ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (MALEIC BUSINESS) Dated as of March 18, 2004, Between ASHLAND INC. And ATB HOLDINGS INC.

EXHIBIT 2.4

EXECUTION COPY

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

(MALEIC BUSINESS)

Dated as of March 18, 2004,

Between

ASHLAND INC.

And

ATB HOLDINGS INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page

ARTICLE I

Maleic Assignment and Assumption

SECTION 1.01.	Maleic Assignment and Assumption	1
SECTION 1.02.	Transferred Assets and Excluded Assets	1
SECTION 1.03.	Assumption of Certain Liabilities	6
SECTION 1.04.	Consents of Third Parties	11
SECTION 1.05.	Closing Current Assets Adjustment	12
SECTION 1.06.	Tax Matters	15
SECTION 1.07.	Neville Island Maleic Assets Provisions	15

ARTICLE II

The Closing

SECTION 2.01.	Closing Date	18
SECTION 2.02.	Transactions To Be Effected at the Closing	19

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties of Ashland

SECTION 3.01.	Financial Statements	19
SECTION 3.02.	Assets Other than Real Property Interests	20
SECTION 3.03.	Real Property	20
SECTION 3.04.	Intellectual Property; Technology	21
SECTION 3.05.	Contracts	21
SECTION 3.06.	Permits	24
SECTION 3.07.	Condition of Transferred Assets	25
SECTION 3.08.	Claims	25
SECTION 3.09.	Benefit Plans	25
SECTION 3.10.	Absence of Changes or Events	26
SECTION 3.11.	Compliance with Laws	27
SECTION 3.12.	Employee and Labor Matters	28
SECTION 3.13.	Sufficiency of Transferred Assets	29
SECTION 3.14.	Inventory	29
SECTION 3.15.	Receivables	29


ARTICLE IV

Covenants

SECTION 4.01.	Covenants of Ashland Relating to Conduct of Maleic Business	30
SECTION 4.02.	Refunds and Remittances	32
SECTION 4.03.	Employee Matters	33
SECTION 4.04.	Post-Closing Information	38
SECTION 4.05.	Records	38
SECTION 4.06.	Agreement Not To Compete	39
SECTION 4.07.	Bulk Transfer Laws	40
SECTION 4.08.	Supplies	41
SECTION 4.09.	Mail	41
SECTION 4.10.	Further Assurances	41
SECTION 4.11.	Review of Contracts	41

ARTICLE V

Termination

SECTION 5.01.	Termination	43
SECTION 5.02.	Effect of Termination	43

ARTICLE VI

General Provisions

SECTION 6.01.	Interpretation; Maleic Business Disclosure Letter; Certain Definitions	43
SECTION 6.02.	Counterparts	45
SECTION 6.03.	Severability	45
SECTION 6.04.	Governing Law	46
SECTION 6.05.	No Third-Party Beneficiaries	46
SECTION 6.06.	Amendment	46



Exhibit A		Form of Deed (Maleic Business)
Exhibit B		Form of Assignment and Assumption (Maleic Business)
Exhibit C		Form of Maleic Supply Agreement
Exhibit D		Form of Transition Services Agreement

INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS


Term		Section
Accounting Firm		1.05(b)
Active Maleic Business Employee		4.03(a)
Agreement		Preamble
Ashland		Preamble
Ashland Insurance Policies		4.01(c)
Ashland Joint Contracts		4.11
Ashland Pension Plan		4.03(e)
Assigned Contracts		1.02(a)(vi)
Assigned Permits		1.02(a)(v)
Assumed Liabilities		1.03(a)
Assigned Technology		1.02(a)(iv)
Balance Sheet		3.01
Balance Sheet Principles		1.05(d)
Claim		1.03(b)(iv)
Closing Current Assets		1.05(a)
COBRA		4.03(b)(ii)
Competitive Activities		4.06(a)
Contracts		1.02(a)(vi)
Current Assets		1.05(d)
Employee Benefits Liability		3.09(b)
Environmental Claim		3.11(b)
Environmental Laws		3.11(b)
Environmental Liability		6.01(b)
Environmental Tests		1.03(b)(x)
ERISA		3.09(a)
Excluded Assets		1.02(b)
Exercise Notice		1.07(b)
Financial Statements		3.01
Hazardous Materials		3.11(b)
HoldCo		Preamble
HoldCo Maleic Welfare Plans		4.03(b)(i)
HoldCo Retiree Medical Plan		4.03(f)
HoldCo Retirement Plan		4.03(e)
Intellectual Property		6.01(b)
Inventory		1.02(a)(ii)
Leased Property		3.03(a)
Maleic Assignment and Assumption		1.01
Maleic Benefit Plans		3.09(a)
Maleic Business		6.01(b)
Maleic Business Disclosure Letter		Article III
Maleic Business Employee		3.09(a)
Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect		6.01(b)
Maleic Pension Plans		3.09(a)
Maleic Supply Agreement		2.02(c)


Term		Section
Master Agreement		Recitals
Neville Island Maleic Assets		1.07(a)
Neville Island Maleic Facility		1.07(a)
Notice of Disagreement		1.05(b)
Option Notice		1.07(a)
Option Period		1.07(a)
Owned Property		3.03(a)
Permits		3.06
Permitted Liens		6.01(b)
Plant		1.03(b)(x)
Premises		1.02(a)(i)
Proposed Sale Notice		1.07(b)
Receivables		1.02(a)(x)
Records		1.02(a)(ix)
Release		3.11(b)
Retained Liabilities		1.03(b)
Rev. Proc. 96-60		4.03(i)
Statement		1.05(a)
Target Current Assets		1.05(c)
Technology		1.02(a)(iv)
Transferred Assets		1.02(a)
Transferred Maleic Business Employee		4.03(a)
Transition Services Agreement		2.02(d)
WARN Act		4.03(g)

EXECUTION COPY

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (MALEIC BUSINESS) (this “Agreement”) dated as of March 18, 2004, between Ashland Inc., a Kentucky corporation (“Ashland”), and ATB Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Ashland (“HoldCo”).

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the parties hereto and certain other parties are entering into a Master Agreement (the “Master Agreement”; terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Master Agreement); and

WHEREAS, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Master Agreement, Ashland wishes to transfer to HoldCo, and HoldCo wishes to acquire and assume, certain assets and liabilities of the Maleic Business (as defined in Section 6.01(b)) pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Maleic Assignment and Assumption

SECTION 1.01. Maleic Assignment and Assumption. On the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and the Master Agreement, at the Closing, Ashland shall contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to HoldCo, and HoldCo shall acquire from Ashland, all the right, title and interest as of the Closing of Ashland in, to and under the Transferred Assets (as defined in Section 1.02(a)), and HoldCo shall assume the Assumed Liabilities (as defined in Section 1.03(a)). The contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance and delivery of the Transferred Assets and the assumption of the Assumed Liabilities and the other Transactions contemplated by this Agreement are referred to in this Agreement as the “Maleic Assignment and Assumption”.

SECTION 1.02. Transferred Assets and Excluded Assets. (a) The term “Transferred Assets” means all of Ashland’s right, title and interest in, to and under the

following assets, other than the Excluded Assets (as defined in Section 1.02(b)):

(i) (A) all real property, leaseholds and other interests (including interests in surface rights and mineral interests) in the real property listed in Section 3.03 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter (as defined in Article III), in each case together with Ashland’s right, title and interest in all buildings, structures, improvements, paved parking lots and fixtures thereon, and caverns thereunder, and all other appurtenances thereto (collectively, the “Premises”), and all bridges leading to or from the Premises (and all easements relating thereto) and (B) Ashland’s right, title and interest, if any, in, to and under all railroad sidings on the Premises and all pipelines, cabling, wiring and other conduit leading to or from the Premises (and all easements, licenses and permits (to the extent transferable) relating thereto);

(ii) (A) all raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods, supplies, parts, spare parts and other inventories of Ashland that on the Closing Date are located on the Premises and (B) all other raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods, supplies, parts, spare parts and other inventories of Ashland (including in transit, on consignment or in the possession of any third party) on the Closing Date, in the case of this clause (B) that are used, held for use or intended to be used exclusively in the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business (collectively, the “Inventory”), including any Inventory to be sold to Ashland or any of its affiliates after the Closing pursuant to the Maleic Supply Agreement (as defined in Section 2.02(c)) or otherwise;

(iii) (A) all other tangible personal property and interests therein, including all machinery, equipment, tools, appliances, telephones, telecommunications equipment, copy machines, fax machines, computers, implements, furniture, furnishings and vehicles, of Ashland that on the Closing Date are located on the Premises and (B) all other tangible personal property and interests therein, including all machinery, equipment, tools, appliances, telephones, telecommunications equipment, copy machines, fax

machines, computers, implements, furniture, furnishings and vehicles, of Ashland (including in transit, on consignment or in the possession of any third party) on the Closing Date, in the case of this clause (B) that are used, held for use or intended to be used exclusively in the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business, in each case under clause (A) or (B) together with any rights or claims of Ashland arising out of the breach of any express or implied warranty by the manufacturers or sellers of such assets;

(iv) all trade secrets, confidential information, inventions, know-how, formulae, proprietary processes, proprietary procedures, research records, records of inventions, test information, market surveys and marketing know-how (collectively, “Technology”) of Ashland, in each case that are used, held for use or intended to be used exclusively in the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business (the “Assigned Technology”);

(v) to the extent that such Permits (as defined in Section 3.06) are transferable, all Permits of Ashland that are used, held for use or intended to be used exclusively in the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business (the “Assigned Permits”);

(vi) (A) all contracts, leases, subleases, licenses, indentures, agreements, commitments and all other legally binding arrangements (“Contracts”), whether oral or written, to which Ashland is a party or by which Ashland is bound as of the date of this Agreement that are (1) listed in Sections 3.03 or 3.05 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter or (2) of the type specified in any of clauses (i) through (xi) of Section 3.05 but, as a result of the application of any applicable thresholds set forth therein, are not required to be listed in Section 3.05 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter, (B) all other written Contracts (including purchase orders and sales orders) to which Ashland is a party or by which Ashland is bound, in the case of this clause (B) that are entered into after the date of this Agreement, but not in violation or breach of any provision of this Agreement, and that exclusively relate to, or that arise exclusively out of, the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business in the ordinary course of business and (C) all Contracts to which Ashland is a party or

by which Ashland is bound, in the case of this clause (C) that are entered into after the date of this Agreement and that are to be treated as Assigned Contracts pursuant to Section 4.11 (the “Assigned Contracts”);

(vii) all rights of Ashland in and to products sold or leased (including products returned after the Closing and rights of rescission, replevin and reclamation) to the extent arising in the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business;

(viii) all credits, prepaid expenses, deferred charges, advance payments, security deposits and prepaid items of Ashland, in each case to the extent used, held for use or intended to be used in, or to the extent arising out of, the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business;

(ix) all books of account, ledgers, general, financial, accounting and personnel records, files, invoices, customers’ and suppliers’ lists, other distribution lists, billing records, sales and promotional literature, manuals, customer and supplier correspondence, sales records, credit data and other information relating to present or past customers, cost and pricing information, equipment maintenance data, purchasing records and information, business plans, payroll and personnel records, purchase orders, sales forms, artwork, photography, log books, environmental, health and safety audit procedures, schedules, reports, protocols and findings pertaining to the Maleic Business or the Transferred Assets (including records of spills or other releases or discharges into the atmosphere, records of environmental, safety or health reports to or from Governmental Entities regarding the Maleic Business or the Transferred Assets (including notices of violation), and correspondence, notices and orders of an environmental, safety or health nature regarding the Maleic Business or the Transferred Assets) and other similar property, rights and information of Ashland, in each case that are used, held for use or intended to be used exclusively in, or that arise exclusively out of, the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business (the “Records”);

(x) all accounts receivable of Ashland as of the close of business on the Closing Date to the extent arising out of the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business (the “Receivables”);

(xi) all goodwill and going concern value of Ashland generated exclusively by, or associated exclusively with, the Maleic Business;

(xii) all rights, claims and credits of Ashland to the extent relating to any other Transferred Asset or any Assumed Liability (other than any such items arising under insurance policies), including any such items arising under any guarantee, warranty, indemnity or similar right in favor of Ashland in respect of any other Transferred Asset or any Assumed Liability; and

(xiii) all other or additional privileges, rights, interests, properties and assets of Ashland of every kind and description and wherever located, in each case that are used, held for use or intended to be used exclusively in, or that arise exclusively out of, the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business.

(b) The term “Excluded Assets” means:

(i) all assets identified in Section 1.02(b) of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter;

(ii) all cash and cash equivalents of Ashland;

(iii) all rights, claims and credits of Ashland to the extent relating to any other Excluded Asset or any Retained Liability (as defined in Section 1.03(b)), including any such items arising under insurance policies and any guarantee, warranty, indemnity or similar right in favor of Ashland in respect of any other Excluded Asset or any Retained Liability;

(iv) all collective bargaining agreements and other Contracts with any labor union that cover one or more Active Maleic Business Employees (as defined in Section 4.03(a)) and all Contracts relating to compensation, bonus or severance to which any Active Maleic Business Employee or any person hired to become a Maleic Business Employee (as defined in Section 3.09(a)) is a party;

(v) all the assets of the Maleic Pension Plans (as defined in Section 3.09(a)) and all the assets of Ashland and its affiliates under any other Maleic Benefit Plan (as defined in Section 3.09(a));

(vi) all rights of Ashland under the Transaction Agreements and the Ancillary Agreements;

(vii) all assets relating to corporate-level services of the type currently provided to the Maleic Business by Ashland or any of its affiliates;

(viii) any shares of capital stock of any affiliate of Ashland;

(ix) the name and xxxx “Ashland” (in any style or design), and any name or xxxx derived from or including the foregoing;

(x) all records of Ashland prepared in connection with the Transactions; and

(xi) all financial and tax records relating to the Maleic Business to the extent they form part of Ashland’s general ledger.

SECTION 1.03. Assumption of Certain Liabilities. (a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, HoldCo shall assume, effective as of the Closing, and from and after the Closing, HoldCo shall pay, perform and discharge when due, and indemnify Ashland and its affiliates and each of their respective Representatives against, and defend and hold them harmless from, all of the following liabilities, obligations and commitments of any nature, whether known or unknown, express or implied, primary or secondary, direct or indirect, liquidated, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due, of Ashland (collectively, the “Assumed Liabilities”), other than any Retained Liabilities:

(i) all liabilities, obligations and commitments of Ashland under the Assigned Contracts to the extent such liabilities, obligations and commitments relate to the period from and after the Closing;

(ii) all liabilities, obligations and commitments of Ashland under any maleic anhydride product exchange agreements that are reflected in the Statement (as

defined in Section 1.05(a)) in accordance with Section 1.05;

(iii) all liabilities, obligations and commitments of Ashland to the extent expressly assumed by HoldCo in accordance with Section 4.03;

(iv) all Environmental Liabilities (as defined in Section 6.01(b)) of Ashland to the extent they arise out of both (A) the operation of any of the Transferred Assets or the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business and (B) either (x) events occurring or circumstances or conditions arising from and after the Closing, or (y) events occurring or circumstances or conditions arising prior to the Closing, but only, in the case of this clause (B)(y), to the extent set forth in the table below (provided, however, that to the extent the same Environmental Liability is described in both clauses (x) and (y) of this Section 1.03(a)(iv)(B), such Environmental Liability will be apportioned between HoldCo and Ashland in proportion to the extent to which the activities of each party contributed to the cause of the Environmental Liability, taking into account all pertinent factors, including the length of ownership by HoldCo and Ashland of the relevant property during the time of the event or occurrence, or the development of the circumstance or condition, giving rise to the Environmental Liability and the use made of such property by the parties hereto):


If written notice (in reasonable detail) of such Environmental Liability is first received by Ashland during the twelve-month period ending on the following anniversary of the Closing Date (provided, however, that with respect to any Environmental Liability arising from any matter referred to in Section 3.11(b) of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter, Ashland shall be deemed to have received written notice (in reasonable detail) of such Environmental Liability prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date):		Percentage of Environmental Liability described in clause (B)(y) above that will be an Assumed Liability:

First through Fifth		0%

Sixth		20%

Seventh		40%

Eighth		60%

Ninth		80%

If such notice is not received by Ashland on or prior to the ninth anniversary of the Closing Date		100%

; and

(v) all other liabilities, obligations and commitments of Ashland to the extent such liabilities, obligations and commitments relate to or arise out of the operation of any of the Transferred Assets or the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business, in each case from and after the Closing.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 1.03(a), or any other provision of this Agreement, HoldCo shall not assume, and Ashland shall pay, perform and discharge when due, and indemnify HoldCo and its affiliates and each of their respective Representatives against, and defend and hold them harmless from, any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland or the Maleic Business of any nature, whether known or unknown, express or implied, primary or secondary, direct or indirect, liquidated, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, and whether due or to become due, except the Assumed Liabilities (collectively, the “Retained Liabilities”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Retained Liabilities include:

(i) any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland to the extent arising out of the operation or

conduct by Ashland or any of its affiliates of any business other than the Maleic Business;

(ii) all accounts payable of Ashland to the extent arising out of the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business prior to the Closing;

(iii) any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland (A) to the extent arising out of any actual or alleged breach by Ashland of, or nonperformance by Ashland under, any Contract (including any Assigned Contract) prior to the Closing or (B) under any Assigned Contract to the extent such liability, obligation or commitment relates to the period prior to the Closing;

(iv) any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland arising out of any warranty claim, suit, action, proceeding, investigation, governmental action or other cause of action or claim associated with or relating to the Maleic Business or the Transferred Assets (a “Claim”) to the extent arising out of actions, omissions or conditions occurring or existing on or prior to the Closing Date;

(v) any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland to the extent such liability, obligation or commitment relates to, or arises out of, any Excluded Asset, or arises out of the ownership or operation by Ashland of any of the Excluded Assets;

(vi) except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 4.03, any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland arising under any Maleic Benefit Plan;

(vii) any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland to any of its divisions, subsidiaries or affiliates;

(viii) any liability, obligation or commitment of Ashland or any of its affiliates under any of the Transaction Agreements or any of the Ancillary Agreements;

(ix) the amount, if any, equal to the aggregate book value (as of the Closing Date) of all Receivables that are not collected after the Closing Date and remain outstanding for a period of more than 60 days

after their respective due dates (as reflected in the books and records of the Maleic Business) notwithstanding that HoldCo has made reasonable efforts to collect such Receivables, which amount shall be promptly paid by Ashland to HoldCo and, until paid, shall be deemed for all purposes of this Agreement to be a Retained Liability; provided, however, in the event any one or more of the Receivables become Retained Liabilities under this clause (ix), promptly following Ashland’s payment to HoldCo with respect to such Receivables under this clause (ix), HoldCo shall assign all of its rights, title and interests in, to and under such Receivables and, to the extent HoldCo thereafter receives any payments from the relevant customers on account of such Receivables, HoldCo shall promptly forward such payments to Ashland; and

(x) any Environmental Liability arising out of events occurring or circumstances or conditions arising prior to the Closing except for Environmental Liabilities that are Assumed Liabilities pursuant to Section 1.03(a)(iv); provided, however, an Environmental Liability that otherwise would be considered a Retained Liability under this Section 1.03(b)(x) shall be an Assumed Liability and shall not be a Retained Liability if the event, circumstance or condition that gave rise to such Environmental Liability (A) is the result of a change in use after the Closing Date of (x) any portion of the Premises consisting of the parcels of real property on which the maleic anhydride plant located in Xxxx, West Xxxxxxxx (the “Plant”) is located (which parcels are identified as such in Section 3.03 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter) to a use substantially unrelated to the use of such Premises as of the Closing Date or (y) any other portion of the Premises to a use other than an industrial use or (B) was discovered as a result of a Phase II or other intrusive sampling, testing or investigation conducted after the Closing Date (collectively, “Environmental Tests”) except for Environmental Tests undertaken (x) to respond to, investigate, or otherwise remediate environmental conditions or contamination that are on the Closing Date in violation of the standards imposed by applicable Environmental Laws (as defined in Section 3.11(b)), (y) as required by Environmental

Laws or in response to an inquiry, request, claim or demand by a Governmental Entity or as a reasonable response to any claim or demand by any other person that is not an affiliate of HoldCo or (z) in connection with a condition first discovered as a result of construction activities commencing after the Closing Date at, on or beneath the Premises, so long as such construction activities are undertaken in connection with (1) with respect to any portion of the Premises consisting of the parcels of real property on which the Plant is located, a use substantially related to the use of such Premises as of the Closing Date or (2) with respect to any other portion of the Premises, an industrial use of such Premises.

(c) HoldCo shall acquire the Transferred Assets free and clear of all liabilities, obligations and commitments of Ashland, other than the Assumed Liabilities, and free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens (as defined in Section 6.01(b)) and other than any Lien pursuant to the HoldCo Borrowing arrangements or arising from actions or inactions of any of the Marathon Parties or their affiliates (and not of any of the Ashland Parties or their affiliates).

SECTION 1.04. Consents of Third Parties. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not constitute an agreement to assign any asset or any claim or right or any benefit arising under or resulting from such asset, or to assume any liability, obligation or commitment, if an attempted assignment or assumption thereof, without the Consent of a third party, would constitute a breach or other contravention of the rights of such third party, would be ineffective with respect to any party to an agreement concerning such asset, liability, obligation or commitment, or would in any way adversely affect the rights of Ashland or, upon transfer, HoldCo with respect to such asset, liability, obligation or commitment. If any transfer or assignment by Ashland, or any assumption by HoldCo, of any interest in, or liability, obligation or commitment under, any asset requires the Consent of a third party, then such transfer or assignment or assumption shall be made subject to such Consent being obtained. Except as set forth in Section 1.04(b), Ashland shall not have any liability or obligation under this Agreement arising out of or relating to the failure to obtain any such Consent that may be

required in connection with the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement or because of any circumstances resulting therefrom, in each case so long as Ashland shall have complied with its obligation under Section 9.11 of the Master Agreement to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain such Consents. Subject to Section 1.04(b), no representation, warranty or covenant of Ashland herein shall be breached or deemed breached, and no condition shall be deemed not satisfied, as a result of (i) the failure to obtain any such Consent, (ii) any circumstances resulting therefrom or (iii) any Claim or investigation commenced or threatened by or on behalf of any person arising out of or relating to the failure to obtain any such Consent or any circumstances resulting therefrom, in each case so long as Ashland shall have complied with its obligation under Section 9.11 of the Master Agreement to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain such Consents.

(b) If any such Consent is not obtained prior to the Closing, the Closing shall nonetheless take place on the terms set forth herein and, thereafter, Ashland and HoldCo shall cooperate (at their own expense) in any lawful and reasonable arrangement proposed by HoldCo under which HoldCo shall obtain the economic claims, rights and benefits under the asset, claim or right with respect to which the Consent has not been obtained in accordance with this Agreement. Such reasonable arrangement may include (i) the subcontracting, sublicensing or subleasing to HoldCo of any and all rights of Ashland against the other party to such third-party agreement arising out of a breach or cancellation thereof by the other party and (ii) the enforcement by Ashland of such rights. With respect to the Assigned Contracts listed in Section 1.04(b) of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter, if the provision of such economic claims, rights and benefits to HoldCo shall violate the rights of such other party, Ashland shall otherwise compensate HoldCo for the reasonable value, if any, of such economic claims, rights and benefits, so long as HoldCo shall have complied with its obligations under the first sentence of this Section 1.04(b).

SECTION 1.05. Closing Current Assets Adjustment. (a) Within 60 days after the Closing Date, Ashland shall prepare and deliver to HoldCo a statement (the “Statement”), setting forth Current Assets (as defined in Section 1.05(d)) as of the close of business on the Closing Date (“Closing Current Assets”). A physical inventory

shall be conducted jointly by Ashland and Marathon on or prior to the Closing Date, in accordance with Section 1.05(a) of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter, for the purpose of preparing the Statement.

(b) During the 30-day period following HoldCo’s receipt of the Statement, HoldCo and its Representatives shall be permitted to review the working papers relating to the Statement. The Statement shall become final and binding upon the parties on the 15th day following delivery thereof, unless HoldCo gives written notice of its disagreement with the Statement (a “Notice of Disagreement”) to Ashland prior to such date. Any Notice of Disagreement shall (i) specify in reasonable detail the nature of any disagreement so asserted and (ii) only include disagreements based on mathematical errors or based on Closing Current Assets not being calculated in accordance with this Section 1.05. If a Notice of Disagreement is received by Ashland in a timely manner, then the Statement (as revised in accordance with this sentence) shall become final and binding upon Ashland and HoldCo on the earlier of (A) the date Ashland and HoldCo resolve in writing any differences they have with respect to the matters specified in the Notice of Disagreement or (B) the date any disputed matters are finally resolved in writing by the Accounting Firm (as defined below). During the 30-day period following the delivery of a Notice of Disagreement, Ashland and HoldCo shall seek in good faith to resolve in writing any differences that they may have with respect to the matters specified in the Notice of Disagreement. At the end of such 30-day period, Ashland and HoldCo shall submit to an independent accounting firm (the “Accounting Firm”) for arbitration any and all matters that remain in dispute and were properly included in the Notice of Disagreement, in the form of a written brief. The Accounting Firm shall be KPMG LLP or, if such firm is unable or unwilling to act, such other nationally recognized independent public accounting firm as shall be agreed upon by the parties hereto in writing. Ashland and HoldCo shall instruct the Accounting Firm to render a decision resolving the matters submitted to the Accounting Firm within 30 days following submission. Judgment may be entered upon the determination of the Accounting Firm in any court having jurisdiction over the party against which such determination is to be enforced. The cost of any arbitration (including the fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm and reasonable attorney fees and expenses

of the parties) pursuant to this Section 1.05 shall be borne by HoldCo and Ashland in inverse proportion as they may prevail on matters resolved by the Accounting Firm, which proportionate allocations shall also be determined by the Accounting Firm at the time the determination of the Accounting Firm is rendered on the merits of the matters submitted. The fees and disbursements of Ashland’s Representatives incurred in connection with their preparation of the Statement and their review of any Notice of Disagreement shall be borne by Ashland, and the fees and disbursements of HoldCo’s Representatives incurred in connection with its review of the Statement shall be borne by HoldCo.

(c) If Closing Current Assets is less than the line item comprising Current Assets on the Balance Sheet (as defined in Section 3.01) (“Target Current Assets”), Ashland shall, and if Closing Current Assets is more than Target Current Assets, HoldCo shall, within 10 business days after the Statement becomes final and binding on the parties, make payment by wire transfer in immediately available funds of the amount of such difference, together with interest thereon at a rate equal to the rate of interest from time to time announced publicly by Citibank, N.A., as its prime rate, calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed divided by 365, from the Closing Date to the date of payment.

(d) The term “Current Assets” means the current assets of the Maleic Business, calculated in the same way, using the same methods, as the line item comprising current assets on the Balance Sheet, other than any current assets relating to any Tax (as defined in the Tax Matters Agreement); provided, however, that any liabilities, obligations or commitments of Ashland under any maleic anhydride product exchange agreements in effect as of the Closing Date shall be deducted, on a dollar for dollar basis, from current assets for purposes of determining Closing Current Assets under this Section 1.05. The foregoing principles are referred to in this Agreement as the “Balance Sheet Principles”. The parties acknowledge that the adjustment contemplated by this Section 1.05 is intended solely to show the change in Current Assets from the date of the Balance Sheet to the Closing Date, and that such change can only be measured if the calculation is done in the same way, using the same methods, for both dates. The scope of the disputes to be resolved by the Accounting

Firm shall be limited to whether Closing Current Assets was calculated in accordance with the Balance Sheet Principles, and whether there were mathematical errors in the Statement, and the Accounting Firm is not to make any other determination, including any determination as to whether GAAP was followed for the Balance Sheet or the Statement. Any items on or omissions from the Balance Sheet that are based upon errors of fact or mathematical errors or that are not in accordance with GAAP shall be retained for purposes of calculating Closing Current Assets.

(e) Following the Closing, HoldCo shall not modify the accounting books and records of the Maleic Business on which the Statement is to be based that would in any way affect the Balance Sheet or the Statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no changes shall be made in any reserve or other account existing as of the date of the Balance Sheet that would in any way affect the Balance Sheet or the Statement except, in the case of the Statement, as a result of events occurring after the date of the Balance Sheet and, in such event, only in a manner consistent with past practices of the Maleic Business. HoldCo shall cooperate in the preparation of the Statement. HoldCo acknowledges that Ashland shall have the primary responsibility and authority for preparing the Statement. During the period of time from and after the Closing Date through the resolution of any adjustment with respect to Closing Current Assets contemplated by this Section 1.05, HoldCo shall afford to Ashland and its Representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to all the properties, books, contracts, personnel and records of the Maleic Business relevant to the preparation of the Statement and the adjustment contemplated by this Section 1.05.

SECTION 1.06. Tax Matters. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, responsibilities and obligations of the parties with respect to any Taxes or Tax Items (in each case as defined in the Tax Matters Agreement) related to or arising from the ownership or operation of the Maleic Business shall be determined pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement.

SECTION 1.07. Neville Island Maleic Assets Provisions.

(a) During the Option Period (as defined below), HoldCo shall be entitled to elect to purchase from Ashland

all of Ashland’s right, title and interest in, to and under the assets of the maleic anhydride portion of the plant (the “Neville Island Maleic Facility”) located at Neville Island, Pennsylvania and the assets that are used, held for use or intended to be used exclusively in the maintenance or operation of the Neville Island Maleic Facility (collectively, the “Neville Island Maleic Assets”) by providing written notice to Ashland of such election (the “Option Notice”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Neville Island Maleic Assets shall not include any of the assets that are used, held for use or intended to be used in the unsaturated polyester resin portion of the plant located at Neville Island, Pennsylvania. If HoldCo exercises its right to purchase hereunder, (i) the purchase price for the Neville Island Maleic Assets shall be equal to the fair market value of the Neville Island Maleic Assets, determined, as of the date on which HoldCo delivers the Option Notice to Ashland, by Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Co. Inc. (or such other independent investment banking or appraisal firm as may be agreed upon by Ashland and HoldCo after the Closing Date), using the same valuation methodology used by Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Co. Inc. for purposes of establishing the value of the Maleic Business in connection with the Transactions being effected on the Closing Date under the Master Agreement, (ii) Ashland and HoldCo shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause the closing of the purchase and sale of the Neville Island Maleic Assets to occur within 60 days of the date on which HoldCo delivers the Option Notice to Ashland and (iii) the other terms of the purchase and sale transaction shall be negotiated in good faith between Ashland and HoldCo, provided that such terms and conditions shall be substantially consistent with the terms and conditions applicable to the Transactions effected pursuant to this Agreement. Ashland shall provide HoldCo at least two months’ prior written notice of the commencement of permanent demolition or disassembly of the Neville Island Maleic Facility. “Option Period” means the period beginning on the Closing Date and terminating and expiring upon the earliest to occur of (i) 60 days after the date of a prior written notice to HoldCo by Ashland of the commencement of permanent demolition or disassembly of the Neville Island Maleic Facility (provided that commencement of such permanent demolition or disassembly of the Neville Island Maleic Facility occurs promptly thereafter), (ii) the sale of the Neville Island Maleic Assets to HoldCo or a third party (provided that, in the case of a sale to a third party, Ashland shall have

complied with Section 1.07(b))or (iii) the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date.

(b) Ashland shall be free to negotiate with any third party to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any portion of the Neville Island Maleic Assets. Not fewer than 30 days nor more than 90 days prior to any proposed sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Neville Island Maleic Assets to a third party prior to the expiration of the Option Period, Ashland shall provide HoldCo a written notice (the “Proposed Sale Notice”), which shall (i) set forth the name of the proposed purchaser and the principal terms and conditions of the proposed transaction, including the consideration proposed to be received by Ashland in such transaction and the proposed date for the closing of such transaction, and (ii) offer to sell the Neville Island Maleic Assets to HoldCo on the same terms and conditions described in the Proposed Sale Notice (provided, however, that if any part of the consideration to be received by Ashland described in the Proposed Sale Notice is in a form other than cash, HoldCo shall be entitled to pay cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of such consideration, as determined by an independent investment banking or appraisal firm agreed upon by HoldCo and Ashland). If HoldCo desires to purchase the Neville Island Maleic Assets on such terms and conditions, it shall provide written notice of its election to do so (the “Exercise Notice”) to Ashland on or before the 30th day after the date HoldCo receives the Proposed Sale Notice, and thereafter Ashland and HoldCo shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause the closing of HoldCo’s purchase on such terms and conditions to occur on the proposed date for the closing of the transaction set forth in the Proposed Sale Notice. In the event HoldCo does not give Ashland the Exercise Notice or an Option Notice on or prior to the 30th day after the date HoldCo receives the Proposed Sale Notice, then, during the immediately following 60-day period, Ashland may sell all or substantially all of the Neville Island Maleic Assets to the proposed purchaser named in the Proposed Sale Notice on terms and conditions which are not materially less favorable, taken as a whole, to such proposed purchaser than the terms and conditions set forth in the Proposed Sale Notice. In the event that Ashland shall not have consummated the sale of all or substantially all of the Neville Island Maleic Assets to such proposed purchaser

within such 60-day period, any subsequent proposed sale of all or substantially all of the Neville Island Maleic Assets shall once again be subject to the terms of this Section 1.07(b).

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, HoldCo agrees that the provisions of this Section 1.07 shall be subject in all respects (i) to the provisions of any Contract relating to the Neville Island Maleic Assets entered into prior to the date of this Agreement, including each of the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Irrevocable Easement Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement (as such Contracts may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time) in each case dated as of April 28, 1995, between Aristech Chemical Corporation and Ashland, (ii) to the rights, responsibilities and obligations of the parties to each such agreement and their respective successors and assigns and (iii) to the receipt of all Consents that must be obtained by virtue of the consummation of the sale, transfer or other disposition of any of the Neville Island Maleic Assets. HoldCo acknowledges that the Consent of Sunoco, Inc. shall be required in order to consummate the sale, transfer or other disposition of any of the Neville Island Maleic Assets by Ashland to HoldCo. Ashland makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, relating to the receipt of such Consent. Ashland and HoldCo shall each use their reasonable best efforts to obtain such Consent; provided, however, that they shall not be required to make any payment to any person in order to obtain such Consent. Ashland shall not have any liability or obligation whatsoever arising out of or relating to any failure to obtain such Consent, so long as Ashland shall have used its reasonable best efforts to obtain such Consent.

ARTICLE II

The Closing

SECTION 2.01. Closing Date. The closing of the Maleic Assignment and Assumption will occur at the Closing, subject only to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to Closing in accordance with the terms of the Master Agreement.

SECTION 2.02. Transactions To Be Effected at the Closing. At the Closing, in accordance with Section 1.01(a) of the Master Agreement:

(a) Ashland shall deliver to HoldCo an executed deed (in recordable form) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A;

(b) Ashland and HoldCo shall enter into an assignment and assumption document, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, providing for the assignment of the Transferred Assets and the assumption of the Assumed Liabilities;

(c) The parties thereto shall enter into a supply agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Maleic Supply Agreement”); and

(d) The parties thereto shall enter into a transition services agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the “Transition Services Agreement”).

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties of Ashland

Ashland hereby represents and warrants to HoldCo that, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date (except to the extent any such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), except as set forth in the letter referencing this Agreement, dated as of the date of this Agreement, from Ashland to HoldCo (the “Maleic Business Disclosure Letter”):

SECTION 3.01. Financial Statements. Section 3.01 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter sets forth the unaudited combined statement of tangible assets to be sold as of September 30, 2003 (the “Balance Sheet”), the unaudited combined statement of tangible assets to be sold as of December 31, 2003, the unaudited combined statement of income before taxes for the year ended September 30, 2003 and the unaudited combined statement of income before taxes for the three months ended December 31, 2003, together with the notes to such financial statements, in each case of the Maleic Business (such financial statements

and the notes thereto, the “Financial Statements”). The Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the tangible assets to be sold (in each case with Ashland’s aggregate liabilities, obligations and commitments under maleic anhydride product exchange agreements outstanding as of the applicable balance sheet date being reflected as an offset to Ashland’s aggregate accounts receivable relating to maleic anhydride product exchange agreements outstanding as of the applicable balance sheet date) and income before taxes of the Maleic Business as of the dates and for the periods indicated, in conformity with GAAP (subject, in the case of the interim financial statements as of and for the period ended December 31, 2003, to normal, recurring year-end adjustments).

SECTION 3.02. Assets Other than Real Property Interests. Ashland has, or as of the Closing Date will have, and at the Closing Ashland will transfer (subject to the consummation of the Closing on the Closing Date in accordance with the terms of Article I of the Master Agreement) to HoldCo, good and valid title to all Transferred Assets in each case free and clear of all Liens (other than any Lien pursuant to the HoldCo Borrowing arrangements or arising from actions or inactions of any of the Marathon Parties or their affiliates (and not of any of the Ashland Parties or their affiliates)), except Permitted Liens. This Section 3.02 does not relate to real property or interests in real property, such items being the subject of Section 3.03.

SECTION 3.03. Real Property. (a) Section 3.03 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete list of all real property and interests in real property owned in fee by Ashland and any of the other Ashland Parties and used, held for use or intended to be used exclusively in the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business, other than any such property or interest constituting an Excluded Asset (individually, an “Owned Property”). Section 3.03 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete list of all real property and interests in real property leased by Ashland and used, held for use or intended to be used exclusively in the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business, other than any such property or interest constituting an Excluded Asset (individually, a “Leased Property”).

(b) Ashland has, or as of the Closing Date will have, and at the Closing Ashland will transfer (subject to the consummation of the Closing on the Closing Date in accordance with the terms of Article I of the Master Agreement) to HoldCo, good and marketable fee title to all Owned Property and good and valid title to the leasehold estates in all Leased Property, in each case free and clear of all Liens (other than any Lien pursuant to the HoldCo Borrowing arrangements or arising from actions or inactions of any of the Marathon Parties or their affiliates (and not of any of the Ashland Parties or their affiliates)), except Permitted Liens.

SECTION 3.04. Intellectual Property; Technology. (a) The conduct of the Maleic Business as presently conducted does not violate, conflict with or infringe the Intellectual Property (as defined in Section 6.01(b)) of any other person, except for such violations, conflicts or infringements that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect (as defined in Section 6.01(b)). During the past 12 months Ashland has not received any written communication alleging that Ashland has in the conduct of the Maleic Business violated any rights relating to Intellectual Property of any other person. Except for the Assigned Technology, there is no material Technology or Intellectual Property of Ashland that is used, held for use or intended to be used in the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business.

(b) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect, (i) all confidential Assigned Technology has been maintained in confidence in accordance with protection procedures customarily used by Ashland to protect rights of like importance; (ii) Ashland has not granted any license of any kind relating to any Assigned Technology, except non-exclusive licenses to end-users in the ordinary course of business; (iii) no Claim against or involving Ashland regarding the ownership, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or use of any Assigned Technology is pending or, to the knowledge of Ashland, threatened; and (iv) no Consent of any person will be required for the use of the Assigned Technology by HoldCo in connection with the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business immediately following the Closing as presently conducted by Ashland.

SECTION 3.05. Contracts. (a) Except for Contracts that will not be binding on the Transferred

Assets or the Maleic Business after the Closing, Ashland is not a party to or bound by any Contract that is used, held for use or intended to be used exclusively in, or that arises exclusively out of, the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business (other than (x) the Transaction Agreements and the Ancillary Agreements and (y) Assigned Contracts entered into after the date of this Agreement in the ordinary course of business and not otherwise in violation of this Agreement) that is:

(i) a covenant not to compete that limits the conduct of the Maleic Business as presently conducted;

(ii) a Contract with (A) Ashland or any affiliate of Ashland or (B) any officer, director or employee of Ashland or any of its affiliates, in each case other than Contracts that will be terminated as of the Closing;

(iii) a lease, sublease or similar Contract with any person under which Ashland is a lessor or sublessor of, or makes available for use to any person, all or any portion of the Premises;

(iv) a lease, sublease or similar Contract with any person under which (A) Ashland is lessee of, or holds or uses, any machinery, equipment, vehicle or other tangible personal property owned by any person or (B) Ashland is a lessor or sublessor of, or makes available for use by any person, any tangible personal property owned or leased by Ashland, in any such case that has an aggregate future liability or receivable, as the case may be, in excess of $100,000 and is not terminable by Ashland by notice of not more than 30 days without payment or penalty of any kind;

(v) (A) a continuing Contract for the future purchase of materials, supplies or equipment (other than purchase orders for inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), (B) a management, service, consulting or other similar Contract or (C) an advertising agreement or arrangement, in any such case that has an aggregate future liability to any person in excess of $100,000 and is not terminable by Ashland by notice of not more than 30 days without payment or penalty of any kind;

(vi) a Contract (including a sales order) involving the obligation of Ashland to deliver products or services for payment of more than $100,000 or extending for a term more than 90 days from the date of this Agreement (unless terminable without payment or penalty of any kind upon no more than 30 days’ notice);

(vii) (A) a Contract under which Ashland has borrowed any money from, or issued any note, bond, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness to, any person or (B) any other note, bond, debenture, letter of credit, financial assurance requirement or other evidence of indebtedness issued to any person;

(viii) a Contract (including any so-called take-or-pay or keepwell agreement) under which (A) any person has directly or indirectly guaranteed indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of Ashland or (B) Ashland has directly or indirectly guaranteed indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of any other person (in each case other than endorsements for the purpose of collection in the ordinary course of business);

(ix) a Contract under which Ashland has, directly or indirectly, made any advance, loan, extension of credit or capital contribution to, or other investment in, any person (other than extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of the Maleic Business), in any such case that, individually, is in excess of $100,000;

(x) a Contract granting a Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon the Premises; or

(xi) any other Contract that has an aggregate future liability to any person (other than Ashland) in excess of $100,000 and is not terminable by Ashland by notice of not more than 30 days without payment or penalty of any kind (other than purchase orders and sales orders).

As of the date of this Agreement, neither the Transferred Assets nor the Maleic Business is bound by or subject to any Contract of any of the types referred to in clauses (i) through (xi) of this Section 3.05(a), applying the thresholds set forth therein, that will be binding on any

of the Transferred Assets or the Maleic Business after the Closing Date.

(b) All Contracts listed in the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter are valid, binding and in full force and effect and are enforceable by Ashland in accordance with their terms subject, as to enforcement, to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to equitable principles of general applicability, except for such failures to be valid, binding, in full force and effect or enforceable that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect. Ashland has performed all obligations required to be performed by it to date under the Assigned Contracts, and it is not in breach or default thereunder and, to the knowledge of Ashland, no other party to any Assigned Contract is in breach or default thereunder, in each case except for such noncompliance, breaches and defaults that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect. Ashland has not received any notice of the intention of any party to terminate any Assigned Contract listed in any section of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter.

(c) Section 3.05(c) of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter sets forth each Assigned Contract with respect to which the Consent of the other party or parties thereto must be obtained by virtue of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the Maleic Assignment and Assumption to avoid the invalidity of the transfer of such Contract, the termination thereof, a breach, violation or default thereunder or any other change or modification to the terms thereof, other than any such invalidity, termination, breach, violation, default, change or modification that would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.06. Permits. Section 3.06 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter sets forth all certificates, licenses, permits, authorizations, Consents and approvals issued or granted to Ashland by, and all exemptions of, or registrations or filings with, Governmental Entities (“Permits”), that are used, held for use or intended to be used exclusively in the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business, except for those Permits the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect. All such Permits are transferable

by Ashland to HoldCo. All Assigned Permits are validly held by Ashland, and Ashland has complied with the terms and conditions thereof, except for any such invalidity or non-compliance that would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect. Ashland has not received written notice of any Claims relating to the revocation or modification of any Assigned Permits except for any such Claims that would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect. None of the Assigned Permits is subject to suspension, modification, revocation or nonrenewal as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the Maleic Assignment and Assumption, except for any such suspensions, modifications, revocations or nonrenewals that would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect. This Section 3.06 does not relate to environmental matters, such items being the subject of Section 3.11(b).

SECTION 3.07. Condition of Transferred Assets. The Transferred Assets are in good operating condition and repair (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and are suitable for their current uses, except where the failure of the Transferred Assets to be in good operating condition or repair or to be suitable for such uses would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.08. Claims. Section 3.08 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of each Claim pending or, to the knowledge of Ashland, threatened against, or as to which a notice has been received as of the date of this Agreement by, Ashland (and, as to complaints, which have been served on Ashland) and that involves an amount in controversy of more than $100,000. This Section 3.08 does not relate to environmental matters, such items being the subject of Section 3.11(b), or to employee or labor matters, such items being the subject of Section 3.12.

SECTION 3.09. Benefit Plans. (a) Section 3.09 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter contains a list of all “employee pension benefit plans” (as defined in Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”)), maintained or contributed to by Ashland for the benefit of any officers or employees of the Maleic Business (“Maleic Pension Plans”) and all “employee welfare benefit plans” (as defined in Section

3(1) of ERISA), bonus, stock option, stock purchase, deferred compensation plans or arrangements and other employee fringe benefit plans maintained, or contributed to, by Ashland or any of its affiliates for the benefit of one or more current or former employees of the Maleic Business (other than any former employee of the Maleic Business who became employed by MAP or any of its subsidiaries following termination of employment with Ashland or any of its affiliates) (each, a “Maleic Business Employee”) (all the foregoing, including Maleic Pension Plans, being herein called “Maleic Benefit Plans”). Ashland has provided to Marathon true, complete and correct copies of (i) each Maleic Benefit Plan (or, in the case of any unwritten Maleic Benefit Plans, fair and accurate summary descriptions thereof), (ii) the two most recent annual reports on Form 5500 filed with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Maleic Benefit Plan (if any such report was required), (iii) the most recent summary plan description for each Maleic Benefit Plan for which such a summary plan description is required and (iv) each trust agreement, group annuity contract or other funding and financing arrangement relating to any Maleic Benefit Plan.

(b) There does not exist as of the date of this Agreement, nor do any circumstances exist as of the date of this Agreement that would reasonably be expected to result in, any Employee Benefits Liability (as defined below), whether under any Maleic Benefit Plan or otherwise, that would reasonably be expected to become a liability of HoldCo or any of its affiliates at or after the Closing. “Employee Benefits Liability” means any liability of Ashland or any entity required to be treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code with Ashland prior to the Closing under (i) Sections 302, 405, 409 or Title IV of ERISA, (ii) Section 412, 4971 or 4975 of the Code or (iii) Sections 601 et. seq. and 701 et seq. of ERISA and Section 4980B and Sections 9801 et seq. of the Code.

SECTION 3.10. Absence of Changes or Events. From the date of the Balance Sheet to the date of this Agreement, there has not been any event, change, effect or development (i) that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that would have been prohibited by Section 4.01 if the terms of such

section had been in effect as of and after the date of the Balance Sheet.

SECTION 3.11. Compliance with Laws. (a) The Maleic Business is in compliance with all applicable Laws, including those relating to occupational health and safety, except for instances of noncompliance that would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of Ashland, Ashland has not received any written communication from a Governmental Entity that alleges that the Maleic Business is not in compliance in any material respect with any applicable Law that has not been finally resolved with such Governmental Entity. This Section 3.11(a) does not relate to matters with respect to Taxes, which are the subject of the Tax Matters Agreement, or to environmental matters, which are the subject of Section 3.11(b).

(b) Except for such matters that would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect, (i) to the knowledge of Ashland, Ashland has not received any written communication from a Governmental Entity that alleges that the Maleic Business is in violation of any Environmental Law that has not been finally resolved with such Governmental Entity, (ii) Ashland holds all Permits required to conduct the Maleic Business under any applicable Environmental Law, and is and at all times has been in compliance with all Environmental Laws and the terms and conditions of such Permits, (iii) there are no Environmental Claims (as defined below) pending, or to the knowledge of Ashland, threatened against Ashland and (iv) there have been no Releases (as defined below) of any Hazardous Material (as defined below) at or originating from the Premises, and no Hazardous Materials have been handled, generated, stored, transported or disposed of by the Maleic Business, in each case that would reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against Ashland. The term “Environmental Claim” means any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, orders, demands, directives, claims, liens, investigations, proceedings or written notices of noncompliance or violation by or from any person alleging liability of whatever kind or nature arising out of, based on or resulting from (x) the presence or Release of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Materials; or (y) the failure to comply with any Environmental Law. The term “Environmental Laws” means all applicable federal,

state, local and foreign laws, rules, regulations, orders, decrees, judgments, legally binding agreements or environmental Permits issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Entity, relating to the protection of the environment, the protection of the public welfare from actual or potential exposure, or the effects from exposure, to any actual or potential release, discharge, disposal or emission (whether past or present) of any Hazardous Materials or the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, labeling, storage, disposal, transport or handling of any Hazardous Materials. The term “Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or regulated radioactive materials or substances, hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or chemicals, petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, and any other material, chemical substance or waste that in relevant form or concentration is prohibited, limited or regulated (or the cleanup of which can be required) pursuant to any Environmental Law and all substances that require special handling, storage or disposal procedures or whose handling, storage or disposal procedures is in any way regulated, in any case under any applicable Law for the protection of the health, safety and environment. The term “Release” means any spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching, emanation or migration of any Hazardous Materials into or through the environment (including ambient air, surface water, ground water, soils, land surface, subsurface strata or workplace).

SECTION 3.12. Employee and Labor Matters. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect (i) there is not any, and during the past three years there has not been any, labor strike, dispute, work stoppage or lockout pending against the Maleic Business; (ii) to the knowledge of Ashland, no union organizational campaign is in progress with respect to the Maleic Business Employees and no question concerning representation of such employees exists; (iii) Ashland is not engaged in any unfair labor practice in connection with the conduct of the Maleic Business; (iv) there are not any unfair labor practice charges or complaints against Ashland pending before the National Labor Relations Board in connection with the conduct of the Maleic Business; (v) there are not any pending union grievances against Ashland in connection with the conduct of the Maleic

Business as to which there is a reasonable possibility of adverse determination; (vi) there are not any pending charges in connection with the conduct of the Maleic Business against Ashland or any Maleic Business Employee before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any state or local agency responsible for the prevention of unlawful employment practices; and (vii) Ashland has not received written notice during the past three years of the intent of any Governmental Entity responsible for the enforcement of labor or employment laws to conduct an investigation of the Maleic Business.

SECTION 3.13. Sufficiency of Transferred Assets. Except for the exclusion of the Excluded Assets and assuming that (i) HoldCo has the ability to provide to the Maleic Business all corporate-level services of the type that are currently provided to the Maleic Business by Ashland or any of its affiliates and (ii) the services to be provided by Ashland to HoldCo pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement will be provided as contemplated therein, the Transferred Assets are sufficient for the operation and conduct of the Maleic Business immediately following the Closing in substantially the same manner as currently operated and conducted, other than any insufficiency that would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.14. Inventory. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect, the Inventory is generally of a quality usable or salable in the ordinary course of the Maleic Business.

SECTION 3.15. Receivables. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect, the Receivables have been collected, or are valid and enforceable claims arising in the ordinary course of business and are, in the good faith belief of Ashland’s management, collectible, in the aggregate respective amounts so reflected on the Balance Sheet, net of the applicable reserves (if any) reflected on the Balance Sheet. Section 3.15 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter sets forth, as of the date of this Agreement, all accounts receivable of Ashland arising out of the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business which presently remain unpaid and are owed by a debtor in any case under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Law relating to bankruptcy or insolvency.

ARTICLE IV

Covenants

SECTION 4.01. Covenants of Ashland Relating to Conduct of Maleic Business. (a) Except for matters set forth in Section 4.01 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter or otherwise contemplated by the Transaction Agreements, from the date of this Agreement to the Closing, Ashland shall conduct the Maleic Business in the usual, regular and ordinary course in substantially the same manner as previously conducted, including completion of the maintenance “turnaround” of the Plant currently scheduled for June 2004 and, to the extent not included in such turnaround, the item referred to in Section 3.10 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter and items 1, 2, 3, 4 (except to the extent that work with respect to such item is projected to be conducted during Ashland’s 2005 fiscal year), 5, 6 and 7 in the capital expenditure budget set forth in Section 4.01(a)(v) of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Ashland shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) preserve the material business relationships of the Maleic Business with customers, suppliers, distributors and others with whom Ashland deals in connection with the conduct of the Maleic Business in the ordinary course of business and retain its present employees who are involved in the operation of the Maleic Business, (ii) maintain the Transferred Assets, including those held under leases, in as good operating condition and repair (ordinary wear and tear excepted) as at present, and maintain all Permits set forth in Section 3.06 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter, (iii) perform in all material respects its obligations under Assigned Contracts and (iv) comply in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to the Maleic Business or any of the Transferred Assets. In addition, except as set forth in Section 4.01 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter or otherwise contemplated by the Transaction Agreements, Ashland shall not do any of the following in connection with the Maleic Business without the prior written consent of Marathon (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed):

(i) adopt, establish or amend in any material respect any Maleic Benefit Plan (or any plan that would be a Maleic Benefit Plan if adopted or established) in a manner affecting any Maleic Business

Employee, except as required by applicable Law or as would relate to a substantial number of other similarly situated employees of Ashland and its subsidiaries;

(ii) grant to any Maleic Business Employee any increase in compensation or benefits, except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or as may be required under existing Contracts set forth in Section 3.05 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter and except for any increases for which Ashland shall be solely obligated and which will not result in any incremental compensation that will be payable by HoldCo after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 4.03(a);

(iii) subject any Transferred Asset to any Lien of any nature whatsoever that would have been required to be set forth in Sections 3.02 or 3.03 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter if existing on the date of this Agreement;

(iv) waive any claims or rights of substantial value to the extent relating to any Transferred Asset;

(v) make or incur any capital expenditures (of a non-emergency nature) that relate to the Maleic Business and that are not reflected in the capital expenditure budget set forth in Section 4.01(a)(v) of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter and that, individually, are in excess of $100,000 or that, in the aggregate, are in excess of $500,000, except for any such capital expenditures for which Ashland shall be solely obligated, provided, however, that if Ashland makes or incurs a capital expenditure that relates exclusively to the Maleic Business and is not reflected in the capital expenditure budget set forth in Section 4.01(a)(v) of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter, and if Marathon agrees in writing to cause HoldCo to reimburse Ashland for such capital expenditure, then HoldCo shall, promptly after the Closing, reimburse Ashland for such capital expenditure;

(vi) sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any Transferred Assets, except (A) inventory, supplies and obsolete or excess equipment sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business and (B) leases

entered into in the ordinary course of business with aggregate annual lease payments not in excess of $50,000;

(vii) enter into or amend any employee collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with any labor union;

(viii) commit an intentional material breach of or waive any material rights under any material Assigned Contract or any material Permit, or amend or terminate any material Assigned Contract or any material Permit if the result of any such amendment or termination would be materially adverse to HoldCo; or

(ix) authorize, or commit or agree to take, any of the foregoing actions.

(b) Advice of Changes. Ashland shall promptly advise Marathon in writing of any change or event that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Insurance. Ashland shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep, or to cause to be kept, all insurance policies currently maintained with respect to the Transferred Assets (the “Ashland Insurance Policies”), or suitable replacements thereof, in full force and effect without interruption through the close of business on the Closing Date; it being understood that any and all Ashland Insurance Policies are owned and maintained by Ashland and its affiliates (and do not exclusively relate to the Maleic Business). HoldCo will not have any rights under the Ashland Insurance Policies from and after the Closing Date.

(d) Survey. During the 90-day period following the date of this Agreement, Ashland shall afford to HoldCo, Marathon and their respective Representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to the Premises for the purpose of conducting an ALTA land title survey (at Marathon’s expense) of the Premises and all appurtenant easements. Following the completion of that survey, a proper legal description of the Premises shall be prepared and shall be attached to the deed referred to in Section 2.02(a).

SECTION 4.02. Refunds and Remittances. After the Closing, if Ashland or any of its affiliates receive any

refund or other amount which is a Transferred Asset or is otherwise properly due and owing to HoldCo or any of its affiliates in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, Ashland promptly shall remit, or shall cause to be remitted, such amount to HoldCo. After the Closing, if HoldCo or any of its affiliates receive any refund or other amount which is an Excluded Asset or is otherwise properly due and owing to Ashland or any of its affiliates in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, HoldCo promptly shall remit, or shall cause to be remitted, such amount to Ashland. After the Closing, if HoldCo or any of its affiliates receive any refund or other amount which is related to claims (including workers’ compensation), litigation, insurance or other matters for which Ashland or any of its affiliates is responsible hereunder, and which amount is not a Transferred Asset, or is otherwise properly due and owing to Ashland or any of its affiliates in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, HoldCo promptly shall remit, or cause to be remitted, such amount to Ashland. After the Closing, if Ashland or any of its affiliates receive any refund or other amount which is related to claims (including workers’ compensation), litigation, insurance or other matters for which HoldCo or any of its affiliates is responsible hereunder, and which amount is not an Excluded Asset, or is otherwise properly due and owing to HoldCo or any of its affiliates in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, Ashland promptly shall remit, or cause to be remitted, such amount to HoldCo.

SECTION 4.03. Employee Matters.

(a) Continuation of Employment. Effective as of the Closing, subject to Section 4.03(d), HoldCo or one or more of its affiliates shall offer employment (which shall include HoldCo’s compliance with its covenants set forth in this Section 4.03) to all Maleic Business Employees who on the Closing Date are actively at work (each, an “Active Maleic Business Employee”). For purposes of this Agreement, any Maleic Business Employee who is not actively at work on the Closing Date due solely to a leave of absence (including due to vacation, holiday, sick leave, maternity or paternity leave, military leave, jury duty, bereavement leave, injury or short-term disability), other than long-term disability, in compliance with applicable policies of Ashland or its affiliates shall be deemed an Active Maleic Business Employee. Each Maleic Business

Employee who accepts such an offer of employment is referred to herein as a “Transferred Maleic Business Employee”. Immediately following the Closing, HoldCo shall, or shall cause one or more of its affiliates to, provide each Transferred Maleic Business Employee (i) with overall compensation that is at least equivalent to such Transferred Maleic Business Employee’s overall compensation in effect immediately prior to the Closing and (ii) subject to the provisions of this Section 4.03, with appropriate employee benefits as determined by HoldCo or such affiliate.

(b) Certain Welfare Benefits Matters. (i) Immediately following the Closing, HoldCo or one or more of its affiliates shall allow Transferred Maleic Business Employees to participate in benefit plans that provide for group welfare benefits including, for the avoidance of doubt, vacation and severance benefits (the “HoldCo Maleic Welfare Plans”). HoldCo shall grant to the Transferred Maleic Business Employees credit for service prior to the Closing with Ashland and its affiliates for all purposes under the HoldCo Maleic Welfare Plans (other than the HoldCo Retiree Medical Plan (as defined in Section 4.03(f))). HoldCo or its applicable affiliate shall (A) waive all limitations as to preexisting conditions, exclusions and waiting periods and actively-at-work requirements with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to the Transferred Maleic Business Employees and their dependents under the HoldCo Maleic Welfare Plans to the extent satisfied or waived under the applicable corresponding Maleic Benefit Plan immediately prior to the Closing and (B) provide each Transferred Maleic Business Employee and his or her eligible dependents with either pro-rated deductibles and co-payments for the balance of the year or credit for any co-payments and deductibles paid prior to the Closing in the calendar year in which the Closing Date occurs (or, if later, in the calendar year in which Transferred Maleic Business Employees and their dependents commence participation in the applicable HoldCo Maleic Welfare Plan) for purposes of satisfying any applicable deductible or out-of-pocket requirements under any HoldCo Maleic Welfare Plans in which the Transferred Maleic Business Employees participate. If credit for deductibles and co-payments is provided, Ashland shall provide or cause to be provided adequate data to implement that credit as HoldCo may reasonably request.

(ii) Ashland shall be responsible in accordance with its applicable welfare plans (and the applicable welfare plans of its affiliates) in effect prior to the Closing for all reimbursement claims (such as medical and dental claims) for expenses incurred, and for all non-reimbursement claims (such as life insurance claims) incurred, under such plans prior to the Closing by Transferred Maleic Business Employees and their dependents, except that HoldCo shall be responsible for such claims to the extent such claims are reflected on the Statement or to the extent insured under an insurance policy of which HoldCo or its affiliates becomes the beneficiary and for which Ashland or its affiliates have paid the premium. HoldCo shall be responsible in accordance with the applicable welfare plans of HoldCo and its affiliates for all reimbursement claims (such as medical and dental claims) for expenses incurred, and for all non-reimbursement claims (such as life insurance claims) incurred, from and after the Closing by Transferred Maleic Business Employees and their dependents. For purposes of this Section 4.03(b)(ii), a claim shall be deemed to have been incurred on (A) the date of death or dismemberment in the case of claims under life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment policies or (B) the date on which the charge or expense giving rise to such claim is incurred (without regard to the date of inception of the related illness or injury or the date of submission of a claim related thereto) in the case of all other claims; provided, however, that in the event of a hospital stay that commences prior to the close of business on the Closing Date and ends after the close of business on the Closing Date, the cost thereof shall be apportioned between HoldCo and Ashland with Ashland responsible for that portion of the cost incurred prior to the close of business on the Closing Date and HoldCo responsible for the balance of such cost. Effective as of the Closing, HoldCo shall assume all liabilities, obligations and commitments of Ashland and its affiliates to Transferred Maleic Business Employees and their eligible dependents in respect of health insurance under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and applicable state Law; provided, however, that Ashland and its affiliates shall remain obligated to

provide any applicable COBRA notices in respect of events occurring on or prior to the Closing Date.

(c) Accrued Vacation. For purposes of determining the number of vacation days to which each Transferred Maleic Business Employee shall be entitled following the Closing, HoldCo shall assume and honor all vacation days accrued or earned but not yet taken by such Transferred Maleic Business Employee as of the Closing. To the extent that a Transferred Maleic Business Employee is entitled under any applicable Law or any policy of Ashland or its affiliates to be paid for any vacation days accrued or earned but not yet taken by such Transferred Maleic Business Employee as of the Closing, HoldCo shall discharge the liability for such vacation days.

(d) Collectively Bargained Employees. HoldCo shall comply with all applicable Laws relating to negotiations with unions in respect of the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement and shall bear all expenses of any compensation resulting from such negotiations. HoldCo shall indemnify Ashland from, and hold it harmless against, any liability arising out of, attributable to or resulting from HoldCo’s nonassumption of any collective bargaining agreement that covers one or more Transferred Maleic Business Employees; provided, however, that such indemnification shall not include benefits and obligations accrued and payable under Ashland’s pension plans and employment practices prior to the Closing.

(e) Pension Benefit. Immediately following the Closing, HoldCo or one or more of its affiliates shall have in effect a retirement benefit plan or plans (as applicable, the “HoldCo Retirement Plan”) that shall provide benefits to the Transferred Maleic Business Employees who immediately prior to the Closing are salaried or non-union hourly employees. HoldCo shall grant such Transferred Maleic Business Employees credit for service prior to the Closing with Ashland and its affiliates for purposes of determining eligibility to participate and vesting under the HoldCo Retirement Plan to the same extent that such service is recognized for purposes of eligibility to participate and vesting under the Ashland Inc. and Affiliates Pension Plan (the “Ashland Pension Plan”) as of the Closing Date.

(f) Retiree Medical Benefit. Immediately following the Closing, HoldCo or one or more of its

affiliates shall have in effect a retiree medical plan or plans (as applicable, the “HoldCo Retiree Medical Plan”) that shall provide benefits to Transferred Maleic Business Employees who immediately prior to the Closing are salaried or non-union hourly employees that are the same as those offered by MAP to its employees, subject to MAP’s right to amend or modify its retiree medical plan in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the reservation of rights provisions of such plan. HoldCo shall grant such Transferred Maleic Business Employees credit for service prior to the Closing with Ashland and its affiliates for purposes of determining eligibility to receive retiree medical subsidies and for purposes of determining level of benefits and benefit accruals under the HoldCo Retiree Medical Plan to the same extent that such service is recognized for purposes of eligibility to participate and vesting under the Ashland Pension Plan as of the Closing Date.

(g) WARN Act. HoldCo agrees to provide any required notice under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, as amended (the “WARN Act”), and any similar state Law that may be applicable to HoldCo, and to otherwise comply with any such applicable Law with respect to any “plant closing” or “mass layoff” (in each case as defined in the WARN Act) or group termination or similar event affecting Maleic Business Employees (including as a result of the consummation of the Transactions) and occurring on or after the Closing Date. HoldCo shall notify Ashland after the Closing of any layoffs of any Transferred Maleic Business Employees in the 90 day period after the Closing.

(h) Administration. Following the date of this Agreement, Ashland and HoldCo shall reasonably cooperate in all matters reasonably necessary to effect the transactions contemplated by this Section 4.03, including exchanging information and data relating to workers’ compensation, employee benefits and employee benefit plan coverages (except to the extent prohibited by applicable Law), and in obtaining any governmental approvals required hereunder.

(i) Employment Tax Reporting Responsibility. HoldCo and Ashland hereby agree to follow the alternate procedure for employment tax withholding as provided in Section 5 of Rev. Proc. 96-60, 1996-53 I.R.B. 24 (“Rev. Proc. 96-60”). Ashland shall provide HoldCo with all necessary and accurate payroll records and such other

information relating to the Transferred Maleic Business Employees as HoldCo may reasonably request with respect to Transferred Maleic Business Employees in order to comply with the provisions of Rev. Proc. 96-60 with respect to the calendar year that includes the Closing Date. HoldCo shall perform all employment tax reporting responsibilities for such employees from the Closing Date forward and shall furnish a Form W-2 for such calendar year to each Transferred Maleic Business Employee that will include all remuneration earned by such Transferred Maleic Business Employee from Ashland or HoldCo during such calendar year.

(j) Intent. It is HoldCo’s intent that overall compensation and benefits provided by HoldCo to the Transferred Maleic Business Employees will have comparable value to those provided to them by Ashland immediately prior to the Closing. It is HoldCo’s intent to provide competitive compensation and benefits to all employees (including collectively bargained employees) at the Plant.

SECTION 4.04. Post-Closing Information. After the Closing, upon reasonable written notice, Ashland and HoldCo shall furnish or cause to be furnished to each other and their employees and Representatives, during normal business hours, reasonable access to the personnel, properties, books, Contracts, commitments, records and other information relating to the Maleic Business (and, to the extent reasonably requested, copies of the portions relating to the Maleic Business of any such books, Contracts, commitments, records and other information, in each case to the extent they are available in written form and they relate to the period prior to the Closing Date) and assistance relating to the Maleic Business (to the extent within the control of such party), in each case for any reasonable business purpose, including in respect of litigation, insurance matters, financial reporting and accounting matters.

SECTION 4.05. Records. HoldCo recognizes that certain Records may contain incidental information relating to subsidiaries, divisions or businesses of Ashland other than the Maleic Business and that Ashland may retain copies thereof. Ashland recognizes that certain documents and information of a type similar to the Records may be used, held for use or intended to be used primarily in, or arise primarily out of, the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business, and shall provide copies of the relevant portions thereof to HoldCo at the Closing.

SECTION 4.06. Agreement Not To Compete. (a) For a period of five years from the Closing Date, Ashland shall not, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries (other than Ashland-Suedchemie Kernfest GmbH and Ashland Avebene S.A., in each case for so long as neither Ashland nor any of its subsidiaries own, directly or indirectly and individually or collectively, more than 50% of the equity interests of such entities) not to, directly or indirectly: (i) engage in the business of manufacturing or marketing maleic anhydride (“Competitive Activities”) within North America; provided, however, that this clause (i) shall not apply to the marketing of briquette maleic anhydride acquired from Marathon or any of its subsidiaries; (ii) solicit or recruit any Transferred Maleic Business Employee; provided, however, that this clause (ii) shall not apply to (A) a general advertisement or solicitation program that is not specifically targeted at such persons or (B) any employee whose employment by HoldCo has been terminated prior to such solicitation or recruitment; or (iii) solicit any customer of the Maleic Business within North America or any person who, within one year prior to the time of such solicitation, was a customer of the Maleic Business within North America, for the purpose of marketing maleic anhydride in competition with the Maleic Business in North America with the knowledge of such customer relationship; provided, however, that this clause (iii) shall not apply to the marketing of briquette maleic anhydride acquired from Marathon or any of its subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.06(a) shall be deemed not breached as a result of: (i) the ownership by Ashland or any of its subsidiaries of (A) less than an aggregate of 10% of any class of stock of a person engaged, directly or indirectly, in Competitive Activities or (B) less than 10% in value of any instrument of indebtedness of a person engaged, directly or indirectly, in Competitive Activities; or (ii) the acquisition by Ashland or any of its subsidiaries of any person that, prior to the acquisition thereof, is not an affiliate of Ashland and that engages, directly or indirectly, in Competitive Activities within North America (A) if such Competitive Activities within North America account for less than 20% of such person’s consolidated annual revenues for its most recently completed fiscal year or (B) if Ashland disposes of or agrees to dispose of or discontinues such person’s business engaged in Competitive Activities within North America within one year after the closing of such acquisition.

(b) Ashland hereby agrees that the geographic and business scope and the duration of the covenants and restrictions in this Section 4.06 are fair and reasonable. However, if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable by reason of the geographic or business scope or duration thereof, the court or other tribunal is hereby directed to construe and enforce this Section 4.06 as if the geographic or business scope or the duration of such provision has been more narrowly drawn as so not to be invalid or unenforceable, and such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect or render invalid or unenforceable any other provision of this Agreement.

(c) Ashland acknowledges that HoldCo will have no adequate remedy at law if Ashland violates or breaches any term of this Section 4.06. In such event, HoldCo shall have the right (upon compliance with any necessary prerequisites imposed by law upon the availability of such remedies), in addition to any other rights or remedies that it may have to obtain, in any court of competent jurisdiction, injunctive relief to restrain any breach or threatened breach of, or otherwise to specifically enforce the terms of, this Section 4.06, and to exercise such remedies cumulatively or in conjunction with all other rights and remedies provided by contract (hereunder or otherwise, including the right to indemnity under Article XIII of the Master Agreement), at law or in equity.

(d) All the covenants in this Section 4.06 are intended by each party hereto to, and shall, be construed as an agreement independent of any other provision in this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action of Ashland against HoldCo, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise (other than a claim or cause of action of Ashland against HoldCo for a material breach of the Maleic Supply Agreement that is continuing after written notice by Ashland thereof and the expiration of a reasonable cure period in accordance with the terms of the Maleic Supply Agreement), shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by HoldCo of any covenant in this Section 4.06.

SECTION 4.07. Bulk Transfer Laws. HoldCo hereby waives compliance by Ashland with the provisions of any so-called “bulk transfer law” of any jurisdiction in connection with the Maleic Assignment and Assumption.

SECTION 4.08. Supplies. At any time after 20 days after the Closing Date, HoldCo shall not use stationery, purchase order forms, labels, material safety data sheets or other similar paper goods or supplies that state or otherwise indicate thereon that the Maleic Business is a division or unit of Ashland.

SECTION 4.09. Mail. From and after the Closing, Ashland and HoldCo shall cooperate with each other, and shall cause their Representatives to cooperate with each other, to ensure that (i) HoldCo receives copies of all mail (including mail sent by private delivery and electronic mail correspondence) relating to the Maleic Business or the Transferred Assets and (ii) Ashland receives all mail addressed to Ashland delivered to the Premises (which HoldCo is hereby authorized to receive and open) that contains information relating to, or of importance to, Ashland (including for financial reporting, accounting or tax purposes) or to subsidiaries, divisions or businesses of Ashland other than the Maleic Business.

SECTION 4.10. Further Assurances. From time to time after the Closing, as and when requested by any party hereto, each party shall execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents and instruments and shall take, or cause to be taken, all such further or other actions, as such other party may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to consummate the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, (i) in the case of Ashland, executing and delivering to HoldCo such assignments, deeds, Consents and other instruments as HoldCo may reasonably request as necessary or desirable for such purpose and (ii) in the case of HoldCo, executing and delivering to Ashland such assumptions and other instruments as Ashland may reasonably request as necessary or desirable for such purpose. From and after the Closing Date, Ashland will promptly refer all bona fide written inquiries with respect to ownership of the Transferred Assets after the Closing or the operation or conduct of the Maleic Business after the Closing to HoldCo or its designee.

SECTION 4.11. Review of Contracts. Prior to the Closing Date, Ashland shall review the terms of each material Contract that relates in part to the Maleic Business and in part to any other business of Ashland or any of its subsidiaries (collectively, “Ashland Joint Contracts”) in order to determine whether such Contract

should be terminated and replaced on or prior to the Closing Date by a separate Contract relating to the Maleic Business on the one hand (any such separate Contract being an Assigned Contract, so long as (i) entering into such Contract would not otherwise be in violation of this Agreement and (ii) such Contract does not contain terms that, in the aggregate, are materially less advantageous to the Maleic Business than the terms under the Contract being terminated and replaced), and a separate Contract relating to such other business of Ashland or any of its subsidiaries on the other hand (any such separate Contract not being an Assigned Contract). If requested by HoldCo or Marathon within 90 days after Ashland notifies HoldCo and Marathon in writing of the specific terms of the Ashland Joint Contracts, Ashland shall continue in effect any Ashland Joint Contract not terminated and replaced in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, if not prohibited by the terms of such Ashland Joint Contract, until the stated expiration thereof (without regard to any available renewal options); provided, however, that Ashland shall not be prohibited from terminating any such Ashland Joint Contract (other than the Car Service Contract dated as of April 16, 1990, between Ashland and General American Transportation Corporation, the Car Leasing Agreement dated as of January 3, 1984, between Ashland and General Electric Railcar Leasing Services Corporation, the Car Service Agreement dated as of April 1, 1989, between Ashland and Union Tank Car Company and the Master Supplier Agreement dated as of January 1, 1990, between Ashland and Union Tank Car Company) that relates to a substantial portion of the business of Ashland and its subsidiaries. Each of Ashland and HoldCo shall perform its respective obligations under all such Ashland Joint Contracts so as not to create a default thereunder, and Ashland shall provide HoldCo with rights thereunder consistent with historical practice between the parties with respect thereto, subject to obtaining any necessary Consents from third parties (which Ashland and HoldCo mutually agree to use their reasonable best efforts to obtain) and subject to HoldCo bearing the proportionate expense attributable to such rights consistent with historical practice between the parties with respect thereto; provided, however, that neither Ashland nor HoldCo shall be obligated to extend credit to the other party.

ARTICLE V

Termination

SECTION 5.01. Termination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, this Agreement shall automatically terminate, without further action by any party, and the Maleic Assignment and Assumption abandoned at any time prior to the Closing, upon termination of the Master Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof.

SECTION 5.02. Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 5.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation on the part of any party hereto, other than (i) Section 5.01 and this Section 5.02 and (ii) Article VI (General Provisions), which provisions shall survive such termination, and except to the extent that such termination results from the material breach by a party of its representations, warranties or covenants set forth in the Transaction Agreements.

ARTICLE VI

General Provisions

SECTION 6.01. Interpretation; Maleic Business Disclosure Letter; Certain Definitions. (a) When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Section or Exhibit, such reference shall be to an Article of, a Section of, or an Exhibit to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”. No item contained in any section of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter shall be deemed adequate to disclose an exception to a representation or warranty made in this Agreement, unless (i) such item is included (or expressly incorporated by reference) in a section of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter that is numbered to correspond to the section number assigned to such representation or warranty in this Agreement or (ii) it is readily apparent from a reading of such item

that it discloses an exception to such representation or warranty.

(b) For all purposes hereof:

“Environmental Liability” means any liability, obligation or commitment arising under any Environmental Law; provided, however, that Environmental Liability specifically does not include any liability, obligation or commitment relating to any Claim brought by any person other than a Governmental Entity seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, penalties, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from the existence or release of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials, except where such Claim is brought as a citizen’s suit in which no monetary damages are sought for the account of such person. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, any liability, obligation or commitment under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, or any comparable state Environmental Law that arises out of, is based on or is in connection with the disposal or Release by Ashland of Hazardous Materials at a location other than the Premises shall be treated as a Retained Liability and shall not be or become an Assumed Liability.

“Intellectual Property” means patents (including all reissues, divisions, continuations and extensions thereof), patent applications, trademarks, trademark registrations, trademark applications, servicemarks, trade names, business names, brand names, copyrights, copyright registrations and proprietary designs and design registrations.

“Maleic Business” means the business of (i) manufacturing maleic anhydride at the Plant, (ii) acquiring maleic anhydride from parties not affiliated with Ashland and (iii) marketing, distributing and selling the foregoing, in each case as conducted by Ashland, directly or indirectly through certain of its subsidiaries, as of the date of this Agreement.

“Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect (i) on the business, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise), operations or results of operation of the Maleic Business, taken as a whole, (ii) on the ability of Ashland to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other agreements

and instruments to be executed and delivered in connection with this Agreement or (iii) on the ability of Ashland to consummate the Maleic Assignment and Assumption. For purposes of this Agreement, “Maleic Business Material Adverse Effect” shall exclude any events, changes, effects and developments to the extent relating to (A) the economy of the United States or foreign economies in general, (B) industries in which the Maleic Business operates and not specifically relating to the Maleic Business, (C) any announcement by Ashland of the Transactions or of its intention to transfer the Maleic Business or (D) the execution of the Transaction Agreements and the Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the Transactions.

“Permitted Liens” means (i) Liens for current Taxes, assessments, governmental charges or levies not yet due, (ii) workers’ or unemployment compensation Liens arising in the ordinary course of business, (iii) mechanic’s, materialman’s, supplier’s, vendor’s, garnishment or similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business for amounts not yet due, (iv) Liens or other charges or encumbrances as may have arisen in the ordinary course of business, none of which individually or in the aggregate are material to the ownership, use or operation of the Transferred Assets, (v) any state of facts which an accurate survey would show which does not materially detract from the value of or materially interfere with the use and operation of the Transferred Assets, (vi) any Liens, easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, rights, leases and other encumbrances affecting title thereto, whether or not of record, which do not materially detract from the value of or materially interfere with the use and operation of the Transferred Assets, (vii) legal highways, zoning and building Laws, ordinances or regulations, (viii) any Liens for real estate Taxes which are not yet due and payable, (ix) Liens set forth in Section 3.02 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter and (x) Liens set forth in Section 3.03 of the Maleic Business Disclosure Letter.

SECTION 6.02. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party.

SECTION 6.03. Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule or Law, or public

policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the Transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party hereto. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement (in accordance with the terms of Section 6.06) so as to effect the original intent of the parties hereto as closely as possible to the end that the Transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the greatest extent possible.

SECTION 6.04. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

SECTION 6.05. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the parties hereto and the Marathon Parties, whom the parties hereto expressly agree are third-party beneficiaries entitled to enforce the provisions of this Agreement. Ashland acknowledges that the rights, titles and interests provided to HoldCo pursuant to this Agreement are a material part of the consideration for the agreements of the Marathon Parties pursuant to the Master Agreement. It is further understood that, subject to Section 14.09 of the Master Agreement, the respective successors and assigns of Ashland and HoldCo shall have all of the rights, interests and obligations of Ashland and HoldCo, respectively, hereunder.

SECTION 6.06. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended by the parties except pursuant to an instrument in writing signed on behalf of Ashland and HoldCo with the written consent of Marathon.

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


ASHLAND INC.,

by		/s/ XXXXX X. X’XXXXX
Name:		Xxxxx X. X’Xxxxx
Title:		Chief Executive Officer

ATB HOLDINGS INC.,

by		/s/ XXXXX X. X’XXXXX
Name:		Xxxxx X. X’Xxxxx
Title:		President

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ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (MALEIC BUSINESS) Dated as of March 18, 2004, Between ASHLAND INC. And ATB HOLDINGS INC.

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