BALCHEM CORP
10-K, 1999-03-29
CHEMICALS & ALLIED PRODUCTS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

                   [X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or
                     15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                   For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998

                                       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 1-13648

                               BALCHEM CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


 Maryland                                   13-2578432
 --------                                   ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)


 P.O. Box 175, Slate Hill, New York         10973
 ----------------------------------         -----
(Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code (914)355-5300

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 $.06-2/3       American Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

                                                                (Title of Class)

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. [ ]

<PAGE>

The  aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by  non-affiliates  of the
registrant on March 1, 1999 was approximately $26,933,056 million.*

*    For  purposes  of  this  calculation,  shares  of the  registrant  held  by
     directors and officers of the registrant and under the registrant's  401(k)
     plan have been excluded.

On March 1, 1999 there were 4,879,840 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Part III:  Portions  of the  registrant's  proxy  statement  for its 1999 annual
meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference in this report.


                                     Part I

Item 1. Business

General:

        Balchem  Corporation,  incorporated in the State of Maryland in 1967, is
engaged in the development,  manufacture and marketing of specialty  performance
ingredients for the food, feed and medical sterilization industries. The Company
has a currently inactive Canadian subsidiary, Balchem, Ltd.

        The Company operates in two business segments,  the  micro-encapsulation
of  performance  ingredients  (the  "encapsulated  products"  segment)  and  the
repackaging  and  marketing  of high  quality  specialty  gases (the  "specialty
products" segment).  The Company sells its products through its own sales force,
independent  distributors and sales agents. Financial information concerning the
Company's  business and business segments appears in the Consolidated  Financial
Statements  included  under Item 8 herein,  which  information  is  incorporated
herein by reference.

        Encapsulated Products

        The encapsulated products segment encapsulates  performance  ingredients
for use  throughout the food and animal feed  industries to enhance  processing,
mixing, packaging applications,  fortification and shelf-life improvement. Major
product  applications  are baked goods,  refrigerated  and frozen dough systems,
processed  meats,   seasoning   blends  and  confections.   Vitamin  C  is  also
microencapsulated and sold globally primarily in the aquaculture industry.  This
product  provides a stable and  economic  source of vitamin C in pelleted  feeds
used to formulate  diets  principally for shrimp and farmed fish, as well as for
other species,  including  guinea pigs,  horses and primates.  Microencapsulated
choline chloride is marketed to the animal feed industry  offering  encapsulated
nutrients to ruminant animals.

        This segment also includes a line of endothermic  blowing and nucleating
agents that are marketed to the foamed plastics industry  exclusively  through a
marketing partner.

        Specialty Products

        The  specialty  products  segment  consists  of three  specialty  gases:
ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and methyl chloride.

<PAGE>

        Ethylene  oxide is used as a chemical  sterilant  gas,  primarily in the
health care  industry.  It is used to  sterilize  medical  devices  ranging from
syringes and catheters to scalpels,  gauze,  bandages and surgical kits, because
of its versatility in treating hard or soft surfaces, composites, metals, tubing
and different types of plastics without negatively  impacting the performance or
appearance of the device being  sterilized.  The Company's  100% ethylene  oxide
product is distributed by the Company in reusable  double-walled  shipping drums
to assure  compliance  with safety,  quality and  environmental  standards.  The
Company's inventory of these specially-built drums, along with the Company's two
filling  facilities,   represent  a  significant  capital  investment.  Contract
sterilizers,  medical  device  manufacturers  and  hospitals  are the  Company's
principal customers for this product.

        Propylene oxide is used for bacteria reduction in spice treatment and in
the chemical  synthesis market. It is also utilized in manufacturing  operations
to make paint more  durable,  for  specialty  starches and in textile  coatings.
Methyl chloride is used as a raw material in specialty  herbicides,  fertilizers
and pharmaceuticals, as well as in malt and wine preservers. Propylene oxide and
methyl chloride are sold principally to customers seeking smaller (as opposed to
bulk) quantities whose requirements include timely delivery and safe handling.


        In 1994, the Company  purchased  certain tangible and intangible  assets
for its ethylene  oxide  business for $1,500,000 in cash and, as detailed in the
purchase  agreement,  the Company  was  required  to pay  additional  contingent
amounts to compensate the seller for the purchase of the seller's customer list,
in  accordance  with a  formula  based  on  profits  derived  from  sales of the
specialty-packaged  ingredient. During 1998, the Company elected to exercise the
early payment option under the agreement resulting in the Company making a final
payment of $3,700,000 to the seller.  The Company has no further  purchase price
obligation under the agreement.


        Due to consolidation of customer  businesses in the contract  sterilizer
industry,  the Company has one customer,  Griffith  Microsciences,  Inc.,  which
accounted for  approximately  14.8% of the Company's net sales in 1998. The loss
of such customer could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

New product status:

        The Company's  microencapsulation staff continues to gather test data on
its  encapsulated  choline  chloride  for animal feed from  university  studies,
commercial  field  trials and  customers,  for the purpose of  accelerating  the
marketing  effort  of this  product.  Such  testing  is  geared  principally  to
analyzing the ability of rumen stable ingredients to resist degradation by rumen
bacteria.  This  ability  allows the  nutrient to pass  through to the  animal's
stomach  and be  released  in the small  intestine  so that it can  provide  the
measured nutrient supplement in a cost-efficient manner.

        The Company has also  introduced  new products that are being tested for
enhancement  of shelf-life  and  fortification  in segments of the food industry
that the Company has not heretofore pursued.

<PAGE>
Raw materials:

        The raw  materials  utilized  by the Company in the  manufacture  of its
products  are  generally  available  from a number of  commercial  sources.  The
Company is not experiencing any current difficulties in procuring such materials
and does not anticipate any such problems.

Patents/Licensing:

        The Company currently holds numerous patents and uses certain tradenames
and trademarks. It also uses know-how, trade secrets, formulae and manufacturing
techniques  which assist in maintaining the competitive  positions of certain of
its  products.  Formulae  and  know-how  are  of  particular  importance  in the
manufacture  of a number of the Company's  products.  The Company  believes that
certain of its patents,  in the  aggregate,  are  advantageous  to its business.
However,  it is believed  that no single  patent or related  group of patents is
material  to the Company as a whole and,  accordingly,  that the  expiration  or
termination  thereof  would not  materially  affect its  business.  The  Company
believes that its sales and  competitive  position are dependent  primarily upon
the quality of its products,  its technical sales efforts and market conditions,
rather than on any patent protection.

        As discussed below under  "Environmental  Matters" the Company's ability
to sell  ethylene  oxide is dependent  upon  maintaining  registration  with the
United States Environmental  Protection Agency as a medical device sterilant and
spice fumigant.

Seasonality:

        In general,  the business of the  Company's  segments is not seasonal to
any material extent.

Backlog:

        At  December  31,  1998,  the  Company  had a total  backlog of $718,000
(including  $304,000 for the encapsulated  products segment and $414,000 for the
specialty  products  segment)  as  compared  to a total  backlog of  $793,000 at
December 31, 1997 (including $476,000 for the encapsulated  products segment and
$317,000 for the specialty products  segment).  It has been the Company's policy
and  practice to  maintain  an  inventory  of  finished  products  or  component
materials  for its  segments to enable it to ship  products  within a short time
after receipt of a product order.

Competition:

        The Company's  competitors include many large and small companies,  some
of which have greater financial, research and development,  production and other
resources than the Company.  Competition in the encapsulation  markets served by
the  Company is based  primarily  on  performance,  customer  support,  quality,
service and price. The development of new and improved  products is important to
the  Company's  success.  This  competitive   environment  requires  substantial
investments in product and  manufacturing  process research and improvement.  In
addition,  the winning and  retention of customer  acceptance  of the  Company's
encapsulated products involve substantial  expenditures for applications testing
and sales  efforts.  In the  specialty  products  business,  the  Company  faces
competition from alternative  sterilizing  technologies and products.  Companies
offering such  competitive  alternatives  tend to be larger in size with greater
financial resources than the Company.

<PAGE>

Research & Development:

        During the years ended  December  31, 1998,  1997 and 1996,  the Company
spent approximately $1.0 million,  $1.1 million and $0.9 million,  respectively,
on Company-sponsored  research and development for new products and improvements
to  existing   products  and   manufacturing   processes,   principally  in  the
encapsulated  products  segment.  During the year ended  December 31,  1998,  an
average  of  10  employees   devoted  full  time  to  research  and  development
activities. The Company funds its R&D programs with funds available from current
operations  with the intent of recovering  those costs from profits derived from
future  sales  of  products  resulting  from or  enhanced  by the  research  and
development effort.

        The Company continually reviews its product development activities in an
effort to allocate its  resources to those product  candidates  that the Company
believes  have the greatest  commercial  potential.  Factors  considered  by the
Company in  determining  the products to pursue  include  projected  markets and
needs, status of its proprietary  rights,  technical  feasibility,  expected and
known product attributes, and estimated costs to bring the product to market.

Environmental Matters:

        The  Federal  Insecticide,  Fungicide  and  Rodenticide  Act, as amended
("FIFRA"),  a health and safety statute,  requires that certain  products within
the  Company's  specialty  products  segment  must be  registered  with the U.S.
Environmental  Protection Agency (the "EPA"). In order to obtain a registration,
an applicant  typically must  demonstrate  through  extensive test data that its
product will not cause  unreasonable  adverse  effects on the  environment.  The
Company  holds an EPA  registration  to permit it to sell packaged 100% ethylene
oxide as a medical device  sterilant and spice  fumigant.  The Company is in the
process of re-registering this product use. The re-registration requirement is a
result of a congressional enactment during 1988 requiring the re-registration of
this  product and all products  that are used as  pesticides.  The  Company,  in
conjunction  with one other company,  has been  conducting the required  testing
under the direction of the EPA.  Testing has concluded and the EPA has indicated
that it  anticipates  completing its review of the  re-registration  process for
this  product  in  year  2000.   The  Company  hopes  to  recover  the  cost  of
re-registration in the selling price of the sterilant.

        The  Company's  management  believes it will be  successful in obtaining
re-registration  for this product as it has met the EPA's requirements thus far.
Additionally,  the product is used as a sterilant with certain  qualities and no
known, equally effective substitute. Management believes absence of availability
of this  product  could  not be  easily  tolerated  by  various  medical  device
manufacturers  and the  health  care  industry  due to the  resultant  infection
potential if the product were unavailable.

        On February 27, 1988,  California's  Proposition 65 (Safe Drinking Water
and Toxic  Enforcement  Act of 1986) went into effect.  100% ethylene  oxide,  a
sterilant/fumigant  distributed  by the  Company,  is  listed  by the  State  of
California as a carcinogen and reproductive  toxin. As a result,  the Company is
required to provide a clear and  reasonable  warning to any person in California
who may be exposed to this  product;  failure to do so would result in liability
of up to $2,500 per day per person exposed.

<PAGE>

        The  California  Birth  Defect  Law  of  1984  requires  the  California
Department of Food and Agriculture ("CDFA") to identify chemicals in "widespread
use" for which  significant data gaps exist, and requires  registrants for those
products to submit the data or pay an assessment to the CDFA to fund independent
development of the data. The CDFA determined that data gaps existed for ethylene
oxide. After initially requesting an exemption,  the Company, along with another
registrant, agreed to submit information to close the data gaps. The registrants
have provided  requested  data, and, to the Company's  knowledge,  fulfilled the
data submission obligations to the CDFA.

        The Company  believes it is in compliance in all material  respects with
federal, state and local provisions that have been enacted or adopted regulating
the discharge of materials  into the  environment  or otherwise  relating to the
protection of the  environment.  Such  compliance  includes the  maintenance  of
required  permits under air pollution  regulations and with  requirements of the
Occupational  Safety  and  Health  Administration  ("OSHA").  The  cost  of such
compliance  has not had a material  effect  upon the  results of  operations  or
financial  condition of the Company.  The proceeding referred to in Item 3 below
has been substantially completed.

Employees:

        As of February 11, 1999, the Company employed approximately 107 persons.
No employees are covered by any collective bargaining agreement.

Certain Factors Affecting Future Operating Results:

        This Report contains "forward-looking  statements" within the meaning of
Section 21E of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  which reflect
the Company's  expectation or belief concerning future events that involve risks
and  uncertainties.  The Company can give no  assurances  that the  expectations
reflected in forward  looking  statements will prove correct and various factors
could  cause  results  to differ  materially  from the  Company's  expectations.
Certain factors that might cause such a difference include,  without limitation;
(1) changes in the laws or regulations  affecting the operations of the Company;
(2)  changes  in  the  business  tactics  or  strategies  of  the  Company;  (3)
acquisition(s) of assets or of new or complementary  operations,  or divestiture
of any segment of the existing  operations of the Company;  (4) changing  market
forces or contingencies which necessitate,  in management's judgment, changes in
plans,  strategy  or  tactics  of  the  Company;  and  (5)  fluctuations  in the
investment  markets  or  interest  rates,  which  might  materially  affect  the
operations  or  financial  condition of the  Company,  as well as the  following
matters,  and all forward-looking  statements are qualified in their entirety by
these cautionary statements:

Competition. The Company faces competition in its markets from a number of large
and  small  companies,  some of  which  have  greater  financial,  research  and
development,  production and other  resources  than the Company.  Various of the
Company's products also face competition from products or technologies which may
be used as an alternative therefor.  The Company's competitive position is based
principally on  performance,  quality,  customer  support,  service,  breadth of
product line,  manufacturing  technology and the selling prices of its products.
The Company's  competitors can be expected to improve the design and performance
of their  products and to  introduce  new products  with  competitive  price and
performance  characteristics.  There can be no  assurance  that the Company will
have sufficient resources to maintain its current competitive position or market
share.
<PAGE>

Environmental and Regulatory Matters.  Pursuant to applicable  environmental and
safety laws and  regulations,  the  Company is  required to obtain and  maintain
certain  governmental  permits and approvals,  including an EPA registration for
its ethylene oxide  sterilant  product.  Permits and approvals may be subject to
revocation,  modification  or  denial  under  certain  circumstances.  While the
Company believes it is in compliance in all material respects with environmental
laws,  there can be no assurance  that  operations  or activities of the Company
will not result in  administrative  or private  actions,  revocation of required
permits or licenses, or fines, penalties or damages, which could have an adverse
effect on the Company.  In addition,  the Company  cannot  predict the extent to
which any  legislation  or  regulation  may affect the market for the  Company's
products or its cost of doing business.

Raw Material Price  Volatility.  The principal raw materials used by the Company
in the manufacture of its products can be subject to price  fluctuations.  While
the selling  prices of the Company's  products tend to increase or decrease over
time with the cost of raw materials,  such changes may not occur  simultaneously
or to the same degree.  There can be no assurance  that the Company will be able
to pass  increases in raw material costs through to its customers in the form of
price  increases.  Increases  in the price of raw  materials,  if not  offset by
product price increases,  could have an adverse impact upon the profitability of
the Company.

Reliance on Continued  Operation and Sufficiency of Facilities and on Unpatented
Trade Secrets.  The Company's revenues are dependent on the continued  operation
of its manufacturing,  packaging and processing facilities. The operation of the
Company's  facilities  involves  risks,  including  the  breakdown,  failure  or
substandard  performance of equipment,  power outages, the improper installation
or operation of equipment,  explosions, fires, natural disasters and the need to
comply with  environmental  and other directives of governmental  agencies.  The
occurrence of material  operational  problems,  including but not limited to the
above events,  may adversely affect the  profitability of the Company during the
period of such operational  difficulties.  The Company's competitive position is
also dependent  upon  unpatented  trade secrets.  There can be no assurance that
others  will not  independently  develop  substantially  equivalent  proprietary
information.

Risks  Associated  with  Foreign  Sales.  For the year ended  December 31, 1998,
approximately  10% of the  Company's  net sales  consisted of sales  outside the
United States, predominately to the Far East and Europe. Changes in the relative
values of  currencies  take  place  from  time to time and  could in the  future
adversely affect prices for the Company's products.  In addition,  international
sales are subject to other  inherent  risks,  including  possible  labor unrest,
political  instability  and export duties and quotas.  There can be no assurance
that these  factors  will not have a material  adverse  impact on the  Company's
ability to increase or maintain its international sales.

Dependence  on Key  Personnel.  The  Company's  operations  are dependent on the
continued efforts of its senior  executives.  The loss of the services of any of
them could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

<PAGE>

Year 2000 Compliance.  The failure to correct or to adequately address Year 2000
issues (as described in more detail under Item 7,  "Management's  Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", of this Report under
the heading "Year 2000 Issues") could result in an  interruption  in, or failure
of,  certain  normal  business  activities or  operations.  The inability of the
Company to correct a Year 2000 problem could arise due to actions or inaction of
third parties not  controlled by the Company.  In addition,  the Year 2000 issue
could have a material adverse impact on the operations of the Company due to the
unavailability  of  qualified   personnel  and  other   information   technology
resources,  the inability to identify and remediate all date-sensitive  lines of
computer  code or to replace  embedded  computer  chips in  affected  systems or
equipment and the inability of third parties to effect Year 2000 compliance on a
timely basis. Due to the general uncertainty  inherent in the Year 2000 problem,
resulting  in part  from the  uncertainty  of the  Year  2000  readiness  of the
Company's suppliers,  other third-party providers and/or customers,  the Company
is unable to determine at this time  whether the  consequences  of any Year 2000
problems  will have a material  impact on the Company's  results of  operations,
liquidity or financial condition.

Item 2. Properties

        The  executive,  sales,  marketing,  research & development  offices and
manufacturing  facilities of the Company's  encapsulated  products segment and a
drumming  facility for the  Company's  ethylene  oxide  business,  are presently
housed in four  buildings  located,  together  with a 14,900  square  foot steel
warehouse,  in Slate Hill, New York. The Company owns a total of 15-1/2 acres of
land on several parcels in such community.

        The Company  also owns a facility  located on an  approximately  24 acre
parcel of land in Green Pond,  South  Carolina.  The Company sold the balance of
its formerly 81 acre site in Green Pond in 1997.  The facility now consists of a
drumming facility,  a maintenance  building and an office building.  The Company
uses the  facility as a terminus,  warehouse  and drum  filling  station for its
products in its specialty products segment.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

        In 1982 the Company discovered and thereafter removed a number of buried
drums  containing  unidentified  waste material from the Company's site in Slate
Hill, New York. The Company thereafter entered into a Consent Decree to evaluate
the drum  site  with  the New  York  Department  of  Environmental  Conservation
("NYDEC")  and  performed  a Remedial  Investigation/Feasibility  Study that was
approved by NYDEC in February  1994.  Based on NYDEC  requirements,  the Company
cleaned the area and removed additional soil from the drum burial site. The cost
for this clean-up and the related reports was approximately  $164,000.  Clean-up
was  completed  in 1996,  but NYDEC  required  the  Company to monitor  the site
through 1999.  It is estimated  that the total cost of such  monitoring  will be
$50,000.


Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

        No matters  were  submitted  to a vote of  security  holders  during the
fourth quarter of 1998.




<PAGE>

PART II

Item 5.  Market  for the  Registrant's  Common  Equity and  Related  Stockholder
Matters

(a)  Market Information.

        The  Company's  common  stock is traded on the American  Stock  Exchange
under the symbol BCP.  The high and low closing  prices for the common  stock as
recorded in the American Stock Exchange Market Statistical  Reports for 1998 and
1997, for each quarterly period during the past two years,  adjusted for the May
1998  three-for-two  stock split (effected by means of a stock dividend) were as
follows:
                                      
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Quarterly Period                       High           Low
- ----------------                       ----           ---
<S>                                <C>           <C>      
Ended March 31, 1998               $   11.67     $    9.25
Ended June 30, 1998                    15.88         11.25
Ended September 30, 1998               13.38          8.88
Ended December 31, 1998                 8.63          4.94

Quarterly Period                       High           Low
- ----------------                       ----           ---
<S>                                <C>           <C>      
Ended March 31, 1997               $    6.25     $    5.33
Ended June 30, 1997                     7.50          5.50
Ended September 30, 1997               11.25          7.08
Ended December 31, 1997                13.50         10.25
</TABLE>


(b)  Record Holders.


        As of March 1, 1999, the approximate  number of holders of record of the
Company's common stock was as follows:

         Title of Class               Number of Record Holders
         --------------               ------------------------
Common Stock, $.06-2/3 par value                309*


*An unknown number of  stockholders  hold stock in street name. The total number
of  beneficial  owners  of  the  Company's  common  stock  is  estimated  to  be
approximately 1,480.

(c)  Dividends.


        The Company  declared a dividend of $0.033 per share on the common stock
during its fiscal year ended December 31, 1998. The Company's agreement with its
lending bank places restrictions on the payment of dividends.


<PAGE>
Item 6. Selected Financial Data

Earnings  per share and  dividend  amounts  have been  adjusted for the May 1998
three-for-two stock split (effected by means of a stock dividend).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        (In thousands, except per share data)
Year ended December 31,                   1998            1997            1996             1995              1994
- -----------------------               -----------     -----------      -----------     -------------      -----------
<S>                                   <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>                <C>        
Statement of Operations                                                                                  
Net sales                             $    28,721     $    28,619      $    26,371     $      24,733      $    18,667
Earnings before income                                                                                   
     taxes                                  4,628           4,227            2,917             2,428            1,276
Income taxes                                1,673           1,456              990               843              430
Net earnings                                2,955           2,771            1,927             1,585              846
Basic earnings per                                                                                       
     common share                             .61             .58              .41               .34              .18
Diluted earnings per                                                                                     
     common share                             .60             .57              .40               .33              .18
                                                                                                         
                                                                                                         

December 31,                              1998            1997            1996             1995              1994   
- ------------                          -----------     -----------      -----------     -------------      -----------
<S>                                   <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>                <C>        
Balance Sheet Data                                                                                       
Total assets                          $    22,648     $    17,593      $    15,140     $      14,332      $    12,342
Long-term-debt                              3,750           1,500            2,100             3,082            2,717
Other-long-term                                                                                          
    obligations                               841             890              794               835              715
Total stockholders equity                  15,775          12,336            9,387             7,447            5,920
Dividends per share                   $      .033     $      .033      $      .030     $        .023      $      .018
</TABLE>

Item  7.Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations

        This Report contains forward-looking  statements,  within the meaning of
Section 21E of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  which reflect
the Company's  expectation or belief concerning future events that involve risks
and  uncertainties.  The actions and  performance  of the Company  could  differ
materially from what is contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained
in this Report.  Factors which might cause differences from the  forward-looking
statements  include  those  referred to or identified in Item 1 of the Company's
Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year  ended  December  31,  1998.  Reference
should be made to such factors and all forward-looking  statements are qualified
in their entirety by the above cautionary statements.

                                               (All dollar amounts in thousands)
<PAGE>
Results of Operations:

Fiscal Year 1998 compared to 1997

        Net sales for 1998 were  $28,721 as  compared  to $28,619  for 1997,  an
increase of $102. Net sales for the specialty  products  segment were $19,434 in
1998 as compared to $19,650 in 1997, a decrease of 1% or $216.  This decline was
attributable  primarily to a decrease in volumes sold of the Company's propylene
oxide product due  primarily to a customer  having  converted to purchasing  the
product  in a bulk  format  not  offered  by the  Company.  Net  sales  for  the
encapsulated  products segment increased 4% or $318. This increase was primarily
the  result  of  increased   volumes  sold  of  products  in  the  domestic  and
international  food markets and increased  volumes sold in the animal  nutrition
markets.  These  increases  were  partially  offset by  declines in sales to the
aquaculture industry due to Asian economic issues.

        Cost of sales  increased 2  percentage  points as a percent of sales for
1998 as compared to 1997.  The increase  was  primarily  attributable  to higher
costs  related  to the mix of  products  sold  during  1998 in the  encapsulated
products segment and additional  amortization  expense associated with the early
buy-out  election  relating  to the  specialty  products  business as more fully
described in Liquidity and Capital Resources below.

        Operating  expenses for 1998 decreased to $6,616 from $7,564 for 1997, a
decrease of $948 or 13%. The decrease in operating  expenses was  primarily  the
result of the encapsulated products segment having established a reserve in 1997
of approximately  $187 for an Asian  receivable,  which was collected in full in
1998. In addition,  the Company incurred other charges in 1997 associated with a
corporate reorganization totaling $302. Operating expenses without these unusual
items  would  have been  $6,803  and  $7,075 in 1998 and 1997,  respectively,  a
decrease in 1998 of $272 or 4%. This decrease is  predominantly  the result of a
decrease  in  consulting  fees in the  specialty  products  segment  and  salary
reduction,  a result of the 1997 internal  reorganization.  These decreases were
partially offset by an increase in costs  associated with the Company's  medical
plan  and  increases  in  recruiting  and  relocation  expenses  for both of the
Company's business segments.

        Pre-tax profit for the specialty products segment for 1998 was $4,631 as
compared  to $4,234 for 1997.  The  increase  in  pre-tax  profit was the direct
result of the ongoing  cost  containment  efforts in the selling and general and
administrative  areas implemented by management in 1997.  Pre-tax profit for the
encapsulated  products  segment  for 1998 was $176 as compared to $116 for 1997.
During the years ended  December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company spent $1,017 and
$1,065,  respectively,  on  Company-sponsored  research and development programs
substantially  all of which  pertained to the  Company's  encapsulated  products
segment. In particular,  the Company continues to incur considerable development
expenses in the gathering of data for its encapsulated  choline chloride product
for animal feed from university studies,  commercial field trials and customers,
with the intent of accelerating the marketing effort of this product.

        Income  from  operations  for 1998 was $4,807 as  compared to $4,350 for
1997, an increase of 11% or $457.


        Net  earnings  were $2,955 for 1998 as compared to $2,771 for 1997.  Net
interest  expense  for 1998  totaled  $164 as  compared  to $136 for  1997.  The
increase in interest expense was the result of a higher average debt balance for
1998 due to the exercise of the early  purchase  price buy-out  option under the
agreement pertaining to the 1994 acquisition by the specialty products segment.

<PAGE>

Fiscal Year 1997 compared to 1996

        Net sales for 1997 were  $28,619 as  compared  to  $26,371  in 1996,  an
increase of 9% or $ 2,248.  The  increase  in revenue for 1997 was  attributable
primarily to increased volumes for the specialty  products business and the food
product  encapsulation  business in domestic markets.  Additional  revenues were
also realized due to improved product mix in the encapsulated products segment.

        Cost of sales  decreased 2  percentage  points as a percent of sales for
1997 as compared to 1996. The decrease in cost of sales as a percentage of sales
was  primarily  the  result  of volume  efficiencies  and a change in the mix of
products sold during the period.  These favorable  factors were partially offset
by the  reclassification  of certain employees as well as employee benefit costs
previously  classified  as general  and  administrative  to  various  production
departments and additional  amortization expense associated with the purchase of
a customer list for the Company's specialty products business of $147.

        Operating  expenses increased in 1997 to $7,564 from $7,470 in 1996. The
increase in operating  expenses was primarily the result of the establishment of
a reserve of approximately $187 in 1997 for an Asian receivable in the Company's
encapsulated   products  segment.   The  Company  also  incurred  other  charges
associated with an internal reorganization totaling $302 in 1997. An increase in
revenues also contributed to the increase in operating expenses. These increases
were partially offset by a decrease in recruiting and relocation  expenses and a
decrease in office and computer expenses associated with the 1996 development of
a local area network.

        Pre-tax profit for the specialty products segment for 1997 was $4,234 as
compared to $4,098 for 1996.  The increase in pre-tax  profit was  primarily the
result  of  the  cost  containment  efforts  in  the  selling  and  general  and
administrative   areas  implemented  by  management.   Pre-tax  profit  for  the
encapsulated  products  segment  for 1997 was $116 as compared to a loss of $978
for 1996.  During 1996, the segment  realized a substantial  loss on the sale of
fixed assets used in its custom manufacturing  process. In addition, the segment
incurred charges associated with the converting of Company's pension plan to the
accrual  basis.  During the years ended  December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company
spent  $1,065  and  $929,  respectively,   on  Company-sponsored   research  and
development  programs  substantially  all of which  pertained  to the  Company's
encapsulated products segment. In particular,  the Company incurred considerable
development  expenses  in 1997 in the  gathering  of data  for its  encapsulated
choline  chloride  product for animal feed from university  studies,  commercial
field trials and customers, with the intent of accelerating the marketing effort
of this product.

        Income  from  operations  for 1997 was $4,350 as  compared to $3,120 for
1996, an increase of 39% or $1,230.

        Net earnings were $2,771 in 1997 compared to $1,927 in 1996, an increase
of 44%, or $844. Net interest  expense for 1997 totaled $136 as compared to $255
in 1996.  The  decrease  in interest  expense is the result of reduced  debt and
renegotiated loan terms during 1997.


<PAGE>
Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Cash flow from operating  activities provided  approximately  $3,893 for
1998 as compared to $2,994 for 1997.  Over the last three years,  operating cash
flow has  totaled  approximately  $10,499.  Improvements  in cash flow over this
period of time have  provided  the Company  with the ability to meet its current
operating and investment budgets.

        Capital  expenditures were $1,637 for 1998. The Company had undertaken a
plant  expansion  for its  encapsulation  product line in 1998 and the increased
capacity  is  presently  on-line.  Capital  expenditures  are  projected  to  be
approximately $700 for 1999.


        On June 16, 1994, the Company  purchased certain tangible and intangible
assets for one of its packaged  specialty  ingredients for $1,500 in cash. Under
the  agreement,  the Company  was also  required  to pay  contingent  amounts to
compensate  the  seller  for  the  purchase  of the  seller's  customer  list in
accordance  with a formula based on profits  derived from sales of the specialty
packaged ingredient. On June 25, 1998, the Company elected to exercise the early
payment  option  under the  agreement  resulting in a final  Company  payment of
$3,700 to the seller. The Company has no further purchase price obligation under
the  agreement.  The Company has  capitalized  approximately  $3,982 for 1998 in
connection with this acquisition.

        In connection  with the exercise of the early payment  option  described
above,  the Company borrowed an additional  $3,000 during 1998.  Long-term debt,
including the current portion, totaled $3,750 at December 31, 1998.

        The Company knows of no current or pending demands on or commitments for
its liquid  assets  that will  materially  affect  its  liquidity.  The  Company
currently has approval for a $2,000 line of credit from its principal bank.

Year 2000 Issue

        The Company has conducted a  comprehensive  review of its  operations to
identify  those  systems  that could be affected by the "Year 2000"  issue.  The
review  covered  information  systems,  mainframe  and personal  computers,  the
Company's  product  research and  development  facilities and its  manufacturing
operations.  The Year 2000 issue is the general  term used to  describe  various
problems   that  may  result  from  the   improper   processing   of  dates  and
date-sensitive  calculations  by computers and other  machinery,  as a result of
computer  programs being written using two digits rather than four to define the
applicable year. Any of the Company's computer programs or any hardware that has
date-sensitive software or embedded chips may recognize a date using "00" as the
year 1900 rather than the year 2000.  This could  result in a system  failure or
miscalculations  causing  disruptions  of  operations,  including,  among  other
things, production difficulties,  or an inability to process transactions,  send
invoices, or engage in similar normal business activities.

        Management   presently  believes  that  the  Company  has  substantially
completed  its Year  2000  planning  for its  internal  systems  and  facilities
utilizing both internal and external  resources.  The Company has  implemented a
new computer network throughout the organization and is currently implementing a
Year 2000  compliant  version of its core business  software.  It is anticipated
that Year 2000 compliance  efforts will be completed by mid-1999,  allowing time
for testing.  The  Company's  information  systems  include  sales,  production,
administrative  and  financial  applications.  In the event one of these systems
were to fail, the Company's  ability to capture,  schedule and fulfill  customer
demands might be impaired.
<PAGE>

        The cost of the Company's Year 2000 project is expected to range between
$75 and $140.  Approximately  $60 of this amount was incurred  through 1998. The
remainder  of the  estimated  cost of the  project is  expected  to be  incurred
throughout  1999.  All costs of the Year 2000  project have been  recognized  as
incurred.

        Management  also plans to review its external  relationships  to address
potential  Year  2000  issues  arising  from   relationships   with  significant
suppliers,  service  providers and customers  and will  determine  whether it is
appropriate,   in  light  of  particular   relationships   and  their  size  and
sophistication, to contact significant customers.

        Contingency  plans are being  considered  and to the extent  practicable
will be put in place,  as  required,  during  1999 in the event that the Company
determines that it is at significant  risk in regard to suppliers,  customers or
its own internal hardware and software.  Contingency plans may include, but will
not be limited to,  consideration  of  alternative  sources of supply,  customer
communication  plans,  manually  performing  certain  functions  and  plant  and
business response plans.

        In  general,  the  Company's  plans are  intended  to provide a means of
managing  risk,  but cannot  eliminate the potential for disruption due to third
party failure.  The Company  believes that due to the  widespread  nature of the
potential Year 2000 issues, its contingency planning is an ongoing process which
will require further consideration as the Company obtains additional information
 . The Company has not yet developed specific contingency plans in the event of a
Year 2000 failure caused by a supplier or third-party, but intends to do so if a
specific  problem is identified  through the program  described  above.  In some
cases,  particularly with respect to its utility vendors,  alternative suppliers
may not be available.

        The failure to correct a material  Year 2000 problem  could,  of course,
result in an interruption in, or failure of, certain normal business  activities
or operations.  Such failures could materially and adversely affect the Company.
Due to the general uncertainty  inherent in the Year 2000 problem,  resulting in
part from the uncertainty of the Year 2000 readiness of the Company's suppliers,
other third-party providers and customers, the Company is unable to determine at
this  time  whether  the  consequences  of any Year  2000  failures  will have a
material   impact  on  the  Company.   The  Company   believes  that,  with  the
implementation of new business systems and completion of the Company's Year 2000
modifications, the possibility of significant interruptions of normal operations
should be mitigated.

Impact of Recent Accounting Standards

        In April 1998, the American  Institute of Certified  Public  Accountants
("AICPA") issued  Statement of Position ("SOP") 98-1,  "Accounting for the Costs
of Computer  Software  Developed  or  Obtained  for  Internal  Use." SOP 98-1 is
effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
1998.  Adoption  of this SOP is not  expected  to have a material  effect on the
Company's financial position or results of operations.

        Also in April 1998, the AICPA issued SOP 98-5 "Reporting on the Costs of
Start-up  Activities." This SOP requires companies to expense certain costs such
as pre-operating expenses and organizational costs associated with the Company's
start-up activities,  and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 1998.  Adoption of this SOP is not expected to have a material effect on the
Company's financial position or results of operations.
<PAGE>

        In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
No. 133  "Accounting  for Derivative  Instruments  and Hedging  Activities."  It
requires  that  an  entity   recognize  all  derivatives  as  either  assets  or
liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments
at fair value.  This  statement is effective  for all fiscal  quarters of fiscal
years beginning after June 15, 1999.  Adoption of this statement is not expected
to have a material  effect on the  Company's  financial  position  or results of
operations in the year of adoption.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk


                  (All dollar amounts in thousands)


        In the normal  course of  operations,  the  Company is exposed to market
risks arising from adverse changes in interest rates. Market risk is defined for
these  purposes  as the  potential  change in the fair value  resulting  from an
adverse  movement in interest rates. As of December 31, 1998, the Company's only
borrowings  were under a bank term loan which bears interest at LIBOR plus 1%. A
100 basis point increase in interest rates,  applied to the Company's borrowings
at December  31,  1998,  would  result in an increase in interest  expense and a
corresponding  reduction in cash-flow of approximately  $38. The Company's short
term working capital  borrowings have  historically  borne interest based on the
prime rate.  The Company  believes  that its exposure to market risk relating to
interest rate risk is not material.

        The  Company  has no  derivative  financial  instruments  or  derivative
commodity  instruments,  nor  does the  Company  generally  have  any  financial
instruments entered into for trading or hedging purposes.  All foreign sales are
billed in U.S.  dollars.  The Company believes that its business  operations are
not exposed in any material  respect to market risk relating to foreign currency
exchange risk or commodity price risk.


Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 Index to Financial Statements and Supplementary Financial Data:         Page

          Independent Auditors' Reports                                   20

         Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
         December 31, 1998 and 1997                                       22

         Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
         years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996                     24

         Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
         for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996             25

         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
         for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996             26

         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
         for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996             27
 <PAGE>

                          Independent Auditors' Report

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Balchem Corporation:

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  Balchem
Corporation  and  subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related
consolidated  statements of operations,  stockholders' equity and cash flows for
each of the  years  in the  two-year  period  ended  December  31,  1998.  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 Balchem Corporation
and  subsidiaries  as of  December  31,  1998 and 1997 and the  results of their
operations  and their  cash flows for each of the years in the  two-year  period
ended  December 31, 1998,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.

                                  /s/ KPMG LLP
                                  ------------
                                      KPMG LLP


Short Hills, New Jersey February 5, 1999


                        Report of Independent Accountants

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Balchem Corporation


We  have  audited  the  accompanying   consolidated  statements  of  operations,
stockholders'  equity and cash flows of Balchem Corporation and subsidiaries for
the year ended December 31, 1996. These  consolidated  financial  statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.


<PAGE>

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly the  results of  operations  and cash  flows of Balchem  Corporation  and
subsidiaries  for the year ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.

                                         /s/ Judelson, Giordano, Siegel, CPA, PC
                                         --------------------------------------
                                             Judelson, Giordano, Siegel, CPA, PC

Middletown, New York
February 7, 1997

<PAGE>

                               BALCHEM CORPORATION
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                           December 31, 1998 and 1997
                 (In thousands, except share and per share data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Assets                                                     1998               1997
                                              ------                                                   --------           --------
<S>                                                                                                     <C>                  <C>  
Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                          $  1,348              $ 736
    Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
          accounts  of $0 in 1998 and $187 in 1997 (note 5)                                               3,283              3,061
    Inventories  (notes 2 and 5)                                                                          2,875              2,507
    Prepaid expenses                                                                                        476                513
    Deferred income taxes  (note 6)                                                                         219                305
    Other current assets                                                                                    198                165
                                                                                                       --------           --------
       Total current assets                                                                               8,399              7,287
                                                                                                       --------           --------

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation (notes 3 and 5)                            8,103              7,345

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization (note 4)                                               6,139              2,925
0ther assets                                                                                                  7                 36

                                                                                                       --------           --------
          Total assets                                                                                 $ 22,648           $ 17,593
                                                                                                       ========           ========
</TABLE>



<PAGE>
                               BALCHEM CORPORATION
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                           December 31, 1998 and 1997
                 (In thousands, except share and per share data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                                    1998               1997
                                 ------------------------------------                                   --------           --------
<S>                                                                                                     <C>                <C>    
Current Liabilities:
     Accounts Payable                                                                                   $ 1,058            $ 1,006
     Accrued Compensation And Other Benefits                                                                601                542
     Other Accrued Expenses                                                                                 420              1,109
     Dividends Payable                                                                                      160                160
     Current Portion Of  Longterm Debt  (Note 5)                                                          1,200                700
     Current Portion Of Other Longterm Obligations (Note 4)                                                  43                 50
                                                                                                       --------           --------
        Total Current Liabilities                                                                         3,482              3,567
                                                                                                       --------           --------

Longterm Debt  (Note 5)                                                                                   2,550                800
Deferred Income Taxes  (Note 6)                                                                             525                481
Deferred  Compensation                                                                                      135                143
Other Longterm Obligations (Note 4)                                                                         181                266
                                                                                                       --------           --------
                                                                                                          3,391              1,690
                                                                                                       --------           --------

                                                                                                       --------           --------
            Total Liabilities                                                                             6,873              5,257
                                                                                                       --------           --------

Stockholders' Equity (Note 7):
 Preferred Stock, $25 Par Value. Authorized 2,000,000
  Shares; None Issued And Outstanding
 Common Stock, $.06 2/3 Par Value. Authorized 10,000,000
  Shares; Issued And Outstanding 4,875,914 Shares At 
  December 31, 1998 And 4,793,163 Shares At December 31,1997                                                325                319
 Additional Paid-in Capital                                                                               2,783              2,145
  Retained Earnings                                                                                      12,667              9,872
                                                                                                       --------           --------
Total Stockholders' Equity                                                                               15,775             12,336
                                                                                                       --------           --------

                                                                                                       --------           --------
            Total Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity                                                   $ 22,648           $ 17,593
                                                                                                       ========           ========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                               BALCHEM CORPORATION
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
                  Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
                      (In thousands, except per share data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1998               1997               1996
                                                                              -------            -------            -------
<S>                                                                           <C>                <C>                <C>    
Net sales                                                                     $28,721            $28,619            $26,371

Cost of sales                                                                  17,298             16,705             15,781
                                                                              -------            -------            -------

Gross margin                                                                   11,423             11,914             10,590

Operating expenses:
      Selling expenses                                                          2,584              2,969              2,916
      Research and development expenses                                         1,017              1,065                929
      General and administrative expenses                                       3,015              3,530              3,625
                                                                              -------            -------            -------
          Total operating expenses                                              6,616              7,564              7,470


                                                                              -------            -------            -------
Income from operations                                                          4,807              4,350              3,120

Other expenses (income):

      Interest expense                                                            164                136                255
      Other (income) expense  net                                                  15                (13)               (52)
                                                                              -------            -------            -------
          Total other expenses  net                                               179                123                203

                                                                              -------            -------            -------
Earnings before income taxes                                                    4,628              4,227              2,917


      Income taxes  (note 6)                                                    1,673              1,456                990
                                                                              -------            -------            -------

Net earnings                                                                  $ 2,955            $ 2,771            $ 1,927
                                                                              =======            =======            =======

Basic net earnings per common share (note 8)                                  $  0.61            $  0.58            $  0.41
                                                                              =======            =======            =======

Diluted net earnings per common share (note 8)                                $  0.60            $  0.57            $  0.40
                                                                              =======            =======            =======
</TABLE>


               

<PAGE>
                               BALCHEM CORPORATION
                 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
                  Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
                 (In thousands, except share and per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     Additional                        Total
                                                        Common Stock                   Paidin         Retained      Stockholders'
                                                           Shares          Amount      Capital        Earnings         Equity
                                                        ------------       ------    -----------      --------      -------------
<S>                                                      <C>                <C>         <C>             <C>             <C>  
 Balance  January 1, 1996                                4,713,264          314         1,657           5,476           7,447
 
 Net earnings                                                                                           1,927           1,927
 Dividends ($.030 per share)                                                                             (142)           (142)
 Nonemployee stock options                                                                106                             106
 Stock options exercised                                    16,281            1            48                              49
                                                         ---------    ---------     ---------       ---------       ---------
 
 Balance  December 31, 1996                              4,729,545          315         1,811           7,261           9,387
 
 Net earnings                                                                                           2,771           2,771
 Dividends ($.033 per share)                                                                             (160)           (160)
 Nonemployee stock options                                                                110                             110
 Stock options exercised                                    63,618            4           224                             228
                                                         ---------    ---------     ---------       ---------       ---------

 Balance  December 31, 1997                              4,793,163          319         2,145           9,872          12,336
 
 Net earnings                                                                                           2,955           2,955
 Dividends ($.033 per share)                                                                             (160)           (160)
 Employee stock option compensation                         17,144            1           263                             264
 Nonemployee stock options                                                                 52                              52
 Stock options exercised                                    65,607            5           323                             328
                                                         ---------    ---------     ---------       ---------       ---------
 
 Balance  December 31, 1998                              4,875,914          325         2,783          12,667          15,775
                                                         =========    =========     =========       =========       =========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
                               BALCHEM CORPORATION
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                   Years Ended December 31, 1998,1997 and 1996
                      (In thousands, except per share data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      1998           1997           1996
                                                                                     -------        -------        -------
Cash flows from operating activities:
<S>                                                                                  <C>            <C>            <C>    
Net earnings                                                                         $ 2,955        $ 2,771        $ 1,927

Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating  activities:
 Depreciation and amortization                                                         1,654          1,126          1,414
 Nonemployee stock compensation                                                           52            110            106
 Employee stock option compensation                                                      264                            
 Provision for deferred income taxes                                                      92           (207)          (173)
 Provision for doubtful accounts                                                        (187)           187
 Loss on sale of equipment                                                                19              4             (9)
 Changes in assets and liabilities:
     Accounts receivable                                                                 (35)          (278)           176
     Inventories                                                                        (368)          (645)            11
     Prepaid expenses and other                                                            5           (159)            27
     Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                              (550)           146             12
     Income taxes payable                                                                              (110)           102
     Deferred compensation payable                                                        (8)            49             19
                                                                                     -------        -------        -------
        Net cash flows provided by operating activities                                3,893          2,994          3,612
                                                                                     -------        -------        -------

  Cash  flows from investing activities:
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                                     15            538             10
  Capital expenditures                                                                (1,637)        (1,115)          (975)
  Investments  in other assets                                                        (4,063)        (1,243)        (1,300)
                                                                                     -------        -------        -------
       Net cash flows used in investing activities                                    (5,685)        (1,820)        (2,265)
                                                                                     -------        -------        -------


Cash  flows from  financing  activities:
  Decrease in short-term borrowings                                                                                   (354)
  Proceeds from long-term debt                                                         3,000                            
  Principal payments on long-term debt                                                  (750)          (600)          (982)
  Stock options and warrants exercised                                                   328            228             48
  Dividends paid                                                                        (160)          (142)          (110)
  Other financing activities                                                             (14)           (13)           (11)
                                                                                     -------        -------        -------
         Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities                     2,404           (527)        (1,409)
                                                                                     -------        -------        -------

Increase(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                          612            647            (62)

Cash and cash equivalents beginning of year                                              736             89            151
                                                                                     -------        -------        -------
Cash and cash equivalents end of year                                                $ 1,348        $   736        $    89
</TABLE>
<PAGE>



                               BALCHEM CORPORATION
                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
           (All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

Note 1- Business Description and Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

Business Description

Balchem  Corporation (the "Company") is engaged in the development,  manufacture
and  marketing  of  specialty  performance  ingredients  for the food,  feed and
medical sterilization industries.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated  financial  statements include the financial  statements of the
Company  and  its  subsidiaries.   All  significant  intercompany  balances  and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue  is  recognized  upon  product  shipment,  passage of title and when all
significant obligations of the Company have been satisfied.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company  considers  all highly  liquid debt  instruments  with a maturity of
three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Inventories

Inventories  are  stated at the  lower of cost or  market,  with cost  generally
determined on a first-in, first-out basis.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation

Property,  plant and  equipment  are stated at cost.  Depreciation  of plant and
equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful
lives of the assets as follows:

                Buildings                    15-25 Years
                Equipment                     3-12 Years

Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense. Alterations and
major  overhauls  that extend the lives or increase the capacity of plant assets
are capitalized.  When assets are retired or otherwise  disposed of, the cost of
the  assets  and the  related  accumulated  depreciation  are  removed  from the
accounts and any resultant gain or loss is included in earnings.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are stated at cost and are amortized on a straight-line  basis
over the following estimated useful lives:

                Customer lists                                10 years
                Re-registration costs                         10 years

<PAGE>
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 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 those  temporary  differences  are  expected to be  recovered  or
settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and  liabilities  of a change in tax
rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial  statements in accordance  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported  amounts of assets,  liabilities,  revenues,  and  expenses.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company has a number of  financial  instruments,  none of which are held for
trading  purposes.  The Company  estimates  that the fair value of all financial
instruments  at December 31, 1998 and 1997 does not differ  materially  from the
aggregate  carrying  values  of  its  financial   instruments  recorded  in  the
accompanying  balance  sheets.  The  estimated  fair  value  amounts  have  been
determined by the Company using  available  market  information  and appropriate
valuation  methodologies.  Considerable  judgment  is  necessarily  required  in
interpreting   market  data  to  develop  the  estimates  of  fair  value,  and,
accordingly,  the estimates are not  necessarily  indicative of the amounts that
the Company could realize in a current market exchange.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Credit Risk

Trade  receivables  potentially  subject the Company to credit risk. The Company
extends  credit to its  customers  based upon an  evaluation  of the  customers'
financial  condition  and  credit  histories.  The  majority  of  the  Company's
customers are major national or international corporations.  International sales
are mostly to companies in Europe and the Far East.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based  compensation  for employees is recognized using the intrinsic value
method in accordance  with Accounting  Principles  Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting  for Stock Issued to  Employees"  and related  interpretations.  For
non-employees,   stock-based  compensation  is  recognized  in  accordance  with
Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS")  No.123  "Accounting for
Stock-Based  Compensation." For disclosure purposes, pro forma net earnings data
included in note 7 are  provided in  accordance  with SFAS No.123 as if the fair
value based method applied.

<PAGE>

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Long-lived  assets are reviewed  for  impairment  whenever  events or changes in
circumstances  indicate  that  the  carrying  amount  of an  asset  may  not  be
recoverable.  Recoverability  of  assets  to be held and used is  measured  by a
comparison of the carrying  amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected
to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired,  the
impairment  to be  recognized  is measured  by the amount by which the  carrying
amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed
of are reported at the lower of the carrying  amount or fair value less costs to
sell.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective  January 1, 1998 the Company adopted SFAS No. 131,  "Disclosure  about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information", which changes the way public
companies report  information about operating  segments.  SFAS No. 131, which is
based on the management approach to segment reporting,  establishes requirements
to report  selected  segment  information  quarterly  and to report  entity-wide
disclosures  about  products and  services,  major  customers,  and the material
countries in which the entity holds assets and reports  revenue.  This Statement
had no impact on the  Company's  consolidated  financial  position or results of
operations.  As required by SFAS No. 131, disclosures have been reflected in the
Company's  1998  consolidated  financial  statements.  Prior  periods  have been
restated to comply with the provisions of the statement.

Net Earnings Per Share

Basic net  earnings  per  share is  calculated  by  dividing  net  income by the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted
net  earnings  per share is  calculated  in a manner  consistent  with basic net
earnings  per share  except that the weighted  average  number of common  shares
outstanding  also  includes the  dilutive  effect of stock  options  outstanding
(using the treasury stock method).

Reclassifications

Certain   reclassifications  have  been  made  to  the  prior  years'  financial
statements to conform to the current year's presentation.

NOTE 2-INVENTORIES

Inventories at December 31, 1998 and 1997 consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                            1998          1997
                          ---------     ---------
<S>                       <C>           <C>      
Raw materials             $   1,025     $     836
Finished goods                1,850         1,671
                          $   2,875     $   2,507
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

NOTE 3- PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property,  plant and  equipment at December 31, 1998 and 1997 are  summarized as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1998           1997
                                               ---------     ----------
<S>                                            <C>           <C>       
Land                                           $      60     $       60
Building                                           4,321          3,947
Equipment                                          9,758          8,553
                                                  14,139         12,560
Less: Accumulated depreciation                     6,036          5,215
                                               $   8,103     $    7,345
</TABLE>

During  1997,  the  Company  sold the  fixed  assets  formerly  used in a custom
manufacturing  process for approximately  $538. In 1996, the Company had reduced
the  carrying  values of these  fixed  assets from  approximately  $970 to their
expected net realizable value of $540. The resulting loss of approximately  $430
was included in depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 1996.


NOTE 4- INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets at December 31, 1998 and 1997 consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1998          1997
                                             ----------    ----------
<S>                                          <C>           <C>       
Customer lists                               $    6,760    $    2,778
Re-registration costs                               356           356
Covenants not to compete                            295           295
Other                                               167           126
                                                  7,578         3,555
Less: Accumulated amortization                    1,439           630
                                             $    6,139    $    2,925
</TABLE>

In 1994, the Company purchased certain tangible and intangible assets for one of
its packaged  specialty products for $1,500 in cash and the Company was required
to pay additional  contingent  amounts to compensate the seller for the purchase
of the seller's  customer  list in  accordance  with a formula  based on profits
derived  from sales of the  specialty  packaged  ingredient.  During  1998,  the
Company  elected to exercise the early  payment  option under the  agreement and
made a final  payment of $3,700 to the  seller in  settlement  of its  remaining
purchase price obligation under the terms of the agreement. Amounts allocated to
the customer list are being amortized over its remaining  estimated  useful life
on a straight-line basis through 2004.
<PAGE>

In 1997,  the  Company  entered  into  non-compete  agreements  with two  former
officers  of the  Company.  The Company has  recorded  the present  value of the
future  monthly  payments  under these  agreements  as a deferred  charge and is
amortizing such amount over the terms of the respective  agreements which end in
2002.

The  Company  is in the  process  of  re-registering  a  product  it  sells  for
sterilization of medical devices and other uses. The re-registration requirement
is  a  result  of  a   congressional   enactment   during  1988   requiring  the
re-registration  of this  product  and  all  other  products  that  are  used as
pesticides.  The  Company,  in  conjunction  with one  other  company,  has been
conducting  the  required  testing  under  the  direction  of the  Environmental
Protection Agency ("EPA").  Testing has concluded and the EPA has stated that it
anticipates  completing  re-registration for this product in 2000. The Company's
management  believes it will be successful in obtaining  re-registration for the
product as it has met the EPA's requirements thus far, although no assurance can
be  given.  Additionally,  the  product  is used as a  sterilant  with no  known
substitute.  Management  believes  absence of availability of this product could
not be easily  tolerated  by medical  device  manufacturers  and the health care
industry  due  to  the  resultant   infection  potential  if  the  product  were
unavailable.

NOTE 5 - LONG-TERM DEBT & CREDIT AGREEMENTS

The Company has  borrowings  under a term loan agreement with a bank of $750 and
$1,500 at December 31, 1998 and 1997,  respectively.  Borrowings  under the term
loan,  which matures on December 31, 2000, bear interest at LIBOR plus 1% (7.06%
at  December  31,  1998) and are secured by  accounts  receivable,  inventories,
equipment and all personal  property of the Company.  Certain  provisions of the
term loan  limit the  payment  of  dividends,  require  maintenance  of  certain
financial ratios, limit future borrowings and impose certain other conditions as
contained in the agreement.  In addition,  the Company has additional borrowings
under  a  short-term  agreement  with a bank of  $3,000.  Borrowings  under  the
short-term  agreement  also bear interest at LIBOR plus 1%. On January 15, 1999,
the Company and bank entered into an amended and  restated  term loan  agreement
whereby  the bank agreed to make an  additional  term loan to the Company in the
amount of $3,000,  replacing the  short-term  agreement in place at December 31,
1998.  Borrowings  under the amended and restated  term loan,  which  matures on
January  15,  2004,  bear  interest at LIBOR plus 1% and are secured by accounts
receivable,  inventories,  equipment  and all personal  property of the Company.
Certain  provisions  of the term loan limit the  payment of  dividends,  require
maintenance  of certain  financial  ratios,  limit future  borrowings and impose
certain other conditions as contained in the agreement.

As of December 31, 1998, long-term debt matures as follows:
<TABLE>

<S>           <C>     
1999          $  1,200
2000               750
2001               600
2002               600
2003               600
Total         $  3,750
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
The Company  also has  approval  for a $2,000  short-term  line of credit from a
bank. There were no outstanding  borrowings under the line of credit on December
31, 1998 or 1997. The approval  expires on June 30, 1999. The Company intends to
seek renewal of such approval in 1999.

NOTE 6 - INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense  (benefit)  attributable  to  earnings  before  income  taxes
consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         1998              1997            1996
                                       ---------        ---------        ---------
<S>                                    <C>              <C>              <C>      
Current:
     Federal                           $   1,402        $   1,476        $   1,076
     State                                   179              187               87
Deferred:
     Federal                                  85             (186)            (186)
     State                                     7              (21)              13
Total income tax provision             $   1,673        $   1,456        $     990
</TABLE>

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount  computed by applying the
Federal  statutory  rate of 34% to income  before income taxes for the following
reasons:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              1998             1997            1996
                                           ---------        ---------       ----------
Income tax at Federal
<S>                                        <C>              <C>             <C>       
     Statutory rate                        $   1,574        $   1,437       $      992
State income taxes, net of
     Federal income tax benefit                  123              109               66
Other                                            (24)             (90)             (68)
Total income tax provision                 $   1,673        $   1,456       $      990
</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, 1998 and
1997 are as follows:
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1998         1997
                                                                      --------     --------
<S>                                                                   <C>          <C>     
Deferred tax assets:
     Amortization                                                     $    172     $     62
     Inventory valuation - uniform capitalization                          177          177
     Deferred compensation                                                  70          136
     Non-employee stock options                                             76           80
     Self insurance                                                         24            -
     Allowance for doubtful accounts                                         -           71
     Other                                                                  38           38
          Total deferred tax assets                                        557          564
Deferred tax liabilities:

     Depreciation                                                          863          740
          Total deferred tax liabilities                                   863          740
           Net deferred tax liability                                 $    306     $    176
</TABLE>

There is no valuation allowance for deferred tax assets at December 31, 1998 and
1997.  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.  Based upon the level of historical  taxable income and
projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax
assets  are  deductible,  management  believes  it is more  likely  than not the
Company will realize the benefits of these deductible  differences.  The amounts
of the deferred tax assets considered  realizable,  however, could be reduced in
the near term if  estimates of future  taxable  income  during the  carryforward
period are reduced.

NOTE 7 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

On May 2, 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company  approved a  three-for-two
split of the  Company's  common stock to be  distributed  in the form of a stock
dividend to shareholders of record on May 15, 1998. Such  distribution  was made
on June 3, 1998.  Accordingly,  the stock split was recognized by  reclassifying
$105, the par value of the  additional  shares  resulting  from the split,  from
additional  paid-in capital to common stock.  All references to number of common
shares  and per share  amounts  except  shares  authorized  in the  accompanying
consolidated  financial  statements were  retroactively  adjusted to reflect the
effect of the stock split.

The  Company has an  incentive  stock  option plan (the "ISO Plan")  under which
officers and certain key employees may be granted  options to purchase shares of
common stock exercisable at prices equal to the fair market value at the date of
grant.  Options generally become exercisable 20% after 1 year, 60% after 2 years
and 100% after 3 years from the date of grant. During 1996, the Company extended
the expiration  period of future option grants from five years to ten years from
the date of grant.  At December  31, 1998,  581,250  shares of common stock were
reserved for issuances under the plan.

<PAGE>
A summary of incentive  stock option plan  transactions  for 1998, 1997 and 1996
under this plan is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                # of           Weighted Average
                1998                           Shares           Exercise Price
                ----                           ------           --------------
<S>                                            <C>                   <C>   
Outstanding at beginning of year               188,753               $ 8.28
Granted                                        100,121               $ 9.48
Exercised                                      (27,304)              $ 3.40
Terminated or expired                          (15,765)              $ 8.20
Outstanding at end of year                     245,805               $ 9.31
Exercisable at end of year                      70,580               $ 8.15
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  # of         Weighted Average
                1997                             Shares         Exercise Price
                ----                             ------         --------------
<S>                                              <C>                 <C>   
Outstanding at beginning of year                 147,731             $ 4.33
Granted                                          109,425             $ 10.77
Exercised                                        (63,618)            $ 3.59
Terminated or expired                             (4,785)            $ 5.72
Outstanding at end of year                       188,753             $ 8.28
Exercisable at end of year                        79,502             $ 6.71
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               1996
               ----
<S>                                              <C>                 <C>   
Outstanding at beginning of year                 149,693             $ 3.82
Granted                                           36,000             $ 5.69
Exercised                                        (16,281)            $ 2.97
Terminated or expired                            (21,681)            $ 4.09
Outstanding at end of year                       147,731             $ 4.33
Exercisable at end of year                        69,656             $ 3.35
</TABLE>
Information  related to stock options outstanding under the ISO Plan at December
31, 1998 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Options Outstanding                    Options Exercisable
                                           ----------------------------------       -----------------------------
                                                    Weighted    
                                                    Average          Weighted                          Weighted
                                                    Remainin         Average                           Average
       Range of Exercise          Shares           Contractual       Exercise           Number         Exercise
             Prices             Outstanding           Life             Price          Exercisable        Price
       -----------------       -------------       -----------       ---------       -------------   -------------
<S>                               <C>               <C>             <C>                 <C>           <C>     
       $  4.00 - $  5.92           29,330           5.9 years       $   5.21            20,570        $   5.00
       $  6.25 - $  9.00           69,550           8.1 years           7.44            14,625            6.25
       $ 10.75 - $ 11.75          146,925           8.9 years          11.02            35,385           10.76
                                  245,805           8.3 years       $   9.31            70,580         $  8.15
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
The  Company  applies APB  Opinion  No. 25 in  accounting  for its ISO Plan and,
accordingly,  no compensation  cost has been recognized for its stock options in
the financial statements.  Had the Company determined compensation cost based on
the fair value at the grant dates for its stock  options under SFAS No. 123, the
Company's  net  earnings  would  have  been  reduced  to the pro  forma  amounts
indicated below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      1998          1997         1996
                                     --------     --------     --------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>          <C>      
Net Earnings
     As Reported                     $  2,955     $  2,771     $  1,927
     Pro forma                       $  2,805     $  2,611     $  1,916
Earnings per share

     As Reported - Basic             $    .61     $   0.58     $   0.41
     Pro forma - Basic               $    .58     $   0.55     $   0.41
     As Reported - Diluted           $    .60     $   0.57     $   0.40
     Pro forma - Diluted             $    .57     $   0.54     $   0.40
</TABLE>

The fair value of each option  grant is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes   option-pricing   model  with  the  following   weighted  average
assumptions used for grants in 1998 ,1997 and 1996, respectively: dividend yield
of .40%,  .44%, and .37%;  expected  volatility of 46% , 32% and 14%;  risk-free
interest  rates of 4.8%,  6.5% and 6.0% and  expected  life of six years for all
years.  The  weighted  average fair values of options  granted  during the years
1998,  1997 and 1996 were $1.81,  $5.19 and $1.71,  respectively.  Pro forma net
earnings  reflects only options  granted since January 1, 1995.  Therefore,  the
full impact of  calculating  compensation  cost for stock options under SFAS No.
123 is not  reflected  in the pro forma net  earnings  amounts  presented  above
because compensation cost is reflected over the options' vesting period of three
years and compensation cost for options granted prior to January 1, 1995 has not
been considered.

The Company has a  non-statutory  stock  option  plan (the  "Plan")  under which
directors,  directors emeritus,  employees and consultants of the Company may be
granted options to purchase  shares of common stock  exercisable at prices equal
to the fair market value at the date of grant.  The Company has reserved 678,000
shares of common stock for issuance  under this Plan.  During 1996,  the Company
extended  the  expiration  period for all future  grants  from five years to ten
years after the date of grant.  A summary of these stock options for 1998,  1997
and 1996 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  # of          Weighted Average
               1998                              Shares          Exercise Price
               ----                             --------        ----------------

<S>                                             <C>                   <C>   
Outstanding at beginning of year                136,964               $ 5.44
Granted                                          19,506               $ 5.38
Exercised                                       (38,303)              $ 5.07
Terminated or expired                              -                    -
Outstanding at end of year                      118,167               $ 5.55
Exercisable at end of year                      110,667               $ 5.47
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<PAGE>
                                                  # of          Weighted Average
               1997                              Shares          Exercise Price
               ----                             --------        ----------------

<S>                                             <C>                   <C>   
Outstanding at beginning of year                102,869               $ 3.90
Granted                                          34,095               $10.10
Terminated or expired                              -                    -
Outstanding at end of year                      136,964               $ 5.44
Exercisable at end of year                      125,714               $ 5.32
</TABLE>

                                                
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               1996                             
               ----                             

<S>                                             <C>                   <C>   
Outstanding at beginning of year                87,161                $ 3.58
Granted                                         15,708                $ 5.67
Terminated or expired                              -                    -
Outstanding at end of year                     102,869                $ 3.90
Exercisable at end of year                      99,119                $ 3.89
</TABLE>

Information  related to stock options outstanding under the Plan at December 31,
1998 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Options Outstanding                    Options Exercisable
                                           ----------------------------------       -----------------------------
                                                    Weighted    
                                                    Average          Weighted                          Weighted
                                                    Remainin         Average                           Average
       Range of Exercise          Shares           Contractual       Exercise           Number         Exercise
             Prices             Outstanding           Life             Price          Exercisable        Price
       -----------------       -------------       -----------       ---------       -------------   -------------
<S>                               <C>               <C>             <C>                 <C>           <C>     

       $  2.45 - $  3.17           27,081           4.3 years       $   2.76            27,081        $   2.76
       $  4.00 - $  6.75           75,091           7.9 years           5.24            67,591            5.07
                  $11.77           15,995           9.0 years          11.77            15,995           11.77
                                  118,167           7.3 years       $   5.55           110,667        $   5.47
</TABLE>


The  Plan was  amended  in 1998 to  cover  option  grants  to  consultants.  The
information  contained in the  foregoing  tables  relating to the Plan  includes
information  as to options to purchase an aggregate  of 45,000  shares of common
stock  granted  to  a  consultant  pursuant  to  certain  agreements  with  such
consultant.

<PAGE>
In accordance with SFAS No.123 a charge to income and corresponding  increase to
paid-in  capital of  approximately  $52,  $110 and $106 was recorded for options
granted  in 1998,  1997 and  1996,  respectively,  to  non-employees  (including
directors) in exchange for their  services.  The fair value of each option grant
is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes  option-pricing  model
with the following  weighted  average  assumptions used for grants in 1998, 1997
and  1996,  respectively:  dividend  yield of  .40%,  .44%  and  .37%;  expected
volatility of 46%, 32% and 14%; risk-free interest rates of 4.6%, 6.5% and 6.0%;
and  expected  life of six years.  The  weighted  average fair values of options
granted  during  the years  1998,  1997 and 1996 were  $2.65,  $4.82 and  $6.74,
respectively.

NOTE 8 - NET EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following presents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in
calculating basic and diluted net earnings per share:

                                                                            
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>       
                                                                               Number of 
                                                               Income            Shares           Per Share 
                         1998                                (Numerator)      (Denominator)         Amount
                         ----                                -----------      -------------       ---------
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>                   <C> 
Basic EPS - Net earnings and weighted 
average common shares outstanding                             $  2,955         4,841,300             $.61

Effect of dilutive securities - stock options                                     69,038
                                                                                  ------
Diluted EPS: - Net earnings and weighted average
common shares outstanding and effect of stock options         $  2,955          4,910,338            $.60
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Number of 
                                                               Income            Shares           Per Share 
                         1997                                (Numerator)      (Denominator)         Amount
                         ----                                -----------      -------------       ---------
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>                   <C> 
Basic EPS - Net earnings and weighted
average common hares outstanding                              $  2,771         4,742,754             $.58

Effect of dilutive securities - stock options                                     95,401
                                                                                  ------
Diluted EPS: - Net earnings and weighted average
common shares outstanding and effect of stock options         $  2,771          4,838,155            $.57
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<PAGE>
                                                                               Number of 
                                                               Income            Shares           Per Share 
                         1996                                (Numerator)      (Denominator)         Amount
                         ----                                -----------      -------------       ---------
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>                   <C> 
Basic EPS - Net earnings and weighted 
average common shares outstanding                             $  1,927         4,716,500             $.41

Effect of dilutive securities - stock options                                     71,606
                                                                                  ------
Diluted EPS: - Net earnings and weighted average
common shares outstanding and effect of stock options         $  1,927         4,788,106             $.40
</TABLE>

NOTE 9 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Effective  January 1, 1998,  the Company  terminated  its  defined  contribution
pension  plan and  amended its 401(k)  savings  plan.  Assets of the  terminated
defined  contribution  pension  plan were merged into an enhanced  401(k)/profit
sharing plan. The plan allows participants to make pretax  contributions and the
Company matches certain  percentages of those pretax  contributions.  The profit
sharing portion of the plan is discretionary and  non-contributory.  All amounts
contributed  to the  plan  are  deposited  into a  trust  fund  administered  by
independent trustees.  The Company provided for profit sharing contributions and
matching  401(k)  savings  plan   contributions   of  $178  and  $172  in  1998,
respectively.

Prior to 1998, the Company had a defined  contribution pension plan that covered
substantially all employees.  Pension plan  contributions for 1997 and 1996 were
$149 and $283,  respectively.  In 1996,  the Company  took a one-time  charge to
earnings of $165 in order to convert the  accounting for the pension plan to the
accrual basis.

Prior  to  1998,  the  Company  also  had a 40l(k)  savings  plan  that  covered
substantially all employees. 401(k) savings plan contributions for 1997 and 1996
were $95 and $83, respectively.

NOTE 10 - BUSINESS CONCENTRATIONS

A customer  accounted  for 15%, 13% and 11% of the Company's net sales for 1998,
1997 and 1996,  respectively.  This  customer  accounted  for 13% and 14% of the
Company's   accounts   receivable   balance  at  December  31,  1998  and  1997,
respectively.

NOTE 11 - LEASES

The Company leases most of its vehicles and office equipment under noncancelable
operating  leases,  which expire at various  times  through  2003.  Rent expense
charged  to  operations  under  such lease  agreements  for 1998,  1997 and 1996
aggregated  approximately  $345, $334 and $221,  respectively.  Aggregate future
minimum  rental  payments  required  under  noncancelable  operating  leases  at
December 31, 1998 are as follows:
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Year
               ----
               <S>                    <C>  
               1999                   $ 242
               2000                     217
               2001                     122
               2002                      57
               2003                      27

Total minimum lease
payments                              $ 665
</TABLE>

NOTE 12 - SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company's  reportable segments are strategic businesses that offer different
products  and  services.  Presently,  the Company has two  reportable  segments,
Specialty  Products  and  Encapsulated  Products.  They are  managed  separately
because each business requires  different  technology and marketing  strategies.
The Specialty  Products segment consists of three  specialties:  ethylene oxide,
propylene oxide and methyl chloride. The Encapsulated Products segment is in the
business of  encapsulating  performance  ingredients for use throughout the food
industry for processing,  mixing, packaging applications,  fortification and for
shelf-life improvement. The Company sells products for both segments through its
own sales force,  independent  distributors  and sales  agents.  The  accounting
policies  of the  segments  are the same as those  described  in the  summary of
significant accounting policies.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Business Segment Net Revenues:
                                                   1998             1997              1996
                                                ----------       ----------        ----------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>       
Specialty Products                              $   19,434       $   19,650        $   18,264
Encapsulated Products                                9,287            8,969             8,107
Total                                           $   28,721       $   28,619        $   26,371
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Business Segment Profit (Loss):
                                                   1998             1997              1996
                                                ----------       ----------        ----------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>       
Specialty Products                              $    4,631       $    4,234        $    4,098
Encapsulated Products                                  176              116              (978)
Interest expense and other income 
(expense)                                             (179)            (123)             (203)
Earnings before income taxes                    $    4,628       $    4,227        $    2,917
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Depreciation/Amortization:
                                                   1998             1997              1996
                                                ----------       ----------        ----------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>       
Specialty Products                              $    1,412       $      924        $     698
Encapsulated Products                                  242              202              716
Total                                           $    1,654       $    1,126        $   1,414
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Business Segment Assets:
                                                   1998             1997              1996
                                                ----------       ----------        ----------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>       
Specialty Products                              $   13,651       $   10,254        $    6,755
Encapsulated Products                                6,524            5,314             7,343
Other Unallocated                                    2,473            2,025             1,042
Total                                           $   22,648       $   17,593        $   15,140
</TABLE>

During  1997,  the  Company  sold the  fixed  assets  formerly  used in a custom
manufacturing  process for approximately  $538. In 1996, the Company had reduced
the  carrying  values of these  fixed  assets from  approximately  $970 to their
expected net realizable value of $540. The resulting loss of approximately  $430
is included in  depreciation  expense for the year ended December 31, 1996. Such
fixed assets were included in the encapsulated products segment for 1996.


Other  unallocated  assets consist of cash,  prepaid  expenses,  deferred income
taxes and other  deferred  charges  which the Company  does not  allocate to its
individual business segments.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Expenditures for Segment Assets:
                                                   1998             1997              1996
                                                ----------       ----------        ----------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>       
Specialty Products                              $   4,477        $   1,826         $   1,858
Encapsulated Products                               1,183              532               417
Total                                           $   5,660        $   2,358         $   2,275
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Geographic Revenue Information:
                                                   1998             1997              1996
                                                ----------       ----------        ----------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>       
United States                                   $  25,833        $   25,825        $   23,381
Foreign Countries                                   2,888             2,794             2,990
Total                                           $  28,721        $   28,619        $   26,371
</TABLE>

The Company has no foreign operations.  Therefore,  all long-lived assets are in
the United States and revenue from foreign countries is based on customer
ship-to address.

Note 13 - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Cash paid during the year for:
 
                           1998           1997          1996
                        ----------     ---------     ---------
<S>                     <C>            <C>           <C>      
Income taxes            $    1,578     $   1,868     $   1,034
Interest                $      197     $     164     $     266
</TABLE>

Supplementary Financial Information (unaudited):


Earnings  per share been  adjusted  for the May 1998  three-for-two  stock split
(effected by means of a stock dividend).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           (In thousands, except per share data)
                                                   1998                                            1997
                                 First      Second      Third      Fourth        First      Second      Third       Fourth
                                Quarter    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter       Quarter    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter
                                -------    -------     -------     -------       -------    -------     -------     -------
<S>                            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>    
Net sales                      $  7,733    $ 7,220     $ 6,583     $ 7,185       $ 6,835    $ 7,308     $ 7,170     $ 7,306
Gross margin                      3,214      2,907       2,347       2,955         3,070      3,182       3,033       2,629
Earnings before
    Income taxes                  1,270      1,183         905       1,270         1,129      1,252       1,194         652
Net earnings                        831        753         595         776           717        862         768         424
Basic earnings per
     Common share              $    .17    $   .16     $   .12     $   .16       $   .15    $   .18     $   .16     $   .09
Diluted earnings per
     Common share              $    .17    $   .15     $   .12     $   .16       $   .15    $   .18     $   .16     $   .08
</TABLE>

Item  9.  Changes  in and  Disagreements  with  Accountants  on  Accounting  and
Financial Disclosure

        On December  30,  1996,  the  Company  advised  the  accounting  firm of
Judelson, Giordano, Siegel, CPA, PC, the principal accountant previously engaged
to  audit  the  Company's  financial  statements,  that it was  dismissing  such
principal accountant for audits of years after December 31, 1996.

        For the year ended 1996, the report issued by the former  accountants on
the  Company's  financial  statements  did not  contain an adverse  opinion or a
disclaimer  of opinion,  nor was any such  opinion  qualified  or modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.


<PAGE>

        The  decision  to  change  accountants  was  recommended  by  the  Audit
Committee  and approved by the Board of Directors.  There were no  disagreements
with the former accountant on any matter of accounting  principles or practices,
financial statements disclosures or auditing scope or procedures.

        The Company  has engaged  KPMG LLP as its  independent  accountants  for
periods after  December 31, 1996.  The selection was the result of a competitive
search process initiated by the Company.

        The above noted  information  was disclosed in the  Company's  Report on
Form 8-K dated January 9, 1997.


PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

(a)     Directors of the Company.

        The  required  information  is to be set  forth in the  Company's  Proxy
Statement for the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders  ("Proxy Statement") under
the caption  "Directors  and Executive  Officers,"  which  information is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.

(b)     Executive Officers of the Company.

        The required information is to be set forth in the Proxy Statement under
the caption  "Directors  and Executive  Officers,"  which  information is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.

(c)     Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

        The required information is to be set forth in the Proxy Statement under
the caption "Section 16(a) Beneficial  Ownership  Reporting  Compliance,"  which
information is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

        The  information  required  by this Item is to be set forth in the Proxy
Statement  under  the  caption   "Directors  and  Executive   Officers,"   which
information is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

        The  information  required  by this Item is to be set forth in the Proxy
Statement under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
of Management," which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

        The  information  required  by  this  Item  is set  forth  in the  Proxy
Statement  under  the  caption   "Directors  and  Executive   Officers,"   which
information is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

          (a)  Exhibits:

          3.1  Composite Articles of Incorporation of the Company.
<PAGE>

          3.2  By-laws of the Company.

          10.1  Incentive  Stock  Option  Plan  of  the  Company,   as  amended,
incorporated by reference to the Company's  Registration Statement on  Form S-8,
File No. 33-35910,  dated October 25, 1996, and to Proxy Statement,  dated April
22, 1998, for the Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "1998 Proxy
Statement").*

          10.2  Stock  Option  Plan for  Directors  of the  Company, as amended,
incorporated by reference to the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form S-8,
File No. 33-35912, dated October 25, 1996, and to the 1998 Proxy Statement.*

          10.3 Balchem Corporation  401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan, dated January 1,
1998, incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit 4 to the  Company's  Registration
Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-4448, dated December 12, 1997.*

          10.4 Employment  Agreement,  dated as of October 1, 1997,  between the
Company and Dino A. Rossi.*

          10.5 Agreements  dated as of April 1, 1993,  January 1, 1995 and April
25, 1997, as amended, between the Company and Dr. Charles McClelland.*

          10.6 Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, dated as of January 15,
1999,  and  related  Security  Agreement,  between  the  Company  and The  Chase
Manhattan Bank.

          16.  Letter  on  change  in  certifying  accountant  (incorporated  by
reference to Exhibit 16 to Form 10-KSB/A (Amendment No. 1) of the Company, dated
October 23, 1998).

          21. Subsidiaries of Registrant.

          23.1 Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Auditors

          23.2 Consent of Judelson, Giordano, Siegel, P.C.

          27. Financial Data Schedule.

          (b) Reports on Form 8-K.

          No reports on Form 8-K were filed  during the last quarter of the year
ended December 31, 1998.

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

          *    Each  of  the  Exhibits  noted  by an  asterisk  is a  management
          compensatory plan or arrangement.
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934,  the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


Date:  March 17, 1999                                BALCHEM CORPORATION

 

                                                     By:/s/ Dino A. Rossi
                                                     -------------------------
                                                     Dino A. Rossi, President,
                                                     Chief Executive Officer



<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant
and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

                                        By:/s/ Dino A. Rossi
                                        ----------------------------------
                                        Dino A. Rossi, President,
                                        Chief Executive Officer, Principal
                                        Financial Officer and
                                        Director
                                        Date: March 17, 1999


                                        By:/s/ Francis J. Fitzpatrick
                                        ----------------------------------
                                        Francis J. Fitzpatrick, Controller
                                        Date: March 17, 1999


                                        By:/s/ Donald E. Alguire
                                        ----------------------------------
                                        Donald E. Alguire, Director
                                        Date: March 13, 1999


                                        By:/s/ John E. Beebe
                                        ----------------------------------
                                        John E. Beebe, Director
                                        Date: March 15, 1999


                                        By:/s/ Francis X. McDermott
                                        ----------------------------------
                                        Francis X. McDermott, Director
                                        Date: March 17, 1999


                                        By:/s/ Kenneth P. Mitchell
                                        ----------------------------------
                                        Kenneth P. Mitchell, Director
                                        Date: March 17, 1999


                                        By:/s/ Carl R. Pacifico
                                        ----------------------------------
                                        Carl R. Pacifico, Director
                                        Date: March 15, 1999
<PAGE>

                                        By:/s/ Israel Sheinberg
                                        ----------------------------------
                                        Israel Sheinberg, Director
                                        Date: March 17, 1999


                                        By:/s/ Leonard J. Zweifler
                                        ----------------------------------
                                        Leonard J. Zweifler, Director
                                        Date: March 13, 1999
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


          3.1  Composite Articles of Incorporation of the Company.

          3.2  By-laws of the Company.

          10.1  Incentive  Stock  Option  Plan  of  the  Company,   as  amended,
incorporated by reference to the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form S-8,
File No. 33-35910,  dated October 25, 1996, and to Proxy Statement,  dated April
22, 1998, for the Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "1998 Proxy
Statement").*

          10.2 Stock  Option  Plan for  Directors  of the  Company,  as amended,
incorporated by reference to the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form S-8,
File No. 33-35912, dated October 25, 1996, and to the 1998 Proxy Statement.*

          10.3 Balchem Corporation  401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan, dated January 1,
1998,  incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4 to the  Company's  Registration
Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-4448, dated December 12, 1997.*

          10.4 Employment  Agreement,  dated as of October 1, 1997,  between the
Company and Dino A. Rossi.*

          10.5 Agreements  dated as of April 1, 1993,  January 1, 1995 and April
25, 1997, as amended, between the Company and Dr. Charles McClelland.*

          10.6 Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, dated as of January 15,
1999,  and  related  Security  Agreement,  between  the  Company  and The  Chase
Manhattan Bank.

          16.  Letter  on  change  in  certifying  accountant  (incorporated  by
reference to Exhibit 16 to Form 10-KSB/A (Amendment No. 1) of the Company, dated
October 23, 1998).

          21. Subsidiaries of Registrant.

          23.1 Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Auditors

          23.2 Consent of Judelson, Giordano, Siegel, P.C.

          27. Financial Data Schedule.


THIS  COMPOSITE   ARTICLES  OF   INCORPORATION   OF  BALCHEM   CORPORATION  (THE
"CORPORATION")   REFLECTS  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THE  CORPORATION'S  ARTICLES  OF
INCORPORATION AS RESTATED ON OCTOBER 22, 1987, AND ALL AMENDMENTS  THERETO FILED
WITH THE MARYLAND  SECRETARY OF STATE THEREAFTER PRIOR TO MARCH 25, 1999, BUT IS
NOT AN AMENDMENT AND/OR RESTATEMENT THEREOF.

                       COMPOSITE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                               BALCHEM CORPORATION

                                      * * *

                  Pursuant to the  provisions  of Section  2-608 of the Maryland
General  Corporation Law, Balchem  Corporation (the  "Corporation"),  a Maryland
corporation  having its principal  office in Baltimore  City,  hereby  certifies
that:

                  FIRST:  The  Corporation  desires  to restate  its  charter as
currently in effect.

                  SECOND:  The provisions  hereinafter set forth in the Articles
of  Restatement  are all the  provisions  of the charter of the  Corporation  as
currently in effect.

                  THIRD:  The  restatement of the charter of the Corporation has
been approved by a majority of the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation.

                  FOURTH: The charter of the Corporation is not amended by these
Articles of
Restatement.

                  FIFTH:  The  current  address of the  principal  office of the
Corporation in the State of Maryland is 20th Floor, 10 Light Street,  Baltimore,
Maryland 21202.

                  SIXTH:  The name and the address of the current resident agent
of the  Corporation  in the State of  Maryland is Herbert J.  Hubbard,  10 Light
Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

                  SEVENTH:  The number of directors of the Corporation is eight,
and the names of the directors of the Corporation currently in office are:

                           Herbert D. Weiss                   John Germano
                           Carl Pacifico                      Leslie L. Balassa
                           John Beebe                         Leonard Zweifler
                           Louis Greenberg                    Wallace J. Borker

                  * * *


                                       -1-

<PAGE>
                  FIRST:  The  name of the  corporation  (which  is  hereinafter
called the "Corporation") is BALCHEM CORPORATION.

                  SECOND:  The purposes for which the  Corporation is formed and
the business and objects to be carried on and promoted by it are as follows:

                           (a)  To  discover,  conceive,  invent,  and  improve,
implement and develop such  discoveries,  conceptions  and inventions on its own
behalf  and  on  behalf  of  others  in  the  field  of  microencapsulation  and
microdispersion  of  liquids,  gasses  and  solids  and  related  packaging  and
production equipment.

                           (b)  To  promote  and  merchandise  products,  render
services  and  engage  in  research  in  the  field  of  microencapsulation  and
microdispersion of liquids, gasses and solids.

                           (c) To apply for, obtain,  register,  purchase, lease
or otherwise acquire, and to hold, use, own, operate and introduce, and to sell,
assign,  or  otherwise  dispose of, any  trademarks,  trade  names,  copyrights,
patents,  inventions,  improvements  and processes  used in  connection  with or
secured under Letters  Patent of the United  States,  or elsewhere or otherwise,
and to use,  exercise,  develop,  grant  licenses in respect of, or otherwise to
turn to account any such trademarks,  patents,  copyrights,  licenses, processes
and the like, or any such property or rights;  and to manufacture,  buy, sell or
deal in any  article  produced  as the  result or  through  the use of, any such
inventories,  processes, or the like or under any such patent, or any article of
any description used, or suitable to be used in connection therewith.

                           (d) To acquire by purchase,  lease or otherwise,  and
to own, hold, develop, improve,  mortgage, sell, exchange, let, use, operate, or
in any manner and to any extent, encumber or dispose of any other property, real
or personal,  necessary or advisable to accomplish  any of the  purposes,  or to
carry on and promote the  business or objects  referred to in these  Articles of
Incorporation.

                           (e) To purchase,  lease or otherwise acquire,  all or
any  part  of  the  property,   trademarks,  trade  names,  rights,  businesses,
contracts,  good will, franchises,  patents, patents applied for, use of patents
and  patents  applied  for  and  assets  of  every  kind,  of  any  corporation,
co-partnership or individual  (including the estate of a decedent)  carrying on,
or having carried on, in whole or in part, the business or businesses  which the
Corporation is authorized to carry on; and to undertake,  guarantee,  assume and
pay the  indebtedness  and  liabilities  thereof;  and to pay for such property,
trademarks,  trade names, rights, businesses,  contracts, good will, franchises,
patents,  patents applied for, use of patents and patents applied for, or assets
by the issue in  accordance  with the laws of the State of Maryland,  of stocks,
bonds or other securities of the Corporation or otherwise.

                                       -2-
<PAGE>
                           (f) To guarantee  the payment of  dividends  upon any
shares of stock of, or the performance of any contract by, any other corporation
or  association  in which the  Corporation  has an  interest,  and to endorse or
otherwise guarantee the payment of the principal and interest, or either, of any
bonds, debentures,  notes, securities or other evidences of indebtedness created
or issued by any such other corporation or association.

                           (g)  To  purchase  or  otherwise  acquire,  hold  and
reissue shares of its capital stock of any class;  and to purchase,  hold, sell,
assign, transfer,  exchange,  lease, mortgage,  pledge, or otherwise dispose of,
any shares of stock of, or voting trust certificates for any shares of stock of,
or any bonds or other  securities or evidence of indebtedness  issued or created
by, any other corporation or association,  organized under the laws of the State
of Maryland or of any other state, territory,  district, colony or dependency of
the United States of America, or of any foreign country,  and while the owner or
holder of any such shares of stock,  voting trust  certificates,  bonds or other
obligations,  to possess  and  exercise  in respect  thereof  any and all of the
rights,  powers and privileges of ownership,  including the right to vote on any
shares of stock so held or owned;  and upon a  distribution  of the  assets or a
division of the profits of this  Corporation,  to distribute  any such shares of
stock,  voting trust certificates,  bonds or other obligations,  or the proceeds
thereof, among the stockholders of this Corporation.

                           (h) To advance  money with or without  security,  and
without limit as to amount; and to borrow or raise money for any of the purposes
of the Corporation,  and to issue bonds, debentures,  notes or other obligations
of any nature,  and in any manner  permitted by law, for money so borrowed or in
payment for property  purchased,  or for any other lawful  consideration  and to
secure the payment  thereof and of the interest  thereon,  by mortgage  upon, or
pledge or  conveyance  or  assignment  in trust of, the whole or any part of the
property  of the  Corporation,  real or  personal,  including  contract  rights,
whether at the time owned or thereafter acquired; and to sell, pledge,  discount
or  otherwise  dispose  of  such  bonds,  notes  or  other  obligations  of  the
Corporation for its corporate purposes.

                           (i) To  carry on any of the  businesses  hereinbefore
enumerated for itself,  or for the account of others,  or through others for its
own account,  and to carry on any other business which may be deemed by it to be
calculated,  directly or indirectly, to effectuate or facilitate the transaction
of the aforesaid objects or businesses,  or any of them, or any part thereof, or
to enhance the value of its property, business or rights.

                  The  foregoing  enumeration  of  the  purposes,   objects  and
business of the  Corporation is made in furtherance,  and not in limitation,  of
the powers  conferred upon the  Corporation by law, and is not intended,  by the
mention of any particular purpose, object or business, in any manner to limit or
restrict the generality of any other purposes,  object or business mentioned, or
to limit or restrict any of the powers of the  Corporation.  The  Corporation is
formed upon the  articles,  conditions  and  provisions  herein  expressed,  and
subject in all particulars to the limitations relative to corporations which are
contained in the general laws of this State.


                                       -3-
<PAGE>
                  THIRD: The post-office address of the principal office of this
Corporation is 20th Floor, 19 Light Street, Baltimore,  Maryland 21202. The name
of the resident agent of the  Corporation in this State is Harbor City Research,
Inc., the post-office address of which is 201 East Baltimore Street,  Suite 630,
Baltimore,   Maryland  20202.  The  said  resident  agent  so  designated  is  a
corporation of this State.

                  FOURTH:  The  total  number  of  shares  of  stock  which  the
Corporation  has  authority  to  issue is  twelve  million  (12,000,000)  shares
consisting  of ten million  (10,000,000)  shares of common  stock,  $.06 2/3 par
value per share, and two million  (2,000,000) shares of preferred stock,  $25.00
par value per share.  The  aggregate par value of all  authorized  shares of all
classes  having a par value is fifty  million six hundred  sixty-seven  thousand
dollars ($50,667,000).

                  Subject to the  provisions  of Section  2-105 of the  Maryland
General Corporation Law, the board of directors of the Corporation is authorized
to issue the preferred  stock of the  Corporation,  from time to time, in one or
more  series,  each  series to be with such  preferences,  conversion  and other
rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications
and  terms  and  conditions  of  redemption  as the  board  of  directors  shall
determine.  Each share of any series of preferred  stock shall be identical with
all other shares of that series.

                  Except as otherwise  provided by law, or as  authorized by the
board of  directors of the  Corporation,  all right to vote and all voting power
incident to the Corporation's  stock shall be vested  exclusively in the holders
of the  common  stock,  which  shares  shall  also  have all of the  rights  not
specifically  granted to the preferred stock. The holders of the preferred stock
shall not be  entitled  to  notice  of any  meeting  of  stockholders  except as
authorized by the board of directors or as may be specifically required by law.

                  FIFTH: No holders of stock of the  Corporation  shall have any
preferential  right  of  subscription  to any  shares  of  stock  or  securities
convertible into shares of stock of the

Corporation.

                  SIXTH:  The following  provisions  are hereby  adopted for the
purposes of defining,  limiting and regulating the powers of the Corporation and
of the directors and stockholders:

                  The Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby  empowered
to authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of its stock,  whether now
or hereafter  authorized,  or securities  convertible in to shares of its stock,
whether now or hereafter authorized.

                  Any director  individually,  or any firm of which any director
may be a member,  or any corporation or association of which any director may be
an officer or director or in which any director may be  interested as the holder
of any amount of its capital stock or otherwise, may be a


                                       -4-
<PAGE>
party to, or may be  pecuniarily  or  otherwise  interested  in, any contract or
transaction  of the  Corporation,  and in the  absence of fraud,  no contract or
other  transaction  shall be thereby  affected or invalidated;  provided that in
case a director,  or a firm of which a director is a member,  is so  interested,
such fact shall be  disclosed or shall have been known to the Board of Directors
or a majority thereof. Any director of the Corporation who is also a director or
officer of or interested in such other  corporation or  association,  or who, or
the  firm  of  which  he is a  member,  is so  interested,  may  be  counted  in
determining  the  existence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors
of the Corporation  which shall authorize any such contract or transaction,  and
may vote thereat to authorize any such contract or transaction,  with like force
and effect as if he were not such director or officer of such other  corporation
or  association  or not so interested or a member of a firm so  interested.  Any
contract,  transaction or act of the  Corporation,  or of the  directors,  which
shall be ratified by a majority of a quorum of the  stockholders  having  voting
powers at any annual  meeting,  or any special  meeting called for such purpose,
shall, so far as permitted by law, be as valid and as binding as though ratified
by every stockholder of the Corporation.

                  SEVENTH: The duration of the Corporation shall be perpetual.

                  EIGHTH: To the fullest extent permitted by Maryland  statutory
or  decisional  law,  as amended or  interpreted,  no director or officer of the
Corporation  shall be personally  liable to the Corporation or its  stockholders
for money damages.  No amendment of the charter of the  Corporation or repeal of
any of its  provisions  shall  limit  or  eliminate  the  benefits  provided  to
directors and officers  under this provision with respect to any act or omission
that occurred prior to such amendment or repeal.

                                      * * *

                                        -5-

                               BALCHEM CORPORATION

                                     BY-LAWS

                                    ARTICLE I

                                     OFFICES

                  Section 1.  PRINCIPAL OFFICE.  The principal office of
the corporation in the State of Maryland shall be located at the
20th Floor, 10 Light Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

                  Section 2. OTHER OFFICES.  The corporation may have offices at
such  other  places  within or  without  the State of  Maryland  as the Board of
Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may
require.

                                   ARTICLE II

                            MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

                  Section 1. PLACE.  All meetings of shareholders  shall Be held
at the principal  office of the  corporation,  or at such other place within the
United States as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting.

                  Section  2.  ANNUAL   MEETING.   The  annual  meeting  of  the
shareholders  shall  be held on such  day in June in each  year as the  Board of
Directors may fix for the purpose of electing  directors and for the transaction
of such other business as may come before the meeting.  If the day fixed for the
annual meeting shall be a legal holiday,  such meeting shall be held at the same
time on the next succeeding business day.

                  Section  3.  SPECIAL  MEETING.   The  president  or  Board  of
Directors  may call  special  meetings of the  shareholders  during the interval
between annual meetings.  Special meetings of shareholders  shall also be called
by the secretary upon the written  request of the holders of shares  entitled to
cast not less than 25% of all of the votes  entitled to be cast at such meeting.
Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of such meeting and the matters
proposed to be acted on thereat.  The  secretary  shall inform the  shareholders
making such request of the  reasonably  estimated  cost of preparing and mailing
such notice of the meeting, and upon payment to the corporation of

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<PAGE>
such costs by the  shareholders,  the  secretary  shall give notice  stating the
purpose or purposes of the meeting to all shareholders  entitled to vote at such
meeting.  No special  meeting  need be called upon the request of the holders of
shares entitled to cast less than a majority of all votes entitled to be cast at
such  meeting,  to consider  any matter which is, in the opinion of the Board of
Directors or of the Executive Committee, if there is one in being, substantially
the same as a matter voted upon at any special meeting of the shareholders  held
during the preceding twelve months.

                  Section 4. NOTICE. Not less than ten (10) nor more than ninety
(90) days before the date of every  shareholders  meeting,  the secretary  shall
give to each  shareholder  who may be entitled to vote at such  meeting,  and to
each  shareholder  not  entitled  to vote who is  entitled by statute to notice,
written or printed notice stating the time and place of the meeting, and, in the
case of a special  meeting,  or as  otherwise  may be required  by statute,  the
purpose  or  purposes  for which  the  meeting  is  called  either by mail or by
presenting it to him personally or by leaving it at his residence or usual place
of business.  If mailed,  such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited
in the United  States  mail  addressed  to the  shareholder  at his post  office
address as it appears on the records of the  corporation,  with postage  thereon
prepaid.

                  Section 5. SCOPE OF NOTICE. No business shall be transacted at
any special meeting of shareholders  except that specifically  designated in the
notice.  Any business of the corporation may be transacted at the annual meeting
without being specifically  designated in the notice, except such business as is
required by statute to be stated in such notice.

                  Section 6. QUORUM. At any meeting of shareholders the presence
in person or by proxy of  shareholders  entitled to cast a majority of the votes
thereat  shall  constitute  a quorum;  but this  section  shall not  affect  any
statutory or charter  requirement for the vote necessary for the adoption of any
measure.  If,  however,  such quorum shall not be present at any such meeting of
shareholders, the shareholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or by
proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice
other than announcement at the meeting,  until such quorum shall be present.  At
such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall been present, any business may be
transacted  which  might  have been  transacted  at the  meeting  as  originally
notified.  The shareholders  present at a meeting which has been duly called and
convened may continue to transact


                                        2
<PAGE>
business   until   adjournment,   notwithstanding   the   withdrawal  of  enough
shareholders to leave less than a quorum.

                  Section 7.  VOTING.  A majority of the votes cast at a meeting
of  shareholders  duly  called  and at  which a  quorum  is  present,  shall  be
sufficient  to take or authorize  action upon any matter which may properly come
before the  meeting,  unless  another  method or number of votes is  required by
statute or by the charter of the corporation. Unless otherwise provided in these
By-Laws or in the charter of the  corporation,  each  outstanding  voting  share
shall be entitled to one vote upon each matter submitted to vote at a meeting of
shareholders.

                  Section  8.  PROXIES.   At  all  meetings  of  shareholders  a
shareholder  may vote by proxy executed in writing by the  shareholder or by his
duly authorized  attorney-in-fact.  Such proxy shall be filed with the secretary
of the corporation before or at the time of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid
after eleven months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in
the proxy.

                  Section  9.  VOTING  OF  SHARES  BY  CERTAIN  HOLDERS.  Shares
standing in the name of another corporation,  domestic or foreign, when entitled
to be  voted,  may be  voted  by the  president  or vice  president  or by proxy
appointed by the president or a vice president of such other corporation, unless
some other  person who has been  appointed  to vote such  shares  pursuant  to a
by-law or a  resolution  of the Board of  Directors  of such  other  corporation
presents  a  certified  copy of such  by-law or  resolution,  in which case such
person may vote such shares.  Any fiduciary may vote shares standing in his name
as such fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.

                  Shares of its own stock  belonging to this  corporation  shall
not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in
determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time, but shares
of its own stock held by it in a fiduciary  capacity may be voted by a committee
consisting of all the directors of the corporation who shall vote all the shares
in proportion to the vote of the directors,  except in an election of directors,
when all such  shares  shall be  divided  into an equal  number of parts,  which
number of parts shall correspond to the number of directors being elected, and a
part shall be voted for each director proposed by immediate past management, and
shall be counted in determining  the total number of  outstanding  shares at any
given time.


                                        3
<PAGE>
                  Section 10.  INSPECTORS.  At any meeting of  shareholders  the
chairman of the meeting may, or upon request of any shareholder  shall,  appoint
one or more  persons as  inspectors  for such  meeting.  Such  inspectors  shall
ascertain and report the number of shares represented at the meeting, based upon
their  determination of the validity and effect of proxies,  count all votes and
report the results and do such other acts as are proper to conduct the  election
and voting with impartiality and fairness to all the shareholders.

         Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by him or by
a majority of them if there be more than one  inspector  acting at such meeting.
If there is more  than one  inspector,  the  report of a  majority  shall be the
report of the  inspectors.  The report of the  inspector  or  inspectors  on the
number of shares  represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall
be prima facie evidence thereof.

                  Section  11.  INFORMAL  ACTION  BY  SHAREHOLDERS.  Any  action
required to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders, or any other action which
may be taken at a meeting of the shareholders, may be taken without a meeting if
a consent in writing setting forth the action to be taken shall be signed by all
of the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof.

                  Section 12. VOTING BY BALLOT. Voting on any question or in any
election  may be viva voce  unless  the  presiding  officer  shall  order or any
shareholder shall demand that voting be by ballot.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                    DIRECTORS

                  Section 1.  GENERAL  POWERS.  The  business and affairs of the
corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors.

                  Section 2. NUMBER  CLASSIFICATIONS  TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS.
The number of directors of the Corporation  shall be eight (8),  effective as of
the 1998 Annual  Meeting.  The Board of Directors are divided into thee classes,
Class 1,  Class 2 and Class 3, who have  staggered  three year  terms.  Class 1,
effective as of the 1998 Annual  Meeting,  shall  consist of two  directors  and
Classes 2 and 3 shall continue to consist of three  directors  each. The term of
office of each class of directors  shall expire at the third  succeeding  annual
meeting following their election.

                                        4
<PAGE>
                  Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS.  The annual meeting of
the Board of Directors shall be held immediately  after and at the same place as
the annual  meeting of  shareholders,  no notice  other than this  by-law  being
necessary.  The Board of Directors  may  provide,  by  resolution,  the time and
place,  either  within or  without  the State of  Maryland,  for the  holding of
regular  meetings  of the Board of  Directors  without  other  notice  than such
resolution.

                  Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the Board of
Directors  may be called by or at the request of the  president or by a majority
of the  directors  then in  office.  The person or  persons  authorized  to call
special  meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place,  either within or
without the State of Maryland,  as the place for holding any special  meeting of
the Board of Directors called by them.

                  Section 5.  NOTICE.  Notice of any  special  meeting  shall be
given by written  notice  delivered  personally,  telegraphed  or mailed to each
director at his business or residence address.  Personally delivered or telegram
notices  shall be given at least two (2) days  prior to the  meeting.  Notice by
mail shall be given at least five (5) days prior the  meeting.  If mailed,  such
notice shall be deemed to be delivered  when deposited in the United States mail
properly  addressed,  with  postage  thereon  prepaid.  If  notice  be  given by
telegram,  such  notice  shall be deemed to be  delivered  when the  telegram is
delivered to the telegraph  company.  Neither the business to be transacted  at,
nor the  purpose  of, any  annual,  regular  or special  meeting of the Board of
Directors  need be  specified  in the notice,  unless  specifically  required by
statute.

                  Section 6.  QUORUM.  A majority  of  directors  then in office
shall  constitute  a quorum for  transaction  of  business at any meeting of the
Board of  Directors,  but in no event  should less than  one-third of the entire
authorized Board of Directors or less than two directors be considered a quorum.

                  Section  7.  VOTING.  The act of a majority  of the  directors
present  at a duly  constituted  meeting  shall  be the  act  of  the  Board  of
Directors.

                  Section 8.  VACANCIES.  Any vacancy  occurring in the Board of
Directors by reason of the death,  disability or resignation of any director may
be filled by a  majority  of the  remaining  members  of the Board of  Directors
although  such  majority is less than a quorum,  as provided in the  charter.  A
director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy


                                        5
<PAGE>
shall be elected to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or
until his successor is elected and qualifies.

                  Section 9. INFORMAL  ACTION BY DIRECTORS.  Any action required
to be taken at a meeting of the Board of  Directors,  or any other  action which
may be taken at a meeting  of the  Board of  Directors,  may be taken  without a
meeting if a consent in  writing,  setting  forth the action so taken,  shall be
signed by all of the directors.

                  Section  10.  COMPENSATION.  By  resolution  of the  Board  of
Directors  a fixed  annual  stipend  may be paid  to each  director,  or in lieu
thereof a fixed annual sum may be allowed to  directors  for the  attendance  at
such  annual,  regular and special  meetings  of the Board of  Directors  or any
executive committee meeting thereof, and in addition expenses,  if any, shall be
allowed to directors for attendance at such annual, regular and special meetings
of the Board of Directors,  or of any executive  committee thereof;  but nothing
herein  contained  shall be construed to preclude any director  from serving the
corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

                  Section 11. REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS.  A director or directors may
be  removed  from  office  with or  without  cause by an  affirmative  vote of a
majority  of all of the  votes  of  shareholders  entitled  to be  cast  for the
election of directors  and any resulting  vacancy for the unexpired  term of the
removed director shall be filled by action of the shareholders.

                  Section 12.  DIRECTOR  EMERITUS.  The Board of Directors  may,
with  the  consent  of  the  person  designated,  designate  a  person  who  has
theretofore served as a director for at least ten years, as a director emeritus,
to hold  such  title at the  pleasure  of the  Board of  Directors.  A  director
emeritus shall have the right, while holding such designation,  to be present at
meetings  of the Board of  Directors,  but without any right of vote or consent,
and shall be paid  expenses of attendance  and an  attendance  fee equal to that
which is paid to a director.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   COMMITTEES

                  NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS.  The Board of Directors may
appoint  from among its  members an  Executive  Committee  and other  committees
composed of three or more


                                        6
<PAGE>
directors; such committee or committees to serve at the pleasure of the Board of
Directors.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                    OFFICERS

                  Section 1. POWERS AND DUTIES.  The officers of the corporation
shall be elected  annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the
Board of  Directors  held after each  annual  meeting  of  shareholders.  If the
election of officers  shall not be held at such meeting,  such election shall be
held as soon  thereafter  as may be  convenient.  Each officer shall hold office
until his  successor  shall have been duly  elected and shall have  qualified or
until his  death or until he shall  resign or shall  have  been  removed  in the
manner  hereinafter  provided.  Election or  appointment  of an officer or agent
shall not of itself create  contract  rights  between the  corporation  and such
officer or agent.

                  Section 2. REMOVAL.  Any officer or agent elected or appointed
by the Board of Directors  may be removed by the Board of Directors  whenever in
its judgment the best interest of the corporation  would be served thereby,  but
such removal shall be without  prejudice to the contract rights,  if any, of the
person so removed.

                  Section  3.  VACANCIES.  A vacancy  in any  office  because of
death,  resignation,  removal,  disqualification,  creation  of a new  office or
otherwise,  may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of
the term.

                  Section 4. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Chairman of
the Board of  Directors  shall be selected  from among the  directors  and shall
preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors.

                  Section 4 A.  PRESIDENT.  The president shall be the principal
executive  officer of the corporation and shall in general supervise and control
all of the  business  and  affairs of the  corporation  to the  extent  actually
authorized  by  resolution  of the Board of  Directors.  He shall preside at all
meetings of the  shareholders.  The  president  shall be selected from among the
directors.  He may sign,  with the secretary or any other proper  officer of the
corporation  thereunto  authorized  by the Board of Directors  pursuant to these
By-Laws, any deeds, mortgages,  bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the
Board of Directors has


                                        7
<PAGE>
authorized  to be  executed,  except in cases where the  signing  and  execution
thereof  shall be  expressly  delegated  by the Board of  Directors  or by these
By-laws to some other officer or agent of the corporation,  or shall be required
by law to be otherwise  signed or  executed;  and in general  shall  perform all
duties  incident  to the office of  president  and such  other  duties as may be
prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.  The president  shall be
ex  officio  a  member  of all  committees  that  may,  from  time to  time,  be
constituted by the Board of Directors.

                  Section 5. VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence of the president or
in the event of his death,  inability or refusal to act, the vice  president (or
in the event there be more than one vice  president,  the vice presidents in the
order  designated  at the  time of  their  election,  or in the  absence  of any
designation,  then in the order of their  election)  shall perform the duties of
the president, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to
all the restrictions upon the president;  and shall perform such other duties as
from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

                  Section 6. SECRETARY.  The secretary shall:(a)keep the minutes
of the  shareholders  and  Board  of  Directors  meetings  in one or more  books
provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance
with the  provisions of these By-Laws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of
the corporate  records and of the seal of the  corporation and see that the seal
of the corporation is affixed to all  certificates for shares prior to the issue
thereof  and  to  all  documents,  the  execution  of  which  on  behalf  of the
corporation  under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions
of  these  By-Laws;  (d) keep a  register  of the post  office  address  of each
shareholder which shall be furnished to the Secretary by such  shareholder;  (e)
have  general  charge  of the stock  transfer  books of the  corporation;(f)  in
general  perform  all duties as from time to time may be  assigned to him by the
Board of Directors.

                  Section 7. TREASURER.  The treasurer shall have custody of the
corporate  funds and  securities  and shall keep full and  accurate  accounts of
receipts  and  disbursements  in books  belonging to the  corporation  and shall
deposit all moneys and other  valuable  effects in the name and to the credit of
the  corporation  in such  depositaries  as may be  designated  by the  Board of
Directors.

                  He  shall  disburse  the  funds of the  corporation  as may be
ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such  disbursements,  and shall
render to the president and directors,


                                        8
<PAGE>
at the  regular  meetings  of the Board,  or  whenever  they may  require it, an
account of all his  transactions as treasurer and of the financial  condition of
the corporation.

                  Section 8. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The
assistant  treasurers  shall, if required by the Board of Directors,  give bonds
for the faithful  discharge of their duties in such sums and with such  sureties
as the  Board  of  Directors  shall  determine.  The  assistant  treasurers  and
assistant  secretaries,  in  general,  shall  perform  such  duties  as shall be
assigned  to  them  by  the  treasurer  or  secretary,  respectively,  or by the
president or the Board of Directors.

                  Section 9. ANNUAL  REPORT.  The  president or other  executive
officer of the corporation shall prepare or cause to be prepared annually a full
and correct  statement  of the affairs of the  corporation,  including a balance
sheet and a financial  statement of operations  for the  preceding  fiscal year,
which shall be submitted at the annual meeting of shareholders  and filed within
twenty (20) days  thereafter at the principal  office of the  corporation in the
State of Maryland.

                  Section 10.  SALARIES.  The salaries of the officers  shall be
fixed  from  time to time by the  Board of  Directors  and no  officer  shall be
prevented  from  receiving  such  salary by reason of the fact that he is also a
director of the corporation.

                  Section  11.  GIVING  OF BOND.  If  required  by the  Board of
Directors,  any officer or other party shall give the corporation a bond in such
sum and with such surety or sureties  as shall be  satisfactory  to the Board of
Directors for the faithful  performance of his duties and for the restoration to
the corporation,  in case of his death, resignation,  retirement or removal from
his office or other  position,  all  books,  papers,  vouchers,  money and other
property of whatever kind in his  possession  or under his control  belonging to
the corporation.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                      CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

                  Section 1. CONTRACTS. The Board of Directors may authorize any
officer or officers,  agent or agents,  to enter into any contract or to execute
and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation,  and
such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.


                                        9
<PAGE>
                  Section 2. CHECKS,  DRAFTS,  ETC. All checks,  drafts or other
orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued
in the name of the  corporation  shall be signed by such  officer  or  officers,
agent or agents of the corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time
be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

                  Section  3.  DEPOSITS.   All  funds  of  the  corporation  not
otherwise  employed  shall be  deposited  from time to time to the credit of the
corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositaries as the Board of
Directors may select.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                 SHARES OF STOCK

                  Section 1.  CERTIFICATES OF STOCK.  Each shareholder  shall be
entitled to a certificate or certificates  which shall represent and certify the
number  and  kind and  class  of  shares  owed by him in the  corporation.  Each
certificate   shall  be  signed  by  the  president  or  a  vice  president  and
countersigned by the secretary or an assistant  secretary or the treasurer or an
assistant  treasurer and shall be sealed with the corporate seal. The signatures
may be either manual or facsimile. Certificates shall be consecutively numbered;
and if the corporation shall, from time to time, issue several classes of stock,
each class may have its own number  series.  In case any  officer who has signed
any  certificate  ceases  to  be  an  officer  of  the  corporation  before  the
certificate  is  issued,  the  certificate  may  nevertheless  be  issued by the
corporation  with the same  effect as if the  officer  had not ceased to be such
officer as to the date of its issue. All certificates  representing  stock which
is restricted or limited as to its  transferability or voting powers or which is
preferred or limited as to its dividends,  or as to its share of the assets upon
liquidation,  or is  redeemable at the option of the  corporation,  shall have a
statement of such restriction,  limitation,  preference or redemption provision,
or a summary thereof, plainly stated on the certificate.

                  Section  2.   TRANSFERS  OF  STOCK.   Upon  surrender  to  the
corporation or the transfer  agent of the  corporation of a certificate of stock
duly endorsed or  accompanied by proper  evidence of  succession,  assignment or
authority to transfer,  it shall be the duty of the  corporation  to issue a new
certificate  to the person  entitled  thereto,  cancel the old  certificate  and
record the transaction upon its books.

                                       10
<PAGE>
                  The  corporation  shall be  entitled  to treat  the  holder of
record  of any  share or shares  of stock as the  holder  in fact  thereof  and,
accordingly,  shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or
interest in such share on the part of any other person,  whether or not it shall
have express or other notice thereof,  except as otherwise  provided by the laws
of Maryland.

                  Section 3. LOST CERTIFICATE. The Board of Directors may direct
a new certificate to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by
the corporation  alleged to have been stolen,  lost or destroyed upon the making
of an affidavit of that fact by the person  claiming the certificate of stock to
be stolen, lost or destroyed.  When authorizing such issue of a new certificate,
the Board of Directors may, in its discretion,  and as a condition  precedent to
the  issuance  thereof,  require  the owner of such  stolen,  lost or  destroyed
certificate or his legal  representative to advertise the same in such manner as
it shall require and/or to give bond, with sufficient surety, to the corporation
to  indemnify  it  against  any loss or claim  which  may arise by reason of the
issuance of a new certificate.

                  Section 4. CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS OR FIXING OF RECORD DATE.
The Board of  Directors  may fix, in advance,  a date as the record date for the
purpose of  determining  shareholders  entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any
meeting of  shareholders,  or  shareholders  entitled to receive  payment of any
dividend or the allotment of any rights,  or in order to make a determination of
shareholders for any other proper purpose.  Such date, in any case, shall be not
more than ninety (90) days,  and in case of a meeting of  shareholders  not less
than ten (10) days prior to the date on which the meeting or  particular  action
requiring such determination of shareholders is to be held or taken.

                  In lieu of fixing a record date,  the Board of  Directors  may
provide that the stock  transfer  books shall be closed for a stated  period but
not to exceed,  in any case,  twenty (20) days. If the stock  transfer books are
closed for the purpose of determining  shareholders  entitled to notice of or to
vote at a meeting of  shareholders,  such books shall be closed for at least ten
(10) days immediately preceding such meeting.

                  If no record  date is fixed and the stock  transfer  books are
not closed for the  determination of  shareholders:  (a) the record date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, a meeting of
shareholders shall be at the close of business on the day on which the notice of
meeting

                                       11
<PAGE>
is mailed,  or the  thirtieth  (30th) day before the  meeting,  whichever is the
closer  date to the  meeting;  (b) the  record  date  for the  determination  of
shareholders  entitled to receive  payment of a dividend or an  allotment of any
rights shall be at the closed of business on the day on which the  resolution of
the Board of  Directors,  declaring  the  dividend or  allotment  of rights,  is
adopted.

                  When a determination  of shareholders  entitled to vote at any
meeting  of  shareholders  has  been  made as  provided  in this  section,  such
determination  shall  apply  to  any  adjournment  thereof,   except  where  the
determination  has been made through the closing of the stock transfer books and
the stated period of closing has expired.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   FISCAL YEAR

                  The Board of  Directors  shall  have the  power,  from time to
time, to fix the fiscal year of the corporation by a duly adopted resolution.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                    DIVIDENDS

                  Section 1.  DECLARATION.  Dividends  upon the capital stock of
the  corporation,  subject  to the  provisions,  if any,  of the  charter of the
corporation, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special
meeting,  pursuant to law.  Dividends  may be paid in cash,  in property,  or in
shares of the corporation, subject to the provisions of law and of the charter.

                  Section 2.  CONTINGENCIES.  Before  payment of any  dividends,
there  may be set  aside  out of any  funds  of the  corporation  available  for
dividends  such sum or sums as the Board of Directors  may from time to time, in
its absolute  discretion,  think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies,
or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the
corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board shall determine to be in the
best  interest  of the  corporation,  and the Board of  Directors  may modify or
abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.


                                       12
<PAGE>
                                    ARTICLE X

                                      SEAL

                  The corporate  seal shall have  inscribed  thereon the name of
the  corporation,  the  year of its  organization  and the  words,  Incorporated
Maryland.  The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate  seals and
provide for the custody thereof.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                       INDEMNITY OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

                  The corporation  shall indemnify and hold harmless each of its
directors  and officers  against any and all expenses  actually and  necessarily
incurred in  connection  with the defense of any action,  suit or  proceeding to
which such director or officer is made a party by reason of his being, or having
been, a director or officer of the corporation, except in relation to matters as
to which he shall be adjudged in such action,  suit or  proceeding  to be liable
for gross  negligence  or misconduct  in the  performance  of his duties as such
director  or  officer.  In the  event  of  settlement  of such  action,  suit or
proceeding in the absence of such  adjudication,  indemnification  shall include
reimbursement   of  amounts  paid  in  settlement  and  expenses   actually  and
necessarily  incurred by such director or officer in connection  therewith,  but
such  indemnification  shall be provided only if this  corporation is advised by
its counsel that in his opinion  such  settlement  is for the best  interests of
this  corporation  and the  director or officer to be  indemnified  has not been
guilty of gross  negligence or  misconduct  in respect of any matter  covered by
such settlement.  Such right of indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of
any other right,  or rights,  to which such  director or officer may be entitled
under any agreement, vote of shareholders or otherwise.

                                  ARTICLE XIII

                                WAIVER OF NOTICE

                  Whenever  any  notice  is  required  to  be  given  under  the
provisions  of these  By-Laws  or under the  provisions  of the  charter  of the
corporation  or under the provisions of the Maryland  corporation  law, a waiver
thereof in writing,  signed by the person or persons  entitled  to such  notice,
whether before or after the time stated therein,  shall be deemed  equivalent to
the giving of such  notice.  Neither the business to be  transacted  at, nor the
purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of

                                       13
<PAGE>
notice, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at
any meeting shall  constitute a waiver of notice of such  meeting,  except where
such  person  attends a meeting  for the  express  purpose of  objecting  to the
transaction  of any  business  on the grounds  that the meeting is not  lawfully
called or convened.

                                   ARTICLE XIV

                              AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

                  Section 1. BY DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors shall have the
power, at any annual or regular meeting,  or at any special  meeting,  if notice
thereof be included in the notice of such  special  meeting,  to alter or repeal
any By-Laws of the corporation and to make new By-Laws, except that the Board of
Directors  shall not alter or repeal  this  section or any  By-Laws  made by the
shareholders.

                  Section 2. BY SHAREHOLDERS.  The shareholders entitled to vote
shall have the power,  at any annual  meeting,  or at any  special  meeting,  if
notice  thereof be included in the notice of such special  meeting,  to alter or
repeal any By-Laws of the corporation and to make new By-Laws.

                                       14

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                  Agreement  dated  as  of  October  1,  1997,  between  BALCHEM
CORPORATION ("Company") and DINO A. ROSSI ("Employee").

                  In  consideration  of  the  agreements  contained  below,  the
parties agree as follows:

                  1. Company  shall employ  Employee as its General  Manager and
Chief Executive Officer for a term (the "Term") commencing as of the date hereof
and terminating September 30, 2000.

                  2.  Throughout  the  Term,  Employee  shall  be  elected  as a
President and as a director of Company.

                  3.  During the Term,  Employee  shall  devote all of his time,
attention and effort to the performance of his duties for Company.

                  4.  During the Term,  Employee  shall  receive a salary at the
rate of  $150,000  per  annum,  which  salary  may be  increased,  at a  minimum
annually,  but not  decreased  during the Term at the  instance  of the Board of
Directors of Company.

                  5. In  addition  to his salary  aforesaid,  Employee  shall be
entitled to all of the fringe  benefits  afforded by Company to its  executives,
including a company car, and to annual  discretionary  bonuses based on a target
figure of 50% of his annual salary for the respective bonus year. Employee shall
be entitled to three  weeks paid  vacation  per  calendar  year or such  greater
amount as may be provided under the Company's then prevailing vacation policy as
in effect  from  time to time.  All  vacation  shall be  scheduled  so as not to
interfere  with  Company's  operations.  In addition,  simultaneously  herewith,
Employee has been granted options to purchase 50,000 shares of Company's  common
stock  under  conditions  set  forth in a Board of  Directors  resolution  dated
October 17, 1997.

                  6.  During the Term,  and for one year  thereafter,  Employee,
shall not

                           (i)              directly or indirectly own,  manage,
                                            operate,     join,    control,    or
                                            participate    in   the   ownership,
                                            management,  operation,  or  control
                                            of,    or   make    any    financial
                                            investments  in, or become  employed
                                            by, or be  connected  in any  manner
                                            with, or

 
                                        1
<PAGE>
                                            render    (whether    or   not   for
                                            compensation)     any    consulting,
                                            advisory or other services to or for
                                            the benefit of, any person,  firm or
                                            corporation,  or otherwise engage in
                                            any business activity which directly
                                            or  indirectly   competes  with  any
                                            business  conducted  by the Company;
                                            PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that it shall not
                                            be a violation of this Agreement for
                                            Employee    to    have    beneficial
                                            ownership  of  less  than  1% of the
                                            outstanding  amount  of any class of
                                            securities   listed  on  a  national
                                            securities  exchange or quoted on an
                                            inter-dealer   quotation  system  in
                                            such entity;

                           (ii)             directly or indirectly,  solicit, in
                                            competition  with the  Company,  any
                                            person  who  is a  customer  of  any
                                            business  conducted  by the Company;
                                            or

                           (iii)            directly  or  indirectly,  induce or
                                            attempt  to induce any  employee  of
                                            the Company to terminate  his or her
                                            employment    for    any    purpose,
                                            including  without  limitation,   in
                                            order to enter into  employment with
                                            any entity which  competes  with any
                                            business conducted by the Company.

                  7. Employee  acknowledges that in the course of his employment
with the Company, he will have acquired information concerning the Company which
is not publicly available,  including non-public financial information and trade
secrets  ("Proprietary  Information").   Employee  will  keep  such  Proprietary
Information confidential at all times after his employment terminates,  and will
not make use of such Proprietary  Information on his own behalf, or on behalf of
any third party without the prior written consent from the Company (which may be
withheld for any  reasons),  unless such  information  shall have become  public
knowledge  other than by being  divulged or made  accessible by him in breach of
this provision,  or unless such information is required to be disclosed pursuant
to governmental or judicial process or procedure.

                  8.  Employee  acknowledges  that as CEO and  President  of the
Company  he has been  placed in a  position  of  confidence  and trust  with the
clients and employees of the Company,  and that in connection with such services
to the company, he has access to confidential information vital to the Company's
business. Employee


                                        2
<PAGE>
further  acknowledges  that in view of the nature of the  business  in which the
Company is engaged, the foregoing  restrictive covenants in this Section 6 and 7
hereof are reasonable and necessary in order to protect the legitimate interests
of the  Company  and that  violation  of  Sections  6-8 hereof  would  result in
irreparable  injury to the Company.  Accordingly,  Employee  consents and agrees
that  this  Section  8 is  reasonable  and  necessary  in order to  protect  the
legitimate  interests  of the Company and that  violation of Sections 6-8 hereof
would result in irreparable injury to the Company.  Accordingly, he consents and
agrees that if he violates or threatens to violate any of the provisions of such
sections the Company would sustain irreparable harm and, therefore,  the Company
shall be entitled to obtain from any court of  competent  jurisdiction,  without
the  posting  of any  bond or  other  security,  to  preliminary  and  permanent
injunctive  relief  as  well  as  damages  and an  equitable  accounting  of all
earnings,  profits and other benefits arising from such violation,  which rights
shall be  cumulative  and in addition to any other  rights or remedies in law or
equity to which the Company may be entitled.

                  9. The Company may terminate the  employment of Employee under
this Agreement for cause at any time during the terms of this Agreement.

                           "For Cause" as used herein shall mean the following:

                           (a)      Habitual absence or lateness;

                           (b)      Insubordination;

                           (c)      Gross failure to  perform duties assigned in
                                    a competent and workmanlike manner;

                           (d)      Failure  to  observe   the   provisions   of
                                    paragraph 3 of this Agreement concerning the
                                    devotion  of  full  time  to  the  Company's
                                    business;

                           (e)      Failure to protect Confidential Information;

                           (f)      Any action which constitutes a violation of
                                    applicable criminal statutes; or

                           (g)      Any act which  frustrates  or  violates  the
                                    undivided  duty of loyalty  owed by Employee
                                    to the Company  and/or  which  violates  the
                                    essence of this Agreement.

                  10.  If,  at the end of the  Term,  Company  is  unwilling  to
continue to employ Employee at a salary at least equal to the


                                        3
<PAGE>
salary  being paid  Employee at the end of the Term hereof for at least one year
further, and Employee thus leaves the employ of Company,  Employee shall receive
as severance a sum equal to the previous  year's  annual  salary and he shall be
immediately  vested in the right to exercise employee stock options  theretofore
granted to him and not yet vested.  If,  however,  Employee leaves for any other
reason,  or is  terminated  for cause he is not to be  entitled  to a  severance
payment or the immediate vesting of such stock options.

                  11.  Employee may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any
of his  rights,  duties  or  obligations  hereunder.  Company  may  assign  this
Agreement  to any person or entity  acquiring  all or  substantially  all of the
Company's  assets (by merger or  otherwise)  so long as such  person,  entity or
affiliate assumes the Company's obligations hereunder.

                  12. This Agreement sets forth the entire  understanding of the
parties and supersedes any and all prior agreements,  oral or written,  relating
to  Employee's  employment  by the  Company  or the  termination  thereof.  This
Agreement may not be modified  except by a writing,  signed by you and by a duly
authorized  officer  of the  Company.  This  Agreement  shall  be  binding  upon
Employee's heirs and personal representatives, and the successors and assigns of
the Company.

                  Executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                                  BALCHEM CORPORATION

                                                  By: /S/ WALLACE BORKER
                                                      ------------------
                                                      Secretary

                         
                                                      /s/  DINO A. ROSSI
                                                      ------------------
                                                      Dino A. Rossi


                                        4



                  AGREEMENT dated as of April 1, 1993 by and between Dr. Charles
McClelland  ("McCLELLAND"),  with an office at 3810 May  Court,  Palo  Alto,  CA
94303, and Balchem Corporation ('BALCHEM") with executive offices at Slate Hill,
New York 10973.

                  McCLELLAND  is  a  recognized   consultant  in  the  field  of
conditional forecasting (the "Field").

                  BALCHEM  desires to continue to avail  itself of  McCLELLAND's
consulting  services in the Field,  in  McCLELLAND's  capacity as an independent
contractor,  and McCLELLAND is willing to undertake  such  services,  all on the
terms and conditions set forth herein.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

                  1. McCLELLAND shall afford BALCHEM five  consultation  periods
of  approximately  2 to 3 days each in respect of the Field at  BALCHEM's  Slate
Hill offices,  commencing  April 1, 1993 and ending  approximately  December 31,
1994, the particular dates of the periods to be as specified by BALCHEM, subject
to the reasonable convenience of McCLELLAND.

                  2.  BALCHEM  shall  reimburse  McCLELLAND  for his  reasonable
travel  and  hotel  expenses  in  attending  at each  consultation  period  upon
submission of documentation from McCLELLAND in support thereof.

                  3. BALCHEM may terminate this Agreement at any time on written
notice to  McCLELLAND  if it is  dissatisfied  with,  or McCLELLAND is unable to
continue to furnish, the services of McCLELLAND in the Field.

                  4.  In  consideration  of  McCLELLAND's   entering  into  this
Agreement,  and providing the services called for herein,  BALCHEM hereby grants
to McCLELLAND  the option (the  "Option") to acquire for  investment for his own
account,  and not for, or with a view to the distribution  thereof, for a period
of five years ending March 31, 1998 up to 10,000  shares of common  stock,  $.06
2/3 per value of BALCHEM, at an exercise price per share of $5.50, as follows:

                           (a)      Up to 3,333 shares at any time prior to the
termination of the Option.

                           (b)      Up to another 3,333 shares at any time after
the furnishing by McCLELLAND of three periods of consulting


                                        1
<PAGE>
services satisfactory to BALCHEM and prior to the termination of the Option.

                           (c)      Up to another 3,334 shares at any time after
the  furnishing by McCLELLAND of five periods of consulting  services to BALCHEM
and prior to the termination of the Option.

                  At  McCLELLAND's  written  election at any time of exercise of
the Option,  the shares,  or a portion of them,  to be issued upon such exercise
shall be issued to  McCLELLAND  and his wife as joint  tenants with the right of
survivorship.

                  5. Upon the death of McCLELLAND  prior to March 31, 1998,  the
Option   shall   terminate,   provided,   however,   that   McCLELLAND's   legal
representative(s) may exercise the Option on behalf of the estate of McCLELLAND,
to the extent  McCLELLAND  could  have done so on the date of his  death,  for a
period of ninety (90) days following his death.

                  6. The Option  may be  exercised,  subject  to the  conditions
contained  herein, by giving BALCHEM written notice of the extent of exercise at
its executive offices, together with payment of the exercise price of the shares
of stock being acquired.

                  7. Each exercise of the Option shall be  conditioned  upon the
receipt  from  McCLELLAND  (or,  in the  event  of his  death,  from  his  legal
representative(s)) of a representation that, at the time of such exercise, it is
the intent of such  person(s) to acquire the shares of investment and not with a
view to distribution.  The  certificates for the unregistered  shares issued for
investment  shall be  restricted  by BALCHEM as to transfer and legended to such
effect pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                  8. In the event that each of the outstanding  shares of Common
Stock of  BALCHEM  (other  shares  held by  dissenting  shareholders)  should be
changed into, or exchanged for, a different number of kind of shares of stock or
other securities of Balchem, or, if further changes or exchanges of any stock or
other  securities  into which such Common Stock shall have been changed,  or for
which it shall have been exchanged,  shall be made (whether by reason of merger,
consolidation,     reorganization,     recapitalization,     stock    dividends,
reclassification, split up, combination of shares, or otherwise), then, for each
share  of  Common  Stock  of  BALCHEM  subject  to the  Option  there  shall  be
substituted  and  exchanged  therefor  the number and kind of shares of stock or
other securities into which each outstanding share of


                                        2
<PAGE>
Common  Stock of BALCHEM  (other than shares  held by  dissenting  shareholders)
shall be so changed or exchanged. In the event of any such changes or exchanges,
then,  if  BALCHEM in its sole  discretion,  should  determine  that in order to
prevent dilution or enlargement of rights under the Option, an adjustment should
be made in the number,  kind, or option exercise price of the shares of stock or
other  securities  then  subject  or  potentially  subject to the  Option,  such
adjustment  shall be made and shall be effective and binding for all purposes of
the Option.

                  9. The Option shall not be transferable by McCLELLAND,  either
voluntarily  or  involuntarily,  except  by will  or the  laws  of  descent  and
distribution,  and then only to the extent  provided in paragraph 5 hereof.  Any
other  attempt to do so shall void the Option.  The Option shall be  exercisable
during  McCLELLAND's  lifetime only by McCLELLAND and, after McCLELLAND's death,
only by McCLELLAND's legal representative(s).

                  10. McCLELLAND shall not have any rights as a shareholder with
respect to any Common Stock covered by the Option until he shall have become the
holder  of  record  of such  share,  and no  adjustments  shall be made for cash
dividends or other  distributions  or other rights as to which there is a record
date preceding the date he becomes the holder of record of such shares.

                  11. The foregoing sets forth the agreement between the parties
and the same may not be changed, except by a writing between the parties.

         Executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                                     /s/ Charles McClelland
                                                     ----------------------
                                                     CHARLES McCLELLAND

                                                     BALCHEM CORPORATION

                                                By:  /s/ Herbert D. Weiss
                                                     --------------------
                                                     Herbert D. Weiss,
                                                     President


                                        3

         AGREEMENT  dated as of  January  1,  1995 by and  between  Dr.  Charles
McClelland  ("McCLELLAND"),  with an office at 3810 May  Court,  Palo  Alto,  CA
94303, and Balchem Corporation ("BALCHEM") with executive offices at Slate Hill,
New York 10973.

         McCLELLAND  is a  recognized  consultant  in the  field of  conditional
forecasting, planning and project management (the "Field").

         BALCHEM desires to continue to avail itself of McCLELLAND's  consulting
services in the Field,  in McCLELLAND's  capacity as an independent  contractor,
and  McCLELLAND  is willing to  undertake  such  services,  all on the terms and
conditions set forth herein.

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

         1. McCLELLAND shall afford BALCHEM two consultation periods per year of
approximately  2 to 3 days each in respect of the Field at BALCHEM's  Slate Hill
offices,  for the years 1995, 1996 and 1997, the particular dates of the periods
to be as  specified  by  BALCHEM,  subject  to  the  reasonable  convenience  of
McCLELLAND.  In addition  McCLELLAND  will  provide  telephone  consultation  as
required by the chief operating officer of BALCHEM.

         2. BALCHEM shall  reimburse  McCLELLAND for his  reasonable  travel and
hotel  expenses in  attending at each  consultation  period upon  submission  of
documentation from McCLELLAND in support thereof.

         3. BALCHEM may terminate  this  Agreement at any time on written notice
to McCLELLAND if it is dissatisfied with, or McCLELLAND is unable to continue to
furnish, the services of McCLELLAND in the Field.

         4. In consideration of McCLELLAND's  entering into this Agreement,  and
providing the services  called for herein,  BALCHEM  hereby grants to McCLELLAND
the option  (the  "Option")  to acquire  during a period of seven  years  ending
December 31, 2001, for  investment  for his own account,  and not for, or with a
view to the distribution  thereof,  up to 7,500 shares of common stock, $.06 2/3
per value of BALCHEM, at an exercise price per share of $6.00, as follows:

                  a. Up to 2,500 shares at any time prior to the  termination of
the Option.

                  b. Up to another  2,500 shares at any time after  December 31,
1995, and prior to the termination of the Option.

                  c. Up to another 2,500 shares at any time after the furnishing
by McCLELLAND  of the six periods of consulting  services to BALCHEM as provided
herein, and prior to the termination of the Option.

                                        1
<PAGE>
         At McCLELLAND's written election at any time of exercise of the Option,
the  shares,  or a portion of them,  to be issued  upon such  exercise  shall be
issued  to  McCLELLAND  and  his  wife  as  joint  tenants  with  the  right  of
survivorship instead of to McCLELLAND alone.

         5. Upon death of  McCLELLAND  prior to December  31,  2001,  the Option
shall  terminate,  to the  extent  then  unexercised,  provided,  however,  that
McCLELLAND's  legal  representative(s)  may exercise the Option on behalf of the
estate of McCLELLAND, to the extent McCLELLAND could have done so on the date of
his death, for a period of 365 days following his death.

         6. The Option may be  exercised,  subject to the  conditions  contained
herein,  by giving  BALCHEM  written  notice of the  extent of  exercise  at its
executive  office,  together with payment of the exercise price of the shares of
stock being acquired.

         7. Each  exercise of the Option shall be  conditioned  upon the receipt
from   McCLELLAND   (or,   in  the   event  of  his   death,   from  his   legal
representative(s)) of a representation that, at the time of such exercise, it is
the intent of such  person(s) to acquire the shares of investment and not with a
view to  distribution.  The  certificates  for the  unregistered  shares issued,
pursuant to the exercise of the Option,  for  investment  shall be restricted by
BALCHEM as to transfer and legended to such effect pursuant to the  requirements
of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

         8. In the event that each of the outstanding  shares of Common Stock of
BALCHEM (other shares held by dissenting  shareholders)  should be changed into,
or  exchanged  for,  a  different  number  or kind of  shares  of stock or other
securities of Balchem, or, if further changes or exchanges of any stock or other
securities into which such Common Stock shall have been changed, or for which it
shall  have  been  exchanged,  shall  be made  (whether  by  reason  of  merger,
consolidation,     reorganization,     recapitalization,     stock    dividends,
reclassification, split up, combination of shares, or otherwise), then, for each
share  of  Common  Stock  of  BALCHEM  subject  to the  Option  there  shall  be
substituted  and  exchanged  therefor  the number and kind of shares of stock or
other  securities into which each  outstanding  share of Common Stock of BALCHEM
(other  than  shares  held by  dissenting  shareholders)  shall be so changed or
exchanged.  In the event of any such  changes  or  exchanges,  then,  if BALCHEM
should  determine  that in order to prevent  dilution or  enlargement  of rights
under the Option,  an adjustment  should be made in the number,  kind, or option
exercise  price of the  shares  of stock or other  securities  then  subject  or
potentially  subject to the Option,  such adjustment  shall be made and shall be
effective and binding for all purposes of the Option.

         9.  The  Option  shall  not  be  transferable  by  McCLELLAND,   either
voluntarily  or  involuntarily,  except  by will  or the  laws  of  descent  and
distribution,  and then only to the extent  provided in paragraph 5 hereof.  Any
other  attempt to do so shall void the Option.  The Option shall be  exercisable
during  McCLELLAND's  lifetime only by McCLELLAND and, after McCLELLAND's death,
only by McCLELLAND's legal representative(s).


                                        2
<PAGE>
         10.  McCLELLAND shall not have any rights as a shareholder with respect
to any Common Stock  covered by the Option until he shall have become the holder
of record of such share, and no adjustments  shall be made for cash dividends or
other distributions or other rights as to which there is a record date preceding
the date he becomes the holder of record of such shares.

         11. The foregoing sets forth the agreement  between the parties and the
same may not be changed, except by a writing between the parties.

         Executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                                      /s/ Charles McClelland
                                                      ----------------------
                                                      CHARLES McCLELLAND

                                                      BALCHEM CORPORATION

                                                  By: /s/ Herbert D. Weiss
                                                      --------------------
                                                      Herbert D. Weiss,
                                                      President

 
                                        3


                  Amendment  and  Extension  dated  as  of  April  25,  1997  of
Agreement ("Consulting Agreement") dated January 1, 1995, as heretofore amended,
between Dr. Charles McClelland  ("McClelland") with an office at 3810 May Court,
Palo Alto,  California 94303 and Balchem Corporation  ("Balchem") with executive
offices at Slate Hill, New York 10973.

                  WHEREAS,  the  services  of  McClelland  under the  Consulting
Agreement will Cease at the end of 1997 in accordance with its terms; and

                  WHEREAS,  Balchem  is  desirous  of  continuing  to obtain the
consulting  services  of  McClelland,  as  provided  in the  Agreement,  for the
additional three-year period 1998-2000; and

                  WHEREAS,  McClelland  is willing to perform such  services for
the consideration set forth herein;

                  NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

                  1.  McClelland  shall  continue  to perform  for  Balchem  the
consulting  services as described in paragraph 1 of the Consulting  Agreement in
the  three-year  period  1996-2000,  unless the  Consulting  Agreement is sooner
terminated as provided in paragraph 3.

                  2.  In  consideration  of  McClelland's   entering  into  this
amendment and performing such  additional  consulting  services,  Balchem hereby
grants to McClelland  the further  option (the  "Additional  Option") to acquire
during the ten-year  period ending April 30, 2007,  for  investment  for his own
account,  and not for, or with a view to the distribution  thereof,  up to 7,500
shares of common stock,  $.06 2/3 par value of Balchem,  at an exercise price of
$10.125 per share as follows:

                  a.       Up to 2,500 shares,  from and after completion of the
                           furnishing by  McClelland of all required  consulting
                           services  during the year ending  December  31, 1998,
                           exercisable  from  such  completion  until  April 30,
                           2007;

                  b.       Up  to  2,500   additional   shares  from  and  after
                           completion  of the  furnishing  by  McClelland of all
                           required  consulting  services  during  the two years
                           ending  December  31,  1999,  exercisable  from  such
                           completion until April 30, 2007; and

                  c.       up  to  2,500   additional   shares  from  and  after
                           completion  of the  furnishing  by  McClelland of all
                           required  consulting  services  during the three-year
                           period


                                        1
<PAGE>
                           ending  December  31,  2000,  exercisable  from  such
                           completion until April 30, 2007.

                  3. The  provisions  relating  to the  Option in the  Agreement
shall apply to the Additional Option,  including without limiting the generality
thereof,  McClelland's right to elect to hold any shares acquired by exercise of
the  Additional  Option  as joint  tenants  with his  wife,  the  effect  on the
Additional Option of McClelland's death, the manner of exercising the Additional
Option,  the legending of share  certificates  to be issued upon exercise of the
Additional  Option,  the  adjustments  in shares  of  splits,  stock  dividends,
recapitalization,    and   the   limitations   on   the   Additional    Option's
transferability.

                  4. Balchem shall use its best efforts to cause a  Registration
Statement on Form S-8 to become  effective  with respect to all of the shares of
Balchem  common  stock which may be issued  pursuant  to the options  granted to
McClelland  under  the  Consulting  Agreement  as  hereby  amended.  If  such  a
Registration  Statement becomes  effective,  and continues to be effective,  the
certificates evidencing such shares shall not bear any restrictive legend.

                  5. Except as herein set forth, the Consulting  Agreement shall
continue in full force and effect.

                  Executed as of the day and year first above written

                                                         /s/ Charles McClelland
                                                         ----------------------
                                                         Charles McClelland

                                                         BALCHEM CORPORATION

                                                     By: /s/ Raymond Reber
                                                         -----------------
                                                         President



                                        2


                    AMENDED AND RESTATED TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                               BALCHEM CORPORATION

                          AND THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

                          Dated as of January 15, 1999


<PAGE>
         Amended  and  Restated  Loan  Agreement  dated as of January  15,  1999
between  BALCHEM  CORPORATION,  a Maryland  corporation  with its chief place of
business  located at Route 6 and Route 284, P.O. Box 175,  Slate Hill,  New York
10973 (the  "Borrower") and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK (formerly known as Chemical
Bank), a New York banking  corporation  having an office at 400 Rella Boulevard,
Suite 100, Suffern, New York, 10901 (the "Bank").

         Preliminary  Statement.  The  Borrower and the Bank entered into a loan
agreement  dated as of January 25, 1995 (as  heretofore  amended,  the "Original
Agreement")  pursuant to which the Bank made a term loan to the  Borrower in the
original  amount of  $3,700,000  ("Term Loan A"). The Borrower has requested and
the Bank has agreed,  subject to the terms and conditions  contained  herein, to
make an  additional  term loan to the Borrower in the amount of  $3,000,000.  To
that end,  the  Borrower  and the Bank hereby  amend and  restate  the  Original
Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein.

         Accordingly, the Borrower, the Borrower and the Bank agree as follows:

                             SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

         1.1 Defined  Terms.  As used herein the following  terms shall have the
following meanings:

         "Affiliate",  as applied to any Person, means any other Person directly
or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controlling,  controlled by, or
under common  control with,  that Person.  For the purposes of this  definition,
"control"  (including  with  correlative  meanings,   the  terms  "controlling",
"controlled  by" and "under  common  control  with"),  as applied to any Person,
means the  possession,  directly or indirectly,  of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.

         "Agreement" shall mean this Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, as the
same from time to time may be amended, supplemented or modified.

         "Alternate  Base Rate"  shall mean a rate per annum  equal to 1/2 of 1%
plus the Federal Funds Effective Rate from time to time.

         "Base LIBOR Rate" applicable to a particular LIBOR Rate Interest Period
shall mean a rate per annum equal to the product  arrived at by multiplying  the
Fixed LIBOR Rate applicable to such Interest Period by a fraction  (expressed as
a decimal),  the numerator of which shall be the number one and the  denominator
of which  shall be the  number  one  minus  the  aggregate  reserve  percentages
(expressed as a decimal) from time to time established by the Board of Governors
of the  Federal  Reserve  System of the  United  States  and any  other  banking
authority  to which the Bank is now or  hereafter  subject,  including,  but not
limited to any reserve on Eurocurrency Liabilities as defined in Regulation D of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States at the
ratios  provided in such  Regulation from time to time, it being agreed that any
portion  of the  Principal  Balance  bearing  interest  at a LIBOR Rate shall be
deemed to constitute  Eurocurrency  Liabilities,  as defined by such Regulation,
and it being further agreed that such  Eurocurrency  Liabilities shall be deemed
to be  subject to such  reserve  requirements  without  benefit of or credit for
prorations, exceptions or offsets that may be available to the Bank from time to
time  under such  Regulation  and  irrespective  of  whether  the Bank  actually
maintains all or any portion of such reserve.
<PAGE>
         "Business  Day" shall have the same meaning as "Working  Day" set forth
below.

         "Calculation   Period"  shall  mean  each  period  commencing  on  each
anniversary  of the date a Loan was made  (calculated  on the  basis of a single
annual payment), except for the initial Calculation Period following prepayment,
which  shall  commence  on the  date of  such  prepayment  and  end of the  next
following anniversary date of the date the Fixed Rate was made.

         "Capital Expenditures" shall mean amounts paid or indebtedness incurred
by the Borrower or any  Subsidiary in  connection  with the purchase or lease of
capital assets that would be required to be capitalized and shown on the balance
sheet of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP.

         "Cash Flow" shall mean Operating Profit plus depreciation, amortization
and non-cash compensation minus dividends minus Capital Expenditures.

         "Contractual Obligations" shall mean as to any Person, any provision of
any  security  issued  by  such  Person  or  of  any  agreement,  instrument  or
undertaking  to  which  such  Person  is a party  or by  which  it or any of its
property is bound.

         "Controlled" and "Control" shall mean any  partnership,  corporation or
other entity of which the Borrower, alone, or the Borrower and/or one or more of
its Subsidiaries,  either has the power to direct the management or the power to
direct at least a majority of the voting interests.

         "Corporate Guarantor" shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower.

         "Default" shall mean any of the events  specified in Section 8, whether
or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has
been satisfied.

         "Discount  Rate" shall mean,  for the purposes of Paragraph  2.5(a) and
the calculation  pursuant to the formula  attached hereto as Exhibit C, for each
Calculation  Period,  the fixed per annum rate, as determined by the Bank in its
sole  discretion  on the date of such  prepayment,  that would be bid by a fixed
rate payor under an  arm's-length  interest rate swap  transaction  having (i) a
term  approximately  equal to such  Calculation  Period,  (ii) a notional amount
equal to the amount of such  prepayment,  (iii) a floating rate of LIBOR for the
notional  amount and (iv) a counterparty of  creditworthiness  acceptable to the
Bank.

         "Dollars"  and "$" shall mean dollars in lawful  currency of the United
States of America.

         "Environmental Laws" shall mean any federal,  state or local statute or
regulation  relating to hazardous or toxic wastes or  substances  or the removal
thereof.

         "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended from time to time.
<PAGE>
         "Eurodollar  Reserve  Percentage"  means  for any day  that  percentage
(expressed  as a decimal)  which is in effect on such day, as  prescribed by the
Board  of  Governors  of the  Federal  Reserve  System  (or any  successor)  for
determining  the maximum  reserve  requirement  for a member bank of the Federal
Reserve System in New York City with deposits  exceeding one billion  dollars in
respect of  "Eurocurrency  Liabilities"  (or in respect of any other category of
liabilities  which  includes  deposits by  reference  to which the LIBOR Rate is
determined  or any  category  of  extensions  of  credit or other  assets  which
includes  loans by a  non-United  States  office  of the Bank to  United  States
residents).  With respect to increases in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage, the
LIBOR Rate shall be adjusted  automatically  on and as of the effective  date of
any such increase.

         "Event of Default" shall mean any of the events specified in Section 8,
provided that any  requirement  for the giving of notice,  the lapse of time, or
both, or any other condition, has been satisfied.

         "Federal Funds Effective  Rate" shall mean and to the extent  necessary
determined by the Bank separately for each day during the term of this Agreement
and shall for each such day be a rate per annum equal to the weighted average of
the rates on overnight  Federal funds  transactions  with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for each such day
(or if any such day is not a Business  Day, for the next  immediately  preceding
Business  Day) by the  Federal  Reserve  Bank of New  York,  or if the  weighted
average of such rates is not so  published  for any such day which is a Business
Day,  the  average  of the  quotations  for any  such  day on such  transactions
received by the Bank from three Federal  funds  brokers of  recognized  standing
selected by the Bank.

         "Fixed  Rate" shall mean the fixed rate of  interest  from time to time
offered by the Bank for periods not to exceed in any event the  applicable  Term
Loan Maturity Date. The Fixed Rate is subject to availability by the Bank.

         "Fixed  LIBOR Rate"  applicable  to a  particular  LIBOR Rate  Interest
Period  shall mean a rate per annum equal to the rate for U.S.  dollar  deposits
with  maturities  comparable to such LIBOR Rate Interest Period which appears on
Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m.,  London Time,  three (3) Working Days prior
to the commencement of such LIBOR Rate Interest Period, provided,  however, that
if such rate does not appear on  Telerate  Page 3750,  the  "Fixed  LIBOR  Rate"
applicable  to a  particular  LIBOR Rate  Interest  Period shall mean a rate per
annum equal to the rate at which U.S. dollar deposits in an amount approximately
equal to the Principal  Balance (or the portion thereof which will bear interest
at a LIBOR Rate during the LIBOR Rate Interest  Period to which such Fixed LIBOR
Rate is applicable in accordance with the provision of this Agreement), and with
maturities  comparable  to the last day of the LIBOR Rate  Interest  Period with
respect to which such Fixed LIBOR Rate is applicable, are offered in immediately
available funds in the London  Interbank Market to the London office of the Bank
by leading banks in the Eurodollar  market at 11:00 a.m., London time, three (3)
Working  Days prior to the  commencement  of the LIBOR Rate  Interest  Period to
which such Fixed LIBOR Rate is applicable.

         "Floating  Rate"  shall mean a rate per annum equal to the greater on a
daily basis of (a) the Prime Rate and (b) the  Alternate  Base Rate.  If for any
reason the Bank shall have determined (which  determination  shall be conclusive
and binding on the  Borrower)  that the Bank is unable to ascertain  the Federal
Funds  Effective  Rate  for  any  reason,  including,  without  limitation,  the
inability or failure of the Bank to obtain  sufficient  bids for the purposes of
determining  the Federal Funds  Effective Rate in accordance with the provisions
of this  Agreement,  the Floating  Rate shall be  determined on the basis of the
<PAGE>
Prime Rate  until the  circumstances  giving  rise to such  inability  no longer
exist. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the
Bank  shall  have the right in its sole and  absolute  discretion  to  calculate
interest  on the  portion of the  Principal  Balance  from time to time  bearing
interest at the Floating  Rate during any given period of time, or for any given
day during the term of this Agreement,  at a rate per annum based upon the Prime
Rate  notwithstanding  the fact that a rate per annum  based upon the  Alternate
Base Rate  may,  from time to time  during  such  period of time or for any such
given day, in fact be higher,  it being agreed that no such election by the Bank
shall in any event or under any  circumstance  constitute a waiver of the Bank's
right at any time  thereafter and without prior notice to the Borrower to charge
interest  on the  portion  of the  Principal  Balance  bearing  interest  at the
Floating Rate strictly in accordance with the provisions of this provision.  Any
change in the  Floating  Rate as a result  of a change in the Prime  Rate or the
Federal Funds  Effective  Rate shall be effective on the  effective  date of any
such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds  Effective  Rate, as the case
may be. The Floating Rate and the components thereof shall be calculated for the
actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a 360-day year. Each determination
of the  Floating  Rate  shall be made by the Bank and  shall be  conclusive  and
binding upon the Borrower absent manifest error.

         "Funded  Debt"  shall  mean  short  term  debt plus long term debt plus
capital leases.

         "Funded  Debt/Cash  Flow Ratio"  shall mean Funded Debt divided by Cash
Flow.

         "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles applied in a
manner  consistent  with  that  employed  in the  preparation  of the  financial
statements described in Section 3.1.

         "Governmental Authority" shall mean any nation or government, any state
or  other  political   subdivision  thereof  any  entity  exercising  executive,
legislative,  judicial,  regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining
to government,  and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled (through
stock or capital ownership or otherwise) any of the foregoing.

         "Guaranty"  shall  mean the  guaranty  in the form of Exhibit D hereto,
which shall be executed and delivered to the Bank by the Corporate Guarantor.

         "Installment  Payment  Date"  shall  mean any date on which  all or any
portion of the Principal Balance of a Term Loan is due and payable.

         "Interest  Period"  shall mean any period  during  which a portion of a
Loan bears  interest at a fixed rate as elected by the  Borrower  in  accordance
with the terms of this Agreement.

                  (a) If any Interest  Period would otherwise end on a day which
is not a day on which  the  Bank is open for  business  in New York  City,  that
Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding day upon which the Bank
is open for business.

                  (b) No Interest Period shall extend beyond the applicable Term
Loan Maturity Date.
<PAGE>
         "LIBOR  Margin"  shall  be the  number  set  forth  below  based on the
Borrower's  Funded  Debt/Cash Flow Ratio as evidenced by both (i) the Borrower's
audited year-end financial statements delivered pursuant to Paragraph 5.2(a) and
(ii) evidence from the Borrower of the calculation of its Funded  Debt/Cash Flow
Ratio on a rolling four quarter basis. As such time as:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
<S>                                                               <C>
Funded Debt/Cash Flow Ratio is:                                   LIBOR Margin shall be:

- ----------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
equal to or greater than 2.0 to 1.0                               1.75 percent per annum
- ----------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
greater than 1.0 to 1.0 but less than 2.0 to 1.0                  1.50 percent per annum
- ----------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
greater than .5 to 1.0 but less than 1.0 to 1.0                   1.25 percent per annum
- ----------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
equal to or less than .50 to 1.00                                 1.00 percent per annum
- ----------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
</TABLE>

Adjustments  in the LIBOR Rate  resulting  from such  calculations  shall become
effective as to LIBOR Rate Interest  Periods that  commence  after the date that
such  calculations  shall have been  accepted by the Bank and shall be fixed for
the entirety of such LIBOR Rate Interest Period.

         "LIBOR Rate"  applicable  to a particular  LIBOR Rate  Interest  Period
shall mean a rate per annum  equal to the LIBOR  Margin plus the Base LIBOR Rate
applicable to such LIBOR Rate Interest Period.

         "LIBOR Rate Interest Period" shall mean the period of time during which
a particular LIBOR Rate will be applicable to all or a particular portion of the
Principal  Balance of the Term Loan in  accordance  with the  provisions of this
Agreement, it being agreed that:

                                    (i) each LIBOR Rate  Interest  Period  shall
                           commence and shall terminate on
                           a Re-Set Date,

                                    (ii) each LIBOR Rate  Interest  Period shall
                           be of a duration  of either one  month,  two  months,
                           three  months,  four  months,  five  months,  or  six
                           months,

                                    (iii) no LIBOR Rate  Interest  Period  shall
                           extend beyond the applicable Term Loan Maturity Date,
                           and

                                    (iv)   except  as   otherwise   specifically
                           provided  to the  contrary  with  respect to the last
                           LIBOR  Rate  Interest  Period  during the term of the
                           applicable   Term  Note,  and  with  respect  to  the
                           unavailability  of a LIBOR  Rate or  Rates,  and with
                           respect  to a  prepayment  of all or a portion of the
                           Principal   Balance,   the  entire   portion  of  the
                           Principal  Balance with respect to which a LIBOR Rate
                           or Rate is or are due to be reset on the first day of
<PAGE>
                           a  particular  LIBOR Rate  Interest  Period will bear
                           interest at the LIBOR Rate  pertaining  to such LIBOR
                           Rate Interest Period from and including the first day
                           of  such  LIBOR  Rate  Interest  Period  to,  but not
                           including,  the last day of such LIBOR Rate  Interest
                           Period.

         "LIBOR Rate  Prepayment  Premium" shall have the meaning given therefor
in Paragraph 2.5(b) hereof.

         "Lien"   shall   mean  any   mortgage,   pledge,   security   interest,
hypothecation,  assignment,  deposit  arrangement,  encumbrance,  or preference,
priority or other security agreement or preferential  arrangement of any kind or
nature whatsoever (including,  without limitation, any conditional sale or other
title retention  agreement,  any financing lease having  substantially  the same
economic  effect  as any of the  foregoing,  and  the  filing  of any  financing
statement   under  the  Uniform   Commercial  Code  or  comparable  law  of  any
jurisdiction).

         "Loan or  "Loans"  shall  mean Term  Loan A and/or  Term Loan B, as the
context may require.

         "Loan  Documents"  shall mean Term Note A. Term Note B, this Agreement,
the  Security  Agreement  and any other  document  or  instrument  executed  and
delivered in connection herewith.

         "Material  Adverse Effect" shall mean a material  adverse effect on (a)
the  business,  operations,  property,  condition  (financial  or  otherwise) or
prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability
of the Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents,  or (c) the
validity  or  enforceability  of any of the  Loan  Documents  or the  rights  or
remedies of the Bank hereunder or thereunder.

         "Maturity  Date"  shall  mean the date  that  all or a  portion  of the
outstanding Principal Balance of a Loan is due and payable pursuant to the terms
hereof which shall include without limitation, each Installment Payment Date and
the final Maturity Date of each Term Loan.

         "Note"  shall  mean  Term  Note A or Term  Note B, as the  context  may
require.

         "Operating Profit" shall mean earnings before interest and taxes.

         "Person" shall mean any  individual,  corporation,  partnership,  joint
venture, trust,  unincorporated organization or any other juridical entity, or a
government or state or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

         "Plan" shall mean any plan of a type  described  in Section  4021(a) of
ERISA in respect of which the  Borrower is an  "employer"  as defined in Section
3(5) of ERISA.

         "Post Default Rate" shall mean at any time a rate of interest  equal to
2% per annum in excess of the rate (or rates) of  interest  otherwise  in effect
with respect to the Principal Balance.
<PAGE>
         "Prepayment  Premium" shall mean, for the purposes of Paragraph  2.5(a)
and the  calculation  pursuant to the formula  attached hereto as Exhibit C, for
any  prepayment of the  Principal  Balance  bearing  interest at a Fixed Rate, a
premium (as  liquidated  damages and not as penalty) equal to (a) in the case of
any such  prepayment  made within one year period prior to the  applicable  Term
Loan Maturity Date or the date upon which such Interest  Period would  otherwise
end,  all  reasonable  losses,  expenses  and  liabilities  (including,  without
limitation,  any interest paid by the Bank to lenders of funds borrowed by it to
make or carry the Fixed Rate and losses sustained by the Bank in connection with
the  re-employment  of such funds) which the Bank may incur with respect to that
portion of the Principal  Balance bearing  interest at the Fixed Rate, or (b) in
the  case of any  such  prepayment  made  earlier  than  one  year  prior to the
applicable  Term Loan Maturity Date or the date upon which such Interest  Period
would  otherwise  end, the sum of the present  values,  each  determined  at the
appropriate  Discount Rate, of the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest
computed at the Fixed Rate on the Principal  Balance (after giving effect to any
scheduled  amortization  occurring  prior to the first  day of each  Calculation
Period) deemed to be due on the last day of each  Calculation  Period during the
remaining  term of the  applicable  Term  Note,  or until  the  Interest  Period
applicable to such Fixed Rate would  otherwise end, over (ii) the amount of each
corresponding  interest payment  computed  according to the formula set forth on
Exhibit C.

         "Principal Balance" shall mean the outstanding Principal Balance of the
Term Note from time to time.

         "Prime Rate" shall mean the rate of interest  established  from time to
time by the Bank as its "prime rate", as the same shall change from day to day.

         "Real  Property"  shall mean any real  property  owned or leased by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

         "Redeployment  Rate" shall mean,  for the purposes of Paragraph  2.5(a)
and the calculation pursuant to the formula attached hereto as Exhibit C, at any
time,  the fixed  per annum  rate  (calculated  on the basis of a single  annual
interest payment),  as determined by the Bank in its sole discretion on the date
of  such  prepayment,  that  would  be  bid  by a  fixed  rate  payor  under  an
arm's-length  interest  rate swap  transaction  having (i) a term  approximately
equal to the period  commencing on the date of such prepayment and ending on the
stated  maturity of such Fixed Rate,  (ii) a notional amount equal to the amount
of such  prepayment,  (iii) a floating rate of LIBOR for the notional amount and
(iv) a counterparty of creditworthiness acceptable to the Bank.

         "Reference  Bank"  means  one or more  of the  banks  appearing  on the
display  designated  as page "LIBOR" on the Reuters  Monitor Money Rates Service
(or such  other  page as may  replace  the LIBOR  page on that  service  for the
purpose of displaying London interbank  offered rates of major banks);  provided
that if no such  offered  rate shall appear on such  display,  "Reference  Bank"
shall mean one or more major banks in the London interbank market as selected by
the Bank.

         "Reportable  Event"  shall  mean any of the events set forth in Section
4043(b) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder.
<PAGE>
         "Re-Set Date" shall mean consecutive  numerically  corresponding  dates
during the term of this  Agreement,  the first of which Re-Set Dates shall occur
on a Working Day to be  designated  by the Bank,  which Working Day shall not be
earlier  than five (5) Working  Days or later than  fifteen  (15)  Working  Days
subsequent to the date upon which the Loan is advanced.  Each subsequent  Re-Set
Date  during  the term of this  Agreement  shall be the date in each  subsequent
calendar month during the term of this Agreement which  numerically  corresponds
to the first Re-Set Date during the term of this Agreement,  provided,  however,
that if the numerically corresponding date in any such subsequent calendar month
during the term of this  Agreement  shall not be a Working  Day, the Re-Set Date
for such calendar  month shall be the next  succeeding  Working Day,  unless the
next such succeeding Working Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which
event  the  Re-Set  Date for such  calendar  month  shall be the next  preceding
Working Day. For the purposes of this  Agreement  the period of time between any
two  consecutive  Re-Set Dates during the term of this Agreement shall be deemed
to be a period of one month.

         "Requirements  of Law" shall mean as to any Person,  the certificate of
incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of such
Person,  and  any  law,  treaty,  rule or  regulation,  or  determination  of an
arbitrator or a court or other Governmental  Authority,  in each case applicable
to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or
any of its property is subject.

         "Roll Over Date"  applicable to a particular LIBOR Rate Interest Period
shall mean the last day of such LIBOR Rate Interest Period.

         "Security Agreements" shall mean the Security Agreements referred to in
Paragraph 9(b) hereof substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto.

         "Specified  Person"  shall  mean  either  the  Borrower  or  any of its
Subsidiaries.

         "Subsidiary or  Subsidiaries"  of any Person shall mean any corporation
or  corporations  of which the Person alone, or the Person and/or one or more of
its  Subsidiaries,  owns,  directly  or  indirectly,  at least a majority of the
securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors.

         "Telerate  Page 3750" shall mean the display  designated as "Page 3750"
on the Associated  Press-Dow  Jones Telerate  Service (or such other page as may
replace Page 3750 on the Associated  Press-Dow  Jones  Telerate  Service or such
other  service as may be nominated by the British  Bankers'  Association  as the
information  vendor for the purpose of displaying  British Bankers'  Association
interest  settlement  rates for U.S.  Dollar  deposits).  Any Fixed  LIBOR  Rate
determined  on the  basis  of the  rate  displayed  on  Telerate  Page  3750  in
accordance   with  the  provisions  of  this  Agreement   shall  be  subject  to
corrections, if any, made in such rate and displayed by the Associated Press-Dow
Jones  Telerate  Service  within  one hour of the time  when  such rate is first
displayed by such Service.

         "Term  Loan(s)"  shall  mean  Term  Loan A and/or  Term  Loan B, as the
context may require.

         "Term Loan A" shall mean the term loan made by the Bank to the Borrower
pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof,  in the original  principal amount of $3,700,000
(the Principal Balance of which is, as of the Restatement Date, $750,000).
<PAGE>
         "Term Loan B" shall mean the term loan made by the Bank to the Borrower
on the  restatement  Date  pursuant  to  Section  2.1  hereof,  in the  original
principal amount of $3,000,000.

         "Term Loan A Maturity Date" shall mean April 1, 2000.

         "Term Loan B Maturity Date" shall mean January 15, 2004.

         "Term Loan Maturity Date" shall mean, with respect to Term Loan A, Term
Loan A  Maturity  Date,  and with  respect  to Term Loan B, Term Loan B Maturity
Date.

         "Term  Note(s)"  shall  mean  Term  Note A and/or  Term  Note B, as the
context may require.

         "Term Note A" shall mean the note, substantially in the form of Exhibit
A hereto, evidencing Term Loan A.

         "Term Note B" shall mean the note, substantially in the form of Exhibit
B hereto, evidencing Term Loan B.

         "Working Day" shall mean any day on which the Bank is open for business
in New York City and on which  commercial  banks in the City of London,  England
are open for dealings in U.S. dollar deposits in the London Interbank Market.

         1.2 Accounting  Terms.  As used herein and in any  certificate or other
document made or delivered  pursuant  hereto,  accounting terms not specifically
defined herein shall have the respective  meanings given to them under generally
accepted accounting principles.

                              SECTION 2. TERM LOANS

         2.1      Term Loan Principal Repayment.

                  (a) (i) Term Loan A. The Outstanding Principal Balance of Term
Loan A as of the  Restatement  Date,  in the  amount  of  $750,000.00,  shall be
repayable in consecutive monthly  installments of principal as follows:  Subject
to Paragraph (b)(i) below of Section 2.1,  commencing on February 1, 1999 and on
the first day of each  succeeding  month  thereafter  through and including Term
Loan A Maturity Date,  there shall be due and payable  installments of principal
each in the amount of $50,000.00.

                           (ii) Term Loan B. The Outstanding  Principal  Balance
of Term  Loan B shall  be  repayable  in  consecutive  monthly  installments  of
principal  as  follows:  Subject to  paragraph  (b)(ii)  below of  Section  2.1,
commencing  on  February 1, 1999 and on the first day of each  succeeding  month
thereafter  through and including Term Loan B Maturity Date,  there shall be due
and payable installments of principal each in the amount of $50,000.

                  (b) (i) Term Loan A. If in any  month,  it would be  necessary
for the Borrower to prepay a Loan which bears  interest at a LIBOR Rate in order
to make a regular  monthly  payment of principal due under  Paragraph  (a)(i) of
Section 2.1, the Borrower may defer such regular  monthly payment until the last
day of the  LIBOR  Rate  Interest  Period  applicable  to such  Loan,  provided,
however,  that the  aggregate  of all  principal  payments  for:  (1) the period
February 1, 1999 through  December 31, 1999 shall be no less than $550,000;  and
(2) the period  February 1, 1999 through  Term Loan A Maturity  Date shall be no
less than $750,000.
<PAGE>
                           (ii)  Term  Loan  B. If in any  month,  it  would  be
necessary for the Borrower to prepay a Loan which bears interest at a LIBOR Rate
in order to make a regular  monthly  payment of  principal  due under  Paragraph
(a)(ii) of Section 2.1, the  Borrower  may defer such  regular  monthly  payment
until the last day of the LIBOR Rate  Interest  Period  applicable to such Loan,
provided,  however,  that the  aggregate of all  principal  payments for (1) the
period  February  1,  1999  through  December  31,  1999  shall be no less  than
$550,000;  (2) the period February 1, 1999 through December 31, 2000 shall be no
less than $1,150,000;  (3) the period February 1, 1999 through December 31, 2001
shall be no less than  $1,750,000;  (4) the  period  February  1,  1999  through
December 31, 2002 shall be no less than $2,350,000;  and (5) the period February
1, 1999 through Term Loan B Maturity Date shall be no less than $3,000,000.

                  (c) In  addition  to and  together  with each  installment  of
principal  set forth above,  the Borrower  shall pay to the Bank interest on the
unpaid  Principal  Balance of each Term Loan at the rate (or rates)  hereinafter
provided  and at the times so  designated  for the  particular  interest  option
selected.  The entire  Principal  Balance of each Term Loan remaining unpaid and
any  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  shall be due and  payable  on the Term Loan
Maturity Date applicable to such Term Loan.

         2.2      Term Loan Interest

                  (a) Each Term Loan made by the Bank to the  Borrower  pursuant
to  Section  2.1  hereof  shall be  evidenced  by, in the case of Term Loan A, a
replacement promissory note of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit
A hereto,  and in the case of Term  Loan B, a  promissory  note of the  Borrower
substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto,  each payable to the order of the
Bank and  representing  the  obligation  of the  Borrower  to pay the  Principal
Balance of such Term Loan with interest thereon as hereinafter prescribed.  Each
Term Note  shall (i) be dated the date  hereof,  (ii) be stated to mature on, in
the case of Term Loan A, Term Loan A  Maturity  Date,  and,  in the case of Term
Loan B, Term Loan B Maturity Date, (iii) provide for principal  repayment as set
forth above and (iv) bear interest with respect to the unpaid Principal  Balance
thereof  from  time to time  outstanding  at a rate (or  rates)  per annum to be
selected by the Borrower in accordance  with the provisions set forth in Section
2.3 hereof, and in the case of the Fixed Rate or the LIBOR Rate for the Interest
Period or the LIBOR Rate Interest Period therein specified,  equal to either (1)
the Base LIBOR Rate plus the LIBOR Margin,  (2) the Fixed Rate, if available and
at the rate  determined  by the Bank for the  period so  designated,  or (3) the
Floating Rate (which interest rate will change when and as the Prime Rate or the
Federal Funds  Effective Rate changes).  In all cases interest shall be computed
on the basis of a 360-day  year for actual days  elapsed and shall be payable as
provided in Paragraph 2.2(b) hereof.  After any stated or accelerated  maturity,
such Term Note shall bear  interest  at the rate set forth in  Paragraph  2.2(d)
hereof.

                           (i) From and  including the date on which the Loan is
advanced  to, but not  including,  the first Re-Set Date during the term of this
Agreement,  the entire  Principal  Balance  shall bear  interest at the Floating
Rate. From and including the first Re-Set Date during the term of this Agreement
to, but not  including,  the last Re-Set Date during the term of this  Agreement
to, but not including,  the last Re-Set Date during the term of this  Agreement,
the entire  Principal  Balance  shall,  except as  specifically  provided to the
contrary in this Agreement,  bear interest at the above  referenced  Fixed Rate,
Floating  Rate  or to the  extent  hereafter  provided  at one  or  more  of the
available  LIBOR Rates.  The available  LIBOR Rates shall consist of a one-month
LIBOR Rate, a two-month LIBOR Rate, a three-month LIBOR Rate, a four-month LIBOR
Rate,  a  five-month  LIBOR  Rate,  and a  six-month  LIBOR Rate  determined  in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, it being agreed that:
<PAGE>
                                    (A) the  Borrower  shall  have the  right to
select from the available  LIBOR Rate (or rates) from time to time applicable to
the Principal Balance, and

                                    (B) each  LIBOR  Rate  from  time to time so
selected  by the  Borrower  shall take  effect  and shall end on a Re-Set  Date.
Except as hereinafter  specifically  provided to the contrary in this paragraph,
the Borrower shall not have the right to select more than one LIBOR Rate to take
effect on any given Re-Set Date.

                           (ii)   Notwithstanding   anything  to  the   contrary
hereinabove set forth in Paragraph 2.2(a)(i), the Borrower shall have the option
from time to time during the term of this  Agreement to select up to, but not in
excess  of, two (2) LIBOR  Rates to take  effect on any given  Re-Set  Date with
respect to each Term Loan.  The  Borrower  shall make such  election  by written
irrevocable notice given to the Bank at least five (5) Working Days prior to the
applicable  Re-Set Date, in which notice the Borrower  shall specify the two (2)
LIBOR Rates so  selected  by the  Borrower  and the  respective  portions of the
Principal  Balance to which such LIBOR  Rates are to  respectively  pertain,  it
being agreed that:

                                    (A) the  minimum  portion  of the  Principal
Balance  to which any such  LIBOR  Rate may  pertain  shall be equal to at least
$500,000,

                                    (B) each such LIBOR Rate so  selected by the
Borrower shall be applicable to the portion of the Principal Balance to which it
pertains from and including the first day of the applicable  LIBOR Rate Interest
Period to, but not including,  the Roll Over Date  applicable to such LIBOR Rate
Interest Period, and

                                    (C) the Borrower shall not have the right to
exercise its option pursuant to this sentence as of any given Re-Set Date if the
effect thereof would be to cause more than two (2) different LIBOR Rate Interest
Periods to be in effect with respect to the Principal  Balance of any individual
Term Loan at any given time during the term of this Agreement.

                           (b)  Interest  accrued  on each  Term  Loan  shall be
payable, on:

                                    (i) the  Maturity  Date  applicable  to such
Term Loan;

                                    (ii)  with  respect  to any  portion  of the
Principal Balance prepaid pursuant to this
Agreement, the date of such prepayment;

                                    (iii) the  first  day of each  month in each
                                    year during the term of such Term Loan to
and  including  the Term  Loan  Maturity  Date  applicable  to such  Term  Loan,
commencing on the first day of the first month following the Restatement Date;

                                    (iv)  with  respect  to any  portion  of the
Principal Balance converted to a different rate on a day when interest would not
otherwise have been payable, the date of such conversion.
<PAGE>
                  (c) All  payments  (including  prepayments)  to be made by the
Borrower on account of  principal  or interest  with  respect to the Loans or on
account of fees or any other  obligations  of the Borrower to the Bank hereunder
shall be made to the Bank at the  office of the Bank set forth in  Section  10.1
hereof or at such  other  place as the Bank may from time to time  designate  in
writing in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available
funds. The Borrower hereby authorizes and directs the Bank to charge any account
of the  Borrower  maintained  at any  office of the Bank for any such  payments.
Subject to the other  provisions  hereof and the  definitions of Interest Period
and LIBOR Rate Interest  Period set forth in Section 1.1 hereof,  if any payment
to be so made hereunder,  or under a Term Note, becomes due and payable on a day
other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day and, to the extent  permitted by applicable law,  interest  thereon
shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.

                  (d) If all or a portion of principal or interest  shall not be
paid when due (whether at the stated or any  accelerated  maturity of the Loans)
or if any fee or other  amount due  hereunder  shall not be paid when due,  such
Loan,  interest,  fee or  amount  due  hereunder,  to the  extent  permitted  by
applicable law, shall bear interest (payable on demand,  and in any event on the
last day of each month,  and  computed  daily on the basis of a 360-day year for
actual days  elapsed) at the Post  Default  Rate.  In no event,  however,  shall
interest  payable  hereunder  be in  excess  of the  maximum  rate  of  interest
permitted  under  applicable  law. The  obligation  to so pay interest  upon any
reimbursement  obligation  of the Borrower to the Bank shall not be construed so
as to waive the requirement for  reimbursement  on the same date that payment is
made by the Bank as set forth in this Agreement.

                  (e) The  Borrower  hereby  expressly  authorizes  the  Bank to
record the rate (or rates) of interest  applicable to the Principal  Balance (or
portions  thereof)  and the  Interest  Period  or LIBOR  Rate  Interest  Periods
applicable and all such recordations shall be presumed to be correct.

                  (f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
the amount of the Principal Balance of a Loan which may bear interest at a LIBOR
Rate (or rates)  and the LIBOR Rate  Interest  Period  (or  periods)  applicable
thereto  shall not be such as would result in a  prepayment  penalty in order to
satisfy the amortization  requirements set forth in Paragraph (a) of Section 2.1
except as permitted by Paragraph (b) of Section 2.1.

         2.3      Procedure for Election of Interest Rates.

                  (a) The Borrower may elect to have interest on all or portions
of the Principal Balance accrue at any of the  aforementioned  interest rates by
giving  the Bank  irrevocable  notice  of a  request  for an  interest  election
hereunder  (i) in the case of the LIBOR Rate, as set forth below and (ii) in the
case of all other interest rate elections,  not less than one nor more than five
Business Days before a proposed  election,  continuation or conversion,  setting
forth (A) the amount of the  Principal  Balance which will bear interest at such
rate,  which shall be not less than $500,000,  (B) whether the interest rate for
such  principal  amount is to be LIBOR Rate,  Fixed Rate or  Floating  rate or a
combination  thereof,  (C) if a LIBOR or Fixed Rate is selected,  the  requested
Interest  Period or LIBOR Rate Interest  Period  commencement  date,  and (D) if
entirely or  partially a Fixed Rate or a LIBOR Rate,  the length of the Interest
Period or LIBOR Rate Interest Period therefor, which shall be (1) one month, two
months,  three months,  four months,  five months, or six months, in the case of
the LIBOR  Rate,  and (2) for a period  not to exceed the  applicable  Term Loan
<PAGE>
Maturity  Date  in the  case of a Fixed  Rate or a LIBOR  Rate.  As used in this
Section 2.3,  "conversion"  shall mean the conversion  from one interest rate to
another interest rate as more fully described in Section 2.3 hereof. Such notice
may be written (including,  without limitation,  via facsimile  transmission) or
oral and shall be  sufficient  if  received  by 1 p.m. on the date on which such
notice is to be given.  If any such  request  is oral it shall be  confirmed  in
writing sent by the Borrower to the Bank within two Business Days thereafter. If
no interest  rate election is made,  then the Principal  Balance (or any portion
thereof) will automatically then bear interest at the Floating Rate.

                  (b) The  Borrower  shall  have the  right at any time on prior
irrevocable  written  notice to the Bank as  specified  in  Paragraph  2.3(a) to
continue any interest rate election into a subsequent  Interest  Period or LIBOR
Rate  Interest  Period,  as the case may be,  (ii) to convert any portion of the
Principal  Balance  bearing  interest at a Fixed Rate upon the expiration of the
Interest  Period  or LIBOR  Rate upon the Roll  Over  Date to bear  interest  at
another type of Fixed Rate or LIBOR Rate or a Floating Rate (specifying,  in the
case of a Fixed Rate or LIBOR Rate, the Interest  Period and LIBOR Rate Interest
Period to be applicable  thereto),  and (iii) to convert interest on any portion
of the Principal Balance bearing interest at the Floating Rate into a Fixed Rate
or LIBOR Rate  (specifying the Interest Period or the LIBOR Rate Interest Period
to be applicable thereto), subject to the following:

                           (i) in the case of a  conversion  of less than all of
         the  outstanding  Principal  Balance  of a  Term  Loan,  the  aggregate
         principal  amount of such Term  Loan  converted  shall not be less than
         $500,000.00;

                           (ii) no  portion  of a Term  Loan  (other  than  that
         portion bearing  interest at a Floating Rate) shall be converted at any
         time  other  than at the end of an  Interest  Period (or the LIBOR Rate
         Interest Period) applicable thereto; and

                           (iii) no  election  for a Fixed  Rate or a LIBOR Rate
         may be made by the Borrower  within  sixty (60) days of the  applicable
         Term Loan Maturity Date.

In the event that the Borrower  shall not give notice to continue any Fixed Rate
or LIBOR Rate into a  subsequent  Interest  Period or convert  any amount of the
Principal  Balance of a Term Loan  bearing  interest  at such rate into  another
type,  on the last day of the  Interest  Period or LIBOR  Rate  Interest  Period
thereof,  such  Principal  Balance  (unless  prepaid) shall  automatically  bear
interest at the Floating Rate. The Interest Period or LIBOR Rate Interest Period
applicable to any portion of the Principal  Balance which is to bear interest at
the Fixed Rate or the LIBOR Rate  resulting  from a conversion  or  continuation
shall be specified by the Borrower in the  irrevocable  notice  delivered by the
Borrower pursuant to this section; provided,  however, that, if such notice does
not specify  either rate of  interest or the  Interest  Period or the LIBOR Rate
Interest Period to be applicable thereto,  that portion of the Principal Balance
shall  automatically  be converted into, or continued as, as the case may be, at
the Floating Rate until such required  information is furnished  pursuant to the
terms hereof.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained above, if an
Event of Default  shall have  occurred and is  continuing,  no Fixed Rate may be
continued into a subsequent  Interest Period or LIBOR Rate may be continued into
a  subsequent  LIBOR Rate  Interest  Period and no LIBOR Rate of interest may be
converted to the Fixed Rate or Fixed Rate of Interest into the LIBOR Rate.
<PAGE>
         2.4      Prepayment.

                  (a) The  Borrower  may  prepay any  portion  of the  Principal
Balance  bearing  interest  at the  Floating  Rate in whole  or in part  without
premium  or penalty  upon not less than ten (10)  business  days  prior  written
notice;  provided,  however,  that each  partial  prepayment  on  account of any
portion of the Principal  Balance bearing interest at the Floating Rate shall be
in an amount not less than  $100,000.  Except as  provided in Section 2.5 below,
the Borrower  may not prepay any portion of a Term Loan bearing  interest at the
Fixed  Rate or the LIBOR Rate  prior to the last day of the  Interest  Period or
LIBOR Rate Interest Period therefor. Any partial prepayment of a Term Loan shall
be  applied  to the  last  maturing  installments  in  inverse  order  or  their
respective  maturities.  Each prepayment  shall be made together with payment of
accrued interest on the amount prepaid to and including the date of prepayment.

         2.5      Prepayment Premiums.

                  (a) If any portion of the Principal  Balance of a Term Loan is
bearing interest at the Fixed Rate, then, subject to the following provisions of
this paragraph,  the Borrower shall have the right to prepay such portion of the
Principal  Balance in multiples of $100,000.00  (with a minimum of $100,000.00),
upon not less than ten (10) business days' prior written  irrevocable  notice to
the Bank  specifying  the  intended  date of  prepayment,  and the  amount to be
prepaid,  and such  prepayment is accompanied by payment of accrued  interest to
and  including  the date of  prepayment  and  other  sums  then due and  payable
pursuant to the  provisions of this Agreement or the other Loan  Documents.  The
Borrower  shall  pay to the  Bank  contemporaneously  with  any  such  voluntary
prepayment  of the Principal  Balance  which bears  interest at the Fixed Rate a
Prepayment Premium (as hereinafter defined). Any payment of the then outstanding
Principal  Balance  after the Bank shall have  declared  the  Principal  Balance
immediately due and payable, or after the Bank shall have commenced an action or
proceeding  as a result  of an Event of  Default,  shall be  deemed a  voluntary
prepayment  for  the  purposes  of  this  paragraph  and  a  Prepayment  Premium
calculated  pursuant to the provisions of this  paragraph  shall be payable with
respect thereto based upon the interest rate specified herein  applicable to the
then  outstanding  principal  indebtedness  immediately  prior to such  default,
declaration or commencement.  The portion of the Principal  Balance specified in
any such irrevocable notice of prepayment shall, notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Agreement,  be absolutely and unconditionally due and
payable on the date specified in such notice.

                  (b) If any portion of the Principal  Balance of a Term Loan is
bearing  interest  at a LIBOR  Rate or  rates,  then  subject  to the  following
provisions of this  paragraph,  the Borrower shall have the right to prepay such
Principal  Balance (or any portion  thereof) in whole, or in part, upon not less
than ten (10)  Business  Days'  prior  written  irrevocable  notice  to the Bank
specifying the intended date of prepayment,  which date of prepayment  shall not
be more than fifteen (15) Business Days days after the date of such notice,  and
the amount to be prepaid and upon  payment of all  interest  and other sums then
due and  payable  pursuant  to the  provisions  of this  Agreement  and the Loan
Documents.   The  portion  of  the  Principal  Balance  specified  in  any  such
irrevocable notice of prepayment shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained  in  this  Agreement  or  the  Loan   Documents,   be  absolutely  and
unconditionally  due and  payable  on the date  specified  in such  notice.  Any
partial prepayment of the Principal Balance in accordance with the provisions of
this  Paragraph  2.5(b)  shall be in a minimum  amount of and in multiples of at
<PAGE>
least  $100,000,  and no partial  prepayment of the  Principal  Balance shall be
permitted in accordance  with the  provisions of this  paragraph if such partial
prepayment would reduce the Principal Balance below $100,000. The Bank shall not
be obligated to accept any prepayment of the Principal  Balance bearing interest
at a LIBOR Rate or rates unless it is accompanied by the prepayment  premium, if
any, due in  connection  therewith as calculated  pursuant to the  provisions of
this  Paragraph  2.5(b),  it being  understood  and  agreed  that no LIBOR  Rate
Prepayment  Premium (as hereinafter  defined) payable under this paragraph shall
in any event or under any circumstance be deemed or construed to be a penalty.

         No LIBOR Rate Prepayment Premium shall be payable if the portion of the
Principal  Balance  being  prepaid  hereunder  occurs  on  the  Roll  Over  Date
pertaining  to the  portion  of the  Principal  Balance  of the Term Note  being
prepaid.  If any  particular  portion of the Principal  Balance being prepaid is
bearing  interest at a LIBOR Rate and such prepayment does not occur on the Roll
Over Date  pertaining to the portion of the  Principal  Balance of the Term Note
being  prepaid,  the Borrower shall pay to the Bank  contemporaneously  with any
such prepayment a prepayment premium (the "LIBOR Rate Prepayment Premium") equal
to the portion of the Principal Balance being prepaid, multiplied by a per annum
interest rate equal to the  difference  between the then  applicable  Base LIBOR
Rate and the 360-day equivalent  interest yield, as adjusted to reflect interest
payments on a monthly basis (the  "Reinvestment  Rate"), on any U.S.  Government
Treasury  obligations selected by the Bank, in its sole and absolute discretion,
in an aggregate amount  comparable to the portion of the Principal Balance being
prepaid,  and with  maturities  comparable to the next  occurring Roll Over Date
applicable to the portion of the Principal  Balance  being  prepaid,  calculated
over a period of time from and  including  the date of  prepayment  to,  but not
including, such next occurring Roll Over Date. If the Base LIBOR Rate applicable
to the portion of the  Principal  Balance being prepaid is equal to or less than
the Reinvestment Rate, no LIBOR Rate Prepayment Premium,  nor any rebate,  shall
be due.  If a portion of the  Principal  Balance is bearing  interest at a LIBOR
Rate or Rates and a portion of the Principal  Balance is bearing interest at the
Floating Rate in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement on the date of
a partial  prepayment of the Principal Balance in accordance with the provisions
of this  Paragraph  2.5(b),  such  partial  prepayment  shall be  applied to the
respective  portions of the Principal  Balance bearing  interest at a LIBOR Rate
and the  Floating  Rate or Rates in such order and manner so as to minimize  the
LIBOR Rate Prepayment Premium due with respect thereto as calculated pursuant to
the provisions of this paragraph.

         The Bank shall, at the request of the Borrower, deliver to the Borrower
a statement  setting  forth the amount and basis of  determination  of the LIBOR
Rate  Prepayment  Premium,  if any, due in  connection  with a prepayment of any
portion of the Principal Balance of a Term Note bearing interest at a LIBOR Rate
or rates in accordance  with the provisions of this  paragraph,  it being agreed
that:

                           (i) the  calculation  of such LIBOR  Rate  Prepayment
Premium may be based on any U.S. Government Treasury obligations selected by the
Bank, in its sole and absolute discretion,

                           (ii) no Obligee  shall be  obligated  or  required to
have actually  reinvested  the prepaid  portion of the Principal  Balance of the
Term  Note in any such  U.S.  Government  Treasury  obligations  as a  condition
precedent to the Borrower being obligated to pay a LIBOR Rate Prepayment Premium
calculated as aforesaid, and
<PAGE>
                           (iii)  the  Borrower  shall  not  have  the  right to
question the  correctness of any such statement or the method of calculation set
forth therein in the absence of manifest error.

The Borrower shall,  upon receipt of such statement and  contemporaneously  with
any such prepayment of the Principal  Balance of the Term Note bearing  interest
at such a LIBOR Rate,  remit to the Bank the LIBOR Rate Prepayment  Premium,  if
any, due in connection  therewith,  as calculated  pursuant to the provisions of
this paragraph.

         Any payment of the Principal Balance after the Bank shall have declared
a Term Loan  immediately  due and payable in accordance  with the  provisions of
this  Agreement  or the  other  Loan  Documents,  or after the Bank  shall  have
commenced an action as a result of an Event of Default  under this  Agreement or
the other Loan Documents,  shall be deemed to be a voluntary  prepayment for all
purposes  of this  paragraph  and a LIBOR  Rate  Prepayment  Premium  calculated
pursuant to the  provisions  of this  paragraph  shall be payable  with  respect
thereto  based  upon the Base LIBOR Rate or Rates  applicable  to the  Principal
Balance  immediately  prior  to  such  default,   declaration  or  commencement.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  however,  it is understood and agreed that the
Bank shall not be obligated to accept a prepayment,  in whole or in part bearing
interest at a LIBOR Rate (or rates), of the Principal Balance in accordance with
the provisions of this paragraph if any default shall have occurred and shall be
continuing  under any Term Note,  this  Agreement  or the other  Loan  Documents
unless the Bank shall  otherwise  agree to the contrary in its sole and absolute
discretion.  The  provisions  of  this  paragraph  shall  be  applicable  to any
prepayment of the  Principal  Balance in whole or in part,  by  acceleration  or
otherwise,  it being agreed that any payment of the  Principal  Balance shall be
deemed to be a voluntary  prepayment  for the purposes of this  paragraph  and a
LIBOR Rate  Prepayment  Premium  calculated  pursuant to the  provisions of this
paragraph shall be payable with respect thereto.

         2.6 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of Term Loan A were used to refinance
the Borrower's  existing  floating rate term debt and to finance the purchase of
ethylene oxide drums, construction of a drumming station and ancillary expenses.
The proceeds of Term Loan B shall be used to replace short term  refinancing  of
existing  debt of  Borrower.  No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used,
whether  directly  or  indirectly,  and  whether  immediately,  incidentally  or
ultimately,  (a) to purchase  or to carry  margin  stock or to extend  credit to
others for the purpose of  purchasing  or carrying  margin  stock,  or to refund
indebtedness  originally incurred for such purpose, or (b) for any purpose which
violates or is inconsistent with the provisions of the Regulations G, T, U, or X
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

         2.7 Capital Requirements.  If after the date of this Agreement the Bank
shall have determined that:

                  (a)  the  applicability  of  any  law,  rule,   regulation  or
guideline  adopted or arising out of the July 1988 report of the Basle Committee
on  Banking  Regulations  and  Supervisory  Practices  entitled   "International
Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards,"

                  (b) the  adoption,  after the date of the Term  Notes,  of any
other law, rule, regulation or guideline regarding capital adequacy,

                  (c)  any   change   in  any  of  the   foregoing   or  in  the
interpretation  or  administration  of any of the  foregoing  by any domestic or
foreign governmental  authority,  central bank or comparable agency charged with
the interpretation or administration thereof, or
<PAGE>
                  (d) the  compliance  by the Bank with any request or directive
regarding  capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such
authority,  central bank or comparable agency, has, or would have, the effect of
reducing the rate of return on the Bank's  capital,  as a consequence  of having
made the Loans or any portion  thereof,  or of having any interest  therein,  or
under this  Agreement or the other Loan  Documents,  to a level below that which
the Bank could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking
into  consideration  the Bank's policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an
amount deemed by the Bank to be material,  then, from time to time, the Borrower
shall pay to the Bank such  additional  amount or amounts as will compensate the
Bank for such  reduction.  Any amount or amounts  payable by the Borrower to the
Bank in accordance  with the provisions of this Section 2.7 shall be paid by the
Borrower  to the Bank within ten (10) days of receipt by the  Borrower  from the
Bank of a  statement  setting  forth the amount or amounts due and the basis for
the determination  from time to time of such amount or amounts,  which statement
shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower absent manifest error.

         2.8      Indemnity.

                  (a) Anything in this  Agreement or the other Loan Documents to
the contrary  notwithstanding,  the Borrower  shall  indemnify and hold the Bank
harmless and defend the Bank at the Borrower's sole cost and expense against any
loss or liability,  cost or expense (including,  without limitation,  reasonable
attorneys' fees and disbursements of the Bank's counsel, whether in-house staff,
retained  firms or  otherwise),  and all claims,  actions,  procedures and suits
arising out of or in connection with:

                           (i)  any   ongoing   matters   arising  out  of  this
Agreement,  the other Loan Documents or the transaction  contemplated  hereby or
thereby, including, but not limited to, all costs of appraisal or reappraisal of
all or any portion of any collateral for the Loans;

                           (ii) any  amendment  to,  or  restructuring  of,  the
Loans, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents,

                           (iii) any and all lawful  action that may be taken by
the Bank in connection  with the enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement
or any of the other Loan  Documents,  whether or not suit is filed in connection
with the same, or in connection  with the Borrower,  any guarantor of all or any
portion of the Loans and/or any partner,  joint venturer or shareholder  thereof
becoming a subject of a voluntary or  involuntary  federal or state  bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar proceeding, and

                           (iv) any  liability  to  brokers,  finders or similar
persons and/or under any applicable securities or blue sky laws.

All  sums  expended  by the Bank on  account  of any of the  foregoing  shall be
reimbursable on demand,  and until  reimbursed by the Borrower  pursuant hereto,
shall be deemed additional principal evidenced hereby and shall bear interest at
the Default Rate herein set forth.  The  obligations  of the Borrower under this
paragraph  shall,  notwithstanding  any  exculpatory or other  provisions of any
nature  whatsoever  which may be set forth herein,  or the other Loan Documents,
constitute the personal  recourse  undertakings,  obligations and liabilities of
the Borrower.
<PAGE>
                  (b) In addition,  the other provisions herein  contained,  the
Borrower shall  indemnify the Bank against any loss or expense that the Bank may
sustain or incur as a  consequence  of any failure by the  Borrower to take down
all or any portion of the Loans on the date the Borrower requested that the Loan
be advanced or as a consequence of any default by the Borrower in the payment of
any  portion of the  Principal  Balance of the Term Note  bearing  interest at a
LIBOR Rate or the Fixed Rate, or any part thereof or interest accrued thereon at
a LIBOR Rate or the Fixed Rate, as and when due and payable,  or the  occurrence
of any default or Event of Default under this Agreement or other Loan Documents,
including,  but not limited to, any loss or expense sustained or incurred by any
such Obligee in liquidating or reemploying  deposits from third parties acquired
to effect or  maintain a LIBOR  Rate or a Fixed Rate with  respect to all or any
portion of the Principal Balance hereof.  The Bank shall provide to the Borrower
a statement  explaining the amount of any such loss or expense,  which statement
shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower absent manifest error.

         2.9 Increased Costs. The Borrower  recognizes that the cost to the Bank
of making or maintaining LIBOR Rates with respect to the Principal  Balance,  or
any portion  thereof,  may  fluctuate,  and the Borrower  agrees to pay the Bank
within ten (10) days after demand by the Bank an additional amount or amounts as
the Bank shall  reasonably  determine  will  compensate  the Bank for additional
costs incurred by each such Obligee in maintaining  LIBOR Rates on the Principal
Balance or any portion thereof as a result of:

                  (i) the  imposition  after the date of this  Agreement  of, or
changes  after  the  date  of  this  Agreement  in,  the  reserve   requirements
promulgated  by the Board of  Governors  of the  Federal  Reserve  System of the
United  States  including,  but not  limited  to, any  reserve  on  Eurocurrency
Liabilities  as defined in Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve  System of the United States at the ratios  provided in such  Regulation
from time to time,  it being  agreed that any portion of the  Principal  Balance
hereof bearing  interest at LIBOR Rates from time to time in accordance with the
provisions  of  this  Agreement  shall  be  deemed  to  constitute  Eurocurrency
Liabilities,  as defined by such  Regulation,  and it being further  agreed that
such  Eurocurrency  Liabilities  shall be deemed to be subject  to such  reserve
requirements  without  benefit  of, or credit  for,  prorations,  exceptions  or
offsets  that  may be  available  to the  Bank  from  time  to time  under  such
Regulations,  and irrespective of whether the Bank actually maintains all or any
portion of such reserve; or

                  (ii)  any  change,  after  the  date  of  this  Agreement,  in
applicable law, rule or regulation,  or in the  interpretation or administration
thereof,  by any  domestic or foreign  governmental  authority  charged with the
interpretation  or  administration  thereof  (whether or not having the force of
law) or by any domestic or foreign court,  changing the basis of taxation of any
payments to the Bank under this  Agreement  or the other Loan  Documents  (other
than taxes  imposed on all or any  portion of the overall net income of the Bank
by any state or country or by any political subdivision or taxing authority), or
imposing,  modifying  or  applying  any  reserve,  special  deposit  or  similar
requirement  against  assets of,  deposits  with or for the account  of,  credit
extended by, or any other acquisition of funds for loans by the Bank or imposing
on the Bank, or on the London Interbank  Market,  any other condition  affecting
the Term  Note or the other  Loan  Documents  or the  portion  of the  Principal
Balance of the Term Note  bearing  interest at LIBOR Rates so as to increase the
cost to the Bank of making or  maintaining  a LIBOR  Rate  with  respect  to the
Principal  Balance hereof or any portion  thereof or to reduce the amount of any
sum received or  receivable  by the Bank under this  Agreement or the other Loan
Documents (whether of principal,  interest or otherwise), by an amount deemed by
the Bank in good faith to be  material,  but without  duplication  for  payments
required under subparagraph (i) above.
<PAGE>
Any  amount  or  amounts  payable  by the  Borrower  to  the  Bank  pursuant  to
subparagraphs  (i) or (ii) of this  Section 2.9 shall be paid by the Borrower to
the Bank  within  ten (10) days of receipt  by the  Borrower  from the Bank of a
statement  setting  forth  the  amount  or  amounts  due and the  basis  for the
determination from time to time of such amount or amounts, which statement shall
be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower absent  manifest  error.  Failure on
the part of the  Bank to  demand  compensation  for any  increased  costs in any
Interest  Period  shall not  constitute  a waiver of the Bank's  right to demand
compensation  for any  increased  costs  incurred  during  any such  LIBOR  Rate
Interest Period or in any other subsequent or prior LIBOR Rate Interest Period.

         2.10 Fees.  The Borrower  acknowledges  and confirms  that the Bank may
impose certain  administrative  processing  and/or commitment fees in connection
with  any  extension,  renewal,  modification,  amendment,  termination  or  the
administration of its loans required due to changes in governmental  policy (the
occurrence  of any of the above  hereinafter  called an  "Event").  The Borrower
hereby acknowledges and agrees to pay, immediately,  with or without demand, all
such fees (as the same may be increased or decreased from time to time), and any
additional  reasonable  fees of a similar type or nature which may be imposed by
the Bank from time to time, upon the occurrence of any Event.

         2.11 Stub Date. If the last LIBOR Rate Interest  Period during the term
of a Term Loan which fully complies with the  definitions and  requirements  set
forth herein with respect to a particular portion of the Principal Balance shall
end on a date prior to the applicable Term Loan Maturity Date (the "Stub Date"),
then, if the period from and including the Stub Date to and including  such Term
Loan Maturity Date shall be equal to: (i) less than on month,  the entire amount
of such portion of the Principal  Balance shall,  for the remainder of the term,
at the election of the Bank,  either bear  interest at the Floating Rate or at a
one-month  LIBOR Rate  determined  in  accordance  with the  provisions  of this
Agreement,  it being agreed that the  one-month  LIBOR Rate  applicable  to such
period shall be determined as if it were for a LIBOR Rate Interest Period of one
month, or (ii) more than one month, the outstanding Principal Balance shall bear
interest at an available  LIBOR Rate chosen by the Borrower in  accordance  with
the  provisions of this  Agreement for a period  extending from the Stub Date to
the  last  Re-Set  Date to occur  prior  to such  Term  Loan  Maturity  Date and
thereafter  shall bear  interest in  accordance  with (i) above.  The  foregoing
notwithstanding, in no event shall the Principal Balance bearing interest at any
one LIBOR Rate be less than  $500,000.00.  Any sums less than $500,000.00  shall
bear interest at the Floating Rate.

         2.12 LIBOR Rate  Unavailability.  In the event,  and on each  occasion,
that on the day two (2) Working Days prior to the  commencement  of a particular
LIBOR Rate Interest Period,  the Bank shall have determined in good faith (which
determination  shall be  conclusive  and binding  upon the  Borrower)  that U.S.
dollar  deposits,  in an  amount  approximately  equal  to  the  portion  of the
Principal  Balance which is to bear  interest at a particular  LIBOR Rate during
such particular  LIBOR Rate Interest Period in accordance with the provisions of
this Agreement, are not generally available at such time in the London Interbank
Market,  or reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining a LIBOR Rate for such
particular  LIBOR Rate Interest  Period,  the Bank shall so notify the Borrower,
and the interest rate  applicable  to the portion of the Principal  Balance with
respect to which such LIBOR Rate was to pertain shall  automatically  convert to
the Floating Rate as of the  impending  Roll Over Date, it being agreed that the
Floating Rate shall remain in effect  thereafter with respect to such portion of
<PAGE>
the Principal  Balance  unless and until the Bank shall have  determined in good
faith (which  determination  shall be conclusive  and binding upon the Borrower)
that the aforesaid  circumstances  no longer exist,  whereupon the interest rate
applicable to such portion of the Principal Balance shall be converted back to a
LIBOR Rate  determined  in the manner  hereinabove  set forth in this  Agreement
effective as of the first Re-Set Date which  commences  ten (10) Working Days or
more after such good faith determination by the Bank.

         2.13 LIBOR Rate  Determinations.  Each determination of the LIBOR Rate,
the Base LIBOR Rate and the Fixed LIBOR Rate  applicable  to a particular  LIBOR
Rate  Interest  Period  shall be made by the Bank and  shall be  conclusive  and
binding upon the Borrower  absent  manifest  error.  Interest at the  applicable
LIBOR Rate from time to time shall be  calculated  for the actual number of days
elapsed on the basis of a 360-day year.

         2.14 LIBOR Rate Changes of Law. If any change in any law or  regulation
or in the interpretation  thereof by any governmental authority charged with the
administration or interpretation  thereof shall make it unlawful for the Bank to
make or  maintain a LIBOR  Rate with  respect  to the  Principal  Balance or any
portion  thereof or to fund the  Principal  Balance or any portion  thereof at a
LIBOR Rate in the London  Interbank  Market or to give effect to its obligations
as contemplated by this Agreement, then, upon notice by the Bank to the Borrower
in accordance  with the notice  provisions  set forth herein,  the interest rate
applicable  to such  portion of the  Principal  Balance  shall be  automatically
converted  to the  Floating  Rate,  it being agreed that any notice given by the
Bank to the  Borrower  pursuant  to this  sentence  shall,  such  change in law,
regulation or interpretation  permitting,  be effective in so far as it pertains
to any  particular  portion  of the  Principal  Balance  bearing  interest  at a
particular  LIBOR  Rate on the  impending  Roll  Over  Date  pertaining  to such
particular  portion  of the  Principal  Balance,  or shall,  such  change not so
permitting,  be  effective  immediately  upon  being  given  by the  Bank to the
Borrower,  and that the  Floating  Rate shall  thereafter  remain in effect with
respect to such portion of the Principal Balance unless and until the Bank shall
have  determined  in good faith (which  determination  shall be  conclusive  and
binding upon the  Borrower)  that the aforesaid  circumstances  no longer exist,
whereupon the interest rate applicable to such portion of the Principal  Balance
shall be  converted to a LIBOR Rate  determined  in the manner  hereinabove  set
forth in this  Agreement  effective as of the first Re-Set Date which  commences
ten (10) Working Days or more after such good faith  determination  by the Bank.
If the  interest  rate  applicable  to any portion of the  Principal  Balance is
converted  from a LIBOR  Rate to the  Floating  Rate on a date other than a Roll
Over Date in  accordance  with the  provisions of the  preceding  sentence,  the
Borrower  shall  pay to the Bank on demand  an  amount  equal to the LIBOR  Rate
Prepayment Premium, if any, which would have been due pursuant to the provisions
of this Agreement  hereinafter set forth if the portion of the Principal Balance
bearing  interest  at such  LIBOR  Rate was  prepaid in full on the date of such
conversion.

         2.15  Late  Payments.  If  any  installment  of  principal,   interest,
additional  interest or other sum  payable  under any Note is not paid when due,
the Borrower shall pay to the Bank upon demand, in addition to any other amounts
which may be due or imposed hereunder, an amount equal to the Floating Rate plus
3% per annum  multipled by (i) the amount of such payment overdue times (ii) the
number of days such payment is past due.
<PAGE>
                    SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         In order to induce  the Bank to enter into this  Agreement  and to make
the financial accommodations herein provided for, the Borrower hereby covenants,
represents and warrants to the Bank that:

         3.1 Financial Condition. The consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower
as of December 31, 1997, and the related  consolidated  statements of operations
and  retained  earnings  and cash flows for the fiscal  year ended on such date,
prepared  by the  Borrower,  and  audited by KPMG Peat,  Marwick,  L.L.P.,  such
statements  have heretofore been furnished to the Bank, are complete and correct
and present fairly the financial  condition of the Borrower as at such date, and
the results of its operations  and changes in financial  position for the fiscal
year then ended. Such certified  financial  statements,  including schedules and
notes  thereto,  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles.  The  Borrower has no material  contingent  obligations,
contingent  liabilities or liabilities  for taxes,  long-term  leases or unusual
forward or  long-term  commitments,  which are not  reflected  in the  foregoing
certified   statements  or  in  the  notes  thereto.   Since  the  date  of  the
aforementioned  financial statements,  there has been no material adverse change
in the  business  operations,  assets or  financial  or other  condition  of the
Borrower.

         3.2 Corporate Existence: Compliance with Law. The Borrower, (a) is duly
organized,  validly  existing  and  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation, (b) has the corporate power and authority and
the legal right to own and operate its property,  and to conduct the business in
which it is currently  engaged,  (c) is duly qualified as a foreign  corporation
and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction  where its ownership or
operation of property or the conduct of its business require such qualification,
and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law; except to the extent that
the failure to so qualify as a foreign  corporation as required by clause (c) of
this Section 3.2 or to comply with all Requirements of Law as required by clause
(d) of this  Section 3.2 could not, in the  aggregate,  have a material  adverse
effect on the business, operations,  property or financial or other condition of
any such Person,  and could not materially  adversely  affect the ability of (i)
the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement,  the Notes and its
Security Agreement.

         3.3 Obligations. The Borrower has the corporate power and authority and
the legal right to make, execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this
Agreement, its Security Agreement and the Notes, and to borrow hereunder and has
taken all necessary  corporate  action to authorize the  borrowings on the terms
and conditions of this  Agreement,  its Security  Agreement and the Notes and to
authorize  the  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of this  Agreement,  its
Security  Agreement and the Notes. No consent or authorization  of, filing with,
or other act by or in respect of any other Person  (including  stockholders  and
creditors  of such  Borrower)  or any  Governmental  Authority,  is  required in
connection  with  the  borrowings  hereunder  or with the  execution,  delivery,
performance,   validity  or  enforceability  of  this  Agreement,  its  Security
Agreement or any Note. This Agreement, its Security Agreement and the Notes will
be duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Borrower and this Agreement, its
Security  Agreement  and the  Notes,  when  executed  and  delivered,  will each
constitute a legal,  valid and binding  obligation  of the Borrower  enforceable
against the Borrower in accordance with its terms,  except as enforceability may
be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium or
similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally.
<PAGE>
         3.4 No Legal Bar.  The  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of this
Agreement, the Security Agreement and the Notes and the borrowings hereunder and
the use of the proceeds thereof by the Borrower will not violate any Requirement
of Law or any Contractual Obligation of the Borrower, and will not result in, or
require,  the creation or  imposition  of any Lien on any of its  properties  or
revenues  pursuant to any  Requirement of Law or Contractual  Obligation  except
those in favor of the Bank as provided herein.

         3.5 No  Litigation.  No litigation,  investigation  or proceeding of or
before any  arbitrator  or  Governmental  Authority is pending by or against any
Specified Person or against any of their properties or revenues (a) with respect
to this Agreement,  any Security Agreement,  any Note or any of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, or (b) which if adversely determined, would have
an adverse  effect on the business,  operations,  property or financial or other
condition of the Borrower.

         3.6 No Default. No Specified Person is in default under or with respect
to any Contractual  Obligation in any respect which could be materially  adverse
to the  business,  operations,  property or financial or other  condition of the
Borrower  or which  could  materially  and  adversely  affect the ability of the
Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement, its Security Agreement
or any Note. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

         3.7  No  Burdensome  Restrictions.  No  Contractual  Obligation  of any
Specified  Person and no  Requirement of Law materially  adversely  affects,  or
insofar as the  Borrower may  reasonably  foresee may so affect,  the  business,
operations,  property or  financial  or other  condition  of any such  Specified
Person.

         3.8 Taxes. The Borrower has filed or caused to be filed all tax returns
which to the  knowledge of the Borrower are required to be filed,  and have paid
all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or on any assessments made
against them or any of their property.

         3.9  Federal  Regulations.  The  Borrower  is not  engaged  nor will it
engage,  principally or as one of its important  activities,  in the business of
extending  credit for the  purpose of  "purchasing"  or  "carrying"  any "margin
stock"  within  the  respective  meanings  of each  of the  quoted  terms  under
Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve System as now and
from time to time  hereafter  in effect.  No part of the  proceeds  of any Loans
hereunder  will be used for  "purchasing"  or  "carrying"  "margin  stock" as so
defined or for any purpose which violates,  or which would be inconsistent with,
the provisions of the Regulations of such Board of Governors.

         3.10  Environmental  Matters.  Except as specifically  set forth and as
provided in Schedule 3.10
hereto:

                  (a)  none of the Real  Property  contains,  or has  previously
contained,  any hazardous or toxic waste or substances  or  underground  storage
tanks.

                  (b) The Real  Property is in  compliance  with all  applicable
federal, state and local environmental standards and requirements affecting such
Real Property,  and there are no environmental  conditions which could interfere
with the continued use of the Real Property.
<PAGE>
                  (c) The Borrower has not received any notices of violations or
advisory action by regulatory agencies regarding  environmental  control matters
or permit compliance.

                  (d) Hazardous waste has not been  transferred  from any of the
Real  Property  to any  other  locations  which  is not in  compliance  with all
applicable environmental laws, regulations or permit requirements.

                  (e)  With  respect  to  the  Real   Property,   there  are  no
proceedings, governmental administrative actions or judicial proceedings pending
or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, contemplated under any federal, state
or local law  regulating  the  discharge  of  hazardous  or toxic  materials  or
substances into the environment, to which the Borrower is named as a party.

         3.11  Year  2000.  Any  reprogramming  required  to permit  the  proper
functioning,  in and  following the year 2000,  of (a) the  Borrower's  computer
systems and (b) equipment containing embedded microchips  (including systems and
equipment supplied by others or with which Borrower's systems interface) and the
testing of all such systems and equipment, as so reprogrammed, will be completed
by June 1, 1999. The cost to the Borrower of such  reprogramming and testing and
of the  reasonably  foreseeable  consequences  of  year  2000  to  the  Borrower
(including, without limitation,  reprogramming errors and the failure of others'
systems or equipment) will not result in a Default or a Material Adverse Effect.
Except for such of the  reprogramming  referred to in the preceding  sentence as
may be  necessary,  the  computer  and  management  information  systems  of the
Borrower are and, with ordinary course upgrading and maintenance,  will continue
for the term of this  Agreement  to be,  sufficient  to permit the  Borrower  to
conduct its business without Material Adverse Effect.

         3.12     Subsidiaries.  The Borrower has no active Subsidiaries.

                         SECTION 4. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         4.1      Conditions of the Term Loans.

         The  obligation  of the  Bank to make the  Term  Loans to the  Borrower
hereunder is subject satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

                  (a)  Note.  The  Bank  shall  have  received  the  Term  Notes
conforming to the requirements hereof and duly executed by the Borrower.

                  (b)  Security  Agreements.  The Bank  shall  have  received  a
Security  Agreement from the Borrower in form and substance  satisfactory to the
Bank, together with UCC-l financing  statements executed by such entity in favor
of the Bank.

                  (c) Certificates and Resolutions. The Bank shall have received
(i)  copies  of the  resolutions  of the  board  of  directors  of the  Borrower
authorizing  the  execution,  delivery and  performance of this  Agreement,  the
Security  Agreement  referred  to in  Paragraph  9(b)  and the  Notes  certified
respectively by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such corporation; and
(ii) a certificate  of the  Secretary or an Assistant  Secretary of the Borrower
certifying  the names and true  signatures  of the officers of such  corporation
authorized to sign any and all documents to be delivered by such  corporation or
as required or contemplated hereunder.
<PAGE>
                  (d) Patents  and  Trademarks.  The Bank shall have  received a
list of all patents and  trademarks  held by the  Borrower and the same shall be
free of any security interests.

                  (e)  Origination  Fee. The Bank shall have received the sum of
$10,000 as an  origination  fee, which fee shall be deemed earned whether or not
Term Loan B is made hereunder.

                  (f)  Insurance  Certificates.  The Bank  shall  have  received
certificates  of  insurance  naming  the  Bank as loss  payee  on all  insurance
policies required hereunder.

                  (g) Additional Matters.  All other documents and legal matters
in connection  with the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement  shall be
satisfactory in form and substance to the Bank and its counsel.

                        SECTION 5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         The  Borrower  hereby  agrees  that,  so long as any Term Note  remains
outstanding and unpaid, or any other amount is owing to the Bank hereunder,  the
Borrower  will and with  respect to the  agreements  set forth in  Sections  5.1
through 5.5 hereof will cause each Specified Person as applicable to:

         5.1 Corporate Existence and Qualification.  Take the necessary steps to
preserve its corporate existence and its right to conduct business in all states
in which the nature of its business  requires  qualification to do business.  In
the event of dispute between the Borrower and the Bank as to when  qualification
is necessary, the decision of the Bank shall control.

         5.2      Financial Information and Compliance Certificates.

                  (a)  Keep  its  books  of  account  in  accordance  with  good
accounting  practices  and furnish to the Bank within 90 days after the last day
of each of its  fiscal  years,  the  consolidated  and  consolidating  financial
statements and balance sheets of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  (and to the
extent not furnished therewith,  like consolidated and consolidating  statements
of each  Corporate  Guarantor and its  Subsidiaries)  as at such last day of the
fiscal year and  statements  of income and retained  earnings and cash flows for
such fiscal year each prepared in accordance with generally accepted  accounting
principles consistently applied and certified by a firm of independent certified
public accountants satisfactory to the Bank, together with such certified public
accountant's  management letter as and when issued; and within 45 days after the
close of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year  consolidated  and
consolidating  financial  statements,  balance sheets,  statements of income and
retained  earnings and cash flows of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries  (and to
the  extent  not  furnished  therewith,   like  consolidated  and  consolidating
statements of each Corporate  Guarantor and its Subsidiaries) as of the last day
of and for such  quarter  and for the period of the fiscal  year ended as of the
close of the particular quarter,  all such quarterly  statements to be unaudited
and in reasonable  detail,  and  certified by the chief  financial or accounting
officer of the Borrower as having been prepared in accordance with GAAP (subject
to year-end  adjustments) and in comparative form for the corresponding  figures
for the comparable period for the preceding fiscal year. The Borrower will also,
with  reasonable  promptness,  furnish  such  other  data  as may be  reasonably
requested  by the Bank and will at all times and from  time to time  permit  the
Bank  by or  through  any of  its  officers,  agents,  employees,  attorneys  or
accountants to inspect and make extracts from such Borrower's books and records.
<PAGE>
                  (b) At the same time as it delivers the  financial  statements
called for by Paragraph  5.2(a),  deliver  certificate  of the president and the
chief financial or accounting  officer of the Borrower  evidencing a computation
of  compliance  with the  provisions  of Section 6 hereof for each quarter and a
certificate  of the auditor for each fiscal year end  statement and stating that
in each case except as disclosed  in such  certificate,  the person  making such
certificate  has no knowledge or any Default or Event of Default their  delivery
of annual  certified  financial  statements.  The  Borrower's  certified  public
accountants  shall also deliver such a certificate,  which shall be addressed to
the Borrower and the Bank for the fiscal year end calculations.

                  (c) Within five days after any officer of the Borrower obtains
knowledge of any Default,  if such Default is then  continuing,  Borrower  shall
furnish to the Bank a certificate of the chief  financial or accounting  officer
of the  Borrower  setting  forth the details  thereof  and the action  which the
Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

                  (d)  As  soon  as   practical,   all  reports   submitted   to
governmental agencies and stockholders,  except as prepared in the normal course
of  business  and that would not result in an adverse  action to be taken by any
such  agencies,  and all such other  information  as the Bank  shall  reasonably
request.

                  (e) All reports and forms filed with respect to all pension or
other employee  benefit plans under ERISA,  except as filed in the normal course
of business and that would not result in an adverse action to be taken by ERISA,
and details related to information of a reportable ERISA event; and

                  (f) Such other information regarding the operations,  business
affairs and financial condition as the Bank may reasonably request.

         5.3  Insurance.  Maintain  insurance  with  responsible  and  reputable
insurance  companies or  associations in such amounts and covering such risks as
is usually carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar
properties in the same general  areas in which the Borrower  operates and naming
the Bank as loss payee.

         5.4  Preservation  of  Properties:  Compliance  with Law.  Maintain and
preserve all of its properties which are used or which are useful in the conduct
of its  business in good working  order and  condition,  ordinary  wear and tear
excepted and comply with all Requirements of Law .

         5.5 Taxes. Duly pay and discharge all taxes or other claims which might
become a lien upon any of its property except to the extent that any thereof are
being in good faith  appropriately  contested  with adequate  reserves  provided
therefor.

         5.6  Indemnity  (Environmental  Matters).  With  respect  to  the  Real
Property,  (a) indemnify the Bank against any liability,  loss, cost, damage, or
expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from
(i) the  imposition  or  recording  of a lien by any  local,  state,  or federal
government or  governmental  agency or authority  pursuant to any  Environmental
Laws; (ii) claims of any private parties  regarding  violations of Environmental
Laws; and (iii) costs and expenses  (including,  without limitation,  reasonable
attorneys'  fees and fees  incidental to the securing of repayment of such costs
and expenses)  incurred by any Specified  Person or the Bank in connection  with
compliance by any Specified  Person or the Bank with any statute,  regulation or
order issued pursuant to any Environmental  Laws by any local,  state or federal
<PAGE>
government or governmental agency or authority, (b) at any time the Borrower has
knowledge that it has violated,  has incurred liability under or any of the Real
Property  has any lien or  exposure  of lien under any  Environmental  Law,  the
Borrower  shall furnish to the Bank a certificate  as to the action the Borrower
is taking or  proposes  to take with  respect  thereto,  which  action  shall be
reasonably  satisfactory to the Bank in all respects,  and (c) at the request of
the Bank,  which  request will not be made on more than one occasion  during any
twelve month period,  the Borrower  shall  undertake,  at its sole expense,  any
environmental  investigation and examination of the Real Property which the Bank
may require,  including  without  limitation an environmental  investigation and
examination by a consultant satisfactory to the Bank.

         5.7  Litigation.  Promptly  notify  the  Bank of any  material  adverse
litigation,   administrative   proceedings,   investigation,   audit,   business
development or change in financial condition.

         5.8 Inspection.  Allow the Bank to inspect the Borrower's and Corporate
Guarantors' properties and/or books of account.

         5.9 Corporate Guarantors. Cause any newly formed or acquired Subsidiary
of the Borrower to become a Corporate  Guarantor,  which  subsidiary  shall then
execute  and  deliver to the Bank the  Guaranty  and shall be required to comply
with all terms and conditions as herein required of the Borrower.

         5.10     ERISA. Maintain compliance with ERISA.

         5.11 Requirements of Law. Maintain  compliance in all material respects
with all  Federal,  State  and local  laws,  rules  and  regulations,  including
environmental laws, rules and regulations.

                         SECTION 6. FINANCIAL COVENANTS

         The  Borrower  hereby  agrees  that,  so long as any Term Note  remains
outstanding and unpaid, or any other amount is owing to the Bank hereunder,  the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not:

         6.1  Dividends.  Declare cash  dividends in excess of 5% of each fiscal
year's net income before taxes;  provided that no Event of Default exists at the
time of the payment of such dividend or would be created by such payment.

         6.2  Losses.  Permit any fiscal  year  losses or losses for any two (2)
consecutive fiscal quarters.

         6.3 Consolidated  Working Capital.  Permit Consolidated Working Capital
(excluding prepaid expenses) to be less than $1,000,000 at any time.

         6.4  Debt to Worth  Ratio.  Permit  the  ratio  of  Consolidated  Total
Unsubordinated   Liabilities  to  Consolidated  Tangible  Net  Worth  (including
Approved Subordinated Debt) to be greater than 1.00 to 1.00 at any time.

         6.5 Debt Service Coverage.  Permit the Debt Service Coverage to be less
than 1.25 to 1.00 at the end of any fiscal  quarter.  For the  purposes  of this
covenant,  the term "Debt Service  Coverage"  shall be defined as the sum of Net
Income  Before Taxes and  Interest  plus  Depreciation  and  Amortization  minus
Unfunded Capital  Expenditures divided by the sum of the Current Portion of Long
Term Debt plus  Interest and Dividends and shall be calculated at the end of any
fiscal quarter for the four (4) quarters then ended.
<PAGE>
         For the  purposes  of the  above  Financial  Covenants,  each  shall be
calculated using the Bank's standard  formulas.  Any capitalized terms set forth
above not  defined  shall have the  meaning  ascribed  thereto  using  generally
accepted accounting principles.

                         SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

         The  Borrower  hereby  agrees  that,  so long as any Term Note  remains
outstanding  and unpaid,  or any other amount is owing to the Bank  hereunder it
will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

         7.1  Indebtedness  for Borrowed Money.  Incur, or permit to exist,  any
indebtedness for borrowed money except (i) indebtedness  incurred  hereunder and
under any other loans made by the Bank in its  discretion to the Borrower or any
Subsidiary or Corporate Guarantor, (ii) indebtedness existing on the date hereof
and  reflected in the  financial  statements  referred to in Section 3.1 hereof;
(iii) purchase money  indebtedness  incurred in the acquisition of equipment not
to exceed  80% of the  purchase  price and  $500,000  on an annual  basis,  (iv)
indebtedness subordinated on terms and conditions satisfactory to and with prior
written consent of the Bank, (v) trade payables,  advances or progress  payments
under  contracts as are  customarily  incurred in the normal course of business,
(vi) indebtedness incurred for the financing of insurance premiums provided such
indebtedness  does not exceed  $500,000 in the aggregate,  and (vii)  contingent
liabilities arising from interest rate hedges.

         7.2 Mergers, Acquisitions and Sales of Assets. Enter into any merger or
consolidation  in  which  the  Borrower  is not  the  surviving  corporation  or
liquidate,  windup or dissolve  itself or sell,  transfer or lease or  otherwise
dispose  of all or any  substantial  part of its  assets  (other  than  sales of
inventory  and  obsolescent  equipment  in the  ordinary  course of business) or
acquire by purchase or otherwise the business or assets of, or stock of, another
business  entity for a  consideration  in excess of  $250,000;  except  that any
Subsidiary  may merge into or  consolidate  with any other  Subsidiary  which is
wholly-owned  by the Borrower and any Subsidiary  which is  wholly-owned  by the
Borrower may merge with or consolidate into the Borrower.

         7.3 Loans; Investments. Lend or advance money, credit or property to or
invest in (by  capital  contribution,  loan,  purchase or  otherwise)  any firm,
corporation,  or other Person except investments in (i) United States Government
obligations,  certificates of deposit of any banking  institution  with combined
capital and surplus of at least  $1,000,000,000  which matures no later than one
(1) year  from the date of  investment,  (ii)  investments  in ready  marketable
securities,  direct  obligations  of the United States of America or obligations
guaranteed  by the United  States of America  which mature no later than one (1)
year from the date of investment,  (iii) prime (A-1, P-1) rated commercial paper
and (iv) credit advanced in the normal course of business.

         7.4 Liens.  Create,  assume or permit to exist,  any Lien on any of its
property or assets now owned or hereafter  acquired except (i) Liens in favor of
the Bank;  (ii) other Liens  incidental  to the  conduct of its  business or the
ownership of its property and assets which were not incurred in connection  with
the  borrowing of money or the  obtaining of advances or credit and which do not
materially impair the use thereof in the operation of its business;  (iii) Liens
for taxes or other  governmental  charges which are not  delinquent or which are
being  contested  in  good  faith  and for  which  a  reserve  shall  have  been
established in accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles;  (iv)
purchase  money Liens granted to secure the unpaid  purchase  price of any fixed
assets purchased within the limitations of Section 7.1 above; (v) existing liens
scheduled and not to be renewed, extended or increased; and (vi) statutory liens
for deposits under Social Security and similar laws.
<PAGE>
         7.5 Contingent Liabilities. Assume, endorse, be or become liable for or
guarantee the obligations of any Person  excluding  however,  the endorsement of
negotiable  instruments  for deposit or  collection  in the  ordinary  course of
business.

         7.6  Dividends.  Declare or pay any dividends in  contradiction  to the
permitted dividends set forth in the financial covenants hereof.

         7.7  Sales  of  Receivables:  Sale  -  Leasebacks.  Sell,  discount  or
otherwise  dispose of notes,  accounts  receivable or other obligations owing to
the Borrower, with or without recourse,  except for the purpose of collection in
the ordinary course of business; or sell any asset pursuant to an arrangement to
thereafter lease such asset from the purchaser thereof.

         7.8 Nature of Business. Materially alter the nature of its business.

         7.9 Stock of Subsidiaries.  Sell or otherwise dispose of any Subsidiary
(except in connection  with a merger or  consolidation  of a Subsidiary into the
Borrower or another  Subsidiary)  or permit a Subsidiary to issue any additional
shares of its capital stock except pro rata to its stockholders.

         7.10  ERISA.  (i)  Terminate  any Plan so as to result in any  material
liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty  Corporation  established  pursuant to
Subtitle  A of Title IV of ERISA  (the  "PBGC"),  (ii)  engage in or permit  any
person to engage in any "prohibited  transaction"  (as defined in Section 406 of
ERISA  or  Section  4975 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of  1954,  as  amended)
involving any Plan which would  subject a Borrower to any material tax,  penalty
or other  liability,  (iii) incur or suffer to exist any  material  "accumulated
funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived,
involving  any Plan,  or (iv)  allow or suffer to exist any event or  condition,
which  presents a material  risk  incurring a material  liability to the PBGC by
reason of termination of any Plan.

         7.11 Fiscal Year.  Change or consent to a change in the fiscal year end
of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

                          SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         Upon the  occurrence of any of the following  events (each an "Event of
Default"):

         (a) Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on or principal of any Term
Note when due or shall fail to pay any other amount  payable  hereunder;  or the
Borrower or any Corporate  Guarantor  shall  default under any other  agreement,
instrument or obligation made with or in favor of or owing to the Bank; or

         (b) Any  representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower
herein or which is contained in any certificate,  document or financial or other
statement furnished at any time under or in connection with this Agreement shall
prove to have been  false in any  material  respect on or as of the date made or
deemed made; or

         (c) Borrower  shall  default in the  observance or  performance  of any
covenant or agreement contained in Sections 5, 6 or 7.

         (d) Borrower  shall  default in the  observance or  performance  of any
other  agreement  contained in this  Agreement and such default  shall  continue
unremedied  for a period of 10 days after written notice thereof is given to the
Borrower by the Bank; or
<PAGE>
         (e) Any  Specified  Person  shall (i)  default  in any  payment  of any
indebtedness  for  borrowed  money  (other than the Notes) or the  obtaining  of
advances  or  credit  beyond  the  period  of  grace,  if any,  provided  in the
instrument  or agreement  under which such  indebtedness  was  created;  or (ii)
default in the  observance or  performance  of any other  agreement or condition
relating to any such  indebtedness  or contained in any  instrument or agreement
evidencing,  securing  or  relating  thereto or any other  event  shall occur or
condition  exist,  in each case the effect of which  default  or other  event or
condition is to cause or permit the holder or holders of such indebtedness (or a
trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause such indebtedness
to become due prior to its stated maturity; or

         (f) (i) Any  Specified  Person shall  commence any case,  proceeding or
other action (A) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction,  domestic
or foreign,  relating to  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization  or relief of
debtors,  seeking to have an order for  relief  entered  with  respect to it, or
seeking to  adjudicate it a bankrupt or  insolvent,  or seeking  reorganization,
arrangement,  adjustment, winding-up, liquidation,  dissolution,  composition or
other relief with respect to it or its debts,  or (B) seeking  appointment  of a
receiver,  trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or any
substantial  part of its assets,  or any  Specified  Person shall make a general
assignment  for the benefit of its  creditors;  or (ii) there shall be commenced
against any  Specified  Person any case,  proceeding or other action of a nature
referred  to in clause (i) above  which (A) results in the entry of an order for
relief or any such  adjudication  or  appointment  or (B)  remains  undismissed,
undischarged  or  unbonded  for a period  of 60 days;  or (iii)  there  shall be
commenced  against any  Specified  Person any case,  proceeding  or other action
seeking  issuance of a warrant of  attachment,  execution,  distraint or similar
process against all or any  substantial  part of its assets which results in the
entry of an  order  for any  such  relief  which  shall  have not been  vacated,
discharged,  or stayed or bonded  pending  appeal  within 20 days from the entry
thereof;  or (iv) any Specified  Person shall take any action in furtherance of,
or indicating its consent to, approval of, or  acquiescence  in, any of the acts
set  forth in  clause  (i),  (ii) or (iii) of this  Paragraph  8(f);  or (v) any
Specified  Person shall  generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in
writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or

         (g)  (i)  any  Specified   Person  shall  engage  in  any   "prohibited
transaction"  (as defined in Section  406 of ERISA or Section  4975 of the Code)
involving any Plan,  (ii) any  "accumulated  funding  deficiency" (as defined in
Section 302 of ERISA),  whether or not waived,  shall exist with  respect to any
Plan, (iii) a Reportable Event shall occur with respect to, or proceedings shall
commence  to have a trustee  appointed,  or a  trustee  shall be  appointed,  to
administer or to terminate,  any Plan,  which Reportable Event or institution of
proceedings is, in the reasonable  opinion of the Bank,  likely to result in the
termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA,  and, in the case of
a Reportable  Event, the continuance of such Reportable Event unremedied for ten
days after notice of such Reportable Event pursuant to Section  4043(a),  (c) or
(d) of ERISA is given or the continuance of such  proceedings for ten days after
commencement  thereof,  as the case may be,  (iv) any Plan shall  terminate  for
purposes  of Title IV of ERISA,  and in each case in clauses  (i)  through  (iv)
above, such event or condition could subject the Borrower to any tax, penalty or
other  liabilities  in the  aggregate  material  in  relation  to the  business,
operations or property of the Borrower; or
<PAGE>
         (h)  the  rendition  by any  court  of a  final  judgment  against  any
Specified Person which shall not be satisfactorily stayed,  discharged,  vacated
or set aside within 60 days after the making  thereof;  or the attachment of any
property of any Specified  Person which has not been released or provided for to
the reasonable satisfaction of the Bank within 60 days after the making thereof;
or

         (i) the Guarantees of any of the Corporate Guarantors shall cease to be
in full force and effect other than because of a merger of a subsidiary into the
Borrower;

then,  in any such  event,  the Bank  may,  at its  option,  declare  the  Loans
hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this
Agreement  and the Notes to be due and  payable and the same,  and all  interest
accrued  thereon,  shall forthwith  become due and payable without  presentment,
demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived,  anything
contained  herein or in any  instrument  evidencing  the  Loans to the  contrary
notwithstanding.
<PAGE>
                         SECTION 9. COLLATERAL SECURITY

         (a) General Loan and Collateral  Agreement.  As collateral security for
the  payment  of any and all sums  owing  under  the Term  Notes  and all  other
obligations,  direct  or  contingent,  joint,  several  or  independent,  of the
Borrower  now or  hereafter  existing  due or to become due to, or held or to be
held by the  Bank,  whether  created  directly  or  acquired  by  assignment  or
otherwise including,  without limitation,  any arising under this Agreement (all
of  such  obligations,   including  the  Notes,  being  hereinafter  called  the
"Obligations"),  the Borrower  hereby  grants to the Bank a lien on and security
interest in any and all  deposits  or other sums at any time  credited by or due
from the Bank to the Borrower, whether in regular or special depository accounts
or  otherwise,  and any and all  monies,  securities  and other  property of the
Borrower,  and the proceeds thereof,  now or hereafter held or received by or in
transit to the Bank from or for the Borrower, whether for safekeeping,  custody,
pledge,  transmission,  collection or otherwise,  and any such  deposits,  sums,
monies,  securities and other property,  may at any time after the occurrence of
any Event of Default be set-off,  appropriated  and applied by the Bank  against
any of the  Obligations  whether  or not  such  Obligations  are then due or are
secured  by any  collateral,  or, if they are so  secured,  whether  or not such
collateral held by the Bank is considered to be adequate.

         (b)  Additional  Collateral  Security.  In addition  to the  collateral
described in Paragraph 9(a) hereof,  payment of the  Obligations is also secured
by a first priority  security  interest in all personal property of the Borrower
and its  Subsidiaries  whether now owned or hereafter  acquired,  as provided in
security  agreements executed or to be executed and delivered by such parties to
the Bank (collectively the "Security Agreements").

                            SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS

         10.1  Notices.  All  notices,  requests  and  demands  to or  upon  the
respective  parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing unless  otherwise
expressly  provided  herein  and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made
when delivered by hand, or when  deposited in the mail addressed as follows,  or
to such  address as may be  hereafter  notified  in  writing  by the  respective
parties hereto and any future holders of any Note:

         The Borrower:

                  Balchem Corporation
                  Route 6 and Route 284
                  Slate Hill, New York 10973

                  Attention:  Mr. Frank J. Fitzpatrick

         The Bank:

                  The Chase Manhattan Bank
                  400 Rella Boulevard, Suite 100
                  Suffern, New York 10901
                  Attention: George C. Cardona, Vice President

         with a copy to:

                  McCarthy Fingar Donovan Drazen & Smith
                  11 Martine Avenue
                  White Plains, New York 10601
                  Attention:  Nicholas J. Chivily, Esq.
<PAGE>
         10.2 No Waiver:  Cumulative  Remedies.  No failure to  exercise  and no
delay in  exercising,  on the part of the  Bank,  any  right,  remedy,  power or
privilege  hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof;  nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

         10.3 Survival of Representations  and Warranties.  All  representations
and  warranties  made  hereunder and in any document,  certificate  or statement
delivered pursuant hereto or in connection  herewith shall survive the execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the Note.

         10.4 Payment of Expenses.  The Borrower  agrees to pay or reimburse the
Bank  for all its  costs  and  expenses  incurred  in  connection  with  (a) the
enforcement  or  preservation  of any rights under this Agreement or any Note or
any other  instrument  or  agreement  entered  into in  connection  herewith  or
therewith including,  without limitation,  the reasonable fees and disbursements
of  attorneys  for the  Bank if  referred  by the  Bank  to such  attorneys  for
enforcement  and  collection,  and (b) any claim or action  threatened,  made or
brought  against  the Bank  arising  out of or  relating  to any  extent to this
Agreement,  any  Security  Agreement,  any Note or any  instrument  or agreement
entered into a connection  therewith or the transactions  contemplated hereby or
thereby if the Bank prevails in any such action or proceeding or Borrower  makes
payment  to the  Bank  on  account  of any  sums  demanded  by it  prior  to the
disposition of any such action or proceeding or in settlement thereof.

         10.5 Waiver of Jury Trial.  Set-off and Counterclaim.  The Borrower and
the Bank in any  litigation  (whether  or not arising out of or relating to this
Agreement)  in which they shall be adverse  parties  waive the right of trial by
jury and the Borrower  waives the right to interpose any set-off or counterclaim
of any kind or description in any such litigation.

         10.6  Modification  and Waiver.  No  modification or waiver of, or with
respect  to any  provision  of this  Agreement  or any  document  or  instrument
delivered  in  connection  therewith  shall be  effective  unless it shall be in
writing and signed by the Bank,  and then such  modification  or waiver shall be
effective only in the specific  instance and for the purpose for which given. No
notice to or demand on the Borrower in any case shall, of itself,  entitle it to
any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

         10.7  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the Borrower,  the Bank, all future holders of the Notes
and its  successors  and  assigns,  except that the  Borrower  may not assign or
transfer  any of its  rights  under this  Agreement  without  the prior  written
consent of the Bank.  The term "Bank" as used herein  shall be deemed to include
the Bank and its successors, endorsees and assigns.

         10.8 Governing Law: Consent to Jurisdiction.  This Agreement, the Notes
and any documents and instruments delivered in connection herewith and therewith
and the rights and  duties of the  parties  hereunder  and  thereunder  shall be
governed by, and construed and  interpreted  in accordance  with, the law of the
State of New York and the Borrower consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of
the State of New York in any action  brought  to enforce  any rights of the Bank
under this Agreement and any document or instrument related hereto.

         10.9  Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  and  any  other  agreements,
documents and  instruments  executed and delivered  pursuant to or in connection
with the Obligations  contain the entire agreement  between the parties relating
to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  The Borrower  expressly  acknowledges
that  the  Bank  has not  made  and the  Borrower  is not  relying  on any  oral
representations, agreements or commitments of the Bank or any officer, employee,
agent or representative thereof.
<PAGE>
         10.10  Interest  Adjustment.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary
contained in this  Agreement or the Notes,  the rate of interest  payable on the
Notes shall never exceed the maximum rate of interest permitted under applicable
law.  If at any time the rate of  interest  otherwise  prescribed  herein  shall
exceed such maximum rate,  and such  prescribed  rate is  thereafter  below such
maximum  rate,  the  prescribed  rate shall be increased to the maximum rate for
such period of time as is required so that the total amount of interest received
by the Bank is that which  would have been  received  by the Bank except for the
operation of the first sentence of this Section 10.10.

         10.11 Participation  Interests. The Borrower acknowledges that the Bank
may after the date of the Notes to sell and assign,  participation  interests in
the Loans to such domestic or foreign banks, insurance companies, pension funds,
trusts or other  institutional  lenders or other  persons,  parties or investors
(including,  but not limited to, grantor trusts,  owner trusts,  special purpose
corporations,   REMIC's,  investment  trusts  or  other  similar  or  comparable
investment  vehicles)  as may be selected  by the Bank in its sole and  absolute
discretion and on terms and conditions  satisfactory to the Bank in its sole and
absolute  discretion (any such bank,  insurance company,  pension fund, trust or
other  institutional  lender  or  other  person,  party  or  investor  to whom a
participation  interest in the Loans is so sold and assigned is herein  referred
to as a  Participant).  The Bank shall at all times during the term of the Loans
act  as  lead  lender  and  servicer  for   Participants   in  accordance   with
participation  agreements in form and substance  satisfactory in all respects to
the Payee and its counsel. Subject to the applicable terms and provisions of the
participation  agreements,  the Bank shall retain all rights with respect to the
enforcement,  collection  and  administration  of the  Loans  and  the  security
therefor and shall service the Loans  throughout the term thereof.  The Borrower
shall cooperate, and shall cause each Corporate Guarantor,  indemnitor and other
Person  or  party  associated  or  connected  with the  Loans or the  collateral
therefore to cooperate,  in all respects  with the Bank in  connection  with the
sale of participation  interests in the Loans in the manner contemplated by this
paragraph,  and  shall,  in  connection  therewith,  execute  and  deliver  such
estoppels,  certificates,  instruments  and documents as may be requested by the
Bank. The Borrower grants to the Bank, and shall cause each Corporate Guarantor,
indemnitor  and other person or party  associated or connected with the Loans or
the  collateral  therefore to grant to the Bank,  the right to  distribute  on a
confidential basis financial and other information concerning the Borrower, each
such  Corporate  Guarantor,  indemnitor  and  other  person  or party  and other
pertinent information with respect to the Loans to any party who has purchased a
participation  interest in the Loans or who has expressed a serious  interest in
purchasing a participation interest in the Loans. The Borrower shall execute and
deliver, and shall cause each Corporate  Guarantor,  indemnitor and other person
or party  associated or connected with the Loans or the collateral  therefore to
execute and deliver, such documents and instruments as may be necessary to split
the Loans into two or more loans evidenced, secured and advanced by and pursuant
to separate sets of notes,  security agreements and other related Loan Documents
to the full extent by the Bank to facilitate the sale of participation interests
in the Loans in the manner contemplated by this paragraph,  it being agreed that
(i) any such  splitting of the Loans will not  adversely  affect or diminish the
rights of the Borrower as presently set forth in this  Agreement,  the Notes, or
the other Loan  Documents and will not increase the respective  obligations  and
liabilities of the Borrower or any such Corporate Guarantor, indemnitor or other
person or party above those presently set forth in this Agreement,  the Notes or
the other Loan  Documents,  (ii) the other  documents  securing  the Loans as so
split will have such priority of lien and security  interest as may be specified
<PAGE>
by the  Bank,  and (iii) the  retained  interest  of the Bank in the Loans as so
split shall be  allocated  to or among one or more of such  separate  loans in a
manner specified by the Bank in its sole and absolute  discretion.  The Borrower
shall not incur or be responsible for any additional  costs, fees or expenses of
any nature whatsoever as a result of the Bank's sale of participation  interests
in all or any portion of the Loans in the manner contemplated by this paragraph,
it being  agreed,  however,  that nothing  contained in this  sentence  shall be
deemed to modify,  qualify,  limit or affect in any manner whatsoever any of the
terms  and  provisions  of the  Notes.  If the  Borrower  shall  default  in the
performance  of its  obligation  as set  forth  in this  paragraph,  and if such
default shall not be remedied by the Borrower  within ten (10) days after notice
by the Bank,  the Bank shall  have the right in its  discretion  to declare  the
Loans immediately due and payable.

         10.12 Legal Representation. The Borrower acknowledges that the Bank has
advised it to be represented by legal counsel in the  negotiation  and execution
of this  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents  and  Borrower  has elected to
forego such representation.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and  delivered in White Plains,  New York by their proper and duly
authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

                                                     BALCHEM CORPORATION

                                                     By:   /s/Dino A. Rossi
                                                           ----------------
                                                           Dino A. Rossi

                                                           President

                                                     THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

                                                     By:   /s/George C. Cardona 
                                                           --------------------
                                                           George C. Cardona
                                                           Vice President


<PAGE>
State of New York                   )
                                    ) ss.:

County of                           )

         On the  ___________  day of January  in the year  1999,  before me, the
undersigned,  a  Notary  Public  in and for the  State of New  York,  personally
appeared Dino A. Rossi,  personally  known to me or proved to me on the basis of
satisfactory  evidence  to be the  individual  whose name is  subscribed  to the
within  instrument  and  acknowledged  to me that he  executed  the  same in his
capacity,  and that by his signature on the instrument,  the individual,  or the
person upon behalf of which the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.

                                              -------------------------------
                                                        NOTARY PUBLIC

State of New York                   )
                                    ) ss.:

County of                           )

         On the  ___________  day of January  in the year  1999,  before me, the
undersigned,  a  Notary  Public  in and for the  State of New  York,  personally
appeared George C. Cardona,  personally known to me or proved to me on the basis
of  satisfactory  evidence to be the individual  whose name is subscribed to the
within  instrument  and  acknowledged  to me that he  executed  the  same in his
capacity,  and that by his signature on the instrument,  the individual,  or the
person upon behalf of which the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.

                                             -------------------------------
                                                       NOTARY PUBLIC


<PAGE>


                                                                   Schedule 3.10






                              Environmental Matters

                                      None


<PAGE>
Exhibit A

                                   TERM NOTE A

$750,000.00                                               White Plains, New York
                                                    Dated as of January 15, 1999

         BALCHEM CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation (the "Borrower"), for value
received,  hereby  promises to pay to the order of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK (the
"Bank") at its office specified in Section 10.1 of the Amended and Restated Loan
Agreement  dated as of January 15, 1999 between the  Borrower  and the Bank,  as
amended from time to time (as so amended the  "Agreement";  terms defined in the
Agreement  shall have their  defined  meanings when used in this Note) in lawful
money of the United States and in immediately available funds, the principal sum
of SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND and no/100 DOLLARS ($750,000) payable in monthly
principal installments as follows:

         Commencing on February 1, 1999 and on the first day of each  succeeding
month thereafter through and including Term Loan A Maturity Date, there shall be
due and payable installments of principal each in the amount of $50,000.00; and

         On Term Loan A Maturity Date, the entire  Principal  Balance  remaining
unpaid and any accrued and unpaid interest shall be due and payable.

         In  addition  to the  aforesaid  payments of  principal,  the  Borrower
further  promises  to pay  interest  at said  office in like money on the unpaid
Principal  Balance of this Note from time to time  outstanding  (computed on the
basis of a 360-day  year for actual days  elapsed) at the times and at an annual
rate (or rates) as selected by the  Borrower  pursuant to the terms of Section 2
of the  Agreement.  Interest  shall be payable as  provided  in Section 2 of the
Agreement.  Whenever the entire unpaid principal amount of this Note becomes due
and  payable  (whether  at  the  stated  maturity  hereof,  by  acceleration  or
otherwise),  interest hereon shall  thereafter be payable on demand at a rate as
set  forth in  Section  2 of the  Agreement,  but in no event in  excess  of the
maximum rate of interest permitted under any applicable law.

         The foregoing  notwithstanding,  if in any month, it would be necessary
for the Borrower to prepay a Loan which bears  interest at a LIBOR Rate in order
to make a regular monthly  payment of principal due hereunder,  the Borrower may
defer such regular monthly payment until the last day of the LIBOR Rate Interest
Period  applicable to such Loan,  provided,  however,  that the aggregate of all
principal  payments  for: (1) the period  February 1, 1999 through  December 31,
1999 shall be no less than $550,000; and (2) the period February 1, 1999 through
Term Loan A Maturity Date shall be no less than $750,000.

         This  Note is the Term  Note A  referred  to in the  Agreement,  and is
entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part (subject
to the indemnity provided in the Agreement) as provided therein.

This Note is secured by the collateral described in each Security Agreement.

         Upon  the  occurrence  of any  one or  more of the  Events  of  Default
specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid under the Note may
be declared immediately due and payable as provided in the Agreement.

         This Note is a restatement  and replacement of, and not in addition to,
the Note dated  November  1, 1996 made by the  Borrower  for the  benefit of the
Bank,  in the original  principal  amount of  $2,100,000,  which,  itself,  is a
restatement  and  replacement of, and not in addition to, the Note dated January
25,  1995 made by the  Borrower  for the  benefit of the Bank,  in the  original
principal amount of $3,700,000.00.
<PAGE>
         This Note shall be  construed  in  accordance  with and governed by the
laws of the State of New York.

                                                     BALCHEM CORPORATION

                                                     By:   _____________________
                                                           Name:
                                                           Title:

State of New York                   )
                                    ) ss.:

County of                           )

         On the  ___________  day of January  in the year  1999,  before me, the
undersigned,  a  Notary  Public  in and for the  State of New  York,  personally
appeared_____________________________________________, personally known to me or
proved to me on the basis of  satisfactory  evidence to be the individual  whose
name is subscribed to the within  instrument and  acknowledged to me that he/she
executed  the same in his/her  capacity,  and that by his/her  signature  on the
instrument,  the  individual,  or the person upon behalf of which the individual
acted, executed the instrument.

                                             -------------------------------
                                                       NOTARY PUBLIC


<PAGE>
                                                                       Exhibit B

                                   TERM NOTE B

$3,000,000.00                                             White Plains, New York
                                                    Dated as of January 15, 1999

         BALCHEM CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation (the "Borrower"), for value
received,  hereby  promises to pay to the order of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK (the
"Bank") at its office specified in Section 10.1 of the Amended and Restated Loan
Agreement  dated as of January 15, 1999 between the  Borrower  and the Bank,  as
amended from time to time (as so amended the  "Agreement";  terms defined in the
Agreement  shall have their  defined  meanings when used in this Note) in lawful
money of the United States and in immediately available funds, the principal sum
of THREE MILLION and no/100 DOLLARS ($3,000,000.00) payable in monthly principal
installments as follows:

         Commencing on February 1, 1999 and on the first day of each  succeeding
month thereafter through and including Term Loan B Maturity Date, there shall be
due and payable installments of principal each in the amount of $50,000.00; and

         On Term Loan B Maturity Date, the entire  Principal  Balance  remaining
unpaid and any accrued and unpaid interest shall be due and payable.

         In  addition  to the  aforesaid  payments of  principal,  the  Borrower
further  promises  to pay  interest  at said  office in like money on the unpaid
Principal  Balance of this Note from time to time  outstanding  (computed on the
basis of a 360-day  year for actual days  elapsed) at the times and at an annual
rate (or rates) as selected by the  Borrower  pursuant to the terms of Section 2
of the  Agreement.  Interest  shall be payable as  provided  in Section 2 of the
Agreement.  Whenever the entire unpaid principal amount of this Note becomes due
and  payable  (whether  at  the  stated  maturity  hereof,  by  acceleration  or
otherwise),  interest hereon shall  thereafter be payable on demand at a rate as
set  forth in  Section  2 of the  Agreement,  but in no event in  excess  of the
maximum rate of interest permitted under any applicable law.

         The foregoing  notwithstanding,  if in any month, it would be necessary
for the Borrower to prepay a Loan which bears  interest at a LIBOR Rate in order
to make a regular monthly  payment of principal due hereunder,  the Borrower may
defer such regular monthly payment until the last day of the LIBOR Rate Interest
Period  applicable to such Loan,  provided,  however,  that the aggregate of all
principal  payments for (1) the period February 1,1999 through December 31, 1999
shall be no less than $550,000; (2) the period February 1, 1999 through December
31,  2000  shall be no less than  $1,150,000;  (3) the period  February  1, 1999
through  December  31,  2001  shall be no less than  $1,750,000;  (4) the period
February 1, 1999 through December 31, 2002 shall be no less than $2,350,000; and
(5) the period  February 1, 1999 through  Term Loan B Maturity  Date shall be no
less than $3,000,000.

         This  Note is the Term  Note B  referred  to in the  Agreement,  and is
entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part (subject
to the indemnity provided in the Agreement) as provided therein.

This Note is secured by the collateral described in each Security Agreement.

         Upon  the  occurrence  of any  one or  more of the  Events  of  Default
specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid under the Note may
be declared immediately due and payable as provided in the Agreement.
<PAGE>
         This Note shall be  construed  in  accordance  with and governed by the
laws of the State of New York.

                                            BALCHEM CORPORATION

                                            By:   ______________________________
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:

State of New York                   )
                                    ) ss.:

County of                           )

         On the  ___________  day of January  in the year  1999,  before me, the
undersigned,  a  Notary  Public  in and for the  State of New  York,  personally
appeared_____________________________________________, personally known to me or
proved to me on the basis of  satisfactory  evidence to be the individual  whose
name is subscribed to the within  instrument and  acknowledged to me that he/she
executed  the same in his/her  capacity,  and that by his/her  signature  on the
instrument,  the  individual,  or the person upon behalf of which the individual
acted, executed the instrument.

                                                -------------------------------
                                                       NOTARY PUBLIC


<PAGE>


                                                                       Exhibit C

                               Prepayment Formula

                              n = x

         PV       =   [GRAPHIC-MATH SYMBOL]        NETn
                              n = 1

 
               ( P x (L - R) ) x   Daysn - Daysn-1
                                   ---------------
                                         360

NETn   =       -----------------------------------
                     (1 + Zn)      Daysn - Daysn
                                         360

                          X         =   Number,   or   fraction   thereof,    of
                                    Calculation  Periods from date of prepayment
                                    to date of final fixed maturity

                          P    =    Principal prepaid

                          L    =    Fixed Rate

                          R    =    Redeployment Rate

            Daysn - Daysn-1    =    For each Calculation  Period "n", the actual
                                    number   of   days   elapsed   during   that
                                    Calculation Period.
                                    

           Daysn  - Days0       =   For each Calculation  Period "n", the actual
                                    number  of days  elapsed  from  the  date of
                                    prepayment   to  the   last   day  of   that
                                    Calculation Period.

                          Z     =   For  each   Calculation   Period  "n",   the
                                    Discount Rate for that Calculation Period.


<PAGE>
                                                                       Exhibit D

[GRAPHIC-CHASE LOGO]           THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

                                        GUARANTY

                                         __________, New York, ___________, 199_

         WHEREAS,    __________________________    (hereinafter    called    the
"Borrower"),  desires  to  transact  business  with and to  obtain  credit  or a
continuation  of  credit  or  other  financial  accommodations  from  THE  CHASE
MANHATTAN BANK, a New York banking corporation  (hereinafter called the "Bank");
and

         WHEREAS, the Bank is unwilling to extend or continue credit to or other
financial  accommodations  to the  Borrower,  unless it receives  the  following
guaranty of the undersigned;

         NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises and of other good and
valuable consideration and in order to induce the Bank from time to time, in its
discretion,  to extend or continue credit or other financial  accommodations  to
the Borrower, the undersigned hereby guarantees, absolutely and unconditionally,
to the  Bank the  payment  of all  liabilities  of the  Borrower  to the Bank of
whatever  nature,  whether now existing or hereafter  incurred,  whether created
directly or acquired by the Bank by assignment or otherwise,  whether matured or
unmatured  and whether  absolute  or  contingent  (all of which are  hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Liabilities of the Borrower").

         In order to  further  secure  the  payment  of the  Liabilities  of the
Borrower,  the undersigned does hereby give the Bank a continuing lien and right
of set-off for the amount of the  Liabilities  of the Borrower  upon any and all
monies,  securities  and any and all other property of the  undersigned  and the
proceeds thereof,  now or hereafter actually or constructively  held or received
by or in transit in any manner to or from the Bank, Chase  Securities,  Inc., or
any  other  affiliate  of the  Bank  from or for the  undersigned,  whether  for
safekeeping,  custody, pledge,  transmission,  collection or otherwise or coming
into the possession of the Bank, Chase Securities,  Inc., or any other affiliate
of the Bank in any way,  or place in any safe  deposit  box  leased by the Bank,
Chase  Securities,  Inc., or any other affiliate of the Bank to the undersigned.
The Bank is also given a continuing  lien and right of set-off for the amount of
said Liabilities of the Borrower upon any and all deposits (general and special)
and  credits  of, or for the benefit of the  undersigned  with,  and any and all
claims of the undersigned  against,  the Bank,  Chase  Securities,  Inc., or any
other affiliate of the Bank at any time existing.  The Bank is hereby authorized
at any time or times,  without prior notice,  to apply such deposits or credits,
or any part thereof,  to such  Liabilities  of the Borrower  and,  although said
Liabilities  of the Borrower may be  contingent  or  unmatured,  and whether the
collateral  security  therefor  is  deemed  adequate  or  not.  The  undersigned
authorizes  the Bank to  deliver a copy of this  guaranty  to others as  written
notification  of  the  undersigned's  transfer  of a  security  interest  in the
collateral described herein to the Bank.

         The  undersigned  agrees that,  with or without  notice or demand,  the
undersigned  shall  reimburse  the Bank for all the Bank's  expenses  (including
reasonable fees of counsel for the Bank who may be employees  thereof)  incurred
in  connection  with any of the  Liabilities  of the Borrower or the  collection
thereof.
<PAGE>
         This  guaranty is a continuing  guaranty and shall remain in full force
and effect  irrespective of any  interruptions in the business  relations of the
Borrower with the Bank; provided,  however,  that the undersigned may, by notice
in writing,  delivered  personally or received by certified mail, return receipt
requested,       addressed       to       the       Bank's       office       at
_____________________________________________________,  terminate  this guaranty
with respect to all  Liabilities  of the Borrower  incurred or contracted by the
Borrower  or  acquired  by the Bank  after the date on which  such  notice is so
delivered or received.

         All  monies  available  to the  Bank  for  application  in  payment  or
reduction of the  Liabilities of the Borrower may be applied by the Bank in such
manner  and in such  amounts  and at such time or times as it may see fit to the
payment or reduction of such of the  Liabilities of the Borrower as the Bank may
elect.

         The  undersigned  hereby  waives:  (a)  notice  of  acceptance  of this
guaranty and of extensions of credit or other  financial  accommodations  by the
Bank to the  Borrower;  (b)  presentment  and demand  for  payment of any of the
Liabilities  of the  Borrower;  (c) protest and notice of dishonor or default to
the  undersigned or to any other party with respect to any of the Liabilities of
the Borrower;  (d) all other notices to which the  undersigned  may otherwise be
entitled; and (e) any demand for payment hereunder.

         All  liabilities of the undersigned to the Bank hereunder or otherwise,
whether or not then due or  absolute  or  contingent,  shall  without  notice or
demand become due and payable  immediately upon the occurrence of any default or
event of  default  with  respect  to any  Liabilities  of the  Borrower  (or the
occurrence of any other event which results in  acceleration  of the maturity of
any thereof) or the occurrence of any default  hereunder.  This is a guaranty of
payment and not of collection  and the  undersigned  further waives any right to
require  that any action be brought  against the Borrower or any other person or
to require  that resort be had to any  security or to any balance of any deposit
account or credit on the books of the Bank in favor of the Borrower or any other
person.

         The undersigned hereby consents that from time to time, before or after
any default by the Borrower or any notice of termination hereof, with or without
further notice to or assent from the undersigned,  any security at any time held
by or available to the Bank for any obligation of the Borrower,  or any security
at any time held by or  available  to the Bank for any  obligation  of any other
person  secondarily  or  otherwise  liable  for  any of the  Liabilities  of the
Borrower,  may be exchanged,  surrendered  or released and any obligation of the
Borrower,  or of any  such  other  person,  may be  changed,  altered,  renewed,
extended, continued, surrendered, compromised, waived, discharged or released in
whole or in part (including without limitation any such event resulting from any
insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting the
Borrower or its assets) or any default with respect thereto waived, and the Bank
may fail to set off and may  release,  in whole or in part,  any  balance of any
deposit  account or credit on the Bank's books in favor of the  Borrower,  or of
any such other person, and may extend further credit in any manner whatsoever to
the Borrower,  and generally deal or take action or no action with regard to the
Borrower or any such  security or other  person as the Bank may see fit; and the
undersigned  shall remain  bound under this  guaranty  notwithstanding  any such
exchange,   surrender,   release,  change,   alteration,   renewal,   extension,
continuance,  compromise,  waiver,  discharge,  inaction,  extension  of further
credit or other dealing.
<PAGE>
         The obligations of the undersigned are absolute and  unconditional  and
are valid  irrespective  of any other  agreement  or  circumstance  which  might
otherwise  constitute  a  defense  to  the  obligations   hereunder  or  to  the
obligations of others related thereto and the undersigned irrevocably waives the
right to assert defenses,  set-offs and counterclaims in any litigation relating
to this guaranty and the  Liabilities of the Borrower.  This guaranty sets forth
the entire understanding of the parties,  and the undersigned  acknowledges that
no   oral   or   other   agreements,   conditions,   promises,   understandings,
representations  or  warranties  exist in regard to the  obligations  hereunder,
except those specifically set forth herein.

         The  undersigned  irrevocably  waives  and shall not seek to enforce or
collect  upon any rights which it now has or may acquire  against the  Borrower,
either by way of subrogation,  indemnity,  reimbursement or contribution, or any
other  similar  right,  for any amount paid under this guaranty or by way of any
other  obligations  whatsoever of the Borrower to the undersigned.  In the event
either a petition is filed under the  Bankruptcy  Code in regard to the Borrower
or an action or  proceeding is commenced for the benefit of the creditors of the
Borrower,  this  agreement  shall at all times  thereafter  remain  effective in
regard to any payments or other transfers of assets to the Bank received from or
on behalf of the Borrower  prior to notice of  termination  of this guaranty and
which are or may be held voidable or otherwise subject to recission or return on
the grounds of preference,  fraudulent  conveyance or otherwise,  whether or not
the Liabilities of the Borrower have been paid in full.

         Each  reference  herein  to the Bank  shall be deemed  to  include  its
successors  and assigns,  in whose favor the  provisions of this guaranty  shall
also inure.  Each reference herein to the undersigned shall be deemed to include
the heirs,  executors,  administrators,  legal  representatives,  successors and
assigns of the undersigned, all of whom shall be bound by the provisions of this
guaranty.

         The term  "undersigned"  as used herein  shall,  if this  instrument is
signed by more than one party,  mean the "undersigned and each of them" and each
undertaking  herein  contained  shall be their  joint and  several  undertaking,
provided,  however,  that in the  next  succeeding  paragraph  hereof  the  term
"undersigned"  shall mean the  "undersigned or any of them". If any party hereto
shall  be a  partnership,  the  agreements  and  obligations  on the part of the
undersigned  herein  contained shall remain in force and applicable  against the
partnership  and  all  of  its  partners  (notwithstanding  any  changes  in the
individuals  composing the  partnership  or any release of one or more partners)
and the term "undersigned"  shall include any altered or successive  partnership
but,  the  predecessor  partnerships  and their  partners  shall not  thereby be
released from any obligation or liability.

         No delay on the part of the Bank in exercising any rights  hereunder or
failure to exercise the same shall operate as a waiver of such rights; no notice
to or demand on the undersigned shall be deemed to be a waiver of the obligation
of the  undersigned  or of the right of the Bank to take further  action without
notice or demand as provided herein;  nor in any event shall any modification or
waiver of the provisions of this guaranty be effective  unless in writing signed
by an  authorized  officer of the Bank;  nor shall any such waiver be applicable
except in the specific instance for which given.

         This  guaranty  is, and shall be deemed to be, a contract  entered into
under  and  pursuant  to the laws of the  State of New York and  shall be in all
respects governed,  construed,  applied and enforced in accordance with the laws
of said State; and no defense given or allowed by the laws of any other State or
Country  shall be  interposed  in any action  hereon unless such defense is also
given or allowed by the laws of the State of New York.
<PAGE>
         The undersigned hereby  unconditionally  WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL
in  connection  with  actions  by or  against  the  Bank  arising  out  of or in
connection with the Liabilities of the Borrower and this guaranty.

Guarantor:                                   ___________________________________

(AFFIX CORPORATE SEAL HERE)

                                             By:  ______________________________

                                      Name:

                                     Title:

Address:                                    ____________________________________

                                            ____________________________________


<PAGE>
                                                                       Exhibit E
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT

                                (General Purpose)

                  This  agreement made this 15th day of January 1999 between The
Chase  Manhattan  Bank (herein called  "Bank") and BALCHEM  CORPORATION  (herein
called "Borrower").

                  1. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED HEREIN.  (a) "Borrower"  includes
all individuals  executing this agreement as parties hereto and all members of a
partnership  when Borrower is a  partnership,  each of whom shall be jointly and
severally  liable  individually  and as partners  hereunder.  (b) "Liability" or
"liabilities" includes all liabilities (primary,  secondary, direct, contingent,
sole,  joint  or  several)  due or to  become  due,  or  that  may be  hereafter
contracted or acquired, of Borrower (including Borrower and any other person) to
Bank,  including  without  limitation all liabilities  arising under or from any
note, loan or credit agreement,  letter of credit, guaranty,  draft, acceptance,
interest rate or foreign exchange agreement or any other instrument or agreement
of (or the  responsibility  of) the  Borrower  or any  loan,  advance  or  other
extension  of  credit  or  financial  accommodation  to  Borrower  by Bank.  (c)
"Proceeds"  means  whatever  is received  when  Collateral  is sold,  exchanged,
leased, collected or otherwise disposed of and includes the account arising when
the right to payment is earned under a contract. (d) "Security interest" means a
lien or other  interest in Collateral  which  secures  payment of a liability or
performance of an obligation.  (e) "Collateral"  means the property described in
Section 2 hereof and the following described property of the Borrower.

                     SEE RIDER A ATTACHED HERETO AND DEEMED
                             INSERTED AT THIS POINT.

                  All terms used herein  which are also  defined in the New York
or any other  applicable  Uniform  Commercial  Code shall also have at least the
meanings herein as therein defined.

                  2. SECURITY INTEREST. As security for the payment of all loans
and other extensions of credit or other financial  accommodations  now or in the
future made by Bank to Borrower and all other  liabilities  of Borrower to Bank,
Borrower  hereby  grants to Bank a  security  interest  in the  above  described
Collateral and all and any Proceeds  arising  therefrom and all and any products
of the Collateral.

                  Borrower  represents  and warrants  that it is the sole lawful
owner of the Collateral,  free and clear of any liens and encumbrances,  and has
the right and power to pledge,  sell, assign and transfer absolute title thereto
to Bank and that no financing statement covering the Collateral,  other than the
Bank's, is on file in any public office.

                  To further secure the Liabilities, the Borrower hereby grants,
pledges and assigns to the Bank a continuing lien security interest and right of
set-off in and to all money,  securities and all other property of the Borrower,
and the proceeds thereof,  now or hereafter  actually or constructively  held or
received by or for the Bank, Chase Securities, Inc or any other affiliate of the
Bank for any purpose, including safekeeping,  custody, pledge,  transmission and
collection  and in and to all of the Borrower's  deposits  (general and special)
<PAGE>
and credits with the Bank, Chase Securities,  Inc. or any other affiliate of the
Bank.  Borrower authorizes Bank to deliver to others a copy of this agreement as
written  notification of the Borrower's  transfer of a security  interest in the
foregoing  property.  The Bank is hereby authorized at any time and from time to
time, without notice, to apply all or part of such money, securities,  property,
proceed  deposits or credits to any of the  Liabilities  in such  amounts as the
Bank may elect in its sole and absolute discretion, although the Liabilities may
then be contingent or unmatured and whether or not the  collateral  security may
be deemed adequate.

                  3. USE OF  COLLATERAL.  Until  default,  Borrower  may use the
Collateral  in any lawful  manner.  If the  Collateral  is or is about to become
affixed to  realty,  Borrower  will,  at Bank's  request,  furnish to the Bank a
writing   executed  by  the  mortgagee  of  the  realty  whereby  the  mortgagee
subordinates  its rights and priorities to the Bank's  security  interest in the
Collateral. If the Collateral is or may become subject to a landlord's lien, the
Borrower  will,  at Bank's  request,  furnish the Bank with a landlord's  waiver
satisfactory in form to the bank.

                  4. INSURANCE. Borrower will have and maintain insurance on the
Collateral  until this  Agreement is  terminated  against all expected  risks to
which it is exposed,  including fire,  theft and collision,  and those which the
Bank may  designate,  such  insurance  to be payable to the Bank and Borrower as
their  interest may appear;  all policies  shall provide for thirty (30).  days'
written notice minimum cancellation notice to the Bank. Bank may act as attorney
for Borrower in obtaining, adjusting, settling and canceling such insurance.

                  5. DEFAULT.  Default shall exist hereunder (1) if the Borrower
shall  fail to pay any  amount of the  Liabilities  when due or if the  Borrower
shall fail to keep, observe or perform any provision of this Agreement or of any
note, or other instrument or agreement between Borrower and Bank relating to any
Liabilities  or if any default or Event of Default  specified  or defined in any
such note,  instrument or agreement  shall occur,  (2) if the Borrower  shall or
shall attempt to (a) remove or allow removal of the  Collateral  from the county
where the  Borrower  now resides or change the  location of its chief  executive
office or principal place of business,  (b) sell,  encumber or otherwise dispose
of the  Collateral  or any  interest  therein  or  permit  any lien or  security
interest (other than the Bank's) to exist thereon or therein, (c) conceal,  hire
out or let the  Collateral,  (d) misuse or abuse the  Collateral,  or (e) use or
allow the use of the Collateral in connection with any undertaking prohibited by
law; (3) if  bankruptcy  or  insolvency  proceedings  shall be  instituted by or
against the Borrower,  or (4) If the Collateral shall be attached,  levied upon,
seized in any legal proceedings,  or held by virtue of any lien or distress,  or
(5) If the Borrower shall make any  assignment for the benefit of creditors,  or
(6) If the Borrower  shall fail to pay promptly all taxes and  assessments  upon
the  Collateral or the use thereof,  or (7) If the Borrower shall die, or (8) if
the Bank with reasonable cause determines that its interest in the Collateral is
in  jeopardy,  or (9) If Borrower  should fail to keep the  Collateral  suitably
insured.  In the  event  of  default  or the  breach  of any  undertaking  of or
conditions  to be performed by the  Borrower  (1) all  liabilities  shall become
immediately due and payable,  and (2) the Borrower agrees upon demand to deliver
the Collateral to the Bank, or the Bank may, with or without legal process,  and
with or without  previous notice or demand for  performance,  enter any premises
wherein the  Collateral may be, and take  possession of the same,  together with
anything therein; and the Bank may make disposition of the Collateral subject to
any and all  applicable  provisions  of the law.  If the  Collateral  is sold at
public sale,  Bank may purchase the Collateral at such sale. The Bank,  provided
it has sent the  statutory  notice of default,  may retain from the  proceeds of
such sale all  reasonable  costs  Incurred in the said taking and sale and also,
all sums then owing by the  Borrower,  and any surplus of any such sale shall be
paid to the Borrower.
<PAGE>
                  6. GENERAL AGREEMENTS. (a) Borrower agrees to pay the costs of
filing financing  statements and of conducting  searches in connection with this
Agreement  (b) Borrower  agrees to allow the Bank through any of its officers or
agents, at all reasonable times, to examine or inspect any of the Collateral and
to examine,  inspect and make  extracts  from the  Borrower's  books and records
relating to the  Collateral.  (c) Borrower  will promptly pay when due all taxes
and  assessments  upon the  Collateral  or for its use of  operation or upon the
proceeds  thereof or upon this Agreement or upon any note or other instrument or
agreement  evidencing any of the  liabilities.  (d) At its option,  the Bank may
discharge taxes,  liens or security  interests or other encumbrances at any time
levied  or  placed  on the  Collateral,  and may pay  for  the  maintenance  and
preservation of the Collateral, and the Borrower agrees to reimburse the Bank on
demand for any payment made or any expense  incurred by the Bank pursuant to the
foregoing  authorization,   Including  outside  or  in-house  counsel  fees  and
disbursements incurred or expended by the Bank in connection with this Agreement
(e) Borrower  hereby  authorizes the Bank to file  financing  statements and any
amendments  .thereto  without the signature of Borrower.  Such  authorization is
limited to the security  Interest  granted by this Agreement (f) Borrower agrees
that the Bank has the right to notify (on invoices or otherwise) account debtors
and other obligors or payors on any Collateral of its assignment to the Bank and
that all payments  thereon should be made directly to the Bank and that the Bank
has full power and authority to collect, compromise,  endorse, sell or otherwise
deal with the  Collateral  on its own name or that of the  Borrower at any time.
(g) The Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse the Bank on demand for all costs and
expenses incurred by it in connection with the administration and enforcement of
this Agreement and the administration,  preservation,  protection, collection or
realization of any Collateral (including outside or in-house attorneys' fees and
expenses).  (h) The Bank  shall not be deemed to have  waived  any of its rights
hereunder  or under  any  other  agreement,  instrument  or paper  signed by the
Borrower  unless such  waiver is in writing and signed by the Bank.  No delay or
omission  on the part of the Bank in  exercising  any right  shall  operate as a
waiver  thereof or of any other right.  A waiver upon any one occasion shall not
be construed as a bar or a waiver of any right or remedy on any future occasion.
All of the rights and remedies of the Bank,  whether  evidenced hereby or by any
other Agreement,  instrument or paper,  shall be cumulative and may be exercised
singly or concurrently. (i) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed In
accordance  with the laws of the State of New York. j) This  Agreement,  and the
security interests, obligations, rights and remedies created hereby, shall inure
to the benefit of the Bank and its  successors  and assigns and be binding  upon
the Borrower and its heirs,  executors,  administrators,  legal representatives,
successors and assigns.

                  7.  EXECUTION  BY  BANK.  This  Agreement  shall  take  effect
immediately upon execution by the Borrower, and the execution hereof by the Bank
shall not be required as a condition to the effectiveness of this Agreement. The
provision  for  execution of this  Agreement by the Bank is only for purposes of
filing this Agreement as a Security Agreement under the Uniform Commercial Code,
if execution hereof by the Bank is required for purposes of such filing.
<PAGE>
BALCHEM CORPORATION (Borrower)

By: /S/Dino Rossi
- -----------------
Dino Rossi

Route 6 & Route 284
- -------------------
(Number and Street)

Slate Hill, New York 10973
- --------------------------
(City, County, State)

Places of business in counties other than above.

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

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
- ------------------------
(Bank Designation)

By: /S/George C. Cardona,
- ------------------------- 
George C. Cardona
(Name and Title)

Address:  400 Rella Boulevard, Suite 100, Suffern, New York 10901
          -------------------------------------------------------

State of New York          )
                           ) ss.:

County of Orange           )

                  On the 14th day of January  in the year  1999,  before me, the
undersigned,  a  Notary  Public  in and for the  State of New  York,  personally
appeared Dino A. Rossi,  personally  known to me or proved to me on the basis of
satisfactory  evidence  to be the  individual  whose name is  subscribed  to the
within  instrument  and  acknowledged  to me that he  executed  the  same in his
capacity,  and that by his signature on the instrument,  the individual,  or the
person upon behalf of which the individual acted, executed the instrument.

                                                       /S/ Linda Wood
                                                       --------------
                                                       NOTARY PUBLIC
                                                       LINDA M. WOOD

                                             Notary Public, State of New York
                                                        No 4957414

                                                Qualified in Orange County
                                            Commission Expires October 16, 1999
<PAGE>

                          RIDER A TO SECURITY AGREEMENT

            BETWEEN THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK AND BALCHEM CORPORATION

                  (a) All equipment in all of its forms,  wherever located,  now
or hereafter  existing  (including,  but not limited to, any  specific  items or
types of equipment set forth in the Schedule hereto),  and all parts thereof and
all accessions  thereto (any and all such equipment,  parts and accessions being
the "Equipment");

                  (b) All inventory in all of its forms,  wherever located,  now
or hereafter existing  (including,  but not limited to (i) any specific items or
types of inventory  set forth in the Schedule  hereto and raw materials and work
in process therefor,  finished goods thereof,  and materials used or consumed in
the manufacture or production  thereof,  (ii) goods in which the Borrower has an
interest  in mass or a joint or other  interest  or right of any kind and  (iii)
goods which are returned to or repossessed  by the Borrower,  and all accessions
thereto  and  products  thereof  (any and all  such  inventory,  accessions  and
products being the "Inventory");

                  (c) All accounts, contract rights, chattel paper, instruments,
general  intangibles and other obligations of any kind now or hereafter existing
arising out of or in connection with the sale or lease of goods or the rendering
of  services,  and all rights now or  hereafter  existing in and to all security
agreements,  leases,  and other contracts  securing or otherwise relating to any
such accounts, contract rights, chattel paper, instruments,  general intangibles
or  obligations  (any and all such  accounts,  contract  rights,  chattel paper,
instruments,  general  intangibles and obligations being the "Receivables",  and
any and all such  leases,  security  agreements  and other  contracts  being the
"Related  Contracts")  and all rights under any present or future  interest rate
protection  agreements related to any financial  accommodations made by the Bank
for the benefit of the Borrower; and

                  (d) All  proceeds of any and all of the  foregoing  Collateral
and, to the extent not otherwise included, all payments under insurance (whether
or not the  Bank is the loss  payee  thereof),  or any  indemnity,  warranty  or
guaranty,  payable by reason of loss or damage to or  otherwise  with respect to
any of the foregoing Collateral.
<PAGE>


                                                                      EXHIBIT 21







                               BALCHEM CORPORATION

                            Schedule of Subsidiaries







                                                                 Jurisdiction of
Name                                                             Incorporation
- ----                                                             -------------

Balchem, Ltd.                                                    Canada


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Balchem Corporation:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (No.
333-44489,  33-35912  and  33-35910) on Form S-8 of Balchem  Corporation  of our
report dated February 5, 1999,  relating to the  consolidated  balance sheets of
Balchem  Corporation  and  subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and the
related  consolidated  statements of operations,  stockholders'  equity and cash
flows for each of the years in the two year  period  ended  December  31,  1998,
which  report  appears in the  December  31, 1998 annual  report on Form 10-K of
Balchem Corporation.

                                                                    /s/ KPMG LLP
                                                                    ------------
                                                                        KPMG LLP

Short Hills, New Jersey
March 24, 1999

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Balchem Corporation:

         We  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  each  of (i) the
Registration  Statement (No.  333-44489) on Form S-8 of Balchem Corporation (the
"Company")  relating  to the  Company's  401(k)/Profit  Sharing  Plan,  (ii) the
Registration Statement (No. 33-35912) on Form S-8 of the Company relating to the
Company's Stock Option Plan for Directors and (iii) the  Registration  Statement
on Form S-8 (No.  33-35910) of the Company  relating to the Company's  Incentive
Stock  Option  Plan of our  report  dated  February  7,  1997,  relating  to the
consolidated  statements of operations of Balchem  Corporation and subsidiaries,
stockholders'  equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 1996, which
report  appears in the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1998.

                                         /s/ Judelson, Giordano, Siegal, CPA, PC
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                             Judelson, Giordano, Siegal, CPA, PC

Middletown, New York
March 25, 1999

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           1,348
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,283
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      2,875
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 8,399
<PP&E>                                          14,139
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,036
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  22,648
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,482
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           325
<OTHER-SE>                                      15,450
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    22,648
<SALES>                                         28,721
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                28,721
<CGS>                                           17,298
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   23,914
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   179
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,628
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,673
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,955
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,955
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.60
        

</TABLE>


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