs of
     fixed assets and other shut down costs.

(b)  Represents estimated potential liabilities and expenses in connection with
     antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and claims.

(c)  Includes, in 1995,  non-recurring  charges related to the  Recapitalization
     of $8 million related to payments for a senior subordinated credit facility
     which was available but not used and payments under the Long Term Incentive
     Compensation  Plan  and  non-recurring  expenses  related  to  the  Initial
     Offering of $18 million for  compensation  expense  related to  accelerated
     vesting  of  performance  stock  options  and  restricted  matching  stock.
     Includes,  in 1997,  a $12  million  non-cash  charge  for the  accelerated
     vesting of  outstanding  1998  performance  stock options and $4 million of
     consulting fees associated with projects that the Company is undertaking to
     further improve operating  efficiency,  integrate worldwide  operations and
     generate earnings growth.

                                       21
<PAGE>



(d)  Resulted  from  early  extinguishment  of  debt  in  connection  with   the
     Redemption and the Refinancing.

(e)  For  1995,  unaudited pro forma per share data are presented  assuming that
     the  Recapitalization, Initial Offering, the Redemption and the Refinancing
     had   occurred  as of January 1, 1995.  Historical  per share data for 1995
     have  been omitted as the historical  capitalization of the Company was not
     indicative of the Company's then current capital structure.

(f)  Effective  January  1, 1996, the Company  changed its method of determining
     LIFO inventories.   The new methodology  provides  specifically  identified
     parameters  for defining new items within the LIFO pool,  which the Company
     believes   improves  the  accuracy  of costing  those  items.  The  Company
     recorded   income of $7 million  (after related taxes of $4 million) as the
     cumulative  effect   on  prior  years  of this  change  in  accounting  for
     inventories.  The  Company believes this change will not materially  impact
     the Company's ongoing results of operations.

(g)  Reflects  common shares and potential common shares  outstanding  after the
     Initial   Offering,   including   potential  common  shares  calculated  in
     accordance with the "treasury stock method,"  wherein the net proceeds from
     the  exercise  of  potential  common  shares  are  assumed  to be  used  to
     repurchase common shares at the average price for such year.

(h)  EBITDA,  for this purpose, means operating profit (loss) plus depreciation,
     amortization  and the portion of  restructuring  costs  applicable to fixed
     asset  write-offs.  The amount of  restructuring  costs applicable to fixed
     asset  write-offs  for 1993 and 1995  were  $28  million  and $22  million,
     respectively.  The Company  believes  that EBITDA is generally  accepted as
     providing  useful  information  regarding  a  company's  ability to service
     and/or incur debt.  EBITDA  should not be  considered  in isolation or as a
     substitute for net income,  cash flows from continuing  operations or other
     consolidated income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with generally
     accepted accounting principles or as a measure of a company's profitability
     or liquidity.

(i)  Excludes  graphite electrodes sold by EMSA, before it became a wholly owned
     subsidiary on April 21, 1997,  of 25,000  metric tons,  24,000 metric tons,
     27,000 metric tons, 26,000 metric tons and 8,000 metric tons in 1993, 1994,
     1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.

(j)  The  quantity of graphite  electrodes sold in the first quarter of 1994 was
     impacted by customer  buy-ins  during the fourth quarter of 1993 in advance
     of price  increases  effective in January 1994 and the quantity of graphite
     electrodes  sold in the fourth  quarter of 1997 was  impacted  by  customer
     buy-ins in advance of price increases effective in January 1998.

      The following  quarterly  selected  consolidated  financial data have been
derived from the Consolidated  Financial  Statements for the periods  indicated,
which have not been audited. The selected quarterly  consolidated financial data
set forth below should be read in conjunction with "Management's  Discussion and
Analysis of Financial  Condition and Results of Operations" and the Consolidated
Financial  Statements at December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the years in
the  three-year  period ended  December 31, 1997 and the related  notes  thereto
included elsewhere herein.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        FIRST          SECOND            THIRD            FOURTH
                                                       QUARTER        QUARTER           QUARTER          QUARTER
                                                       -------        -------           -------          -------
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>               <C>              <C>

                                                             (Dollars in millions, except per share data)
1997:
    Net sales..................................        $ 238            $ 290             $ 278           $ 291
    Gross profit...............................           88              110               104             109
    Net income (loss)(a).......................           37               42                37            (276)

    Basic net income (loss) per share..........         0.79             0.93              0.80           (6.07)
    Diluted net income (loss) per share........         0.76             0.89              0.77           (6.07)


                                       22
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        FIRST          SECOND            THIRD            FOURTH
                                                       QUARTER        QUARTER           QUARTER          QUARTER
                                                       -------        -------           -------          -------
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>               <C>              <C>
                                                             (Dollars in millions, except per share data)

1996:
    Net sales..................................          243              241               227             237
    Gross profit...............................           93               96                86              90
      Income before cumulative effect of change
        in accounting principles...............           35               38                35              37
    Net income.................................           42(b)            38                35              37


    Basic income per share before cumulative
      effect of change in accounting principles         0.77             0.82              0.75            0.81
    Cumulative effect per share on prior years
      of change in accounting for
      inventories..............................         0.15               --                --              --
                                                      ------            -----             -----           ----- 
    Basic net income per share.................        $0.92            $0.82             $0.75           $0.81
                                                      ======            =====             =====           ===== 
    Diluted income per share before cumulative
      effect of change in accounting principles        $0.73            $0.78             $0.72           $0.77
    Cumulative effect per share on prior years          0.15               --                --              --
                                                      ------            -----             -----           ----- 
      of change in accounting for inventories..
    Diluted net income per share...............        $0.88            $0.78             $0.72           $0.77
                                                      ======            =====             =====           =====  

</TABLE>

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

(a)   Includes a charge of $2 million  ($1 million  after tax) and $338 million
      ($309  million  after  tax)  in the  third  quarter  and  fourth  quarter,
      respectively, associated with estimated potential liabilities and expenses
      in  connection  with  antitrust  investigations  and related  lawsuits and
      claims.

(b)   Includes a  cumulative  effect on prior years of $7 million  (after taxes)
      related to a change in method of determining LIFO inventories.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION  AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

      GENERAL

      BACKGROUND.  In 1995, UCAR  International  Inc. ("UCAR" and, together with
its subsidiaries,  the "Company") consummated a leveraged  recapitalization (the
"Recapitalization"),  an initial  public  offering (the "Initial  Offering"),  a
redemption  (the  "Redemption")  of a portion  of the  subordinated  notes  (the
"Subordinated  Notes")  issued in  connection  with the  Recapitalization  and a
refinancing of the senior bank credit facilities  established in connection with
the  Recapitalization  (the  "Refinancing").  In 1995, the Company also acquired
substantially  all of the  shares of its  Brazilian  subsidiary  owned by public
shareholders in Brazil.

      RECENT  EVENTS.  In 1996,  the Company  acquired 90% of the equity of UCAR
Grafit OAO ("UCAR Grafit").  Thereafter,  the Company increased its ownership to
96% (at December 31, 1997) of such equity.  In 1997, the Company acquired 70% of
the equity of Carbone  Savoie S.A.S.  ("Carbone  Savoie")  and,  through a newly
formed 70% owned subsidiary, UCAR Elektroden GmbH ("UCAR Elektroden"),  acquired
the  graphite  electrode  business  of  Elektrokohle  Lichtenberg  AG ("EKL") in
Berlin, Germany. The Company also acquired the outstanding shares of EMSA (Pty.)
Ltd.  ("EMSA") held by the Company's  former 50% joint venture  partner in EMSA.
The acquisitions of UCAR Grafit, Carbone Savoie, EMSA and the graphite electrode
business of EKL (collectively,  the "Acquired  Companies") were accounted for as
purchases The Company currently has no plans to make any further acquisitions in
the near term.

      In 1997,  UCAR's Board of Directors  authorized a program to repurchase up
to $200  million of common stock at  prevailing  prices from time to time in the
open market or  otherwise  depending  on market  conditions  and other  factors,
without  any  established  minimum or maximum  time  period or number of shares.
Through  December 31, 1997, UCAR purchased an aggregate of $92 million of common
stock under such program (including 1,300,000

                                       23
<PAGE>


shares repurchased for $48 million concurrently with a secondary public offering
of common stock by stockholders  affiliated with Blackstone  Capital Partners II
Merchant Banking Fund L.P. and its affiliates (collectively "Blackstone")). UCAR
does not  currently  expect to continue to  repurchase  common  stock under this
program.  In addition,  on December 8, 1997, UCAR's Board of Directors  approved
the accelerated vesting of the outstanding  performance stock options associated
with 1998 performance targets.

     In 1997,  Western  Europe began to recover from the economic  downturn that
commenced in 1996. In addition,  an economic downturn in the Asia Pacific region
began in 1997  which is  still  continuing.  Although  the  Company  is a global
company,  its exposure in the Asia Pacific region  approximates 10% of total net
sales. The Company believes its net sales to Asia Pacific region customers will,
at least during the first half of 1998,  be  negatively  impacted as a result of
the decline in such region's steel  production  rates and the resultant delay in
such  customers'  orders for  graphite  electrodes.  The  Company  serves  every
geographic market worldwide and,  accordingly,  it is always impacted in varying
degrees,  both  positively  and  negatively,   as  country  or  regional  market
conditions fluctuate.

      In 1997,  the Company  was served  with  subpoenas,  search  warrants  and
information  requests  by  antitrust  authorities  in the United  States and the
European Union in connection  with  investigations  as to whether there has been
any   violation  of  antitrust   laws  by  producers  of  graphite   electrodes.
Subsequently,  several  antitrust  class action civil  lawsuits  were  commenced
against UCAR and certain  other  producers of graphite  electrodes in the United
States.  These lawsuits have been consolidated  into a single lawsuit,  although
additional  similar lawsuits have been  subsequently  commenced.  As a result of
recent developments, the Company recorded a charge against results of operations
for 1997 in the amount of $340 million  ($310  million  after tax) for estimated
potential  liabilities and expenses in connection with antitrust  investigations
and related lawsuits and claims. Although the $340 million charge represents the
Company's  best  estimate  as to the amount of such  potential  liabilities  and
expenses  as of the date of  filing  this  Annual  Report  on Form 10-K with the
Commission,  actual liabilities and expenses could be materially higher or lower
than such  estimate.  UCAR has also been named as a defendant  in a  shareholder
derivative  lawsuit and a  securities  class  action  lawsuit,  each of which is
based,  in part on the subject  matter of such antitrust  investigations.  It is
possible that additional  antitrust civil lawsuits seeking,  among other things,
to recover  damages could be commenced  against the Company in the United States
and in other jurisdictions. It is also possible that antitrust investigations in
other jurisdictions could be commenced.  In April 1998, pursuant to an agreement
with the DOJ,  UCAR agreed to plead  guilty to a one count  charge of  violating
antitrust laws in the sale of graphite electrodes.  Additionally, UCAR agreed to
pay a non-interest-bearing fine in the aggregate amount of $110 million, payable
in six annual installments.  Under the plea agreement,  UCAR will not be subject
to  prosecution  by the DOJ with respect to any antitrust  violations  occurring
prior to the date on which  the  agreement  receives  court  approval.  The fine
payable pursuant to the plea agreement is within the amounts used by the Company
for purposes of determining the $340 million charge. The plea agreement has been
submitted for court approval.  Although UCAR does not expect such an outcome, it
is possible that the court could reject the plea agreement.  In such event, UCAR
would be required to either  defend any charges  which could be brought or enter
into a less favorable plea  agreement.  Regardless of whether the plea agreement
is accepted by the court,  the plea agreement  makes it more difficult to defend
against antitrust civil lawsuits. In addition, due to the fact such lawsuits are
in the  earliest  stages and no  evaluation  of  liability  can yet be made,  no
amounts  have been  accrued  with  respect  to the  shareholder  derivative  and
securities fraud class action lawsuits.

      CURRENCY  MATTERS.  The Company sells its products in multiple  currencies
but seeks to price its products based on U.S.  dollar  equivalent  target prices
for  each  country  or  regional  market.  These  target  prices  are  based  on
evaluations of the relevant exchange rates, the relationship  between all of the
target prices and other factors, if any, which the Company may deem appropriate.
Each subsidiary then seeks to institute price increases to achieve target prices
when,  as and if local  conditions  permit.  A  subsidiary  may  rescind a price
increase or grant price discounts if required by local conditions. The impact on
net sales of any  price  increase  in  foreign  countries  can be  mitigated  or
exaggerated by changes in currency  exchange rates. The Company has entered into
hedging  transactions  to reduce its  exposure to changes in  currency  exchange
rates.

      While most of the  Company's  sales are made to customers in markets where
local currencies are readily  convertible into U.S.  dollars,  the Company makes
sales to customers in other markets, particularly countries in the former Soviet
Union,  Eastern Europe,  the Middle East and the Asia Pacific  region.  When the
Company  deems it 


                                       24
<PAGE>


appropriate,  the terms of sale to customers in these markets require payment in
U.S. dollars,  Deutsche Marks or Yen and may additionally  require prepayment or
delivery of a bank letter of credit or equivalent security for payment.

      RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

      The following table sets forth, for the periods  indicated,  certain items
from the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations  and the increase or decrease
(expressed as a percentage of such item in the comparable  prior period) of such
items:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                       PERCENTAGE
                                                              FOR THE YEAR ENDED                        INCREASE
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,                          (DECREASE) 
                                                                 ------------                           ---------
                                                                                                   1996 TO        1995 TO
                                                       1997          1996           1995           1997           1996
                                                       ----          ----           ----           ----           ----
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>
                                                                  (Dollars in millions)

Net sales......................................       $1,097          $948          $901            16%             5%
Cost of sales..................................          686           583           556            18              5
                                                     -------         -----         -----
Gross profit...................................          411           365           345            13              6
Selling, administrative and other expenses.....          115            90           115            27.8          (21.7)
Restructuring costs............................           --            --            30              --            N/M
Antitrust investigations                                 
     and related lawsuits and claims...........          340            --            --             N/M             --
Operating profit (loss)........................          (58)          268           189          (122)            42
- ----------------------
N/M: Not Meaningful

</TABLE>

      The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated,  the percentage
(rounded to the nearest tenth) of net sales  represented by certain items in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                              -------------------------------
                                                                      1997                   1996               1995
                                                                      ----                   ----               ----
<S>                                                                   <C>                    <C>                <C> 

Net sales...............................................              100.0%                 100.0%             100.0%
Cost of sales...........................................               62.5                   61.5               61.7
                                                                     ------                 ------             ------
Gross profit............................................               37.5                   38.5               38.3
Selling, administrative and other expenses..............               10.5                    9.5               12.8
Restructuring costs.....................................                --                     --                 3.3
Antitrust investigations                                              
     and related lawsuits and claims....................               31.0                    --                 --
Operating profit (loss).................................               (5.3)                  28.3               21.0

</TABLE>

      1997 COMPARED TO 1996. Net sales in 1997 were $1,097 million,  an increase
of $149 million, or 16%, from net sales of $948 million in 1996. The increase in
net sales was primarily attributable to the Acquired Companies,  which added net
sales of $140  million  after  taking into  account  inter-company  sales to the
Acquired  Companies  which would have been classified as third party sales prior
to their respective acquisitions.  The Company's raw material sales were reduced
by $13 million in 1997. Net sales of the Company's  products  outside the United
States  accounted  for 72% of total net sales in 1997 and 68% of total net sales
in 1996. Net sales of graphite  electrodes  accounted for 72% of total net sales
in 1997 as compared to 73% of total net sales in 1996.  Excluding  the  Acquired
Companies,  the volume of graphite  electrodes sold increased 9,700 metric tons,
or 4.7%, to 214,700 metric tons in 1997 from 205,000 metric tons in 1996,  which
added $31 million of net sales in 1997.  This increase in the volume of graphite
electrodes  sold was primarily due to the economic  recovery in Western  Europe,
including purchases by certain customers in advance of announced price increases
effective January 1, 1998, or "customer buy-ins," and increased export shipments
to the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions.  Excluding the Acquired  Companies,
increases in the average  selling  price (in U.S.  dollars and net of changes in
currency exchange rates) of graphite  electrodes added approximately $38 million
to net sales in 1997. The Western European currencies  weakened  considerably in
1997 against the U.S. dollar. Accordingly,  these price increases were more than
offset by the


                                       25
<PAGE>


negative  impact of currency  translation  on net sales of graphite  electrodes,
which  amounted  to  approximately  $43  million.  The  non-graphite   electrode
businesses,  excluding the Acquired  Companies,  remained relatively stable on a
combined basis in 1997 as compared to 1996.

      Gross profit in 1997 was $411 million (37.5% of net sales), a 13% increase
over the gross  profit of $365 million  (38.5% of net sales) in 1996.  Excluding
the  Acquired  Companies,  the gross  margin  would have been 39.1% in 1997,  an
improvement of 60 basis points over 1996.  The  improvement  resulted  primarily
from an increase in capacity  utilization and cost savings,  partially offset by
increases in the cost of raw materials.

      Operating loss in 1997 was $58 million  ((5.3%) of net sales),  a decrease
of $326 million,  or 122%,  from operating  profit of $268 million (28.3% of net
sales) in 1996.  Operating  profit in 1997 was  primarily  impacted  by the $340
million charge for estimated  potential  liabilities  and expenses in connection
with antitrust  investigations  and related  lawsuits and claims,  a $12 million
non-cash charge for the vesting of outstanding  1998  performance  stock options
and $4 million of consulting  fees  associated with projects that the Company is
undertaking to improve operating efficiency,  integrate worldwide operations and
generate  earnings  growth.  Excluding the $340 million  charge and the Acquired
Companies,  operating  profit in 1997 would have been $261 million (27.7% of net
sales) in 1997.

      Selling,  administrative  and other expenses were $115 million in 1997, an
increase  of  $25  million,  or  27.8%,  from  $90  million  in  1996.  Selling,
administrative  and other  expenses in 1997  included  the $12 million  non-cash
charge  for  the  vesting  of  outstanding  1998   performance   stock  options.
Additionally,  the  Acquired  Companies  had selling,  administrative  and other
expenses amounting to $16 million in 1997.

      Other (income) expense (net) was expense of $5 million in 1997 as compared
to income of $1 million in 1996. The change  resulted  primarily from $4 million
of consulting  fees  associated with projects that the Company is undertaking to
further  improve  operating  efficiency,   integrate  worldwide  operations  and
generate earnings growth.

      Interest  expense  increased  to $64  million in 1997 from $61  million in
1996. In 1997, the average  outstanding  total debt balance was $726 million and
the average annual interest rate was 8.9% as compared to an average  outstanding
total debt balance of $643 million and an average  annual  interest rate of 9.4%
in  1996.  The  decline  in  the  average  annual  interest  rate  is  primarily
attributable  to decreases in interest rates resulting from the amendment of the
Company's senior bank credit  facilities (the "Senior Bank Facilities") in March
1997. The increase in outstanding  debt resulted  primarily from $124 million of
investments in acquisitions,  $92 million for repurchase of common stock and $79
million for capital  expenditures,  offset by net cash flow from  operations  of
$172 million.

      Provision  for income  taxes was $39  million in 1997 as  compared  to $68
million in 1996.  In 1997,  the  provision  for income  taxes was  significantly
higher than the amount computed by applying the United States Federal income tax
rate primarily due to the fact that a majority of the charge in connection  with
antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and claims will not be deductible,
offset to a much lesser extent by the  Company's  tax  exemption in Brazil,  tax
credits in the United States  associated with research and development  expenses
and  tax  benefits  recognized  in  Italy  and  Spain  associated  with  capital
expenditures and fixed asset revaluations, respectively.

      UCAR's share of net income from its company  carried at equity,  EMSA, was
$2 million  during the period from January 1, 1997 to April 21, 1997 as compared
to $7  million  for all of  1996.  In  April  1997,  the  Company  acquired  the
outstanding  shares  of EMSA  held by its  former  50%  joint  venture  partner.
Following the acquisition,  EMSA's results of operations were  consolidated with
the  Company's  results  of  operations  and no  additional  equity  income  was
recorded.

      1996 COMPARED TO 1995. Net sales in 1996 were $948 million, an increase of
5% from $901 million in 1995.  This increase was led by the  Company's  graphite
specialties  and  carbon  specialties  businesses,  which  both  had  net  sales
increases  of 13% in 1996 as compared to 1995.  The average  selling  prices (in
U.S.  dollars and net of changes in  currency  exchange  rates) for  products of
these  businesses  increased  approximately  8% in 1996 as compared to 1995. The
carbon specialties  business had increased volume in carbon refractory products,
which  are sold  primarily  to the  steel  industry.  The  graphite  specialties
business had increased volume in "superfine  grain" products,  which are used in
the semiconductor industry, and increased volume in graphite cathodes, which are
used  in the  aluminum  industry.  Net  sales  of the  Company's  core  graphite
electrodes  business,  which  accounted  for 73% of  total  net  sales 

                                       26
<PAGE>


in 1996, increased  approximately 3% to $696 million in 1996 as compared to $675
million in 1995. The average  selling price (in U.S.  dollars and net of changes
in currency exchange rates) of graphite electrodes sold increased  approximately
6% to $3,185  per  metric  ton in 1996 as  compared  to $3,000 per metric ton in
1995. The volume of graphite  electrodes sold in 1996 declined by  approximately
5% in 1996 as  compared  to 1995.  Graphite  electrode  sales  volume in Western
Europe  declined  18% in 1996 as compared to 1995 as a result of lower  economic
activity as members of the  European  Union  continued  to work toward a unified
monetary  system.  Net sales for the  Company's  products  outside of the United
States  amounted to $642 million,  or  approximately  68% of total net sales, in
1996.

      Gross profit in 1996 was $365 million,  an increase of $20 million, or 6%,
from gross profit of $345 million in 1995. Price increases on all products sold,
together  with cost  savings,  offset the  decline in graphite  electrode  sales
volume and allowed for an increase in gross  margin to 38.5% in 1996 as compared
to 38.3% in 1995.

      Operating  profit  in 1996 was  $268  million  (28.3%  of net  sales),  an
increase of $79 million, or 42%, from operating profit of $189 million (21.0% of
net sales) in 1995. Excluding restructuring costs of $30 million,  non-recurring
expense of $6 million  associated  with a senior  subordinated  credit  facility
available but not used in connection with the  Recapitalization,  $18 million of
non-recurring compensation expense included in selling, administrative and other
expenses as a result of  accelerated  vesting of  performance  stock options and
restricted matching stock in connection with the Initial Offering and $2 million
of other  expenses due to payments  under the Long Term  Incentive  Compensation
Plan accelerated as a result of the  Recapitalization,  operating profit in 1995
would have been $245 million (27.2% of net sales).

      Selling,  administrative  and other  expenses  were $90 million in 1996, a
decrease  of  $25  million,   or  22%,  from  $115  million  in  1995.  Selling,
administrative  and other expenses in 1995 included $18 million in non-recurring
compensation  expenses  associated with the  accelerated  vesting of performance
stock  options and  restricted  matching  stock in  connection  with the Initial
Offering and $4 million  associated with scheduled  vesting of performance stock
options.

      Restructuring  costs of $30 million  were  incurred in 1995 in  connection
with the Rationalization Project. No restructuring costs were incurred in 1996.

      Other (income)  expense (net) was income of $1 million in 1996 as compared
to  expense of $3 million in 1995.  The  change  resulted  primarily  from a $14
million decrease in interest income  (primarily due to a reduction in short-term
investments by the Company's  Brazilian  subsidiary),  a $9 million reduction in
expense from foreign currency adjustments  (including reduced translation losses
from  Brazilian  operations  and U.S.  dollar-denominated  debt of the Company's
foreign  subsidiaries) and a non-recurring expense of $7 million associated with
bank fees due to the  Recapitalization  which were  incurred  in 1995 but not in
1996.

      Interest  expense  decreased  to $61  million in 1996 from $93  million in
1995. In 1996, the average  outstanding  total debt balance was $643 million and
the average annual interest rate was 9.4% as compared to an average  outstanding
total debt balance of $820 million and an average annual  interest rate of 11.5%
in 1995.

      Provision  for income  taxes was $68  million in 1996 as  compared  to $74
million in 1995. In 1995, income tax expense was higher than the amount computed
by  applying  the  United  States  federal  income  tax  rate  primarily  due to
non-recurring   taxes  of   approximately   $37  million   associated  with  the
Recapitalization.

      Minority   stockholders'  share  of  income  of  the  Company's  Brazilian
subsidiary  decreased  to $1  million  in 1996 from $4 million in 1995 due to an
increase in the Company's ownership of that subsidiary. Substantially all of the
minority  interest of the Brazilian  subsidiary  was purchased by the Company in
1995. The Company's share of net income of EMSA remained stable at $7 million in
1996 and 1995.

    The following  table sets forth a summary of the results of  operations  for
1995, as adjusted for certain non-recurring expenses, taxes and costs:


                                       27
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                      OPERATING                  NET
                                                                                        PROFIT                 INCOME
                                                                                      ---------                -------
<S>                                                                                    <C>                     <C>

                                                                                          (Dollars in millions,
                                                                                         except per share data)

As reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements.....................                 $189                  $(12)
Non-recurring expenses, taxes and costs:
    Compensation expense due to accelerated vesting of performance stock options
        and restricted matching stock in connection with the
           Initial Offering..............................................                   18                    12
    Senior subordinated credit facility expense and Long Term
        Incentive Compensation Plan payments in connection with the
          Recapitalization...............................................                    8                     5
    Extraordinary charge for early extinguishment of debt................                   --                    37
    Taxes associated with the Recapitalization...........................                   --                    37
      Pro forma interest adjustment to give effect to the Recapitalization,
               the Initial Offering, the Redemption and the Refinancing as
               if they occurred on January 1, 1995.......................                   (1)                   12
                                                                                          -------               ------
Pro forma operating profit/net income....................................                 $214                  $ 91
                                                                                          =======               ======
</TABLE>

EFFECTS OF  INFLATION

      In general,  the  Company's  cost of sales is affected by the inflation in
each  country in which it has a  manufacturing  facility.  During the past three
years,  the effects of  inflation  in the United  States and  foreign  countries
(except for highly inflationary  countries) have been offset by a combination of
improved  operating  efficiency,  improved pricing and permanent,  on-going cost
savings and,  accordingly,  have not been  material to the Company.  The cost of
petroleum  coke, a principal raw material used by the Company,  and natural gas,
which is used by the Company in its electrode,  cathode and graphite specialties
baking  operations,  may fluctuate  widely for various  reasons,  including fuel
shortages  and cold  weather.  Changes in such costs  were not  material  to the
Company  during the three years ended  December  31, 1997.  No assurance  can be
given that future  increases in the  Company's  cost of sales or other  expenses
will not exceed the rate of  inflation  or the  amounts by which the  Company is
able to increase its prices.

      The Company  maintains  operations in Brazil and Russia,  countries  which
historically have had highly inflationary economies. The financial statements of
these foreign  operations have been  remeasured as if the respective  functional
currencies  of the  Brazilian and Russian  economic  environments  were the U.S.
dollar.  Accordingly,   translation  gains  and  losses  were  included  in  the
Consolidated  Statements of Operations  for each of the years in the  three-year
period ended December 31, 1997. The Company also maintains operations in Mexico.
Because of significant  increases in the rate of inflation in Mexico,  Mexico is
considered to have a highly inflationary economy and, effective January 1, 1997,
the Company changed its functional currency in Mexico to the U.S. dollar.

      Effective  January 1, 1998,  Brazil is no longer considered to be a highly
inflationary economy. If this change had occurred effective January 1, 1997, the
effect on results of  operations  and  financial  condition  would not have been
material.

      EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES

      The Company  produces  and sells its products in multiple  currencies.  In
general, the Company's results of operations are affected by changes in currency
exchange  rates.  When the local  currencies  of foreign  countries in which the
Company has a manufacturing  facility decline (or increase) in value relative to
the U.S. dollar, this has the effect of reducing (or increasing) the U.S. dollar
equivalent  cost of sales and other  expenses with respect to those  facilities.
This effect is,  however,  partially  offset by the cost of  petroleum  coke,  a
principal  raw  material  used by the  Company,  which  is  denominated  in U.S.
dollars.  The Company prices  products  manufactured at such facilities in local
currencies  and adjusts  those  prices (to the extent  permitted by local market
conditions)  to  attempt to  maintain a U.S.  dollar  equivalent  target  price.
Accordingly,  when the local currencies  increase (or decline) in value relative
to 

                                       28
<PAGE>


the U.S. dollar,  this has the effect of increasing (or reducing) net sales. The
result of these  effects is to  increase or  decrease  operating  profit and net
income.

      Net sales of graphite  electrodes were  approximately $43 million,  or 6%,
lower in 1997 as a result of the impact of negative  currency  translation.  The
Western  European  currencies  weakened  considerably  in 1997  against the U.S.
dollar.  In an effort to mitigate the effects of exchange  rate  changes,  price
increases  were  announced in certain of the Western  European  countries  which
became effective on January 1, 1998.  During 1998, the currencies in many of the
countries  in which the Company  sells its  products  have  continued  to weaken
against  the U.S.  dollar.  The  Company  believes  that it is likely  that such
exchange rate changes will adversely affect its net sales despite its efforts to
mitigate  the effects of such  changes.  To further  manage  exposure to general
economic and specific  financial  market risks caused by currency  exchange rate
changes,  the Company engages in hedging activities and uses various off-balance
sheet financial  instruments.  The amount of currency exchange contracts used by
the Company to minimize these risks was $353 million at December 31, 1997,  $350
million at December 31, 1996 and $269 million at December 31, 1995.

      In connection with the Recapitalization,  certain of the Company's foreign
subsidiaries borrowed $343 million of U.S.  dollar-denominated debt. In November
1995,  the  Company  repatriated  U.S.  dollar-denominated  debt of its  Mexican
subsidiary by replacing it with debt of UCAR Global Enterprises Inc. ("Global").
At December 31, 1997,  total  outstanding  U.S.  dollar-denominated  debt of the
Company's foreign subsidiaries  (excluding the Company's  subsidiaries in Russia
and Brazil, which used the U.S. dollar as their functional currency because they
operate  in highly  inflationary  economies)  was $214  million.  Changes in the
exchange  rates between the U.S.  dollar and the  currencies in the countries in
which these subsidiaries are located result in foreign currency gains and losses
that are reported in other (income) expense (net) in the Consolidated Statements
of  Operations.  While  changes in currency  exchange  rates did not  materially
affect the Company in the three years ended  December 31, 1997,  there can be no
assurance  that such  changes  will not have a  material  adverse  effect on the
Company in the future.  Since November 1995, the Company's foreign  subsidiaries
with U.S.  dollar-denominated  debt have entered into foreign currency contracts
to protect against exchange rate changes.  The amount of such contracts was $214
million at December 31, 1997, $169 million at December 31, 1996 and $198 million
at December 31, 1995.  The Company  believes that the  repatriation  of the U.S.
dollar-denominated  debt from its Mexican  subsidiary and such contracts  reduce
the Company's exposure to exchange rate changes related to such borrowings.

      LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

      The  Company's  sources of funds have  consisted  principally  of invested
capital,  cash flow from  operations and debt  financing.  The Company's uses of
those funds  (other than for  operations)  have  consisted  principally  of debt
reduction  (including the Redemption  with proceeds from the Initial  Offering),
capital expenditures,  distributions to stockholders  (including  repurchases of
common  equity),  acquisition  of  controlling  interests  in new  companies  or
businesses and  acquisition  of minority  stockholders'  shares of  consolidated
subsidiaries.  Since 1995,  acquisitions  and  repurchases  under  UCAR's  stock
repurchase  program have been financed from  existing cash  balances,  cash flow
from operations, short-term borrowings and borrowings under its revolving credit
facilities.

      GENERAL EFFECTS OF  INDEBTEDNESS  AND  LIABILITIES.  The Company is highly
leveraged.  The Company's indebtedness is expected to increase and its liquidity
is expected to decrease in connection with liabilities  arising out of antitrust
investigations  and related  lawsuits  and claims.  At December  31,  1997,  the
Company had an  aggregate  of $732  million of  outstanding  indebtedness  and a
stockholders' deficit of $246 million as compared to $635 million of outstanding
indebtedness and a stockholders' deficit of $2 million at December 31, 1996.

      The Company's substantial  indebtedness and obligations in connection with
antitrust  investigations  and related  lawsuits and claims could have important
consequences,  including the following: (i) the Company's ability to restructure
its existing  debt or obtain  additional  debt  financing  for working  capital,
capital expenditures,  settlements, judgments or other obligations in connection
with  antitrust  investigations  or  related  lawsuits  or  claims,  or  general
corporate or other  purposes may be impaired in the future;  (ii) a  substantial
portion of the  Company's  cash flow from  operations  must be dedicated to debt
service obligations and obligations in connection with antitrust  investigations
and related  lawsuits and claims,  thereby  reducing the funds  available to the
Company  for  other  purposes;  (iii)  the  Company  may be  substantially  more
leveraged  than  certain of its  competitors,  which may place the  Company at a
competitive disadvantage;  (iv) the Company's substantial degree of leverage may
hinder its ability to adjust  rapidly


                                       29
<PAGE>


to changing market conditions or other events; and (v) the Company's substantial
degree of leverage makes it more  vulnerable to insolvency,  bankruptcy or other
adverse effects in the event of a downturn in general economic conditions or its
business  or  in  the  event  that  obligations  in  connection  with  antitrust
investigations and related lawsuits and claims are greater than expected.

      The Company's ability to service its debt and meet its other  obligations,
including  obligations  associated  with  antitrust  investigations  and related
lawsuits and claims,  as they come due will depend on its future  financial  and
operating  performance,  which,  in turn,  is subject to,  among  other  things,
changes in the graphite and carbon industry,  prevailing economic conditions and
certain  financial,  business and other  factors  beyond its control,  including
interest rates. The Company believes that obligations  associated with antitrust
investigations and related lawsuits and claims has had a material adverse impact
on its working capital, and will have a material adverse impact on its cash flow
and liquidity. If the Company's cash flow and capital resources are insufficient
to enable the  Company to meet its debt  service and other  obligations  as they
become due, the failure to meet such  obligations  could have a material adverse
effect on the Company, up to and including bankruptcy.

      CASH FLOW AND PLANS TO MANAGE LIQUIDITY. For at least the past five years,
the Company has had positive annual cash flow from  operations.  Typically,  the
first  quarter  of each year  results  in  neutral  or  negative  cash flow from
operations  (after deducting cash used for capital  expenditures) due to various
factors.  These factors include  interest  payments on the  Subordinated  Notes,
rebuilding  inventory  levels  related to the effect of customer  buy-ins in the
fourth quarter of the prior year in response to price  increases to be effective
in the first  quarter of the  current  year,  and the  payment  during the first
quarter of each year of variable  compensation  with respect to the  immediately
preceding  year.  Typically,  the other  three  quarters  result in  significant
positive  cash flow  from  operations  (after  deducting  cash used for  capital
expenditures),  although  the third  quarter  tends to produce  relatively  less
positive  cash  flow  primarily  as  a  result  of  interest   payments  on  the
Subordinated Notes due in that quarter. The Company believes that the current
year will follow the  historical  pattern.  In  addition,  to minimize  interest
expense, the Company (other than its Brazilian subsidiary) typically operates on
a "zero-cash"  basis,  using funds available under the revolving credit facility
as its primary  source of  liquidity.  Accordingly,  in the absence of borrowing
capability under the revolving  credit facility,  the Company would have limited
funds  available  to meet  its  debt  service  obligations  and  obligations  in
connection with antitrust  investigations  and related  lawsuits and claims.  In
April 1998, the Company  obtained a limited  waiver of certain  covenants of the
Senior Bank Facilities and, in connection therewith,  borrowed $35 million under
the  revolving  credit  facility.  The Company  believes  that the $35  million,
together with cash flow from operations  (after  deducting cash used for capital
expenditures)  will  enable  it to  meet  its  debt  service,  trade  and  other
obligations  when due in the  ordinary  course of  business  during  the  second
quarter of 1998, including currently anticipated  obligations in connection with
antitrust  investigations  and related lawsuits and claims. In this regard,  the
Company  believes  that the plea  agreement  with the DOJ will  assist it in its
efforts to meet its  obligations  as they  become  due since the plea  agreement
permits the  Company to pay the $110  million  non-interest-bearing  fine in six
annual  installments.  There can be no assurance,  however,  that obligations in
connection with antitrust  investigations  and related  lawsuits and claims will
not be greater than expected.

      The Company is in the process of evaluating the potential impacts from the
$340 million charge,  antitrust  investigations and related lawsuits and claims.
Although the ultimate outcome of these matters is uncertain, the Company expects
the   potential   liabilities,   expenses   and  other   impacts  of   antitrust
investigations  and related  lawsuits and claims to be material and adverse.  No
assurance can be given that the Company's cash flow from  operations and capital
resources  will be sufficient to enable the Company to meet its debt service and
other  obligations and respond to such impacts.  Such impacts could require that
the Company limit or  discontinue,  temporarily or  permanently,  certain of its
business  plans,  activities  or  operations,  further  reduce or delay  capital
expenditures, sell certain of its assets or businesses, restructure or refinance
some or all of its debt or incur  additional  debt,  or sell  additional  common
stock or other  securities.  No assurance  can be given that the Company will be
able to take any of such actions on  favorable  terms or at all.  Further,  such
impacts may ultimately require that the Company seek protection under applicable
bankruptcy laws.

      The Company's current plan is to continue its long-term  strategy of being
a low-cost  producer of high quality products and provider of superior  services
to  customers.  Consistent  with this  strategy  and in order to maximize  funds
available to meet its obligations,  the Company is focusing  significant efforts
on reducing operating expenses, capital expenditures and other cash requirements
and  commitments,   while   maintaining   necessary  and  appropriate   business
operations. The Company believes that the long-term fundamentals of its business
continue to be sound.

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<PAGE>


Accordingly,  although no assurance can be given that such will be the case, the
Company  believes,  based on its expected cash flow from  operations  and taking
into account its efforts to maximize funds available to meet its obligations, it
will be able to restructure  its  capitalization  and manage its working capital
and cash flow to permit it to meet its obligations as they become due.

      OVERVIEW OF DEBT FINANCING AND DESCRIPTION OF WAIVER. Upon consummation of
the  Recapitalization,  the  Company  established  recapitalization  bank credit
facilities  which provided for  borrowings of up to $685 million,  of which $585
million was used in connection with the  Recapitalization.  On October 19, 1995,
the Company  refinanced  such facilities with the Senior Bank Facilities at more
favorable  interest  rates and with more  favorable  covenants.  The Senior Bank
Facilities  initially  provided for  borrowings of up to $620 million,  of which
$520 million was used in connection with the Refinancing. On March 19, 1997, the
Senior Bank  Facilities  were  amended to reduce the  interest  rates on amounts
outstanding  thereunder,  to increase the amount  available  under the revolving
credit  facility  to $250  million  from  $100  million  and to  change  certain
covenants  to  allow  greater   flexibility  in  uses  of  free  cash  flow  for
acquisitions,  capital expenditures and restricted payments.  In April 1998, the
Company  obtained a waiver of a breach,  if any,  of  certain  of the  covenants
contained in the Senior Bank  Facilities  relating to the  Company's  compliance
with laws prior to March 13, 1998 and the Company's obligation to deliver to the
lenders under the Senior Bank Facilities certain financial information within 90
days of the end of the prior year.  In connection  with the waiver,  the Company
agreed  to  grant a  security  interest  in  substantially  all,  to the  extent
possible,  of its  assets  and  amend  certain  provisions  of the  Senior  Bank
Facilities.  Such amendments are likely to result in an increase in the interest
rates  applicable  to  the  indebtedness   outstanding  under  the  Senior  Bank
Facilities.  In addition,  in connection with the waiver, on April 13, 1998, the
Company  borrowed an additional $35 million under the revolving credit facility.
The waiver is not effective for any additional  borrowings and will terminate on
the  earlier to occur of July 10,  1999,  the  occurrence  of any other event of
default under the Senior Bank  Facilities or a date on which the lenders  notify
the Company  that the lenders  believe that there has been,  since  December 31,
1997,  a  material  adverse  change  in  UCAR's  assets,  business,  properties,
financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

      DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR BANK FACILITIES.  The Senior Bank Facilities consist
of: (a) a Tranche A Facility  (the  "Tranche A Facility")  in the amount of $270
million  consisting of (i) a Tranche A Letter of Credit  Facility  providing for
the issuance of up to $225 million of U.S.  dollar-denominated letters of credit
for the purpose of supporting either U.S. dollar-denominated or foreign-currency
denominated  loans,  and  interest  and the  impact of  currency  exchange  rate
fluctuations  thereon, to certain foreign  subsidiaries of Global (together with
Global,  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  UCAR,  the  "Credit  Parties")  under
facilities arranged with local lending institutions,  (ii) a Tranche A Term Loan
Facility providing for term loans of $45 million to Global and (iii) a Tranche A
Reimbursement  Loan Facility in respect of drawings under such letters of credit
or to refinance  such loans to foreign  subsidiaries;  (b) a Tranche B Term Loan
Facility (the "Tranche B Facility")  providing for term loans of $120 million to
Global; and (c) a Revolving Credit Facility (the "Revolving Facility") providing
for  revolving  and  swingline   loans  to  Global  and  the  issuance  of  U.S.
dollar-denominated  letters  of  credit  for the  account  of  Global  or  other
designated  credit  parties in an aggregate  principal  and stated amount at any
time not to exceed $250 million.  The Revolving Facility  terminates on December
31, 2001.

      The Tranche A Facility (including the letters of credit issued thereunder)
amortizes in quarterly installments over four years,  commencing March 31, 1998,
with installments  ranging from $50 million in 1998 to $85 million in 2001, with
the final  installment  payable on  December  31,  2001.  The Tranche B Facility
amortizes over five years,  commencing  March 31, 1998,  with nominal  quarterly
installments during the first four years, and quarterly installments aggregating
$116 million in 2002, with the final  installment  payable on December 31, 2002.
The Company's next required installment payments for the tranche A and tranche B
portions  of  the  Senior  Bank  Facilities  of  $50  million  and  $1  million,
respectively,  occur during  1998.  During  1996,  the Company made  payments in
advance of installments due on the Tranche A Facility and Tranche B Facility, of
$25  million  and $30  million,  respectively  ($60  million  and  $25  million,
respectively,  during 1995). The Company did not make any voluntary  prepayments
during 1997.

      The Company enters into agreements with financial institutions which limit
the Company's  exposure to the incurrence of additional  interest expense due to
increases  in variable  interest  rates.  During  1995,  the  Company  purchased
interest rate caps on up to $375 million of debt,  limiting  interest expense on
this debt to 8.5% through 1997. During 1997, the Company purchased interest rate
caps on $250  million  of debt,  limiting  interest  expense  on 

                                       31
<PAGE>


this debt to a weighted average rate of 8.2% for the period commencing  February
1998 and continuing  through various dates ending February 2001. Fees related to
these  agreements  are  charged  to  interest  expense  over  the  term  of  the
agreements.  Use of these interest rate risk instruments satisfies  requirements
under the Senior Bank Facilities.

      The Credit  Parties are required to make  mandatory  prepayments of loans,
and letters of credit are mandatorily reduced, subject to certain exceptions, in
the amount of (a) either  50% or 25%  (depending  on the ratio of debt to EBITDA
(as defined) of UCAR and its subsidiaries) of consolidated  excess cash flow (as
defined) of Global and its subsidiaries  (after giving effect to debt service on
the  Senior  Bank  Facilities  and  the   Subordinated   Notes)  less  voluntary
prepayments  previously made during a specified  annual period,  (b) 100% of the
net  proceeds  of certain  dispositions  of assets or stock of  subsidiaries  or
incurrence of certain  indebtedness by UCAR, Global or any of their subsidiaries
and (c) 50% of the net  proceeds  of the  issuance of any equity  securities  by
UCAR. No mandatory prepayments were required in 1997.

      The obligations of the Credit Parties under the Senior Bank Facilities are
unconditionally  and  irrevocably  guaranteed  by UCAR and each of its direct or
indirect domestic subsidiaries  (collectively,  the "Guarantors").  In addition,
the Senior Bank  Facilities and such guarantees are secured by first priority or
equivalent  security  interests in substantially all capital stock of Global and
the  Guarantors,  including all the capital stock of, or other equity  interests
in, each other direct or indirect  domestic  subsidiary of Global and 65% of the
capital stock of, or other equity  interests in, each direct foreign  subsidiary
of Global or any  Guarantor  or,  in any case in which  Global or any  Guarantor
holds  directly  less than 65% of such stock or equity  interests in any foreign
subsidiary,  all such stock or equity interests held by Global or such Guarantor
(to the  extent  permitted  by  applicable  contractual  and legal  provisions).
Certain of the foreign  subsidiaries  have agreed to provide  additional  credit
support for  obligations  of foreign  Credit Parties in respect of the Tranche A
Facility in the form of collateral and/or cross  guarantees.  In connection with
the waiver,  each of UCAR and the Credit Parties agreed to grant, to the lenders
under the Senior Bank Facilities in the case of Global and the Guarantors,  and,
to the extent legally  permitted,  to each local facility  lender in the case of
the  direct and  indirect  foreign  subsidiaries  of  Global,  a first  priority
security  interest in substantially all of the respective assets of UCAR and the
Credit Parties.

      At  Global's  option,  the  interest  rates  applicable  to the  Tranche A
Facility and Revolving  Facility are either  adjusted  LIBOR (as defined) plus a
margin ranging from 0.35% to 1.50% (depending on the ratio of debt to EBITDA (as
defined) of UCAR and its  subsidiaries) or the alternate base rate. The interest
rate applicable to the Tranche B Facility is either adjusted LIBOR plus 1.50% or
the alternate  base rate plus 0.50%.  The  alternate  base rate is the higher of
Chase  Manhattan  Bank's  prime rate or the federal  funds  effective  rate plus
0.50%.  At the  relevant  foreign  Credit  Party's  option,  the  interest  rate
applicable to its loans is either  adjusted LIBOR plus 0.25%,  an alternate base
rate   (which   varies   from   loan  to  loan)   or,   in  the  case  of  local
currency-denominated  loans,  the local  interbank  offered rate plus 0.25%.  In
connection  with the waiver,  the Company agreed to amend certain  provisions of
the Senior Bank Facilities related to interest rate changes for borrowings under
the Tranche A Facility and the Revolving Facility. Such amendments are likely to
result in an  increase  in the  interest  rate  applicable  to the  indebtedness
outstanding  under the Senior Bank  Facilities  because the definition of EBITDA
has been  modified,  for purposes of  determining  certain  applicable  interest
rates, to include any payments made with respect to antitrust investigations and
related lawsuits and claims.

      Global pays a per annum fee ranging from 0.35% to 1.50%  (depending on the
ratio  of debt to  EBITDA  (as  defined)  of UCAR and its  subsidiaries)  of the
aggregate  face  amount of  outstanding  letters of credit  under the  Tranche A
Facility  and under the  Revolving  Facility  and a per annum fee  ranging  from
0.125% to 0.30%  (depending  on the ratio of debt to EBITDA (as defined) of UCAR
and its  subsidiaries)  on the undrawn  portion of the commitments in respect of
the Senior Bank Facilities.

      The Senior Bank Facilities contain a number of significant covenants that,
among  other  things,  restrict  the ability of Global and its  subsidiaries  to
dispose of assets,  incur  additional  indebtedness,  repay or  refinance  other
indebtedness or amend other debt instruments, create liens on assets, enter into
leases, investments or acquisitions,  engage in mergers or consolidations,  make
capital  expenditures,  engage in certain  transactions with subsidiaries or pay
dividends  or  make  other  restricted  payments  and  that  otherwise  restrict
corporate activities.  In addition, under the Senior Bank Facilities,  Global is
required to comply with specified minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage
ratios.


                                       32
<PAGE>


      The Senior Bank Facilities prohibit  modification of the indenture related
to the  Subordinated  Notes (the  "Subordinated  Note  Indenture") in any manner
adverse to the  lenders  under the Senior  Bank  Facilities  and limit  Global's
ability to refinance the Subordinated Notes without the consent of such lenders.

      In  addition  to the  failure to pay  principal  and  interest  on amounts
outstanding  under,  and fees in respect of  letters of credit  outstanding  and
undrawn  commitments  under the Senior Bank Facilities,  events of default under
the Senior Bank  Facilities  include failure to comply with the covenants in the
Senior Bank  Facilities,  failure to pay when due, or other defaults  permitting
acceleration of, other indebtedness exceeding $7.5 million, judgment defaults in
excess of $7.5 million to the extent not covered by insurance, certain events of
bankruptcy and certain changes in control. For this purpose, a change in control
occurs on the date on which UCAR ceases to own 100% of the  outstanding  capital
stock of Global,  any person  (other than  Blackstone  and  Company  management)
beneficially  owns more than 25% of the total  voting  power of UCAR at any time
when Blackstone and Company management  beneficially own less than a majority of
such  voting  power,  a  majority  of the  directors  of UCAR then  serving  are
individuals who were neither  nominated by Blackstone and Company  management or
by a majority of the  directors  of UCAR (or by  directors  so  nominated)  then
serving or a change in control of UCAR or Global  occurs under the  indenture or
agreement governing any other indebtedness  exceeding $7.5 million. There can be
no assurance  that Global will have the financial  resources  necessary to repay
amounts  due  under  the  Senior  Bank  Facilities  upon  an  event  of  default
thereunder.

      DESCRIPTION   OF    SUBORDINATED    NOTES.    In   connection   with   the
Recapitalization,  Global  issued $375  million  aggregate  principal  amount of
Subordinated Notes pursuant to the Subordinated Note Indenture,  $175 million of
which  were  redeemed  in  connection  with  the  Redemption.  Interest  on  the
Subordinated  Notes is  payable  semiannually  on January 15 and July 15 of each
year at the rate of 12% per annum. The Subordinated  Notes mature on January 15,
2005.  Except as described below,  Global may not redeem the Subordinated  Notes
prior to  January  15,  2000.  On or after  such  date,  Global  may  redeem the
remaining  Subordinated  Notes,  in whole or in part,  at  specified  redemption
prices  beginning at 104.5% of the principal  amount of the  Subordinated  Notes
redeemed for the year  commencing  January 15, 2000 and reducing to 100% of such
principal  amount for the years  January 15, 2003 and  thereafter,  in each case
together  with accrued and unpaid  interest  thereon.  Upon the  occurrence of a
change  of  control,  (i)  Global  will  have  the  option  to  redeem  the then
outstanding  Subordinated  Notes in whole but not in part at a redemption  price
equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof,  plus a specified  premium,  plus
accrued  and unpaid  interest  thereon and (ii) if Global does not so redeem the
Subordinated  Notes,  Global will be required to make an offer to repurchase the
Subordinated  Notes at a price equal to 101% of the  principal  amount  thereof,
together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon. For this purpose, a change in
control  occurs on (i) the date on which any person  other than  Blackstone  and
Company management  beneficially owns more than 35% of the total voting power of
UCAR and Blackstone and Company management  beneficially own a lesser percentage
of such voting  power and do not have the right or ability to elect or designate
for election a majority of UCAR's  Board of  Directors or (ii) the date,  at the
end of any two-year period, on which  individuals,  who at the beginning of such
period were directors of UCAR (or individuals  nominated or elected by a vote of
66 2/3% of such  directors or  directors  previously  so elected or  nominated),
cease to constitute a majority of UCAR's Board of Directors.

      The Subordinated  Notes are unsecured and subordinated to all existing and
future senior  indebtedness  of Global.  The  Subordinated  Notes will rank pari
passu with any future senior  subordinated  indebtedness of Global and senior to
all other  subordinated  indebtedness  of  Global.  The  Subordinated  Notes are
unconditionally guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by UCAR.

      The Subordinated Note Indenture  contains various  covenants which,  among
other things and in each case subject to significant specified exceptions, limit
the ability of the Company to incur additional  indebtedness,  limit the ability
of Global and its  subsidiaries  to pay dividends,  make  investments  and other
restricted  payments,  create or permit to exist  restrictions on  distributions
from such subsidiaries,  or sell assets and subsidiary stock unless the net cash
proceeds  are used to repay debt,  invest in assets or  repurchase  Subordinated
Notes, restrict transactions with affiliates, prohibit UCAR from engaging in any
business activities other than holding the stock of Global and certain permitted
investments  and limit the  ability of Global to sell any  capital  stock of its
subsidiaries  or enter into  certain  mergers and  consolidations.  In addition,
under the  Subordinated  Note  Indenture,  Global  is  required  to comply  with
specified ratios.


                                       33
<PAGE>


      In addition to the failure to pay principal and interest on, or repurchase
when required,  the Subordinated Notes, events of default under the Subordinated
Note  Indenture  include  failure  to  comply  with  certain  covenants  in  the
Subordinated Note Indenture, failure to pay at maturity or acceleration of other
indebtedness  exceeding $25 million,  judgment defaults in excess of $25 million
to the extent not covered by insurance  and certain  events of  bankruptcy.  The
Subordinated Note Indenture also contains  provisions as to legal defeasance and
covenant  defeasance.  There  can be no  assurance  that  Global  will  have the
financial  resources  necessary to purchase the Subordinated Notes upon a change
in control,  pay amounts due in connection with any legal or covenant defeasance
or to pay amounts due under the  Subordinated  Note  Indenture  upon an event of
default.

      OTHER IMPACTS OF RECENT  DEVELOPMENTS.  The Senior Bank Facilities and the
Subordinated  Note  Indenture  contain a number  of  significant  financial  and
restrictive covenants and other provisions, which have been impacted as a result
of the $340 million charge for potential  liabilities and expenses in connection
with antitrust  investigations  and related lawsuits and claims.  In April 1998,
the Company  obtained a limited  waiver of certain  covenants of the Senior Bank
Facilities  and,  in  connection  therewith,  borrowed  $35  million  under  the
revolving  credit  facility.  From January 1, 1998 through  April 12, 1998,  the
Company  increased its  borrowings  under the revolving  credit  facility by $26
million.  As of April 13, 1998,  after giving effect to  outstanding  letters of
credit and $35 million borrowed under the revolving credit facility, $76 million
was available for borrowing  under the revolving  credit  facility.  In order to
make additional  borrowings  thereunder,  the Company would need to, among other
things,  make  certain  representations,  including  representations  as to  the
absence of material  adverse  changes in the  business,  financial  condition or
results  of  operations  of the  Company  and  the  absence  of  material  legal
proceedings.  In light of  antitrust  investigations  and related  lawsuits  and
claims,  no  assurance  can be given that the Company will be able to make those
representations or make additional borrowings thereunder.  In addition,  even if
the Company is able to make additional borrowings  thereunder,  such ability may
be limited by certain  covenants  contained in the Subordinated  Note Indenture.
Under the  Subordinated  Note  Indenture,  subject  to certain  exceptions,  the
Company may not incur additional indebtedness if its consolidated coverage ratio
(as  defined) is less than  certain  specified  ratios.  As a result of the $340
million charge, the Company's  consolidated  coverage ratio (as defined) is less
than those specified ratios. As a result, under the Subordinated Note Indenture,
the Company  cannot incur  additional  indebtedness  except under the exceptions
referred to above.

      In the absence of the waiver, the Company could have been in breach of the
covenants  contained  in the Senior  Bank  Facilities.  In  addition,  under the
covenants  contained in the Senior Bank  Facilities  and the  Subordinated  Note
Indenture,  the Company's  ability to borrow under the revolving credit facility
in the future may be extremely limited or non-existent. As a result, the Company
may not have  sufficient  funds to meet its  debt  service  obligations  and its
obligations in connection with antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and
claims as well as pay its operating and other  expenses when due.  Further,  the
waiver does not  restrict  the lenders  under the Senior  Bank  Facilities  from
declaring that there has been a breach,  after giving effect to the $340 million
charge,  of material adverse change  representations  made in the past. Any or a
combination of these  circumstances  and other  circumstances  described in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K could result in the occurrence of an event of default
under the Senior Bank Facilities.  The occurrence of an event of default,  which
is not waived,  would  permit the lenders  thereunder  to,  among other  things,
accelerate  all  indebtedness  outstanding  thereunder  by declaring all amounts
borrowed thereunder to be immediately due and payable, together with accrued and
unpaid  interest.  In addition,  the lenders  could  foreclose  upon  collateral
pledged to secure  repayment of such  indebtedness  and the  commitments  of the
lenders to make further  extensions  of credit under the Senior Bank  Facilities
would be terminated. Under the cross-acceleration provisions of the Subordinated
Note Indenture,  the holders of Subordinated  Notes would thereupon  likewise be
able to accelerate all indebtedness  outstanding  under the Subordinated  Notes.
Further,  even if such  indebtedness  is not  accelerated,  the occurrence of an
event of default,  which is not waived,  could require the Company to reclassify
some or all of its long-term debt to current debt. Such  reclassification of the
debt could  result in the  inclusion  of an  explanatory  paragraph in any audit
report,  which refers to  substantial  doubt about the ability of the Company to
continue as a going concern,  which could itself  constitute a separate event of
default thereunder.  Such actions by the lenders would have material and adverse
impacts on the Company.  Such impacts  could  require that the Company  limit or
discontinue,   temporarily  or  permanently,  certain  of  its  business  plans,
activities or  operations,  further reduce or delay capital  expenditures,  sell
certain of its assets or businesses, some or all of its debt or incur additional
debt, or sell additional common stock or other  securities.  No assurance can be
given that the  Company  will be able to take any of such  actions on  favorable
terms or at all. Further,  such impacts may ultimately  require that the Company
seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws.

                                       34
<PAGE>


      INVENTORY LEVELS, WORKING CAPITAL AND OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS.  During
1997,  working  capital  decreased  by  $170  million.  Excluding  the  Acquired
Companies,  working  capital  decreased by $214 million  during 1997.  Notes and
accounts  receivable  increased  $20 million  mainly due to increased  non-trade
receivables for foreign  exchange gains,  tax incentive  grants and other taxes,
partially  offset  by the  impact of  currency  translation  resulting  from the
continued  strengthening of the U.S. dollar against other  currencies.  Accounts
payable,  accrued income and other taxes and other accrued liabilities increased
by $140  million.  The  increase  was  principally  a result  of  other  accrued
liabilities of $174 million,  representing the estimated  current portion of the
$340  million  charge  for  estimated  potential  liabilities  and  expenses  in
connection with antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and claims, offset
primarily by the impact of currency  translation.  Short-term  debt and payments
due within one year on long-term  debt increased by $23 million and $51 million,
respectively. These increases were the result of increased short-term borrowings
by certain foreign subsidiaries to meet local cash needs and current installment
payments due in 1998 under the Senior Bank Facilities. Inventory levels declined
by $18 million partially as a result of currency  translation.  Inventory levels
at  any  specified  date  are  affected  by,  among  other  things,  changes  in
inventories  of raw materials to meet  anticipated  changes in sales of finished
products, customer buy-ins and other factors affecting net sales from quarter to
quarter.  Prepaid  expenses  increased by $15 million due to deferred tax assets
associated with the deductible  portion of the accrued  liabilities and expenses
associated with antitrust  investigations and related lawsuits and claims. Cash,
cash  equivalents and short-term  investments were $17 million lower at December
31, 1997 than at December 31, 1996.

      Other  long-term  obligations  increased  $175 million  during  1997.  The
increase was primarily due to accrued  liabilities of $163 million  representing
the  estimated  long-term  portion  of the $340  million  charge  for  estimated
potential  liabilities and expenses in connection with antitrust  investigations
and related lawsuits and claims.

      CAPITAL  EXPENDITURES.  Capital  expenditures  aggregated $79 million, $62
million  and $65  million  in 1997,  1996 and 1995,  respectively.  The  Company
currently  expects  capital  expenditures  in 1998 to  total  approximately  $50
million to $55 million. Ongoing projects include net capital expenditures of $13
million in 1997 and 1998  associated  with a project to modernize  the Company's
manufacturing  facility in Caserta,  Italy and aggregate capital expenditures of
$18 million in 1996,  1997,  1998 and 1999  associated  with the Focused Factory
Project.  Capital  expenditures  of $27 million  associated with a modernization
project designed to close certain high cost manufacturing  operations and expand
lower cost  manufacturing  operations at the Company's  North American  graphite
electrode plants (the "Rationalization Project") were incurred in 1995 and 1996.
Except  for  the  Focused  Factory  Project,   most  of  the  Company's  capital
expenditures  have been,  and are  expected  to be,  made to  maintain  existing
facilities and equipment,  achieve cost savings and improve  product quality and
operating efficiency.

      CASH DISTRIBUTIONS AND RESTRICTIONS ON DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS

      On January 26, 1995, in connection with the Recapitalization,  the Company
repurchased  and  cancelled  all of the common  equity  then held by  Mitsubishi
Corporation for $406 million and paid to Union Carbide Corporation a dividend of
$347 million.  The Company also made additional net cash  distributions to Union
Carbide Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation of $3 million in 1995.

      Under the Senior Bank Facilities,  UCAR and Global are generally permitted
to pay dividends to their respective stockholders only in an annual amount up to
the greater of $15 million or a specified  percentage  of adjusted  consolidated
net income. In general, amounts which are permitted to be paid as dividends in a
year but are not so paid may be paid in subsequent  years. The Subordinated Note
Indenture also limits the payment of dividends by Global to UCAR. As a result of
the $340 million charge and stock  repurchases,  UCAR does not anticipate paying
any dividends in the near term.

      CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

      Effective  January 1, 1996, the Company  changed its method of determining
LIFO  inventories.   The  new  methodology  provides   specifically   identified
parameters  for  defining  new  items  within  the LIFO pool  which the  Company
believes  improves the accuracy of costing  those  items.  The Company  recorded
income  of $7  million  (after  related  income  taxes  of $4  million)  as  the
cumulative  effect on prior years of this change in accounting for

                                       35
<PAGE>


inventories.  The new method of accounting  resulted in charging lower inventory
costs to cost of goods sold during 1996 which  reduced  cost of goods sold by $4
million (and increased net income by $2 million).

      In June 1997, the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board ("FASB")  issued
Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS") 131,  "Disclosures About
Segments of an  Enterprise  and Related  Information,"  which is  effective  for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. SFAS 131 addresses  presentation
and  disclosure  matters  and will  have no impact  on the  Company's  financial
position,  results of operations or cash flow.  The Company is in the process of
determining its business segments.

      In February  1997,  FASB issued SFAS 128,  "Earnings  Per Share," which is
effective for financial  statements  for both interim and annual  periods ending
after December 15, 1997. SFAS 128 requires presentation of basic and diluted per
share amounts for income from  continuing  operations and for net income for all
periods presented.

      In  October  1995,  FASB  issued  SFAS 123,  "Accounting  for  Stock-Based
Compensation"  which is effective for years  beginning  after December 15, 1995.
SFAS 123 permits a fair value based  method of  accounting  for  employee  stock
compensation  plans.  It also allows a company to continue to use the  intrinsic
value method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.
25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25"). Companies electing to
continue  to use  the  accounting  prescribed  by APB 25  must  make  pro  forma
disclosures  of net income  and net income per share as if the fair value  based
method of  accounting  defined in SFAS 123 had been  applied.  The  Company  has
elected to  continue  the  accounting  prescribed  by APB 25.  Accordingly,  the
adoption of SFAS 123 had no effect on the Company with the exception of expanded
disclosures required under SFAS 123.

      YEAR 2000

      The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer  programs  written using two
rather than four digits to define the  applicable  year.  Any computer  programs
that have  time-sensitive  software may  recognize a date using "00" as the year
1900  rather  than the year  2000.  This  could  result  in  processing  errors,
miscalculations or failures causing disruptions of operations,  including, among
other things, a temporary inability to process  transactions or otherwise engage
in similar normal business activities.

      The Company is  correcting  the Year 2000 issue by both  replacing  and/or
modifying its existing computer systems. The Company is reviewing the balance of
its internal processes,  including hardware,  software and control systems, both
domestic and  international.  The Company  presently  believes  that,  with such
modifications,  the  Year  2000  issue  will not  pose  significant  operational
problems for the Company.

      The Company expects to complete the  modifications  by mid-1999,  which is
prior to any anticipated  impact on its systems.  The cost of the modifications,
which will be  expensed  as  incurred,  is not  expected  to be  material to the
Company.

      COSTS RELATING TO PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

      The   Company   has  been  and  is  subject  to   increasingly   stringent
environmental  protection laws and regulations.  In addition, the Company has an
on-going  commitment to rigorous internal  environmental  protection  standards.
Expenses  relating to environmental  protection were  approximately $14 million,
$15  million  and $15  million  in 1997,  1996 and 1995,  respectively.  Capital
expenditures  relating  to  environmental   protection  were  approximately  $15
million, $14 million and $6 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

ITEM  7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS

     Not currently applicable to the Company.


                                       36
<PAGE>


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
Independent Auditors' Report........................................        38
Consolidated Balance Sheets.........................................        39
Consolidated Statements of Operations...............................        40
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows...............................        41
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)...........        42
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..........................        43

    All  schedules  are  omitted  because  they  are  not  required  or are  not
applicable or because the information is included in the Consolidated  Financial
Statements or the notes thereto.

                                       37
<PAGE>


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Board of Directors
UCAR International Inc.:

We  have  audited  the   accompanying   Consolidated   Balance  Sheets  of  UCAR
International  Inc. and  Subsidiaries  as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
related  Consolidated  Statements of  Operations,  Cash Flows and  Stockholders'
Equity  (Deficit) for each of the years in the three-year  period ended December
31, 1997. These Consolidated  Financial Statements are the responsibility of the
Company's  management.  Our  responsibility  is to  express  an opinion on these
Consolidated Financial Statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the Consolidated  Financial Statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material  respects,  the financial position of UCAR International
Inc. and  Subsidiaries  at December 31, 1997 and 1996,  and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the  three-year  period
ended  December 31, 1997,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.

As discussed in note 2 to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  in 1996 the
Company changed its method of determining LIFO inventories.


                                               /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP


Stamford, Connecticut
April 13, 1998



                                       38
<PAGE>


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                  (Dollars in millions, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                               AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                          1997              1996
                                                                                          ----              ----
                                       ASSETS
<S>                                                                                     <C>             <C>  

Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents.......................................................     $     58        $    95
   Short-term investments..........................................................           20             --
   Notes and accounts receivable...................................................          242            185
   Inventories:
     Raw materials and supplies....................................................           50             39
     Work in process...............................................................          125            100
     Finished goods................................................................           31             37
                                                                                       ---------        ---------
                                                                                             206            176
   Prepaid expenses................................................................           40             27
                                                                                       ---------        ---------
     Total current assets..........................................................          566            483
                                                                                        --------        --------

Property, plant and equipment......................................................        1,289          1,087
Less:  accumulated depreciation....................................................          724            653
                                                                                        --------        --------
     Net fixed assets..............................................................          565            434
                                                                                        --------        --------
Company carried at equity..........................................................           --             18
Other assets.......................................................................          102             53
                                                                                        --------        --------
     Total assets..................................................................       $1,233        $   988
                                                                                        ========        ========

                   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable................................................................     $     76        $    67
   Short-term debt.................................................................           76             53
   Payments due within one year on long-term debt..................................           52              1
   Accrued income and other taxes..................................................           36             37
   Other accrued liabilities.......................................................          262             91
                                                                                       ---------        ---------
     Total current liabilities.....................................................          502            249
                                                                                       ---------        ---------
Long-term debt.....................................................................          604            581
Other long-term obligations........................................................          313            138
Deferred income taxes..............................................................           47             16
Minority stockholders' equity in consolidated entities.............................           13              6

Stockholders' equity (deficit):
   Preferred stock, par value $.01, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued......           --             --
   Common stock, par value $.01, 100,000,000 shares authorized,                               
     47,330,570 shares issued at December 31, 1997;                                          
     46,614,724 shares issued at December 31, 1996.................................           --             --
   Additional paid-in capital......................................................          520            498
   Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment..............................         (130)          (116)
   Retained earnings (deficit).....................................................         (544)          (384)
   Less:  cost of common stock held in treasury, 2,402,427 shares
     at December 31, 1997..........................................................          (92)            --
                                                                                       ---------        --------
     Total stockholders' equity (deficit)..........................................         (246)            (2)
                                                                                       ---------        --------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)..........................       $1,233        $   988
                                                                                       =========        ========
</TABLE>

          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       39
<PAGE>


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                  (Dollars in millions, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                              1997             1996             1995
                                                                              ----             ----             ----
<S>                                                                       <C>              <C>             <C>  
Net sales..............................................................   $  1,097         $      948      $     901
Cost of sales..........................................................        686                583            556
                                                                          --------         ----------      ---------
   Gross profit........................................................        411                365            345
Research and development...............................................          9                  8              8
Selling, administrative and other expenses.............................        115                 90            115
Restructuring costs....................................................         --                 --             30
Antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and claims...............        340                 --             --
Other (income) expense (net)...........................................          5                 (1)             3
                                                                          --------        -----------      ----------
   Operating profit (loss).............................................        (58)               268            189
Interest expense.......................................................         64                 61             93
                                                                          --------         ----------      ---------
   Income (loss) before provision for income taxes.....................       (122)               207             96
Provision for income taxes.............................................         39                 68             74
                                                                          --------         ----------      ---------
   Income (loss) of consolidated entities..............................       (161)               139             22
Less:  minority stockholders' share of income..........................          1                  1              4
Plus:  UCAR share of net income from company carried at equity.........          2                  7              7
                                                                          --------        -----------      ----------
   Income (loss) before extraordinary charge and cumulative                   
     effect of change in accounting principles.........................       (160)               145             25
Extraordinary charge, net of tax.......................................         --                 --             37
                                                                          --------          ---------      ---------
   Income (loss) before cumulative effect of change                           
     in accounting principles..........................................       (160)               145            (12)
Cumulative effect on prior years of change                                     
   in accounting for inventories.......................................         --                  7             --
                                                                          --------        -----------       --------
     Net income (loss).................................................   $   (160)         $     152      $     (12)
                                                                          ========          =========      =========

Earnings (loss) per common share (pro forma in 1995):

     BASIC:                                                               
     -----
     Income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in
          accounting principles........................................   $  (3.49)         $$  3.15       $    1.98
     Cumulative effect on prior years of change in
         accounting for inventories....................................         --               .15              --
                                                                          ---------        ---------       ----------
     Net income (loss) per share.......................................   $  (3.49)         $   3.30       $    1.98
                                                                          =========         ========       =========
                                                                         
     DILUTED:                                                             
     -------
     Income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in accounting
         principles....................................................   $  (3.49)         $   3.00       $    1.87
     Cumulative effect on prior years of change in
         accounting for inventories....................................         --               .15              --
                                                                         ------------      ---------       ---------
     Net income (loss) per share.......................................   $  (3.49)         $   3.15       $    1.87
                                                                         ============      =========       =========
</TABLE>

          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       40
<PAGE>

                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                  (Dollars in millions, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                1997          1996            1995
                                                                                ----          ----            ----
<S>                                                                        <C>           <C>               <C> 

Cash flow from operating activities:
   Net income (loss)...................................................     $  (160)     $    152          $   (12)
   Extraordinary charge, net of tax....................................          --            --               37
   Cumulative effect on prior years of change in
       accounting for inventories......................................          --            (7)              --
   Non-cash (credits) charges to net income (loss):
     Depreciation and amortization.....................................          49            36               38
     Deferred income taxes.............................................         (38)           19              (18)
     Restructuring costs...............................................          --            --               30
     Accelerated vesting of performance stock options..................          12            --               19
     Other non-cash charges............................................           7            10               11
   Working capital*....................................................         (40)          (45)              14
   Antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and claims............         337            --               --  
   Long-term assets and liabilities....................................           5             7               11
                                                                            ---------     ---------       --------
      Net cash provided by operating activities........................         172           172              130
                                                                            ---------     ---------       --------
Cash flow from investing activities:
   Capital expenditures................................................         (79)          (62)             (65)
   Purchase of subsidiaries............................................        (124)          (45)             (55)
   Purchases of short-term investments.................................         (59)           --               --
   Maturities of short-term investments................................          39            --               --
   Redemption/sale of assets...........................................           2             3                4
                                                                            ---------     ---------     -----------
     Net cash used in investing activities.............................        (221)         (104)            (116)
                                                                            ---------     ---------     -----------
Cash flow from financing activities:
   Short-term debt borrowings (reductions).............................          23            22              (11)
   Long-term debt borrowings...........................................         178             2            1,480
   Long-term debt reductions...........................................        (104)          (58)          (1,088)
   Financing costs.....................................................          (2)           --              (70)
   Purchase of treasury stock..........................................         (92)           --               --
   Sale of common stock, net of loans to management....................           5             4              427
   Tax benefit arising from exercise of employee stock options.........           5             4               --
   Cash distribution to stockholders...................................          --            --             (756)
                                                                            ---------     --------         --------
     Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities...............          13           (26)             (18)
                                                                            ---------     --------         --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents...................         (36)           42               (4)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents...........          (1)           --               (3)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.......................          95            53               60
                                                                            --------      --------        ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.............................     $    58       $    95          $    53
                                                                            ========      ========        =========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: 
   Net cash paid during the year for:
     Interest expense..................................................     $    62       $    54          $    79
     Income taxes......................................................          72            45               30
*Net  change  in  working   capital  by  component 
   (excluding  cash  and  cash equivalents,  short-term
   investments, deferred income taxes and debt, liabilities 
   associated with antitrust investigations and related
   lawsuits and claims, and net of effects from purchases
   of subsidiaries):
   (Increase) decrease in current assets:
     Notes and accounts receivable:
          Sale of receivables..........................................     $     1      $      3          $    --
          Other changes................................................         (31)           (9)             (25)
     Inventories.......................................................           5           (29)             (16)
     Prepaid expenses..................................................          (1)            6               (5)
   Increase (decrease) in payables and accruals........................         (14)          (16)              60
                                                                            --------      --------         --------
          Working capital..............................................     $   (40)      $   (45)         $    14
                                                                            ========      ========         ========
</TABLE>

          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       41
<PAGE>

                                                        
                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                              (Dollars in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                  COMMON   ADDITIONAL     CUMULATIVE     RETAINED    TREASURY       TOTAL
                                                  STOCK      PAID-IN       FOREIGN       EARNINGS     STOCK     STOCKHOLDERS'
                                                             CAPITAL       CURRENCY     (DEFICIT)                   EQUITY
                                                                         TRANSLATION                              (DEFICIT)
                                                                          ADJUSTMENT
                                        
<S>                                               <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>           <C>

Balance at December 31, 1994.................       $--        $139         $(109)         $162         $--           $192

     Sale of common stock....................        --         424            --            --          --            424
     Vesting of performance stock options....        --          19            --            --          --             19
     Repurchase and cancellation of                  
       common stock..........................        --         (70)           --          (336)         --           (406)
     Dividends paid..........................        --          --            --          (350)         --           (350)
     Transaction fees........................        --          (9)           --            --          --             (9)
     Transfer of pension liability from              
       Union Carbide Corporation.............        --         (18)           --            --          --            (18)
     Translation adjustments.................        --          --            (7)           --          --             (7)
     Net loss................................        --          --            --           (12)         --            (12)
                                                  -----       -----       -------       -------       -----        -------
Balance at December 31, 1995.................        --         485          (116)         (536)         --           (167)

     Exercise of employee stock options......        --           5            --            --          --              5
     Tax benefit arising from exercise of            
       employee stock options................        --           4            --            --          --              4
     Reclassification of:
       Common stock subject to "puts"........        --           8            --            --          --              8
       Related loans to management...........        --          (3)           --            --          --             (3)
     Cost of secondary offering..............        --          (1)           --            --          --             (1)
     Net income..............................        --          --            --           152          --            152
                                                  -----       -----       -------       -------       -----         ------
Balance at December 31, 1996.................        --         498          (116)         (384)         --             (2)

     Exercise of employee stock options......        --           6            --            --          --              6
     Tax benefit arising from exercise of            
       employee stock options................        --           5            --            --          --              5
     Repurchase of common stock..............        --          --            --            --         (92)           (92)
     Vesting of performance stock options....        --          12            --            --          --             12
     Translation adjustments.................        --          --           (14)           --          --            (14)
     Cost of secondary offering..............        --          (1)           --            --          --             (1)
     Net loss................................        --          --            --          (160)         --           (160)
                                                   -----       -----       -------        ------       -----        -------
Balance at December 31, 1997.................       $--        $520         $(130)        $(544)       $(92)       $  (246)
                                                   =====       =====       =======        ======       =====        =======

</TABLE>

          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       42
<PAGE>


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1)  DISCUSSION OF BUSINESS AND STRUCTURE

      UCAR International  Inc. ("UCAR") and its subsidiaries  (collectively with
UCAR, the "Company")  operates in one business segment.  The Company is involved
in the development,  manufacturing and marketing of graphite and carbon products
for the steel,  ferroalloy,  aluminum,  chemical,  aerospace and  transportation
industries.  Its principal products are graphite electrodes,  carbon electrodes,
specialty graphite, cathode blocks and flexible graphite.

   LEVERAGED RECAPITALIZATION

      On January 26, 1995, the Company consummated a leveraged  recapitalization
(the "Recapitalization") pursuant to the Recapitalization and Stock Purchase and
Sale  Agreement  dated  as of  November  14,  1994  among  UCAR,  Union  Carbide
Corporation  ("Union  Carbide"),  Mitsubishi  Corporation  ("Mitsubishi")  and a
Delaware  corporation  owned by Blackstone  Capital Partners II Merchant Banking
Fund  L.P.,  Blackstone  Offshore  Capital  Partners  II L.P.  and an  affiliate
(collectively, "Blackstone").

      The principal elements of the Recapitalization included the following:

      o  The repurchase and  cancellation  of all shares of common stock of UCAR
         held by  Mitsubishi  (50% of the then  outstanding  shares) for cash of
         $406 million.

      o  The payment of a cash dividend on the remaining  shares of common stock
         of UCAR (all held by Union Carbide) in the amount of $347 million.

      o  The sale of newly  issued  shares of  common  stock of UCAR for cash of
         $203  million  to  Blackstone,  certain  members of  management  of the
         Company and Chase Equity Associates.

      o  The repayment of existing indebtedness of the Company consisting of (a)
         $69  million  of  outstanding  loans  under  its then  existing  credit
         agreements,  (b) $175  million  of senior  notes and (c) $6  million of
         other indebtedness.

      o  The  borrowing by UCAR Global  Enterprises  Inc., a direct wholly owned
         subsidiary of UCAR ("Global"),  and certain of its foreign subsidiaries
         of $585 million  under a new $695 million  senior bank credit  facility
         obtained  by Global from a  syndicate  of banks led by Chase  Manhattan
         Bank,  as  agent  (the   "Recapitalization   Bank   Facilities").   The
         Recapitalization  Bank  Facilities were refinanced in October 1995 (the
         "Refinancing") with a new $630 million senior bank credit facility (the
         "Senior Bank Facilities").

      o  The issuance by Global of $375 million of 12% Senior Subordinated Notes
         due 2005 (the "Recapitalization Notes"), which were sold in an offering
         exempt from  registration  with the Securities and Exchange  Commission
         (the  "Commission").  UCAR  and  Global  filed  with the  Commission  a
         registration  statement  with  respect  to an  offer  to  exchange  the
         Recapitalization Notes for a series of notes (the "Subordinated Notes")
         of Global with terms  substantially  identical to the  Recapitalization
         Notes, which  registration  statement became effective on May 11, 1995.
         The exchange was consummated in June 1995. $175 million of Subordinated
         Notes were redeemed in September 1995 at a redemption  price of 110% of
         the  principal  amount  thereof  plus  accrued  interest  thereon of $4
         million (the "Redemption").

                                       43
<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

(1) DISCUSSION OF BUSINESS AND STRUCTURE - (CONTINUED)

      Total financing fees and legal,  accounting and other related costs of the
Recapitalization  amounted to  approximately  $62  million.  $6 million of these
costs ($4 million after income tax) were charged to other (income) expense (net)
at the date of the  Recapitalization.  Costs of $7 million  associated  with the
sale and  redemption  of common  stock have been charged to  additional  paid-in
capital.  Financing costs of $49 million  associated  with the  Recapitalization
Bank  Facilities  and the  Subordinated  Notes were  deferred.  The  unamortized
portion of fees and costs associated with the  Recapitalization  Bank Facilities
were  written  off  in the  fourth  quarter  of  1995  in  connection  with  the
Refinancing.  A portion of such fees associated with the Subordinated  Notes was
written off in  connection  with the  Redemption.  In  addition,  tax expense of
approximately  $37 million was incurred as a result of the  repatriation  to the
U.S.  of  funds  borrowed  by  certain  foreign  subsidiaries  as  part  of  the
Recapitalization.

      Retirement,  death and  disability  benefits  related to employee  service
through  February  25, 1991 are covered by the Union  Carbide  retirement  plan.
Benefits  paid by the Union Carbide  retirement  plan are based on final average
pay through  February 25, 1991 plus salary increases (not to exceed 6% per year)
until  January  26,  1995 when Union  Carbide  ceased to own at least 50% of the
equity of UCAR. The Company's projected benefit obligation increased,  and Union
Carbide's projected benefit obligation  decreased,  by approximately $28 million
($18 million after income taxes)  attributable  to such estimated  future salary
increases  upon  consummation  of  the  Recapitalization.  The  increase  in the
Company's  projected  benefit  obligation  was  charged  to  additional  paid-in
capital.

      On January 20, 1995,  UCAR paid a dividend to  stockholders of $10 million
and, on March 29, 1995,  approximately $6.5 million was refunded to UCAR as part
of the Recapitalization.

   STOCK SPLITS

      On January 26, 1995,  UCAR's Board of Directors  increased the  authorized
shares of common stock of UCAR to 1,170,000  shares and approved a 1,000-for-one
stock split. On July 17, 1995, UCAR's Board of Directors approved an increase in
the  authorized  shares  of common  stock of UCAR to 100  million  shares  and a
35.507-for-one  stock split  effective  August 3, 1995.  All share and per share
amounts have been adjusted to reflect both stock splits.

   INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

      On July 17, 1995, UCAR's Board of Directors approved:  (i) the filing of a
registration  statement  to proceed  with an initial  public  offering of common
stock (the  "Initial  Offering");  (ii) the  Redemption,  with  proceeds  of the
Initial Offering,  of up to $175 million principal amount of Subordinated  Notes
at a redemption  price of 110% of the  principal  amount  thereof,  plus accrued
interest thereon;  and (iii) an amendment to the Management Stock Option Plan to
provide for the immediate vesting,  upon the closing of the Initial Offering, of
performance options for 1,190,292 shares of common stock which were scheduled to
vest in 1995,  1996 and 1997 if EBITDA (as defined) for those years was equal to
or exceeded target amounts.  Upon  consummation  of the Initial  Offering,  UCAR
recognized   compensation   expense  of  $18  million  in  connection  with  the
accelerated vesting of performance stock options and matching restricted stock.

      On August 9, 1995, UCAR's registration  statement became effective and, on
August 15, 1995,  10,120,000  shares were sold by UCAR and 8,876,750 shares were
sold by Union  Carbide at a price to the  public of $23.75 per share.  After the
closing of the Initial Offering, Blackstone and Union Carbide beneficially owned
53.5% and none, respectively, of the outstanding shares of common stock.

                                       44
<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(1)  DISCUSSION OF BUSINESS AND STRUCTURE - (CONTINUED)

      The net  proceeds to UCAR from the  Initial  Offering  were $227  million,
after deducting underwriting discounts paid by UCAR. UCAR contributed sufficient
net  proceeds  from the  Initial  Offering  to  Global to  redeem  $175  million
aggregate  principal amount of Subordinated  Notes (the maximum amount permitted
to be redeemed  under the applicable  indenture) at a redemption  price equal to
110% of the aggregate  principal amount thereof plus accrued interest thereon of
approximately $4 million.  The balance of the net proceeds were used for general
corporate  purposes and to reduce other outstanding  indebtedness.  UCAR did not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by Union Carbide.

   SECONDARY OFFERINGS AND STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

      On March 6,  1996,  certain  stockholders  of UCAR  sold an  aggregate  of
16,675,000  shares of common  stock in a secondary  public  offering  (the "1996
Secondary Offering"). In the 1996 Secondary Offering,  Blackstone,  Chase Equity
Associates  and certain  members of  management  sold  approximately  15,449,000
shares,  826,000  shares  and  400,000  shares,  respectively.  After  the  1996
Secondary Offering, Blackstone owned approximately 20% of the outstanding shares
of common stock. UCAR did not sell any shares in the 1996 Secondary Offering and
did not receive any proceeds  from the shares sold by the selling  stockholders.
Approximately  193,000  of the shares  sold by  management  consisted  of shares
issued upon the  exercise of vested  stock  options  concurrently  with the 1996
Secondary  Offering  and the Company  received  proceeds of  approximately  $1.5
million from the exercise of such options.

      On February  10, 1997,  UCAR's Board of Directors  authorized a program to
repurchase up to $100 million of common stock at prevailing  prices from time to
time in the open market or otherwise  depending on market  conditions  and other
factors  without  any  established  minimum or maximum  time period or number of
shares.

      On April 3, 1997,  Blackstone and its affiliates sold 6,411,227  shares of
common stock in a secondary offering (the "1997 Secondary  Offering").  UCAR did
not sell any shares in or receive any proceeds from the 1997 Secondary Offering.
Concurrent with the 1997 Secondary Offering, as part of the program mentioned in
the preceding paragraph,  UCAR repurchased 1,300,000 shares of common stock from
Blackstone for $48 million. After the 1997 Secondary Offering and the repurchase
of shares, Blackstone ceased to be a principal stockholder of UCAR.

      On December  8, 1997,  UCAR's  Board of  Directors  increased  the maximum
amount of common stock which may be purchased from $100 million to $200 million.
Through  December 31, 1997, UCAR purchased an aggregate of $92 million of common
stock (including the shares repurchased from Blackstone) under such program.

   ACQUISITION OF SUBSIDIARIES

      On September 11, 1995,  pursuant to a tender offer, the Company acquired a
substantial  percentage of the shares of its Brazilian  subsidiary,  UCAR Carbon
S.A.,  that had been  owned by public  shareholders  in  Brazil.  The  aggregate
purchase  price through  December 31, 1995 was $52 million,  plus expenses of $3
million.   Thereafter,   the  Company  acquired   additional  shares  from  such
shareholders for $3 million.

      On November 10, 1996, the Company  purchased the  controlling  interest in
Graphite PLC, which operated a graphite  electrode  business in Vyazma,  Russia.
The Company  acquired  90% of Graphite  PLC through a tender  offer to its major
shareholders,  which included members of the board of directors and employees of
Graphite PLC. The aggregate investment was $50 million.  Thereafter, the Company
increased  its  ownership  to 96% (at  December  31, 1997) of such equity for an
additional investment of $7 million.

                                       45


<PAGE>


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(1)  DISCUSSION OF BUSINESS AND STRUCTURE - (CONTINUED)

      On January 2, 1997, the Company acquired 70% of the outstanding  shares of
Carbone Savoie, a wholly owned subsidiary of a competitor,  for a purchase price
of $33 million.  Carbone  Savoie is the leading  manufacturer  of carbon cathode
blocks which are consumed in the production of aluminum.

      On February 1, 1997,  the  Company,  through  its newly  formed  70%-owned
subsidiary,  UCAR  Elektroden GmbH ("UCAR  Elektroden"),  purchased the graphite
electrode  business of Elektrokohle  Lichtenberg AG ("EKL") in Berlin,  Germany.
The 30%  minority  interest  in UCAR  Elektroden  is  held by a  private  German
company.  UCAR  Elektroden  and UCAR Grafit OAO ("UCAR  Grafit") work in tandem,
with UCAR Elektroden manufacturing newly formed green electrodes and UCAR Grafit
baking,  pitch  impregnating,  rebaking and graphatizing  those electrodes.  The
aggregate  purchase  price  paid by UCAR  Electroden  for the EKL assets was $15
million.

      On April 22, 1997, the Company  purchased the shares of its then 50%-owned
joint venture affiliate,  EMSA (Pty) Ltd. ("EMSA"),  held by the Company's joint
venture partner. EMSA operates a graphite electrode  manufacturing  facility and
sales office in South Africa. The purchase price was $75 million.

      These acquisitions were accounted for as purchases and,  accordingly,  the
purchase  prices have been  allocated to the assets  purchased  and  liabilities
assumed  based  upon the fair  values  at the  dates of  purchase.  The  Company
recorded  $20  million  and $6  million  of  goodwill  in  connection  with  the
acquisitions of EMSA and UCAR Grafit,  respectively.  The Consolidated Financial
Statements  have not been  restated to reflect the  increased  ownership  of the
Brazilian or South African  subsidiaries  at any date or for any period prior to
the dates of purchase.

(2)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

      The Consolidated  Financial Statements present the consolidated  financial
position and results of operations of the Company for all periods presented. All
significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

   CASH EQUIVALENTS

      Cash  equivalents are considered to be all highly liquid  investments that
are readily  convertible  to known  amounts of cash and so near to maturity that
they  present  insignificant  risk of  changes  in value  because  of changes in
interest rates.

   SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

      Investment  securities  at  December  31,  1997  consisted  of  government
securities and other debt securities. The Company classifies these securities as
held-to-maturity and, accordingly, has recorded them at amortized cost.

   INVENTORIES

      Inventories  are stated at cost or  market,  whichever  is lower.  Cost is
determined  generally on the "last-in,  first-out" ("LIFO") method in the United
States. The "average cost" method is used elsewhere.

      Effective  January 1, 1996, the Company  changed its method of determining
LIFO  inventories.   The  new  methodology  provides   specifically   identified
parameters  for  defining  new  items  within  the LIFO pool  which the  Company
believes improves the accuracy of costing those items.  During 1996, the Company
recorded  income of $7 million (after related income taxes of $4 million) as the
cumulative  effect on prior years of this change in accounting for  inventories.
The new method of accounting  resulted in charging lower inventory costs to cost
of goods sold during 1996 which  reduced  cost of goods sold by $4 million  (and
increased net income by $2 million).

                                       46

<PAGE>


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(2)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)

      Approximately  33% of inventory  amounts  before  application  of the LIFO
method at  December  31,  1997 and 1996 has been  valued on the LIFO  basis.  If
inventories had been valued at current costs, they would have been approximately
$28 million and $29 million higher at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

   FIXED ASSETS AND DEPRECIATION

      Fixed  assets  are  carried at cost.  Expenditures  for  replacements  are
capitalized  and the replaced items are retired.  Gains and losses from the sale
of property are included in other (income) expense (net).

      Depreciation  is  calculated on a  straight-line  basis over the estimated
useful lives of the assets. The Company generally uses accelerated  depreciation
methods  for tax  purposes,  where  appropriate.  Depreciation  expense  was $48
million in 1997 ($36 million in 1996 and $38 million in 1995).

     GOODWILL

      Goodwill, which represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of
net assets  acquired,  is amortized on a  straight-line  basis over the expected
periods to be benefited,  generally 20 years. When  circumstances  warrant,  the
Company  assesses the  recoverability  of this  intangible  asset by determining
whether the  amortization of the goodwill balance over its remaining life can be
recovered  through  undiscounted  future  operating  cash flows of the  acquired
operation.  The amount of goodwill  impairment,  if any,  is  measured  based on
projected discounted future operating cash flows.

   DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

      The  Company  has  only  limited  involvement  with  derivative  financial
instruments and does not use them for trading purposes.  They are used to manage
well-defined  interest  rate risk and specific  financial  market risk caused by
currency fluctuations.

      The Company enters into foreign  exchange  contracts to manage exposure to
foreign exchange fluctuations.  These foreign exchange contracts,  which include
forward  exchange  contracts,  purchased  currency  options and currency  option
collars,  hedge  primarily U.S. dollar  denominated  debt held by several of the
Company's foreign  subsidiaries,  and identifiable foreign currency receivables,
payables  and   commitments   held  by  the   Company's   foreign  and  domestic
subsidiaries.  Forward exchange  contracts are agreements to exchange  different
currencies at a specified future date and at a specified rate. Purchased foreign
currency  options are instruments  which give the holder the right,  but not the
obligation,  to exchange different currencies at a specified rate at a specified
date or over a range of specified  dates.  Currency option collars are financial
arrangements for simultaneous purchases and sales of currency options having the
same  maturity and the same  principal  amount.  The result is the creation of a
range in which a best and worst price is defined,  while minimizing option cost.
Premiums and discounts on forward exchange contracts are amortized over the life
of the  contracts.  Net premiums on options  purchased  (or sold under  currency
collar strategies) are amortized over the life of the options.  Forward exchange
contracts, purchased currency options and currency option collars are carried at
market value.  Gains and losses due to revaluation of these  contracts or option
positions  are  recognized  currently as other  (income)  expense  (net) and are
intended to mitigate  income or expense caused by the accounting  revaluation of
the Company's foreign and domestic subsidiaries' net foreign exchange positions.

                                       47
<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(2)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)

      The Company  enters into  agreements  with  financial  institutions  which
limit, or cap, the Company's  exposure to the incurrence of additional  interest
expense due to  increases  in variable  interest  rates.  Fees  related to these
interest  rate  cap  agreements,  as  well  as  proceeds  received  under  their
provisions, are charged to interest expense over the terms of the agreements.

   RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

      Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred.

   INCOME TAXES

      Income  taxes are  accounted  for under  the asset and  liability  method.
Deferred  tax  assets  and   liabilities  are  recognized  for  the  future  tax
consequences   attributable  to  differences  between  the  financial  statement
carrying  amounts of existing assets and  liabilities  and their  respective tax
bases and for operating loss and tax credit  carryforwards.  Deferred tax assets
and  liabilities  are  measured  using  enacted  tax rates  expected to apply to
taxable income in the years in which  temporary  differences  are expected to be
recovered  or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and  liabilities  of a
change in tax rate is  recognized  in income in the  period  that  includes  the
enactment date.

   STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

      The  Company  accounts  for  stock-based   compensation  plans  using  the
intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting  for Stock Issued to Employees"  ("APB 25").  As such,  compensation
expense  is  recorded  on the  date of  grant  only if the  market  price of the
underlying  stock exceeded the exercise price.  The total amount of compensation
expense recognized for an award of stock-based employee compensation is based on
the number of  instruments  that  eventually  vest. No  compensation  expense is
recognized  for forfeited  awards,  failure to satisfy a service  requirement or
because the Company  does not achieve a  performance  condition.  The  Company's
accruals of  compensation  expense for awards subject to performance  conditions
are based on the  Company's  assessment  of the  probability  of  achieving  the
performance conditions.

   RETIREMENT PLAN

      The cost of  pension  benefits  under the  Company's  retirement  plans is
determined by  independent  actuarial  firms using the  "projected  unit credit"
actuarial  cost method.  Contributions  to the U.S.  plan are made in accordance
with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

   POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH CARE AND LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS

      The  estimated  cost of future  medical  and life  insurance  benefits  is
determined by  independent  actuarial  firms using the  "projected  unit credit"
actuarial cost method. Such costs are recognized as employees render the service
necessary to earn the postretirement  benefits.  Benefits have been accrued, but
not funded.

   POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

      The Company  accrues  postemployment  benefits  expected to be paid before
retirement, principally severance, over employees' active service periods.


                                       48

<PAGE>


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(CONTINUED)

(2)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)

       USE OF ESTIMATES

      Management of the Company has made a number of estimates  and  assumptions
relating  to the  reporting  of assets and  liabilities  and the  disclosure  of
contingent  assets and  liabilities  to prepare  these  financial  statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting  principles.  Actual results could
differ from those estimates.

      FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

      Generally,  except for  subsidiaries  in Brazil and  Russia  (and  Mexico,
effective  January  1,  1997),   unrealized  gains  and  losses  resulting  from
translating foreign  subsidiaries'  assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars are
accumulated  in an equity  account  on the  balance  sheet  until such time as a
subsidiary is sold or substantially or completely liquidated.  Translation gains
and losses  relating to operations  of  subsidiaries  in those three  countries,
where  high  inflation  exists,  are  included  in  income  in the  Consolidated
Financial Statements.

(3)  UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES INC.

      UCAR has no material  assets,  liabilities or operations  other than those
that  result  from its  ownership  of 100% of the  outstanding  common  stock of
Global.  Separate financial  statements of Global are not presented because they
would not be material to holders of the Subordinated Notes.

      The following is a summary of the  consolidated  assets and liabilities of
Global and its  subsidiaries at December 31, 1997 and 1996 and its  consolidated
results of operations for the three years ended December 31, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                             1997          1996            1995
                                                                             ----          ----            ----
                                                                                    (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>  

      Assets:
      Current assets.........................................               $   566        $ 483          $   403
      Non-current assets.....................................                   667          505              461
                                                                           --------       ------         --------
               Total assets..................................                $1,233         $988          $   864
                                                                           ========       ======         ========

      Liabilities:
          Current liabilities................................               $   502        $ 249          $   228
          Non-current liabilities............................                   964          735              793
                                                                          ---------       ------         --------

                Total liabilities............................                $1,466        $ 984          $ 1,021
                                                                          =========       ======         ========

      Minority stockholders' equity in consolidated entities.              $     13       $    6          $     5
                                                                          =========       ======         ========
<CAPTION>


                                                                                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                             1997          1996            1995
                                                                             ----          ----            ----
                                                                                    (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                        <C>            <C>           <C>   

      Net sales......................................................       $1,097         $ 984          $ 901
      Gross profit...................................................          411           365            345
           Income (loss) before extraordinary charge and cumulative           
      effect  of change in accounting principles.....................         (160)          145             25
      Net income (loss)..............................................         (160)          152            (12)
</TABLE>


                                       49
<PAGE>


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(4)  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

      The  Company  has  only  limited  involvement  with  derivative  financial
instruments and does not use them for trading purposes.  They are used to manage
well-defined  interest  rate risk and specific  financial  market risk caused by
currency fluctuations.

   FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS

      The amount of foreign  exchange  contracts used by the Company to minimize
foreign currency exposure was $353 million at December 31, 1997 ($350 million at
December 31, 1996 and $269 million at December 31, 1995).  At December 31, 1997,
$214 million of these contracts hedged U.S.  dollar-denominated debt held by the
Company's  foreign  subsidiaries  ($169  million at  December  31, 1996 and $198
million at December 31,  1995).  Of the total $353  million,  approximately  $93
million  (26%) of these  contracts  were  offsetting  at December 31, 1997 ($144
million  (41%) at December 31, 1996 and $11 million (4%) at December 31,  1995).
The remaining contracts hedged existing assets and liabilities.

   SALE OF RECEIVABLES

      Certain of the Company's  foreign  subsidiaries  sold  receivables  of $16
million in 1997 ($15 million in 1996 and $10 million in 1995)  without  recourse
and sold receivables of $74 million in 1997 ($65 million in 1996 and $42 million
in 1995) with  recourse to banking  institutions.  At  December  31,  1997,  $16
million  ($15 million at December 31, 1996 and $13 million at December 31, 1995)
of the receivables sold with recourse remained uncollected from customers.

   INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT

      The Company enters into agreements with financial institutions which limit
the Company's  exposure to the incurrence of additional  interest expense due to
increases  in variable  interest  rates.  During  1995,  the  Company  purchased
interest rate caps on $375 million of debt,  limiting  interest  expense on this
debt to 8.5%,  expiring at various dates through 1997.  During 1997, the Company
purchased interest rate caps on $250 million of debt,  limiting interest expense
on this  debt to a  weighted  average  rate of 8.2%  for the  period  commencing
February 1998 and continuing  through  various dates ending  February 2001. Fees
related to these  agreements  are charged to interest  expense over the terms of
the agreements.

   FAIR MARKET VALUE DISCLOSURES

      Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS")  107,  "Disclosure
about Fair Market  Value of Financial  Instruments"  defines the fair value of a
financial instrument as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in
a current  transaction  between willing parties.  Such fair values must often be
determined by using one or more methods that  indicate  value based on estimates
of quantifiable  characteristics  as of a particular date. Values were estimated
as follows:

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,  SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS,  SHORT-TERM RECEIVABLES,
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND OTHER CURRENT  PAYABLES--The  carrying amount  approximates
fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.


                                       50

<PAGE>


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(CONTINUED)

(4)  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS-(CONTINUED)

    DEBT--Fair  values  of  debt  and  related  interest  rate  risk  agreements
approximate  carrying  value at  December  31,  1997 and  1996,  except  for the
Subordinated  Notes which are carried at $200 million and had an estimated  fair
value at December 31, 1997 of $224 million ($230 million at December 31, 1996).

    FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS--Foreign currency contracts are carried at market
value.

(5)  GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENT DATA

      The following is a summary of net sales, operating profit and total assets
by geographic area:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                             1997          1996            1995
                                                                             ----          ----            ----
                                                                                    (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                      <C>             <C>             <C>

      Net sales:
          U.S. ......................................................       $ 393          $ 388          $ 354
          Canada and Mexico..........................................         152            133            118
          Brazil.....................................................          64             61             55
          Europe and Russia..........................................         435            366            374
          South Africa...............................................          53             --             --
                                                                         --------        -------         ------
                Total................................................      $1,097         $  948          $ 901
                                                                         ========        =======         ======

      Operating profit (loss):
          U.S........................................................        $ 48           $ 66           $ 17
          Canada and Mexico..........................................          71             63             43
          Brazil.....................................................          33             25             14
          Europe and Russia..........................................         107            114            115
          South Africa...............................................          23             --             --
          Antitrust investigations                                           
            and related lawsuits and claims..........................        (340)            --             --

                                                                           ------        -------        -------
                Total................................................       $ (58)         $ 268          $ 189
                                                                           ======        =======        =======

      Operating profit (loss) shown above includes the following costs:
      Restructuring:
         U.S.........................................................         $--            $--           $ 29
         Europe and Russia...........................................          --             --              1
      Accelerated vesting of performance stock options - U.S.........          12             --             22
      Global integration project consulting fees-U.S.................           4            --             --
                                                                         ---------      --------        -------
                 Total...............................................      $   16        $    --         $   52
                                                                         ========       ========        =======

      Inter-company transfers between geographic segments were as follows:
           U.S.......................................................       $ 141          $ 122          $ 103
           Canada and Mexico.........................................          58             50             37
           Brazil....................................................          33             28             12
           Europe and Russia.........................................          10              8             10
           South Africa..............................................           1             --             --
                                                                         --------        -------        -------
                 Total...............................................      $  243         $  208         $  162
                                                                         ========        =======        =======
</TABLE>

      Finished  products are transferred  between  segments at estimated  market
price less a reseller's  commission and unfinished  products are  transferred at
cost plus a mark-up to allow for a fair profit at the manufacturing location.


                                       51
<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(CONTINUED)

(5)  GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENT DATA--(CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1997             1996             1995
                                                                        ----             ----             ----
                                                                                (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                <C>             <C>               <C> 

      Total assets:
      U.S....................................................        $   442          $    360        $    351
      Canada and Mexico......................................            162               146             134
         Brazil..............................................            182               161             135
         Europe and Russia...................................            520               412             324
         South Africa........................................            138                --              --
         Inter-segment eliminations..........................           (211)              (91)            (80)
                                                                    ---------         --------        ---------
                 Total.......................................        $ 1,233          $    988        $    864
                                                                    =========         ========        =========
</TABLE>

(6)  COMPANY CARRIED AT EQUITY

      On April 21, 1997, the Company  purchased the 50% interest in EMSA that it
did not already own for $75 million,  plus expenses.  Commencing April 22, 1997,
EMSA's  assets,  liabilities  and  results of  operations  are  included  in the
Consolidated Financial Statements.  The following is a financial summary of EMSA
during the period it was a 50%-owned company carried at equity:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     FOR THE PERIOD
                                                                      JANUARY 1 TO           FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                                       APRIL 21,                DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          1997               1996            1995
                                                                     --------------          ----            ----
                                                                                 (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                  <C>                <C>              <C> 

      Net sales................................................         $   21            $   65           $    68
      Cost of sales............................................             12                39                42
      Selling, administrative and other expenses...............              1                 4                 4
      Other (income) expense (net).............................              2                (1)               (1)
      Income taxes.............................................              2                 9                10
                                                                       -------            ------           -------
                   Net income..................................        $     4            $   14           $    13
                                                                       =======            ======           =======
      UCAR share of net income.................................        $     2            $    7           $     7
                                                                       =======            ======           =======
<CAPTION>

                                                                                              AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                            1996              1995
                                                                                            ----              ----
                                                                                            (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                                    <C>                <C>  

      Current assets...........................................                           $   40             $  34
      Non-current assets.......................................                               16                18
                                                                                          ------            ------
                   Total assets................................                               56                52
                                                                                          ------            ------
      Current liabilities......................................                               16                10
      Non-current liabilities..................................                                4                 5
                                                                                          ------            ------
                    Total liabilities..........................                               20                15
                                                                                          ------            ------
                    Net assets.................................                           $   36            $   37
                                                                                          ======            ======
       UCAR share of net assets................................                           $   18            $   18
                                                                                          ======            ======
</TABLE>

     The Company  recorded  net sales to EMSA of $3 million from January 1, 1997
to  April  21,  1997  and  $22  million  and  $11  million  in  1996  and  1995,
respectively.

                                       52

<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(7)  LONG-TERM DEBT      

      The following table presents the long-term debt of the Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      1997               1996
                                                                      ----               ----
                                                                       (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                <C>              <C>  

Senior Bank Facilities:
     Tranche A Letter of Credit Facility.........................      $214               $189
     Tranche A Term Loan.........................................        45                 40
     Tranche B Facility..........................................       120                120
     Revolving Facility..........................................        65                 30
                                                                      -----              -----
       Total Senior Bank Facilities..............................       444                379
Subordinated Notes...............................................       200                200
Italian lire loans and obligations...............................         2                  3
Deutsche Mark loans..............................................        10                 --
                                                                     ------             ------
     Subtotal....................................................       656                582
Less:  payments due within one year..............................        52                  1
                                                                    -------            --------
       Total.....................................................    $  604             $  581
                                                                     ======             ======
</TABLE>

     SENIOR BANK FACILITIES

      On October 19, 1995, UCAR refinanced the Recapitalization  Bank Facilities
with the Senior Bank  Facilities  which provided  improved terms and conditions.
The Senior Bank  Facilities  were  negotiated  through Chase  Manhattan Bank, as
agent, and had an original aggregate  principal amount of $630 million (of which
$620 million  could be used as debt  principal).  On March 19, 1997,  the Senior
Bank Facilities were amended to reduce the interest rates on amounts outstanding
thereunder, to increase the amount available under the revolving credit facility
to $250  million  from $100  million and to change  certain  covenants  to allow
greater  flexibility  in  uses of  free  cash  flow  for  acquisitions,  capital
expenditures and restricted payments.

      The Senior Bank Facilities, as amended, have an aggregate principal amount
of $640  million,  which  consist of: (a) a Tranche A Facility  (the  "Tranche A
Facility") in an amount of $270 million  consisting of (i) a Tranche A Letter of
Credit  Facility,  providing  for the  issuance  of up to $225  million  of U.S.
dollar-denominated  letters of credit for the purpose of supporting  either U.S.
dollar-denominated  or foreign  currency  denominated  loans,  interest  and the
impact of  currency  exchange  rate  fluctuations  thereon,  to certain  foreign
subsidiaries   of  Global  under   facilities   arranged   with  local   lending
institutions,  (ii) a Tranche A Term Loan  Facility  (the  "Tranche  A Term Loan
Facility") providing for term loans of $45 million to Global and (iii) a Tranche
A Reimbursement  Loan Facility in respect of drawings under Tranche A letters of
credit or to refinance Tranche A loans to foreign subsidiaries;  (b) a Tranche B
Term Loan Facility  ("the Tranche B Facility")  providing for term loans of $120
million  to  Global;  and  (c)  a  Revolving  Credit  Facility  (the  "Revolving
Facility")  providing  for  revolving  and  swingline  loans to  Global  and the
issuance of U.S.  dollar-denominated letters of credit for the account of Global
or other designated  credit parties  (collectively,  the "Credit Parties") in an
aggregate  principal  and stated  amount at any time not to exceed $250 million.
The Revolving Facility terminates on December 31, 2001.


                                       53


<PAGE>

                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(7)  LONG-TERM DEBT--(CONTINUED)

      The Tranche A Facility (including the letters of credit issued thereunder)
amortizes in quarterly installments over four years,  commencing March 31, 1998,
with  installments  ranging  from $50 million in 1998 to $85 million in 2001 and
with the final installment  payable on December 31, 2001. The Tranche B Facility
amortizes over five years,  commencing  March 31, 1998,  with nominal  quarterly
installments  during the first four years,  quarterly  installments  aggregating
$116 million in 2002, with the final  installment  payable on December 31, 2002.
The Company's next required installment payments for the tranche A and tranche B
portions  of  the  Senior  Bank  Facilities  of  $50  million  and  $1  million,
respectively,  occur  during  1998.  During  1996,  the Company  made  voluntary
prepayments on the Tranche A Facility and Tranche B Facility, of $25 million and
$30 million,  respectively  ($60 million and $25  million,  respectively  during
1995). The Company did not make any voluntary prepayments during 1997.

      The Credit  Parties are required to make  mandatory  prepayments of loans,
and letters of credit are mandatorily reduced, subject to certain exceptions, in
the  amount  of (a)  either  50% or 25%  (depending  on the debt to  EBITDA  (as
defined) ratio of UCAR and its  subsidiaries)  of consolidated  excess cash flow
(as defined) of Global and its subsidiaries (after giving effect to debt service
on the  Senior  Bank  Facilities  and the  Subordinated  Notes)  less  voluntary
prepayments  previously made during a specified  annual period,  (b) 100% of the
net  proceeds  of certain  dispositions  of assets or stock of  subsidiaries  or
incurrence of certain  indebtedness by UCAR, Global or any of their subsidiaries
and (c) 50% of the net  proceeds  of the  issuance of any equity  securities  by
UCAR. No mandatory prepayments were required for 1996 and 1997.

      The obligations of the Credit Parties under the Senior Bank Facilities are
fully  and  unconditionally   guaranteed  by  UCAR  and  each  of  its  domestic
subsidiaries  (collectively,  the  "Guarantors").  In addition,  the Senior Bank
Facilities  and such  guarantees  are secured by first  priority  or  equivalent
security  interests  in  substantially  all  capital  stock  of  Global  and the
Guarantors,  including all capital stock of, or other equity  interests in, each
direct or indirect  domestic  subsidiary  of Global and up to 65% of the capital
stock of, or other  equity  interests  in, each  direct  foreign  subsidiary  of
Global, or any Guarantor,  or in any case in which Global or any Guarantor holds
directly  less  than  65% of such  stock  or  equity  interests  in any  foreign
subsidiary,  all such stock or equity interests held by Global or such Guarantor
(to the  extent  permitted  by  applicable  contractual  and legal  provisions).
Certain of the foreign  subsidiaries  have agreed to provide  additional  credit
support for  obligations  of foreign  credit parties in respect of the Tranche A
Facility in the form of collateral and/or cross guarantees.

      At  Global's  option,  the  interest  rates  applicable  to the  Tranche A
Facility and Revolving  Facility are either  adjusted  LIBOR (as defined) plus a
margin ranging from 0.35% to 1.50% (depending on the ratio of debt to EBITDA (as
defined) of UCAR and its  subsidiaries) or the alternate base rate. The interest
rate  applicable to the Tranche B Loans is either  adjusted  LIBOR plus 1.50% or
the alternate  base rate plus 0.50%.  The  alternate  base rate is the higher of
Chase  Manhattan  Bank's  prime rate or the federal  funds  effective  rate plus
0.50%. At the relevant  foreign base rate (which varies from loan to loan),  or,
in the case of local  currency-denominated  loans,  the local interbank  offered
rate  plus  0.25%.  The  weighted  average  interest  rate  on the  Senior  Bank
Facilities during 1997, 1996 and 1995 was 7.38%, 7.93% and 8.22%, respectively.

      Global pays a per annum fee of 0.35% to 1.50% of the aggregate face amount
of outstanding letters of credit under the letter of credit facility,  and a per
annum fee equal to 0.125% to 0.30% on the undrawn  portion of the commitments in
respect of, the Senior Bank Facilities.  Both fees are dependent on the ratio of
debt to EBITDA (as defined) of UCAR and its subsidiaries.

      In  accordance  with the terms of the Senior Bank  Facilities,  Global has
purchased  certain  interest rate caps for the Tranche A Facility.  The interest
rate caps ensure that adjusted  LIBOR for the Tranche A Facility will not exceed
8.50% through February 1998.  Subsequent interest rate caps ensure that adjusted
LIBOR for at least 40% of the  outstanding  Tranche A Facility will not exceed a
weighted  average  annual rate of 8.2% for the period  commencing  February 1998
through various dates ending February 2001.

                                       54
<PAGE>


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(7)  LONG-TERM DEBT--(CONTINUED)

      The Senior Bank Facilities contain a number of significant covenants that,
among other things,  restrict the ability of UCAR, Global and their subsidiaries
to dispose of assets,  incur additional  indebtedness,  repay or refinance other
indebtedness  or  amend  other  debt  instruments,  pay  dividends  or make  any
restricted payments,  create liens on assets, enter into leases,  investments or
acquisitions, engage in mergers or consolidations,  make capital expenditures in
excess  of a  predetermined  amount  or  engage  in  certain  transactions  with
subsidiaries and affiliates,  and that otherwise restrict corporate  activities.
In addition, under the Senior Bank Facilities, Global is required to comply with
specified  financial ratios and tests,  including  minimum interest coverage and
maximum leverage ratios.

      The Senior Bank Facilities and the Subordinated  Note Indenture  contain a
number of significant  financial and restrictive covenants and other provisions,
which have been  impacted  as a result of the $340  million  charge (see Note 16
herein) for  potential  liabilities  and expenses in connection  with  antitrust
investigations  and  related  lawsuits  and claims.  In April 1998,  the Company
obtained a limited  waiver of certain  covenants  of the Senior Bank  Facilities
and, in connection therewith,  borrowed $35 million under the Revolving Facility
on April 13,  1998.  From January 1, 1998  through  April 12, 1998,  the Company
increased  its  borrowings  under the Revolving  Facility by $26 million.  As of
April 13, 1998,  after giving  effect to  outstanding  letters of credit and $35
million borrowed under the revolving credit facility,  $76 million was available
for  borrowing  under  the  Revolving  Facility.  In  order  to make  additional
borrowings  thereunder,  the Company  would need to,  among other  things,  make
certain representations, including representations as to the absence of material
adverse changes in the business, financial condition or results of operations of
the Company and the absence of material legal proceedings. In light of antitrust
investigations  and related lawsuits and claims,  no assurance can be given that
the  Company  will  be able to make  those  representations  or make  additional
borrowings  thereunder.  In  addition,  even  if the  Company  is  able  to make
additional  borrowings  thereunder,  such  ability  may be  limited  by  certain
covenants  contained in the Subordinated Note Indenture.  Under the Subordinated
Note  Indenture,  subject  to  certain  exceptions,  the  Company  may not incur
additional  indebtedness if its consolidated coverage ratio (as defined) is less
than  certain  specified  ratios.  As a result of the $340 million  charge,  the
Company's  consolidated coverage ratio (as defined) is less than those specified
ratios. As a result,  under the Subordinated Note Indenture,  the Company cannot
incur additional indebtedness except under the exceptions referred to above.

      The waiver does not restrict the lenders under the Senior Bank  Facilities
from  declaring  that there has been a breach,  after giving  effect to the $340
million charge, of material adverse change representations made in the past. Any
or a combination of these  circumstances  and other  circumstances  described in
this Annual  Report on Form 10-K could result in the  occurrence  of an event of
default under the Senior Bank Facilities. The occurrence of an event of default,
which is not waived, would permit the lenders thereunder to, among other things,
accelerate  all  indebtedness  outstanding  thereunder  by declaring all amounts
borrowed thereunder to be immediately due and payable, together with accrued and
unpaid  interest.  In addition,  the lenders  could  foreclose  upon  collateral
pledged to secure  repayment of such  indebtedness  and the  commitments  of the
lenders to make further  extensions  of credit under the Senior Bank  Facilities
would be terminated. Under the cross-acceleration provisions of the Subordinated
Note Indenture,  the holders of Subordinated  Notes would thereupon  likewise be
able to accelerate all indebtedness outstanding under the Subordinated Notes.

      Under the Senior Bank  Facilities,  Global and UCAR are  permitted  to pay
dividends to their  respective  stockholders  only in an annual amount up to the
greater of $15 million or a percentage, ranging from 50% to 65% based on certain
financial  tests, of adjusted  consolidated  net income (as defined),  where any
such amount not used may be accumulated on an ongoing basis. In addition, Global
is  permitted to pay  dividends to UCAR (i) in respect of UCAR's  administrative
fees  and  expenses  and  (ii)  for the  specific  purpose  of the  purchase  or
redemption  by UCAR of capital  stock held by present or former  officers of the
Company up to $5 million per year or $25 million in the  aggregate.  As a result
of the $340  million  charge  and stock  repurchases,  UCAR does not  anticipate
paying any dividends in the near term.

   SUBORDINATED NOTES

      The Subordinated Notes are unsecured,  senior subordinated  obligations of
Global  which  will  mature  on  January  15,  2005  and bear  interest  payable
semiannually  at a rate per annum of 12%. The  Subordinated  Notes are fully and
unconditionally  guaranteed on an unsecured,  senior subordinated basis by UCAR.
None of Global's subsidiaries has guaranteed the Subordinated Notes.


                                       55
<PAGE>

                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(7)  LONG-TERM DEBT--(CONTINUED)


      As  permitted  by  the  applicable  indenture,   Global  redeemed,  during
September  1995,  $175  million  principal  amount of  Subordinated  Notes  with
proceeds of the Initial  Offering at a redemption price of 110% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued interest thereon of $4 million.

      Except  as  described  below,  the  remaining  Subordinated  Notes are not
redeemable  at the option of Global prior to January 15, 2000. On and after such
date, subject to certain restrictions, the Subordinated Notes are redeemable, at
Global's option, in whole or in part, at specified  redemption prices commencing
at 104.5% of principal amount and declining annually to 100% of principal amount
on and after January 15, 2003. The  Subordinated  Notes are also redeemable as a
whole at the option of Global  upon the  occurrence  of a change of control at a
redemption price equal to 100% of principal amount plus a specified premium.  If
Global  does not so redeem the  Subordinated  Notes,  Global will be required to
make an offer to repurchase the  Subordinated  Notes at a price equal to 101% of
principal amount.

      The indenture  relating to the Subordinated Notes restricts the payment of
dividends by Global to UCAR if (a) at the time of such proposed dividend, Global
is unable to meet  certain  indebtedness  incurrence  and income tests set forth
therein or (b) the total amount of dividends  paid exceeds  specified  aggregate
limits based on consolidated net income, net proceeds from asset and stock sales
and  certain  other  transactions.  Such  restrictions  are  not  applicable  to
dividends (i) in respect of UCAR's administrative fees and expenses and (ii) for
the specific purpose of the purchase or redemption by UCAR of capital stock held
by present or former  officers  of the  Company up to $5 million per year or $25
million in the aggregate.

   DEUTSCHE MARK LOANS

      In order to  consummate  the  purchase by UCAR  Elektroden  of net working
capital assets from EKL  (approximate  U.S.  dollar  equivalent of $12 million),
UCAR  Elektroden  arranged a bank facility  with BHF - Bank  Aktiengesellschaft,
Berlin.

      The facility consists of a committed term loan of Deutsche Mark 20 million
(U. S. dollar equivalent of approximately $12 million at establishment in March
1997), and a revolving line of credit for Deutsche Mark 5 million (U.S. dollar
equivalent of approximately $3 million at establishment in March 1997).

      The term  portion of the  facility is  committed  through  December  2000.
Required  Deutsche  Mark payments of the term loan are to be made by December of
each year as follows:  2 million in 1997;  6 million in 1998; 6 million in 1999;
and 6 million in 2000.  The  revolving  portion of the facility is committed for
one year, with an option to renew annually.

      Credit  support is  provided by Global's  guarantee  of UCAR  Elektroden's
obligations  under the  facility.  The facility  requires  that Global remain in
compliance  with  the  Senior  Bank  Facilities  and that  the  facility  not be
subordinate to the obligations of the Senior Bank Facilities.  It also restricts
the withdrawal of capital from UCAR Elektroden.

                                       56
<PAGE>

                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(7)  LONG-TERM DEBT--(CONTINUED)

   EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE

      During 1995, the Company recorded an  extraordinary  charge of $37 million
related to early  extinguishment  of debt (net of tax  benefit  of $20  million)
resulting  from the  prepayment of $175 million of Senior Notes,  the Redemption
and the  Refinancing.  The  extraordinary  charge  consisted of a premium of $18
million paid on the  redemption of the  Subordinated  Notes and the write-off of
deferred debt issuance costs of $39 million.

   OTHER

      At December  31, 1997,  payments  due on long-term  debt in the four years
after 1998 are: $64 million in 1999;  $79 million in 2000;  $86 million in 2001;
and $116 million in 2002.

      The Company's weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings
outstanding at December 31, 1997 and 1996 was 7.2% and 9.0%, respectively.

      At December  31,  1997,  $2 million ($3 million and $4 million in 1996 and
1995,  respectively)  of foreign  assets were pledged as security for short- and
long-term debt and certain tax liabilities.

(8)  INCOME TAXES

      Total income taxes were allocated as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                                                     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1997             1996             1995
                                                                        ----             ----             ----
                                                                                (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                    <C>            <C>               <C>  

        Income from operations........................................  $39               $68             $74
        Extraordinary charge..........................................   --                --             (20)
        Cumulative effect on prior years of change                       
             in accounting for inventories............................   --                 4              --
        Stockholders' equity (deficit)................................   (5)               (4)            (10)
                                                                       ----              ----            ----
                                                                        $34               $68             $44
                                                                       ====              ====            ====
</TABLE>

      The income taxes credited to  stockholders'  equity  (deficit) in 1997 and
1996  relate to the tax benefit  arising  from the  exercise  of employee  stock
options and in 1995 relate to the  increased  projected  benefit  obligation  of
approximately $28 million resulting from the Recapitalization.


                                       57
<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(8)  INCOME TAXES--(CONTINUED)

      The following is a summary of U.S. and non-U.S. components of income
(loss) before provision for income taxes:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                                                     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1997             1996             1995
                                                                        ----             ----             ----
                                                                                (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                    <C>              <C>             <C>  

        U.S...........................................................  $(275)           $  43           $ (45)
        Non-U.S.......................................................    153              164             141
                                                                         ----             ----            ----
                                                                        $(122)           $ 207           $  96
                                                                        ======           =====           =====

      Income tax expense attributable to income from operations consists of:
<CAPTION>

                                                                      CURRENT          DEFERRED          TOTAL
                                                                      -------          --------          -----
                                                                                (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                 <C>               <C>             <C> 

      Year ended December 31, 1997:
           U.S. federal income taxes..........................        $  11             $ (41)         $  (30)
           Non-U.S. income taxes..............................           66                 3              69
                                                                      -----            ------           -----
                                                                       $ 77              $(38)          $  39
                                                                       ====              =====          =====
      Year ended December 31, 1996:
           U.S. federal income taxes..........................        $  (1)             $ 16            $ 15
           Non-U.S. income taxes..............................           50                 3              53
                                                                      -----             -----           -----
                                                                       $ 49              $ 19            $ 68
                                                                       ====              ====            ====
      Year ended December 31, 1995:
           U.S. federal income taxes..........................         $ 33              $(28)         $    5
           Non-U.S. income taxes..............................           59                10              69
                                                                      -----             -----           -----
                                                                       $ 92              $(18)           $ 74
                                                                       ====              =====           ====
</TABLE>

      In December  1992,  the Company  obtained an income tax exemption from the
Brazilian  government on income  generated  from graphite  electrode  production
through 1999. The exemption reduced 1997, 1996 and 1995 income tax expense by $6
million, $4 million and $2 million, respectively.

      Income tax expense  attributable to income from  operations  differed from
the amounts  computed by applying the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 35 percent
to pretax income from operations as a result of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                                                     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1997             1996             1995
                                                                        ----             ----             ----
                                                                                (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                  <C>             <C>             <C>   

      Tax at statutory U.S. federal rate......................         $(43)            $  72           $  34
      Nondeductible portion of estimated liabilities associated
         with antitrust investigations and related lawsuits and
         claims...............................................           90                --              --
      Foreign earnings taxed at different rates...............            4                 3               3
      Brazilian tax exemption.................................           (6)               (4)             (2)
      Net taxes related to the Recapitalization...............           --                --              37
      Net taxes related to foreign dividends and                         --                 4               5
           other remittances..................................
      Adjustments to deferred tax asset valuation allowance...           --                (8)            (12)
      Other...................................................           (6)                1               9
                                                                      ------            -----           -----
                                                                      $  39             $  68           $  74
                                                                      ======            =====           =====
</TABLE>

                                       58
<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(8)  INCOME TAXES--(CONTINUED)

      The significant  components of deferred income tax expense attributable to
income from operations are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                                                     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1997             1996             1995
                                                                        ----             ----             ----
                                                                                (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                  <C>               <C>             <C> 

      Deferred tax expense (exclusive of the effects
           of other components below).........................         $(38)             $ 27           $  (5)
      Decrease in beginning-of-the-year balance
           of the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.           --                (8)            (13)
                                                                       ----              -----          ------
                                                                       $(38)              $19           $ (18)
                                                                       ====              =====          ======
</TABLE>

      The tax effects of  temporary  differences  that give rise to  significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31,
1997 and 1996 are presented below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                              1997              1996
                                                                              ----              ----
                                                                               (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                       <C>               <C>   

Deferred tax assets:
     Depreciation......................................................    $    9           $     7
     Estimated liabilities associated with antitrust investigations
        and related lawsuits and claims................................        28                --
     Sales and product allowances......................................         1                 1
     Compensation and benefit plans....................................        55                53
     Excess foreign tax credits........................................        18                 5
     Inventory adjustments.............................................         2                 3
     Provision for scheduled plant closings and other restructurings...         1                10
     AMT tax credit carryforwards......................................         1                --
     Debt issuance costs...............................................         4                 5
     Other.............................................................         6                 6
                                                                           ---------       --------
       Total gross deferred tax assets.................................       125                90
       Less:  valuation allowance......................................        (3)               (3)
                                                                           ---------        --------
         Net deferred tax assets.......................................       122                87
                                                                           --------         -------

Deferred tax liabilities:
     Depreciation......................................................        87                56
     Compensation and benefit plans....................................         1                 1
     Inventory adjustments.............................................         6                 7
     Other.............................................................        11                13
                                                                           --------         -------
       Total gross deferred tax liabilities............................       105                77
                                                                           -------          -------
         Net deferred tax asset........................................    $   17           $    10
                                                                           =======           ======
</TABLE>

      Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are classified on a net current
and noncurrent  basis within each tax  jurisdiction.  Deferred income tax assets
are  included in prepaid  expenses in the amount of $30 million at December  31,
1997 ($16  million at December  31,  1996) and other assets in the amount of $43
million at December 31, 1997 ($20 million at December  31,  1996).  Deferred tax
liabilities are also included in accrued income and other taxes in the amount of
$9 million at December 31, 1997 ($10 million at December 31, 1996).


                                       59
<PAGE>


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(8) INCOME TAXES--(CONTINUED)

      The net  change  in the total  valuation  allowance  for the  years  ended
December  31,  1996 and 1995  was a  decrease  of $8  million  and $12  million,
respectively.  In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management
considers  whether it is more  likely  than not that some  portion or all of the
deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The ultimate  realization of deferred
tax assets is dependent  upon the generation of future taxable income during the
periods in which  those  temporary  differences  become  deductible.  Management
considers the scheduled  reversal of deferred tax liabilities,  projected future
taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

      At  December  31,  1997,   the  Company  had  excess  foreign  tax  credit
carryforwards  of $18  million.  Of these tax credit  carryforwards,  $2 million
expire in 1998, $1 million expire in 1999, $1 million expire in 2000, $4 million
expire in 2001 and $10 million  expire in 2002.  The Company used $51 million of
foreign tax credits to reduce U.S.  current tax liabilities in 1997 ($30 million
in  1996  and  $95  million  in  1995,  including  $89  million  related  to the
Recapitalization).  Based  upon  the  level of  historical  taxable  income  and
projections  for future  taxable  income  over the  periods  during  which these
credits  are  utilizable,  management  believes  it is more  likely than not the
Company  will  realize  the  benefits  of these  deferred  tax assets net of the
existing valuation allowances at December 31, 1997.

      The  Company  used  the  remaining  $2  million  of  net  operating   loss
carryforwards  from prior years to offset non-U.S.  taxable income for 1996 ($25
million  for 1995)  resulting  in a  reduction  of $1  million  in  current  tax
liabilities ($9 million in 1995).

      Provision has not been made for U.S.  taxes on the excess of the financial
reporting  amounts over the tax bases of the  Company's  investments  in foreign
subsidiaries that are essentially permanent in duration. Such excess amounted to
approximately  $61 million at December 31, 1997.  Determination  of the deferred
tax liability  related to this excess is not  practicable.  Management  believes
that the tax  liabilities  resulting  from the  reversal  of this  excess can be
substantially mitigated with effective tax planning strategies.

(9)  OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE (NET)

      The following is an analysis of other (income) expense (net):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                                                     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1997             1996             1995
                                                                        ----             ----             ----
                                                                                (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                 <C>               <C>             <C>   

      Foreign currency adjustments............................        $   3             $  (1)         $    8
      Interest income.........................................           (9)               (9)            (23)
      Loss on sales and disposals of assets...................           --                 1               1
      Global integration project consulting fees..............            4                --              --
      Amortization of goodwill................................            1                --              --
      Bank fees due to the Recapitalization...................           --                --               7
      Discount on sales of receivables........................           --                --               1
      Other...................................................            6                 8               9
                                                                     ------             -----          ------
                                                                     $    5              $ (1)          $   3
                                                                     ======              =====          =====
</TABLE>

                                       60

<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(10)  INTEREST EXPENSE

      The following is an analysis of interest expense:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                                                     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1997             1996             1995
                                                                        ----             ----             ----
                                                                                (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                   <C>              <C>             <C>   

      Interest incurred on debt...............................          $62               $59             $88
      Amortization of debt issuance costs.....................            2                 2               6
      Capitalized interest....................................           --                --              (1)
                                                                        ---               ---            ----
           Total interest expense.............................          $64               $61             $93
                                                                        ====              ===             ===
</TABLE>

(11)  SUPPLEMENTARY BALANCE SHEET DETAIL
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                              1997            1996
                                                                              ----            ----
                                                                             (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                        <C>            <C>

Notes and accounts receivable:
     Trade.............................................................      $  220          $  174
     Affiliates........................................................          --               7
     Other.............................................................          28              10
                                                                             -------       ---------
                                                                                248             191
     Allowance for doubtful accounts...................................          (6)             (6)
                                                                             -------       ---------
                                                                             $  242          $  185
                                                                             =======       =========
Property, plant and equipment:
     Land and improvements.............................................      $   45          $   36
     Buildings.........................................................         231             182
     Machinery and equipment...........................................         949             830
     Construction in progress and other................................          64              39
                                                                             -------       ---------
                                                                             $1,289          $1,087
                                                                             =======       =========
Other assets:
     Goodwill (net)....................................................      $   25          $   --
     Deferred income taxes.............................................          43              20
     Benefits protection trust.........................................          10               2
     Other.............................................................          24              31
                                                                             -------       ---------
                                                                             $  102          $   53
                                                                             =======       =========
Accounts payable:
     Trade.............................................................      $   63          $   54
     Other.............................................................          13              13
                                                                           ---------       ---------
                                                                             $   76          $   67
                                                                           =========       =========
Other accrued liabilities:
     Accrued accounts payable..........................................      $   26          $   26
     Payrolls..........................................................           8               6
     Restructuring.....................................................           2               7
     Employee compensation and benefits................................          47              40
     Estimated liabilities associated with 
        antitrust investigations and
        related lawsuits and claims....................................         174              --
     Other.............................................................           5              12
                                                                           ----------      ---------
                                                                             $  262          $   91
                                                                           ==========      =========

</TABLE>

                                       61
<PAGE>


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(11)  SUPPLEMENTARY BALANCE SHEET DETAIL--(CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                             1997             1996
                                                                             ----             ----
                                                                             (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                      <C>             <C>  

Other long-term obligations:
     Postretirement benefits...........................................    $   83           $   80
     Employee severance costs..........................................        16               17
     Pension and related benefits......................................        22               18
     Estimated liabilities associated with antitrust investigations and
          related lawsuits and claims..................................       163               --
     Other.............................................................        29               23
                                                                           --------        ---------
                                                                           $  313           $  138
                                                                           ========        ========= 
</TABLE>

      The following is an analysis of the allowance for doubtful accounts:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                              1997            1996
                                                                              ----            ----
                                                                             (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                         <C>            <C>    

Balance at beginning of year...........................................       $ 6             $ 11
Charged to costs and expenses..........................................        --               --
Deductions.............................................................        --               (5)
                                                                              ---             ----
Balance at end of year.................................................       $ 6             $  6
                                                                              ===             ====
</TABLE>

(12)  LEASES

      Lease commitments under  noncancelable  operating leases extending for one
year or more will require the following future payments:

                                                      (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
        1998.........................................          $5
        1999.........................................           4
        2000.........................................           2
        2001.........................................           1
        2002.........................................           1
        After 2002...................................           4

      Total  lease and rental  expenses  under  noncancelable  operating  leases
extending  one month or more were $5  million  in 1997 ($4  million  in 1996 and
1995).

(13)  BENEFITS PLANS

    RETIREMENT PLANS

      Until February 25, 1991, the Company  participated in the U.S.  retirement
plan of Union Carbide.  Effective  February 26, 1991, the Company formed its own
U.S. retirement plan which covers  substantially all U.S. employees.  Retirement
and death benefits  related to employee  service  through  February 25, 1991 are
covered by the Union Carbide plan.  Benefits paid by the Union Carbide plan will
be based on final average pay through  February 25, 1991, plus salary  increases
(not to exceed 6% per year) until January 26, 1995 when Union Carbide  ceased to
own at least 50% of the equity of UCAR. All Company  employees who retired prior
to February 25, 1991 are covered under the Union Carbide plan.


                                       62
<PAGE>


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(13)  BENEFITS PLANS--(CONTINUED)

      Pension  benefits  under the Company plan are based  primarily on years of
service and compensation  levels prior to retirement.  Net pension costs for the
U.S. retirement plan were $6 million in 1997 ($6 million in 1996 and 1995).

      Pension coverage for employees of foreign subsidiaries is provided, to the
extent deemed appropriate,  through separate plans. Obligations under such plans
are  systematically  provided  for by  depositing  funds  with  trustees,  under
insurance  policies or by book reserves.  Net pension costs for plans of foreign
subsidiaries amounted to $1 million in 1997 ($1 million in both 1996 and 1995).

      The components of net pension cost for 1997, 1996 and 1995 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                            1997          1996          1995
                                                                            ----          ----          ----
                                                                                   (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                       <C>            <C>          <C>   
      Service cost-benefit earned during the period....................       $ 7           $ 7          $ 7
      Interest costs on projected benefit obligation...................        12             9            8
      Actual return on plan assets.....................................       (20)          (14)         (10)
      Net amortization and deferral....................................         8             5            2
                                                                               --            --           --
           Net pension cost............................................       $ 7           $ 7          $ 7
                                                                              ===           ===          ===
</TABLE>

      Pension fund assets are invested primarily in equity investments and fixed
income investments.  At December 31, 1997, these investments represented 46% and
31% of the total plan assets at fair value, respectively.  At December 31, 1997,
the remainder of the pension fund assets consisted of cash, cash equivalents and
insurance contracts held with various financial institutions.

      At December 31, 1997, the assets of each of the Company's retirement plans
exceeded  the  actuarially   determined   accumulated  benefit  obligation  and,
accordingly,   such  plans  were   considered   fully  funded  for  purposes  of
contribution  requirements.  The funded status of the Company's retirement plans
at December 31, 1997 and 1996 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                              1997            1996
                                                                              ----            ----
                                                                             (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                      <C>              <C>   

Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
     Vested benefits...................................................    $ (102)         $   (68)
     Non-vested benefits...............................................       (17)             (13)
                                                                           ---------       ----------
Accumulated benefit obligation.........................................      (119)             (81)
Effect of projected future salary increases............................       (54)             (59)
                                                                           --------        ----------
Projected benefit obligation...........................................      (173)            (140)
Fair value of plan assets..............................................       165              126
                                                                           -------         --------
Plan assets less than projected benefit obligation.....................        (8)             (14)
Unamortized net asset at transition....................................        (8)              (2)
Unamortized prior service cost.........................................         3                3
Unrecognized net (gain)................................................        (7)              (8)
                                                                           ---------       ---------
Accrued pension cost...................................................    $  (20)         $   (21)
                                                                           =========       =========

</TABLE>

                                       63
<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(13)  BENEFITS PLANS--(CONTINUED)

      The actuarial  assumptions  used in  determining  the net pension cost and
pension liability shown above were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                               FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                 1997                    1996
                                                                                 ----                    ----
<S>                                                                          <C>                    <C>   

      Weighted-average discount rate for determining projected                 
          benefit obligation.......................................            7.48%                   7.82%
      Weighted-average rate of increase in compensation levels.....            5.12%                   5.64%
      Expected long-term weighted-average rate of return on plan               
          assets...................................................            8.93%                   8.94%
</TABLE>

    OTHER NON-QUALIFIED PLANS

      Since  January 1, 1995,  the Company  has  established  various  unfunded,
non-qualified  supplemental  retirement and compensation  deferred  programs for
certain  eligible  employees.  In  1995,  the  Company  established  a  benefits
protection  trust (the  "Trust")  to  partially  provide  for the  benefits  for
employees  participating  in these plans.  At December  31, 1997,  the Trust had
assets of approximately $10 million ($2 million at December 31, 1996), which are
included in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

    POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH CARE AND LIFE INSURANCE

      The Company provides health care and life insurance  benefits for eligible
retired  employees.  These  benefits  are  provided  through  various  insurance
companies and health care  providers.  The Company accrues the estimated cost of
these benefits during the employees' credited service periods.

      Effective  January 1, 1993, the Company made changes to its retiree health
care programs  principally  related to plan eligibility  requirements for active
employees. Beginning January 1, 1995, employees are required to have 10 years of
company  service after age 45 to receive the  Company's  full  contribution  for
retiree health care.  These changes  resulted in a reduction of the  accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation at January 1, 1993 of $20 million. The Company
is amortizing this reduction over the average remaining  credited service period
of  eligible  employees  (6.5  years)  which  results  in  a  reduction  of  net
postretirement benefit expense of $3 million per year.

      For the years 1997,  1996 and 1995,  the  components  of expense for these
postretirement benefits were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1997             1996             1995
                                                                        ----             ----             ----
                                                                                (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                  <C>               <C>            <C>  

      Service cost-benefits earned during the period..........         $  2              $  2            $  3
      Interest costs on accumulated postretirement                        
           benefit obligation.................................            6                 5               4
      Amortization of the reduction resulting from                     
           plan amendments....................................           (3)               (3)             (3) 
                                                                       ----              ----            ----  
           Total expense......................................         $  5              $  4            $  4
                                                                       ====              ====            ====
</TABLE>

                                       64

<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(13)  BENEFITS PLANS--(CONTINUED)

      At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the actuarial and recorded  liabilities for
these postretirement benefits, none of which have been funded, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                              1997            1996
                                                                              ----            ----
                                                                             (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                                        <C>             <C>   

Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
     Retirees..........................................................       $59              $51
     Fully eligible active plan participants...........................        18               14
     Other active participants.........................................         4                3
     Unrecognized reduction of the obligation resulting                         
       from plan amendments............................................         4                8
     Unrecognized net gain (loss)......................................        (2)               4
                                                                           ------           ------
       Accrued postretirement benefit costs............................      $ 83             $ 80
                                                                           ======           ======

</TABLE>

      The  discount  rate used in  determining  the  accumulated  postretirement
benefit  obligation  ("APBO") as of December  31, 1997 was 7.0% (7.75% in 1996).
The assumed health care cost trend rate used in determining  this obligation was
8.25% (9.0% in 1996), declining between 0.5% and 1% per year to an ultimate rate
of 4.75% for the year 2006 and  thereafter.  The  assumed  rate of  increase  in
salary  levels for the life  insurance  portion of the APBO was 4.50%  (5.25% in
1996). Cost-sharing provisions between the Company and its employees are assumed
to remain constant in the future.

      If the health care cost trend rate  assumptions  were increased by 1%, the
APBO as of December  31, 1997 would be  increased  by $5 million.  The effect of
this  change on the sum of service  cost and  interest  cost  components  of net
periodic postretirement benefit cost for 1997 would be $1 million.

   SAVINGS PLAN

      The  Company's  employee  savings plan  provides  eligible  employees  the
opportunity for long-term  savings and investment.  Participating  employees can
contribute 1% to 7.5% of employee  compensation  as basic  contributions  and an
additional 0.5% to 10% of employee  compensation as supplemental  contributions.
The Company contributes on behalf of each participating employee an amount equal
to 30% (50%,  effective  January 1, 1998) of the employee's basic  contribution.
The Company contributed $2 million in 1997 and 1996 and $1 million in 1995.

   INCENTIVE PLAN

      The Company  provides  group profit sharing plans for employees in various
subsidiaries worldwide. Costs for the profit sharing plans were $19 million, $17
million and $18 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

                                       65

<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(14)  RESTRUCTURING COSTS

      The Company  recorded  restructuring  costs of $30 million  during 1995 to
write-off fixed assets of $22 million and accrue $8 million of related  shutdown
costs in  connection  with a project to close  certain  high cost  manufacturing
operations  and  to  add  modern  lower  cost  manufacturing  operations  at the
Company's North American graphite electrode plants.

(15)  MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION AND INCENTIVE PLANS

      Upon consummation of the Recapitalization, the Company entered into three-
year  employment  agreements  with certain  officers which  automatically  renew
annually for additional  one-year terms. The employment  agreements  provide the
officers  with  the  opportunity  to  receive  bonuses  based  in  part  on  the
achievement  of  designated  EBITDA  targets.   The  Company  recorded  expenses
applicable  to these  bonuses of $3  million in 1997 ($5  million in 1996 and $4
million in 1995).

      Prior to the Recapitalization,  the Company had a long-term incentive plan
for certain management employees which provided incentive  compensation based on
the Company's performance as compared to designated  profitability and cash flow
goals for the three years  ending  December  31,  1995.  The goals for 1995 were
deemed achieved in accordance with the plan at the date of the Recapitalization.
The Company recorded expenses applicable to this plan of $2 million in 1995.

      To  encourage  senior  management  to  acquire  shares of common  stock in
connection with the Recapitalization,  UCAR adopted an equity ownership program.
Under this program,  certain members of management were given the opportunity to
purchase  from UCAR  shares of common  stock at $7.60 per share  (the  price per
share  paid for the  common  stock  purchased  by  Blackstone  and Chase  Equity
Associates in the Recapitalization). Approximately 733,000 shares were purchased
for $6 million by members of management  under this program.  The Company loaned
approximately  $3 million to certain  members of management  in connection  with
these purchased shares.  In addition,  for each two U.S. dollars of common stock
purchased,  UCAR granted the  purchaser one U.S.  dollar of restricted  matching
stock (the "Matching Shares"), approximately 329,000 shares. The Matching Shares
vested at the time of the Initial Offering.

      The shares purchased by management and the Matching Shares were subject to
certain restrictions and to "puts" under which the holder could require UCAR to
repurchase the shares under certain conditions. The restrictions and "puts"
expired at the time of the Secondary Offering.

      In connection with the Recapitalization, UCAR adopted the Management Stock
Option  Plan  under  which it  granted  non-qualified  stock  options to certain
members of  management  to purchase up to an aggregate  of  4,761,000  shares of
common stock at an exercise price of $7.60 per share,  of which (i) time vesting
options for 2,777,000  shares  vested fully at the time of the Initial  Offering
and (ii)  performance  vesting  options for 1,984,000  shares vested and were to
vest as follows: 60% at the time of the Initial Offering and 20% in each of 1998
and 1999 if EBITDA for those  years is equal to or exceeds a target  amount.  On
December 8, 1997, UCAR's Board of Directors approved the accelerated  vesting of
the outstanding  performance stock options  associated with the 1998 performance
targets  and,  accordingly,  the Company  recorded  compensation  expense of $12
million  ($9 million  after tax).  UCAR's  Board of  Directors  did not vest the
performance  stock options  associated  with the 1999  performance  targets.  If
UCAR's  Board of  Directors  had  accelerated  the  vesting of those  options at
December 31, 1997,  approximately $12 million of additional compensation expense
would have been recorded in 1997.  In addition,  because the Company has not met
the  probability  criterion  associated  with  achieving  the  1999  performance
targets, no compensation expense associated with those performance stock options
has been recorded.

                                       66

<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(15)  MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION AND INCENTIVE PLANS--(CONTINUED)

      On December 13,  1995,  UCAR granted  additional  fully vested  options to
purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $31.59 per share.
Options vested under such plan were  restricted  from exercise until the time of
the 1996 Secondary Offering. On February 10, 1997, UCAR granted additional fully
vested  options to purchase  155,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price
of $37.59 per share.

      Effective  as of February 6, 1996,  UCAR  adopted the 1996  Mid-Management
Equity  Incentive Plan under which it may grant awards to selected  employees to
purchase up to an  aggregate  of 1,000,000  shares of common  stock.  Under such
plan,  granted shares which have been  subsequently  forfeited are available for
future  granting  thereunder.  On February 9, 1996,  UCAR  granted  time vesting
options to  purchase  960,000  shares of common  stock at an  exercise  price of
$35.00 per share. On May 13, 1996, UCAR granted  additional time vesting options
to purchase  4,000  shares of common  stock at an  exercise  price of $40.44 per
share.  On February 10, 1997,  UCAR granted  additional  time vesting options to
purchase 61,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $39.31 per share.
The options granted under the 1996  Mid-Management  Equity Incentive Plan have a
term of ten  years and vest  eight  years  from the date of  grant.  Accelerated
vesting  occurs as the  market  price of the  common  stock  equals  or  exceeds
specified  amounts.  At December  31,  1997,  460,350 of such options were fully
vested.

      At  December  31,  1997,  the  Company has  reserved  5,037,776  shares of
authorized  common stock for issuance in accordance  with existing  stock option
and equity plans.

      The Company applies APB 25 in accounting for its stock-based  compensation
plans.  Accordingly,  no  compensation  cost  has been  recognized  for its time
vesting option plans. The compensation cost that has been charged against income
for its  performance  vesting options was $12 million in 1997 and $19 million in
1995. Had compensation  cost for the Company's  stock-based  compensation  plans
been  determined by the fair value method  prescribed by SFAS 123, the Company's
net income  (loss) and net income per share  would have been  reduced to the pro
forma amounts indicated below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                                               1997              1996           1995
                                                                               ----              ----           ----
                                                                                          Dollars in millions,
                                                                                        except per share data)
<S>                                                                         <C>                <C>           <C> 

        Net income (loss):
          As reported...................................................      $(160)            $152         $  (12)
          Pro forma.....................................................       (156)             149            (15)
        Diluted net income (loss) per share:
           As reported(a) ..............................................      (3.49)             3.15           1.87
           Pro forma....................................................      (3.39)             3.07           1.80
</TABLE>

- --------------------
(a) Pro forma for 1995.  See Note 18.

                                       67
<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(15)  MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION AND INCENTIVE PLANS--(CONTINUED)

      A summary of the status of the Company's stock-based compensation plans as
of December 31, 1997,  1996 and 1995, and changes during the years then ended is
presented below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                    1997                        1996                     1995
                                                    ----                        ----                     ----
                                                        WEIGHTED-                 WEIGHTED-                  WEIGHTED-
                                           SHARES        AVERAGE       SHARES      AVERAGE      SHARES       AVERAGE
                                           ------    EXERCISE PRICE    ------   EXERCISE PRICE  ------     EXERCISE PRICE
                                                     --------------             --------------             --------------
                                                                       (SHARES IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                      <C>            <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>

Time Vesting Options:
   Outstanding at beginning of year.....   3,572          $15.01       2,787       $7.60            --         $ --
   Granted..............................     217           38.08         964       35.02         2,787          7.69
   Exercised............................    (432)           9.91        (176)       8.22            --           --
   Forfeited............................     (33)          35.00          (3)      35.00            --           --
                                          ------                       -----                     -----
     Outstanding at end of year.........   3,324           16.98       3,572       15.01         2,787          7.69
                                          ======                       =====                     =====

   Options exercisable at year end......   2,799           13.55       2,853        9.97            --           --
   Weighted-average fair value of       
     Options granted during year........  $17.33                      $16.02                     $6.13

Performance Vesting Options:
   Outstanding at beginning of year.....   1,508           $7.60       1,984       $7.60            --         $ --
   Granted..............................      --              --          --          --         1,984          7.60
   Exercised............................    (284)           7.60        (476)       7.60            --           --
   Forfeited............................     (50)           7.60          --          --            --           --
                                          ------                       -----                     -----
     Outstanding at end of year.........   1,174            7.60       1,508        7.60         1,984          7.60
                                          ======                       =====                     =====

   Options exercisable at year end......     842            7.60         714        7.60            --           --
   Weighted-average fair value of           
     Options granted during year........   $--                           $--                     $6.11
</TABLE>

      The fair  value of each  stock  option is  estimated  on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions used for grants in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively: dividend yield
of 0.0% for all  years;  expected  volatility  of 30%,  30% and  94%;  risk-free
interest rates of 6.4%, 5.7% and 7.7%; and expected lives of seven years,  eight
years and six years.  The following  table  summarizes  information  about stock
options outstanding at December 31, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  OPTIONS OUTSTANDING                           OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
                                                  -------------------                           -------------------
                                                  WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
            RANGE OF                  NUMBER         REMAINING          WEIGHTED-AVERAGE    NUMBER         WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
        EXERCISE PRICES            OUTSTANDING    CONTRACTUAL LIFE      EXERCISE PRICES  EXERCISABLE       EXERCISE PRICES
        ---------------            -----------    ----------------      ---------------  -----------       ---------------
                                                                   (SHARES IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                <C>                <C>               <C>              <C>           <C>  

     Time Vesting Options:
             $7.60                    2,210             9 years            $   7.60         2,210            $   7.60
        $31.59 to 40.44               1,114             8 years               35.59           589               35.87
                                      -----                                                 -----
                                      3,324             9 years               16.98         2,799               13.55
                                      =====                                                 =====
  Performance Vesting Options:
             $7.60                    1,174             9 years                7.60           802                7.60
                                      =====                                                 =====

</TABLE>
                                       68

<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(16)  CONTINGENCIES

      On June 5, 1997,  the  Company  was served  with  subpoenas  issued by the
United  States  District  Court for the Eastern  District of  Pennsylvania  (the
"District Court") to produce documents to a grand jury convened by attorneys for
the Antitrust  Division of the United  States  Department of Justice (the "DOJ")
and a related search warrant in connection with an  investigation  as to whether
there has been any violation of federal  antitrust laws by producers of graphite
electrodes.  Concurrently,  representatives  of  Directorate  General  IV of the
European Union, the antitrust enforcement authorities of the European Union (the
"EU  authorities"),  visited  offices of the  Company's  French  subsidiary  for
purposes  of  gathering  information  to  determine  whether  there has been any
violation  of  Article  85-1 of the  Treaty of Rome,  the  antitrust  law of the
European Union. In addition,  on June 5, 1997, one of the Company's  competitors
in the graphite electrode industry,  The  Carbide/Graphite  Group, Inc. ("C/G"),
announced  that the DOJ had granted it the  opportunity  to  participate  in the
DOJ's  Corporate   Leniency  Program  and  that  it  was  cooperating  with  the
government.  Subsequently,  the Company was served with  subpoenas in the United
States to  produce  documents  relating  to,  among  other  things,  its  carbon
electrode  and bulk  graphite  businesses.  In December  1997,  UCAR's  Board of
Directors appointed a special committee of outside directors, consisting of John
R. Hall and R. Eugene  Cartledge,  to exercise the power and authority of UCAR's
Board of Directors  in  connection  with  antitrust  investigations  and related
lawsuits and claims. On February 23, 1998, the DOJ announced that it had charged
Showa Denko Carbon,  Inc. ("SDC"), a U.S.  subsidiary of Showa Financing K.K., a
Japanese firm, and unnamed  co-conspirators  with  participating from 1993 until
January 1997 in an international conspiracy involving meetings and conversations
in the Far East,  Europe and the United  States  resulting in  agreements to fix
prices and  allocate  market  shares  worldwide,  to  restrict  co-conspirators'
capacity  and to  restrict  non-conspiring  producers'  access to  manufacturing
technology  for  graphite  electrodes.  The DOJ further  announced  that SDC has
agreed  to  plead  guilty,  pay a  fine  of $29  million  and  cooperate  in its
investigation and that other cases were likely to be filed.

      On April 7, 1998,  pursuant to an agreement  with the DOJ,  UCAR agreed to
plead  guilty  to a one count  charge of  violating  federal  antitrust  laws in
connection with the sale of graphite electrodes.  Additionally,  UCAR has agreed
to pay a  non-interest-bearing  fine in the  aggregate  amount of $110  million,
payable in six annual installments.  Under the plea agreement,  which is subject
to approval by the District  Court,  the Company will be required to make annual
payments of $20 million,  $15 million, $15 million, $18 million, $21 million and
$21 million, respectively,  commencing 90 days after the Company is sentenced by
the  District  Court,  if such  sentence is issued in  accordance  with the plea
agreement.  Under the plea agreement, UCAR will not be subject to prosecution by
the DOJ with respect to any antitrust violations occurring prior to the date the
plea agreement is approved.  The fine payable  pursuant to the plea agreement is
within the  amounts  used by the Company for  purposes of  determining  the $340
million charge  described below. The plea agreement has been submitted for court
approval. Although UCAR does not expect such an outcome, it is possible that the
District Court could reject the plea  agreement.  In such event,  it is possible
that UCAR could be required to either  defend any charges which could be brought
or enter into a less  favorable plea  agreement.  Regardless of whether the plea
agreement is accepted by the District  Court,  the plea agreement  makes it more
difficult to defend against antitrust civil lawsuits. 

         The Company has become aware that the Canadian  Competition  Bureau has
commenced  a criminal  investigation  under the  Canadian  Competition  Act (the
"Canadian Act").  Under Section 45 of the Canadian Act, the maximum fine for the
Company,  would be ten million Canadian dollars.  It is possible that Section 46
of the Canadian Act may be  implicated  in this  matter.  Under  Section 46, the
amount of the fine is  discretionary,  and  there is no  maximum.  The  Company,
through its counsel, is cooperating with the DOJ and the EU authorities in their
continuing investigations. It is possible that antitrust investigations could be
initiated by authorities in other jurisdictions.

      On June 17, 1997,  UCAR was served with a complaint  commencing a putative
class  action  lawsuit  in the  United  States  District  Court for the  Western
District  of  Pennsylvania.  Subsequently,  the  Company  was  served  with four
additional  complaints  commencing similar lawsuits in the District Court. UCAR,
SGL  Carbon  Corporation  ("SGL  Carbon"),  a U.S.  subsidiary  of SGL Carbon AG
("SGL"),  a German firm, and C/G are named as defendants in each complaint.  SGL
is also named as a defendant in each of the four subsequently served complaints.
In each complaint,  the plaintiffs alleged that the defendants  violated federal
antitrust laws. Each complaint  sought,  among other things,  an award of treble
damages resulting from such alleged violations. On August 5, 1997, the four


                                       69
<PAGE>


complaints filed in the District Court were consolidated into a single complaint
in the District Court entitled IN RE: GRAPHITE ELECTRODES ANTITRUST  LITIGATION.
In the consolidated  litigation,  the proposed class consists of all persons who
purchased graphite  electrodes in the United States directly from the defendants
during the period from  January 1, 1992 through  August 15, 1997.  On August 21,
1997, the first served complaint was withdrawn without prejudice to refile. UCAR
filed a motion to  dismiss  the  consolidated  complaint,  which  was  denied in
November  1997 with leave to renew such motion  after  discovery  is  completed.
Discovery  and  depositions  relating to class  certification  have  begun.  The
District Court, however, has ordered a stay of non-class depositions and certain
other discovery until July 1998. Accordingly,  the consolidated lawsuit is still
in its early stages.  UCAR intends to vigorously defend against the consolidated
lawsuit.  UCAR may at any time,  however,  settle the  lawsuit  and any  related
possible  unasserted  claims.  UCAR  has had  discussions  in this  regard  with
plaintiffs' counsel, with those members of the proposed class who have indicated
that they  intend to opt out of any class  which is  certified  as well as other
potential plaintiffs.

      On each of  March  30,  1998 and  April 3,  1998,  UCAR  was  served  with
complaints  commencing  civil  lawsuits in the District  Court.  UCAR,  C/G, SGL
Carbon,  SGL and SDC, are named as defendants in each  complaint.  Additionally,
Showa Denko K.K., UCAR Global  Enterprises Inc., UCAR Carbon Company Inc., Union
Carbide and Mitsubishi are named as defendants in the complaint  served on March
30, 1998. In each complaint,  the plaintiffs allege that the defendants violated
federal antitrust laws. Additionally,  in the complaint served on April 3, 1998,
the  plaintiffs  allege that Union Carbide and  Mitsubishi  violated  applicable
state  fraudulent  transfer laws. Each complaint seeks,  among other things,  an
award of treble damages  resulting from such alleged antitrust  violations.  The
complaint  served on April 3, 1998 also seeks to have  payments  made by UCAR to
Union Carbide and Mitsubishi in connection with the Recapitalization declared to
be fraudulent  conveyances and returned to UCAR for purposes of enabling UCAR to
satisfy any judgments  resulting  from such alleged  antitrust  violations.  The
Company has not responded to either of these  lawsuits and intends to vigorously
defend against these lawsuits.  These lawsuits are in their earliest stages. The
Company may at any time, however,  settle such lawsuits and any related possible
unasserted  claims.  The Company has had discussions in this regard with certain
of the plaintiffs and their counsel. The Company anticipates that other lawsuits
could be commenced against the Company.

         The Company  anticipates that additional  antitrust  lawsuits  seeking,
among other things,  to recover damages,  could be commenced against the Company
in the United States and in other jurisdictions.

      On  March  4,  1998,  UCAR  was  served  with  a  complaint  commencing  a
shareholder  derivative  lawsuit in the  Connecticut  Superior  Court  (Judicial
District of  Danbury).  The current  directors,  certain  former  directors  and
certain  officers  are named as  defendants.  The  Company is named as a nominal
defendant.  The complaint  alleges that the defendants  breached their fiduciary
duties  in  connection  with  alleged  non-compliance  by the  Company  and  its
employees  with  antitrust  laws. The complaint also alleges that certain of the
defendants  sold  common  stock  while  in  possession  of  materially   adverse
non-public  information relating to such non-compliance with antitrust laws. The
complaint seeks recovery for UCAR of damages to the Company  resulting from such
alleged breaches and sales. The complaint does not contain specific  allegations
of the factual basis  underlying such allegations and appears to be based on the
existence of the  previously  announced  grand jury  investigation,  the related
consolidated  civil lawsuit and the Company's public  announcements  and filings
with the Commission.  This lawsuit is in its earliest  stages.  UCAR has not yet
responded to the complaint.  Accordingly,  no evaluation of potential  liability
has been made with respect to this lawsuit.

      On April 1, 1998, a complaint  commencing a securities  fraud class action
lawsuit  was filed in the  United  States  District  Court for the  District  of
Connecticut.  UCAR, David A. Stockman,  a former  director,  and each of Messrs.
Krass, Hart, Mancino, Wiemels, Wolf, Cartledge, Hall, Hutchins, Kennedy, Lipson,
Peterson and Schwarzman are named as defendants.  The proposed class consists of
all persons who  purchased  UCAR common  stock during the period from August 15,
1995 through March 13, 1998.  The complaint  alleges that during such period the
defendants  violated  securities  laws in connection with purchases and sales of
common stock by failing to disclose  alleged  violations of antitrust  laws. The
complaint  seeks,  among other things,  to recover  damages  resulting from such
alleged violations.  UCAR has not yet responded to this complaint.  This lawsuit
is in its earliest stages. Accordingly, no evaluation of potential liability has
been made with respect to this lawsuit.

                                       70

<PAGE>


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(16)  CONTINGENCIES--(CONTINUED)


      The Company is involved in various other legal  proceedings  incidental to
the conduct of its business.  While it is not possible to determine the ultimate
disposition of each of these other  proceedings,  the Company  believes that the
ultimate  disposition of such other proceedings will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company.

      The Company  recorded a charge of $340 million  ($310  million  after tax)
against results of operations for 1997 for potential liabilities and expenses in
connection with antitrust  investigations and related lawsuits and claims. While
such  charge  reflects  the  Company's  best  estimate  as to the amount of such
potential  liabilities  and expenses,  actual  liabilities and expenses could be
materially higher or lower than such estimate. In addition, due to the fact such
lawsuits are in the earliest  stages and no  evaluation  of liability can yet be
made,  no amounts have been accrued with respect to the  shareholder  derivative
and securities fraud class action lawsuits.

(17)  EARNINGS PER SHARE

      Basic  and  diluted  earnings  per  share are  calculated  based  upon the
provisions of SFAS 128, adopted in 1997, using the following share data:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     1997               1996              1995
                                                                     ----               ----              ----
<S>                                                              <C>             <C>               <C>    

      Weighted average common shares outstanding for              45,963,407        46,273,820        45,959,718
           basic calculation..............................
      Add:  Effect of stock options.......................           ----            2,195,365         2,803,199
      Weighted average common shares                              ----------       -----------       -----------  
           outstanding, adjusted for diluted calculation..        45,963,407        48,469,185        48,762,917  
                                                                  ==========       ===========       ===========  
</TABLE>
                                                                  
      No outstanding options were considered in the 1997 calculation of weighted
average common shares  outstanding for the dilutive  calculation as they are all
antidilutive  due to the net loss for 1997. The calculation of weighted  average
common  shares  outstanding  excludes the  consideration  of  performance  stock
options for 794,000  shares in both 1996 and 1995  because the exercise of these
options would not be dilutive for either of the respective periods.

(18)  PRO FORMA NET INCOME PER SHARE (UNAUDITED)

      For the  unaudited  pro forma net income per share data  presented  on the
Consolidated  Statements of Operations,  historical net (loss) for 1995 has been
adjusted  as  if  the   Recapitalization,   Initial  Offering,   Redemption  and
Refinancing  occurred  as of January 1, 1995 and to  exclude  the  extraordinary
charge and the  non-recurring  effects of the  Recapitalization  and the Initial
Offering.  The weighted  average common shares  outstanding  reflects  shares of
common stock outstanding after the Initial Offering,  including potential common
shares  calculated in accordance with the "treasury  stock method,"  wherein the
net proceeds  therefrom are assumed to  repurchase  common shares at $25.74 (the
average price for 1995). Historical net income (loss) per share has been omitted
as the  historical  capitalization  of the  Company  is  not  indicative  of the
Company's current capital structure.

                                       71
<PAGE>



                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

(18)  PRO FORMA NET INCOME PER SHARE (UNAUDITED)

      The following table sets forth summary pro forma consolidated statement of
operations data for 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                            (Dollars in millions,
                                                                                            except per share data)
<S>                                                                                            <C>   

      Pro forma amounts:
         Operating profit...............................................................         $     214
         Interest expense...............................................................                74
         Provision for income taxes.....................................................                52
         Net income.....................................................................                91
         Basic net income per share.....................................................              1.98
         Diluted net income per share...................................................              1.87
<CAPTION>

      The following  table sets forth a summary of the pro forma  adjustments to
net income reflected in the above table:

                                                                                                    (DOLLARS IN
                                                                                                     MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                                                   <C>  

      Net loss as reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements.......................             $(12)
      Pro forma effects on the Recapitalization (after tax):
         Compensation expense related to the Long Term Incentive Compensation plan..........              1
         Senior subordinated credit facility expense........................................              4
         Net adjustment to interest.........................................................             (3)
         Taxes due to Recapitalization......................................................             37
      Pro forma effects of the Initial Offering and Redemption (after tax):
         Accelerated vesting of performance stock options and matching restricted stock.....             12
         Net adjustment to interest.........................................................              9
         Extraordinary charge...............................................................             18
      Pro forma effects of the Refinancing (after tax):
         Net adjustment to interest.........................................................              6
         Extraordinary charge...............................................................             19
                                                                                                       ----
      Pro forma net income..................................................................           $ 91
                                                                                                       ====

</TABLE>







                                       72

<PAGE>



ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
         ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

      None.

                                    PART III

ITEMS 10 TO 13 INCLUSIVE

         The information  required by Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 will appear in the
UCAR  International  Inc. Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held June 4, 1998,  which will be filed  pursuant to Regulation  14A under
the Exchange Act and is  incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form
10-K pursuant to General  Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K (other than the portions
thereof not deemed to be "filed"  for the purpose of Section 18 of the  Exchange
Act). In addition,  the  information  set forth below is provided as required as
Item 10.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

      The  following  table sets forth certain  information  with respect to the
current executive officers and directors of UCAR.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                 NAME                     AGE*                              POSITION
                 ----                     ---                               --------
<S>                                       <C>    <C>  

Robert D. Kennedy......................    65     Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Petrus J. Barnard......................    48     Vice President, Electrodes for the Americas
W. David Cate..........................    51     Vice President, Electrodes for Europe and South Africa
Peter B. Mancino.......................    55     Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
William P. Wiemels.....................    53     Vice President and  Chief Operating Officer
Fred C. Wolf...........................    53     Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
R. Eugene Cartledge....................    68     Director
John R. Hall...........................    65     Director
- ------------------------
*  As of April 1, 1998
</TABLE>

      ROBERT D. KENNEDY was elected director of the Company in June 1990 and was
elected  Chairman  of the Board and Chief  Executive  Officer of the  Company on
March 18, 1998.  The Company is a successor to the Carbon  Products  Division of
Union Carbide Corporation ("Union Carbide"). Mr. Kennedy joined Union Carbide in
1955 and held various  marketing and  management  positions in the United States
and Europe.  He was a Senior Vice  President of Union Carbide from 1981 to 1985.
In 1985, Mr.  Kennedy was elected a director and President of Union Carbide.  In
1986, he was elected Chief Executive  Officer and Chairman of the Board of Union
Carbide.  Mr. Kennedy retired as Chief Executive  Officer and President of Union
Carbide in April 1995 and as Chairman  of the Board (but not as a  director)  of
Union  Carbide in December  1995.  Mr.  Kennedy is also a director of Union Camp
Corporation,  Sun Company, Inc., K-Mart Corp., LionOre Mining International Ltd.
and General Signal Corp.  Mr.  Kennedy is Chairman of the Audit  Committee and a
member  of the  Organization  and  Compensation  Committee  of  UCAR's  Board of
Directors.

      PETRUS J. BARNARD  joined EMSA (Pty.) Ltd.  ("EMSA") in 1972 (which at the
time was 50% owned by Union  Carbide  and 50% owned by a joint  venture  partner
based in South Africa).  Since then, he has held various management positions in
EMSA in South Africa and in the Carbon Products Division of Union Carbide in the
United States.  He became  Director of Operations for Europe and South Africa of
the Company in 1994,  General  Manager of the  Graphite  Electrode  Business for
Europe and South Africa in 1995 and has been Vice President,  Electrodes for the
Americas since 1997.

      W. DAVID CATE joined Union Carbide in 1969 and held various  manufacturing
and  management  positions in the Carbon  Products  Division.  He became General
Manager for Graphite  Specialties and GRAFOIL(R) of the Company in 1991, General
Manager for North America in 1994 and has been Vice  President,  Electrodes  for
Europe and South Africa since 1997.

      PETER B. MANCINO  joined the Law  Department  of Union Carbide in 1975 and
became Division Counsel of the Industrial Gases and Carbon Products Divisions in
1980. In 1989, he became General Counsel of the Company.  Mr. Mancino has been a
Vice President and the Secretary since 1991.


                                       73
<PAGE>


      WILLIAM  P.  WIEMELS  joined  Union  Carbide  in  1967  and  held  various
technical,  sales and marketing positions in the Carbon Products Division in the
United States and Europe.  He became Director of Marketing in Europe in 1986 and
Director  of  Technology  in  1989.  Mr.  Wiemels  was  Vice  President,  U.S.A.
Operations, of the Company from 1991 to 1994 and Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer from 1994 to 1998.  Since March 18, 1998, he has been Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer.

      FRED C. WOLF joined Union  Carbide in 1967 and held various  financial and
management  positions in the Carbon  Products  Division until 1979. From 1979 to
1985, he held various finance and business positions in the Industrial Gases and
Engineering Products and Processes Divisions. He returned to the Carbon Products
Division in 1985 as  Controller  and was a Vice  President of the Division  from
1986 to 1989.  From  1990 to 1998,  he was Vice  President,  Administration  and
Strategic  Projects  of the  Company.  Since  March 18,  1998,  he has been Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer.

      R. EUGENE  CARTLEDGE was elected  director of UCAR in February 1996.  From
1986 until his  retirement  in 1994,  he was the Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Union Camp  Corporation.  Mr. Cartledge retired as Chairman
of the Board of Savannah  Foods &  Industries  Inc. in  December  1997.  He is a
director of Union Camp Corporation,  Chase Brass Industries,  Inc., Sun Company,
Inc.,  Delta Air Lines,  Inc. and Blount,  Inc. Mr. Cartledge is Chairman of the
Nominating  Committee  and a member of the Audit  Committee  of UCAR's  Board of
Directors.

      JOHN R. HALL was elected  director of UCAR in  November  1995.  Since July
1997,  he has been the  non-employee  Chairman of Arch Coal,  Inc. He retired as
Chairman  effective  January 31, 1997 and as Chief Executive  Officer  effective
October 1, 1996 of Ashland Inc.,  which  positions he held since 1981.  Mr. Hall
served in various  engineering  and managerial  capacities at Ashland Inc. since
1957.  Mr. Hall is a director  of Banc One  Corporation,  Canada Life  Assurance
Company,  CSX Corporation,  Humana Inc. and Reynolds Metals Company. Mr. Hall is
Chairman of the  Organization  and  Compensation  Committee  and a member of the
Audit Committee of UCAR's Board of Directors.


                                       74
<PAGE>


                                     PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

      (a)(1)   Financial Statements

               See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements at page [34] of
               this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

         (2)   Financial Statement Schedules

               None.

      (b)      Reports on Form 8-K

               No Reports on Form 8-K were filed  during the year for which this
               Annual Report on Form 10-K is filed.

      (c)      Exhibits

               The  exhibits  listed in the  following  table have been filed as
               part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Exhibit
NUMBER                             DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT

2.1(1)       -    Recapitalization and Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated
                  as of November 14, 1994 among Union Carbide Corporation,
                  Mitsubishi Corporation, UCAR International Inc. and UCAR
                  International Acquisition Inc. and Guaranty made by Blackstone
                  Capital Partners II Merchant Banking Fund L.P. and Blackstone
                  Offshore Capital Partners II L.P.

2.2(2)       -    Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated as of 
                  February 29, 1996

2.3(1)       -    Form of Management Common Stock Subscription Agreement

2.4(3)       -    Form of Management Pledge and Security Agreement, together
                  with form of Promissory Note

2.5(2)       -    Amendment, Waiver and Release in connection with such 
                  Management Common Stock Subscription Agreements, Management
                  Pledge and Security Agreements and Promissory Notes

2.6(1)       -    Indemnification Agreement dated as of January 26, 1995 among 
                  Mitsubishi Corporation, Union Carbide Corporation and UCAR 
                  International Inc.

2.7(1)       -    Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of January 26, 1995
                  between UCAR International Inc. and UCAR Holdings S.A.

2.8(1)       -    Exchange Agreements made as of January 26, 1995 between UCAR
                  International Inc. and UCAR Holdings II Inc.

2.9(1)       -    Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of January 26, 1995
                  between UCAR International Inc.
                  and UCAR Inc.

2.10(1)      -    Exchange Agreement made as of January 26, 1995 between UCAR 
                  Carbon Company Inc. and UCAR Holdings Inc.

2.11(1)      -    Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of January 26, 1995
                  between UCAR Carbon Company Inc. and UCAR Mexicana,
                  S.A. de C.V.

2.12(1)      -    Exchange Agreement made as of January 26, 1995 between UCAR 
                  International Inc. and UCAR Global
                  Enterprises Inc.

2.13(1)      -    Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of January 26, 1995
                  between UCAR Carbon Company Inc. and Arapaima s.r.l.

2.14(1)      -    Deed of Purchase and Sale of 528,999 Shares of UCAR Carbon
                  Navarra S.L. dated as of January 26, 1995

2.15(1)      -    Exchange  Agreement  dated as of  December  15,  1993 by and
                  among Union Carbide  Corporation,  Union Carbide Chemicals and
                  Plastics  Company  Inc.,   Mitsubishi   Corporation  and  UCAR
                  International Inc.

2.16(1)      -    Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of November 9, 1990
                  among Mitsubishi Corporation, Union Carbide Corporation and 
                  UCAR Carbon Company Inc.


                                       75
<PAGE>


2.17(1)      -    Letter Agreement dated January 26, 1995 with respect to
                  termination of the Stockholders' Agreement dated as of
                  November 9, 1990 among Mitsubishi Corporation, Union Carbide 
                  Corporation and UCAR Carbon Company Inc.

2.18(1)      -    Settlement Agreement dated as of November 30, 1993 among 
                  Mitsubishi Corporation, Union Carbide Corporation and UCAR 
                  Carbon Company Inc.

2.19(1)      -    Transfer Agreement dated January 1, 1989 between Union
                  Carbide Corporation and UCAR Carbon Company Inc.

2.20(1)      -    Amendment No. 1 to such Transfer Agreement dated
                  December 31, 1989

2.21(1)      -    Amendment No. 2 to such Transfer Agreement dated as of
                  July 2, 1990

2.22(1)      -    Amendment No. 3 to such Transfer Agreement dated as of
                  February 25, 1991

2.23(1)      -    Amended and Restated Realignment Indemnification Agreement
                  dated as of June 4, 1992 among Union Carbide Corporation, 
                  Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Company Inc., Union 
                  Carbide Industrial Gases Inc., UCAR Carbon Company Inc. and 
                  Union Carbide Coatings Service Corporation

2.24(1)      -    Environmental Management Services and Liabilities Allocation 
                  Agreement dated as of January 1, 1990 among Union Carbide 
                  Corporation, Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Company
                  Inc., UCAR Carbon Company Inc., Union Carbide Industrial
                  Gases Inc. and Union Carbide Coatings Service Corporation

2.25(1)      -    Amendment No. 1 to such Environmental Management Services 
                  and Liabilities Allocation Agreement dated as of June 4, 1992

2.26         -    [omitted]

2.27         -    [omitted]

2.28(4)      -    Trade Name and Trademark License Agreement dated March 1, 1996
                  between Union Carbide Corporation and UCAR Carbon Technology 
                  Corporation

2.29(1)      -    Employee Benefit Services and Liabilities Agreement dated 
                  January 1, 1990 between Union Carbide Corporation and UCAR 
                  Carbon Company Inc.

2.30(1)      -    Amendment to such Employee Benefit Services and Liabilities 
                  Agreement dated January 15, 1991 2.31 -  Supplemental 
                  Agreement to such Employee  Benefit Services and Liabilities
                  Agreement dated February 25, 1991

2.32(1)      -    Letter Agreement dated December 31, 1990 among Union Carbide 
                  Chemicals and Plastics Company Inc., UCAR Carbon Company Inc.,
                  Union Carbide Grafito, Inc. and Union Carbide Corporation

2.33(8)      -    Stock Repurchase Agreement among UCAR International Inc., 
                  Blackstone Capital Partners, II Merchant Banking Fund L.P., 
                  Blackstone Offshore Capital Partners II L.P., Blackstone 
                  Family Investment Partnership II L.P. and Chase Equity 
                  Associates, L.P.

2.34(9)      -    Share Sale Agreement between Samancor Limited and UCAR Carbon
                  Company Inc. dated April 21, 1997.

3.1(3)       -    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of UCAR 
                  International Inc.

3.2(3)       -    Amended and Restated By-Laws of UCAR International Inc.

4.1(1)       -    Indenture dated as of January 15, 1995 among UCAR 
                  International Inc., UCAR Global Enterprises Inc. and the
                  United States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee

10.1(8)      -    Credit Agreement dated as of October 19, 1995 among UCAR
                  International Inc., UCAR Global Enterprises Inc., the other
                  Credit Parties named therein, the Lenders named therein, the
                  Fronting Banks named therein and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
                  Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, as amended and
                  restated as of March 19, 1997

10.2(5)      -    Parent Guarantee Agreement dated as of October 19, 1995 made
                  by UCAR International Inc. and UCAR Global Enterprises Inc. in
                  favor of Chemical Bank as Collateral Agent for the Secured
                  Parties named therein

10.3(5)      -    Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement dated as of October 19, 1995
                  executed and delivered by each U.S. Subsidiary of UCAR Global
                  Enterprises Inc. in favor of Chemical Bank as Collateral Agent
                  for the Secured Parties named therein

10.4(5)      -    Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement dated as
                  of October 19, 1995 among UCAR Global Enterprises Inc., the
                  U.S. Subsidiaries of UCAR Global Enterprises Inc. and Chemical
                  Bank as Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties named therein



                                       76
<PAGE>

10.5(5)      -    Pledge Agreement dated October 19, 1995 among UCAR
                  International Inc., UCAR Global Enterprises Inc., certain U.S.
                  Subsidiaries of UCAR Global Enterprises Inc. and Chemical Bank
                  as Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties named therein

10.6(8)      -    Effectiveness Agreement dated as of March 19, 1997 among
                  UCAR International Inc., UCAR Global Enterprises Inc., the
                  Lenders listed therein, the Fronting Banks listed therein and
                  The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent and
                  Collateral Agent (except, as to Exhibit A thereto, see Exhibit
                  10.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K)

10.7(5)      -    Security Agreement dated as of October 19, 1995 among UCAR
                  International Inc., UCAR Global Enterprises Inc., the U.S.
                  Subsidiaries of UCAR Global Enterprises Inc. and Chemical Bank
                  as Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties named therein

10.8(5)      -    Rationalization Project Cash Collateral Agreement dated as
                  of October 19, 1995 made by UCAR Global Enterprises Inc. in
                  favor of Chemical Bank as Collateral Agent for the Secured
                  Parties named therein

10.9(8)      -    Reaffirmation Agreement dated as of March 19, 1997 among
                  UCAR International Inc., UCAR Global Enterprises Inc., the
                  Subsidiary Guarantors listed therein, the Foreign Subsidiaries
                  referred to therein and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
                  Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

10.10(5)     -    Local Facility Credit Agreement dated as of October 19, 1995
                  between UCAR Electrodos S.L. and Chemical Bank, Madrid Branch,
                  as Administrative Agent

10.11(5)     -    Local Facility Credit Agreement dated as of October 19, 1995
                  between UCAR Holdings S.A. and Chemical Bank, Paris Branch, as
                  Administrative Agent

10.12(5)     -    Local Facility Credit Agreement dated as of October 19, 1995
                  between UCAR Inc. and Chemical Bank of Canada, as
                  Administrative Agent

10.13(1)     -    Tax Sharing Agreement made as of January 26, 1995 among UCAR
                  International Inc. and its subsidiaries

10.14(1)     -    Promissory Note dated January 26, 1995 issued by UCAR
                  International Inc. in favor of UCAR Global Enterprises Inc.

10.15(1)     -    Intercompany Loan Agreement dated January 25, 1995 between
                  UCAR S.A. and UCAR Holdings S.A.

10.16(l)     -    Employment Agreement dated as of January 26, 1995 between UCAR
                  International Inc. and Robert P. Krass

10.17(1)     -    Employment Agreement dated as of January 26, 1995 between
                  UCAR International Inc. and Robert J. Hart

10.18(1)     -    Employment Agreement dated as of January 26, 1995 between 
                  UCAR International Inc. and Peter B. Mancino

10.19(1)     -    Employment Agreement dated as of January 26, 1995 between
                  UCAR International Inc. and William P. Wiemels

10.20(1)     -    Employment Agreement dated as of January 26, 1995 between 
                  UCAR International Inc. and Fred C. Wolf

10.21(1)     -    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement

10.22(9)     -    UCAR  International  Inc.  Amended and  Restated  Management
                  Stock Option Plan,  effective as of January 26, 1997 (restated
                  to delete provisions which have ceased to be operative)

10.23        -    [omitted]

10.24        -    [omitted]

10.24(a)     -    [omitted]

10.25(1)     -    UCAR International Inc. Bonus II Plan effective as of
                  January 26, 1995

10.25(a)(6)  -    First Amendment to such Bonus II Plan dated May 7, 1996

10.26(5)     -    UCAR International Inc. Compensation Deferral Program as
                  amended and restated effective November 6, 1995

10.27(1)     -    First Amendment to such Compensation Deferral Program
                  effective as of January 1, 1995

10.28(2)     -    Second Amendment to such Compensation Deferral Program 
                  effective as of March 15, 1996

10.29(6)     -    Third Amendment to such Compensation Deferral Program
                  effective as of January 1, 1996

10.30(10)    -    Fourth Amendment to such Compensation Deferral Plan effective
                  as of January 1, 1997

10.31(6)     -    Amended and Restated UCAR International Inc. Officers' 
                  Incentive Plan dated May 7, 1996

10.32(11)    -    UCAR Carbon Savings Plan as amended and restated effective
                  January 1, 1996

10.33        -    [omitted]

10.34        -    [omitted]


                                       77
<PAGE>

10.34(a)     -    [omitted]

10.34(b)     -    [omitted]

10.35(3)     -    UCAR Carbon Retirement Plan as amended and restated
                  effective as of January 1, 1994

10.35(a)(7)  -    First Amendment to such Retirement Plan effective 
                  February 25, 1991

10.35(b)(6)  -    Second Amendment to such Retirement Plan dated May 7, 1996

10.35(c)(7)  -    Third Amendment to such Retirement Plan effective, as to 
                  paragraph 2, as of January 26, 1995 and as to paragraphs
                  1 and 3-5, as of January 1, 1997

10.36(6)     -    Amended and Restated Equalization Benefit Plan for
                  Participants of the UCAR Carbon Retirement Plan dated
                  May 7, 1996

10.37        -    [omitted]

10.38(1)     -    UCAR Carbon Company Inc. Supplemental Retirement Income Plan 
                  effective as of February 25, 1991

10.39(1)     -    First Amendment to such Supplemental Retirement Income Plan
                  effective as of January 1, 1992

10.40(1)     -    Second Amendment to such Supplemental Retirement Income Plan
                  effective as of January 1, 1994, as to paragraph 1 thereof
                  and January 1, 1995, as to paragraph 2 thereof

10.40(a)*    -    Third Amendment to the Supplemental Retirement Income Plan
                  effective as of January 1, 1995

10.41(3)     -    UCAR International Inc. Benefits Protection Trust effective 
                  as of July 27, 1995

10.41(a)(10) -    First Amendment to such Benefits Protection Trust effective
                  as of July 27, 1995

10.42(7)     -    Second Amendment to such Benefits Protection Trust effective 
                  as of January 1, 1996

10.42(a)*    -    Third Amendment to such Benefits Protection Trust effective 
                  as of January 1, 1997

10.43(3)     -    UCAR International Inc. 1995 Equity Incentive Plan effective
                  as of August 15, 1995

10.43(a)(6)  -    First Amendment to such Equity Incentive Plan dated 
                  July 29, 1996

10.44(3)     -    UCAR International Inc. 1995 Directors' Stock Plan effective
                  as of August 15, 1995

10.45(5)     -    First Amendment to such Directors' Stock Plan effective
                  September 1, 1995

10.45(a)(6)  -    Second Amendment to such Directors' Stock Plan dated 
                  July 29, 1996

10.45(b)*    -    Third Amendment to such Directors' Stock Plan effective
                  September 8, 1997

10.45(c)*    -    Fourth Amendment to such Directors' Stock Plan effective 
                  April 8, 1997

10.46(5)     -    UCAR International Inc. 1996 Mid-Management Equity Incentive
                  Plan effective as of February 6,
                  1996

10.47(6)     -    Amendment to such Mid-Management Equity Incentive Plan 
                  dated July 29,1996 

10.48*       -    Form of Waiver  dated as of April 10, 1998 among UCAR 
                  International Inc., UCAR Global Enterprises Inc., the other
                  Lenders referred to therein, the Fronting Banks referred to 
                  therein and The Chase Manhattan  Bank,  as  Administrative
                  Agent and Collateral Agent.

21.1*        -    List of subsidiaries of UCAR International Inc.

23.1*        -    Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

24.1*        -    Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages)

27.1*        -    Financial Data Schedule for fiscal 1997 (for Commission use
                  only)

27.2*        -    Restated Financial Data Schedule for fiscal 1996 and 1995
                  (for Commission use only)

- ---------------
*    Filed herewith.

(1)  Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement of UCAR 
     International Inc. and UCAR Global Enterprises Inc. on Form S-1 
     (File No. 33-84850).
(2)  Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report of the registrant on Form 
     10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.
(3)  Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement of the registrant
     on Form S-1 (File No. 33-94698).  
(4)  Incorporated  by reference to the Quarterly Report of the registrant
     on Form l0-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996.
(5)  Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement of the registrant
     on Form S-1 (File No. 333-1090).
(6)  Incorporated by reference to the Quarterly Report of the registrant 
     on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996.
(7)  Incorporated  by reference to the  Quarterly  Report of the  registrant on
     Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996.
(8)  Incorporated by reference to the Quarterly Report of the registrant on
     Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March  31, 1997.

                                       78
<PAGE>


(9)  Incorporated  by reference to the  Quarterly  Report of the  registrant on
     Form l0-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1997.
(10) Incorporated  by reference to the Annual Report of the  registrant on Form
     10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.
(11) Incorporated  by reference to the  Quarterly  Report of the  registrant on
     Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997.



























                                       79
<PAGE>


                                    SIGNATURE

      PURSUANT TO THE  REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THE
REGISTRANT  HAS DULY  CAUSED  THIS  REPORT  TO BE  SIGNED  ON ITS  BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED.

                                         UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.

April 13, 1998                           By:    /S/ FRED C. WOLF
                                              -------------------------------
                                               Fred C. Wolf
                                               Title: VICE PRESIDENT AND
                                                      CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

      Know All Men By These  Presents,  that  each  individual  whose  signature
appears below hereby  constitutes  and appoints  William P. Wiemels and Peter B.
Mancino,  and each of them  individually,  his true and lawful agent,  proxy and
attorney-in-fact,  with full power of substitution and  resubstitution,  for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to (i) act on, sign
and file with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission any and all amendments to
this report together with all schedules and exhibits thereto,  (ii) act on, sign
and file with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  any  exhibits  to this
report, (iii) act on, sign and file such certificates,  instruments,  agreements
and other  documents as may be necessary or appropriate in connection  therewith
and (iv) take any and all  actions  which may be  necessary  or  appropriate  in
connection therewith,  granting unto such agents, proxies and attorneys-in-fact,
and each of them  individually,  full power and authority to do and perform each
and every act and thing  necessary or  appropriate  to be done, as fully for all
intents  and  purposes  as he might or could  do in  person,  hereby  approving,
ratifying and  confirming all that such agents,  proxies and  attorneys-in-fact,
any of them or any of his or their  substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

      PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THIS
REPORT  HAS  BEEN  SIGNED  BELOW  BY THE  FOLLOWING  PERSONS  ON  BEHALF  OF THE
REGISTRANT AND IN THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

              SIGNATURES                                TITLE                                  DATE
              ----------                                -----                                  ----
<S>                                  <C>                                             <C> 

                                        Chairman of the Board and Chief                   April 13, 1998
        /s/ Robert D. Kennedy           Executive Officer (Principal
            Robert D. Kennedy           Executive Officer)
          
                                        Vice President and Chief Financial
                                        Officer (Principal Financial and                  April 13, 1998
        /s/ Fred C. Wolf                Accounting Officer)
            Fred C. Wolf

       /s/ R. Eugene Cartledge          Director                                          April 13, 1998
           R. Eugene Cartledge

       /s/ John R. Hall
           John R. Hall                 Director                                          April 13, 1998
             
</TABLE>

                                       80


<PAGE>


                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


10.40(a)     -    Third Amendment to the UCAR Carbon Company Inc. Supplemental 
                  Retirement Income Plan, effective as of January 1, 1995 

10.42(a)     -    Third Amendment to such Benefits Protection Trust effective 
                  as of January 1, 1997

10.45(b)     -    Third Amendment to such Directors' Stock Plan effective
                  September 8, 1997

10.45(c)     -    Fourth Amendment to such Directors' Stock Plan effective 
                  April 8, 1997

10.48        -    Form of Waiver  dated as of April 10, 1998 among UCAR  
                  International Inc., Global Enterprises, Inc., the other
                  Lenders referred to  therein, the Fronting Banks referred to
                  therein and The Chase Manhattan  Bank,  as  Administrative 
                  Agent and Collateral Agent

21.1         -    List of subsidiaries of UCAR International Inc.

23.1         -    Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

24.1         -    Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages)

27.1         -    Financial Data Schedule for fiscal 1997 (for Commission use 
                  only)

27.1         -    Restated Financial Data Schedule for fiscal 1996 and 1995 (for
                  Commission use only)









<PAGE>

                                                                EXHIBIT 10.40(a)


                             THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE
                            UCAR CARBON COMPANY INC.
                      SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT INCOME PLAN

          The UCAR Carbon  Company  Inc.  Supplemental  Retirement  Income  Plan
(the "Plan") is hereby amended as follows:

          1. The third  sentence  of the  General  Section of the Plan is hereby
amended in its entirety as follows:

          "Specifically,  the  purpose of this plan is to  provide a  retirement
          benefit, determined without regard to Code Section 415 or Code Section
          401(a)(17),  equal to the excess of the retirement benefit which would
          be provided by (1) the Retirement  Program Plan if (a) average monthly
          compensation   included  (i)  deferred   cash  bonuses  awarded  under
          designated incentive  compensation plans and (ii) base salary deferred
          under the  Compensation  Deferral  Program,  and (b) all cash bonuses,
          whether   deferred  or  not,  were  averaged   separately   from  base
          compensation,   and  (2)  the  Equalization   Benefit  Plan, over  the
          retirement  benefit actually  provided by the Retirement  Program Plan
          and the Equalization Benefit Plan."

          2. A new  Section  3(c) is hereby  added to  Article II of the Plan to
read as follows:

          "(c) For purposes of the calculation under subpart (a) of this Section
          3, "base salary" shall include any base salary deferred by an employee
          pursuant  to the  terms of the UCAR  International  Inc.  Compensation
          Deferral Program, or any successor plan, in the calendar year in which
          it would otherwise have been paid."

          3. The  amendment set forth herein shall be effective as of January 1,
1995.

                                             UCAR CARBON COMPANY INC.



                                             By:  /s/ Fred C. Wolf
                                                --------------------------------






<PAGE>
                                                                Exhibit 10.42(a)

                                 THIRD AMENDMENT
                         TO THE UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.
                            BENEFITS PROTECTION TRUST


         The UCAR International Inc. Benefits Protections Trust (the "Trust") is
hereby amended as follows:

         1.       Effective  January 1, 1997, the UCAR Carbon Company Inc. shall
assume sponsorship of the Trust.

         2.       The  Trust  shall  be  renamed  the  UCAR  Carbon Company Inc.
Benefits Protection Trust.

         3.       All references in the  Trust  to UCAR International Inc. shall
be changed to UCAR Carbon Company Inc.

         4.       The  amendments  set  forth  herein  shall  be effective as of
January 1, 1997.


Dated:  March 24, 1997                  UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.



                                         By: /s/ Peter B. Mancino
                                             -----------------------------------



                                         UCAR CARBON COMPANY INC.



                                         By: /s/ Peter B. Mancino
                                             -----------------------------------



                                         THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK



                                         By: /s/ Catherine E. Kidder
                                             -----------------------------------


                                    




<PAGE>

                                                                Exhibit 10.45(b)

                                    AMENDMENT
                         TO THE UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.
                            1995 DIRECTORS STOCK PLAN


         The UCAR International  Inc.  1995 Directors Stock Plan (the "Plan") is
hereby amended as follows:

         1.       Section 5.3 in the Plan is amended to read as follows:

                  "Stock  certificates   representing  Shares  granted  to  each
                  Participant  shall be held by the Corporation  until such time
                  as the Shares become non-forfeitable."

         2.       The  first  sentence  of Section 5.4 in the Plan is amended to
read as follows:

                 ("If  a Participant ceases to be a Director after age 65 or on)
                  account  of  death or  disability,  the Shares granted to such
                  Participant    which      have    not    theretofore    become
                  non-forfeitable   shall immediately become non-forfeitable and
                  a   stock certificate for the number of non-forfeitable Shares
                  granted   to each such  Participant,  excluding any Shares for
                  which  such  Participant already received a stock certificate,
                  shall  be delivered  to such  Participant,  or in the event of
                  the  Participant's  death, to such Participant's beneficiary."

         3.       The first  sentence of Section 5.4.1 in the Plan is amended to
read as follows:

                  "In   the   event  of a  Change  in  Control,  subject  to the
                  following   sentence,  the  Shares granted to such Participant
                  which   have  not  theretofore  become  non-forfeitable  shall
                  immediately  become   non-forfeitable  and a stock certificate
                  for  the   number of  non-forfeitable  Shares  granted to each
                  such  Participant,  excluding   any   Shares  for  which  such
                  Participant  already  received  a stock certificate,  shall be
                  delivered to such Participant."

         4.       The first sentence  of  Section  5.5 in the Plan is amended to
read as follows:

                  "If  a  Participant   ceases to be a Director due to any other
                  reason,  the  number  of Shares  granted  to such  Participant
                  which   theretofore   had  become   non-forfeitable  shall  be
                  increased   by  adding  thereto  one-twelfth  of the number of
                  Shares  which  would have become  non-forfeitable  on the next
                  on  the  next  January  1 for each  complete  month  that such
                  Participant  was  a  Director  in the  calendar  year in which
                  such   Participant   ceased  to  be a  Director  and  a  stock
                  certificate  for  the number of non-forfeitable Shares granted
                  to  each  such  Participant,  excluding  any  Shares for which
                  such  Participant  already received a stock certificate, shall
                  be delivered to such Participant."

         5.       The foregoing amendments shall be effective as of September 8,
                  1997.

Dated:  December 9, 1997                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.


                                            By:  /S/ P.B. MANCINO
                                               ---------------------------------




                                   





<PAGE>


                                                                EXHIBIT 10.45(c)


                    AMENDMENT TO THE UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.
                            1995 DIRECTORS STOCK PLAN


            The UCAR International Inc. 1995 Directors Stock Plan (the
"Plan") is hereby amended as follows:

            1.  Section 3 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:

            "This  Plan  shall  be   administered   by  the   Organization   and
Compensation  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Directors  (the  "Committee").  The
Committee  may  interpret  the Plan,  establish  administrative  regulations  to
further  the  purpose of the Plan and take any other  action  necessary  for the
proper  operation of the Plan. All decisions and acts of the Committee  shall be
final and binding upon all Participants."

            2. Section 4 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:

            "(a) Subject to Section  4(b),  each person who is a Director of the
Corporation  on  the Effective Date or who thereafter becomes  a Director of the
Corporation while  the  Plan is in effect shall become a Participant in the Plan
(a "Participant").

            (b) Directors who are also employees or officers of the  Corporation
or  its  subsidiaries  or  owned  affiliates  (collectively, the "Company") will
not be eligible to  participate in the Plan."

            3. Section 5.3 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:

            "Until Shares granted to a Participant became non-forfeitable, stock
certificates  representing  such Shares  shall be held by the  Corporation."

            4. Section 5.4 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:

            "If a Participant ceases to be a Director after age 65 or on account
of death or disability,  the Shares granted to such  Participant  which have not
theretofore become  non-forfeitable shall immediately become non-forfeitable and
a stock certificate for the total number of non-forfeited Shares granted to such
Participant  shall be  delivered  to such  Participant  or,  in the event of the
Participant's death, to such Participant's beneficiary."

            5. Section 5.4.1 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:

            "In the event of a Change in  Control,  the  Shares  granted to each
Participant which have not theretofore become  non-forfeitable shall immediately
become  non-forfeitable  and  a  stock  certificate  for  the  total  number  of
non-forfeited  Shares  granted to such  Participant  shall be  delivered to such
Participant. For purposes of this Section 5.4.1, a Change in Control shall mean:
(i) the date that any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)

<PAGE>


of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the rules and regulations
thereunder  (the  "Exchange  Act")) is or  becomes  the  "beneficial  owner" (as
defined in Rules  13d-3 and 13d-5  under the  Exchange  Act,  which shall in any
event  include  having the power to vote (or cause to be voted at such  person's
direction) pursuant to contract,  irrevocable proxy or otherwise and except that
such person shall be deemed to have  "beneficial  ownership"  of all shares that
such  person  has the  right to  acquire,  whether  such  right  is  exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly,  of more
than 35% of the  total  voting  power  of the  Corporation;  or (ii)  the  date,
following  the  expiration  of  any  period  of  two  consecutive   years,  that
individuals, who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board (together
with any new  directors  whose  election by such Board or whose  nomination  for
election by the stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of 66-2/3% of
the  directors of the Company then still in office who were either  directors at
the beginning of such period or whose  election or  nomination  for election was
previously  so  approved)  cease for any reason to  constitute a majority of the
directors of the Corporation then in office."

           6. Section 5.5 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:

            "If a  Participant  ceases to be a Director due to any other reason,
the number of Shares granted to such  Participant  which  theretofore had become
non-forfeitable  shall be increased by adding thereto  one-twelfth of the number
of Shares which would have become non-forfeitable on the next January 1 for each
complete  month that such  Participant  was a Director in the  calendar  year in
which such Participant  ceased to be a Director and a stock  certificate for the
total  non-forfeited  Shares granted to such  Participant  shall be delivered to
such Participant. The remaining Shares that had been granted to such Participant
shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Corporation."

            7. The foregoing amendments shall be effective as of April 8, 1997.

                                       UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.


                                       By:/s/ Peter B. Mancino
                                          Peter B. Mancino
                                          Vice President, General Counsel
                                          and Secretary




                                  






<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.48

                                [FORM OF WAIVER]


                           WAIVER dated as of April 10, 1998 (this "WAIVER"), to
                    the Credit  Agreement (the "CREDIT  AGREEMENT")  dated as of
                    October 19,  1995,  as amended and  restated as of March 19,
                    1997, among UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC., a Delaware  corporation
                    ("UCAR"),   UCAR  GLOBAL   ENTERPRISES   INC.,   a  Delaware
                    corporation  (the  "BORROWER"),  the  other  Credit  Parties
                    referred to therein,  the Lenders  referred to therein  (the
                    "LENDERS"),  the  fronting  banks  referred to therein  (the
                    "FRONTING BANKS"),  and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York
                    banking  corporation,   as  administrative  agent  (in  such
                    capacity,  the  "ADMINISTRATIVE  AGENT ") and as  collateral
                    agent (in such  capacity,  the  "COLLATERAL  AGENT") for the
                    Lenders.

                  UCAR  and  the  Borrower  have  provided  the  Lenders  with a
Confidential  Memorandum dated March 31, 1998, a supplement  thereto dated April
9, 1998, and the attachments to each of them (collectively the "MEMORANDUM") and
have requested that the Required  Lenders agree to provide the waivers set forth
in  paragraphs  (a) and (b) of Section 1 below and,  without  waiving  any other
right under or provision of the Credit  Agreement,  and without  being deemed to
have  agreed that no material  adverse  change has  occurred or that no Material
Adverse  Effect  exists or could  reasonably be expected to occur as a result of
the matters  disclosed in the Memorandum (the "DISCLOSED  MATTERS"),  permit the
funding of  Revolving  Borrowings  on Monday,  April 13,  1998,  in an aggregate
amount not to exceed  $35,000,000.  The Required Lenders are willing to agree to
such  requests,  on the terms and  subject to the  conditions  set forth  below.
Capitalized  terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings  assigned
to them in the Credit Agreement.

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

                  SECTION 1.  WAIVERS  AND  AGREEMENTS.  (a) On the basis of the
information set forth in the Memorandum and the representations,  warranties and
covenants of UCAR, the Borrower and the other Credit Parties  contained  herein,
the  Required  Lenders  hereby waive any breach of the  requirements  of Section
5.01(b)  of the Credit  Agreement  insofar  as such  requirements  may have been
breached  prior to March 13, 1998,  in connection  with the  Disclosed  Matters,
PROVIDED  that the  foregoing  waiver shall not be effective for purposes of any
additional  Borrowing  or other  extension of credit  (other than the  Borrowing
referred  to in  paragraph  (c) below)  that may be  requested  under the Credit
Agreement and shall cease to be effective upon the earliest to occur of (i) July
10,  1999,  (ii) the first  date after the date  hereof  upon which any Event of
Default  shall  occur and (iii) any date on which  the  Required  Lenders  shall
notify the Borrower in writing that there has been in their  judgment a material
adverse change in the assets, business, properties, financial condition, results
of operations or prospects of UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries,  taken as
a whole,  since December 31, 1997,  after giving effect as of December 31, 1997,
to the non-recurring  charge of $340,000,000 in respect of the Disclosed Matters
and the related  disclosure (a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A hereto) to
be included in the  Borrower's  Annual Report on Form 10-K to the Securities and
Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.

                  (b)  On  the  basis  of  the  information  set  forth  in  the
Memorandum  and the  representations,  warranties  and  covenants  of UCAR,  the
Borrower and the other Credit Parties  contained  herein,  the Required  Lenders
hereby waive the requirement of Section 5.04(a) of the Credit Agreement that the
financial  statements  for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, be delivered
within 90 days after such date,  PROVIDED  that such  financial  statements  are
delivered  promptly after the effectiveness of this Waiver and are not qualified
in any material respect.



<PAGE>2
                     

                  (c)  On  the  basis  of  the  information  set  forth  in  the
Memorandum  and the  representations,  warranties  and  covenants  of UCAR,  the
Borrower and the other Credit Parties  contained  herein,  the Required  Lenders
hereby agree,  without  waiving any other right under or provision of the Credit
Agreement,  and without  being  deemed to have  agreed that no material  adverse
change  has  occurred  or  that no  Material  Adverse  Effect  exists  or  could
reasonably be expected to occur as a result of the Disclosed Matters,  to permit
the funding of Revolving  Borrowings on Monday,  April 13, 1998, in an aggregate
amount not to exceed $35,000,000,  subject only to the satisfaction on such date
of the conditions to borrowing set forth in Section 4.01 of the Credit Agreement
for Revolving  Borrowings,  except insofar as satisfaction of any such condition
is not satisfied solely as a result of the Disclosed Matters and except that the
condition set forth in Section  4.01(d) of the Credit  Agreement shall be deemed
to have been satisfied if such Revolving Borrowings are permitted to be incurred
under the Senior Subordinated  Indenture and the conditions set forth in clauses
(ii) and (iii) of such Section 4.01(d) are satisfied.

                  (d) In  connection  with and as an  inducement to the Required
Lenders  to provide  this  Waiver,  each of UCAR,  the  Borrower  and the Credit
Parties  agrees  within  30 days  after  the  date  hereof  (i) to  grant to the
Collateral  Agent,  for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and the other Secured
Parties,  as security  for the Secured  Obligations,  first  priority  perfected
security interests in substantially all the assets of UCAR, the Borrower and the
domestic  Subsidiaries  and (ii) to grant, or to cause each  applicable  foreign
Subsidiary to grant,  to the extent  legally  permitted,  to each Local Facility
Lender to which such person is legally  permitted to grant collateral (or to the
applicable  collateral agent for the benefit of any such Local Facility Lender),
first priority  perfected  security interests in substantially all the assets of
the foreign  Subsidiaries.  Each document  delivered  pursuant to this paragraph
shall constitute a Loan Document and a Security Document for all purposes of the
Credit  Agreement and shall in the case of each document  delivered  pursuant to
clause  (ii) in addition  constitute  a Local  Facility  Loan  Document  for all
purposes of the Credit Agreement and a Loan Document and a Security Document for
all purposes of each Local  Facility  Credit  Agreement  the Lenders under which
benefit from the rights granted under such documents.

                  (e)  Effective  immediately  upon  the  effectiveness  of this
Waiver:

                  (i)  the  definition  of  "EBITDA"  contained  in  the  Credit
         Agreement  shall be amended by adding at the end thereof the  following
         phrase:

                  "and,  solely for purposes of Sections  2.05 and 2.06,  MINUS,
                  without  duplication,  the aggregate amount for such period of
                  (A) all costs  actually  paid or  otherwise  realized  in such
                  period in respect of the Disclosed  Matters (as defined in the
                  Waiver  dated as of April 10,  1998,  under  this  Agreement),
                  whether paid or realized in the form of cash payments, rebates
                  or discounts or by means of other  arrangements  for providing
                  refunds or other similar payment or pricing adjustments or for
                  providing  any goods or  services  at a lower  cost than would
                  apply if not paid or  realized  in  respect  of the  Disclosed
                  Matters,  or under any agreement or undertaking to provide any
                  of the  foregoing,  and (B) any  reduction  of any  reserve or
                  charge taken in connection with the Disclosed  Matters arising
                  in connection with an actual cost"; and

                  (ii)  Schedule A to the Credit  Agreement  shall be amended by
         adding a Level A which shall apply when the  Leverage  Ratio is greater
         than  3.0;  Level A shall be the same as Level I except  that the LIBOR
         Margin and L/C Participation Fee thereunder shall be 1.500%. After such
         amendment,  Level I shall apply when the Leverage Ratio is greater than
         2.5 but less than or equal to 3.0.


<PAGE>3


                  SECTION 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. To induce the other
parties  hereto to enter into this  Waiver,  each of UCAR,  the Borrower and the
other  Credit  Parties  represents  and  warrants  to each of the  Lenders,  the
Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent that, as of the Effective Date (as
defined below):

                  (a)  Except  as  qualified  by  the  Disclosed  Matters,   the
representations  and warranties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement
are true and correct in all material  respects on and as of the  Effective  Date
with the same effect as though made on and as of the Effective  Date,  except to
the extent such  representations  and warranties  expressly relate to an earlier
date;

                  (b)  Except as qualified  by the Disclosed Matters, no Default
or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and

                  (c) The written information,  reports,  financial  statements,
exhibits and schedules furnished by or on behalf of UCAR, the Borrower or any of
the  Subsidiaries to the  Administrative  Agent or any Lender in connection with
this Waiver or included  herein or  delivered  pursuant  hereto  (including  the
Memorandum), when taken as a whole, did not contain, and as they may be amended,
supplemented  or modified  from time to time,  will not  contain,  any  material
misstatement of fact and did not omit, and as they may be amended,  supplemented
or  modified  from time to time,  will not  omit,  to state  any  material  fact
necessary  to make the  statements  therein,  in the light of the  circumstances
under which they were, are or will be made, not materially misleading.

         SECTION 3.  CONDITIONS  TO  EFFECTIVENESS.  This  Waiver  shall  become
effective on the date (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") that the Administrative Agent shall
have received  counterparts of this Waiver that,  when taken together,  bear the
signatures of UCAR, the Borrower and the Required Lenders.

         SECTION 4. EFFECT OF WAIVER.  (a) Except as expressly set forth herein,
this Waiver shall not by implication or otherwise  limit,  impair,  constitute a
waiver of, or  otherwise  affect the rights and  remedies  of the  Lenders,  the
Administrative  Agent,  the  Collateral  Agent or the Borrower  under the Credit
Agreement or any other Loan Document,  and shall not alter,  modify, amend or in
any  way  affect  any  of  the  terms,  conditions,  obligations,  covenants  or
agreements  contained  in the Credit  Agreement  or any other  provision  of the
Credit  Agreement  or any other Loan  Document,  all of which are  ratified  and
affirmed in all  respects and shall  continue in full force and effect.  Nothing
herein  shall be deemed to entitle  the  Borrower  to a consent to, or a waiver,
amendment,  modification  or other  change  of,  any of the  terms,  conditions,
obligations,  covenants or agreements  contained in the Credit  Agreement or any
other Loan  Document in similar or  different  circumstances.  This Waiver shall
apply and be  effective  only  with  respect  to the  provisions  of the  Credit
Agreement specifically referred to herein.

                  (b)  Neither  this  Waiver  nor the  request  of UCAR  and the
Borrower  that the  Required  Lenders  grant  this  Waiver  shall be  deemed  to
constitute an admission of any breach by UCAR, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
any applicable law.



<PAGE>4


         SECTION 5.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Waiver may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate  counterparts,  each of
which when so executed and delivered  shall be deemed an original,  but all such
counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery
of any  executed  counterpart  of a signature  page of this Waiver by  facsimile
transmission   shall  be  as  effective  as  delivery  of  a  manually  executed
counterpart hereof.

         SECTION 6.  APPLICABLE LAW. THIS   WAIVER  SHALL  BE  GOVERNED BY,  AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

         SECTION 7.  HEADINGS.  The headings of  this Waiver are for purposes of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

         SECTION 8. LOAN DOCUMENT.  This Waiver shall for all purposes be a Loan
Document under the Credit  Agreement.  For purposes of Article VII of the Credit
Agreement, any default by UCAR, the Borrower or any Subsidiary under this Waiver
shall be an immediate Event of Default under paragraph (d) of such Article VII.


         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this Waiver to be
duly  executed by their duly  authorized  officers,  all as of the date and year
first above written.


                                       UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.,

                                       by
                                          --------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:


                                       UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES INC.,

                                       by
                                          --------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:


                                       UCAR HOLDINGS S.A.,

                                       by
                                          --------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:



<PAGE>5


                                        UCAR S.p.A.,


                                        by
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                        Title:


                                        UCAR ELECTRODOS, S.L.,

                                        by
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                        Title:


                                        UCAR INC.,

                                        by
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                        Title:


                                        UCAR MEXICANA S.A. de C.V.,

                                        by
                                           -------------------------------------
                                         Name:
                                         Title:


                                        THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                        individually and as Fronting Bank, 
                                        Administrative Agent and Collateral
                                        Agent,


                                        by
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                        Title:


<PAGE>6



                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name of Lender

                                           by
                                             -----------------------------------
                                              Name:
                                              Title:






                                   




<PAGE>
                                                      EXHIBIT 21.1

                     Subsidiaries of UCAR International Inc.



                                                      
                              JURISDICTION OF            OWNERSHIP BY UCAR
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY             INCORPORATION             INTERNATIONAL INC.
- ------------------            ---------------            ------------------

1.  UCAR Global                 Delaware                        100%
    Enterprises Inc.


                                                      
                              JURISDICTION OF              OWNERSHIP BY UCAR
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY             INCORPORATION             GLOBAL ENTERPRISES INC.
- ------------------            ---------------            -----------------------

2. UCAR Carbon Company
   Inc.                          Delaware                        100%

3. UCAR Holdings II Inc.         Delaware                        100%

4.  UCAR Carbon S.A.             Brazil                           95.30%

5.  UCAR S.A.                    Switzerland                      99.9%(a)


                                                      
                              JURISDICTION OF             OWNERSHIP BY UCAR
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY             INCORPORATION             CARBON COMPANY INC.
- ------------------            ---------------            -------------------


6.  UCAR Holdings Inc.           Delaware                      100%

7.  UCAR Limited                 United Kingdom                100%(b)

8.  EMSA (Pty.) Ltd.             South Africa                  100%(c)

9.  Carbographite Limited        South Africa                  100%(c)

10. UCAR International
    Trading Inc.                 Delaware                      100%

11. UCAR Carbon
    Technology Corporation       Delaware                      100%

12. UCAR Carbon Foreign
    Sales Corporation            Virgin Islands                100%
    
13. UCAR Composites              California                    100%
    Inc.

14. Union Carbide
    Grafito, Inc.                 New York                     100%

15. Unicarbon                     Brazil                       100%
    Comercial Ltda.

16. UCAR Carbon
    (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.          Malaysia                     100%


                                                      
                              JURISDICTION OF            OWNERSHIP BY UCAR
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY             INCORPORATION                HOLDINGS II
- ------------------            ---------------            ------------------

17. UCAR Holdings III Inc.       Delaware                      100% 

18. UCAR Holdings S.A.           France                        100%(d)

19. UCAR Electrodos, S.L.        Spain                         100%(e)

20. UCAR Inc.                    Canada                        100%

21. UCAR Elektroden GmbII        Germany                        70%


<PAGE>


                              JURISDICTION OF            OWNERSHIP BY UCAR
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY             INCORPORATION               HOLDINGS GmbH
- ------------------            ---------------            ------------------

22. UCAR Grafit OAO               Russia                       96.27%



                              JURISDICTION OF            OWNERSHIP BY UCAR
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY             INCORPORATION               HOLDINGS INC.
- ------------------            ---------------            ------------------


23. UCAR Mexicana, S.A.            Mexico                      100%(f)
     de C.V.           

24. UCAR S.p.A.                    Italy                       100%(g)


                              JURISDICTION OF            OWNERSHIP BY UCAR
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY             INCORPORATION               HOLDINGS S.A.
- ------------------            ---------------            ------------------

25. UCAR S.N.C.                     France                    100%(h)

26. Carbone Savoie                  France                     70%


                              JURISDICTION OF              OWNERSHIP BY UCAR
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY             INCORPORATION             MEXICANA, S.A. de C.V.
- ------------------            ---------------            ----------------------


27. UCAR Carbon
    Mexicana, S.A. de C.V.          Mexico                    100%(i)



                              JURISDICTION OF              OWNERSHIP BY UCAR
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY             INCORPORATION             MEXICANA, S.A. de C.V.
- ------------------            ---------------            ----------------------

28. Servicios Administratoes
    Carmex, S.A. de C.V.            Mexico                     99.9%
   
29. Servicios DYC,
    S.A. de C.V.                    Mexico                     99.9%

                              JURISDICTION OF           
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY             INCORPORATION            OWNERSHIP BY UCAR S.p.A.
- ------------------            ---------------           ------------------------

30. UCAR Energia S.r.l.              Italy                     100%

31. UCAR Specialties S.r.l.          Italy                     100%



                              JURISDICTION OF            OWNERSHIP BY UCAR
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY             INCORPORATION                 CARBON S.A.
- ------------------            ---------------            -----------------

32. UCAR Produtos de
    Carbono S.A.                      Brazil                    99.9%


                                       2
<PAGE>



                              JURISDICTION OF            OWNERSHIP BY UNICARBON
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY             INCORPORATION                COMERCIAL LTDA.
- ------------------            ---------------            ----------------------

33. UCAR Carbon S.A.                 Brazil                    2.33%


                              JURISDICTION OF
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY             INCORPORATION             OWNERSHIP BY UCAR S.A.
- ------------------            ---------------            ----------------------

34. UCAR Holding GmbH                Austria                   100%


(a) 99.9% owned by UCAR Global  Enterprises  Inc.  Nominees  own three shares of
UCAR S.A.

(b) 99.9% owned by UCAR  Carbon  Company  Inc. A nominee  owns one share of UCAR
Limited.

(c) On April 21, 1997,  UCAR Carbon Company Inc. (the  "Company")  purchased the
50%   interest  in  EMSA  (Pty.)  Ltd.   ("EMSA")  and   Carbographite   Limited
("Carbographite")  that it did not already own from  Samancor  Limited,  a South
African company.  Commencing April 22, 1997, EMSA's and Carbographite's  assets,
liabilities and results of operations are included in the Consolidated Financial
Statements.

(d) 99.4% owned by UCAR Holdings II Inc. UCAR  International  Inc.,  UCAR Global
Enterprises Inc., UCAR Carbon Company Inc. and three nominees each own one share
of UCAR Holdings S.A.

(e) 99.9% owned by UCAR Holdings II Inc.  UCAR Carbon  Company Inc. owns 0.1% of
UCAR Electrodos S.L.

(f) 99.9% owned by UCAR Holdings Inc. UCAR Carbon Company Inc. owns one share of
UCAR Mexicana, S.A. de C.V.

(g) 99.9% owned by UCAR Holdings Inc. and UCAR Carbon  Company Inc. owns 0.1% of
UCAR S.p.A.

(h) 99.9% owned by UCAR  Holdings  S.A. UCAR Holdings III Inc. owns one share of
UCAR S.N.C.

(i) 99.9% owned by UCAR  Mexicana,  S.A. de C.V.  UCAR Carbon  Company Inc. owns
0.1% of UCAR Carbon Mexicana, S.A. de C.V.



                                       3

                                    



<PAGE>




                          Independent Auditors' Consent




We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  registration
statements  on Form  S-3 (No.  333-23073  and No.  333-26097)  and Form S-8 (No.
33-95546,  No. 33-95548,  No.  33-95550,  No.  333-02560,  No. 333-02598 and No.
333-36653)  of UCAR  International  Inc.  of our report  dated  April 13,  1998,
relating to the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets of UCAR  International  Inc.  and
subsidiaries  as of  December  31, 1997 and 1996,  and the related  Consolidated
Statements of Operations, Cash Flows and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) for each
of the years in the three-year  period ended December 31, 1997 appearing on page
37 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our report on the consolidated  financial
statements  refers to a change in the method of determining  LIFO inventories in
1996.


                                                 /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP



Stamford, Connecticut
April 13, 1998
                                   





<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. INCLUDED IN ITS
ANNUAL  REPORT  ON  FORM  10-K  FOR  THE  YEAR  ENDED  DECEMBER 31, 1997  AND IS
QUALIFIED   IN  ITS   ENTIRETY  BY  REFERENCE  TO  SUCH  CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                            <C>   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                   DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                 58  
<SECURITIES>                           20  
<RECEIVABLES>                         248  
<ALLOWANCES>                            6  
<INVENTORY>                           206  
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                      566  
<PP&E>                               1289  
<DEPRECIATION>                        724  
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                       1233  
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 502  
<BONDS>                               604  
                   0  
                             0  
<COMMON>                                0  
<OTHER-SE>                           (246) 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         1233  
<SALES>                              1097  
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                     1097  
<CGS>                                 686  
<TOTAL-COSTS>                         686  
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                      349  
<LOSS-PROVISION>                        0  
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                     64  
<INCOME-PRETAX>                      (122) 
<INCOME-TAX>                           39  
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                  (161) 
<DISCONTINUED>                          0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                         0  
<CHANGES>                               0  
<NET-INCOME>                         (160) 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                          (3.49)  
<EPS-DILUTED>                          (3.49)  
                               




</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>5
<LEGEND>
RESTATED FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
AND 1995
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                            <C>                 <C>         
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  12-MOS              12-MOS      
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>              DEC-31-1996         DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                   DEC-31-1996         DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                  95                  53               
<SECURITIES>                             0                   0         
<RECEIVABLES>                          191                 191         
<ALLOWANCES>                             6                  11         
<INVENTORY>                            176                 136         
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                       483                 403         
<PP&E>                                1087               1,013         
<DEPRECIATION>                         653                 635         
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                         988                 864         
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                  249                 228         
<BONDS>                                581                 636         
                    0                   0         
                              0                   0         
<COMMON>                                 0                   0         
<OTHER-SE>                              (2)               (167)        
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>           988                 864         
<SALES>                                948                 901         
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                       948                 901         
<CGS>                                  583                 556         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                          583                 556         
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                         8                  38         
<LOSS-PROVISION>                         0                   2         
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                      61                  93         
<INCOME-PRETAX>                        207                  96         
<INCOME-TAX>                            68                  74         
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                    145                  25         
<DISCONTINUED>                           0                   0         
<EXTRAORDINARY>                          0                  37         
<CHANGES>                                7                   0         
<NET-INCOME>                           152                 (12)        
<EPS-PRIMARY>                         3.30<F1>            1.98<F1><F2> 
<EPS-DILUTED>                         3.15<F1>            1.87<F1><F2> 
                                                                       
                                                                       
<FN>                                                   

<F1> Restated  in  accordance  with  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
     No. 128 "Earnings Per Share" which was adopted retroactively as of the 
     fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.

<F2> Pro forma for 1995.  See Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
     Statements for the year ended December 31, 1997.

</FN>
                               

                          




</TABLE>


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